Talk:Frazz

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Untitled[edit]

There. Added character discriptions (some are a bit brief, I know, and I'm sure I've left out plenty of characters, please add whichever you can think of), information on the award he's won, and some more about the author's style. Personally, I don't think that the rumor about the strip being drawn by Watterson should be included, seeing as Jeff Mallett is definitley a real person (he's drawn editorials and illustrations for books for years, and I've personally had a few email discussions with him) and his style differs somewhat from Watterson's. I read somewhere that he was influenced by Calvin and Hobbs, but a rumor like that is just that: a rumor.

Anywho. Please, please help me with his. Anything you want to add on to, or move around, please do.

As soon as he has a book out, I'll add that too. Hopefully, it will be soon.

[Talk page created by 70.118.102.215 (talk) at 04:18, 12 July 2005.
This chronological note added from History page by Thnidu (talk) 18:16, 3 May 2014 (UTC)][reply]

We Need to Rewrite the Character Descriptions[edit]

Too much of the text in this section is lifted right out of the character descriptions at Comics.com. I'm happy to do the re-write, but it will take some time and would welcome others' efforts, of course.

RE: Calvin and Hobbes. It's enough of an issue that I think it should be addressed; I provided a quote to support the refutation of the rumor. Hope that adds a little bit of flesh.

Mitchell k dwyer 06:58, 29 December 2005 (UTC)[reply]

Adding debut date[edit]

Actually, Frazz debuted on 2 April 2001, but when I put it in, it was instantly deleted ... how can I put this into the article? Janet 01:42, 11 February 2006 (UTC)[reply]

It now appears in the article, so this Talk segment is moot. GeorgeTSLC (talk) 17:38, 18 July 2013 (UTC)[reply]

Similarities to Calvin and Hobbes[edit]

The current arc (1,2nd,... of may 2006) describes Bedlamball. The game has no rules, no beginning or end. Sounds like Calvinball.

-- That's because it's supposed to be a funny and completely intential jab at the critics who can't get over their plagerism fixation. It's hilarious to see people jumping up and down, pointing at Bedlamball as some sort of smoking gun. I'll bet Watterson even laughed at that one.


  • I agree that it's hilarious; nobody accused Watterson of stealing the idea of Calvinball from M*A*S*H, whose characters played a game of no-rules cards and chess called "Double Krako." Oops. Digression. Sorry. I do want to say that the controversy section of this article is especially well-done. I like the way this article is taking shape! Mitchell k dwyer 01:44, 2 August 2006 (UTC)[reply]
Really. Mark Harris's "Bang The Drum Slowly" also has the baseball players playing a card game named "TEGWAR" - The Exciting Game Without Any Rules.
Frankly, the art in Frazz always looked to me almost exactly like a non-Peanuts comic that was done by Charles Schulz in the early 60's- a one-panel thing that's been collected in some books, called "Young Pillars." (Here:[1]) Carlo 13:07, 13 October 2007 (UTC)[reply]
I think the "controversy" section needs some citations. Most of it seems like original research.--Spyderchan 01:41, 29 November 2006 (UTC)[reply]

What do you make of today's strip (Nov 29) in which Frazz claims "I also used to be Bill Watterson's personal assistant."? -- Dharris 15:55, 29 November 2006 (UTC)[reply]


In today's strip, Frazz uses the "wagon" bit from Calvin and Hobbes. They are discussing philosophical matters, and it ends in a crash. Sounds very familiar. Too familiar. Arius Maximus 18:01, 31 December 2006 (UTC)[reply]

The entire plagiarism discussion is OR and POV. It doesn't cite sources correctly and consistently uses weasel words like 'to some people.' Plus, why the heck does it *precede* substantive discussion of characters? This doesn't fit the comic strip template at all (see Doonesbury). I move that it be scaled down, moved, and sourced, and then maybe it can be encyclopedic content. Cheers, ParvatiBai 22:25, 7 February 2007 (UTC)[reply]

The section needs sources. Period. —ScouterSig 05:15, 8 October 2007 (UTC)[reply]

Would it help if strips from Frazz and C&H were compared side by side? A lot of the conversations I see between Frazz and Caulfield are extremely reminiscient of Calvin's converstions with Hobbes and his father, with Caulfield taking the place of Calvin and Frazz being Hobbes or the father.

And if Hobbes was an imaginary friend (as one interpretation of C&H has it) then it makes perfect sense that Calvin would have grown up to be more like Hobbes, or some blending between the two. --64.134.167.204 (talk) 15:13, 6 November 2010 (UTC)[reply]

Also, you can't deny the similarity between the two characters appearence. When I saw my first Frazz comic, I instantly thought it was a C&H continuation, and I still consider it to be one. The continuity and humor style matches too perfectly. 72.235.160.192 (talk) 04:08, 7 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]

The spirit of Frazz is very close to Calvin and Hobbes, as is the visual style. No question about it. What's even more impressive is that it's funny the same way that Calvin and Hobbes was. These previous two statements are undeniable---and totally legal and ethical. The strip stands on its own two feet, and if it was strongly influenced by Calvin and Hobbes, then we just have to live with it. (I, for one, and not at all disappointed to find another intelligent, funny syndicated comic strip, and if the cartoonist can pull it off, more power to him.) 129.2.43.165 (talk) 18:13, 9 January 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Yes, this. If I have to wander the earth for the rest of my days bereft of new C&H strips, then I am thankful for anything that can remind me of it. Cobratom (talk) 09:22, 14 June 2013 (UTC)Cobratom[reply]

The Frazz was also a 60's-style rock band from Seattle that was very popular in the club scene in the 1980's[edit]

The band predates the comic strip by a decade


Character named Kara[edit]

In the Controversy section, it is noted that Kara resembles Susie from Calvin and Hobbes. In the Character consistencies section, it is said that Caulfield is the only recurring, named child character. Kara is not mentioned here or in the Recurring characters section, nor anywhere else in the article. Is Kara a recurring character? If so, then she should probably be added to the Recurrent characters section and the Character consistencies section should be modified to include her. If not, then she should be deleted altogether. MDfoo 14:36, 29 October 2007 (UTC)[reply]

I have edited the article striking Kara from it. According to the official website, she is not an recurring character, and may appear as a different looking person by the same name in different strips. So any similarities with Susie from Calvin and Hobbes is coincidental. Maybe a recurring 8-year old girl is similar to Susie, but I will leave that to experts of the strip. MDfoo 19:22, 6 November 2007 (UTC)[reply]

Unreferenced claims.[edit]

In the character description bit, it says a few times that characters where based on previous experiences the author had. This to me seem pretty important bits of the article (and they certainly play a role in the whole bit on the Cal0vin and Hobbes controversy), but they aren't cited. Can one point me in the direction of the source, or cite them? Cheers, Leonard^Bloom (talk) 23:41, 22 June 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Location[edit]

OK, I would like to start the discussion by saying that just because one of Caulfield's story problems is worded, "If it's 28 miles from Novi to the airport and Mr. Smyntek drives the speed limit..." does not mean, by any means, that the comic is set in Michigan. As for the connection between Mallett and the state of Michigan, let me point out that the comic strip is characterized by an unusual number of cultural references. Kimu 04:31, 5 December 2008 (UTC)[reply]

There is only one town called "Novi" in the USA--Novi, MI(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Novi). Novi, MI happens to be almost exactly 28 miles from Detroit Metro Airport. Further, Caulfield's reaction to the question is to reference people speeding on I-275, indicating that Caulfield thought I-275 was the way to the airport from Novi. There are only 4 I-275s in the USA; three pass next to airports (the ones in the Tampa, Cincinnati and Detroit areas). Of these, only one is anywhere near a town called Novi--the Detroit I-275 (there is no Novi in TN, OH, IN, FL or KY--the five other jurisdictions with I-275s (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/I-275). Further, the MI I-275 is arguably the most expedient route for getting from Novi, MI to Detroit Metro Airport. Read in conjunction, this indicates (to me, at least) that both Caulfield and the person who wrote the homework assignment have local geographic knowledge of the Detroit metro area. The USA portion of the Detroit metro area is almost entirely in Michigan (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metropolitan_Detroit), suggesting--not proving, but suggesting--that Frazz is set in Michigan. The fact that Mallett was both born and now resides in Michigan helps bolster that inference (again, inference, not a proof) (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jef_Mallett). As to your note concerning 'an unusual number of cultural references', I would pose that there is a distinction between (a) references to nationally-known literary and cultural figures and concepts, and (b) location-specific geographical references to details of portions of the Detroit environs which are not (as far as I am aware) well known outside of that metropolitan area. I'd note that other Frazz strips also show Michigan references (E.g. http://newsgroups.derkeiler.com/Archive/Rec/rec.arts.comics.strips/2005-10/msg01582.html [references to Yankee Springs], http://www.ospreydesign.com/foreword/archives/000866.html [7-18-04 strip shows map of Ann Arbor, MI], http://jurisjournal.blogspot.com/2007/04/frazz-comic-strip.html [9-6-04 strip shows Frazz wearing U. Michigan-Flint t-shirt], July 19, 2004 strip shows Frazz wearing a "Vernor's" t-shirt [bearing the logo of a soda brand up until recently strongly--although not solely--associated with metro Detroit area (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vernors)]). One-Off Contributor (talk) 06:05, 5 December 2008 (UTC)One-Off Contributor[reply]

All of which is very interesting, but falls under Original Research. What we strive for here is referenced material, which is why we can't just add "Frazz is set in Michigan because of (above arguments)" to the article. --LarryMac | Talk 16:09, 5 December 2008 (UTC)[reply]
  • The hints On-Off Contributor mentioned are interesting (and quite clever), but I don't think they are sufficient to declare the strip location as Michigan. The author hasn't ever declared a location, in a somewhat Simpson-esque way, and that's probably enough. The road names and distances are dispositive, and the mention of Vernors soda doesn't mean a thing. (It has been available in dozens of states for years.) I recommend removing the references to Michigan. - Peter (talk) 22:44, 5 December 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Any objections, then, to a compromise position for now, say something like "While Jef Mallett has not formally identified the setting, he often drops Michigan references into his strips (for example, on Frazz's t-shirts)."? One-Off Contributor (talk) 21:43, 6 December 2008 (UTC)One-Off Contributor[reply]

None here! Kimu 18:00, 7 December 2008 (UTC)[reply]
Actually, the location, as cited in the September 20, 2008 strip (available on Comics.com) is Rodney, Michigan. Rodney because it is expressly mentioned in that strip, and Michigan because of Mallett's personal history and the repeated Michigan references. JKBrooks85 (talk) 08:26, 26 December 2008 (UTC)[reply]
The April 10, 2001, strip shows that Rodney is in a state beginning w/ M, and that Caulfield's address is in Rodney. GeorgeTSLC (talk) 17:49, 18 July 2013 (UTC)[reply]

The Jan 3, 2009 strip shows Frazz and Caufield overlooking the skyline of Mallet's hometown of Lansing, MI, looking south from an imaginary vantagepoint (there is no sledding hill at the point they are standing in the strip). The three smokestacks on the right are the Eckert Power Station, and the single smokestack in the middle with the odd bulge at the top is the "worlds largest lugnut", across from Oldsmobile Stadium. 216.157.197.218 (talk) 20:38, 12 February 2009 (UTC)[reply]

The April 27, 2011 strip indicates that the strip is located outside of the Pacific Time Zone, alluding that Mr. Spaetzle did "stay up for both games of a West Coast doubleheader." One-Off Contributor (talk) 14:44, 27 April 2011 (UTC)[reply]

The May 4, 2011 strip shows another character discussing the fact that a town called Huntington Woods does not have a train station or railroad tracks. The only town called "Huntington Woods" presently listed in Wikipedia is in Michigan (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Huntington_Woods), in the Detroit suburbs, and in fact does not have either railroad tracks or a train station, although the adjacent town of Royal Oak, MI does have both (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_Oak,_Michigan). One-Off Contributor (talk) 15:44, 4 May 2011 (UTC)[reply]

I have edited the links in the 3 preceding paragraphs to go to the dates cited at gocomics.com. The existing links to Yahoo news and comics.com were each redirected to the current week's strips at gocomics instead. I trust this is not considered inappropriate interference w/ others' posts. (I do restrain myself from fixing mere typos in other's posts, tho not in my own. If I notice the latter.) GeorgeTSLC (talk) 18:02, 18 July 2013 (UTC)[reply]

Recurring Characters[edit]

Are Mr. Uhrmann and Mrs. Trevino really recurring characters? I found the series of strips in Feb 2003 when Mr. Uhrmann substitutes for Mrs. Olsen. Frazz tells Caulfield that he had substituted earlier, but was that "off screen" or actually in the strip? What about later appearances? I also found a single strip mentioning Mrs. Trevino on May 5, 2003. Any other appearances? Fladrif (talk) 20:20, 14 April 2009 (UTC)[reply]

I found other instances of Mrs. Trevino, including the Tamale day Sept 11-14, 2001. Fladrif (talk) 13:18, 22 April 2009 (UTC)[reply]
Found the earlier Mr. Uhrmann strip which is apparently referernced in the Feb 03 series (2/19/02)Fladrif (talk) 15:07, 22 April 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Colorization[edit]

Not sure if it matters, but it appears the daily strips started being colorized in March 2003. First one here: http://www.gocomics.com/frazz/2003/03/18 ~Amatulić (talk) 01:40, 8 November 2014 (UTC)[reply]

Quotation?[edit]

The following sentence in the Style and Theme section reads like a quotation:

"He reads everything from Milton to Hiaasen to bike racing magazines, he writes, he races, he’s an athlete, and he’s a songwriter, discovering the value of a day job. When songwriting started going well, he kept his custodian job because it was the perfect environment for discovery through the energy and interest of the students."

However, I can't tell whether it actually is one because the citation link is no good. If it is a quote, it needs to have quotation marks and be attributed to the source. Tad Lincoln (talk) 05:32, 13 January 2015 (UTC)[reply]

External links modified[edit]

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Removing maintenance tags[edit]

This article was tagged with

I've removed these after rewriting the article. I think that it now:

  • has substantially more sources (and non-broken ones at that),
  • doesn't read from an in-universe perspective (I'm not sure it did even when I found it), and
  • No longer has large amount of fine detail about specific aspects of the work, that were unsourced or had primary sources only.

HenryCrun15 (talk) 03:52, 21 August 2019 (UTC)[reply]

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