Accessibility links
Comic Strip Heroine Loses Battle with Cancer Last week, Lisa Moore, a character in the "Funky Winkerbean" comic strip, lost her eight-year fight with breast cancer. The story line has garnered mixed reactions — some readers applaud the strip's approach to weighty topics; others argue that comics should simply be funny.

Culture

Comic Strip Heroine Loses Battle with Cancer

Heard on Talk of the Nation

Listen to this 'Talk of the Nation' topic

Listen
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/15189085/15200622" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
Join the Discussion

Are you or someone you care about living with cancer?

Last week, Lisa Moore, a character in the "Funky Winkerbean" comic strip, lost her eight-year fight with breast cancer. The story line has garnered mixed reactions — some readers applaud the strip's mature approach to weighty topics; others argue that cartoons should simply be funny. Tom Batiuk, creator of "Funky Winkerbean," talks about death in the comics.

"Funky Winkerbean" comic
Enlarge this image
Posted online by special permission of King Features Syndicate.
&quot;Funky Winkerbean&quot; comic
Posted online by special permission of King Features Syndicate.
"Funky Winkerbean" comic 2
Enlarge this image
Posted online by special permission of King Features Syndicate.
&quot;Funky Winkerbean&quot; comic 2
Posted online by special permission of King Features Syndicate.
"Funky Winkerbean" comic 3
Enlarge this image
Posted online by special permission of King Features Syndicate.
&quot;Funky Winkerbean&quot; comic 3
Posted online by special permission of King Features Syndicate.