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John King, a prominent NY cartoonist, is known for his unique one-panel comics that masterfully combine dark humor with... well anything food-related. In stark contrast to lengthy narratives or multi-panel comic strips, King specializes in crafting short, yet impactful comics. His standout approach? A rich sauce drizzle of dark humor.

Delving into his renowned webcomic, "Fruit Gone Bad," he uncovers a world where fruits, vegetables, and other diverse foods - from bread to pizza - aren't just edibles but vivid characters dragged into relationships and societal standards. These characters, while engaging in mature themes and occasionally touching into taboo zones, also resonate with the audience due to their hilarious takes on the quirks of today's world.

With a substantial Instagram following of 87,500, "Fruit Gone Bad" offers a delightful blend of humor that's both sharp and cheeky.

More info: Instagram

Just like last time, Bored Panda reached out to John King, who most of you know for being an artist known for his whimsical fruit characters and humorous takes on everyday life.

When asked about the inspiration behind his humorous ideas and playful puns, John replied, "Well, I've always believed that the world needs a bit more laughter, especially now. Humor can be found in the most ordinary places. Just observing life, be it a playful fruit or the night sky, can spark an idea. Puns, well, they've been a guilty pleasure of mine. I aim for my comics to be a quick chuckle in someone's day, nothing too heavy."

On the unique choice of using fruits as characters, King shared with us, "You know, fruits have always been around us, colorful and vibrant. They're relatable in their simplicity. Giving them personalities, quirks, and dialogues, it's like breathing life into something we see every day but often overlook. And yes, they absolutely add a unique charm, don't they? They're nature's little comedians if you ask me."

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In regards to his light-hearted approach to current situations, the artist happily expressed, "I'd like to think so. The world has its fair share of complexities. Sometimes, we just need a reminder that there's a lighter side to things, even if it's just a fruit reminding you of the changing seasons. It's all about finding joy in small moments, and if my comics can offer that, then I'm doing something right."

When it came to the topic of deciding the color palette for his vibrant comics, he stated, "Thank you for noticing! Colors play a huge role in setting the mood. While I do enjoy bolder colors now, I always try to ensure they resonate with the emotion or joke I'm conveying. And of course, the fruits themselves inspire a lot of the palette. It's all about making the scene pop and resonate with the audience."

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Finally, as we took the time to discuss his preference for traditional drawing methods and the challenges of digital art, John shared with us, "There's a certain warmth and rawness with pencil and ink, something tactile. While digital art offers amazing versatility, I believe both mediums have their own charm. It's not so much a challenge as it is a choice. For now, I enjoy the mix of both worlds, drawing traditionally and touching up digitally. It's like having a foot in both past and present, and I kind of like that."

#11

41 New Times NY Cartoonist Captures Dark Humor In One-Panel Food Comics

fruitgonebad Report

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Kevin Lam
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

For those of you who don't know, upside down pineapples means a swinger couple

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#16

41 New Times NY Cartoonist Captures Dark Humor In One-Panel Food Comics

fruitgonebad Report

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Lotekguy
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If you can remember when that might be appreciated as a compliment, you're receiving Social Security.

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#20

41 New Times NY Cartoonist Captures Dark Humor In One-Panel Food Comics

fruitgonebad Report

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Lotekguy
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Better to be the butt of a joke than the joke of the butt.

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#29

41 New Times NY Cartoonist Captures Dark Humor In One-Panel Food Comics

fruitgonebad Report

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Pancake_Pansexual_Panda
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Me who loves pickles and pickle juice: Traumatized. And don't question my weird tastes in food.

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