Change can be a really good thing. If I give someone a $20 bill for a $5 purchase, there had better be change or the exchange that follows will be decidedly unpleasant. If the FDA suddenly discovers that one of the meds I take every day causes a third arm to sprout out the back of your head, there won’t be any argument from me about changing it.

There are some things, however, that just shouldn’t change. A good example is the flavor of Coke; if switching up your soda formula results in a torch-wielding mob breaking down the doors at corporate HQ, that’s a pretty good sign that the decision won’t be winning a Nobel prize.

I found myself faced with just such a situation this morning when I opened up my daily comic email from Comics.com to find that one of the strips I read religiously suddenly looks like it was drawn by a third grader.

I read three comics every day: Dilbert, Get Fuzzy, and Working Daze. I’ve been reading all three for several years, and I’m quite comfortable with the way they are. It didn’t even bother me when they colorized Dilbert (No, Mr. Turner, that is not carte blanche to make Humphrey Bogart look like Tammy Faye Bakker), because Dilbert still looks like Dilbert, just more colorful.

I was not okay, however, with the look of today’s Working Daze. The characters no longer look like themselves, and for that matter, the plot line isn’t even consistent with the strip’s normal tone and tenor. I can’t decide if it looks more like a Dick Tracy comic book or anime — I think it’s really some sort of demented love child. Whichever it is, I don’t like it.

I made my way to the strip’s page on Comics.com, praying I would find a big notice proclaiming “Congratulations to the winner of our ‘Draw Your Own Working Daze’ contest, eight-year-old Cindy Lou Pfefferman, from John P. Fuddyduddy Elementary in Cremanently, Missouri.” Sadly, I did not find such a notice; instead, I found this:

There will be a change coming to Working Daze in mid-June. After many years of very dedicated service, Kyle Miller is moving on to other projects. I want to thank Kyle for everything! It’s been a great run. Kyle, though, will be replaced by Scott Roberts. Scott and I have worked together on many projects (like the Rugrats comic strip) so I expect Working Daze to shine for years to come. –John Zakour

Well, Johnny, I think “shine” is a bit of a stretch. “Glare” would be a far more accurate term, as in, “glaring omission.” This isn’t Bewitched, you can’t just drop in a replacement and expect everything to be all right. I will not accept the new Darren!

For anyone who wants to see what Working Daze is supposed to look like, here’s an example. For the monstrosity that has replaced it, click here, but I warn you, it isn’t pretty. (Note: Comics.com only keeps a 30-day archive, so these links won’t work anymore.)

I just don’t know what the world is coming to, but I do know this: If I wake up one morning and Dilbert’s tie has stopped curling, I’m getting out my picket sign.

1. Carlie Says:
   June 18th, 2008 at 10:11 am

   You know, I always look forward to a new blog entry from you. You’re kinda like that cranky, eccentric old uncle I have, except a whole lot funnier and younger.

   Sorry about your Working Daze. May you find peace during this difficult time.

2. Justin Says:
   June 20th, 2008 at 4:26 am

   I’m glad to hear it; I’ll do my best to keep coming up with things to rant about.

3. Kevin Says:
   June 20th, 2008 at 9:25 am

   OK, it has been 5 days and there appears to be a trend. Scott Roberts can’t draw legs.

   *sigh* The women now look about 15 and that is just, …uh… slimy.

4. John Zakour Says:
   June 21st, 2008 at 3:09 pm

   Hi Justin:

   Please be patient as Working Daze evolves. Believe it or not when Kyle Miller took over I received over 100 comments telling me how he was “unacceptable”. Kyle caught on as I am sure Scott will. We are evolving.

5. John Zakour Says:
   June 21st, 2008 at 3:11 pm

   PS: check out our entry in DC comics Zuda. Scott can draw legs:

   http://zudacomics.com/node/460

   

6. Justin Says:
   June 25th, 2008 at 11:23 pm

   Well, now don’t I feel silly. Somehow, I never expected John Zakour to actually turn up here!

   I’m sure things will get better (they seem to have started in that direction already), so I’ll be patient and see what happens. Thanks for turning up, it’s certainly a blog highlight!

7. scott roberts Says:
   July 8th, 2008 at 6:24 pm

   Justin.
   I hope you do stick around. John and I are both experienced enough to have known there would be some negative feedback, and even downright resistance to the change. (Nope, I’m not in third grade.) I’m sorry that much of takes the form of cheap insults rather than constructive criticism, but we are responsive to readers, and are indeed continuing to develop and adjust. I’m not Kyle Miller. That said, hopefully readers will come to accept the new Working Daze as I grow into it.