With Andrew Duncan

According to conventional wisdom, the daily newspaper comic strip pretty much died right when Calvin and Hobbes (the last of a culture-saturating holy trinity that included The Far Side and the somewhat lesser Bloom County) called it quits. For once, the conventional wisdom is, for all intents and purposes, correct.

Sure Doonesbury is still cruising along — but usually around the editorials page. Get Fuzzy has its moments, and the defunct Boondocks, while crudely drawn, was sharp, daring, and funny. But really, thanks to shrinking newspaper circulation and conservative editorial mandates that hinder taking chances on new talent, there is no compelling reason to read the daily comics page.

But there are more than a few reasons to pay attention to online comics, where it’s arguable that today’s smartest and most innovative comic strip cartoonists ply their trade. It’s true, the quality can be truly spotty, but some strips — like Perry Bible Fellowship — are head and shoulders above anything in the paper.

And then there’s the strip that’s even beyond that: Achewood. Chris Onstad’s bizarre and singularly hilarious comic is arguably the finest comic around these days, online or in print. Full of strange, likeable characters, simple but thoughtfully paced art, and earthy, gut-busting, clever/crude humor, there’s never been anything like Achewood.

Below are 25 reasons why we love Achewood. After reading them, you’ll also be addicted. To boners.

“More Frenchin’” 08/13/2002

“Cheers” 09/12/2002

“ASS IN YOUR PANTS” 11/18/2002

“Killing is Like Basketball” 04/09/2003

“Oregon Tail” 05/13/2003

“Little Nephew’s Hip-Hop Pants” 10/14/2003

“Like it or not, you like it” 01/26/2004

“Lyle Builds Philippe’s Dream Car” 05/12/2004

“Yo Mama’s So Fat” 05/20/2004

“The Godfather of Souls” 07/06/2004

“The Mountain and the Motorcycle” 07/13/2004

“Roomba: Abraham Lincoln” 08/16/2004

“Burritos/Oral Sex” 11/30/2004

“Charlie Brown, you died” 12/27/2004

“Philippe shaves his head” 12/29/2004

“Philippe’s Birthday” 08/22/2005

“eBay Platinum Reserve” 04/28/2006

“Téodor is Sci-Fi Curious” 05/24/2006

“Ray Walks Home From Mexico” 10/25/2006

“Erotic Wine Tasting” 11/07/2006

“Breast Man Perks” 02/22/2007

Philippe’s 5th Birthday Party 08/22/2007

The Butcher’s Diagram 08/24/2007

“Untitled” 09/07/2007

A Bra. 09/20/2007

General, WebComics, Comics