Mary Worth 2312

Okay... just in case you missed it on Monday, there is definitely a picture of Batman behind Dawn. Probably a little too obvious today, Joe, but thanks just the same. Even more thrilling, however, is the fact that this is probably the first time ever that there has been noticeable continuity in the Weston's breakfast nook. Of course, the roses are now modern art and they've put in some bookshelves. But, hey, it's Batman! And I was huge on Batman when Joe Giella was drawing him back in the day, so I consider this a personal gift to me. I feel like I've come full circle.

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Mary Worth 2311

"Hmmm... Harlan is knowledgeable about things? I wonder if he would be a good substitute for my Ask Wendy column? Perhaps he could offer some advice on what to do when your daughter is dating her substitute professor."

.... Wait a minute! Is that Chin Napkin's cousin, Blue Chin Napkin? I think Beatrice Chestnut, 5th grade colorist, didn't even recognize Chin Napkin so she mistakenly colored him blue.

Edited to add: Pay attention to Vince's comment today! He spotted Batman in the photos behind Dawn. Joe Giella drew for Batman comics back when I was a kid. Great find, Vince. And thanks, Joe.

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Mary Worth 2310

Meanwhile, at the Slum of Art...

My father always says, "The easiest thing in the world is to be a cynic." I guess that's why I started this blog. I saw how many people seemed to criticize this strip, failing to appreciate how amazingly difficult it must be to tell a story two panels a day (seven on Sundays). Then when my local paper, the Washington Post, stopped printing it, I knew something had to be done. I think of this blog as my own version of the Santa Royale Museum of Art, a place to preserve a great masterpiece, epic in its scope, infinitesimal in its execution, so that it may be preserved and celebrated, if not in this generation, perhaps in my grandchildren's.

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Mary Worth 2309

Just one more thing these two won't have to worry about...

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Mary Worth 2308

Leonardo was a genius, but I'm not convinced he was a genius artist. Michelangelo was definitely a genius artist. He was insane. The Sistine Chapel? Three thousand square feet on his back? Mammoth marble statues? There's a cute little quote attributed to Michelangelo saying something like when I see a block of marble, I see the statue inside it, and all I do is chip away until it is free. Something like that. But where did he get the marble? He quarried it himself! It's not like he went down to the marble store like you or I would. He got a team of laborers and they went into the mountains and they risked life and limb for years actually finding the marble and bringing it to his studio a hundred miles away. Over two dozen major sculptures, including the David and the Pietà. Plus some pretty impressive paintings. Did I mention the Sistine Chapel? Oh, and he was an architect with buildings all around Florence and Rome. So forgive him if he isn't all that impressed with Leonardo Da Vinci, the toast of the town, the belle of the ball, and his tiny little Mona Lisa, and unfinished Last Supper. Sure he had genius ideas, but did he actually ever make that flying machine? He was a genius dreamer who could sketch up big ideas. Go dream some big ideas while sitting in the Laurentian Library and explain to me why Michelangelo should adore Leonardo Da Vinci.

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Mary Worth 2307

"Reminds me of Dave."

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Mary Worth 2306

Everyone in Santa Royale is so excited about the Painting Exhibit coming to Downtown Museum. They've been anticipating it for months, ever since the Board of Directors announced that the Painting Exhibit's world tour would include Downtown Museum. There are many people in Santa Royale who love looking at Painting. And who better to enjoy it with than the substitute art history teacher who knows a lot about Painters and stuff?

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Mary Worth 2305

And the others...?

And now, ladies and gentlemen, the Actors Theatre of Greater Metropolitan Santa Royale presents, "Lunch with Harlan."

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Mary Worth 2304

Next time, Harlan, try this: "The rhetorical question is..."

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Mary Worth 2303

Late night post: I'm perplexed by Dawn in the second panel. Is she placing her right hand on Harlan's knee, or is she just folding it around her waist? In this particular case, I think both. The wonders of the Worthiverse. Exciting times indeed.