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.
Frank & Ernest by Thaves
Fred Basset by Alex Graham
Comments (28) (Please sign in to comment)
Richard S. Russell said, 6 months ago
Science has conclusively demonstrated that every 60 minutes spent exercising when you’re young can extend your lifespan for as much as an hour. So you’re basically exchanging an hour when you’re young, healthy, and full of energy for one when you’re old, feeble, wheezing, and sick. Great plan!
Pacopuddy said, 6 months ago
@Richard S. Russell
Certainly is! There’s nothing I want more than extra time to spend sitting in a pool of my own wee in an old age home. (Though it’s better than sitting in someone else’s wee, I suppose)
Nabuquduriuzhur said, 6 months ago
I’m one of those nuts that runs 6 times a week for 30 minutes. I don’t enjoy it much, but it has benefits outside of that 30 minutes. I cheat by having a TV on to some old show or movie.
AshburnStadium said, 6 months ago
@Pacopuddy
I remember a sign that said, “Welcome to our ‘ool.’ Notice there is no ‘P’ in it. Please keep it that way!”
capnLaz
said, 6 months ago
Most folks hate exercise but it’ll extend your life.
masterskrain said, 6 months ago
@capnLaz
No, but exercising just makes it feel so much longer!
30 minutes on a treadmill is the LONGEST 30 minutes of your life!
pdhealey
said, 6 months ago
Frazz’s obsessive exercise compulsion is a mental disorder that will lead to disability and early death. He’s not a good example.
Lorenzo Browncoat said, 6 months ago
@Nabuquduriuzhur
Well, that’s yer problem right there.
If I’m gonna walk ( being too old and out-of-shape to RUN), I do it outdoors. Walk around the block, around the park, thru the neighborhood, to a distant store or library.
Cartoonacy said, 6 months ago
I remember when a reader asked columnist Marilyn vos Savant (the woman with the highest recorded IQ) to describe the stupidest thing she’s done. Her reply was (I’m paraphrasing from memory) that three times a week she takes the elevator down from her apartment, drives across town, and takes another elevator up to her health club, just so she can walk on the stair machine for an hour.
Ceceee said, 6 months ago
@Richard S. Russell
Aren’t you forgetting to account for the effects of exercise on the aging process? Namely that by staying more fit, one will be reasonably healthy and strong and cognitively competent even into the age range where some of us assume (perhaps incorrectly) that feeble automatically applies. (Maybe you’re joking, but for a lot of people this is no joke.)
pumaman said, 6 months ago
The human body was meant to move, not sit in one spot. We excercise, not just when we are young but all our lives, so that when we get old, we aren’t “…feeble, wheezing, and sick.” You can rationalize not exercising with humor all you want, but you will some day regret not doing it. The trick is to make it a priority in your life, and find an exercise that you enjoy. I run, but outside in the fresh air, and not so fast that it hurts. And ride a bike, again outside whenever possible, with friends. It becomes a social event as much as exercise. Jef should be proud that he encourages people to try a fit lifestyle.
annieb1012 said, 6 months ago
@cartoonacy
I had a Canadian friend who would run 27 miles, take a shower, then drive five blocks to the liquor store for a six-pack of beer.
ncalifgirl58 said, 6 months ago
Pool exercise is the best. First, it’s easier on old joints and secondly every 1/2 hour in the pool is equivalent to an hour on land.
masterskrain said, 6 months ago
Eat Well, Exercise Regularly, Stay Fit, DIE ANYWAY!!
My heart only has a certain number of beats it will do, and I will be damned if I’m gonna waste any of then in the gym!
lightenup
said, 6 months ago
@Ceceee
I agree with you! What the people who refuse to exercise conveniently forget is that exercise vastly improves the quality of life. So whether you live to a ripe old age or get hit by a bus, I’d rather feel great while I’m alive.