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Anyone who has ever worked in customer service knows that some experiences stay with you forever. Whether it's difficult customers, workplace absurdities, or management decisions that leave you speechless, there’s no shortage of material for comedy. That’s exactly what Stephen Beals captures so well in his 'Adult Children' comics, turning everyday frustrations into humor that resonates with countless readers.

A prolific cartoonist, Stephen has been creating daily comics for years, consistently finding fresh inspiration in the quirks of modern life. His dedication to the craft is evident, but like many independent artists, he also relies on the support of his audience to keep creating. As the artist puts it: “I love being read and love my readers. If you like a creator and are able to, consider supporting them through their Patreon or website. Nobody is trying to get rich. We just want to do what we love and entertain you.”

Scroll down to enjoy the latest comics from the series, and don’t forget to check out the rest of our interview with the artist below.

More info: Instagram | Facebook | x.com | stbeals.com | gocomics.com

#1

A comic by Stephen Beals depicting work stress and retail profits, with corporate unhappy despite higher numbers.

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

I never understand this , my bosses are so intent on keeping our shareholders happy but they like me don't get a salary increase but carry on regardless

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    #2

    A comic by Stephen Beals about retail and customer interactions, showing staff fighting over who helps a customer.

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    AmyBcat
    Community Member
    Premium
    15 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Me too, frequently

    #3

    A Stephen Beals comic depicting frustrating customer interactions in retail.

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    Liliana Spiro
    Community Member
    2 days ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This is so rude, and I see quite a few people doing this on the regular

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    #4

    A comic by Stephen Beals about work stress in retail, where an employee arrives soaked, but isnt scheduled to work.

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    AmyBcat
    Community Member
    Premium
    15 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Ok. Your smile wasn't wasted on all those folks on the bus...

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    #6

    A comic by Stephen Beals about customer interactions, featuring a customer demanding to speak to a manager, who is a velociraptor.

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    AmyBcat
    Community Member
    Premium
    15 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I did sometimes want to be a velociraptor...be when you're a nurse it never works out

    #7

    A comic by Stephen Beals on customer interactions, with a customer complaining about dirty bathrooms and an employee explaining hourly cleaning.

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    Nathan Schinigoi
    Community Member
    2 days ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This. I wish i could go to the disgusting mens houses and p**s all over the place.

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    #9

    A comic by Stephen Beals illustrating retail work stress and bad customer interactions with a child misbehaving.

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    AmyBcat
    Community Member
    Premium
    15 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It's a brainless activity

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    #10

    Stephen Beals comic depicting customer interactions at a retail checkout, highlighting common work stress.

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    AmyBcat
    Community Member
    Premium
    15 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Perhaps a "special" que for such special people (idiots)

    #12

    A Stephen Beals comic about retail work stress, showing a customer refusing a store credit card and offering five dollars instead.

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    AmyBcat
    Community Member
    Premium
    15 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Yes! Pay it forward baby! Be a Pro proletariat!

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    #13

    Stephen Beals comic: An employer asks a female employee to work overtime; she declines, citing childcare, illustrating work stress.

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    AmyBcat
    Community Member
    Premium
    14 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Freedom works if you work it.

    #14

    Stephen Beals comic depicting customer interactions with an employee saying it is quiet, leading to a long line.

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    AmyBcat
    Community Member
    Premium
    14 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Heh heh...times flies when you're havin' fun...

    #15

    A Stephen Beals comic about retail and customer interactions, with a customer complaining about short staffing.

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    AmyBcat
    Community Member
    Premium
    14 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    But Victoria, Sense isn't Common 😒

    Never miss a story that brings joy to the world. Follow on Google News

    #16

    A Stephen Beals comic illustrating work stress from retail music and customer interactions.

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    Nathan Schinigoi
    Community Member
    2 days ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I had two jobs back to back that played "rock lobster" about 3-4 times a shift. Funny at first, but the stupid animal sounds he makes at the end of the song still haunt my nightmares. 3 years of a man screeching animal sound everytime i worked.

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    #17

    Stephen Beals comic: a customer demands to speak to a manager, then assistant manager, but only the employee is there.

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    Nathan Schinigoi
    Community Member
    2 days ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I was so tired of being yelled at for not having a manager or assistant on staff, because the company didnt care and was saving money, that i started just giving them the managers phone number so they could yell at him. Turns out they found the money for an assistant manager pretty quick after that.

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    #18

    A comic by Stephen Beals about retail, work stress, and customer interactions, illustrating a female employee upset about her salary.

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    Nathan Schinigoi
    Community Member
    2 days ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    And they wonder why they cant keep good employees. Theres more money in the hiring budget than the retention budget, so good employees stick for a couple years and then get a new job to get the deserved pay raise. Corporate stupidity at its best.

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    #23

    Stephen Beals comic: an angry customer complains about waiting for a pharmacy to open, but it doesn't open until 9am.

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    AmyBcat
    Community Member
    Premium
    14 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Perhaps it's That sort of "script"...😬😬😬

    #24

    Stephen Beals comic illustrating a coworker advising on handling customer interactions and work stress.

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    AmyBcat
    Community Member
    Premium
    14 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    An Art Form .. again

    #47

    Stephen Beals comic about retail customer interactions with a closed register and a cat accepting bribes.

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    kaycee14
    Community Member
    2 days ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Is the customer getting older in each panel?

    #50

    Stephen Beals comic depicting customer interactions during the holidays with a retail worker discussing selling items.

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    Maggie Fulton
    Community Member
    2 days ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I pity store workers during the holidays, especially when they have Christmas music on for about two months…

    #59

    A Stephen Beals comic about retail work stress, showing an employee struggling with store closing announcements and stacking boxes.

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    goldoche
    Community Member
    1 day ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Love the "Do not stack boxes" joke, it's so perfectly true.

    #63

    A comic by Stephen Beals about retail work stress, showing customer interactions during store closing time.

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    Nathan Schinigoi
    Community Member
    2 days ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Oh how i wish we could do that. I did have a cool manager who turned off the lights when we closed and that seemed to do the trick. Funny how they dont understand until you inconvenience them.

    #87

    A comic by Stephen Beals about work stress, featuring a customer making a bad joke to a retail worker.

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    ChakatBlackstar
    Community Member
    1 day ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Word of advice: you are not the first person to tell that joke. Ever. No, not even that one.