Cul de Sac by Richard Thompson for June 03, 2012

Johnny G sidelined as a produce distributor?

Did the EPA do a toxic waste inspection and clean-up before Miss Bliss re-opened the pre-school on that former auto garage site? What is in the sandbox? And what oily substance smells like bananas? Is Blisshaven Preschool a safe place for Alice and Beni and all the other kids?

How could you be in them when you weren’t even born yet, Alice?

Nothing of any importance happened in the pre-Alician era, didn’t you know that?

Lacquer and other finishes sometimes have an odor that smells like fermented fruit.

Sisyphos asked “And what oily substance smells like bananas?”

Isoamyl acetate, a paint and lacquer solvent.

Also used as artificial banana flavoring.

Maybe Johnny G was the kind of mechanic that stuffed bananas into transmissions to “repair” them… add a bit of silver paint and they’re good for 1 day past the 1 week warranty.

Peanuts was smoother of line, but everything was pretty simple, too. I love the complexity of Richard’s drawings.

Yes, it’s a strange strip. That’s the charm.

I don’t understand some of the very mean-spirited comments today.

Banana Oil: Isoamyl acetate, also known as isopentyl acetate, an organic compound that is the ester formed from isoamyl alcohol and acetic acid.

Yummy

The smell is probably left over from the grease monkeys.

Peanuts was boring by the time I started reading it 40 years ago. This strip is anything but boring. One of my top 10 favorites.

Richard, I love your watercolors!