The flaw that makes the masterpiece.
Originally published 4 February 2001

What better way to begin a series of strips starring Ms. M. Mudd than with this strip?

Her first name has never been established, because it's never seemed necessary. There's never been anything I couldn't write without it. If there had been, she'd have acquired one.

So what we know is: She's a lawyer. She's a single parent, for reasons the strip finally established in Summer 2002. She's got some sort of relationship with Llewellyn, as strips like this one have established.

The truth about her, though, is that she's based on my mother in a lot of ways--the wry sense of humor, the understanding that intelligent children should be neither talked down to nor overindulged, the sensible left-leaning principles.

Oh, and the blue hair is indeed a sort of tribute to that other Simpson mother, Marge.

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