Characters

FAQs

Beta-fresh answers, uploaded occasionally

Lets face it, our favorite comic strip is often obscure or inconsistent, and key characters are sometimes left stranded for years. Long-suffering readers are within their rights to demand some clarification. Use the "Ask GBT" form to email us your questions, and we will answer those we can on the Blowback page, and also archive the answers here.

Q: I read that Trudeau did some strips on John Kerry and Vietnam back in the early days. Could you please post them on the site, to give those of us who weren't around at the time a look?
-- Jane E., Portland, OR | Characters | February 03, 2004 15:36
A:It is our pleasure to help candidate Kerry flesh out his campaign bio. The future-senator spoke at Walden College on behalf of Vietnam Veterans Against the War in a three-day series that ran on October 21, 1971, October 22, 1971 and October 23, 1971.
Q: According to Zonker in the 1-13-04 "mail silo" strip, Trudeau has killed off four characters so far. Who were they?
-- David B., Oak Hill, WV | Characters | January 26, 2004 13:57
A:Avid birder Dick Davenport passed away in 1986 during a moment of triumph, having finally spotted the rare Bachman's Warbler. Andy Lippincott died of AIDS in 1990 while fulfilling his dream of hearing "Pet Sounds" on CD. Succumbing to Alzheimer's, Congresswoman Lacey Davenport was escorted Heavenward by her dear departed in 1998. In the wake of Phil Slackmeyer's offstage demise in 2002, son Mark had difficulty rounding up mourners for the funeral.
Q: I was surprised to see a California recall poll that shows Zonker doing very well. Is he running for governor after all? I thought he missed the filing deadline?
-- T. Runyan, Firebaugh, CA | Characters | October 08, 2003 20:41
A:Zonker's enthusiastically-intended candidacy was indeed cut short by a technicality But this poll confirms your report, and may indicate that Zonker retains strong write-in support. If Californians want a non-groping, ex-surfing nanny as their next governor, Zonker is their man.
Q: Why isn't Phred listed in the Cast Bios?
Nadia, Ithaca, NY | Characters | April 28, 2003 21:31
A:He is now, as are Jeff Redfern and President King. These three new character profiles bring the total to 27 -- all freshly updated, and all accompanied by new color portraits. Please feel free to upgrade your knowledge of THE CAST, then visit CASTMASTER 4.0 and test your mettle by tackling the new cast trivia quiz.