Artists get all the credit for a good comic strip, but I think it’s the writing that really makes or breaks them. To really focus on the writing, I’ve removed those pesky cartoons and will simply explain the comic strip. I think this will create a much more enjoyable experience for the reader.

Pearls Before Swine by Stephan Pastis for September 23, 2021



Today's cartoon strip is a bit confusing, so bear with me. Each panel involves Pig talking to Stephan Pastis, the author.



In panel 1, Pig offers a reply, "You never know." Stephan Pastis emphatically states, "Nobody @*#@* with Stephan Pastis!"



In panel 2, Pig explains, "Maybe we shouldn't call them morons." Stephan Pastis replies, "What are they gonna do? Mess with my work?"



In panel 3, Pig asks, "What if they do it wrong?" To which Stephan says, "That's pretty hard to do. But I suppose those morons could screw it up."



In the final panel we get some clarity as Pig asks, "How do you submit your strip to your comic syndicate?" Stephan Pastis explains, "Panel by panel, because each file is so large. Then they lay out the panels in the right order."



Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh. The panels were put in the wrong order because the author called the editors morons! But, in reality, the comics are in the correct order because if they were laid out chronologically then there would not be a joke. Looks like the editors aren't childish and, in fact, do their job correctly. Guess they're a lot better than the Scott's Edition editors.

Just kidding. Scott's Edition has the best editors in the business, and they will get a huge raise this week.