Are dumm comics fans smart? Please don't let there be creation vs evolution debates in this comments section! Ahaha.

Well this comic is good! Of course it is... It's the best. 1930 Nightmare Theatre rules.

Thic comic RULES!

Wooot!! If crayons were that lethal then artists are the most heavily armed people on earth! Ahou! (or was it conte crayons artists use)

What is the colour of that crayon? :D

Zimbo is a cold blooded killer. When did he get cured of polio?

does it matter in this case?

I'm a fan of constructive criticism so here goes ...

I'm not going to complain about being offended because I can't help but feel that was kind of the point. However, if you're going to mock a religion for blind faith and dismissing facts, you should consider the following points ...

Satan didn't put fosils on the earth, but to blindly say that fosils prove evolution is as dumb (or is it dumm?) as the priest is made out to be. There have even been fosilized foot prints of dinosaur tracks found with human foot prints in the center of them. There's also a strong argument that Noah's flood (Which is actually recorded by a number of different cultures and not just in the Bible) put them there. The Bible says that when the flood came, it not only rained but the waters of the earth gushed forth, ie: a number of underground wellsprings erupted at the same time. Actually, it's been scientifically argued that the sudden release of moisture from the underground sources could have been what triggered the storm in the first place. Anyway, there's a lot of water, Dinosaurs drown, get incased in mud, ie: we have fosils.

As for dismissing evidence, while filming a portion of his pro-creationism documentary at the Smithsonian Institute, Ben Stein was thrown out after the staff found out he was taking an anti-evolutionary stance. With this coming from the "open-minded evolutionaries" I can certainly see where Zimbo gets the idea that extermination is the best way to deal with people who don't agree with you.

The fact is there are enough holes in the evolutionary theory to make it as much a matter of faith as anything else. Anybody remember Nebraska Man?

If you're going to mock someone, be original about it. Do research, look for a real flaw, something clever that we haven't heard before and then come at us with it. These recycled arguments are becoming so lame, most Christians don't even feel like refuting them any more. As it stands, this forced perspective joke where the Priest is automatically dumb, feels like something I should find on Family Guy or one of those crappy live action Adult Swim Shows. In fact, what's that one crappy live action show (can't remember the name) that show CN puts on at 2 in the morning on adult swim about the writer who stars in a show about some sci-fi horror hospital or something. I think they did that joke already in an evolution based episode.

The fact is this is well-mined, if not well researched, gag. Kimbo is worthy of better material. If you were going to make fun of the church why not point out that the new Pope recently declared all Protestant Christians are going to Hell. A good Infighting joke would not only have been original, it could prove insightful which is usually how I regard the humor of this strip.

I AGREE!!! this comic is not funny at all! Why don't you research what youre making fun of before you make a comic strip about it!!! this comic is not funny at all and please stop offending me. Thumbs way down, i'm not even kidding!

p.s. Just kidding! This comic is great! I love Kimbo!!!

Ricky... don't worry, I consider myself to be a pretty hardcore Christian, but I still believe in evolution and stuff. This comic didn't offend me at all! (And no, I'm not one of those Christians that say they are, but don't even go to church or anything lol...)

It's cool dude.

Zimbo has gained my respect.

...or he coulda really hurt someone! O that Zimbo, always gettin' into fights at school... kinda reminds me of that saying: It's all fun and games until someone loses and eye; then it's just a game - find the eye. Or not. That sucker's extinct!

His little cheeky face is hilariously cute. And his one-arm choker hold on that guy is quite masterful! 'Prolly woulda done the same thing meself (though maybe with my words).

bwesssss him

"The fact is there are enough holes in the evolutionary theory to make it as much a matter of faith as anything else."

So your admitting that the Creationism "Theory" is a matter of faith? You see Creationists aren't really interested in proving that they're "Theory" is legitimate or not. They just want to try evening the playing field(so to speak) by laying claim that Creationism and Evolution are both articles of faith, so that it's a wash.
This is complete bullshit of course, Evolution has been put under scrutinization by Scientists for decades now, allowing it to be examined intensely threw pier-review, and in doing so has passed the test of time...Creationism has not. It's really that simple.


"If you were going to make fun of the church why not point out that the new Pope recently declared all Protestant Christians are going to Hell."

A typical Protestant, loves to dish out Criticism on other religions and denominations of faith, but is incapable of taking it when it comes to his own.
So saying that the Jews and other people of differing faiths and beliefs(or even those of us who may think the bible is complete and total bullshit all together) are going to hell IS ok? Go splash some holy-water on your face, and then go read a different book for a change. The Pope is no more(or less) deluded than you are.

Hmm it must be the short format, because it doesn't click like the others have. Nice to see the other characters again though :)

Well, that's the end of Reverend Falafel...
But I don't really get the pun... Care to explain it?

So much... anger. Over a comic. Theology and personal beliefs be damned, I thought it was funny.

Hey Mark!

As always, I totally appreciate this and all your views on other Dumm comics, thank you for taking the time to express your feelings.

I am glad to cite my research for you:
When I was a little kid, a clergyperson ripped up a dinosaur coloring book and proceeded to explain to me that Satan had snuck around through history and planted fossils to trick us. God had left them there to "test our faith". Even at seven years old I recognized that this was so insultingly preposterous, it filled me with murderous rage towards said clergyperson.

I'm a pretty dumb guy, but even I can see that the indoctrination of a child is tantamount to brainwashing, and the truest of sins.

that being said, I personally find Zimbo's actions reprehensible and you can bet that he will be thoroughly spanked.

What a scamp! lol

Well, the idea that Satan (or sometimes God) planted dinosaur fossils as a test of our faith was actually a common creationist stance in the not so distant past. Creationists have since wised up a bit and realized that it's a stupid stance, and so it's been erased from their dogma. Although, you'll still find some less informed creationists repeating it to this day.

However, since it's an older creationist stance, it's "technically" accurate that's it'd be in the "1930s" Nightmare Theatre.

Anyhow, there's a funny Bill Hicks bit about it too....it's different than Ricky's take on it....but it works beautifully as an accompaniment.

Here's a link (fast-foward to 2:25):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-qmglGWMsdk

Okay, okay, you little scamps, break it up or you'll get the hose.

3. Ghosty "conte crayons"? Watch your language! The crayon was Carnation Pink.
5. Zimbo had polio?
7. Mark, though it is based on a very personal experience, I do agree that the payoff was a little run-of-the-mill.
8. I'm sorry Nico. I'll do better next time.
9. Thanks for the vote of confidence, Andy.
11. Loved your entire reply, Tillie. "That sucker's extinct!" is going to be my new catch phrase. And using words instead of murder is the way to go.
13. Robert- thanks for the defense! But it's all good, we're all friends here.
14. Hang in there, Annie-Mae, the long strips will be back soon. For now, the men in the white coats told me to take it easy.
15. Bamboozle- Falafel's just a name, though I guess he "feelAwful" right about now... eh? Eh? aw, forget it.
19. Listen Cormican, stop spreading your cockamamie views. Everyone knows Bill Hicks doesn't exist.

Wow, this is actually kind of flattering. I don't think I've ever posted a comment that's gotten so much response. I know I shouldn't be proud of this, but wow.

RNDM said: So much... anger. Over a comic.

I actually think it's a good thing. If someone is angry, it means they care, and it speaks well of Ricky and his strip. I was offended. I expressed my offense and several people have rushed to his defense. It means Ricky is doing a good job. Charles Schultz once said that the secret to creating a good strip was to make people care about your characters and people obviously care about Ricky's or they wouldn't be so outraged.

Ricky: Sorry about your coloring book. I think I know the type of person this was. I've been in church most of my life and I've seen this sort of thing before. I once had a woman chew me out because I liked Superman (still do in fact.) She said Superman gave people in the movies and comics too much hope, and that God should be the one they were trusting in. I thought it was garbage then and I think its garbage now. Superman was a creation of the human imagination which C.S. Lewis said was an ability that reflected heavenly truth. After all, we're all God's little cartoons anyway.

To Robert: First off Creationism is part of my belief system and yes, it is a matter of faith. That's not to say that there is no proof supporting it. For instance, according to evolution we evolved out of primordial ooze, which as I understand it is sea water (please feel free to correct me if I'm wrong. I read this in 'H.G. Wells Outline of History', and while it was extremely well reasearched the book is a bit dated).

Anyway, there was a scientific study done last year to match sea water to human DNA. It didn't work. So they started looking around. As it turns out, human DNA ended up matching dirt, which is what Adam was supposedly formed from.
Score one creationism!

My next response is very broad and it wanders a bit before coming to a point, so please bear with me.

I can understand how the subject of Hell in general can be offensive, but I would like to say this in defense of myself and others like me. Too often a stereotype arises of a mean, hateful preacher who delights in the prospect of scaring people with Hell. This isn't an unfounded stereotype. There are people like this and I've met them before, but these people only compose a minority of ministers world wide.

I believe the Bible is truth, but, just for the sake of argument, let's say the Bible is wrong. Now, if I meet someone, say, an Atheist, and I believe that their belief system is sending them to this terrible place called Hell and I tell them this, the absolute worst thing that can happen is I hurt their feelings.

But, let's say the Bible is right and I don't tell them because I don't want to hurt their feelings, then the absolute worst thing that can happen is they go to Hell.

Now tell me, who is the greater monster, the man who gambles with a soul to save a person's feelings or the man who gambles with a person's feelings to try and save their soul.

I believe in Hell and I believe that Jesus is the only way to salvation. The Bible is very plain on that point. The Christian church is supposed to be unified and we can't even agree among ourselves half the time. It's very sad, but also poignant and a lot of the humor in Nitemare Theater is poignant.

In retrospect I probably shoudn't have even brought Hell up. I only did so because I was trying to be open. People make fun of Christians. They always have, they always will. People make fun of just about everything, and if they feel that way, I'd rather they say it so we know where everybody stands.

All the same the strip made me mad and I wanted to comment about it because that's what a comments section is for. That being said, Nothing I write today will change the way Ricky feels, but parody is a learning tool, one that he uses quite well. It can show us things about ourselves and we can learn from it and become better people. I prefer humor that teaches as opposed to humor that is just funny for funny's sake. Ricky's humor has generally been instructive, so I thought, here's a real problem. This division is something that's hurting the church, and hurting our message of salvation. Now I doubt Ricky thinks much of us or even cares, but if he was aware of this problem, he could make fun of it, expose it as parody often exposes absurd problems, and if there are any Christians out there it might give them food for thought. He still gets to knock us and we benefit from it all the same.


That's all I've got. I appreciate the replies to my post, and I also appreciate Ricky's civility. It would have been easy for him to become angry with me, but he was very nice and I want to thank him for it.

Oh crap, this looks bad.

Ricky hadn't posted his "UH HO" comment when I started writing "AND FURTHERMORE ..." I wouldn't have put it up if I had read his post and as it is, it makes me look like I'm trying to continue something, he just wrapped up.

Sorry guys. I am by no means trying to drag this thing out. You know what, just ignore comment 21.

Thanks.

Thanks Mark! Hope I haven't lost a fan. My fondest wish is to enlighten rather than criticize, because in the end we are all the same. But hold tight-- it gets worse! see you next thursday...

You're all missing the real issue. Science this, proof that. Long winded posts about your core beliefs under a comic strip. You're missing what's important: Where did the polio go? Huh? That's what I want to know.

YO HOMIE THIS SHIT IS GREAT. I DON'T KNOW ABOUT ALL THESE LAME ASS DUDES PICKING FIGHTS ON THE COMMENTS SECTIONS OF A COMIC WEBSITE that is by artists who do funny drawings in a sequential form. HOLLER homie. you kicking ass with this shit. yes you are. i like the asymmetry in the eyes.



dude that is so wack. how could you hate on christians?

as an ex catholic i used to feel back about saying jesus all the time, because i was saying his name in vain. then some one told me his real name translated is actually JOSHUA. jesus comes from some skewed greek translation. SO JOSHUA CHRIST people! just enjoy the comics!



hey.

My religious beliefs are best summed up by "The Matrix"...

We are all just programs running our scripts until we get deleted.....

the end.... ;0)

Just stirring the pot, fellas!

Religion is a fascinating fairy tale! One of my favorites actually! I believe in elves, trolls, big feets, small feets, monsters, dragons and that you are all characters in my created reality because I am in a coma. Evolution is for CHUMPS! Religion is for WIMPS! String Theory is for CRACKPOTS! And Quantum theory is for NERDS!

Hopefully, when I wake up, me, jesus, nostrdamis, stephen hawking, and the tin man will finally finish our game of Risk. What a game!

Wakka! Wakka!

"Robert- thanks for the defense! But it's all good, we're all friends here."

Yeah, sorry about that...arguing is lame, sorry to get sucked into it. Love the comic though man(obviously)!

Oh and thanks for the detailed and thoughtful response to my arguements against your's Mark, but I don't think it's constructive to talk about this on Ricky's blog anymore. I respect your beliefs, I just happen to strongly disagree.

"YO HOMIE THIS SHIT IS GREAT. I DON'T KNOW ABOUT ALL THESE LAME ASS DUDES PICKING FIGHTS ON THE COMMENTS SECTIONS OF A COMIC WEBSITE..."

Your right DOG..it is Lame in deed. ;)

TO RICKY: Nope, you haven't lost a fan, or if you have it's not me. You're work is thoughtful, well constructed, and well drawn. I might not agree with you, but if I shunned away from everyone I disagreed with, I'd never be able to come out of my house.

TO ROBERT: I really appreciate your last response. Tom Tancredo once said that if people cannot reasonably discuss and debate even the most controversial of topics in a civilized venue then the whole principal of free speech has ceased to be valid. I do agree that this isn't the place to debate creationism vs. evolution, but looking back over that commentary board, man! What a debate it was.

If a simple three panel comic can stir this much passion in folks, then I wonder if we've ever truly beheld the full power of this wonderful art form.

Don't blame Ricky for this comic. It was actually Satan who drew it and posted it on dummcomics.com to test your faith.

Good job passing the test, btw!

I wish I cared about anything as much as you people.

"I wish I cared about anything as much as you people."

So you only shake once?

Ha. I knew this would start an argument as soon as it was posted - who changed anyone's opinion on an internet forum?

Loving the comic anyway :D

I have given up on everything. This comic has opened my spiritual eyes to the notion that all life is meaningless... I'm going away now.

"Shake what?"

lol never mind. ;)

quit reading comics and go study up on the bible...nobody wants to hear your bullshit.

I knew this would all end in tears.

...I THINK THAT CATHOLIC MAN IS HOT. YEAH. YOU NEED TO KNOW THAT. HOT MAN.

creationist and evilution arguments aside.... theres definitally something something wrong about this comic, stalin wasn't untill wwII (several years after the 30's ended) that was an error with a earlier comic! as well. sorry kick ass comic though, hilarious!