The joke can be read: the man says he is going to be late (as in late to return home); or the man… seeing death at the door says he ‘will be late’ (which is a euphemism for being dead). And that worked as a tidy pun. But then I saw Stephan’s name ….. and saw real potential there, because he puns so often and so egregiously that ‘Rat’ is often threatening to kill him in the last panel. Rat’s wish is to put a stop to Steph’s punning for once and for all.
Thanks, Wiley, for some subtle ( and not-so-subtle ) tips of the old drawing pen to your fellow cartoonists this week.
There are those of us who are fans of Stephan Pastis that have – on more than one occasion – groaned audibly at his puns. Great pearl of a cartoon. I’m sure Stephan got a big kick ( the bucket ) out of it.
marilynnbyerly about 2 years ago
Stephan Pastis?
sirbadger about 2 years ago
His new nickname at the office will be “The Late Stephan.”
Concretionist about 2 years ago
Ooog.
Imagine about 2 years ago
Don’t forget Rat, Pig, Goat, Zebra, Larry and the rest.
David_the_CAD about 2 years ago
bum bum bam ting.
Brockie about 2 years ago
Better: “Hey Hon, it’s for you”.
GreasyOldTam about 2 years ago
A.o.D.: “Puns like that are why I’m here for you.”
mr_sherman Premium Member about 2 years ago
Who knew Pastis had such a nice house?
Superfrog about 2 years ago
He’ll be punctual for his own funeral.
C about 2 years ago
Cloak and scythe
Ricky Bennett about 2 years ago
He was just dying to make that pun…
Scorpio Premium Member about 2 years ago
Late in more ways than one – that’s for sure.
Sanspareil about 2 years ago
Nothing to do with Pastis let’s move along!
Padraigin Premium Member about 2 years ago
The joke can be read: the man says he is going to be late (as in late to return home); or the man… seeing death at the door says he ‘will be late’ (which is a euphemism for being dead). And that worked as a tidy pun. But then I saw Stephan’s name ….. and saw real potential there, because he puns so often and so egregiously that ‘Rat’ is often threatening to kill him in the last panel. Rat’s wish is to put a stop to Steph’s punning for once and for all.
keenanthelibrarian about 2 years ago
I would actually think it’s a case of “Tell them I won’t be in today”; not ‘late’.
mrgooch about 2 years ago
Brilliant!
Doug K about 2 years ago
It’s not that punny (or funny).
rmercer Premium Member about 2 years ago
If ya gotta go, ya might as well go out with a …. pun, A “bang” is too much work.
SmallMeadow about 2 years ago
“Would it kill you to call them yourself”, says honey
vaughnrl2003 Premium Member about 2 years ago
The late Stephen Smucatelli was a card. Remember him fondly. …or remember to fondle him. Either way works for him.
HOTLOTUS1 about 2 years ago
just close the door
thelordthygod666 about 2 years ago
I enjoyed The 7th Seal, but after seeing the Animaniacs Meatballs episode where they beat Death at checkers, I giggle at Bergman’s movie.
backyardcowboy about 2 years ago
Death: “But first, Stephan…..Pull my finger!”
the lost wizard about 2 years ago
It’s your funeral. :)
mfrasca about 2 years ago
Stephan ate the salmon mousse.
mistercatworks about 2 years ago
The late Stephan’s epitaph
JosephShriver about 2 years ago
“Give me a min to call into work dead”
Linguist about 2 years ago
Thanks, Wiley, for some subtle ( and not-so-subtle ) tips of the old drawing pen to your fellow cartoonists this week.
There are those of us who are fans of Stephan Pastis that have – on more than one occasion – groaned audibly at his puns. Great pearl of a cartoon. I’m sure Stephan got a big kick ( the bucket ) out of it.
198.23.5.11 about 2 years ago
He’s safe.he didn’t eat the salmon mousse.
198.23.5.11 about 2 years ago
Call Ed Wynn to deal with the interloper.
Holden Awn about 2 years ago
Pull my finger…
jbruins84341 about 2 years ago
Should have said, “I am going to be THE late.”
locake about 2 years ago
In 4 to 6 weeks we will see something in Pearls Before Swine about Wiley. Looking forward to it.
christelisbetty about 2 years ago
Pastis sure looks different, shaved and in a suit.
Bwingblue1 about 2 years ago
Great pun though!
buflogal! about 2 years ago
Is this “pick on Pastis” week? I wasn’t surprised to see it from Mallet on Sunday.
andrew.scharnhorst about 2 years ago
laughing
LeslieAnn Premium Member about 2 years ago
I love how cheerful Stephan is.
Brian Premium Member about 2 years ago
Slartibartfast: You must come with me or you will be late!
Arthur Dent: Late? What for?
Slartibartfast: What is your name, human?
Arthur Dent: Dent, Arthur Dent.
Slartibartfast: Late as in the late Dent Arthur Dent. It’s a sort of threat, you see.
Night-Gaunt49[Bozo is Boffo] about 2 years ago
Death or Grim Reaper takes the soul after death——it doesn’t kill you.
Called a psychopomp are not killers just conveyances of your soul to the Land of the Dead.
yarnm57 about 2 years ago
This goes on my wall
DaBump Premium Member about 2 years ago
Wait, pun? - - — Oh, OH. Oh my.
JH&Cats about 2 years ago
Looks like Christmas Yet to Come.
dragonfury98 about 2 years ago
it was the salmon souffle!!!
bakana about 2 years ago
Death was so annoyed at Stephan’s Pun that he delivered Stephan to the Wrong Heaven.