Crankshaft by Tom Batiuk and Dan Davis for February 16, 2023

A joke that was stolen from “This Is Spinal Tap” and used—badly—in this strip a couple of weeks ago gets trotted out once again. Can it make a hat trick before the Spring Thaw? Only time will tell.

That’s some deep snow there.

Works even better Ed if you don’t start it at all.

It wasn’t enough to burn his kid’s house; now he has to destroy an ice carving festival without using the school bus as the usual method…

To me, a flame thrower says the roar of power, something a man can relate to

also sort of safe if you don’t point it at people.

Tested and approved at “Tool Time”!

let’s see what 99 will do?

I still have this vision of flaming ice sculptures running through town!

Spinal Tap wants to talk to you, Ed.

Isn’t this a repeat? The “11th setting” phrase seems familiar.

This…this is insane.

At least that woman is wearing glasses and earmuffs when he accidentally turns it on in her face.

Three or four feet of snow! Hey, Phyllis, what makes you think the judges (or anyone else) are going show up?

Prepare for an epic flaming failure!

No, it’s not safe! Don’t listen to him!

At one, it’s very dangerous in Crankshaft’s hands…..

Usually followed with, in true redneck fashion, hold my beer.

Gee, I wonder how this obvious set up is going to end up…

So Ed will start it on “twelve”…in ‘an abundance of caution’.

Hopefully the fire department is watching and is already enroute!

Hope y’all will enjoy your new ice rink!