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A black-and-white cartoon by War and Peas shows a woman speaking to a man. They stand facing each other with neutral expressions. The woman says, "It’s not you, it’s men." The caption is a humorous twist on the classic breakup line, "It’s not you, it’s me," suggesting her frustration is with men in general rather than the individual man.

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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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"The Artist's Lament" "Hours and hours of work lay behind you. Your weary bones ache and your head does, too. There’s crumpling and cramping in your legs, in your hand. You risk falling over that old canvas stand." Visual: The artist stands near the canvas with scattered paint supplies around. Text: "It’s time to take a step back and look at your jewel. But you gasp out in horror, oh, you’ve been such a fool! The trees look like trolls and the dogs look like sheep. ‘Everything’s come out wrong!’ you slump down and weep." Visual: The artist gazes at their canvas in dismay, head in hand, with discarded art materials on the ground. Text: "Now it’s all over! It’s over, indeed! When they said study law, you should have paid heed. You’ve toiled away, all those years were in vain! You might as well lay down and wait for the train." Visual: The artist stands, defeated, by an easel with an empty canvas, with a paintbrush and palette discarded at their feet. Text: "You schlep yourself to bed, try to think of something nice. But you see that ugly artwork every time you close your eyes. Tomorrow you’ll apply for that data-entry job. Suffering in silence, like all those other sobs." Visual: The artist lies face down in bed, wrapped in a blanket. The room is littered with scattered tools and slippers by the bed. Text: "Sleep won’t find you now, you’re full of self-pity. In vain you try to meditate, read comics, pet your kitty. So you get yourself up and—now you’re feeling brash— Those stupid inks and brushes are going straight into the trash." Visual: The artist walks with their cat, holding a canister in one hand, as they contemplate throwing away their art supplies. Text: "But wait, what’s that there? A mysterious pling. A small silent chirp, a crisp ringing ring. That corner right there, slightly catching my eye doesn’t make me want to douse my whole place in lye." Visual: The artist, now intrigued, stands at their easel holding a watering can, with the canvas in the background.
Text: "That brushstroke up here, that’s quite all right, too. You don’t outright love it, but it’s not a pile of stinking poo. You’re sure you can mend it and make it great art! You feel a fervent warmth warming up your heart." Visual: The artist, encouraged, examines the canvas with a sense of cautious optimism. Text (in a thought bubble): "You’re right back on track, an unstoppable art machine. Everybody will want to meet you— The Pope and The Queen!" Visual: The artist imagines themselves standing victorious on stage, being celebrated by a crowd. Text: "This painting will sell for millions, your parents will be proud. You can already hear the cheering and chanting of the crowd." Visual: The artist imagines their masterpiece being admired and praised by the masses. Text: "Now now there, young master. Don’t get ahead of yourself! You snicker, once again taking your brushes off the shelf. Put your favorite record on, pour the coffee and the paint. Let your thoughts flow with abandon, free of every constraint." Visual: The artist, now motivated, begins working again on the painting with fresh enthusiasm. Text: "This project will take ages and your mind will feel vile. But each grueling second will be worth your while. If art is a scripture and you are its priest, Then ideas are the flour and the grind is its yeast." Visual: The artist, fully absorbed in their work, continues painting with dedication. Text: "One hour later, the sun’s coming out. Your eyes are all crunchy, you’re sure you’ve got gout. Time to inspect your epic brushstroke ballet! You take a look at your canvas and simply think: Meh." Visual: The artist stands in front of the canvas, staring blankly at their work as the cat looks on. Text: "You sink down the wall, time to hoist the white flag. Maybe art is the boxer and you’re the punching bag? Now you’re being dramatic, you must hit the brakes. You’re done for the day and it’s time for pancakes." Visual: The artist, slumped against the wall in exhaustion, finally gives up, lying down in defeat.


Once Upon a Workday

This is one of the stories from our new book “Once Upon a Workday”. It’s available wherever books are sold but you can also get a signed copy from our online shop!

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

About the Book

With this book, we have fulfilled a dream of our own, to publish a book that is written entirely in rhyme and deals with one of the most important topics in our society:
The relationship between work and leisure. But it also deals with topics such as creative burnout and insecurities about one’s own abilities.

We had a lot of fun writing and drawing this book and are delighted that so many of you enjoyed reading it and writing us letters with your experiences.

It makes an excellent gift for yourself, but also for a friend who is going through a difficult phase. Thank you for reading.

Get a Signed Copy Here

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Panel 1: Two praying mantises are walking on a grassy field. One mantis named Timmy, wearing a backward cap and carrying a backpack, says, "Hey, Sally? Are you a praying mantis, too?" Panel 2: The second mantis, identified as Sally, with flower-like hair and also carrying a backpack, responds, "Yeah. Why?" The background shows a warm, orange sky. Panel 3: Timmy, looking at Sally with a wide smile, says, "Because you look drop-dead gorgeous!" The background has a red circular pattern. Panel 4: The scene shifts to a park bench where the first mantis is sitting next to a ladybug with glasses. The mantis, looking downcast, says, "She said, she respects me too much to rip off my head and eat it." The ladybug replies with a simple, "Bummer."

We know constant plugs are annoying but please try taking a different perspective here: Although literally millions of people read our comics weekly, it’s still difficult for us as creators to make a living. We don’t get any money directly from Instagram or any other platform we post on.

If we wouldn’t have a Patreon page, we’d have to flip burgers and couldn’t make comics at all.

So if you read this or the plug of any other artist, please be kind. Thank you!
PS: Patreon Link

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Panel 1: The first panel shows a witch dressed in black with a classic pointy hat, vacuuming the floor of her home. She looks frustrated and is thinking out loud, saying, "Ugh, I can’t bring anyone back with the place looking like this." The room has a few scattered items like a bone, indicating it’s a bit messy. Panel 2: In the second panel, the witch's black cat, who is sitting near a Ouija board on the floor, speaks up. The cat looks annoyed and says, "Do you MIND?! You’re scaring away the spirits." The cat's wide-eyed expression emphasizes its frustration. Panel 3: The third panel zooms in on the witch, who is visibly annoyed by the cat's comment. She scoffs at the cat, expressing her disbelief at its audacity. The panel focuses on her face, showing her irritation. Panel 4: In the final panel, the cat, still near the Ouija board, continues to sass the witch. It says, "They also asked if you’re planning on going out in that outfit." The cat looks smug, while the witch is left speechless by the remark.

 

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A six-panel comic strip by War and Peas: Panel 1: A serene landscape with mountains, a lake, flowers, and the sun shining in the sky. Caption reads: "What a magnificent time of year Summer is." Panel 2: A bird chirping while flying in the sky. Caption reads: "The birds chirp." Panel 3: A turtle basking in the sun on a rock in a pond. Caption reads: "The turtles bask in the sun." Panel 4: A dung beetle rolling a large ball of dung. Caption reads: "The dung beetle rolls its dung." Panel 5: Close-up of the dung beetle looking at its ball of dung with a thought bubble: "This is the most beautiful ball of shit I have ever made." Panel 6: The dung beetle hugging its ball of dung, looking content.

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A four-panel comic strip by War and Peas. Panel 1: A princess in a pink dress and conical hat rides a horse. The background is a bright, grassy landscape. She is asked, "Oh, fair princess, where art thou off to on thy trusty steed?" Panel 2: The princess responds, "To the township of McDonald!" She is shown riding the horse energetically towards a distant destination. Panel 3: The princess continues, "Where one can buyeth tasty burgers without getting off thy horse!" She is depicted riding swiftly, her hair flowing in the wind. Panel 4: The princess, now closer to the destination, says, "One McPeasant and Curly Troll Fries!" A small sign in the foreground says, "Godspeed!"

The Medieval Menu costeth only 5 shilling!