In addition to Funky Winkerbean, Tom Batiuk is the creator of two other nationally syndicated comic strips: John Darling, the adventures of a fictional talk-show host, and Crankshaft, based on an irascible school bus driver. Batiuk's comic strips have been collected in 22 full-length books. His focus on social issues such as alcoholism, teen pregnancy, and breast cancer has put him at the forefront of comic art history.