Crankshaft by Tom Batiuk and Dan Davis for May 21, 2024

“—because, frankly, nobody else can stand the tedium!”

“Nice to meet.” “What do we owe?” Why does everyone in this strip speak like a broken Talking Jar Jar Binks doll? “Harry L. Dinkle meesa be!”

And let the Great Smirk-Off of 2024 begin!

Also, stop trying to make “Nice to meet” happen, Masonne. It’s not going to happen.

Why do these characters have to be so boring?

Dinky discovered Claude Barlow while polishing off a box of Band Marijuana and Psilocybin Mushrooms

There must be a good reason that he’s the only authority.

Why not breengs in Les Moore too and takes the insufferable unbearableness to the next level?

Okay, what am I missing? I went back and reread strips, but why is Mason interested in Claude Barlow?

“A major Hollywood studio would like to commission you to write the score for a Zombie Lisa blockbuster in the style of Barlow, and thought the best approach was to send an aging lead actor to gauge your interest.”

Wouldn’t Harry recognize a popular film actor?

When you are the only one that cares you are the only authority.

yakety sax never comments here

“Special”

With the disappointment I feel in the new direction the cartoonist is taking, I’d like to create a new type of comment. A Random Strip in Crankshaft History. I will obtain a random Crankshaft strip utilizing the GoComic “Random” button. I will comment on the random strip and render a verdict if it is better, IMO, than the present-day offering. I will stop this feature if I ever discover a random comic strip that I judge worse or more offensive than the actual strip of the day. I may purposely leave out details because I want to invite you to read those strips. Constructive comments and critiques are welcome.

Today’s Random Strip in Crankshaft History: Crankshaft from March 26, 2004. Ed is in the local public pool for a session of water walking. In the first panel, Ed is in the water, reaching for the ladder to get out of the pool. He says to himself, “Now I know why they call this water walking…”. In the second panel, an exhausted Ed clings to the ladder and continues, “Because it’ll be a miracle if I can climb out of the pool.”

Verdict: The random comic strip is part of a week-long story arc featuring Ed exercising at a local pool. In the middle of the week, Ed shares the pool with a well-known character. The random comic features a joke that is not the funniest, but it is a recognizable joke.

Crankshaft 05/21/2024. In the latest edition of Tom Batiuk’s new title, ‘Dinkle Days’, Mason Jarre is met at the front door by Harry Dinkle. There is nothing new here. We know Mason is searching for the leading authority on the classical composer Claude Barlow. We also knew that person is Harry Dinkle. No surprises. Dinkle sports his usual fat-faced, jack-o’lantern grin. A barely recognizable Dinkle in the third panel jokes he is the ONLY authority. Something we already assumed.

Winner: Random comic. The random comic features Ed. The current strip features Dinkle. ’Nuff said.

Number of days without an appearance by Dr. Harry L. Dinkle: 0.

Why do I get the feeling Claude Barlow is just a figment of Harry’s imagination?

They should rename this strip, at least for this story, ‘Dumb and Dumber’.

Dingleberry throws his shoulder out from all the self back-patting he does.

BARF! So much to hate today.

He could be stating a fact, or on one big ego trip. I think it’s the ego trip.

Delightful comic

What happened to Dingle’s glasses in P 3? Did Whigum from GT draw that panel?

no one else would want to be an authority on Barlow

And just like that, I find myself rooting for a meteor strike.

Nothing humble about Harry.

Seriously. All the “just enjoy the comic” folks: What do you enjoy about this? It’s a tedious as listening to my grandparents talk about homeowners insurance policies.

It’s great that Pickle Jar wants to do his premiere at this old timey theater, rodent and cockroach infestation and all, so all ten of his fans can see it.

Wish these side stories would stop. The story arc should be centering around Ed setting up for a launching of his grill and the fire department prepping for the major disaster response they will have to conduct.

Why o Why o Why-O is Mason in Ohio?

Bring back The Korn Kobblers….