Interesting point, farleft: since it clearly is an ICE, with the grille and exhaust stack with smoke and all- so maybe that moment of dawning comprehension on dads face is what Lio really enjoys- like hobbes dropping the snow on Calvin from the tree? Guessing it took a while to procure the loader, given the change in position of the sun in the sky…
Caucel; I can think of one; from Miller’s Non Sequiter
http://www.gocomics.com/nonsequitur/
“positive” insofar that he handles with a certain resigned equanimity his professional and romantic shortcomings while Danae subjects him to more… manipulation… than Calvin or Liô have their respective fathers?
M.T. dedicated “Happiness is..” to Mom and Dad, so I’m thinking no on the single parent question.
and yeah, second panel looks great and creates a sense of timing that would be wanting in 4 panels.
Re: Simon_Jester comment
“So now the kid wants a toy U-Boat for the bathtub.”
seems hes already got one:
http://www.gocomics.com/lio/2006/07/18/