To say we live in uncertain times is an understatement:

• The U.S. economy is in a deep recession and the pillars of our economy, banks, are failing left and right.
• We’re in two wars and peace in the Middle East seems even further away than before.
• Global warming is making our weather wackier.

Even though we just inaugurated a new President who is calm, cool, and collected, it’s hard to chill out.  I think it’s human nature to worry, to see all the potential pitfalls when things are looking a little glum.  It doesn’t seem to matter that we’ve been through things like this before.  It always feels different and it’s human nature to expect the worst.

Comic strips, especially funny ones, have always been a great daily escape.  I got through the early 1990s  reading the daily funnies.   My enthusiasm of graduating from college was being severely tempered by a recession, a war in Iraq, and a Bush in the White House (sounds familiar, huh).  My daily read of the paper started with the funny pages: Far Side, Calvin & Hobbes, and the newly started Dilbert got my day going right.

But what about today?  Newspapers are shedding comic strips left and right. Most strips online are difficult to read en masse: you have to go to their individual websites to see them.  Where can we get the same experience as a daily strip read online?   Fortunately, there are a few options but they have some limitations:

• Comics Curmudgeon – This blog compiles many of the popular comic strips today into one easily scannable read.  Even better, Josh Fruhlinger, the author, provides great color commentary on the comics.  While it’s a great compilation, it isn’t necessarily your compilation.  What Josh likes may not be what you like (and vice versa).  Still, if you need a way to get your fix, this might be it.
• iGoogle – Google’s do-it-yourself portal has a way to add any gadget under the sun, including comic strip ones.  Many popular comic strips are available to be added as an iGoogle gadget.  While this is definitely cool, you tend to be very limited with what strips can be added.  Most of the major syndicates have iGoogle gadgets so those are covered, but independent strips tend to not be there.  So, while you can get your fix, you still may be craving the strip you want.
• Zingerding (coming soon) -  Our goal is provide fans with some of the best tools to consume their comics online.  Also, all of our content will be completely independent and unique.  It’s comics the way you want them.   Sign up now to learn more.