Saturday, December 15, 2007 |
Panel 1: In
the title panel of this Sunday-style colour comic, Marie stands staring
pensively at a Christmas tree while Rahim stands staring pensively at
Marie. On the tree's tinsel garlands are the words "WEST OF BATHURST"
and "by Kari Maaren." Panel 2: Rahim and Marie are walking together down a snowy urban street that demonstrates that in 2007, I was even worse at perspective than I am now. It is night, and there are Christmas lights in the window of a nearby store. Rahim: It's a strange holiday, Christmas. I've always noticed that. Panel 3: They walk past more stores, all of them closed. Rahim: On the one hand, you get messages of peace and goodwill. On the other, there's stress, shattered expectations, and all the family skeletons tumbling out of the closet. Panel 4: They pass a futon store, so they're pretty clearly on Bloor Street (east of Bathurst, in case you're wondering). Rahim: All those...ideas and ideals...focussed on that one day. It's no wonder it so often goes boom. Watching from outside, I can see that clearly. And I'm kind of glad to be out of it. Panel 5: They stop next to a closed clothing store with mannequins in the windows. Rahim: But it's different for you. You've been shut out-- Marie: I haven't-- Rahim: I'm not blind, Marie. I know you've got no family. Panel 6: Rahim whips out a present and hands it to Marie. Rahim: I can't give you the pointless sniping, the tears, the feuding, the tension, the burnt turkey stuffing, or the terrible letdown of Christmas morning, but I CAN, in the spirit of the season, give you this. Panel 7: Marie opens the present. Marie [smirks]: A disappointingly practical pair of winter socks! Rahim [ruffles her hair, or, rather, her toque]: Merry Christmas, grasshopper. Alt-Text: My parents used to give me underwear a lot, but I figured that having Rahim present Marie with a box full of undies might send rather the wrong message. Go to commentary |
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |