The Capital of Helsinki

Author notes

61. Bare Bodkins R' Us

Air Raid Robertson

on June 4, 2010

As you likely already know, this strip uses Shakespeare's Hamlet as a jumping-off point for its gag. To be more specific, I used the iconic monologue about Yorick and the fragility of life. I was watching a version of the play on youtube and suddenly I thought about what it would've been like if Yorick could respond to Hamlet just like in a ventriloquist act.

I don't think "Frankly, Mr. Shankly" is one of The Smiths' biggest hits. I am quite fond of it though, and I find the surname "Shankly" funnier than I probably should. This is why I used it.

The title of this strip also references Hamlet. However, the phrase "bare bodkin" comes in a little bit after "To be, or not to be".