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The Horrific Reality Of Today’s Social Issues Illustrated By This Artist (21 New Pics)
Interview With Artist
Not long ago, we introduced you to comic artist Maaike Hartjes, who explores uncomfortable topics such as racism, politics, human rights, and other social issues. Maaike has a knack for putting things into perspective, challenging readers to confront important matters rather than look away.
The artist also draws some relatable, lighthearted comics as well, however, with things getting pretty rough out there, Maaike tends to focus on tougher issues. In an interview with Bored Panda, Maaike shared: “With all the horrible things happening in the world (war, climate disasters, political changes, etc.) my comics have become even more political. At the same time, I'm also drawing more fun stuff because I could use a break. I've just joined Comictober and am now drawing a lot of Halloween comics.”
More info: Instagram | Facebook | maaikehartjes.nl
This post may include affiliate links.
#1
Red PANda (she/they/he/ze) 1 year ago
IKEA is deliberately designed as a labyrinth so that when you go there to buy one thing, you have to walk past everything else, so you might be tempted to walk home with more than you came for…
Mr.Li 1 year ago
Thats why I always walk through the registers, right to the aisle with the stuff i want
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We also asked Maaike to describe the essence or theme behind her comics herself.
She wrote: “I’m drawing very personal comics about my life and everything that interests me. It can be autobio or political or both, but in the end, I draw what's on my mind and what's important to me.”
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#2
Wisteria Bookworm 1 year ago
Tbh I absolutely love Asian women, I just love WOMEN in general, they’re so pretty..but I don’t think I am 😩
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Gabriel Camomescro 1 year ago
... seriously, or are you making a bad joke?
Load More Replies...The artist told us more about her typical day when working on a new comic.“I’m a freelance illustrator so I can plan my own working day. I usually wake up late and scroll the news and Instagram before breakfast. This usually gives me a lot of inspiration, so then I get up to sketch my new ideas on my iPad.
After some work, I take a long walk, make some mistakes, and when I get back I continue drawing. In the evening/at night I finish the comic I plan to post the next morning.”
#4
Ace 1 year ago (edited)
It's the way people deliberately and maliciously spread hate speech and then hide behind "I'm entitled to my opinion" and 'free speech' when criticised for it. In the same vein as anything starting with "I'm not a racist/[insert bigot of choice] but..."
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Nimitz 1 year ago (edited)
I have a lot of trans friends and work with a surprising number of trans people in a cis/het/male dominated field. We hear this s**t all the time. Especially people being like "But what about sports and fairness." Listen a*****e, if you want sports to be fair, there are height and weight classes. We'll talk about the rest when trans kids are safe in their own homes with their own parents, because currently they are not. And it's about to get worse here in Canada. Just look at what the Alberta and Saskatchewan governments are doing with their "parents rights" bills deliberately targeting trans kids in schools. I'm absolutely ashamed to have come from that region
#5
Emma London 1 year ago
The sad thing is that most of the pro-Israel people hate Jewish people (they just hate Muslim people more I guess) and when this is over, they go back to hating all non-Christians again.
Farah the Turtle 1 year ago (edited)
I'm a Muslim. A semetic. AND I STILL GET CALLED ANTI SEMETIC! HOW CAN YOU BE SEMETIC AND ANTI SEMETIC? Theres a difference between Anti Semetic and Anti Zionist! PLEASE LEARN, PEOPLE!
Ąåřţđęşịɠŋȿ 1 year ago (edited)
That definitely does not sound fair... But on a different note, how can the MAGAts be so un-American and still be considered American? Hmmm. I feel we should be deporting THEM.
Load More Replies... Red PANda (she/they/he/ze) 1 year ago
There were obviously way smarter ways to go about this than harming innocent civilians.
We were wondering whether Maaike has ever scrapped a comic idea after starting it. She replied: “Oh yes, I do this all the time! I have a huge file with idea sketches and only finished 10% of them. The sketches or unfinished comics that are left behind either don't work well enough, or a new idea for a comic pops up that gets priority. I have more ideas than I can draw!”
#6
Nimitz 1 year ago
The fight continues and we continue to survive! It's really sad that public hate has come back into fashion ever since Trump came on to the scene. Here's hoping we can overcome it again in the 2020s!
Nimitz 1 year ago
For context, even conservative politicians were reluctant to appear homophobic or anti-trans in Canada till recently. Now the new conservative leader (and likely next Prime Minister) refuses to answer questions about his policy towards trans kids, refuses to attend Pride events (sent his deputy to one flag raising and that was it for the year), and refuses to denounce caucus members who say and do homophobic things. Up here we all know that the great hatred is coming for us again next year.
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Red PANda (she/they/he/ze) 1 year ago
I see Palestinians on social media all the time begging for help to get out of there, it’s terrible that this has been going on for so long now without an intervention. Like, it’s LITERALLY genocide. You know what else was genocide? The Holocaust. Something so terrible we all swore to never let it happen again. Well, look where we are now, we’re standing by the sidelines while the Holocaust is happening again. Sorry for ranting I’m just really frustrated about this!
Farah the Turtle 1 year ago
EXACTLY!!! And it pisses me off how many ppl are uneducated. I get downvoted to hell for saying "Free Palestine" on here sometimes bro :(
Load More Replies...Maaike shared a time when a reader’s response really made her feel good about her work.
“I'm touched by all the people who share my comics, especially the anti-racism and political ones. Someone recently told me they saw my work used in an anti-racism presentation, and I felt so honored.”
#9
Lastly, the artist added: “I wish people would realize more how amazing comics are. They're such a great way to tell a story in a simple, fun, and quick way and can reach a lot of people. Of all art forms comics seem most underrated to me, while they have enormous potential.”
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#15
Panda Pandemic 1 year ago
I am slowly realizing I have yet to fall asleep and it's 6am. My brain is not functioning and I am not comprehending these comics. Send help please!!!!! :/
Nimitz 1 year ago
This needs to be called out more. It's extreme right wingers f*****g everywhere committing war crimes and worse and the rest of us are just trying to live lives of peace and decency. But because a handful of hatemongers manage to get in power through democratic or non-democratic means, the world must suffer. I no longer believe nations start wars, only political parties do.
Panda Pandemic 1 year ago
I thought the point of a comic is to be able to read it? Scratching out the words is bonkers.
#16
penguino (they/them) 1 year ago
Tbh I just think the artist is portraying themselves and they happen to appear female \_:P_/ but I did see a cute panda shirt they could draw on :)
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#17
Tamra 1 year ago
Agreed. I think a better descriptor under Trump would be "dangerously unhinged".
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#19
Invisible Potato 1 year ago
well, they did. they murdered 1200 people and took 250 hostages and then play a victims in hopes they get away with it.
Emma London 1 year ago
And now Israel wants to slaughter the whole country because of a group of terrorists.
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#21
StarCrossedFriday 1 year ago (edited)
Seriously? Is this the idea now, that Israel is trying to kickstart WWIII?
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What do you think ?
RamiRudolph 1 year ago
Wow, those were fücking garbage. I wanna read comics for fun, not to get fücking lectured.
StarCrossedFriday 1 year ago
Some balance would’ve been nice here. The world isn’t as simplistically black and white as these portray.
Evagating Beewolf (she/they) 1 year ago
"All people are equal, but some people are more equal than others"
penguino (they/them) 1 year ago
tbh leaning really heave on war and politics, but a good thing to talk about 8/10 :/
Mariotevez 1 year ago
BP will post these and no media in support for the adverse opinions and act surprised when its labeled as biased. Who knew?!?!?
RamiRudolph 1 year ago
Wow, those were fücking garbage. I wanna read comics for fun, not to get fücking lectured.
StarCrossedFriday 1 year ago
Some balance would’ve been nice here. The world isn’t as simplistically black and white as these portray.
Evagating Beewolf (she/they) 1 year ago
"All people are equal, but some people are more equal than others"
penguino (they/them) 1 year ago
tbh leaning really heave on war and politics, but a good thing to talk about 8/10 :/
Mariotevez 1 year ago
BP will post these and no media in support for the adverse opinions and act surprised when its labeled as biased. Who knew?!?!?
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