I’m becoming more and more disappointed in how Cherry is portrayed. Her Rivera-Reboot Persona started out as a pretty independent, active woman with a definite personality and her own business. Over time, she became less aggressive, but still self-confident and pragmatic. Yet it seems that in the last year or so, Cherry has become more domesticated (if that is the right term) and less independent. And Jules Rivera simplified Cherry’s image a lot early on, ridding her of the independent business to become a “permanent” hired hand for the Sunny Soleil Society.

While maintaining an independent business would have opened up other opportunities for Cherry, simplifying her work life to a single client keeps it simple. I’m convinced that it’s all about the economics for Jules Rivera. And that is probably also the main rationale behind the stylistic simplification of the strip over time. This is reinforced by some of her social media posts where she talks about other drawing gigs she is involved in.

Anyway, back to the story: Why is Cherry worried about Rusty hanging out with imagined kids? She certainly doesn’t seem as concerned about him playing house with a wild raccoon! Well, if this was the pre-Rivera Rusty, I’d agree with her concerns. If pre-Rivera Rusty actually met up with any kids at all, it would be an issue. In fact, Rusty’s current crowd of friends doesn’t look very appealing. Cherry should already be concerned about them. And Ranger Shaw.

But poor Mark just can’t seem to get away from family troubles on both ends. Where is Bill Ellis when he really needs him? This is one of those times I’ve fantasized about, where Mark gets The Call while in the middle of some important activity. But Mark is made of sterner stuff than you or I. That’s why he gets to star in a comic strip named after him. The Mark Trail dude abides.