A comic that addresses my pet language peeve (or at least one of them). Usually, mis-used by sports commentators who tend to speak in hyperbole as a matter of course, it seems that fewer and fewer people understand what "literally" actually means. My usual anecdotes about literally involve a sports reporter commenting on the NFL rookie combines where players about to be drafter are rated on their physical prowess, leaping ability and speed. One player was reported to have "literally exploded from the starting line during his 40 yard dash." Or the NBA play-by-play announcer who informed that audience that the point guard "dribbled down the lane and was literally hacked to death on his way to the basket." That would certainly be a boost to ratings.
I'm pretty sure Elmo isn't looking at the flowers OR the dirt. For those of you slow on the uptake, see below: 
Ever wonder why Nancy was still being carried by the newspaper when it seemed so out of touch with reality not to mention humor? Why has For Better or For Worse become so annoying? And what the heck is a "Foob" anyways? Why does Mark Trail only speak in exclamation points and question marks? What is Funky Winkerbean's obsession with cancer in practically every story arc?Well, there is a blog for you. The Comics Curmudgeon is a very professional blog dedicated to answering these questions and many others. The site author is very funny with his snarky commentary. But even more entertaining are the outside comment makers. Sometimes there is a trail of 200+ comments.It can be difficult to follow along as most commenters write in short hand: MW=Mary Worth, GT=Gil Thorpe, DtM=Dennis the Menace, etc. It took me a while to figure all that out. Plus, they frequently comment on comics that I don't read or that aren't carried in the local paper (e.g. Apartment 3G, Archie, They Do It Every Time). But on the whole it's a very clever read.
Just finished reading a review of Spider-Man 3 which has been released in Japan. The review finished by complaining of the gratuitous shot of Spidey in front of an American flag representing a return of the hero from his earlier dabbling in the forces of darkness to being on the side of all things that are good and right (read: American). Oh, horrors!
The article was then tagged with hundreds of comments about the reviewer's contempt for the showing of Old Glory. The majority of commentators noted that Spider-Man is an American superhero and if the rest of the world doesn't like it, don't see the movie. I couldn't agree more. One European complainer noted that James Bond doesn't pose with the Union Jack, although a spy posing with a flag would be seemingly counter-productive. Nevertheless, he is working for a British agency ostensibly to serve "Queen and Country" (and to bang his way through the world's female population and drive nifty Aston-Martins and Jaguars).
I remember when Superman stood for truth, justice and the American way. Even as recently as the 70s and early 80s, Christopher Reeves' Superman proudly waved the Stars and Stripes. Now, for some reason, American superheroes have been forced to give up their nationalities. What is next? Captain America recast as "Captain Multi-National Force"?A flag is supposed to instill a sense of national pride. If certain citizens of the E.U. and United Kingdom don't understand that, then that's their problem. Go watch "Hot Fuzz" or "Mr. Bean".
Lou Piniella has already had his fill of Cubs' tradition. Bucky Katt could have told Lou all about that before he took the manager's job.
Word is out that Marvel Comics has killed off Captain America a.k.a Steve Rogers. The Captain was felled by an assassin's bullet as he turned himself in to the Superheroes Registration Board (or some such entity). Is this just a publicity stunt to generate interest in a potential live-action movie? Is it another politically correct attack on the virtue of America's strength? Will Captain America come back like Superman did? Of course, when Superman "Returned", he was no longer fighting for truth, justice and the American way.I haven't read comics regularly in a long while. And even when I did, my interests veered towards The Incredible Hulk, Superman and Batman but I do hope Marvel figures out a non-lame way to bring back Captain America. He's needed now more than ever.
A comic that addresses my pet language peeve (or at least one of them). Usually, mis-used by sports commentators who tend to speak in hyperbole as a matter of course, it seems that fewer and fewer people understand what "literally" actually means. 
