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About Frazz
Frazz by Jef Mallett follows the adventures of an unexpected role model: an elementary-school janitor who's also a Renaissance man. While he's sweeping the hall, he's whistling Beethoven. Or Lyle Lovett. He paints the woodwork in the classrooms; he paints a Da Vinci on the cafeteria wall. He's a trusted authority figure who is every kid's buddy. He took the janitor's job while he was a struggling songwriter, and when he finally sold a hit song, he decided to stay on at school. Frazz appears in 200 newspapers worldwide, including the Los Angeles Times, Seattle Times, Chicago Tribune and Detroit News. "A few years back, I wrote and illustrated a children's book," says Mallett. "When I was traveling around reading it at school assemblies, I noticed that often, the most respected, best-liked grown-up in the building was the janitor. And I thought, 'Hmm, there's a comic strip in that.'" Often praised for its intelligent wit, gentle spirit and effortless diversity, Frazz won a Wilbur Award from the Religion Communicators Council in 2003 and 2005 for excellence in communicating values and ethics.
© Jef Mallett - All Rights Reserved.
Comments (11) (Please sign in to comment)
phuh knees said, over 5 years ago
Mr. Spaetzle and the “Coffee Intolerant!” slap on the back?
Hardly seems worthy of a long probation. Wait… what else did Caulfield do?
dogncat said, over 5 years ago
A better question might be, what wouldn’t Caulfield do? I love, love, love Caulfield, I believe he is one of the great characters in American Literature, perhaps even surpassing his namesake. I also love Frazz the Fabulous Renaissance Man, and all the rest, even Mrs. What’shername (brain freeze), Caulfield’s bete noire — or is he hers? Hmm. Thank you, Jef Mallett, you hand me laughs, things to think about, and the occasional “Oh, NOW I get it!” later moment. Please keep doing it.
truthtella2 said, over 5 years ago
I love this comic strip, but am I the only one who thinks it’s odd in general that a little kid hangs out with his adult school janitor during school, weekends, and they even get together over the summer for what seem like planned outings?
yardlet6
said, over 5 years ago
There are such a thing as inter-generational friendships. Also you have two people who march to their own drummers.
hippogriff said, over 5 years ago
Frazz is the best teacher in that school, that’s why the kids come to him. I knew a janitor like that once. He was ABT but couldn’t be a faculty member because of cerebrial palsy. Still, he could explain concepts better than the professors, so he was the go-to in case of problems.
runar said, over 5 years ago
No April Fools prank is worthwhile unless one ends up doing time.
bigpuma said, over 5 years ago
Why do people think Frazz is such a good guy? He has the kids’ best interests at heart, sure, but he can be a real jerk. He’s smug, pedantic, and self-righteous. He lacks empathy. He’s a show-off and a know-it-all. If the kids learn anything from him, it’s that proving you know things that others don’t is the most important thing you can do.
bigpuma said, over 5 years ago
Good gag, RSR. But it’s the same kinda stereotyping humor that Frazz trades in most days. Fat jocks who play ball sports are dumb; overweight people are weaklings; smokers suffering in their attempts to quit should be mocked; anone who is not Frazz should be talked down to. Why pick off these easy targets day in and day out? He’s (often) a mean guy and I’ve been surprised to find that no one else thinks so.
AshburnStadium said, over 5 years ago
@truthtella2
I, too, was friends with my elementary school principal for many years after my school career, and as an adult, I was on a first-name basis with him. RIP Eli Barkan (1931-2005). At age 70, he could still run 20yo guys off the basketball court! There was also a tribute baseball tournament named after him: http://www.hardball.net/elibarkanchallenge2008.htm
phuh knees said, over 5 years ago
No ifs, ands or butts; my fresh avatar?
It was badly kneeded…
Swiftbow said, over 5 years ago
@bigpuma
I tend to agree with you. The smugness especially is a big reason I only read this occasionally.