Category: Brain Teasers

The Battle of Puebla — which is commemorated by the holiday Cinco de May — occurred during what 1861-67 conflict?

Mexican-American War
Spanish-American War
Franco-Mexican War
Mexican Civil War
Spanish Civil War

Correct Answer: Franco-Mexican War

Trivia: “Hi and Lois” forced what cartoon TV family to change surnames?

The Jetsons
The Addams Family
The Flintstones
The Simpsons

Correct Answer: The Flintstones

So why is this answer correct? : “Hi and Lois” debuted in 1954 from creator Mort Walker. The characters Hiram “Hi” Flagston and Lois caused a potential legal issue with a new animated television family, the Flagstones . When Walker heard about the upcoming television family, he warned executives that their surname was nearly identical to the family in his comic strip. The network agreed and changed the family’s last name Flintstone.

Trivia: “Bloom County” was inspired by what novel?

To Kill a Mockingbird
Fahrenheit 451
Cat’s Cradle
Ethan Frome

Correct Answer: To Kill a Mockingbird

So why is this answer correct? : “Bloom County” ran in newspapers from 1980 to 1989, and was inspired by Harper Lee’s 1960 novel, “To Kill a Mockingbird.” The small town in “Bloom County” was prone to outbreaks of political hysteria, much like the fictional setting of Maycomb, Alabama, in the novel. The book’s main character, Scout Finch, also helped inspire the main character of “Bloom County,” a penguin named Opus.

Trivia: In what comic strip did Popeye make his first appearance?

Pete and Pansy
Cathy
Sappo
Thimble Theatre

Correct Answer: Thimble Theatre

So why is this answer correct? : Popeye has become an American cartoon icon since his first appearance in the comic strip “Thimble Theatre” in 1929. Since then, the spinach-guzzling sailor has starred in comics, TV shows, feature films, video games, and countless advertisements.

Trivia: The main character in “Beetle Bailey” is a member of what organization?

U.S. Army
New York Yankees
Greenpeace
IRS

Correct Answer: U.S. Army

So why is this answer correct? : “Beetle Bailey” was created in 1950 by cartoonist Mort Walker. Though Walker originally intended for the comic to take place on a college campus, he pivoted and changed the location to an army base, drawing on his experiences in the military. The U.S. Army actually banned the comic in its early years due to fears that Beetle Bailey’s goofy demeanor would incite disrespect towards officers. Despite the initial controversy, Walker spent 68 years drawing “Beetle Bailey,” the longest continuous work by any comic strip artist.

Trivia: What does the comic strip name “Non Sequitur” mean in Latin?

Dare to know
It does not follow
The die is cast
Toward better things

Correct Answer: It does not follow

So why is this answer correct? : “Non Sequitur” has gone through many changes since its launch in 1992, but today, it features a traditional format with recurring characters and a focus on politics and satire. The clever strip, created by Wiley Miller, has won four National Cartoonists Society Awards, the only strip to do so during its first year of syndication. The Pyles family is frequently featured, but there are plenty of other recurring characters in its Sunday strips, such as Obviousman, a superhero who hates the overly obvious.

Trivia: What is the American comic strip “FoxTrot” about?

The U.S. military
Talking forest animals
A suburban family
A religious group

Correct Answer: A suburban family

So why is this answer correct? : “FoxTrot” has followed the Fox family through years of holidays, vacations, and daily ventures since Bill Amend launched the comic strip in 1988. Roger and Andrea’s three kids have a heavy dose of sibling rivalry in the series, but sometimes, the kids gang up against their parents in classic generational spats. Still running today, the strip has featured guest stars like former Apple CEO Steve Jobs and keeps up with current cultural trends.

Trivia: Which comic strip is about 16-year-old high schooler Jeremy Duncan?

Blondie
Get Fuzzy
The Family Circus
Zits

Correct Answer: Zits

So why is this answer correct? : Jeremy Duncan is your typical high school teenager; he’s moody yet kind, clashes with his parents, and in between naps and daydreams he plays in a band called “Goat Cheese Pizza.” Created by Jerry Scott and Jim Borgman, “Zits” is set in suburban Ohio and has won multiple awards since its debut in 1997. The strip follows Jeremy as he balances his time between school, his family, his band, and his girlfriend. Much of the humor comes from the often-embarrassing facets of being a teenager.

Trivia: What is the relationship between “Mother Goose” and “Grimm”?

Mother Goose owns Grimm
They’re both farm animals
They’re romantic partners
They’re neighbors

Correct Answer: Mother Goose owns Grimm

So why is this answer correct? : “Mother Goose and Grimm” centers around an unlikely duo, a yellow bull terrier named Grimmy, and his absentminded caretaker, Mother Goose (an anthropomorphic goose). Grimmy is a typical dog — lovable, but always causing trouble. Mother Goose, of course, lives in a giant shoe, along with Grimmy and their cat Attila. The comic strip launched in 1984 and creator Mike Peters focuses many jokes on current events and pop culture. For example, Grimmy created his website “GrimmyLeaks” around the same time as the WikiLeaks scandal.

Trivia: The strip about a shabby medieval kingdom is called “Wizard of” what?

Asgard
Narnia
Id
Oz

Correct Answer: Id

So why is this answer correct? : Created by American cartoonists Brant Parker and Johnny Hart, this comic strip’s title is a play on the “Wizard of Oz,” but its characters and themes are not related to the famous film. Since 1964, “Wiz” the friendly wizard has been working for the King of Id, a short-tempered, greedy dictator. Wiz is sarcastic, but good-natured, and works from his basement to fulfill the king’s commands. The strip features many lovable supporting characters and follows their daily struggles in the oppressed Kingdom of Id.