January 16, 2011: Sunday Showdown!

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Clockwise from the bottom left:

• It seems that after countless years of conflicts with the IRS over their returns, the Lockhorns are turning to some actual tax professionals for help (although how much confidence can one get from a firm called "H&R Blockhead"; personally I would've gone with Tax Masters). The Lockhorns' bespectacled tax expert does manage to give the Lockhorns some useful advice, namely not to factor in their insults when filling out their returns. Will these new developments help the Lockhorns avoid another half dozen awkward trips to the IRS office this year? Doubtful. However there is no ambiguity about Loretta's solid score to start off this showdown, 1-0.
• Classic Loretta: simple, elegant, and mean. Leroy can only dream of putting together swift insults like this (his is more of the, still quite effective, brute force approach). Loretta wastes no time in putting together a devastating one-two combination, going for both Leroy's advancing age and declining physique. Even the weird, white void they're standing in sort of goes along with the clean, surgical efficiency of Loretta's zinger. Loretta takes control 2-0.
• Facing a two points to none deficit and just coming off a straight execution style loss, Leroy circles the wagons by turning to his most trusted standby: Loretta's cooking. It would also appear from Loretta's serving of "steak", seemingly two charred pancakes that Leroy has to eat with a spoon, that she is more than willing to help Leroy get back in the game. Loretta has often shown in previous showdowns a tendency to dominate early but then struggle to close things out. Leroy cuts the lead down to 2-1.
• To my memory, this is the first time I have seen the Lockhorns actually attending church. I have to admit, the sight of Leroy and Loretta coming back from their sermon with matching tan bibles in hands is a a bit jarring (I also for some reason thought they were Jewish). Despite the startling change in surroundings, it's comforting to know that the Lockhorns are still their usual miserable selves even at Sunday services. Loretta nags incessantly and Leroy mocks her for her incessant nagging. Leroy ties it up 2-2.
• In continuing with the sudden religious direction of this showdown, Loretta paraphrases a famous bible verse (possibly the topic of the last panel's Sunday service?) to diss on Leroy's boring fishing tales in front of their depressed, dead-eyed, friends. Leroy really must be a terrible raconteur as the whole room looks like a suicide risk. With that last panel effort, Loretta manages to save herself from a biblical comeback victory from Leroy and takes the day, 3-2.

Official Count:

Leroy - 5
Loretta - 5
Push - 6