For my money, Robotman is the most consistently funny comic strip of our time. You'd think its creator, Jim Meddick, would be honored to be confused with Charles Schulz, but apparently he's too busy composing form letters.

Subj: Robotman
Date: 95-09-11 10:43:41 EDT
From: Baked Ham
To: JimMeddick
CC: Baked Ham

Dear Mr. Meddick:

I absolutely LOVE your comic strip. It is the funniest thing in the funnies - even funnier than Dilbert! And shoot, that's saying a lot!

I was wondering if you could bring back the character of Pigpen. He's always cracked me up, ever since the Christmas special where that cloud of dust always followed him. But since I haven't seen him in a few years, I wonder if he's still alive! (I think I identify with him because I rarely bathe.)

Let me know when he's coming back, and when Lucy will quit being so mean.

Sincerely,
John Myers Hargrave

Subj: Re: Robotman
Date: 95-09-14 08:46:00 EDT
From: JimMeddick
To: Baked Ham

Thanks for writing and giving me feedback on the strip.

Because I receive too many letters a week to respond to each one personally, I've created this standard reply. Even though time constraints keep me from responding directly to your questions and comments, I do take the time to read everything sent me and I enjoy hearing from you.

If you were just writing to say "hi," you can disregard the rest of this letter.

If you were writing to ask about Robotman books or about getting Robotman in your local paper or other business related questions, you can direct your inquiries to my distributor, United Media by e-mailing to this address: webmaster@unitedmedia.comor you can call Lisa Klem Wilson at 1 (800) 221-4816

If you were writing to ask about the strip, my work schedule (and my dreaded deadlines) make it impossible for me to respond directly (and the questions I receive are too varied and too personal to address in this standard reply). If you have access to the World Wide Web you can check out the Robotman site at:

http://www.unitedmedia.com/comics/robotman

This year I hope to develop my web site as a source of additional information for those who are curious about the strip's history and the strange twists and turns my plots and characters have taken. Also, I will be participating in an America On Line center stage forum on December 3. Readers will be able to submit questions to me directly through America On Line.

Thanks again for writing,
Jim Meddick