Pickles Comics by Brian Crane are a delightful celebration of senior life, long-term marriage, and everyday absurdities. With a cast led by the lovable Earl and Opal Pickles, the strip blends gentle humor with sharp wit, offering daily laughs for readers of all ages. Brian Crane has mastered the art of turning mundane moments a lost item, a lazy cat, or a forgotten birthday into relatable and hilarious storytelling. In this roundup, we’ve selected 10 of the most charming Pickles comics that prove why this strip remains a newspaper favorite for decades.
About Brian Crane
Brian Crane is the creator of the long-running comic strip Pickles, which first launched in 1990 and quickly found a loyal following. Inspired by his in-laws and the realities of aging, Crane portrays the quirks of senior life through the lens of Earl and Opal Pickles — a couple navigating the joys and frustrations of retirement, grandparenting, and each other. His work has won multiple awards, including the prestigious Reuben Award for Outstanding Cartoonist of the Year in 2013. With simple yet expressive illustrations, Pickles Comics by Brian Crane has become one of the most syndicated comic strips in the world, appearing in over 900 newspapers. What sets it apart is its heart — Crane’s gentle humor is rooted in empathy, honesty, and love for the everyday moments that make life memorable. From household mishaps to tech misunderstandings, Pickles remains a masterclass in relatable storytelling with a smile.
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Credit Brian Crane
1. Sylvia’s Silent Phone
Earl’s daughter doesn’t answer her phone, and her mom panics, fearing the worst. Turns out the battery died — not a tragedy, just a tech hiccup. Meanwhile, Earl realizes her plan to avoid calls didn’t work. This comic hilariously captures the generational gap, tech anxiety, and the sweet concern of loving parents who treat silence like a full-blown emergency.
2. The Bugapoot Dictionary
When Earl hears about new words being added to the dictionary, he’s appalled — and decides to create his own language. “Bugapoot” is his first entry, and he insists it’s perfectly valid. Opal’s disbelief only fuels his logic. This comic is a perfect example of Pickles humor: stubborn, clever, and absolutely relatable if you’ve ever met someone who lives in their own little world.
3. Who’s Asking Whom?
Earl and Opal become entangled in birthday dinner confusion. Neither one knows who’s supposed to make the plans, so they both wait. It’s a familiar dance for long-time couples: the assumption game. This comic nails the quirks of communication—or the lack of it—in marriage, showing how silence, habits, and expectations can create laugh-out-loud moments rooted in truth.
4. Rock Talk
Earl reflects with his grandson on how ancient a rock is, saying it likely hasn’t changed in millions of years. The moment turns unexpectedly silly when Earl tosses the rock into the lake for fun. This touching yet goofy comic captures generational wisdom, wonder, and the kind of bonding that only happens between a mischievous grandparent and a curious child.
5. Lost and Found Wisdom
Opal explains her foolproof method for finding lost items—look where it should be, retrace your steps, and then buy a new one to magically summon the old one. Earl listens with quiet disbelief. This comic is pure Pickles: playful realism disguised as advice, packed with dry wit and life experience. Everyone who’s ever lost their keys will laugh knowingly.
6. Senior State of Mind
Earl insists he doesn’t think of himself as old because that mindset makes you feel old. That is, until the waiter brings the bill, and Earl jumps at the chance to ask for the senior discount. A classic Pickles moment — witty, self-aware, and proof that while age is just a number, discounts are very real incentives.
7. Muffin’s Cutest Act
Earl and Opal admire their cat Muffin’s latest performance — a spontaneous flop-and-roll of cuteness. Muffin, of course, knows exactly what she’s doing. This comic is a brilliant take on how pets control their humans, offering just enough charm to stay adored while doing absolutely nothing helpful. Cat owners will recognize this tactic instantly.
8. The Chunky Cheese Garnish
Earl lovingly makes Opal a bowl of soup while she’s under the weather — and plops a whole block of cheese into it. Opal praises his effort but questions the garnish. His reply? He couldn’t find the grater. This comic is heartwarming and hilarious, proving that Pickles finds gold in everyday acts of love, laziness, and logic.
9. Playing Dead for Attention
Opal’s cat has developed a new tactic: pretending to be dead for extra attention. Earl soon follows suit, dramatically lying on the floor — not for sympathy, but to avoid dinnr with Opal’s sister. A brilliant two-for-one gag that highlights both pet mischief and marital avoidance with equal charm and comedy.
10. Prescription Confusion
Earl proudly holds his new pills, but when Opal asks if he read the directions, he responds with classic Pickles logic: “What for?” Turns out the instructions are hilariously ambiguous—take one before sleeping and one before waking. Earl’s puzzled face says it all. This strip is a gentle jab at aging, medical misunderstandings, and Earl’s delightful literalism, wrapped up in the cozy humor fans adore.
Final Thoughts
Pickles Comics by Brian Crane are more than just punchlines they’re a gentle, humorous mirror of everyday life, love, and the realities of growing older. With timeless characters and heartwarming comedy, Crane’s strip continues to resonate with readers across generations. If you’re in the mood for smiles and sweet truths, explore more of this classic comic at TheHumorSide.com.
