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Tom Toro compares the magazine cartoon to passing a note to a friend during class: a small, unexpected joke tucked among serious journalism. He has been a New Yorker regular for more than 15 years, and in August, the National Cartoonists Society named him its 2026 Gag Cartoon winner.

He is also behind the now-famous 2012 cartoon of a man telling children around a campfire that yes, the planet was destroyed, but "we created a lot of value for shareholders." The cartoon was later shared by Greta Thunberg and Leonardo DiCaprio.

Toro's ideas often start with words rather than pictures. He has said that dialogue usually comes first, with the drawing built around it. The goal isn't a huge laugh, but the kind of joke that makes you smile, think, and perhaps look twice.

We've gathered some of his recent one-panel cartoons below. Some land instantly; others take a moment to click, which is often where Toro's humor is at its best.

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#1

Couple at the beach with seagulls referencing Hitchcock in a clever comic

tbtoro Report

Rick Murray
Community Member
1 hour ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Oh, definitely the Hitchcockian way. Don't go soft on me now, feathered fiends.

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    #3

    One-panel comic of cicadas on trees humming lyrics they don't know

    tbtoro Report

    Rick Murray
    Community Member
    1 hour ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Most people, most national anthems.

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    #7

    Clever one-panel comic shows a man living for the moment in a messy living room by Tom Toro

    tbtoro Report

    sbj
    Community Member
    Premium
    42 minutes ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Sadly for most of us in a future that will never arrive

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    #16

    One-panel comic by Tom Toro featuring a chicken crossing the road with a question board

    tbtoro Report

    Serena Myers
    Community Member
    2 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    That's two valid reasons for chickens crossing the road I've seen today. :)

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    #47

    Two characters asking a girl to choose a name in a humorous cartoon by Tom Toro

    tbtoro Report

    Serena Myers
    Community Member
    2 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Rather than Tweedledum. Understandable.