Crankshaft by Tom Batiuk and Dan Davis for November 05, 2024

The punchline is funny because it’s in the last panel. (Although I do like that they gave Ed a LO-viz vest, to increase the odds he gets run over)

I want to see what that Funkyverse driver does when Crankshaft accidentally drops that sign.

Umm, they said yesterday that there’s a shortage of school bus drivers, so how is turning them into crossing guards, rather than extending routes or making double runs, going to solve that problem? And didn’t the school district already have crossing guards? Once again, a joke that makes no sense. Still, I gotta admit Ed looks better in his safety vest than some people I can think of.

Also, there looks to be nine drivers sitting there today. That’s four more than yesterday’s count (Ed, Mary, Rocky, Bill, and Andy), and I don’t recall the last time these newbies were seen, if ever. Seems like they now have an abundance of bus drivers.

Why is Ed wearing the Comedian’s smiley face button? Hurm.

Well, the ‘toon makes no sense, but at least it isn’t sideways…

Home Depot wondering why they have a surplus of mailboxes

Albert Brooks did it better in Lost in America.

So there is shortage of bus drivers but they is put for job of traffic handlers now instead of driving bus because kids is walks to school and thus causing even more shortage of bus drivers? It’s called driving eh.

Ed Crankshaft – Cross Guard!

Where is the sideways comic book?

Crankshaft has been given the power to create the longest backed-up car line ever.

I have a big LIKE for today’s cartoon.

Crankshaft is in his 90s. Not likely to be directing traffic.

Lester Nadeau was just an old man to the students of Winston Junior High—a frail crossing guard in a bright vest, guiding them across the street each day. To them, he was a fixture, not a hero, his history unknown, his life a mystery buried beneath wrinkles and quiet eyes. Yet, once upon a time, Lester had been more than a crossing guard.

In the prime of his youth, during the dark days of World War II, Lester had stormed the beaches of Anzio, trudged through the unforgiving sands of North Africa, and fought with unyielding courage on the beaches of Normandy. Through bravery and grit, he earned seven Battle Stars, each one marking a campaign where he risked everything to stand against the forces of fascism. He’d been little more than a kid back then, fresh out of high school, driven by a heart full of patriotism and a fierce desire to defend freedom.

Through gunfire and smoke, he survived battles that claimed the lives of countless men around him. Whether it was divine intervention or sheer luck, he couldn’t say. He’d seen horrors he never spoke of—the cries of fallen comrades, the relentless thunder of artillery, the ground soaked in sacrifice. But when he came home, he left that part of himself behind, sealed in a silence he carried alone.

Returning to his small town, he slipped quietly into the everyday rhythm of life, taking a job at the local paper mill, blending into the ordinary lives around him. Years later, when he took up the crossing guard post, he was just another old man again—steady, silent, watching over the kids. His seven Battle Stars were tucked away, his past unknown.

Lester Nadeau was a hero no one knew, a guardian of peace in a world that had moved on. And every day, rain or shine, he stood there with his stop sign, not for the thanks or the glory, but because somewhere deep down, he knew he still had a duty—to protect, in his quiet way, one last time.

True story — I knew him well.

Is this a promotion, a demotion, or a lateral transfer?

At least it’s Cranky and not a bunch of re-tread funky characters

That kind of fits him.

Crankshaft can now go for the record of holding up cars at a crosswalk. If I know him, he may even beat his car/bus record.

Great job……Crank!!!!!

BRICKS!

cranky needs a meat helmet

Attaboy Cranky……..

Actually, one of the better jobs that one can have….

So, A. There’s 8 people there, where we’ve only seen 4 previously. B. If there’s a shortage of drivers, they aren’t going to take one to use as a crossing guard. And C. The transportation director uses software to plan routes, it’s not done arbitrarily by several unpaid elected people.

Don’t crossing guards fall under the jurisdiction of the police, and, school bus drivers under the state motor vehicle services division, never the twain shall meet?

Looks like Crankshaft is furious

It’s also No Nut November if you’ve forgotten

Oh look, there’s Crankshaft.

Yep. The school board president and school district stupidintendent need new cars.

So there is a bus river shortage…which means reduced bus routes…so they’ve reassigned bus drivers to work as crossing guards? I think this dedicated never-ending commitment to the dumbest possible chain of events is what I love most about Funky Winkerbean.

Just try not to cause a big traffic jam like Goober did in The Andy Griffith Show.

I’ll be glad when the political strips have their comment sections unlocked because I’M REALLY STRESSED OUT OVER THE ELECTION

Think how many mailboxes will be saved.

The other side of the sign says “I HATE THIS !”