My name is Minotaur, Joe Minotaur. I’m a cop. Most cops carry a gun, I carry a net, a Dryadnet(Dum-m, Da Dum-Dum). I work the comic strip beat looking for crimes against toons and their creators.

The missing persons’ case I was working on, has been brought to a close. With the passing of the incubus, Digory Spitcock, the missing two children are now home with their parents. Luciano, the giant fly, has shrunk back down to the size of a garden pea and rejoined the human known as Geoff, the Dryad known as Pibgorn and the succubus known as Drucilla. Details are sketchy and the Eggs have not cracked. I’ve gone over easy with them because they were children, but I might have to separate them and see what I can whip up.

I was sitting at the desk in my office, when a man walks in. I knew him well. I wish I hadn’t. He’s a detective too. His name is Khule, Bionde Khule. He says he’s European, a Belgian. I could see why they would want him out of their country. His entire attitude set your teeth on edge. He never looked at you, even though he was talking to, or at, you. It was as if he was looking for some reason to be in the same room as you. His eyes scanned the bookcase to his right.

“Good afternoon, Minotaur.” he says in his slow, annoying, voice.  His eyes continue to the calendar on the wall. “Is that, this year’s calendar?” He steps closer to it. It is the same calendar that has been hanging there for years. Every time he has ever entered my office, it’s been there. “2000?” he asks, feigning surprise. His head turns only slightly to the left.

“It was a very good year.” I say. “What do you want, Khule?”

“I understand that your current assignment is almost over.” he says while examining the window curtains. “The missing people have been found and your final report will be presented to the Captain soon.”

“There are a few loose ends, but you’re right.” I say. “Is there something you need?”

He pauses his examination and the shallow smile on his face widens by a few millimeters. “Now, Joe. I didn’t come here to impose on you. I was just wondering if there was anything I could do to help you wrap things up. This little case of yours has caused quite a stir in certain parts of the city. Once this is all over and things have settled down, a lot of people will be very grateful to you for solving this case.”

I could see where this was going. Khule had a habit of showing up just as a case was ending and leaving the impression that he had something to do with its successful conclusion. His eyes shift to my filing cabinets.

“It’s too bad you don’t use a computer, Minotaur.” he says. “It would make it so much easier to file your reports.” It would also make it easier for him to add his name to it.

“Thanks, Khule,” I say, “but I don’t think I’ll be needing anymore help from you.” As I finish saying this, the Captain walks in.

“Detective Minotaur, oh, and Detective Khule as well.” he says, “I’ll expect the final report on the case you were working on, by tomorrow.”

“Yes Sir, Captain Reaper.” Khule says as he bows. “It will be ready.”

Captain Tom Reaper nods to both of us and leaves.

I relax in my chair and lean back. I raise my feet to rest on the desk.

Bionde Khule pauses at the door. “The report will be ready, right, Minotaur?”

I wrap my hands behind my head. “Just as soon as you type it up, Khule.”

 

THAT’S ALL FOLKS!!

My name is Minotaur, Joe Minotaur. I’m a cop. I walk the comic strip beat looking for crimes against toons and their artists. Most cops carry a gun, I carry a net, a Dryadnet (Dum-m, Da Dum-Dum).

The missing persons case that Sgt. Cliff Hanger and I was working on, was building to a climax. Events were transpiring at a pace that made us sweat. The pressure was on to produce results that would bring a smile to the Captain’s face. We needed to gain control over the situation so that no innocent person was caught in the grip of this mystery.

“Sergeant,” I say, “it would appear that the characters involved in this case are once again making their presence known. The Succubus, Drucilla, has blown the lid off the place and recovered the fairy known as, Pibgorn. The two have been spotted out in the mid-Atlantic hovering over an iceberg and not moving a muscle. The Incubus has been consumed by his own power and eliminated by the giant fly, Luciano. The organist, Geoff(pronounced ‘Jeff’), has been spotted wandering the streets, and if found, will be brought in for questioning. Of the two children, only Lena has been accounted for. Roger is the last person that we need to find.”

“I’ve heard about that Incubus, Digory Spitcock.” says Cliff. “I don’t think I could stomach him. He attended some computer symposium recently and upset quite a few experts on Sui Generis Reality. He debased their research and called their visions of computer generated reality nothing more than ‘Hoo Ha’. He seemed to think that he alone could spawn a new form of life within the confines of a computer program. With him out of the picture, no one knows what has happened to his private studies.”

“That leaves Roger Egg.” I say. “He is the last remaining piece of the puzzle. If we can stumble upon him, we may be able to close this case before supper’s ready.

(Dum-m, Da Dum-Dum. Dum-m, Da Dum-Dum DAHH!!)

I'm back and there's a new "Jokes" page with two entries.

I went to the New York Comic Con and also went to see David Letterman. Seeing him live, allowed me to check him off my "Bucket" list(I wanted to see him before 'he' kicked the bucket).

I hooked up with ccdesan on the first day after the taping of the Late Show. We had sandwiches at the Stage Delicatessen near my hotel(Sheraton New York Hotel and Towers). My hotel was only a block away from the Ed Sullivan Theater where the show is taped. No need for a taxi. Other restaurants in the area include Lindy's(famous for cheesecake) and Rosie O'Gradys. Both are excellent restaurants and highly recommended.

Friday and Saturday at the comic con was like trying to make it through the halls of a highschool between classes again, only this time, I felt like a teacher and not a student. Tons of swag from comics that I collected when I was younger to the very new online comics like Girl Genius, Looking for Group, Gunnerkrigg Court and Mouse Guard.

Ccdesan and I did not find Brooke McEldowney on the first day(he and his daughter checked in early and went on errands that Friday). On Saturday, we tracked him down and arranged for the interview on Sunday. You will just have to wait for the finished product sometime in March. ccdesan is on a trip and we need to combine our videos to get a top quality presentation for you.

No spoilers! No sneak peeks! No clues! No hints! You'll just have to wait, sorry!

For those of you who check in here, but not over at the Pibgorn Comments site, I would like to appologize for not telling you that I am on vacation until the end of this week(14th). I went to the New York Comic Con to see fellow poster ccdesan and the artist of 9 Chickweed Lane/Pibgorn, Brooke M. and his daughter Nichola. I can't offer any more details but a video of the artist interview and the trip is being organized/edited/enhanced/etc... Hopefuly details on where to see or buy this video will be available soon.