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Monday, September 1, 2008

Comic Strip Shootout

By Dan Herrera
Assistant Managing Editor
      TO OUR READERS: I guess not everyone is looking for change. Comics fans have finally voted to retain an incumbent in this year's series of Comics Shootouts.
    "Retail," which closely matches real life working in a department store (just ask anyone who works in one), beat the new offering, "Mutts," to keep its place on the Journal's comics page.
    The final tally was 2,834 votes for "Retail" to 1,071 for "Mutts."
    That means that it's time for the next shootout.
    Starting today, you may start comparing and choosing between "Marvin" and "Hi & Lois" in September's Shootout.
    "Hi & Lois?," you might ask.
    Yes. Although the longtime strip about a classic American suburban family lost a previous shootout — and its place on the comics page — we decided to give it another shot, surprising those who insist we do not have a heart.
    Honestly, the large number of deeply felt expressions of serious heartbreak over the loss of "Hi & Lois" were too much to take. So, here's your chance to bring it back.
    It goes up against "Marvin," a strip that looks at life through the eyes of a baby.
    Lately, Marvin — the character — has been acting like a toddler, standing and speaking with a real voice instead of through thought bubbles. Where will this lead?
    Look for the clippable coupon to mail in on the comics page, or vote online at abqjournal.com.
    Either way, voting is over on Sept. 19. And vote only once, please.