ADVERTISEMENT

When living with a feisty cat, life is never boring, and comic artist Nick Filippou and his cat Minnie are a good example of that. Nick makes comics based on his everyday life with his cat and captures funny moments that most cat owners can relate to.

We previously featured Nick’s comics here on Bored Panda and you can find them by clicking here for part 1!

In an older interview, Nick explained the full context of his comics to us: "So, the comics star my real-life rescue cat, Minnie. I adopted Minnie 5 years ago from a shelter in Baltimore. She was a former stray and part of a TNR program (trap neuter release) that spent most of her life living outside. The clipped ear in the comics is real, and is from her being a part of the TNR program. My first comic came from a Christmas poem I wrote about the cat’s perspective of 'Twas the Night Before Christmas' and have been drawing them ever since. Minnie is always the inspiration."

More info: iizcat.com | Instagram | Facebook

Bored Panda reached out to Nick with even more questions regarding him and his work! First, we asked if the artist perhaps was working on some new projects we could be looking forward to.

"There’s a few! A big thing that’s happening in my personal life is that my wife and I are expecting! I have a lot of ideas of Minnie and the baby going on adventures… and driving their human dad nuts…

A larger project I’ve been working on is a collection of short stories starring Minnie and other cat adventures. I have no idea how long this will take me but it is something I’m having fun with!"

#2

Artist Sums Up Life With A Cat In 30 Comics (New Pics)

iizcat Report

Add photo comments
POST
leodomitrix avatar
Leo Domitrix
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Upvoted b/c it's also "pet o'clock", and "play o'clock" and "zoomies o'clock"....

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu

We also wanted to know if the artist had a comic he was proud of, and we thought it was only fair if he'd share his thoughts with us!

"That’s a hard one… I really like the 'Alone Together' comic where Minnie decides to be 'alone' with the human and it’s exactly what he needed. I’ve also enjoyed making all the Halloween comics like the 'Monster Under The Bed' and the Christmas comics. My favorite series has to be The Tuna Chronicles. I had a lot of fun making those."

ADVERTISEMENT
#4

Artist Sums Up Life With A Cat In 30 Comics (New Pics)

iizcat Report

Add photo comments
POST
nadinebamberger avatar
Nadine Bamberger
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Oh I see it, no mere mortal being could exude that level of contempt and superiority, cats always rule.

View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT

Artists go through a few art phases trying to find the art style they could call their own, however, it seems like Filippou is pretty settled in that area, however, that doesn't mean the artist wouldn't like to try something new.

"I’d like to experiment with animation at some point! I haven’t started down that path yet but am interested. I also have some more ambitious stories and comics in my head that I don’t really know how to create yet… but like with everything, it just takes practice and some trial and error."

Starting out with comics (or art in general) isn't easy, so we asked the artist if he had any tips to share.

"There’s a great comic by The Oatmeal called 'The Eight Marvelous And Melancholy Things I’ve Learned About Creativity.' It nails the highs and lows and the overall journey of creating in general. I highly suggest reading that. That said, my biggest advice is to just go ahead and start creating. Whether it’s on a piece of paper, a sketchbook, or a digital pad. Just start. That’s half the battle. Everything else falls into place after that. Don’t wait for the right time or think your art isn’t good enough yet. There are always going to be other artists who are more talented, more liked, more established, can work faster, etc. Who cares? Create because you want to create. Don’t worry about pleasing an audience or competing against other artists."

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

When it comes to people having opinions on his comics, here's what the artist thinks, "I just hope that my comics can bring people joy. There’s a lot going on in this world, and if a comic about Minnie plotting to murder a house plant gives you a chuckle, that’s a win for me."

Each artist has different plans for the future, and here's what Nick's ideal future would look like.

"Id like to put together more books and collections! I’d really love to see my comics physically in a book store like Barnes and Noble someday. That’s always been a dream of mine."

Artists tend to receive various comments on their work, and sometimes one negative comment can affect one's thoughts quite significantly.

"There’s been a few over the years of similar comments of where a particular comic has helped them laugh during a tough time they were going through in their lives. The fact they took the time to let me know that meant a lot.

ADVERTISEMENT

There have also been plenty of negative ones! And sometimes the negative ones you can take as an opportunity to improve, and some other negative comments you need to just learn to ignore. When you share things on the internet, you’re going to get plenty of both. (Mostly positive, though!)"

#12

Artist Sums Up Life With A Cat In 30 Comics (New Pics)

iizcat Report

Add photo comments
POST
nadinebamberger avatar
Nadine Bamberger
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

They leave a bloody, mangled, half eaten corpse for you to clean up and doubts about keeping such a ruthless devourer of wildlife in your home start to creep in but then they jump on your lap and purr and everything is fine.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#13

Artist Sums Up Life With A Cat In 30 Comics (New Pics)

iizcat Report

Add photo comments
POST
nadinebamberger avatar
Nadine Bamberger
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That's why it feels like being knighted when a cat comes to you for pets and cuddles.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu

For some people, art is not only a hobby, but something way more, something that helps them to cope with whatever life might throw at them.

"Art is expression. Most of my comics are inspired by real events. These comics are an outlet of what I’m feeling and it’s helped me with all the highs and lows of real life."

#14

Artist Sums Up Life With A Cat In 30 Comics (New Pics)

iizcat Report

Add photo comments
POST
bobbiemeyers avatar
kathrynbaylis_1 avatar
Kathryn Baylis
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yes! If they kill any unwanted critters while indoors, then they’re a hero. I’ve been lucky that the cats I’ve rescued and adopted have all been skilled at hunting and killing rodents and/or bugs. We don’t need to set traps. We have our little fuzzy army protecting us from invaders.

Load More Replies...
ugh_what_now avatar
Ugh_What_Now
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Domestic cats live in colonies. Even when not hungry, they hunt for the old, young, sick, and weak. It's not just for "fun". Domestic cats are not and were never meant to be wild. Keep them indoors at all times.

sunnyday0801 avatar
Sunny Day
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Easier to hunt when you're rested & well fed already. Mine are indoor only. But they do like chittering at the birds and squirrels through the window screens in the summer.

blackwaterdiver88 avatar
Jaime Blackwater
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Mildly less impressive when you consider most of those critter kills are small helpless animals and not something large like a lion, wolf or bear would kill and eat haha.

calebr avatar
Caleb R
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

And my cat has a ZERO percent success rate, choosing instead to 1) lick mice and treat them like kittens, and 2) chase them around the room and up my pant legs. But she's a cute little moron, so there's that.

sam_46 avatar
JustSomeScroller
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is my least favorite, so many people ignore the horrendous things cats do to nature. They can go outside but shouldn't be allowed to freeroam or kill things any more than my dog is allowed to

s-aomadadhain avatar
Tinder of the SkyWings
Community Member
2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My vote is for serval. they have a 48% rate and can high jump better than our best athletes.

jerussrp avatar
JeRuss
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

32% successful kill rate...70% in open habitat! HOW AM I NOT BEST FRIENDS WITH MY CAT!??

sheera_gandolfo avatar
Sheera Gandolfo
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I feed birds in the bush outside the window with the cat ledge on it. Someday my cat will finally scratch through the glass window and show those birds who's boss!

lauraprobst avatar
Laura Probst
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Even indoors my kitties are excellent hunters, catching the bugs and occasional skink that creep into my basement apartment. The skinks I try to rescue if I can, but I let 'em have the bugs. 😄

nickdesmedt avatar
Spinaap
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

they do include bugs do they ... like the tiny spiders ...

stellajames2008 avatar
PandaGirl85
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

We have a kitty (5M) who kills any and everything he can get his paws on (I'm serious I've had to pock him up to prevent his from killing a variety of squirrel and chipmunks) and another (10M) who doesn't even want to go outside.

vyren avatar
Mindghost
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Like humans. Indians in america hunted for food and all was in balance. White man came and hunted for fun and the buffalos nearly went extinct with only a few left.

t_d_bostick avatar
T. D. Bostick
Community Member
2 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

Well, mice are a lot easier to kill than horned antelopes, wild boar, or slippery salmon.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
#16

Artist Sums Up Life With A Cat In 30 Comics (New Pics)

iizcat Report

Add photo comments
POST
nadinebamberger avatar
Nadine Bamberger
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

During the witch trials cats were declared to be in cahoots with the devil and therefore killed bthe thousands, which led to a surge in the rodent population which led to the spread of the literal plague.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#19

Artist Sums Up Life With A Cat In 30 Comics (New Pics)

iizcat Report

Add photo comments
POST
aislingraye avatar
Aisling Raye
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My cats over the last 16 years... cat 1: loved boxes until she was about 5y/o... cats 2&3 (current ages 5 and 1) have never so much as jumped in a box despite having plenty of opportunities to do so. (Cat 2 does love a good nap in the little garbage can in the bedroom tho.) Has every cat I've owned been broken? Lol

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#22

Artist Sums Up Life With A Cat In 30 Comics (New Pics)

iizcat Report

Add photo comments
POST
kayblue avatar
Kay blue
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I have two house gargoyles, they take it in turns to launch themselves onto my head when they think it's time I was awake. This morning it was 4am.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#24

Artist Sums Up Life With A Cat In 30 Comics (New Pics)

iizcat Report

ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#29

Artist Sums Up Life With A Cat In 30 Comics (New Pics)

iizcat Report

Add photo comments
POST
riina-t-e-siltanen avatar
Mere Cat
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Lucky. What I see is the butt... At a close range. (Yes, I know cats consider this an honor. I'm blessed :D )

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#30

Artist Sums Up Life With A Cat In 30 Comics (New Pics)

iizcat Report

Note: this post originally had 51 images. It’s been shortened to the top 30 images based on user votes.