“Control is vital to humor. Don’t use comical names like Throttlebottom. Don’t make the same kind of joke two or three times—readers will enjoy themselves more if you make it only once. Trust the sophistication of readers who do know what you’re doing, and don’t worry about the rest.” – William Zinsser, “On Writing Well”, Chapter 19 – Humor.
Lizard Lil offers her famous rum balls at the signing table—Because everyone prefers their expensive hardcover books be covered in powdered sugar and greasy fingerprints.
But… why would you name the detective in a murder mystery “Red Herring”? Does Batiuk even know what the term means, or did he just hear it used about a mystery story and not bother to find out what it referred to? It doesn’t make any sense.
Also, “Case Load” sounds like a… hm, let’s say “actor in adult films”, since I’m not sure what the filter will let me call him.
See? Because it’s NOT a comic book cover, this isn’t a blatant rip off of his trope from Funky Winkerbean. It’s a BOOK cover! She wrote another book. Another book themed book. What is that now, SEVEN?
It’s not one. Not two. But three bad puns in one panel. Quite a feat. We’re proud of you Batyuk.
Can we please put Batyuk in the Rabbits Against Magic punintentiary and throw away the key?
Batyuk, I’ve read Stephan Pastis for years. I know Stephan Pastis. Stephan Pastis is a favorite of mine. Batyuk, you’re no Stephan Pastis. (Prolonged shouts and applause.)
Another Cold Case in less than 48 Hours … a Red Herring murder case, chasing after no legit leads … assigned to Case Load.
It will be our luck to be assigned to Judge Ito and the evidence won’t fit and the Judge will aquit. Just when is Columbo and Hamilton Burger due back from their vacations?
Not only does Batty’s alleged prestige arc blow thus far, today, the disappointments continue.
Crankshaft readers left dozens of comments, hoping to see Ed at least once a week in the Sunday comic during the several-week-long slog known as “The Burnings.” Instead of a comic featuring Ed, we get a sideways book cover featuring Lillian, who has been in almost every strip this past week.
As I wrote yesterday, Batty’s ability to give his readers exactly what they don’t want is uncanny.
So “The Burnings” couldn’t even stay on track for 7 days because Batty couldn’t wait another week to kick out a dumb Sideways Sunday focused on two of the worst Pun Names he’s ever come up with.
I thought if I avoided the strip all week I would be rewarded on Sunday, oh well, at least Harry took a day off. So which Funky character will be featured this week?
wherescrankshaft 19 days ago
“Control is vital to humor. Don’t use comical names like Throttlebottom. Don’t make the same kind of joke two or three times—readers will enjoy themselves more if you make it only once. Trust the sophistication of readers who do know what you’re doing, and don’t worry about the rest.” – William Zinsser, “On Writing Well”, Chapter 19 – Humor.
J.J. O'Malley 19 days ago
Red Herring?
Spiffy. Now Batiuk is ripping off “A Pup Named Scooby-Doo.”
Bill Thompson 19 days ago
“Kindle Light?” Okay. The other two? Feh. But for Batiuk, one out of three is absurdly good.
angelolady Premium Member 19 days ago
Clever play-on-words title.
Sue Ellen 19 days ago
I like the cover artwork.
top cat james 19 days ago
Lizard Lil offers her famous rum balls at the signing table—Because everyone prefers their expensive hardcover books be covered in powdered sugar and greasy fingerprints.
Brian Perler Premium Member 19 days ago
But… why would you name the detective in a murder mystery “Red Herring”? Does Batiuk even know what the term means, or did he just hear it used about a mystery story and not bother to find out what it referred to? It doesn’t make any sense.
Also, “Case Load” sounds like a… hm, let’s say “actor in adult films”, since I’m not sure what the filter will let me call him.
billsplut 19 days ago
You guys…actually made the effort to read this? Well, good on ya, I ain’t bothering.
Gent 19 days ago
OWWWW! Mine neck!
Gent 19 days ago
Murder by twisted necks.
Ichabod Ferguson 19 days ago
First clue: the murder weapon looks like an obsidian knife the Aztecs used.
Joe Cur 19 days ago
Puns a-plenty
French Persons Premium Member 19 days ago
Annoying in so many ways.
rockyridge1977 18 days ago
If they wrote a book about Crankshaft…..maybe we could see Crank in the strip….after all it does have his name…….beginning to wonder…….
lemonbaskt 18 days ago
get out from behind that tree dirty oldman crankshaft you dont want sally forth to call the police
mountainclimber 18 days ago
I don’t endorse the daily criticisms of some readers, but I do find it hard to rotate my extra large monitor screen.
fuzzbucket Premium Member 18 days ago
This would be so much more enjoyable if I didn’t have to strain my aging neck to read it. Is there an easy way to rotate the image on an old Mac?
raybarb44 18 days ago
Yeah, we had decent caseloads but when we were in trial, but the other attorneys would pick up our calendars and help out….
tcayer 18 days ago
See? Because it’s NOT a comic book cover, this isn’t a blatant rip off of his trope from Funky Winkerbean. It’s a BOOK cover! She wrote another book. Another book themed book. What is that now, SEVEN?
Surly Squirrel Premium Member 18 days ago
It’s not one. Not two. But three bad puns in one panel. Quite a feat. We’re proud of you Batyuk.
Can we please put Batyuk in the Rabbits Against Magic punintentiary and throw away the key?
Batyuk, I’ve read Stephan Pastis for years. I know Stephan Pastis. Stephan Pastis is a favorite of mine. Batyuk, you’re no Stephan Pastis. (Prolonged shouts and applause.)
B UTTONS 18 days ago
Another Cold Case in less than 48 Hours … a Red Herring murder case, chasing after no legit leads … assigned to Case Load.
It will be our luck to be assigned to Judge Ito and the evidence won’t fit and the Judge will aquit. Just when is Columbo and Hamilton Burger due back from their vacations?
EXCALABUR 18 days ago
Let’s not turn the comics sideways, please!
be ware of eve hill 18 days ago
Not only does Batty’s alleged prestige arc blow thus far, today, the disappointments continue.
Crankshaft readers left dozens of comments, hoping to see Ed at least once a week in the Sunday comic during the several-week-long slog known as “The Burnings.” Instead of a comic featuring Ed, we get a sideways book cover featuring Lillian, who has been in almost every strip this past week.
As I wrote yesterday, Batty’s ability to give his readers exactly what they don’t want is uncanny.
MuddyUSA Premium Member 18 days ago
If Crankshaft were a Sit Com and rarely appeared in it would be a flop….
Cabbage Jack 18 days ago
So “The Burnings” couldn’t even stay on track for 7 days because Batty couldn’t wait another week to kick out a dumb Sideways Sunday focused on two of the worst Pun Names he’s ever come up with.
CsRoberto2854 18 days ago
If only the woman getting murdered in the sideways strip was Lillian McKenzie
Surly Squirrel Premium Member 18 days ago
Super-Fun-Pak Comix is displayed vertically today. Why can’t Crankshaft be oriented the same way?
Strawberry King 18 days ago
“That’s not very funny!”
- Red Herring from A Pup named Scooby Doo
It was always funny how little Freddie accused him of everything lol
rbrt6956 18 days ago
I thought if I avoided the strip all week I would be rewarded on Sunday, oh well, at least Harry took a day off. So which Funky character will be featured this week?