17 May 2007

SPD DMN

In today's Dinette Set, Burl gets a ticket while the reader ponders:
  • Does this panel even contain a joke? Is there supposed to be something funny about the fact that Burl has no plans to speed off while the cop runs his info through the computer? If so, the joke is well-hidden.
  • If you set out to draw the most unconvincing lapel in history, would it be possible to draw a less convincing lapel than the one on the cop's jacket?
  • What is written on the cop's hat? For that matter, why does the Crustwood police force wear bowler hats?
  • Why does the cop carry his gun in his pocket? Alternately, why is his holster made of the same material as his pants?

8 comments:

Eric said...

I think it says Dewitt on the cop's hat.

Maybe today is the first step toward madness. Maybe from here on out, The Dinette Set will be unfunny on purpose. Kind of a slow slide into zippyesque dementia.

Anonymous said...

quick thoughts:

-i daresay even "nikki" won't be defending this panel.

-you know, it would have almost worked if the cop was giving him a ticket for, like, 41 in a 40.

-where does the bottom of that "Your Speed" sign go? in fact, where is any of the background?

Anonymous said...

The lapel and holster problems left me with the impression that the cop is wearing a robe with police-uniform trim.

Anonymous said...

I'm with Pinball, it doesn't look like a Uniform but more like a Hugh Hefner smoking jacket or robe...

Anonymous said...

Well you are right Jake, I can't defend this one! What I want to know is: 1. Is that a police scanner on the dashboard (which is a "no no" in the eyes of law enforcement or is it a box of Kleenex? 2. what are the two balls shapes on each side in the back window---one says cat and the other says B ??? 3. On the bumper there is a round police officer badge with slanted line thru it. 4. Does their license plate letters signify something?

Eric said...

1) Since it has the word "Fuzz" written on it, I'd say yes. Although I don't think that your general radar detector has the word "fuzz" written on it, Ms. Larson usually has to label things in her art to make sure we can figure out what it is.

2) Baseball caps, I imagine. Why they're there, I've no clue.

3) In many states, you can join the "fraternal order of the police" or whatever. You get a sticker that you put on your car, so the officer that pulls you over knows that you donated to his police fund. This might be meaning to represent one of those, but in that oh-so-subtly "off" way that Ms. Larson either intentionally or accidentally manages to generate with her art choosements.

4) Speed Demon

DaveyK said...

#3 - Note also there's a slash through the badge, indicating Burl's negative support for the police.

And at this point, we've made two points that define The Dinette Set experience:
1. If you have to think this hard about a background detail, it was probably better left out;
2. The detail isn't funny or even interesting no matter how hard you think about it.

Anonymous said...

Daveyk, you seem to notice and ponder over every detail----I thought you might be slipping when you didn't comment on these specific items that I thought were quite interesting! By the way, I bet you might be cute if you took the chopsticks out of your nose!!!