Usually, the "fart gag" is verboten on the comics page ... unless, as Steve Moore has done here, it's distanced from human life like, oh I don't know, let's say the actions of an insensitive co-worker on an elevator.
By using insects and having it be one of the defining characteristics of that insect, Steve could plausibly say: "Hey, editor, I'm just writing how Mother Nature designed basketball-playing stinkbugs. If you've got a problem take it up with her."
Let's make a list of things that you can't write about in newspaper comics, shall we? Your input is required.
rusty trombones
Posted by: kik | 02/05/2009 at 09:40 AM
Dutch ovens.
Posted by: Jim | 02/05/2009 at 10:59 AM
I say, the more fart jokes the better. Frankly, I'm partial to turd jokes.
A classic: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iDb_l5dXsfg
Posted by: MTatulli | 02/05/2009 at 12:26 PM
I didn't think of it as a fart joke. Stink bugs have a defense mechanism, same as skunks. Is every Pepe LePew cartoon a prolonged fart joke??
Posted by: Mike Peterson | 02/05/2009 at 12:50 PM
The "let 'er rip" part is what made it a gas-based gag.
Posted by: John Glynn | 02/05/2009 at 01:03 PM
The Belgian Creamer
Posted by: kiki | 02/05/2009 at 01:52 PM
"Good Push" -- A “Tip-of-the-Hat”, if you will, after a bystander passes gas in an egregious manner.
Posted by: Lucas Turnbloom | 02/05/2009 at 02:39 PM
Taboo for newspapers?
God, let me get my list out.
Let's see...
Pot smoking chickens.
The urinalysis of a pop culture icon.
Blind jokes.
Dingleberries.
Jeffery Dahmer gags
Anne Frank (you don't want to know)
Anything that includes the phrase, "touched" by an angel.
I could go on, but I think my fingers would get tired.
Posted by: scott | 02/05/2009 at 04:23 PM
The Potsdam Pudding Cup
Posted by: kiki | 02/05/2009 at 04:49 PM
Cleveland Steamer
Posted by: Kiki | 02/05/2009 at 04:55 PM
butt cracks
Posted by: benzendrine betty | 02/05/2009 at 05:14 PM
meth mouth
Posted by: Joaquin | 02/05/2009 at 06:19 PM
gay muskrats
Posted by: Joaquin | 02/05/2009 at 06:20 PM
obese people who care too much
Posted by: Joaquin | 02/05/2009 at 06:22 PM
the elderly in bathing suits
Posted by: Joaquin | 02/05/2009 at 06:23 PM
IBS
Posted by: RandomGenius | 02/05/2009 at 07:57 PM
Operation Shave the Amish
Posted by: RandomGenius | 02/05/2009 at 08:00 PM
No insertion
Posted by: RandomGenius | 02/05/2009 at 10:49 PM
Linguists who are strategically clever ....
Posted by: RandomGenius | 02/05/2009 at 11:32 PM
What the heck ... man oh man, a guy goes out for a ham and cheese sandwich and the whole place falls apart. Come on people, keep it respectable.
Posted by: John Glynn | 02/06/2009 at 08:32 AM
lubricant
Posted by: kiki | 02/06/2009 at 08:47 AM
poop
Posted by: kiki | 02/06/2009 at 08:49 AM
prison marriage
Posted by: kiki | 02/06/2009 at 08:49 AM
dirty sanchez
Posted by: kiki | 02/06/2009 at 08:50 AM
chickenhawkin'
Posted by: kiki | 02/06/2009 at 08:51 AM