Lio by Mark Tatulli for October 07, 2009

Lio, it should have been the 1st place winner.

If the method involved in creating it (as well as just the end product) was part of the criteria, Lio would have won for sure. Poor Lio.

But check out Dad’s face - love his expression! :o)

I don’t know that 4th place is so awfully bad. Good concept but the last panel isn’t so clear.

Mind you, I only criticize Lio in detail because I think it’s one of the best strips going nowadays. That Michael Vick one last Sunday was brilliant.

Of COURSE he didn’t win. The face is asymmetrical. :D :D :D

1st for technique, but 4th on execution.

Ninja Lio: great technique and concept, but so-so execution. Take him to the exotic pets shop, Dad, and get him a little something to cheer him up: tarantula, piranha, python; something cheery!

GEE1A took the words right out of my mouth

But you’ll always be first in our hearts, Lio.

Marguerite, thank you for writing “should have” and not “should of.” It’s always nice to read correct grammar.

Ninja Pumpkin Boy!…where do I get the action figure?

Aw c’mon judges! Best of show…

Incrediblewerekitty: you took the words right out of my mouth.

Keep working on ti Lio. You’ll get 1st next year.

Plus, don’t you just love the loving look on Dad’s face?

Can’t even blame it on the East German judge anymore…

Perhaps the problem was, Lio forgot to place a ninja throwing star in the forehead of the Jack-O-Lantern.

4th place sucks! 4th place should never exist. It was only created by some mom somewhere so “Everybody can be a winner!” Blech! I’d rather win nothing than 4th. 4th is an also ran position…like getting an award that says, “Participant”. Puh-leez!

If 1st is gold, 2nd is silver, and 3rd is bronze…what’s 4th? Pewter? Tinfoil? Pleather?

Some people just don’t appreciate that art is as much in the process as it is in the product. Forget the lousy local contest - put a video of this on youTube!

Gee Mark, tell us how you really feel. We still like the look on Dad’s face.

Love the smile in the 3rd panel. 4th place, “Honorable mention.” What’s so honorable about losing?

What, no points for technique? Lame! At least Lio’s got a good, understanding, sympathetic dad.

Apparently no points for style either, Vancouver ; )

It’s sad to see Simon reduced to judging pumpkin-carving contests…

can lio come over to my place and carve my pumpkin? i always mess them up

Unless the other three carved theirs just by using mental powers, Lio was robbed.

Everybody can be a winner! LOL :o) Amen to that, because that’s just it, isn’t it? The real world doesn’t let everyone be a winner! Pity all the kids who weren’t (and still aren’t being) taught to HTFU while they were growing up, all those kids who never strived for those once-coveted top three spots, simply because they know that these days they’ll win a prize anyway, so why bother trying hard to be all they can be? Reap what we sow, people, reap what we sow! Just sayin’.

Hey, Mark, just who is the ONE person responsible for Lio getting 4th place in the first place? Huh? Huh? Does the name “Tatulli” sound familiar?