This is the first remaster where the original is still available. For reasons you’ll see below, I changed more than just the artwork on this one..

Originally posted Tuesday 16 October 2003.

Yeah, the punchline is different now.

This is one of those times where I feel a huge footnote is needed.

Back in 2003, I had no problem calling Mark a “Wrong’un.” He was my closest friend, and we both found it hilarious when someone had fondly referred to him as a “WrongSexual.” It was fabulously inappropriate and offensive, and it quickly became an in-joke. From that point on, he was “WrongMark” to me.

Fast forward 20 years, and I realise that what felt like a hilariously offensive in-joke within our small circle of friends could, in fact, just be offensive.

So, when I remastered this comic, I knew I needed to change the punchline.

I spent a lot of time trying to keep a similar tone – cheeky banter between friends – but without being offensive. I just couldn’t land it. ChatGPT even suggested a few “cheeky, slightly rough but non-offensive” alternatives to “Wrong’un,” but none quite worked. In fact, some were even worse!

Ultimately, I settled on “Fabulous.” It completely changes the ending, but maybe not for the worse. Instead of mcphee interrupting with an inappropriate summary and Mark begrudgingly accepting it, the new ending shows Mark spending two panels considering the kinder summary, then smilingly accepting it. It feels wholesome.

It actually reminds me of a comic my 7 year old, mcpheeJnr wrote using my Monkeys template. Where I usually end with the monkeys staring out silently at the reader, creating a moment of awkwardness, mcpheeJnr wrapped it up with the second monkey saying, “Nice joke, buddy.” It had a completely different vibe – just wholesome. 🙂

In conclusion, I said things in 2003 without malice but in ways that could easily offend. In 2024, I don’t want to do that. And the result? It’s actually quite nice.