But this isn't anywhere near good comic relief, it's rather appalling actually.
Appalling? I don't think that word means what you think it means.
Having an elf in blackface in the art would be appalling. Having it condone racial or sexual violence would be appalling. Having stats for real-world religions, and then attaching alignments to them, would be appalling. But anything else? I'm pretty sure D&D is unable to really be "appalling".
And the only time comic relief is appalling is when it comes from Dennis Leary channelling Bill Hicks.
Also, enough comic relief comes from the group itself, we don't need a product based around it, especially coming from Chris Perkins.
DAMN YOU WRITERS FOR HAVING A WRITING STYLE!
Seriously, what's wrong with a little bit of humour in the game? If you don't like it, cut it out (as Dave Coulier so eloquently said, like, a bajillion times).
And, as I've said already, it's not like this is a new development. Remember Ayares the thief from the A series? Or Behind the Magic Mirror/Dungeonland? Geez, the old 1e DMG had comic art in it. And none of that was appalling in the slightest.
If they were doing loads of products then sure throw one in there, I just won't buy it and gladly buy something else. Unfortunately they aren't doing that this time around and so I am forced to wait, yet again, for an actual good product.
If you haven't found a wotc product you find "good" yet, then maybe you need to go somewhere else? It seems their products aren't made for you. And that's cool. If you're looking for something dreary with no comic relief, I think the UN has some great fatality records for you, or you can always dredge up growing rates of Gun Violence statistics and dig out your highlighter looking for levity.