Funky Winkerbean - 1992 Relaunch

1992 Relaunch

In 1992, Batiuk changed the strip's format. It was established that Funky, Les, Cindy and all the rest of the previous cast had graduated from Westview in 1988; their college years were skipped, and the story continued in their adulthood. Subsequently, the characters started to age in real time and undergo significant life changes. Funky married Cindy in 1998; they are now divorced. Les and Lisa married in a Halloween-themed 1996 story which saw them dressed as Batman and Robin. Funky now co-owned the local pizza parlor with Tony Montoni, Les taught English at Westview, Crazy Harry was the local mailman, Bull was the Scapegoats' coach, and Cindy was a national-level television newscaster. The strip followed their stories as well as those of a new generation at Westview, including Wally, Becky, Darin and Monroe. Overtly whimsical elements were now downplayed in favor of more grounded real-life incidents and stories, and some of the series' running gags from the 1972–92 years were recast in a more serious light. For instance, Bull's hectoring of Les became the focus of a storyline on domestic violence and Child Abuse when it was revealed that Bull abused Les to cope with being abused by his own father.

Though humorous storylines remained mainstay, Batiuk also examined real-life contemporary issues not normally seen on the comics page, such as:

• Teenage pregnancy — Lisa became pregnant as a teenager; she placed the child for adoption. Her son was, unknown to her, adopted by the Fairgoods, was named Darin, and is a current character in the strip. In July 2007, the two (unbeknownst to each other) filed paperwork in an attempt to contact one another. The two meet shortly before Lisa's death.
• Suicide — A student named Susan Smith becomes deeply enamored with Les, but the crush on her teacher is unrequited due to his commitment to Lisa. Susan then attempts suicide, but she gets medical attention in time. Later, Susan — apparently accepting the fact that Les was unavailable — would later help Les get his marriage license when he fails to obtain it in time.
• Teen dating violence — After her appearance in the suicide storyline, Susan began dating Westview High star quarterback and "big man on campus" Matt Miller, who is abusive and possessive with her. Les and Lisa are able to intervene and empower Susan to end the relationship. It was also revealed that Lisa's ex-boyfriend, Frankie, had abused a teen-aged Lisa during their relationship before he got her pregnant.
• Censorship — John Howard, owner of the Comic Book Emporium, was persecuted by moralizers who accused him of corrupting children. Lisa successfully defends John in court.
• Dyslexia — Westview's top student, Barry Balderman once failed to take his exams, and thus failed to graduate. Barry was required to enroll in summer school, where he realized one of his classmates was having trouble. Being dyslexic himself, Barry was able to diagnose the problem correctly.
• Gun violence — A student brings a gun to school, where the firearm accidentally discharges. Principal Fairgood refuses to accept the student's "it was a mistake" rationale and suspends him.
• Steroids — Les is frustrated and exhausted at his efforts at weightlifting, and has a sudden dream of himself becoming instantly strong by using steroids. While he has some benefits such as being able to rip the infamous gym rope from the ceiling, his attempts to join the football team are rejected when the coach says it is obvious Les has been using steroids, and he starts seeing the side effects such as acne, which then scares him enough to wake up.
• Capital punishment
• Alcoholism — The story of Funky's struggle with alcoholism and recovery was compiled by Tom Batiuk in the book My Name is Funky and I'm an Alcoholic. The book also provides information on how to help someone suffering with alcoholism.
• Drunk driving — A teen-aged Wally Winkerbean and his girlfriend, Becky Blackburn, get drunk at a party. While driving home, Wally drives his car off the road and the car rolls over. Becky is critically injured and eventually has her arm amputated, as part of a story arc exploring the consequences of Wally's actions.
• Land mines in Afghanistan — In 2005, Batiuk sent newlyweds Wally and Becky to Afghanistan as a part of an anti-landmine effort by the Vietnam Veterans of America Foundation; Wally nearly dies after stepping on a landmine. He is saved when his Afghan companion Kahn manages to knock the mine away (which was a design that launches the explosive to chest level), only to be punched out for selling the Stinger that killed his fellow troops. The couple returns with an adopted daughter, Rana, who was left orphaned after her family was killed by a suicide bomber.