My favorite Powerpuff Girls segment was called, “The Powerpuff Girls’ Best Rainy Day Adventure Ever,’ which, in addition to being a nice play on Richard Scarry’s book (it continues on through the first few moments, if you don’t recall the episode), was also a completely self-aware deconstruction of the accepted formula under which a typical Powerpuff Girls episode unfolded (monster attacks Townsville, the Girls save it, then find out which dastardly villain loosed it on the unsuspecting citizenry, and they save the day with fists of fury). Trapped at home because of inclement weather, the Powerpuff Girls decide they want to play… Powerpuff Girls. They all take turns playing different roles (themselves, the Mayor, his assistant Sara Bellum, a whole variety of bad guys), and even rope Professor Utonium into the game for a while. It’s sweet, funny, smart, and does as good a job of embodying the sense of childhood play that I recall back in the recesses of my brain.
It’s kind of surprising that the Cyber-Ant still exists; you’d think the Human Pyramid would’ve shut it and Stuart’s mutant ferret away pretty swiftly. Come to think of it, where’s the Human Pyramid now that the city’s under attack by a giant chicken?
And don’t forget, Welcome to Herman Kahn Memorial High School, the first digital collection of Mad Scientist High strips, is on sale now! $3 gets you over 130+ strips with updated commentary, delivered in a DRM-free PDF!