Another Saturday means another batch of cartoons and commentary, so here comes our first dispatch of Autumn.
Welcome to all new subscribers, and thanks to everyone who responded to the question of including a Krampus gag in my December cartoons. After some consideration, I decided to go for it. I believe the context will make the gag clear, and there are already at least eight films based on the Krampus character. We’ll see how the public at large reacts.
Our readers are well-informed, so I’m optimistic that the joke will land for most people.
Two years ago, Bizarro reader Steve D., a reliable supplier of pipe pics (or a repeat offender, if you prefer), sent this heartwarming photo of Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis.
The next time Mr. Piraro and I get together, maybe we’ll try to reenact this shot, although neither of us is a smoker.
On Second thought, maybe we won’t. Dean & Jerry’s collaboration didn’t work out well in the end, and we don’t want to jinx the good thing we have going. Also, we never wear cardigans.
Now let’s check out the first Bizarro gags of Fall.
The drawing is based on an 1892 photo of Alexander Graham Bell making the first phone call between New York and Chicago.
Looking at the panel today, I worry that the caption might be confusing because it mentions Thomas Watson, who is on the other end of the call, while Bell is shown reacting. I won’t include this gag in any future awards submissions.
Tuesday’s gag answers the question of what amuses baby clowns. I’m not sure what song the box would play.
Every artist’s obsessions show up in their work, and Ahab finally found a way to channel his.
For those who like to tally the Secret Symbols, one could argue that I cheated a little by counting the painting to the right of Ahab’s hat as the Fish of Humility. We know that whales are mammals, so if you chose not to count that, I wouldn’t fight over it.
This actually happens with starfish—the regeneration of a whole new body from an arm that is separated along with a piece of the central disc, not the legal dispute (as far as we know).
The judge called for pomposity in the court.
This could never happen in real life, of course. No one would ask before plugging in.
Bonus Track
D. Beaver: “The Wizard of Menlo Park/Get the Phone”
from Combinations
TMI Records LP, 1973
I bought the D. Beaver album (which I no longer have) during my college days, from the Doo-Dah Shop, Pittsburgh’s first store that dealt exclusively in used records. This medley of two songs references both Alexander Graham Bell and Thomas Edison.
That’s it for another week of rectangular risibility.
Thank you for your comments, questions, and suggestions.
All the best from your ink-monkey,
Wayno
This post was written entirely by a human.
Copyright © 2026 by Wayno®
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You and Dan make this world so much better! Some weeks it’s only your comics that make our family laugh out loud and send out links to your art. We and our walls, too, wear your silliness with pride. Hooray for your humor, insight, and skill. Hilarity rules!
Just want to say I love that Ahab gag!