Hah! I dropped a hint yesterday: Mark suggested Happy go on a fishing trip, while a catfish is shown swimming in a nearby stream. Figured this was Jules Rivera just making a visual pun (and for a change, a pun that actually works well, I thought). But I let it ride, in case anybody here wanted to run with it (assuming it was even worth mentioning. I might have been wrong). But little did I know …

I have to admit that I was really surprised by today’s strip. Not what I expected, other than Mark driving home. So, what are we to make of this? Is Happy just a serial womanizer? Or maybe a serial sucker? Or is this some kind of fantasy sequence in Mark’s head? It’s hard to wrap my own head around this scene, unless we come to the conclusion that Happy Trail really is off his rocker and needs to be in an assisted living situation with ongoing psychiatric supervision.

Well, what’s the worst that could happen: Happy Trail gets fleeced again for the rest of his retirement money? No! The worst would be another “catch the catfishing hustler” story. Let’s give it a rest for a few years, okay?

“Explain herself”? What explanation would Happy or anybody else need that wasn’t already obvious? “Sorry, Happy, but avoiding jail and spending the money I conned from you is at the top of my To Do list at the moment. Byee!”

At least we see Mark working his way towards a polite excuse to go home by bringing up the matter of Gail after talking about the gorillas. Mark knows Happy would rebuff his half-hearted offer to stick around. It’s as good a cue to skidoo as anything. So catfish aside, it looks like on Saturday we’ll either see Mark chugging home in his station wagon or already back at Lost Forest, ready for his next assignment.

All true, all true. And yet, superficial. Sure, this is just an adventure strip, not a documentary, though that is, in fact, part of the strip’s mission. Still, Happy Trail certainly knows all the stuff that Mark is lecturing about, owing to his own former career. So why is Mark going on as if Happy was some uninformed suburban coffee hound? Well, for the sake of the storyline and our own education. Nevertheless, Jules Rivera could have done this more effectively (yes, hindsight is so helpful).

Mark’s recitation could have been delivered to Niecy’s dad, if Rivera had included him this week, standing on the deck with Mark and Happy, and sharing a cup of “what they’re having.” The recitation could have been part of Mark and Happy’s overall praise of Niecy’s importance in uncovering the fraudulent gorilla racket and supervising the disposition of the apes. Oh, for those who came in late, Niecy’s father is Jolly Rogers, who happens to be Happy’s friend and neighbor. If you go back and read Rivera’s first Mark Trail story (“Happy Trails”), you’ll learn a lot about Jolly Rogers, Niecy, and Happy Trail.

Mark’s comment in panel 4 sounds like a proper “And that’s all, folks!” closing cue to me, and there doesn’t seem to be much else to bring up. But I’d be surprised if they spent the rest of the week having a heart-to-heart about Happy’s romantic needs.

The epilog continues as more details come out, as delivered by Mark who got them from Niecy. You remember her; she’s the one who had the Right Stuff and stuck around to see things through, enabling Mark and Happy to feel better. Fact is, Niecy was the one who did all of the research that made this possible. Mark and Happy should be planning a big Thank You Party for Niecy when she returns. Anyway, I wonder if this update chat will drag out all week long, or will we be spared more by a phone call from Bill Ellis or Cherry that will put Mark back into his biodiesel station wagon heading home. We can dream, can’t we?

On the other hand, the more Happy talks (panel 4), the more arrogant he sounds. Apparently, he seems to believe that Gail’s running off robbed her of a happiness she could have had by marrying him. Sounds a bit arrogant and certainly didn’t sound like that was part of Gail’s motivation. But if that is what it takes for him to deal with the situation, more power to him. However, Gail did make off with a pile of Happy’s retirement money and probably some savings from other suckers, as well; so she’s probably far from unhappy. Still, we’ll give Happy credit for keeping a good attitude, even after getting fleeced by Gail.

I always thought it was a cop-out, even in the earlier presentations of Mark Trail, when the consequences of whatever activity Mark was involved in are encapsulated into a few summary footnotes back at home. For an adventure strip that sells itself as a bastion of environmentalism, defender of nature, and cheerleader for animal protection, it seems that the less glamorous hands-on work is rarely emphasized. There could be much to learn:

• What was wrong with the gorillas and how were they treated by the vets?
• Exactly how do they rehome the gorillas?
• Who is paying for Niecy’s food and lodging while she remains behind to help out? And since she drove there with Mark, how is she going to get home when her work is done?
• But more importantly, why didn’t Mark and Happy also remain on site to assist?

As for Gail and Guyer getting away, it must have been the case that the investigating police officer was either too busy watching the setting sun or he took off in the wrong direction.

As I suspected, Jules Rivera decided to give us a traditional “Mark Trail Epilog”, with Happy filling in for Cherry. That is, we learn about the rest of the story by way of a recap. And we have to assume that some time has passed since the failed wedding ceremony, given Mark’s comment in panel 1. Some of what he says is shocking: Just how many gorillas were there at this sanctuary, anyway!? And who “rehomed” the gorillas? Unless this chat is taking place several months later, the gorilla placements certainly happened quickly!

Art Dept. In a departure from the way we often see Mark depicted, I’m impressed with how he is portrayed in panel 3. The drawing is clean and solid, with less of a cartoony face. His expression shows a bit of emotion and concern. There is also greater volume and solidity in Mark’s figure than what we often see. The overall composition of the panel is nicely understated, with Mark discretely placed just off-center. Asymmetric portraits tend to look more energized or “dynamic” than centered compositions, which are often reserved for figures of veneration.

Well, I’ll go further and say that all three panels are quite well drawn and arranged (though Happy’s face often creeps me out!). It must have been a good day for drawing and a bad day for surfing.

Biodiesel fuel!? Really?! Well, if you are careful about it, the research says it is viable, as well as street legal and federally approved. But it won’t work in gas-powered vehicles, of couse. I found a rundown on the topic from several years ago on the Car Talk web site (There’s probably better information today, but I tend to be lazy on subjects I’m not that interested in!). With the price of diesel today (and biodiesel is even more expensive!), Mark and Cherry better be pulling in big bucks to keep that station wagon running.

Meanwhile, Mark’s moment of righteous indignation and frustration gets interrupted when, for the second time, he is asked help carry the ill gorillas into the ambulance. But damn! Who knew old Happy Trail was strong enough to lift a gorilla on his own (panel 3)? I’m impressed. I’m thinking that maybe Happy Trail should not have retired.

Alas, Mark and Niecy can only watch in frustration as Gail and Guyer drive away, knowing there is no way to catch them. That reminds me:  Why would Jules Rivera apparently “forget” that she just wrote a police officer into the story a few days ago? Why isn’t he pursuing Gail and Guyer, rather than presumably still gazing at the sunset? Perhaps this is all a red herring or practical joke. After all, there is another week to go with this story, so it’s possible that the absent police officer will suddenly show up in Monday’s episode, speeding after the fleeing “wedding vehicle.”

What a shocking and totally unexpected action:  Thomas Jefferson showed up to help carry the incapacitated gorillas into the animal ambulance (panel 1)! I suppose that was because Mark Trail was too busy trying to look important and concerned to get involved. And Mark can’t resist making sport of a tragic situation (panel 3):  Ill animals are being taken to an animal hospital for treatment, while his dad has been abandoned and conned out of thousands of dollars by Gail Getz.

Also, I wonder where the police officer from yesterday’s strip went to? Oh, yeah. He’s in a field some place, talking with Happy Trail. Will we see him tomorrow, chasing the getaway car, or will his presence just be eliminated from the rest of the story as if it never happened? I’m pulling for some logical follow through.

As we have seen, Jules Rivera treats the romance scam that started this adventure as a bit of absurdist theater or parody. But that is par for the course; it’s how the strip has evolved. Serious subjects get introduced, but are handled in a fairly casual manner. I reckon it’s possible that this lighter approach might hit the target for readers within certain age ranges (most likely, younger people). On the other hand, after a few seconds of deep online analysis, I found research showing that the most vulnerable age ranges for romance scam victims are 50-64 and 65-74; which more or less fits the age range of the scammer (Gail) and victim (Happy) in this story.

Romance scams are “big business” (or “big crime”), with overall victim financial losses exceeding $1 billion annually in the US. The scammers can be anywhere in the world, of course. In the current story, the romance scam seems have just been a pathway to the issue of animal mistreatment, a serious issue, itself, which Rivera has used in several of Mark’s adventures.

“My fiancée runs…” may be more accurate than Happy realizes. This story is getting deliciously nutty. Why are the police here? Did Mark call them in, as well? Why would cops show up at an animal medical emergency? I half expected that panel 2 was a setup for some kind of bad joke: “You’re saying a gorilla passed out during your wedding?”, “Yes”, “I see. Somebody on your fiancée’s side of the family, Sir?”

In any event, it seems like the gorillas are off to be examined at the animal hospital. It’s possible Mark went along, but we’ll have to see if he shows up tomorrow. Otherwise, our story has moved along as we all suspected:  Once Gail saw that she couldn’t get the Trails away from the gorillas or complete the wedding to help secure what she thought was a big financial payout, she decided to cut her losses and split town with her son, Guyler. Just a presumption.  Will the cops try to put the arm on Happy if Gail has truly fled?

Art Dept. Panel 4 holds some interest. An opossum (not a possum!) takes center stage and has been drawn freehand, by Jules Rivera. Its fur is defined by a series of individual lines that are  mirrored in other locations of the panel, including the inconsistent rays of the setting sun framing Happy and the investigating cop. The repetition of these short, adjacent lines provides a continuity of texture designed to give a cohesiveness to the picture. This is the kind of hard-hitting, high-quality analysis you won’t get in other comic strip analysis web sites!

As the story develops (I’m using a conventional turn of phrase here!!), professional help has finally arrived on the scene to care for the gorilla(s). That is to say, Doctor Happy Trail has looked and diagnosed the issue, based on his medical experiences catching poachers, arsonists, and kidnappers; making countless fishing trips; and even going on a Yeti hunt. Let’s not overlook the efforts of his assistant, Resident Physician Mark, who has established a causal link to the infection. Whatever would the rescue staff do without their input!? Like politicians, I reckon Mark and Happy need to be the center of attention (Frankly, it just might be in their contracts).

At least the rescue staff are polite and not telling them to keep their unqualified opinions to themselves. In fact, it looks like they are trying to help Mark deal with his anguish (panel 3) by finding something useful for him to do (panel 4). This should be a simple task for Mark! I would not be surprised if he winds up hoisting the gorilla into the ambulance on his own and riding along to the animal hospital, where he will advise the staff veterinarians.

First, let’s give some applause to the animal rescue squad for their quick response!

(Alas, there’s always somebody who insists on using “jazz hands”)

And we move on to Mark Trail, pointing out the obvious (hence, his old nickname “Captain Obvious”), showing off his zoological knowledge, and Marksplaining what the professionals likely already know.

On the other hand, these two rescue workers seem to have arrived with insufficient equipment: Just a kind of blanket, it seems. I don’t get it: how did they get the gorilla onto their rescue stretcher (or whatever it is)? Female gorillas can weigh up to 200 pounds or more. Perhaps we’re not supposed to worry about these details, since Jules Rivera saw fit to ignore them, as well.

Meanwhile, Happy Trail—still dressed in his “Mr. Monopoly” suit—comes running in and offering to help, as if either he or Mark have any useful animal medical experience. But I reckon that’s not the point here, is it? He’s part of the Trail Dynasty, dedicated to promoting and protecting nature and its numerous animals. Too bad Mark didn’t see fit to call in Doc Davis, early on!

Well, Mark still did his due diligence, for which he is to be commended. And Happy finally broke away from the wedding ceremony at the last moment to lend support. I reckon we’ll find out tomorrow what the consequences will be for Happy’s and Mark’s interruptions of the wedding ceremony.

Art Dept. Herky-jerky drawing (panels 1 and 4) is fine enough for symbolizing the rush and adrenalin of dealing with the chaos of an emergency. With drawing that tries to visualize chaos and emotion, realism is not always the highest priority. So if you were to zoom in on panel 1 and scrutinize the people, you would likely get even more upset than looking at panel 1 at its normal scale. I admit that it looks unnecessarily clumsy, especially Mark’s figure. We do have to consider newspaper size restrictions, of course, but why not use finer (thinner) lines? One-size-fits-all is not always the best choice.

Calling in an animal ambulance!?  Well, why not? Actually, the narration box in panel 1 made me think of those crazy animal-driven cars and even ambulances seen in B&W animated cartoons of the 1920s and 1930s, all flexing and heaving as they drove down the street. However, I could not find a good example to show you, So my old-timey reference dies in irrelevance. And we move on…

Okay, today’s strip is a recap of what has been going on with Mark and Happy when we left them for a week to catch up on Rusty’s adventure. In Panel 1 Jules Rivera makes Mark look like a soldier dramatically calling in artillery support in the middle of a battle. Or maybe calling in for a medic! But given the volatile wedding ceremony of Happy and his fiancée, Gail Getz—the Internet catfish scammer—my military metaphor may not be too much of a stretch. Next, Gail dresses Happy down like a drill sergeant reaming out a fresh recruit. This might be an exciting week in Mark Trail.