Drabble: Norm, as you prepare to leave home to go live at college, you may be having second thoughts.

To be honest, I'm not really sure what to make of this Drabble storyline. I have to assume that the cartoonist will find some labored method of ensuring a return to the status quo by the end of the week, as Drabble's a simple gag strip that doesn't weigh itself down under anything even resembling serialization. At the same time, there's no rule saying the return to the status quo has to come any time soon, or even at all. So while I kind of doubt we're witnessing a Funky Winkerbean situation--and, indeed, I highly doubt the introduction of serialization would actually make Drabble a better comic--it's not as though there's no precedent for that kind of thing.

And so, for once, I'm actually looking forward to reading future editions of Drabble.

Drabble: Ralph, we need to get you a Facebook page!

I finally bowed to the Internet gods and signed up for a Facebook account just other day. It's good to know that this puts me on approximately the same pop cultural level as one Ralph fucking Drabble.

Drabble: Dad, what would a cartoonist DO if he lost his glasses?

I am rather amused by today's Drabble. This has never happened before. I'm not entirely sure what to do.

Drabble: Why did you change the channel?

This comic is hilarious because Norman doesn't want to watch pornography with his little sister.

Drabble: You stared into the refrigerator for half an hour! You're on your way to becoming a true man!

Is this something men actually do? Or is Ralph/the guy who writes Drabble just making up sexist tropes to torture his son/audience?

Drabble: It's cooler this way!

This comic is hilarious because Ralph is exposing himself to his son.

No, really.

Drabble: We'll be gone for a week! Who will feed them?

Ha ha! Worrying about living organisms starving to death when left alone without any food or water for long periods of time is such woman thinking!

Drabble: First you'll need to get some of this black stuff to put on your cheeks.

Please note that eye black is quite literally the central subject of this comic strip. Note also that the youngster is wearing freshly applied eye black in the second and third panels. Now observe said youngster's face in the fourth panel.

There are four panels here. Maintaining some semblance of artistic continuity should not be that difficult. And yet.

Dennis the Menace and Drabble: She calls it a recital. I call it torture!

These comics are hilarious because males do not appreciate noncontemporary music.

Drabble: Parcheesi?!

This comic is hilarious because Ralph and June have nothing in common, hate spending time together and should probably get a divorce.

Drabble: And what don't you understand about it, exactly?

Spousal abuse! Ha! It never gets old!

Drabble: I almost feel bad that I stopped to get my nails done!

This comic is hilarious because women are inconsiderate and superficial.

Drabble: Honeybunch! What are you DOING??

And so in Drabbleland, it is beyond the pale for a woman to climb a ladder.*

This is not surprising.

*This presumably applies to social ladders, as well.

Drabble: It seems like there's always something violent and bloody on every channel!

Yes, that iCarly, for example, sure is violent and bloody.

Drabble: Isn't that a little bit long for a thank you note?

This comic is hilarious because of the women with all their talkativeness and whatnot.

Drabble: Panel

Could this Drabble possibly be as horrifying as the final panel, shown at left with dialog removed, suggests?

Probably not, but judge for yourself.

Drabble: I thought you were about to admire your tire!

This comic is already pretty horrifying, but there are any number of obvious alternate punchlines that could have made it even more horrifying, so I'm glad the hack who writes Drabble was able to restrain himself.

Drabble: Maybe you should go pay her a visit!

This comic is hilarious because Ralph hates his wife so much that he wants her to get sick so he doesn't have to hear her talk.

Drabble: Really?? OK!

Ralph's incredulous excitement over the prospect of a single, midday kiss is almost certainly the saddest thing ever.

Drabble: I'm not stealing it, Penny. I'm saving you from it!

This comic is hilarious because Ralph literally steals candy from babies.