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It’s that time of the year again, where everybody says things like, “it’s that time of the year again.” Let’s take a look at the best comics of the past 12 months and review the year!

Well, we all witnessed an interesting year. There was good, there was bad, and there was downright ugly. While humanity seems hellbent on collectively speedrunning toward extinction, we see ourselves as the fiddlers on the Titanic. We’ll play our tune as long as we can, ever hopeful that a mighty whale might just surface, right in the nick of time, to save us all and carry us to a better future. Until then, it’s a great time for jokes! It was a great year for comics! May we continue to laugh, as long as we can!

4-panel comic by War and Peas Panel 1: A woman conducts a job interview. She asks the candidate, “So last question: Where do you see yourself in five years?” Panel 2: The candidate imagines a post-apocalyptic world with fire, wrecked cars, and ruined buildings. He’s dressed like a survivalist and holding a rifle. Panel 3: Still in his imagined future, he’s crouched in a desert landscape, aiming a sniper rifle. Panel 4: His crosshairs are locked on a killer robot attacking a terrified woman.

6-panel comic by War and Peas. Panel 1: A dog character, wearing glasses, a shirt, and tie, stands at a podium labeled with a microphone. He says, “Research has shown that dogs are the most loyal creatures.” Panel 2: Continuing his talk, the dog lecturer says, “That’s why the love language of unconditional affection is called…” Panel 3: With enthusiastic eyes and a slight smile, he confidently declares, “…Doggy Style!” Panel 4: A giraffe character pops in from behind the curtain whispering something to the dog. Panel 5: The dog is now standing silently behind the podium as the spotlight stays on him. He seems awkward and regretful. Panel 6: The dog walks off the stage slowly, tail drooping. He tosses his speech notes behind him. A sign in the background reads: “Science of Love – Dr. Doggy.”

Funny 4-Panel-Comic by War and Peas Panel 1: Slutty witch approaches a table, holding a package while saying "We got this mysterious package." The vampire and the black cat Lord Nibbles sis at the table having coffee. Panel 2: The witch places the package on the round wooden table. The vampire says, "How strange." Panel 3: The witch opens the package and exclaims in confusion "Huh? There's nothing inside." She continues "It's just an empty cardbox." Panel 4: Lord Nibbles, the cat puts the newspaper down and declares "Oh, that's mine!"

It’s also a good time to celebrate the glimmers of hope! And we cling to them with the intensity of a baby monkey clinging to its mother as she performs death-defying acrobatics through the rainforest canopy.
India has already hit its targets from the Paris agreement (five years early!) Germany’s electricity mix is now 64% renewable and the Greek island of Tilos has gone completely waste-free, recycling 100% of its trash. The Finnish capital Helsinki instituted a new speed limit that resulted in exactly zero fatal traffic accidents for an entire year! And AI, despite eleven billion podcasts predicting otherwise, has destroyed far fewer jobs than feared, which feels like the universe throwing us a bone.

4-panel comic by War and Peas. Panel 1: A witch in a black dress and hat sits at a bar, smiling flirtatiously. She says, “Wanna come to my place? I have the body of a 19-year-old.” Panel 2: A blonde man, excited, responds, “Sounds good to me. Let’s go.” Panel 3: Jumpcut: The witch and the man stand at the top of a staircase leading into a dark basement. The witch looks down, saying, “Must be here somewhere.” Panel 4: The witch, now on all fours, triumphantly finds two literal bodies in a pile of junk and exclaims, “Ha, there you go! Even two 19-year-olds!”

A black and white cartoon showing witches with different modes of transportation under a crescent moon. One young witch stands on the ground looking up disapprovingly, while three other witches fly through the sky - one on a scooter/moped, one on a hoverboard, and one on what appears to be a Roomba vacuum. The caption reads: 'Kids these days... Don't even know how to drive the stick anymore.'

6-panel comic by War and Peas: Panel 1: The Grim Reaper stands at a door, holding a clipboard. He rings the door bell. Panel 2: An orange cat opens the door and says, "Ah, yes. Right this way." Panel 3: The Grim Reaper stands over a dead body without a head, checking notes. "Says here, he died of a stroke." Then, surprised, asks, "Where is his head?" Panel 4: The cat responds, "You expect me to starve?" Panel 5: The Grim Reaper, shocked, exclaims, "He died an hour ago!" Panel 6: The cat, now screaming, repeats, "Like I said, you expect me to starve?"

And as if that weren’t enough good news, we can announce that we will be able to continue making comics in 2026. This is a blessing for us, because it remains, against all economic logic, the best job in the world.

This year has been great for us, even if our work-life balance looks like something an HR department would use as a cautionary tale. The highlight reel includes: our trip to Slovenia, the exhibition at the Erika-Fuchs-Haus, and performing with Marc-Uwe Kling and Bernd Kissel in front of 1,700 actual human beings who paid money to be there. We remain full of gratitude for every speech bubble we get to draw, every love letter we slip into mailboxes, and every heart-pounding thrill of clicking “publish” on a new comic strip and launching it to you.

Which is why we’re saying thank you from the bottom of our hearts. Thank you to our loyal readers, newsletter subscribers, and Patreon supporters. To everyone who smiles or laugh-snorts inappropriately in public when reading a new story. And especially to those brave souls who share our comics in their work group chats, without worrying about the consequences.

5-panel-comic by War and Peas Panel 1: Lord Nibbles, a black cat with wide eyes, holds a phone to their ear. Speech bubble: “You have to come home!” Background is solid red. Panel 2: A witch sits on a chaise, holding a phone to her ear, saying, “I told you not to call me at work.” An old man kneels in front of her, licking her feet with audible “Slurp” sound effects. Panel 3: Lord Nibbles, still on the phone, asks, “Remember the carpet you bought with the Ouija-Board design?” The witch replies, “Yes, so cute!” Background is split red and pink. Panel 4: Lord Nibbles’ eyes widen as he says, “Well, the Roomba summoned three demons with it!” The witch, unfazed, responds, “And?” Panel 5: The living room is filled with three demons sitting at a table. Lord Nibbles, still on the phone, says, “You have to lend me some money.” The demons appear engaged in a poker game.

4-panel-comic by War and Peas Panel 1: Santa Claus stands on the roof of a decorated house and asks the Grim Reaper, who is on the ground, "Hey! You're coming to this house, too?" Panel 2: The Grim Reaper responds, "Yeah." Panel 3: Santa Claus, still on the roof, says, "What a shame. They're getting a lot of presents." Panel 4: The Grim Reaper, holding a scroll, says, "Let me guess. One of them is a chainsaw."

Panel 1: The Grim Reaper sits at a desk, hands clasped. A sign on the desk says “DADDY DEATH.” Death: “Every Friday, from 10 to 12, I have office hours.” Panel 2: A ghost soul appears with a question. Ghost: “I wanted to see how my cat is doing.” Panel 3: Death checks his computer. Death: “Ah, Mr. Franklin. You died alone in your apartment, three days ago?” Ghost: “Yes.” Panel 4: Death: “Okay, let’s check in on Mr. Fluffles.” Panel 5: Death (looking at screen): “What?” Ghost floats in suspense. Panel 6: Death (grim): “Let’s just say, he’s not hungry.”

Four-panel comic by War and Peas. Panel 1: A woman sits in a boat crossing a river with the Grim Reaper and Charon. The Grim Reaper asks, “Do you want to see the Top Ten of How you almost died?” Panel 2: The Grim Reaper continues, “Remember that one guy you almost went home with?” Panel 3: The woman, wide-eyed: “Oh my GOD! Was he a serial killer? A cannibal?” Panel 4: The Grim Reaper calmly replies: “No. His bathroom floor was very slippery.”

If you want to double-down on ensuring we can continue this silly endeavor, you can support us via Patreon, where we offer various perks that we promise are worth it, or at least more useful than most things you impulse-bought last year.

Sincerely yours,
Elizabeth and Jonathan

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People looking at comic art exhibition at festival Tinta Stripa. Funny webcomics by War and Peas. Photo: Tina Stariha / Kino Šiška
Jonathan Kunz and Elizabeth Pich signing books during Tinta Stripa festival. Photo: Tina Stariha / Kino Šiška
Teenagers reading War and Peas comics at "Apocalypse Now" exhibition. Photo: Tina Stariha / Kino Šiška
Title of War and Peas "Apocalypse Now" exhibition at Kino Šiška in Slovenia. Photo: Tina Stariha / Kino Šiška
Close up of webcomic comic strips exhibition by War and Peas. Photo: Tina Stariha / Kino Šiška
Jonathan Kunz talking to readers while Elizabeth Pich signs books. Photo: Tina Stariha / Kino Šiška
Hi Earth Books at booth market during Tinta Stripa Festival in Ljubljana. Photo: Tina Stariha / Kino Šiška
A child pointing at a comic at an exhibition. Her father smiles.
People reading War and Peas comics at exhibition. Photo: Tina Stariha / Kino Šiška

Photos: Tina Stariha / Kino Šiška

We’re aware this might sound like one of those insufferable travel essays where someone discovers authentic gelato and suddenly they’re all Eat Pray Love, but let’s talk about Ljubljana:

This charming Slovenian capital where heraldic dragons guard bridges and the food operates on a new level of deliciousness, there exists a small festival that has earned a disproportionately large place in our hearts.

The festival in question: Tinta Stripa, which happens every October.

People looking at comic exhibition by webcomic duo War and Peas. Photo: Tina Stariha / Kino Šiška
Elizabeth Pich talking to readers at the market of Tinta Stripa. Jonathan Kunz stands next to her. Photo: Tina Stariha / Kino Šiška

Photos: Tina Stariha / Kino Šiška

The itinerary went like this:

We opened our exhibition “Apocalypse Now” (Oct. 11-31), which sounds more horrible than it actually was. We participated in the market, where we sold out our entire inventory in two hours – two hours – which was either a testament to our work or evidence that Slovenians are the most impulsive comic buyers in Europe. And then we did an on-stage interview and comic reading in an abandoned cinema that’s been repurposed as a concert venue, which is exactly the kind of atmospheric detail that makes you wonder if someone’s deliberately staging your life for maximum aesthetic impact.

We loved every second of our stay. Watch the interview here:

The German comic duo War and Peas (Elizabeth Pich and Jonathan Kunz) and their recognisable characters have already attracted over a million readers worldwide. In a talk moderated by Izar Lunaček, they shared insights into the behind-the-scenes process of creating their webcomic series, how it has evolved over the years, and how they manage to pack an entire story into just four panels. As a special treat, they also performed live interpretations of some of their comics.

Jonathan Kunz talking while Elizabeth Pich and interviewer laugh. Photo: Marcel Obal / Kino Šiška
Crowded Kino Šiška comic reading with War and Peas
Elizabeth Pich holding a microphone during a comic reading. Photo: Marcel Obal / Kino Šiška
Elizabeth Pich lauging during an interview. Photo: Marcel Obal / Kino Šiška
Jonathan Kunz during interview in Ljubljana. Photo: Marcel Obal / Kino Šiška

Photos: Marcel Obal / Kino Šiška

Special thanks to Tanja Skale and Izar Lunaček!

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Panel 1: A shirtless man with a large shark bite sits calmly on a chair, hands folded, and declares: “I died fighting a shark.” Panel 2: Next to him, a rugged hunter with a grey beard and cap sits with hole in his head. He explains, “I died hunting with friends.” Panel 3: A man with visible traces of car tires sits on a chair, bones jutting out from a car accident. He mutters, “I died crossing the street.” Panel 4: A simple ghost draped in a white sheet sits next to him. It confesses, “I died changing the bed sheets.” The joke suggests that the pop-culture image of ghosts covered in white sheets comes from people who met their end while struggling with linens.

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Panel 1: In a bug classroom, a praying mantis teacher points at a board sketch of Sisyphus rolling a boulder and says, “So, Sisyphus was doomed to roll the rock up the hill for all eternity.” Panel 2: A dung beetle student beams and says, “That sounds wonderful,” while a butterfly next to him listens. Panel 3: The butterfly replies, “It’s actually horrible.” Panel 4: The dung beetle still beams and says, “Ok. It’s horrible.”

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4-panel comic by War and Peas Panel 1: A female teacher stands beside a yellow humanoid robot in front of a chalkboard that says "Welcome Class." She announces, "As of this year, all teachers have been replaced by AI." Panel 2: A single human student raises his hand and asks, "Won’t the quality of our lessons suffer?" He sits alone at a desk in an otherwise empty classroom. Panel 3: The same teacher, now standing by the door, responds sternly, "All pupils have also been replaced by AI." Panel 4: Sitting next to the human student is a robot in a red cap, carving into the desk with a knife. It’s etched the words "Screw school". The human student looks sideways, disturbed and speechless.

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4-panel-comic by War and Peas Panel 1: A pink cartoon house with a happy face stands in a green field under a blue sky. It says, “I am a house filled with memories.” Panel 2: The sky darkens with a reddish hue. The house now looks serious and says, “Memories of a murder!” Panel 3: The sky returns to daytime blue. The house continues, “A murder of crows that lived together happily.” Panel 4: The background is red again. The house looks angry and shouts, “After pecking the townsfolk to death!”

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Four-panel comic by War and Peas. Panel 1: A worm speaks passionately from a podium: “Comrades, we must unite!” Panel 2: A large crowd of insects listens as the worm continues: “Against the oligarchy of spiders!” Panel 3: The worm continues: “They say they earned their wealth… but don’t believe their web of LIES!” The insect crowd cheers with protest signs. Panel 4: Two wealthy spiders sit smugly on piles of gold coins, wearing monocles and top hats. One says: “It’s not our fault humans lose all this shit in their sofa cushions.”

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Did you know that reading makes you 53% more attractive to your significant other? And also that laughing and a sense of humor makes you 47% more appealing to potential mates?

Here’s your perfect book match!

With Hi, Earth we have the perfect book that makes you 100% More Sexy! It’s a funny book about our favorite planet including crisis, despair and hope.

Rating: 5 out of 5.

Available here:

  • 4-panel-comic by War and Peas Panel 1: In a classroom full of young mantis students, a female mantis teacher stands in front of a chart showing a pair of mating mantises. She says, “During copulation the female mantis experiences earth-shattering waves of pleasure.” Panel 2: The mantis students react with excitement. One says “WOW!” and another giggles “Hee Hee.” Panel 3: A male student mantis named Timmy raises his hand and asks, “What about male praying mantises, Mrs. Schneider?” Panel 4: The teacher, looking a bit awkward, replies, “Um... You’re not going to like this, Timmy.”
  • Panel 1: Two cartoonish trees with faces are talking while watching a man in a flannel shirt and beanie walking through the wilderness. One tree exclaims, “Oh no, Pam. There comes a lumberjack!” Panel 2: The second tree reassures the first, saying, “No, Marsha. It’s ok! Look, it’s just a hipster.” Panel 3: The first tree, now visibly relieved, sighs, “Oh, thank God.” The man stands in the clearing, looking around. Panel 4: The scene shifts to a "Grand Opening" event at a café called "Brewski Bros." Outside, multiple bearded, flannel-wearing hipsters sit at tables, drinking coffee and socializing, while the trees have been cut down.
  • Comic von War and Peas: Janet läuft durch eine Wüstenlandschaft. Text: 'Von allen Pflanzen liebte Janet den Kaktus am meisten.' Sie nähert sich einem großen Kaktus, umarmt ihn innig und lächelt dabei. Nahaufnahme zeigt, wie die Stacheln des Kaktus ihr Gesicht und ihre Arme verletzen. Abschließender Text: 'Liebe ist Schmerz.'
  • 4-panel comic by War and Peas Panel 1: A caveman-like figure with long hair and a beard stands at the entrance of a cave, gazing at the barren landscape. Panel 2: The figure sits on a rock, poking the ground absentmindedly with a stick. Panel 3: The figure watches the sunset alone, the vast landscape around him. Panel 4: He looks at the horizon, sighs, and says, “I f***ing miss techno parties.”
  • 4-Panel Comic by War and Peas. Panel 1: A melting iceberg complains, "It is so hot! This damn climate change!" Another iceberg listens in the background. Panel 2: The second iceberg, "My great-grandfather was doing something about climate change before it was en vogue." Panel 3: The first iceberg looks puzzled and asks, "Your great-grandfather?" Panel 4: Flashback to a historical scene: a mustached iceberg watches as the Titanic sails toward it under a moonlit sky. The iceberg smugly replies, "Yeees, yeees."
  • 4-Panel Comic by War and Peas. Panel 1: A UFO hovers in the night sky, beaming up a man named Jerry with a bright yellow tractor beam. Panel 2: Two people watch the abduction. One exclaims, "They're abducting Jerry!" Panel 3: As the UFO flies away, the two people remain unbothered. One says, "Thank God! I never liked him." The other replies, "Yeah, me neither." Panel 4: Onboard the alien spaceship, Jerry is seated on a throne, surrounded by decorations, gifts, and an alien celebration. An alien reassures him, "They didn't deserve you, Jerry."
 

And also available in French and German!

 

Promotional image for the book 'Hi, Earth' by Elizabeth Pich and Jonathan Kunz (War and Peas). The book cover features a cartoon Earth with large, worried eyes, sitting on a wooden chair while surrounded by flames, wearing a fedora. The title is in bold, blocky letters. To the right, a quote describes the book as 'bittersweet but lighthearted,' roasting human folly while appreciating the planet. The text at the bottom announces the release date: 'Available April 1st. Wherever books are sold!'

Please note: The next shipping phase starts August 18th

 

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4-panel-comic by War and Peas Panel 1: A man sits at a bar with a witch beside him. The man says, "I'm so good in bed, I'm gonna knock your socks off." The witch looks unimpressed. Panel 2: The witch responds, "Actually women come easier with their socks on." Panel 3: The man sits silently, looking disappointed, while the witch sips her drink. Panel 4: The man, now talking to a different woman at the bar, says, "I'm so good in bed, I'm gonna put socks on your feet."