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John McNamee is the artist behind Pie Comic, hand-drawn comics that feature dry, sarcastic humor that hits you hard in the chuckles. John started drawing Pie Comics back in college, and just never stopped. He has since worked for satirical news organization 'The Onion' and now works for Cartoon Network.

Have these experiences influenced Pie Comic? “My Onion experience does come in handy,” John told Bored Panda. “You really have to observe the world and see what's weird about it to write Onion headlines. I once heard someone describe my sense of humor as "wry," and after I googled what that means, I thought it sounded about right.”

“I used to try to think of a good joke and then start drawing it, but I found that my comics were too predictable that way. So instead, I just started drawing a character doing something and see if I could get them to end up in a clever joke. My number 1 comedic inspiration is the Simpsons. My knowledge of seasons 2-9 is like... weird. I would also reread Calvin & Hobbes comics all summer long. As for webcomics, I really love Poorly Drawn Lines. He's very good at pacing out a joke and delivering a plot twist.”
Pie Comics has been a full-time pursuit at times throughout John's career as a cartoonist, but he finds stability in dipping his finger in a number of 'pies.' “Now I'm writing at Cartoon Network, so I don't update with these cartoon drawings as often,” he explained. “My Patreon works OK for me, but it's really my fault it doesn't work better. Engagement has never been a strength of mine. I also have done work for Mad Magazine and the New Yorker. I guess if I'd have any advice, it would be to cobble together multiple revenue streams. You never know when one might take a hit, and that will help protect you from instability.”

And while many comic artists use a variety of software to create their funny comics and upload them directly to the web, John prefers to keep it old school. “I draw on bristol board with blue pencil, then I go over it in and 05 Micron,” he told us. “I lay out my borders and guidelines with a ruler, but then I ink them freehand. I think the wobbly line makes the funny drawings more accessible and reminds you that a human being made them.”

More info: Website | Facebook | Patreon

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    #16

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    Kathy Baylis
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    6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Please be aware that the "happy" people on social media are generally just lying.

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    #39

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    BusLady
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    6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Even with an education, you could still end up a beggar. It doesn't guarentee a job, and you still gotta pay off those student loans. Which could lead you to the life of crime...

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    Spooky Tooth
    Community Member
    6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I like this. This is how childhood should be looking at everything in wonderment and awe and with imagination! Don't take that away! They got plenty of time to grow up and be boring later!

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    Carol Emory
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    6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Reminds me of the Bugs Bunny where Elmer gives him a tub full of vegetables. Bugs: "What's this?" Elmer:"Your dinner." Bugs: "DINNER!?! How do you expect me to eat this stuff..ithis isn't food! (starts cramming lettuce and celery in his mouth..picks out stuck celery string from teeth) Whaddya trying to do, starve me? I'll die before I eat this stuff."

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    Cora Fields
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    6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    So many young souls enter, so few graduate (with souls), just like real school!

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    Ladies and Gentlemen
    Community Member
    6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    God hated T-rex also, that's why he gave them so small hands, no way you can scratch your a*s with those hands.

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    Jaded Queen
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    6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    When you realize the real suffering is actually being alive! Sigh, I wish more people would realize that. Death doesn't deserve the hate mail she gets.

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    Stephanie Hutner
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    6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It's like in school when you bust your a*s and barely pass. But your friend slacks off all year and aces the class.

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    Carol Emory
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    6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Never thought of it like that.... Just don't tell them that ring-around-the-rosy teaches them about the plague...

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    Jaded Queen
    Community Member
    6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Oh! No Mr. Machine, we know all about your long game. But we are too depressed to care.

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    Foxyloxylou
    Community Member
    5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Once, music was on at our house and Elvis was just singing. Next was king of jazz Louie Armstrong. I told my mom and she thot I meant the white guy. It was about 5 minutes or less of pure confusion lol

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    Spooky Tooth
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    6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Neon Joe would take care of you Mr thor-wolfe-lantern! He don't play!! WAREWOOOLFHIMPH!

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    lincholn6echo
    Community Member
    6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I've heard of that but had to look it up again, its called an Antmill. From wikipedia: An ant mill is an observed phenomenon in which a group of army ants, which are blind, are separated from the main foraging party, lose the pheromone track and begin to follow one another, forming a continuously rotating circle. The ants will eventually die of exhaustion.

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    Laetitia
    Community Member
    6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Man- crawls on four as a child, walks on two as an adult and uses a stick as an older person.

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    BusLady
    Community Member
    6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Gotta preserve that moment. It only comes once in a lifetime.

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    Jaded Queen
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    6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Wait for the hacking and shagging! There is not much else in the first few seasons.

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    MoZ
    Community Member
    6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Not knowing the text behind the last pane may actually kill me ...

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    Virgil Blue
    Community Member
    6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Well princess... you do know what they say about guys wit long necks.

    #139

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    Community Member
    6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    AND ATE THE REST OF REALITY AND EVRETHING UNTIL NOTHING EXISTS ANYMORE!!!!!!!!!!

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    Naima Ivansdóttir
    Community Member
    6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    being a make up artist i swear i'm soon to be seen sporting the "hey-look-at-my-other-eyebrow" look. and there will be pictures

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    Jaded Queen
    Community Member
    6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    What's wrong with the inevitability of death? It's an absolute blessing. U wouldn't want to live forever, it's awfully boring. And raining is fun. U clearly don't have nice warm food for the season.

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    Captain Marvel
    Community Member
    6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    You do realise that the actual symbol for "butterflies are man's superior are a LOT more complicated. They look something like this...: 蝴蝶是男人的优越者

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    FatBaby
    Community Member
    6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    tryna hate on someone that's better than you thought be like....

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    Jaded Queen
    Community Member
    6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Looks like thanos, after wiping half off life in the universe. Hahaha. Now he is going to have an absolute crises. What must he do with the infinity stones and his life?

    #184

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    Just Curious
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    6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Yup, this confirms what pretty much everybody, ever, thought. Sorry Ma-Ti...

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    FatBaby
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    6 years ago

    This comment has been deleted.

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