Non Sequitur by Wiley Miller for January 15, 2023

Great art work Wiley. Took me a moment to realize Eddie riding a whale to the Offshore Diner

Was he unable to stay underwater or was she unwilling to board his boat or did something else go wrong?

How did his pipe stay lit?

Good ol’ Cap’n Eddie. Always good for an early morning laugh.

The Mermaid said Eddie, you’re a fine guy, what a good spouse you would be, but my life, my love and my boy toy, is the sea!

It appears that it wasn’t meant to be.

He couldn’t very well leave Paulie, now could he?

A flying saucer in an underwater bubble? A bit of a stretch even for Eddie.

Take me to the mermaid’s paradise, anytime … just don’t tell my wife.

I wouldn’t want to be anywhere where cats are not allowed.

Can we get Victoria and Joe married off this year? Finally?

What ever he’s smoking in that pipe…….I’d like some.

could not part with his cat.

Love me, love my cat.

He needs a bigger boat. A Candy Apple one… with chrome on some tall fins.

She broke his heart on porpoise.

I’d ask too, for a tall tale like that one.

Captain Eddie might be my favorite supporting character in any comic I’ve ever followed. Wiley has such a gift for creating Eddie’s story arcs.

I still remember the year a girl tried to drag me onto a bar floor to dance. I don’t regret saying “no.”

I love that all conversation & emotion is shown in the pipe smoke.

Cap’n Eddie’s just telling stories for the Halibut.

Love me, love my cat.

Where’s Eddie gettin’ those crazy mushrooms, man?

When push came to shove, he couldn’t leave Paulie behind.

I don’t know… Sounds kind of fishy to me too.

Reminds me of the old Twilight Zone episode where the hillbilly was walking along with his dog when a guy at a gate invited him in, saying that it was heaven. He could hunt and fish and do whatever he wanted. The old man started in but the dog hesitated and started to growl at the gatekeeper. The gatekeeper told the old man dogs were not allowed. The hillbilly refused to go in and walked further down the road, meeting another man. This one made the same claims about how great it was inside and that dogs were welcome. The hillbilly walked in, with the dog happily by his side. So, no matter how good things look, is it really Heaven if you can’t be with the ones you love?

Willey has to be one of the BEST cartoonists in the business.

Reminds me of the old Twilight Zone episode where the hillbilly was walking along with his dog when a guy at a gate invited him in, saying that it was heaven. He could hunt and fish and do whatever he wanted. The old man started in but the dog hesitated and started to growl at the gatekeeper. The gatekeeper told the old man dogs were not allowed. The hillbilly refused to go in and walked further down the road, meeting another man. This one made the same claims about how great it was inside and that dogs were welcome. The hillbilly walked in, with the dog happily by his side. So, no matter how good things look, is it really Heaven if you can’t be with the ones you love?

He chose his cat! Good choice Eddie

Atlantis has a “No cats” policy.

She was allergic to cats.

Can’t be bothered with the natural fact

I’m her slave and I can’t look back

She’s the Queen of the briny deep

Rebubula across the sea

And the Sirens’ song

Sweetly sucks me down

Into the ocean blue

I’ll find my way back to you

- Schnier / Garvey / Derhak

Please, Eddie, tell us you didn’t have the winning ticket sold in Maine and you’re selling your lobstah boat and moving to Florida. I can’t stand to lose you!

That’s not just any cat, that’s Paulie! Constant companion, regular rescuer, and (if my memory is correct) a superior being secretly watching over Captain Eddie. Of course Eddie’s choice was clear!

I admire his skill; still conning the boat with the whole deck under water.

It’s a whale of a story, anyway

I just noticed that guy in the middle is Danae’s dad.

He just couldn’t leave Paulie behind. The things we do for our pets.

This makes less sense than usual—-stretching limits here.

The boat had sunk

ya, that’s a story and a half

Rather inconveniently placed hair, if you ask me.

And Eddie said, “Mermaid, you’re a fine girl. What a good wife you would be! But my life, my lover, my lady is the sea (surface). And I can’t leave my cat!”

Reminds me of an old Fantasy Island episode where a man falls for a mermaid who enables him to breathe underwater. I don’t remember how it ended up. but the story had a magical intrigue to it.

First time I think I’ve seen him smile.

What about my cat?