YBFREE.com: An Alternative Entertainment E-Zine

Copyright 2003

Random Acts of Surfing

Vern & Dern

Reviewed by: Talon Karrde

     The other day, I was chatting with a friend on www.newgotham.net (a subsection of www.birdsofpreyonline.com). We were discussing comic strips – their artwork, how much they make us laugh, etc. She directed me to check out Vern and Dern, an online South African daily comic strip. From the first frame I was hooked and so I suggested that this should be the latest entry in Random Acts of Surfing. A special thank you to Rowena (aka: Shadow Walker) for sending me there! ;-)

     Vern & Dern are two everyday guys hanging out on the porch, discussing life. They don’t seem to have jobs so they just relax and observe the goings on in their neighborhood, exchanging their philosophical views of life, aliens and other pressing topics. Sometimes they get a visit by Uncle Ernie, who resembles a garden gnome, or Bigfoot, or an alien or two.

     The characters of Vern and Dern were created by cartoonists Stephen Francis and Rico Schacherl, and are the property of Rapid Phase Pty Ltd., a multi-media company. Francis and Rico continue to be the creative force behind Vern and Dern, Francis writing the story, while Rico tackles the art.

     For any comic strip fan, this site is a must. I’ve never laughed so much – not even when reading the funny pages in the New York Daily News. The site is updated three times a week – Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays and is full of humor for every kind. Whether you like slapstick, silly or clever humor, this comic has it all. Check out the webcomic archives and roam through all the funnies! I guarantee you will understand why Vern and Dern have reached into the Top Ten at the Funny Papers Top 100 Comics listings! While you’re there, I promise you will want to pick up some free downloads of Vern & Dern or contact the creators at verndern@rapidphase.co.za to tell them what an amazingly funny strip they’ve produced. And don’t forget to tell them who sent you there! ;-)

     Send your comments and or questions about this article to wildkarrde3@hotmail.com.