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Apologies for the delays...
For those checking in late, there is a large Sunday review, of Questionable Content. It was delayed because a friend needed my help, and I was only partway done with the review at that time. I plan on starting these Sunday reviews earlier in the week (I already know which comic I'll be reviewing for next week, and I'm going to plan out other Sunday reviews in advance.
Today's review was delayed because of massive insomnia coming from working on the Sunday review into the wee hours of the morning. Technically it was finished Monday, but as I'm planning on using Sundays for the comprehensive reviews, I backdated it. Anyway, sorry for the delay. Take care!
Robert A. Howard
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I thought cats didn't like babies because of tail-pulling...
 (From Todd and Penguin. Click on image to see full-sized image.)
Last week Holly surprised us (and Todd) with the news that she's pregnant. I thought of commenting on it then, but I decided to wait and see how the story would develop. The character I most wanted to hear from was Penguin himself; he took Holly and Todd's marriage in stride, and quickly accepted Holly into the family. Today he has found out from our primary source of news and information in the T&P world: Oscar the Gossipy Cat.
I suppose Oscar's reaction is to be expected. He's always been very self-centered. It's a bit of a cat trait; cats can be affectionate and loving at times, but they're also loners by nature. This is unlike a dog, who thinks in terms of his pack mates (ie, the family that has adopted the dog) or a bird, who thinks of others possibly in terms of their flock (or maybe as big predators that for some reason haven't eaten them; I've not as much experience with avians, especially the non-predatory ones).
Oscar has been shown again and again to think of himself first. This once resulted in Oscar bear napping Mr. Bear and Penguin going out looking for him. (That story also had an interesting bit with Jessika where she showed considerable wisdom concerning revenge and the like... her line here shows that for all her anger and irritability, she is a good person, and a worthwhile friend for Penguin: I say it is far stronger to open your heart and forgive.)
It's touching and oh so real to see Holly and Todd's reaction to this. Sure, it was played for laughs initially, with Todd being stunned into silence, and Holly getting exasperated because he's not even blinking. But the final two panels show two young people who are so scared of what's to come. I mean, a baby. They're just starting to learn what it's like to be married to each other, just starting to get used to each other's presence, and now this. A baby.
Nothing will ever be the same.
No doubt we'll see more of Penguin's responses in the days to come. What will be interesting is how long (or quickly) it'll take for Holly to give birth. If we're lucky, it'll be a while, as there are plenty of potential gags and cute little misunderstandings to come as Holly comes closer to her due date, whether it be about maternity clothes (and maybe Penguin borrowing some for a game or some such) or as Holly grows larger with child, or anything else like that.
Whatever happens, I'm sure David Wright will do a superb job of showing us the fears and joys that come with pregnancy, and then raising a child. Though I'm sure Todd will do fine; he has already with Penguin, after all.
Robert A. Howard
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