mixed feelings

last sunday, the boston globe started running Calvin & Hobbes. now, i love Calvin & Hobbes. have for many years, and was saddened when it came to an end, but i understand the whole concept of going out while still on top. Calvin was WAAAAAY on top of the majority of the cartoon strips that were running. there were a few exceptions (Peanuts), but for the most part, the majority of the comic strips couldn't hold a candle to Calvin. (most still can't)

now, when Opus returned nearly 2 years ago, i was very pleased. after a decade of silence from Opus, he was back, and in honor of his return, he was given the center slot (between Dilbert and Garfield) on the front page of the sunday funnies. a proper location i thought, but placing Opus on top, with Dilbert in the middle i thought would have worked better, but that's ok. still front page.

last sunday, M & i stopped by to pick up the sunday paper and i was dismayed to see that Opus was no longer front and center of the sunday funnies. in fact, after a very quick review of the funnies, i didn't see him anywhere. (i found him later, but for a little while, i was dismayed at the prospect of there being no more Opus.) instead, in his place (front and center) was Calvin.

i'm torn. i love both comics, but i miss seeing Opus on the front page. he's now been relegated to page 4, and shrunk. that was one of the joys, having a larger format comic strip (which was resurrected by Calvin & Hobbes ironically) right there on the front page. a larger canvas. more than a few panels to tell a story. but alas, things are now smaller. Calvin is full size, but it's still sad to see a good friend relegated to page 4.