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30 Funny Takes On The World Of Retail Employees By Stephen Beals (New Comics)
Interview With Artist
Get ready to dive into the retail world with Stephen Beals' latest "Adult Children" comics! If you've ever worked in customer service or just wondered what goes on behind the scenes, you're in for a treat. Stephen's witty humor brings everyday life situations in the retail sector to the forefront, shedding light on the struggles, interactions, and absurdities that retail workers face.
The artist started drawing comics as a way to unwind after work, turning everyday frustrations into funny art. Today, we bring you a fresh batch of his recent works, where every strip is a relatable slice of the daily grind. From amusing customer encounters to the dynamics among colleagues, Stephen captures it all in a way that'll have you nodding in recognition and chuckling at the universal truths of working in retail.
More info: Instagram | stbeals.com | twitter.com | Facebook | gocomics.com
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We contacted Stephen again to learn more about the creative process, influences, personal experiences, and insights for aspiring cartoonists. We were curious to know if the artist has any routines or habits that help him create comics regularly and stay productive. He jokingly replied that, firstly, he sits down and gets comfortable. Not too comfortable, though, because he doesn't want to fall asleep. "Then I have to physically put my pen in my hand. If I don’t do that, I’m likely to start reading something, like Bored Panda. While Bored Panda can be a lovely treat during the day, it can also be a tool for procrastination for me."
I accidentally said that to a cop once. He stopped in and asked if there'd been any troublemakers today and I said "Well, now that you're here..." I meant to continue "...I'm sure there won't be" but he started laughing so hard I couldn't finish.
Stephen has mentioned before that his passion for comics was sparked by newspaper cartoonists from his childhood. When we asked the artist if there were specific cartoonists or comic strips that hold a special place in his heart, he replied, "If I'm rereading Calvin and Hobbes, it will brush off with me. Same with Bloom County and Peanuts. I've read so many, and there are many wonderful oldies. Lately, I've been checking old newspapers. If you go back several decades, you can discover comics that never made it to a book collection."
To add more intrigue, we asked Stephen to depict a typical day in his shoes as if his life were a comic strip. "I sort of do that now," the cartoonist shared. "A lot of things depicted in the comic aren’t too far off from my life. I think I would make myself an iguana with a cowboy hat. Nothing like an iguana in customer service. It would be my life with a little flair."
If you aspire to be a comic artist, Stephen has some advice for you! "Do what interests you. If you try and guess what people will like, it most likely won’t work. Have fun. That’s the most important."
I wish employee could say this to customers and not get fired
If only there were some answer to "Now let me tell you...." that stopped them. But there isn't
If EVERYONE HATES shop jingles, why do manglers keep putting them on? I bet it drives people out of stores faster instead of getting them to buy more...
Had that happen to me at an office supply store. Couple came in, decided to buy a large flat pallet desk & office chair. They pulled up in sedan. I offered to have our shipper drop it off no charge but they insisted. I managed to wrangle it all in but the passenger had to wriggle under it and basically lay down in the back seat with the front seat back laid over them. So I joked that hopefully they're close by. Nope, 2 hours away. o0
Note: this post originally had 50 images. It’s been shortened to the top 30 images based on user votes.
I really like this comic and tried to add it to the ones I follow regularly, but the website is almost unnavigable on mobile.
Are you talking about my website or on GoComics? Honestly, GoComics is the better site.
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I always enjoy these. They help sooth the pain left by over a decade in retail in my early career.
These seem to be predominantly festive, not everyday...and a couple of months late.
I really like this comic and tried to add it to the ones I follow regularly, but the website is almost unnavigable on mobile.
Are you talking about my website or on GoComics? Honestly, GoComics is the better site.
Load More Replies... I always enjoy these. They help sooth the pain left by over a decade in retail in my early career.
These seem to be predominantly festive, not everyday...and a couple of months late.
