HOBARKEN (Corgi Press) — For many of us, visiting the home in which we grew up means, in addition to seeing which high school classmates have been arrested, being fed until we burst. Often, the ‘rents (as the cool kids say) pile on the food until we have to cry out the opposite of Oliver Twist, “Please sir, I want no more!” Of course, this solves the problem momentarily, but, don’t forget if you stop eating, you have to take some home with you. That’s the environment we find Kiara in this week.

In many ways, I wish that I could be like Kiara, and enjoy the prospect of a family gathering, even if it is under the looming threat of a world-wide pandemic. However, I tend to find them (as you might guess!) to be rather anxiety-inducing affair. They often go on too long and I feel a great pressure to report in on my life, accomplishments and relationships. Some people like them, but for me they’re like worst yearly work evaluation or parent-teacher conferences. Couldn’t these just be an email? These feelings aren’t completely unique either. I know a lot of people fall across the spectrum on this issue. That said, even I know better than to eat before arriving at a parent’s house. Come on, Kiara!

I’ve enjoyed drawing Kiara’s family these past two strips. Even though Kiara is in a dark place emotionally, feeling sad and angry as she says, her family seems nice. I enjoyed drawing her brother and imagining an nicer environment that doesn’t necessarily represent my neuroses and annoyances. It’s a nice break! That said, the next few strips will be a bit darker in tone as we visit how Mary, Joe, and the Boss are handling the pandemic without the robust support network that Kiara has. Ahh! See you in a week, Hobarkeneers!