Crankshaft by Tom Batiuk and Dan Davis for May 13, 2024

“Mason! Words no one would say!”

“39 word Exposition Dump!”

“Also words no one would!”

“I am woman, so I barely exist!”

Yes, it’s…LISA’S STORY TIME

“Let me finish! Mason, to what do we owe our souls?”

Which grammar is worse: “Mason! To what do we owe” or “Good to see you, Mason!”

At least they’re running the original “King Kong,” which is something you’d expect in an actual revival theater. And if they’re doing the Dino de Laurentis abomination, well, that will teach me to be optimistic about this strip.

Hey, gang, look who’s popped into Centerville to give Lillian and Harry a run for their money in the category of Most Punchable Smug Mug: Crankshaft Division. Any chance of seeing Ed in two consecutive daily strips was too much to hope for, I guess.

It’s a pity Mr. Jarre did not audition for the role of Basil Exposition in the Austin Powers films, since the job of schlepping background info he does in Panel Two is the heaviest lift since Atlas held up the heavens.

Me is forget. Who be these losers?

Where’s Crankshaft?!

Nobody says " To what do we owe". Or “obviousy”.

Where is “Where’sCrankshaft?” Was he banned?

Bring on The Burnings. Wrap this trash up.

Oh great, Mr. Hollywood is back.

So that’s his tax write-off?

movie humor gotta luv it

At least this owner (Mason Jarre) cares about the property he owns. He could be like some owners and just let the workers run down the property – but these two will bring it back to it’s former glory with the right films – like King Kong!

……and to buy popcorn??

The same Tom Batuik who likes to lecture us about global warming thinks its perfectly fine for someone to just jet over from LA to Ohio to check in on an extremely minor part of his investment portfolio.

Oh…very boring………zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz!

That guy’s so handsome he makes my teeth hurt

Even though yesterday featured the hated loathsome Lillian, it was nice to have at least one day’s respite from the Winkerbean invasion.

I wonder where this is going. Is Masone in town to participate in a book signing? Will Masone hire Dinkle and the Bedside Mannerisms to play in the orchestra pit for a silent movie? Will Masone order Max and Hannah to play Lisa’s Story in permanent rotation with The Phantom Empire? Will the actual story arc be worse than my worst fears? Stay tuned!

Is that Hannah, or is that Jessica Darling (whose father was murdered)? I can’t tell any more without a program. Their hair styles are too similar.