Crankshaft by Tom Batiuk and Dan Davis for August 17, 2023

“Your information is buried under the punchline, and nobody can find it!”

Why was “Crankshaft Smiles Weird” such a big idea yesterday? So today Crank can abuse a random customer service worker? I have asked before and ask again—Why is this funny? How does this even make SENSE?

And thus ended Ed’s first and last attempt at calling up the “naughty schoolgirls waiting to chat” on 1-555-HOT-ONES.

Usually they blame the computer for being slow.

That’s a really old line that people used to use when they were breaking up with someone, and not wanting that person to be angry. What’s it doing here?

And the point of the last two days being…?

“It’s been a while since someone used Diners Club.”

Good help is hard to find!

You’re calling the wrong company.

Batiuk has officially given up on even trying to write his one remaining comic strip. He’s now getting his punchlines from the trash can over at Non Sequitur.

Yep, you are cool dude…cool…..

A break up line used in a problematic credit card transaction? Was somebody watching a "romCom’ before writing this…mess?

Another scam call.

maybe ed going on vacation to milford would liven up the strip

Standing outside here makes him look sneaky.

Famous last words….

No, it actually IS you. She just doesn’t want to make you angry.

Most days it’s marginal, but today’s is just not funny at all. It’s like he forgot to add something. Left it open ended.

Those of us of a certain age can appreciate the subtle build up to the moment of humor, Crankshaft’s senior faux pas, and possible hard to understand by more recent generations the irony upon which much of this strip is built. Dag dab it!

Click.

Haha! XD