(Cartoonist’s note: I shopped Lost Key to my syndicate United Media when I first came up with it. I was anxious to produce a second strip. What was I thinking?! However, they passed. Unbeknownst to me, they had not long before canceled an under-performing strip of a very similar nature. Also, my strip really wasn’t that good.)
This cartoon is a bit dated. People besides sailors and prisoners were getting tattooed by the 80s but not as they have been the past ten years or so. The painful extravaganza described by the grizzled old tattoo artist would not raise an eyebrow today, although the tableau he describes might be thought of as a bit prosaic.
Speaking of tattoos, my generation when it was younger was very accustomed to the tattoos on our neighbors and fathers who had served in the navy during World War II. If you’re fortunate enough to have one of those old guys still around, you’ve probably noticed his tattoo is now a blue blob. Is that what all these modern tattoos are going to look like 40 years hence? I don’t raise this question to pass judgement on the tattooed, but I really have wondered this.
Speaking of things 80s, I remember my own racquetball phase, both weeks of it. And speaking of those tattoos, I’ve always heard that the body completely regenerates itself in seven years. In other words, the natural process of cell replacement eventually results in a brand new you. Researching this a bit (45 seconds, to be exact) in the process of writing this, I was not surprised to find out this isn’t exactly true. Types of cells take a lot longer than others to regenerate, and some never do. Essentially, though, there is something to the idea we get a completely new body every so often. The prospect tends to be more exciting than the reality, doesn’t it? However, given this and given the rather dynamic nature of skin cells, I wonder: Why don’t tattoos disappear?
In today’s episode, we’re finally getting to some character development, but this is about as far as it goes, I’m afraid. It was, after all, just a concept.
61 responses to “The Lost Strips”
I don’t think I’ve ever seen this set of strips before, but I do know that you’ve used the one with the tatoo before because I have a copy of it on my desktop computer.
The Bear walked in the Village
Thanks Mark.
Prayers for all those in the vicinity of hurricane Florence. Any number of students from my classes of 50 years ago are in that region, notably in Cary & New Bern & Morehead City, NC. Flooding seems to be the greater hazard, as the wind is rather low – only category one when it hit or even less by this time. I have heard that several hundreds of folks have called for help [from being stranded by water] just in New Bern…with many more awaiting help.
Kenya, impala herd.
https://explore.org/livecams/african-wildlife/african-animal-lookout-camera
Peace,
I hope that Nicholas Sparks’ beautiful home on the water in New Bern wasn’t destroyed by the flood.
Mark, I saw that about the Scot Fest and even mentioned it to Jackie. Unfortunately, it is taking place on days we don’t have to travel, and we really can’t justify the trip just for that. Probably would have been fun…I have some Scottish ancestry on my mom’s side of the family, and I’m one of those apparently rare individuals who actually likes bagpipe music.
Ghost:
I might have a little Scot in me. No matter.
I have loved bagpipes since I was a wee one and have some albums and tapes of bagpipe music.
I once read that bagpipes were used in battle to direct the troops. I will assume that that’s true.
It’s amazing that something I find to be beautiful has its roots in something terrible.
Ghost, and Rick, I like them too. They have a similar event in Montgomery, AL, which I have attended. Among other things, they had a competition for sheepdogs which was amazing to watch.
Had something which spooked me last night. I was sitting up late reading when somebody started knocking on my door. Seeing as how it was midnight and there have been multiple home invasions in Tulsa lately, I didn’t say a word, just turned out the lights and took my phone to another room. Whoever it was never said a word, just knocked for about 5 minutes and then gave up. As I don’t have any friends who would be coming without an invitation, I’m not opening the door for anybody that late.
Here’s a funny video revealing how some reporters exaggerate things…
https://mashable.com/article/weatherman-dramatically-braces-for-storm/#sHN19_9UIPq8
Better than usual, worth scrolling down through at least 4. DNA has interesting implications. Have read that about 1 American woman in 10 would rather not have her kid’s or kids’ DNA analyzed.
http://thatispriceless.blogspot.com/
Peace,
emb, funny, but I like the chiropractor one better. Thanks for the link. I don’t read this on a regular basis and had forgotten about it till you mentioned it again today
Mark
1. Didn’t say I preferred the DNA TIP, just thought it worth a biologist’s comment.
2. Didn’t count well. Consider the last 6 all worthwhile, and most admire the “more than a handful is wasteful” one, which confirms Elaine’s aphorism, “All men are prancing, leering billygoats.” She loved/loves me anyway.
Peace,
Mark in TTown:
Along with your phone, I hope that you had some self-defense with you.
I don’t own a firearm, but I did take something that would leave a mark! No pun intended.
Mark:
Good.
Pepper spray can be highly effective.
I don’t own any firearms, either, but I have practiced shooting many times in the past.
The bear wandered by 🙂
Jimmy has spoken about his admiration for Charles Schulz.
This is an interesting and brief piece about Sparky: http://www.todayifoundout.com/index.php/2018/09/peanuts-became-defining-comic-strip-time/
Rick in Shermantown, thanks for the link. Interesting article. As i have mentioned before, my favorite comic book artist is Carl Barks. I can see parallels with Schulz’ background in Barks’ life story too.
http://rogallery.com/Barks_Carl/barks-biography.htm
Kenya, elephant squabble
https://explore.org/livecams/african-wildlife/african-watering-hole-animal-camera
Peace
Elephants had moved offscreen by the time I posted.
Bear cubs pal is apparently a squirrel. Ears are almost rabbit-like.
https://www.gocomics.com/thegrizzwells/2018/09/17
Peace
Since the last Lost Key cartoons post apparently has also lost the gocomics.com link, for the first time in awhile I’ve been having to go directly to them to get my daily A&J fix. My impression: “What fresh hell can this be?” (RIP, Dorthy Parker.)
It appears they have made their site even more cluttered and less user-friendly, at least for us infrequent visitors.
Mark:
Great article – thanks!
You’re welcome, Rick.
Whoops! “bear cub’s … .”
I live in New Bern. No, Nicholas Sparks’ house wasn’t blown away. Looks like a lot of trees down around it. Our house was unscathed but so many around us were flooded and others hit by trees. It is really sad to see. It’s amazing how so many have come from so far to help this little town. We are grateful. So many other areas of NC are suffering as well. Even though it was a Cat 1, the flooding is the worst we’ve ever seen and seems to be getting worse. Be grateful for what you have, it can be gone in a flash.