JumpStart by Robb Armstrong for October 28, 2024

A narrow niche like historical documents thief?

I still remember the historical baseball memorabilia thievery.

Well, nice to meet you Mr. Blancherd. You just gave Peterson his first well done from, Captain.

Last panel: “just one more thing…”!

I’ve never seen Columbo, but I’ve seen so many references, parodies and tributes over the years that I don’t think I really need to watch the show.

Hold on, the crook was White in Friday’s strip. O_o

Peterson pulled his weight. Good man.

That’s very observant, Peterson.

I don’t think that’s the thief. When Peterson apprehended him, he wore a purple jacket and a wool watch cap. Also, where are the handcuffs?

The thief isn’t in today’s strip—that’s “Columbo” and another officer.

Just follow the cable…

Anyone can pirate digital content; that’s no longer limited to criminals. (Though one could argue that those who do pirate it are by definition criminals.)

How’d Todd know what was in the safe? Just a hunch because of the building it was in?

Recently I re-watched some old Columbo episodes, and I’d forgotten the odd way they were written (at least, the 3 episodes I watched). The killer is actually sort of the protagonist: we, the audience, see the crime take place and observe the killer’s efforts to hide what he’s done. Then, we watch Columbo show up and gradually pick it all apart. Each time Columbo and the killer part company, the script mostly sticks with the killer and his ever-more desperate efforts to avoid exposure; Columbo almost seems like a guest star. They’re kind of the opposite of a “whodunnit” – we know who dunnit before Columbo even appears on screen.