Crankshaft by Tom Batiuk and Dan Davis for April 01, 2023

Okay look i’m also a comics nerd. I get Bautik’s love of the medium and bringing it up. But there’s two problems with it

1) He dosen’t seem to have progressed past the silver age for whatever reason despite being perosnal friends with one of the bronze age’s best writers and most punchable personaliteis and

2) This is just so BORING. There’s no drama, no tension, not reflection from Son in law of crankshaft and this is the first attempt at an actual joke in days. I dont’ mind bringing in the funky characters, I seem to be the only commenter at times who isn’t against that. Bautik is bringing in ones who do make sense and the focus is often still on the Crankcast, choir week being the only exception. My problem is that none of them are really introduced and that’s doubly an issue when you have new readres (raises hands) who just came in when this came to go comics and may not know the history of either strip like the back of their hand. I only know comics john and mopey pete from reading the comics curmudgeon. Bringing them in isn’t a problem the problem is just NOTHING is happening. Good lord.

“Yeah, whatever. Let’s see, smoke damage, water damage, no particularly interesting titles…I’ll give you three dollars a box.”

Bring back cranky Crankshaft….he earned his dues!!

Ed has caused more than one fire at Jeff’s house? I know that it must be a running gag, but after the second fire, I’d think that Jef, and, Ed’s daughter would’ve “encouraged” him to move to a retirement home.

Because Crank is an arsonist? Or just a fool?

Hmm. He sounds interesting. Maybe someone could do a comic strip about him.

The fact that their insane father is continually burning, exploding, or soaking their house is a. A sign of dementia and b. Puts the entire family in extreme danger. It’s not funny.

Now that the first quarter of ’Shaft 2023 is in the books, allow me to present a partial stat:

Strips so far this year with Ed and the guys at Dale Evans: 5

Strips so far this year with Ed and his co-workers at the Bus Garage: 7

Strips so far this year w/o Ed set at the Komix Korner: 10!!!

Also, has anyone explained why J*ff, if he cannot find many other place in the house to keep his treasured comic books, is selling them rather than…oh, I dunno…GIVING them to his son and grandson, who are right there with him!? Why not share your capes-and-tights obsession with future generations?

Lastly, can someone please fill Crazy Harry in on personal space?

He should show embarrassment instead of pride!

Tom Batiuk: the real world Mud Mountain Murphy.

Most deservedly so and he was probably responsible for fire department improvement bonds that increased fire protection throughout the entire town with the most modern of equipment. Thanks Crankshaft…….

WAIDAMINUT! CS starts fires…

Haha! XD