Crankshaft by Tom Batiuk and Dan Davis for September 29, 2024

Umm, Lillian, Lester bought those books to be distributed to any interested high school students, not for you to give to Ed.

Also…umm, Lillian, you might want to look out your door at the angry mob that appears to have gathered at the foot of the stairs and is defacing your sign.

Oh dear….vandals in groups this time. Go get ’em, Ed.

I’m not a long time reader of ‘Crankshaft’, so I’ve never seen him without glasses before. Never thought I’d say this, but some people look better WITH glasses…

So—the mob catches them with THE BOOK, and burn them both? Y’know, maybe this arc should go on to Halloween.

The torch & pitchforks crowd is comprised of Andrews McMeel execs and newspaper feature editors.

Does anyone have any clueless as to what’s going on here?

He could wait for the movie to come out.

OOPS! 1966 vs 2018. They made the 2018 version edgier, but the 1966 version was more faithful in portraying the ennui of everyday life. IMHO the 1966 version was better.

He can barely read and he’s going to start with Fahrenheit 451? Perhaps Green Eggs and Ham would be more his speed.

Well one of Les Moore’s poor students ain’t getting a book now because she is give it away to ol Cranky.

But waitsaminute. This book ain’t banned at all in the first place. It just not in one little school syllabus. That is all. Em students coulda gets em easily anywhere anytime anyways. (And not to mentions they is gonna fails the examination because of reading sometheeng outta school syllabus).

Hey waitsaminute. Then why all the sneaking books business when everyone is can gets em books anywhere. Me smells a rat here.

Oh waitsaminute. And now who is them clowns protesting outside and what on earth they is protesting for?

Now waitsaminute. This whole theengs is seem to a big sham scam to creates a big hypes for a book and makes its sales increase. Maybe Less Morre is even gets paid commission for that.

Now that is explains why special care was taken that them books was not even touched by fire in both attempts. Setting a couple of bottom stairs on fire and then hyping it up. What a sham scam!

In today’s society and all that is going on, I find it hard to believe people would be that upset over a book

WILL YOU GET A LIFE?! THEY’RE JUST BOOKS, PEOPLE! Last time I’ve checked, reading isn’t a crime!

Does the 6th panel remind anybody else of the final scene in Frankenstein (1931) when the mob sets the windmill ablaze, with the Monster trapped inside with nowhere to escape?

Angry Villager #1: “We have the Monster trapped in the upstairs bookstore. The McKenzie woman is with him.”

Angry Mob: “BURN THE MONSTER! BURN THE WITCH!!!”

Actually, the mob isn’t protesting ‘Fahrenheit 451’. They are protesting Lillian’s latest mystery, ‘Murder in the Bookstore’. The book sucked and they want their money back.

If Ed can’t read, how the heck did he pass the written portion of the CDL driving test to drive a schhol bus?

Actually, the mob isn’t protesting ‘Fahrenheit 451’. They are from the Home Owners’ Association giving Lillian a “gentle reminder” to fix her stairs, garage, and the sign. The HOA believes they’re an eyesore that will affect property values.