Lost in Tom Swifties and punctuation (Question about commas)

[Janit]

PUNctually is a real adverb, and doesn't need a comma before it.

Dismayed is not an adverb in the example sentence, and that's why it needs the comma. You could use "noted a dismayed Tom" or "noted Tom with dismay."

Whether these two variants are true Tom Swifties is a matter for discussion.

Look at "The Joy of Tom Swifties" for examples:

https://www.merriam-webster.com/words-at...punchlines