By Christopher Muther, Globe staff

Pardon the rimshot analogy, but Boston has almost as many comedians as Jackie Collins has euphemisms for the word ‘‘buxom.’’ Well, perhaps not that many, but their ranks are indeed plentiful. Spend an evening in one of the city’s many comedy clubs, though, and it quickly becomes apparent that not all comedians are created equal — finding the truly talented comics can be tough.

‘‘Often times you wince, although sometimes you can be pleasantly surprised,’’ says comedy club veteran Tony V.

To avoid the wincing and to find jokesters who are worthy of your time and a two-drink minimum, we went directly to the experts: Lisa Markham, who books comedians for Dick Doherty’s clubs; Rick Jenkins, who books for the Comedy Studio at the Hong Kong restaurant; and Tony V., who hosts several open mikes and has been making people laugh for 23 years. Everyone knows the established names in local comedy: Kevin Knox, Kelly MacFarland, Paul Nardizzi, the Walsh Brothers, and the omnipresent R-rated hypnotist guy. We challenged Markham, Jenkins, and Mr. V. to name the city’s freshest new comedians, folks who are just beginning their careers but are showing real promise, real early. Here, in no particular order, are the most talented neophytes Boston comedy has to offer.

Bottom row, from left, Dan Boulger, Rebecca Anderson, and Elisha Yaffe. Back row, Orlando Baxter and Amy Tee.