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This comic was created especially for our backers on Ko-Fi.

It’s is a donation-based platform where you can send us digital coffees to support our work in the short and long term.

Thank you for all the caffeine shocks that get us through the year!

4-panel comic by War and Peas. Panel 1: A vampire in a long coat and sunglasses walks under a black umbrella, saying, “Getting my coffee fix isn’t as easy as it used to be.” Panel 2: The vampire peeks from behind a tree, eyeing a small coffee stand labeled "Barista Boys." He says, “But it’s worth the effort.” Panel 3: A barista, dressed in a yellow shirt and apron, takes a sip of coffee, seemingly unaware of the lurking vampire. Panel 4: The vampire is now crouched over the unconscious barista behind the stand, presumably having bitten him. With satisfaction, he remarks, “Mhm… Viennese Roast.”

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A humorous illustrated story titled "Sincerely Yours," exploring the struggle of choosing the perfect email sign-off. The visuals follow a quirky, cartoonish style with warm and earthy colors. Panel 1: A lone figure sits at a desk under a bare tree with an orange backdrop. The figure, holding a tiny umbrella, types on a computer. The caption reflects on composing an email: "The wording is proper, the subject line is okay. It's ready to send, I spent ages composing. The only thing missing is the email's closing." Panel 2: The scene shifts underground, showing various chambers representing the writer's overthinking. One chamber shows a person contemplating at a desk, while others hold filing cabinets and discarded paper. The caption continues: "There must be a line that perfectly sums it up, one that shows how I feel but not too much." Panel 3: The focus is on the writer in another underground chamber, struggling with options. They compare "Sincerely yours" and "Yours sincerely," seeking a balance of warmth and professionalism. The caption humorously notes: "I want to show I'm not too fickle and most definitely not skittish." Panel 4: Deeper underground, the chambers explore different sign-off ideas. One considers "Warm regards" but questions its sincerity. Another ponders "Forever yours" or "With love," which feels too extreme. The caption jokes about overanalyzing: "Everything I think of leads in the wrong direction." Panel 5: More chambers delve into casual and quirky sign-offs, such as "All the best" (too bold) and "XOXO" (too playful). The writer considers practical phrases like "Thanks" but second-guesses their appropriateness. Panel 6: The final panel shows the writer's internal chaos reaching its peak. They hesitate over options like "Take care" or "Stay safe," worried they might sound too personal or ominous. The story ends with the realization: "Oh wait, did I just press Send?"

This story originates from the book “Once Upon a Workday” by War and Peas. Optimized here for the web – because it’s the web, and everything must be optimized.

And there’s much more in the book. Not only the amazing feeling of a real book and real pages that you can actually turn. There are more stories like this and if you decide to buy a copy from our online shop you’ll get it signed including a little original doodle!

warandpeas.shop

warandpeas.shop

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Comic by War and Peas. Panel 1: A man stands beside a bench where a woman is sitting. He asks, "What are you doing?" Panel 2: The woman, seated with her hands clasped, replies, "I'm having fun inside my head." Panel 3: The man, now looking intrigued, asks, "Can I join you?" The woman responds simply, "Yes." Panel 4: The man sits beside the woman on the bench, both looking serene as a single cloud floats in the sky.

This comic strip from 2016 feels like an ancient artifact to us.

There are days when looking at something you’ve created feels like staring too long at your own reflection under unforgiving fluorescent lights, full of flaws and imperfections. And yet – despite its flaws – there’s something in this comic that still speaks to us in a way that makes us think that maybe it wasn’t so bad after all.

And hey, if you like it, too, there are a few signed prints left in our shop!

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Funny Witch Comic by War and Peas. Panel 1: A witch is sitting at a table with a wine glass, smiling at her date. She asks, "So what are you looking for in a girl?" Panel 2: In front of her sits a zombie girl, with green decayed skin and torn clothes, holds a cocktail and enthusiastically shouts, "BRAAAINS." Panel 3: The witch, now excited with wide eyes and clasped hands. Panel 4: The witch continues to smile and eagerly responds, "Oh my god! Me, too!"

Fungirl Exhibtion

If you’re in Hamburg (Germany) you can meet Elizabeth at her solo exhibition during the Comicfestival Hamburg!

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This story is dedicated to all those who long for sleep but are sent on a wild goose chase every night by their brains. We feel you, our sleep is weird, too.

 

Just like “A Job is a Job”, this story can be found in our new book “Once Upon a Workday”. Find more on on how to order here.

Ciao for now,
Elizabeth and Jonathan

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We are so happy to announce that the short story A Job is a Job is coming out today, namely in our brand new book Once Upon a Workday!

"A Job is a Job" short story from War and Peas. "Another day breaks, you pour out of bed. Not a minute away and in creeps the dread. The gloom of the world waiting outside your door. With its deadlines, its meetings, its burdens its chores. You feel uninspired as you sit in your cube. A few minutes of joy watching cat clips on Youtube. When your colleagues ask a friendly How Do You Do? You simply say Fine but you'd like to say Blue. You say to yourself: That's the way it must be. There are duties and schedules and your kid's dentist fees. A job is a job and a job must be done. There's no time to sit around and simply have fun! So you slumpity slump your way through each day. As you gripe and you type as you labor away. No this will not do, this simply won't do. Who's running the show here? It's you, my dear, YOU! It's time to start asking what do you want to do. Plan some time for yourself, two, three hours a day. Leave your smartphone at home, just go out and play! Why did we stop playing? How silly, how wrong! To think growing up means being earnest all the day long. Remember you liked to go out and dance? And you once played guitar in that weird indie band. Or painting – whatever did happen to that. Strange how all those passions fell flat. Now a job is a job and a job must be done. But a you is a you and you must also have fun. So take a week off, one or two, six or eight! This is your mental health and that simply can't wait. Taking care of yourself is the first job of all. If you don't work at that, soon you'll have no job at all. So eat a grand meal, sing a song, learn Malay. Not just once in a while, do these things every day. Yes a job is a job and a job must be done. But taking care of yourself is job number one.

Once Upon a Workday is a collection of funny and heartfelt stories about the ups and downs of adulthood, being overworked and under-appreciated, while mustering up the resilience to keep going on your path. The six short stories will console and inspire the burnt-out professional in all of us. The beautiful hardcover is being released by Andrews McMeel – the publishing house that brought you Peanuts as well as Calvin & Hobbes.

We are incredibly proud of this book and we’re sure you’ll love it, too. It’s available wherever books are sold as well as these online platforms!

Cover Reveal of "Once Upon a Workday – Encouraging Tales of Resilience"