“…we humans really effed up the natural order. OUR weak and sick do NOT die nearly as often as they SHOULD.”
— And who decides that? In the wild predators kill the weak, the sick, and the old. (Or the elements.) Should we leave ours to predators? Or do we kill them ourselves? Will you do that to your loved ones, or just other people’s loved ones? My view is that human life is intrinsically valuable. A sick person is of no less worth than a healthy one, and both have an equal right to live.

“To think ourselves, we humans, as some great society of super-beings is arrogant and will probably lead to our downfall. We tend to screw stuff up wherever we go while the animals blend and coexist in a perfect harmony with nature. From my point of view, I’d think it would be degrading to the animals to be equated with a human.”
— We are not “super” beings, we simply are what we are, but there s no denying that we are DIFFERENT from all other species on this planet. Look around yourself right this moment, and ask what animal lives in a way that comes even close to us? What species is as inventive? What species is as creative? What species is as capable to of doing the GREATEST goods- such as traveling half way around the world to help those suffering in Haiti- as well as the greatest evils- such as raping and murdering those who are suffering in Haiti.
— Animals do not co-exist consciously. The simply exist. They are unaware of ecosystems, and preservation. They kill and consume according to their needs, and without mercy. In fact, mercy does not exist in nature. As I said before, a male lion will kill the young of his defeated rival, and often consume them, in order to ensure that his seed continues. The same is true with chimps, and gorillas. …There are those humans who kill animals for sport, there are those who do so for necessity, and there are those who do not at all.
— You cannot broad brush humanity so easily.

“As far as your view point on whether or not animals have rights… well you’re entitled to that, but it angers me. Every SINGLE animal i have EVER come in contact with has always had their own special personality. I’ve raised many litters of kittens and each one had its own little mind behind it, its own soul. They dream and think and play and have fun just like humans. They feel pain just like us, they suffer as we do.”
— A little anthropomorphizing here, don’t you think? I never said that SOME animals have their own personalities, of course they do. I was a dog owner. Yes, they have personalities… though I have yet to see the personalities of my kid’s two hermit crabs. Or do they not count?
— But, the simple fact is that you CAN NOT know that animals “dream and think and play and have fun just like humans”. That is IMPOSSIBLE to know as we have no access to their minds… or have you spoken to your cats about their dreams and ambitions?

“So where do you get the idea that animals don’t have rights? Just because we have some fancy thumbs and they do not?”
— Re-read my post. I NEVER said that.
— In fact, I DO believe animals have rights. I certainly do. I believe that very strongly. I also believe animals have worth. Definitely. …But I DO NOT believe animal rights are equal to humans rights, because I do not consider them of equal worth to humans.
— If you and my daughter’s three guinea pigs were in a burning building, and I could only save one, I would save you… as much as my girls love their pigs. Or if it were between you and a dog, or a tiger, or a water shrew… I would choose you.
— Because I believe you are worth it.

As far as your view point on whether or not animals have rights… well you’re entitled to that, but it angers me. Every SINGLE animal i have EVER come in contact with has always had their own special personality. I’ve raised many litters of kittens and each one had its own little mind behind it, its own soul. They dream and think and play and have fun just like humans. They feel pain just like us, they suffer as we do. So where do you get the idea that animals don’t have rights? Just because we have some fancy thumbs and they do not?

Well, all that to say, I am not sure which way this strip is leaning. In any case… very well done. Beautiful work. I love your use of black. Very strong.

New reader, just finished reading the archives. I really wasn’t expecting to like this comic as much as I did. You do a stellar job in pulling out the laughter, awws, and sad sighs. Looking forward to continuing to read the story and sidelines as they grow.

I vote that the ducklings take over and call him a despot. ALL IN FAVOR?

*quack*

I saw no preaching. Just an author using the tools he has to tell the story. Since Karl does not drawn people in this comic, he has to use images of animals to ironically express how wrong the King’s viewpoint is.

I’m also amused by how little notice the animals are taking of the King’s speech. One of the pigs seems to hear something, but the rest of the animals just ignore the King and go on with their business.

I don’t understand how this is preachy. It’s powerful, not preachy. If Karl were preaching at us about animal rights there would be an obvious “factory farming is evil” line in there (note the king never mentions executions). This does not appear. All I’m seeing is a talented writer and artist saying; “maybe it’s time we thought about where our dinner comes from.”

You want a piece of preachy literature about animal rights and human cruelty? Read Richard Adams’ animal works; “Watership Down” and “The Plague Dogs.” Or how about “Bambi, A Life in the Woods” (the original book, not the Disney film) by Felix Salten.