About Crankshaft

A former minor league baseball pitcher, the strip’s namesake, Ed Crankshaft, was deeply disappointed when his major league aspirations fell by the wayside. Today, however, he can deal with life’s curveballs, thanks to a loving family that stands by him. Crankshaft amuses comics fans with his no-holds-barred zingers and cantankerous disposition, an obvious outer crust for a school bus driver.

Since its debut in 1987, Crankshaft has engendered reader loyalty with its engaging storylines and Crankshaft’s muddled aphorisms. Created by Batiuk and drawn by Chuck Ayers, the strip is a spin-off of Batiuk’s immensely popular high school comic, Funky Winkerbean. Written in the same “narrative humor” vein as Funky, the strip offers plenty of humor, but it also tackles some tough issues like adult illiteracy, Alzheimer’s disease and school violence.

Available daily and on Sundays, Crankshaft currently connects with readers in more than 300 newspapers worldwide. Given the strip’s thoughtful approach in acknowledging the issues facing today’s senior citizens, Crankshaft is particularly popular among older people and those who have parents at or beyond retirement age. Crankshaft really resonates with readers emotionally invested in the strong, identifiable characters and plot-driven storylines.

Strike 4! The Crankshaft Baseball Book

The Toledo Mud Hens―a farm team for the Detroit Tigers―once had a budding pitcher named Ed Crankshaft. This enjoyable volume collects all of Crankshaft’s baseball-themed exploits. Fans will enjoy revisiting Crankshaft’s reminisces about his minor league pitching career and his comic attempts to recapture his youthful successes on the diamond.

Crankshaft: And One Slice with Anchovies!

The school bus driver everyone loves to hate is back with another collection of his crotchety antics. Ed Crankshaft, the man who enjoys nothing more than parking in the middle of a puddle or making kids lose their lunchboxes, is more obnoxious than ever in this new set. But he isn’t all bad—underneath his crusty exterior lies a fun-loving romantic.

Crankshaft: I’ve Still Got It!

Cranky Ed Crankshaft is at it again, gunning his school bus so he can outdistance the little Johnson girl, backing over the Keestermans’ mailbox, and holding up a record-breaking line of cars. It’s just another day for the sixty-something curmudgeon who’s earned a soft spot in the hearts of millions of readers.

More About Crankshaft

For more on Crankshaft please check out the Komix Thoughts blog and the Media section.

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