Crankshaft by Tom Batiuk and Dan Davis for November 05, 2023

Hard to believe the original Sentinel newspaper folded with such scintillating stories as this one.

On the other hand (sorry, Skip), it turns out that in many needlepoint exhibitions the works are framed without glass over them so that judges and viewers may examine the work more closely, so give Batiuk credit for getting that detail correct.

I never put ketchup or mustard on hot dogs (or anything for that matter). I don’t really like ketchup, but I really don’t like mustard.

Excellent art! He’s exactly the guy I’d picture not replacing his ancient CRT monitor (“NO! It still works!”) and who has an analog clock on the wall. Gen Z Intern: “Hey, Gramps! What time is it, my phone’s recharging!” “Why, it’s quarter to 2!” Intern: “WHUT” Writing: Wow, Is Joke, Much Laff

So the catsup dribbled horizontally onto the exhibit? Okay, add gravity to the list of things Batiuk doesn’t understand.

Well, at least this one isn’t about comic books or pizza parlors. Or Harry Dinkle.

Okay, what?

Dick Tracy solves another case!

Looks like a Seth Thomas number 2 hanging on the wall. That’s cool.

Is he in the historical society building?

A scandal none the less.

And not the work of a clueless and careless bus driver who had brought a group of students there.

Human nature……always going for the jugular first…….when it was just a scratch!!!!

Soooooo….someone noticed ketchup on some needlepoint and people accused an “activist” group of putting this small blob on it? Despite the fact that said activist group wouldn’t attack “artwork” at some small town’s tiny art display without publicizing it. Or had even shown up in some small town at all. The only explanation is that Ed garbled a bunch of words and was misunderstood. Nah, even that’s ridiculous.

But more importantly, where’s wherescrankshaft asking where’s Crankshaft?

sounds like batiuk could write standup for adam sandler

Where’s Crankshaft?

Why would food be allowed to be consumed on the site of an art exhibit?

Why would a staff member of the art commission which is hosting the art exhibit not be especially careful to not eat food in the proximity of the art object?

Why would a staff member of the art commission which is hosting the art exhibit not be immediately forthright in admitting how the stain happened?

Why is Skip’s monitor a flat panel in panel 2 and a CRT in the other panels?

Why is Skip’s name taped to the side of the CRT and not on a nameplate that’s placed on the desk, as is usually done by actual humans on planet Earth?

Why is this story told through text on a Sunday strip, when the same thing could be accomplished by cramming more words into a daily? Why not use the Sunday strip format to actually show any of these things which Skip is writing about?

Which is why ketchup shouldn’t be used on hot dogs.

Thus giving the art patrons something to be needled about.

Ketchup on a hot dog?Arrest that man!!

Haha! (＾▽＾)