All Comics

Frank and Ernest

By Thaves

"Frank & Ernest" continues to generate smiles, groans, and guffaws after more than three decades. From perspectives that range from above it all to below it all, "Frank & Ernest" touches on a variety of subjects, ranging from airplanes to zoos, and the characters can be anything in any time period. The variety helps to keep this enduring comic strip fresh.

The constant element in "Frank & Ernest" is its frank and earnest attitude: The strip’s subject diversity is addressed with a timeless and intelligent sensibility. Wordplay often adds extra amusement to keep readers interested and involved. The result can be a twisted phrase or a skewed outlook that manages to be empathetic and ironic yet never mean-spirited. As one journalist noted, “It is a safe bet that many ‘Frank & Ernest’ enthusiasts extract more from the strip than mere amusement. Thaves’ irony-laden, pithy brand of observational humor is often inspired by the average Joe’s interaction with perplexing cultural, political, legal, and theological questions.”

"Frank & Ernest" has a readership that cuts across demographics to include parents and children, teachers and students, managers and employees, young and old, male and female. "Frank & Ernest" is read daily by an estimated 25 million readers of 1,200 newspapers.

Daily Daily
Sunday Sunday
Daily & Sunday Daily & Sunday
Digital Digital
Print Print
Strip Strip
Available in Color Available in Color
Available in Spanish Available in Spanish
Family
Men
Women

Editor's Picks

Cartoon depicting a humorous debate among historical figures about how to start a declaration, with one character suggesting a famous phrase while another humorously critiques King George. The scene includes a table covered with papers and a colorful draped cloth, reflecting a lighthearted take on historical discussions. Illustration explaining subatomic particles: negative charge for electrons, positive charge for protons, fractional charge for quarks, and neutral charge for neutrons. Cartoon scene at Noah's Park featuring a sign with the park's name, a character in a red outfit with a staff, a bird, and two rhinoceroses, humorously depicting a whimsical animal park setting. Cartoon character with green skin and stitches, wearing a purple outfit, standing next to a box labeled Cartoon depicting two characters in front of a sign announcing the groundbreaking of a Seismology Center. One character comments, Santa Claus in a sleigh with gifts, humorously exclaiming about batteries, while being pulled by a reindeer against a snowy backdrop. Cartoon depicting the humorous concept of Cartoon depicting a teacher asking a student to explain the phrase Cartoon depicting a humorous scene of God and angels discussing the shape of the Earth, set against a cosmic background. The dialogue suggests a playful take on flat Earth theories, with characters expressing concern about people Cartoon depicting two characters discussing a friend's regret over a marzipan scheme. One character confirms the regret while the other mentions another friend's achievements at the Olympics, highlighting a contrast between the two situations. The scene conveys humor and irony in their conversation.

About Thaves

"Frank & Ernest," created by Bob Thaves, chronicles the antics of two "everyman" characters who are anything but ordinary! They appear in different settings and time periods—and even manifest as things and creatures other than people. The variety in the strip extends to their observations about a wide number of subjects.

Tom Thaves produces "Frank & Ernest." He began to work with his father, Bob, the strip’s creator, in 1997. Tom assumed more and more responsibility until he took over full-time upon Bob’s death in 2006.

The strip is known for innovation, having been the first panel presented in a strip format. It was the first to be nominated for a Reuben category award for both syndicated panel and comic strip, and it has won category Reuben awards three times.

Smiling older man with glasses sitting at a desk, engaged in writing or working on a project, surrounded by shelves and a vintage radio.