Lila Update: All about Eve

Here's a quick summary for Lila readers who may have missed some strips during the holidays: Dr. Klein defied his mother's wishes by seeing Lila and most recently invited her to the posh Cleveland Clinic Doctors' Ball at the Ritz-Carlton for New Year's Eve. Lila happily agreed and spent the evening with Dr. Klein...BUT ended up in Trace's bed New Year's morning. Trace is Annie's teacher at The Andy Warhol School who went behind Lila's back to ask Dr. Fine if he could pay for Annie's trip to the Gaudi Institute in Barcelona. What happened New Year's Eve? And will Annie go to the prestigious Gaudi Institute for Gifted Children?

Is 24,000 a Milestone?

Is 24,000 readers on GoComics a reason to celebrate or do we need to wait until we reach 25,000?

Made It to Most Popular

After GoComics purchased Comics.com, "The Meaning of Lila" was not able to make the "Daily Most Popular List" of comics because it were competing against the big boys like "Pearls Before Swine," Calvin and Hobbes," and "Peanuts." On Sunday, "Lila" finally made the "Most Popular" list. Thanks, everyone, for continuing to get the word out about the strip. It's been a long, hard road and I'm hoping this new year will bring some popularity and success for the strip.

The Case of the Missing Strip

There's been a lot of activity by readers in the Comments section of GoComics because they don't recall Lila ever making up with Drew. I was confused by this because I wrote a strip about the reconciliation. I just found out that that strip never made it to press. In fact, an entire week's worth of "Lila" never made it. So to set the record strip, here's the strip in question. Sorry everyone for the confusion.

The Meaning of 9/11

I am taking part in a national comics tribute to 9/11 with a special Sunday strip dedicated to the tragedy ten years ago. Before I wrote the strip, I decided to Google images from the event. It brought back so many difficult memories and reminded me about how fragile life is. This photograph taken by Richard Drew was particularly poignant for me. It made me think about the desperation of the World Trade Center workers who were trapped so many stories in the air and about the families and friends of those workers who died. I hope my strip is worthy of this special tribute and recognizes the heroism and sacrifice of that fateful day. Thank you, all, for reading "Lila."

I Can't Escape Kim Kardashian

I must have Kim Kardasian on the brain! Is that a good thing? A reader pointed out that I referenced her in a strip a few weeks ago. Damned that reality TV...you can't escape it. Why can't I have Zac Efron on the brain, instead? Oh, well. For any readers who might have missed Kim's first appearance on "Lila," here it is. Enjoy!

Lila and Kim Kardashian

I like this strip because it truly reflects my life. Right now, as I watch the MTV VMA's and see all the glamorous pop and movie stars, I can't help but wonder what it must be like to be in their $800 shoes. They truly have it all...beauty, fame, money, and great haircuts. I get down on myself for not having more, for not finding true love, and for not being "successful" in a career...and then I have to kick myself for the self pity. I'm very lucky to have my family and friends, a roof over my head, and yes, a job. Thank you, God, for that!

New to Lila? Catch Up!

Lila became a single mom when she adopted an extraordinarily precocious little girl with Leukemia, named Annie, who after floundering at a traditional school called “Kids Korner” is now flourishing the Andy Warhol School for Gifted and Artistic Children. As Hillary Clinton once said, it takes a village and Lila certainly has a village…well, more like the Village People…to help her care for Annie. They include Boyd, Lila’s gay best friend and co-worker at MetroMart, and a successful gay couple—Dr Fine and Alan, who originally adopted Annie only to realize that she and Lila formed a deep connection when Lila was volunteering at the Children’s Hospital of the Cleveland Clinic. Lila’s good friend, Drew, also helps out, but has been distracted by her recent engagement to hunky EMT Bob, who used to date Lila, and her promotion at MetroMart where she is now Lila and Boyd’s manager. In most recent events, Lila’s father had a terrible stroke and is in the hospital where Lila met Doctor Klein, her dream doctor. Needless to say, Lila’s mother is thrilled and is already sending out “Save the Date” cards.

Father and Son

Dear Readers, I've been away from my blog for so long that I even forgot to renew it. I didn't even realize until a reader sent me a message on Facebook. Unfortunately, the past few months have been extremely busy for me. My father, who already has Parkinsons, suffered a terrible stroke and has been in a rehabilitation for some time now. Complications recently arose and he's now in the hospital, again. The goal for my mother and me is to get him well enough to come home. Is progress at a nursing home wasn't very good and we're going to try home health care once he's well enough to leave the hospital. Again, my apologies for ignoring the website. I am going to get back to it very soon. As always, I truly appreciate your reading "Lila" and your support for the strip. Sincerely, John

Comics.com UPDATE

I heard back from my syndicate, Creators, and they told me that there is a problem in the delivery mechanism between Creators and Comics.com. They are working on it now. As an update, this week Lila and Boyd are in competition for the affections of Annie's hunky gymnastics instructor.

Comics.com Confusion

I've received several emails about "Lila" not updating on Comics.com and then heard a rumor that Comics.com is going out of business. I'm sorry to say I don't know what is going on, but have a call into my syndicate, Creators. Thanks, everyone, for alerting me. It makes me feel good to know some people are reading ;-) In the meantime, you can go to GoComics to keep up with Lila and friends. -- John

LOL Awards

I rarely laugh out loud when reading the comic pages in "The Plain Dealer" -- Sometimes a nod or smile, at most. But when I do, I like to post it on my site. This weeks LOL Award goes to "Pearls before Swine." I love the last panel.