Does it seem to you, as it does to me, that there is a peculiar notion of comedy - wrenched from the norm - that is inherent in Fallout games?

It's like the sense of humor military people develop over time, the worse things get the funnier they are, until hardship and strife are hilarious.

"You and what army?"

~ Until it becomes you against the world....

Laughing all the way.

Everything is crap, except weapons. The world itself has turned into junk, and there we are in dirty bluejeans with an energy weapon and a mutated iguana coming at us that reminds us for all the world of the space ship at the beginning of "HEAVY METAL" the movie...

Sardonic humor you mean? Yes it's one of my favorite features of the Fallout Universe.

Some dark comedy to alleviate the tragedy.

When events drop you into the soup, it's good to remember "for what we are about to receive, may we be truly thankful!"