Stop in the middle of your life for asking

I want to call your attention again to what Garry Trudeau has been doing in his satirical comic strip Doonesbury.

It sounds strange to describe any comic strip creator as "wise," and Trudeau would doubtless be the first to agree. Nevertheless, it's the best word I can come up with to describe the caliber of the work Trudeau has done following the experiences of his character BD, the Iraq military casualty.

It's been wise while never losing sight of wit, and always rooted in individuality. BD is not a statistic or example, he has always remained himself. In fact if anything, this focus has allowed Trudeau to flesh him out in a way he hadn't been in years.

This week, Trudeau has been widening his scope as BD meets, outside his therapist's office, a young female Vet who was the victim of sexual trauma and abuse by her fellow soldiers. It's increasingly gripping; engrossing work.

And yes, believe it or not, it's still funny. There's a reason why Trudeau is rightly considered the finest of his kind.

This link should take you to Monday's strip, where the story started. Then click the "next" tab to bring you up to today.