I was both flattered and amused to get an email from Bruce Tinsley, who draws (and writes) the “Mallard Fillmore” comic strip (it’s syndicated by Knight, so appears in a number of newspapers), saying that he’d done a strip on me and my books, inspired by a conversation he’d had with his wife, who is a fan of the books.
Here’s the strip, which appeared in newspapers yesterday:
Lest anybody think that he was making fun of me or the books (well, hey, it’s a comic strip!), I asked Bruce if I could quote his email to me, which he kindly allowed me to do:
Dear Ms. Gabaldon,
My wife loves your books so much, that I had to put one in my comic strip, Mallard Fillmore, which is syndicated nationally by King Features.
The strip will appear on Feb. 11, and feature Chantel’s righteous indignation at Mallard’s stereotyping one of your books as a bodice-ripper. I, of course, had committed the same sin in real life, without having actually read your books, and gotten the same response.
I’ve read some now, and realize that you’ve got a great gift. I also really respect the time you seem to take encouraging other writers…..
Bruce Tinsley
So—Thank you, Bruce! This is even better than being the subject of Trivial Pursuit questions. <g>
(I showed the strip to one of my editors, who said, “Next thing, the New York Times crossword puzzle!” <g>)
The comic graphic (from February 11, 2009) was inserted here on May 30, 2026 by Diana’s Webmistress because the original link in this blog is now a dead one. The comic image links to Mallard Fillmore comics on the Comics Kingdom website, a current website with his work, which is https://comicskingdom.com/mallard-fillmore.
I wonder if there is any way to find this particular comic strip NOW so it can be seen again. I looked on the site and the archive only goes back a short way. Everything old is new again
Whoa, thanks a LOT for the help, mealexter! The strip went off the site of Mallard by now, and is somewhere in their archives, with the date of creation, instead of the date of the publish in the file list.
I was feared about miss the chance to say hi to Diana.
Well, a generic “hi” by now, Diana, and later a better located “hi” when I could formulate a funny punchline.
Just ended “Dragonfly” yesterday, and waiting for the third book now (on saturday it will arrive).
Hmm, long comment. Sorry. Love your [g] thing inside texts. And me and my wife loves your books, by the way.
I had some trouble finding it too… Here’s the url to a better archive, which does include the cartoon in question:
http://www.seattlepi.com/fun/mallard.asp?date=20090211
Ummm….I guess I’m the only one that can’t find it? I’ve looked through all the archives and don’t see it.
That is just too cool!
An answer on Jeopardy referring to you or the books would be AWESOME. Take that, Dad! He’s a huge Jeopardy fan and never picked up a book….although with my mother constantly referring to them, he probably THINKS he knows them. (but, we all know he doesn’t.)
At least the arist read some of your writing before making a crack at it. Incredibly open-minded considering the attitude of some of his other work.
Rosemary,
I can’t claim to have read every Mallard Fillmore strip, but the ones I’ve seen have been funny and clever critiques of politics and culture. Not representing the worst of anything, so far as I can tell.
Very funny, but just secretly, I’d like to read a scene where Jamie does do a bit of Bodice ripping!
I love your books, but to call Mallard Fillmore “the Funnies” is a stretch. The strip is only occasionally amusing, but consistently appeals to the very worst in human nature. I hope Tinsely reads some if his wife’s books. They might open his mind. To have your name associated with Mallard Fillmore is not an honor.
That is so awesome!!! I saw the posting over on the LOL Books Board first.
Congrats!!!!
Oh, NOW you’ve hit the big time. See you in the funny paper (really)!