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Single-panel comics may look simple, but fitting an entire joke into one illustration isn’t always easy. Mat Barton keeps his drawings minimalist, using short dialogue and unexpected ideas to create comics about everything from everyday frustrations to disability and cowboys.

The cartoonist has been creating comics since he was a kid, when he was obsessed with Calvin and Hobbes and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. He is also a paraplegic, and disability has become a recurring subject in his work. As he explained to Bored Panda in a previous interview, he uses humor to cope with his frustrations and point out the little things he's noticed as a disabled person. Cowboys, meanwhile, appear simply because he really likes them.

We’ve collected some of Barton’s recent comics below. Scroll down to see his takes on everyday life, and whatever else he finds funny.

More info: Instagram | matbarton.com | newmobility.com

Many of Mat's ideas come from conversations with his best friend Adam Cooper, who is credited as a co-writer on much of his work. They talk on the phone several times a week, mostly trying to make each other laugh, and those conversations often turn into new comic ideas.

Barton’s influences include cartoonists William Steig, George Booth, and Jack Ziegler, as well as writer Charles Portis. His own advice to other cartoonists is straightforward: draw what you think is funny rather than trying to create something you think will sell.

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    #7

    Football player thanks God for raining frogs and locusts in cartoon by Mat Barton

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

    Wait'll till the Super Bowl ! Boils and darkness for everybody !

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    #10

    Cartoon of werewolf and man drinking beer at bar with full moon joke

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

    Reason to have cake: Well, it's *somebody's* birthday...

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    #11

    Cartoon of two men with laptops discussing work and pay in a coffee shop

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    43Duckies
    Community Member
    2 days ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    But you can't eat it to keep from starving, or sleep in it to stay warm and dry and safe, so...

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    #12

    Amazon meeting discussing a shorter, balder James Bond in cartoon by Mat Barton

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

    With a giant space pen, is...? ⤵⤵⤵

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    #14

    Cartoon of a couple sitting on a couch smoking, commenting on being outlaws humorously.

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

    Sure, except for the incarceration for small quantities.

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    #15

    Cartoon of soldiers in a muddy trench referencing General Tso in a funny war cartoon by Mat Barton

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

    Fives seconds later..."Clark don't look at me like that, I'm not a chicken! Cluck! I mean Clark!"

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    #21

    Pirate crew cheering as a man walks the plank in a humorous cartoon

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

    I suspect that most pirate ships were not ADA compliant.

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    #22

    Cartoon of Batman and Robin debating wearing capes in absurd cartoon style

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

    "This is Capetown, what did you think?"

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    #26

    Cartoon of a flamingo among penguins saying college changed me

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    43Duckies
    Community Member
    2 days ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    And now kiddo will discover just how impractical bare legs are in Antarctica.

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    #30

    Woman surprised by pope-like visitor at her door cartoon

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    Apatheist
    Community Member
    2 days ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Nobody expects the Spanish Inquisit1on!

    #31

    Superhero struggling to break chains labeled super sponsored content

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

    Find lockpick lawyer on YT.

    #33

    Man surprised by couple's relationship status in cartoon by Mat Barton

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    Ryan F. Mercer
    Community Member
    1 day ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This is my brother. We just went to our mother's funeral, and I'm too choked up to talk about.

    #44

    Cartoon titled The Emperors New Massage Chair with a naked emperor on a vibrating throne.

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

    Needs more gold decorations on the walls.

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    #46

    Cartoon of a horse anxiously asking a vet for something to make it more tranquil.

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

    Technically Ket and PCP are anesthetics. Hate to be a party pooper

    #47

    Cartoon of a man picking up dog p**p with dogs watching, expressed in a funny way

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

    Owner: "I wish he didn't stare into my soul when he drops these"

    #55

    Cartoon of cowboy wearing stack of hats on horse selling cowboy caps

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

    Oh that reminds me of the books called “Caps for Sale”!! Except instead of monkeys, I feel like the coyotes are going to get something from ACME. Upvote if you’ve heard of/read Caps For Sale

    #63

    Doctors puzzled by a witch's brain rejection during surgery cartoon

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    43Duckies
    Community Member
    2 days ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Well there's your mistake, you tried science instead of magic.

    #68

    Cartoon of a plumber lying on a tall stack of mattresses with text plumber and the pea

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

    “Luigi and the Leak”. (Upvote if you know that the Mario brothers were plumbers!)

    #71

    Cartoon of a chef in front of a guillotine in a crowd in a humorous everyday situation cartoon.

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

    The chef's hat is beautiful and now I can't stop giggling!🤭😄

    More from this series:
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    1If You Like An Absurd Sense Of Humor, You Might Like These 30 Cartoons By Mat Barton 2If You Like An Absurd Sense Of Humor, You Might Like These 21 Cartoons By Mat Barton (New Pics)
    3 You’re hereIf You Like An Absurd Sense Of Humor, You Might Like These 72 Cartoons By Mat Barton (New Pics)