Deja Comic

Yes, today’s Dilbert comic (Saturday) is a repeat. Here’s the scoop.

I submit my comics a month or so in advance, then forget about them. Yesterday I got a call from my syndication company, United Media, alerting me that the comic scheduled for today makes a casual reference to serial killing.

Obviously this is exceptionally bad timing. The average reader doesn’t know how far in advance the comics are submitted, and it would look cruel, possibly intentional, given recent events.

One option was to alert client newspapers and give them the option of running the comic or replacing it with a repeat. I decided to go further and ask all of the newspapers to run the repeat. Some papers did not get enough notice to make the change. Comics are sometimes typeset in advance, depending on what technology the newspaper company uses. So I’m in for a bumpy ride today. Wish me luck.

I apologize for any bad feelings the comic might cause for anyone who sees it.

Comments

[BTTFVGO]

Scott,
I know it's a late comment but I'm just catching up as I missed the blog for the past couple weeks.

I don't think you or Dilbert should be blamed, as you are not at fault for the actions of the idiot that decided to shoot up Virginia Tech. That and everybody, by now, should know that your comics are created so far in advance, you had virtually no way of knowing what could happen.

My newspaper ran the comic that day, and, not thinking anything about Virginia Tech when I went to read my daily Dilbert, I laughed my ass off and variably agreed that it had one of the funniest punchlines I've read in awhile.

Don't let it get you down, Scott. I still love Dilbert - always have, always will. In fact, as I can, I've been ordering all of the books - I have 11 so far! You're the man, Scott.

[Andy]

Dear GOD Dyson,

"What? You've made a joking remark that offends people? Ok, here's what should happen. You should apologize profusely. Then we should point out that you have a history of these insensitive joking remarks and this therefore cannot be overlooked. Then we'll get the media and everyone else who'd like to be on TV to act like this is the most serious thing since 9/11. After that, we'll have the victims of all the serial killers we can find come on and express their grief until our heart strings are sufficiently pulled and our anger for you is stoked to the maximum. Then you should be fired, and then - thanks only to the forgiveness of the victims of these killings, you should be re-hired. All of that would be... "perfection".

But then again, I'm insane - unlike the rest of the world."

____

Practising necromancy? Heaven save us. Zombifying murder victims just for your own amusement? Dispicable.

[Listo Entertainment]

You are an etnocentric agressor animal: lots of people are being murdered around the world every day.

Anyway, you are a good person, the sensitive kind.

Keep on rocking,

[Vietnam holiday]

A visit to Hue will reveal Vietnam's cultural heritage. Here you'll discover the history of the 3rd century Viet tribes who descended from China and formed the King Dynasties. Worth a visit are the Lang Co Beach, Hai Van Pass and Tam Giang Dyke. Vietnam's coastline boasts unspoilt beaches and several stunning lagoons including the picturesque riverside town of Hoi An. Once a prestigious port for trading vessels, it is an enchanting place to explore, with narrow lanes, ancient bridges and temples. Displaying coconut palms, wonderful coastline and tropical sunshine, Vietnam offers traditional charm and beauty.

[Ajay Mishra]

Scott...Are americans really fussy about death and stuff? I mean.. Titanic is great BUT... Holocaust movies are brillaint BUT .. i mean come on..explain this to us - the desensitized remainder..

[Dyson]

What? You've made a joking remark that offends people? Ok, here's what should happen. You should apologize profusely. Then we should point out that you have a history of these insensitive joking remarks and this therefore cannot be overlooked. Then we'll get the media and everyone else who'd like to be on TV to act like this is the most serious thing since 9/11. After that, we'll have the victims of all the serial killers we can find come on and express their grief until our heart strings are sufficiently pulled and our anger for you is stoked to the maximum. Then you should be fired, and then - thanks only to the forgiveness of the victims of these killings, you should be re-hired. All of that would be... "perfection".

But then again, I'm insane - unlike the rest of the world.

[Mark]

Just a quick note to some of the folks who have been commenting from a student at VT, I think Scott's decision was the right one, less because the strip would have offended and more because it spoke of murder in a humorous light. At a time like this, many people associated with the university are in a very fragile emotional state, and it takes very little to upset them. I can speak from my personal experience, myself breaking down occasionally and seeing other fellow students having a rough time at the smallest reminders. So please, understand that it has nothing to do with being offensive and everything to do with allowing people to grieve and heal.

[Mark]

Just a quick not to some of the folks who have been commenting from a student at VT, I think Scott's decision was the right one, less because the strip would have offended and more because it spoke of murder in a humorous light. At a time like this, many people associated with the university are in a very fragile emotional state, and it takes very little to upset them. I can speak from my personal experience, myself breaking down occasionally and seeing other fellow students having a rough time at the smallest reminders. So please, understand that it has nothing to do with being offensive and everything to do with allowing people to grieve and heal.

[Chris Hehman]

Speaking as a Virginia Tech grad, I want to thank you for asking that this strip be pulled. Watching or reading the news has been a painful experience, and the last thing I want to see on the funny pages is a reminder of that pain.

Kudos to you for asking that it be pulled, I appreciate it.

[Will]

Where can I view the original? The Philly Inquirer doesnt run dilbert during the weekdays. only sundays. I cant figure out why...

Will

[Salil]

@shirley
I don't know if that was sarcastic, but I'll pretend it was not. Actually my comment was in response to Scott's earlier comment "[If everyone has guns, it's a bad idea to start firing yours in their direction. -- Scott]" but somehow he/they managed to delete that part while "moderating".

[Brian]

I have most of the Dilbert books, I re-read them constantly. So an occasional re-run doesn't rock my boat too much. I would like to see the strip sometime in the future, but I can understand wanting to avoid flaming emails from nitwits. Keep it up, you're doing great, I'm waiting for the next book to come out.

P.S. I don't think Stephen Pastis did a very good job of drawing you.

[smelly]

To Salil:

Best post ever!

[Brian]

Speaking of irony, did anyone see the Sopranos last night. One of Junior's friends in the home seemed similar to the Killer from VT. But I would guess that the episode was shot months ago. There was a movie that mapped closely to 911, who release had to be delayed due to 911, as I recall. coincidences happen.

[passerby]

Saw the cartoon, didn't see how it related to the shooting. The school shooter wasn't a serial killer, but a mass murder, not the same thing. Should all mention of murder in any form be censored in week following high profile murder(s)?

No logical reason to pull the cartoon, except of course if there are readers who are not logical and will take great leaps of imagination to find ways in which to be offended so that they can enjoy expressing their anger at being offended... ah yes, probably best you pulled it, though think of how much pleasure you denied those induhividuals by not giving them something to complain about.

[Oli]

I want to see this comic!

Damn your new marketing scheme!

http://ramblingsofanofficeworker.blogspot.com

[SiggeLund]

Sorry to hear that Scott.. =/

But it's good that you explain clearly what happened.

[Salil]

>

The Korean guy didn't think so...

[CaughtUP]

Really very bad. American lives are so precious. You can crack jokes about Iraqis who are being massacred in hundreds per day year round.. about Saddam's hanging within minutes of his barbaric hanging.. But, Americans... I can understand you apologizing.. You are forgiven..

[Kanon]

I think *most* people do understand artists don't draw their comic just one day in advanced. WIsh you luck

[padraig]

Couple of years ago Doonesbury had a similar problem. The strip had to do with suing a University president, and Trudeau used the imagery of his head being served on a platter to the complainant. Unfortunately this came a day or two after a hostage beheading in Iraq.

Trudeau's explanation for how it happened sounded a lot like yours, but because it came after he let it run it came out sounding pretty lame. So overall I'd say you made the right choice.

And btw, I also recognize that mass murder is not the same as serial killing, but that's not a hair I'd care to split at a time like this.

[Jason Allen]

It finally dawned on me that I read said comic on the Houston Chronicle website on Saturday. I didn't associate it with the VA shooting spree. Anyone who feel the need to bitch about that comic are overly sensitive anyway.

[Kathleen]

My paper ran the new comic, but I didn't make a connection to the VT killings.
Sometimes you can't be too careful though; people get upset for just about anything these days.

FYI: The comic was funny and actually reminded me of an episode of a crime drama I watched Friday night about a serial killer and his souvenirs.

[Andrew]

I saw the strip, and while I thought it was funny, I can also see how some people who usually find your stuff funny could be offended by it, mostly due to the timing.

And I didn't connect it to VaTech until you pointed it out.

[Tony]

Newspapers print something without your approval? Those damn pirates, let them walk the plank! Unbelievable, those copyright thieves!