Going to put up one defense of Piraro's comic here. While Rubin's comic is very clearly the *funnier* one, I think humor isn't the only mood the first one is running on. It's a bit of a odd mix, which I think is engaging in its own way, but I think that one is also going for a bit of the famous "The Last Great Act Of Defiance" comic (https://i.pinimg.com/736x/3d/1e/80/3d1e80f55328ad529771a9d9b3f85549--random-stuff-funny-stuff.jpg) or the Defiant to the End tvtrope (https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/DefiantToTheEnd). I also think that's why the more naturalistic style fits just fine. Sure, in both Piraro's comic and "Defiance", the eagle doesn't care a bit, but that's not the point.
Thanks, Brian! Good thoughts. As regards “The Last Great Act of Defiance,” I guess the issue for me is one of style. The mouse flipping the bird to the eagle has panache—the cartoon would be striking without any caption at all. The fish’s razzing of the eagle is … tepid. If it’s not the setup for a caption punchline, it’s kind of pointless.
If I were executing this gag, I would do three things: First, draw the fish facing forward and maybe upside down, so he can more effectively sass the eagle to his face. Second, add some teeth to the actual lines. “You call these talons sharp? Wake me up when you get hungry!” Third, give the eagle some kind of reaction shot—irritation, perhaps, or exasperation, or something. Anyway, that’s what occurs to me!
Yep, I agree your suggested changes would punch up the 1st comic. The fish's lines are the weakest part, which might have actually been part of the joke, but just doesn't land. I think we all hope our final words have more pizazz than what the fish is managing here!
It does point out that we might have different views on the essence of "Defiant to the End". Your changes suggest that final words have to actually discomfit the killer to be considered a success. I'm suggesting that the victim demonstrating that they've managed to keep their dignity is the more important factor. But in this case the fish is failing at the former and only marginally succeeding at the latter.
It also interestingly emphasizes the difference in circumstances of the two comics. In the first, the fish is mocking-the-bird-that-is-killing-it. In the second, the squirrel is mocking-a-bird-that-kills. The fish is caught, doomed, and is on the eagle's home turf. The squirrels are free, basically safe, and are on their home turf (though they might not feel that way). A bald eagle is a big, slow bird that would be hard-pressed to catch a squirrel in a tree even diving in with surprise. The only way he's catching that squirrel is if the squirrel trips and falls into his beak. To even get to the squirrel would require the eagle to take off, circle the tree a couple times to gain altitude, and dive in from above. By then squirrels should be in the next county. So I think that also helps the 2nd comic be both less dark and more funny.
I think you are right in this case about “less dark and more funny,” Brian. Of course dark can be funny! In this case, though, I dunno, maybe it’s not dark ENOUGH to be funny? I think that’s where I was going with my proposed alternate lines!
I am a fan of a number of cartoonists whose style is elaborate, sometimes to the point of fussiness (I’m aware of no one currently working better at this than Wiley Miller). But simplicity is also an important virtue in cartooning, and whatever you do mustn’t detract from the joke!
This is great, but please tell me: did you analyze these two panels a while ago on facebook? I swear I've read a version of this, but maybe my mind is playing tricks on me.
Good memory, Janlyn! Yes, in my efforts to achieve “quick wins” and publish good stuff while I’m buried under teaching and grading both high school and university, I’m drawing on and expanding stuff I wrote in the past. I always wanted to do more with this content anyway!
Going to put up one defense of Piraro's comic here. While Rubin's comic is very clearly the *funnier* one, I think humor isn't the only mood the first one is running on. It's a bit of a odd mix, which I think is engaging in its own way, but I think that one is also going for a bit of the famous "The Last Great Act Of Defiance" comic (https://i.pinimg.com/736x/3d/1e/80/3d1e80f55328ad529771a9d9b3f85549--random-stuff-funny-stuff.jpg) or the Defiant to the End tvtrope (https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/DefiantToTheEnd). I also think that's why the more naturalistic style fits just fine. Sure, in both Piraro's comic and "Defiance", the eagle doesn't care a bit, but that's not the point.
Anyway, good analysis. This is a fun series.
Thanks, Brian! Good thoughts. As regards “The Last Great Act of Defiance,” I guess the issue for me is one of style. The mouse flipping the bird to the eagle has panache—the cartoon would be striking without any caption at all. The fish’s razzing of the eagle is … tepid. If it’s not the setup for a caption punchline, it’s kind of pointless.
If I were executing this gag, I would do three things: First, draw the fish facing forward and maybe upside down, so he can more effectively sass the eagle to his face. Second, add some teeth to the actual lines. “You call these talons sharp? Wake me up when you get hungry!” Third, give the eagle some kind of reaction shot—irritation, perhaps, or exasperation, or something. Anyway, that’s what occurs to me!
Yep, I agree your suggested changes would punch up the 1st comic. The fish's lines are the weakest part, which might have actually been part of the joke, but just doesn't land. I think we all hope our final words have more pizazz than what the fish is managing here!
It does point out that we might have different views on the essence of "Defiant to the End". Your changes suggest that final words have to actually discomfit the killer to be considered a success. I'm suggesting that the victim demonstrating that they've managed to keep their dignity is the more important factor. But in this case the fish is failing at the former and only marginally succeeding at the latter.
It also interestingly emphasizes the difference in circumstances of the two comics. In the first, the fish is mocking-the-bird-that-is-killing-it. In the second, the squirrel is mocking-a-bird-that-kills. The fish is caught, doomed, and is on the eagle's home turf. The squirrels are free, basically safe, and are on their home turf (though they might not feel that way). A bald eagle is a big, slow bird that would be hard-pressed to catch a squirrel in a tree even diving in with surprise. The only way he's catching that squirrel is if the squirrel trips and falls into his beak. To even get to the squirrel would require the eagle to take off, circle the tree a couple times to gain altitude, and dive in from above. By then squirrels should be in the next county. So I think that also helps the 2nd comic be both less dark and more funny.
I think you are right in this case about “less dark and more funny,” Brian. Of course dark can be funny! In this case, though, I dunno, maybe it’s not dark ENOUGH to be funny? I think that’s where I was going with my proposed alternate lines!
P.S. And now I have added the “Last Great Act of Defiance” cartoon and commentary to the post! Thank you, Brian!
Awesome! :-)
I'd make a comment here but that would seem biased.
Thanks for reading, Leigh! I hope you enjoyed my commentary on your work!
Of course, Steven. Thoughtful commentary.
I have a rule of thumb (which I try to abide by, at least most of the time.
"Don't be over drawn and under funny."
Good rule.
I am a fan of a number of cartoonists whose style is elaborate, sometimes to the point of fussiness (I’m aware of no one currently working better at this than Wiley Miller). But simplicity is also an important virtue in cartooning, and whatever you do mustn’t detract from the joke!
There are so many cartoonists and their individual styles are like ice cream. Many flavors to choose from. (Pralines and cream for me, please.)
Simplicity rules!
This is great, but please tell me: did you analyze these two panels a while ago on facebook? I swear I've read a version of this, but maybe my mind is playing tricks on me.
Good memory, Janlyn! Yes, in my efforts to achieve “quick wins” and publish good stuff while I’m buried under teaching and grading both high school and university, I’m drawing on and expanding stuff I wrote in the past. I always wanted to do more with this content anyway!
The defiant mouse is great and you are right it does not need words.