Billy's School Daze

 With the yin of Billy’s earlier mentioned sass comes the yang of world-weariness. Billy’s the only kid in the family who has real schoolwork to deal with, and the only one who can really appreciate the freedom of summer vacation.

Keane starts crankin’ out the vacation-fun comics in early June and, like clockwork, bums us all out three months later with back-to-school themed strips. Who are these for?  Would a 3^rd grader sigh “Aint that the truth” while reading this? Personally, this particular comic gives me both a sensation of mild relief – I never have to be in 2^nd grade again -- and dry bitterness – “Oh, you think that’s bad, you shortsighted brat?  Just wait till you grow up and bid adieu to summer vacation forever!”

I actually think Billy is at his best while school is in session.  His June-August Tom Sawyer-style swagger is pretty dull, but the rest of the year, Billy is made tolerable by the responsibilities he must bear.  And a lot of the time he’s drawn with dark circles under his eyes, and that’s just visual comedy gold.  Cracks me up every time.