I take back most of what I wrote to Mark the Contrarian Commenter in a comment on yesterday’s strip. This is troubling, from the cut-and-pasted Bunny in panel 1, to the simplistic compositions, to the suddenly ten-years-younger-looking Olive, whose head changes in every panel and whose Mohawk keeps switching sides (kudos to Be Ware of Eve Hill) every day. Maybe it’s the wind?
And what has Olive Pitt turned into? From an edgy, in-your-face, take-no-prisoners gal, she is now somebody who wears bunny slippers and thinks the Grungey Boys may really be a menace. This reminds me of the transformation of Diana Daggers, from impulsive and threatening bodyguard persona for Professor Bee Sharp to the hapless and ineffective nobody she has become.
What is going on!? It certainly does not even qualify as satire or parody. You would be forgiven for thinking that a guy was handling this strip.
Does Rivera think that Mark must be the only person in the strip capable of solving problems and facing down bullies, thugs, and cons? Does everybody here have to look weak to make Mark look strong? And does Rivera have to keep trying to own the Trailheads?
Oh, and the storyline? We’ll get back to it if and when it shows up.
The Daily Trail 
I missed the bus yesterday, but I have to disagree with both you & Mark : The target audience is 9, not 13.
Also too, you do know that Judge Parker & The Phantom are both drawn by Mike Manley? (Can you tell Sophie from Heloise? Or their roommates?) He’s healthy again, and working steadily.
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Downpuppy make a very good point. The demographics are probably geared more towards 9 year olds. George, your right. I don’t know what a syndicated cartoonist makes. I’m sure Watterson & Larson (two of my all-time favorites) made enough to retire fairly early. Rivera may be doing this, as you say, to pay utilities and beer money. I guess my point has always been the Mark Trail comic should have just been retired. Re-title this current strip. God only knows with what name. It’s like going to see a “Tribute Band” covering your favorite artist and it turns out to a very poor facsimile that leaves you scratching your head, thinking that’s not even close to the real thing.
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Yes, I can get behind that. This current version can be spun off into a Cherry-focused strip wher Mark might make an occasional appearance in between his assignments. The stories would really focus on Cherry, Rusty, her sisters, Doc, the Lost Forest community at large, etc. Generally, light-hearted, problem-solving positive stories, suitable for families.
Then either retire “Mark Trail” or give it to another artist/writer where the strip could would still focus on contemporary environmental issues, but with a much harder approach with serious drama and consequences. And a drawing style to match. Real issues. Real adventure. Not quite Miller’s Dark Knight, but maybe in that direction. Rivera flirted with that approach in her first story, but then dropped it. Too bad.
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Agree George!!
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Right, Downpuppy, but the artwork in JP is sterile and lifeless, probably in keeping with continuing the strip’s traditional style. The Phantom’s art is really different, unless what I’m seeing is ghosted by somebody else. Otherwise, plaudets to Manley for versatility.
Well, 9 or 13. Somebody needs to find some kids so we can run a test.
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Slapping my forehead here. Who would have thought we would ever see “and I get to wear my fuzzy bunny slippers” in an adventure/environmental strip? Are we also going to hear that in the next James Bond movie?
I need to go clear some kids off my law.
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Wait! Don’t shoosh them away too soon, Daniel. We might be able to use them to help determine wether the strip is slanted towards “tweenies” or pre-teens, as Mark and Downpuppy have theorized!
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