As the story unfolds, consistent thorn-in-the-side Honest Ernest faces up to his carpentry inadequacy and finally asks for help. Frankly, I give Ernest credit for being honest enough to admit it, especially to the two people who consistently show him up.  

It also looks like my idea, as supported by regular reader Be Ware Of Eve Hill, of what the catio might look like was wrong. In fact, it appears to be that inept structure to the back of the house that we have been looking at this week. In short, it doesn’t look at all like a catio, but more like some utility extension. Be that as it may, it’s a mess, even though it does match the style of the main house. 

Art Dept. The “cat shelter” in panel 1 was drawn to look like an architectural disaster. However, the human figures are drawn to such a small scale that they take on oddly weird shapes and proportions. But it helps explain why starring characters in strips invariably wear the same clothes: so you can identify them. On the other hand, I’ll give Rivera credit for composing the remaining panels, showing Ernest’s transformation. Focusing solely on closeups really gives expression to Ernest’s growing sense of despair. The narration box is unnecessary and detracts from Ernest’s confession. Yes, we can easily complain about the simplistic drawing, lacking any sense of volume, light, and detail. It has been a major distraction, in spite of Rivera’s attempts to define a new style to the strip. Yet Ernest’s expressions have a humanity about them. Am I rationalizing too much? 

Finally, a prior query was made about panel background colors and why they changed. One reason is simply for variety. However, it is possible to reflect mood. Today, the green in panel 2 could reflect Ernest’s initial stubbornness and resentment; the blue panel, a calmer color matching his realization of the situation; and the brown panel, the dark acceptance of personal failure and need to seek help.