Phoebe and Her Unicorn by Dana Simpson for November 16, 2024

If this had come out a few decades prior, Emily would’ve spanked Phoebe and made HER butt hurt more.

Thankfully, that’s considered child abuse nowadays.

Point taken, then given back.

I used to work at a souvenir stand that sold those horn headbands. They are not sharp enough to cause pain for a human.

Anything that doesn’t annoy your mom is better.

Doesn’t work too well on mothers, Phoebe!

And a point well taken Marigold!

Today’s strip ends this story arc and is another example of the PITA comedy which I mentioned earlier this week is quite strong in this arc.

Another good example of PITA comedy in a comic strip was in a Scottish comic strip called The Broons about a decade ago. The Broons are a Scottish family who consist of Ma and Pa Broon and their eight children with Grandpa Broon also appearing regularly. Four of the children – Hen, Maggie, Joe and Daphne – are grown up. Three others are at school. They are Horace and the twins. The pre-schooler is known as the Bairn.

In the strip that I’m recalling, Pa Broon was staying in bed at the weekend saying that he wanted a long lie-in. He kept being disturbed by members of his family and angrily got out of bed. He slipped on the twins’ skateboard and landed on his butt. In the final panel, he was back in bed and a doctor was lifting up the sheet to examine the very sore butt. “Aye, Mr Broon. That’s an awfy sore bahoochie you’ve got. You’ll be in bed for a week.” His daughter Maggie said, “Never mind, Pa. You said you wanted a long lie-in.”

Phoebe got off easy. If Calvin did that, he’d be sent to military school!

In the last frame, Phoebe should have a little “star” floating near her own backside!

No star behind Phoebe’s butt in the last panel?

Plus, it only works on unicorns. Never try it on someone who can’t equally poke you back — especially when they have authority over you.

Well, you’re the one you poked her in the butt when Marigold clarified that the “butt” part was your interpretation.