21 Comics By Mark Parisi That Perfectly Blend Music References With Cartoon Humor

The idea for the series emerged from Parisi’s own creative routine. In an interview with Bored Panda, the cartoonist explained that he often listens to music while writing comics, usually sitting in cafés with earbuds in while trying to come up with new jokes. According to Parisi, the entire concept likely began when he connected the Pretenders song “Precious” with Gollum from Lord of the Rings. From there, the idea quickly expanded into multi-panel comics pairing different characters with songs that unexpectedly fit their personalities, like Mr. Spock listening to Supertramp’s “The Logical Song.” As Parisi explained, “It became a fun mind exercise trying to make these music and character connections.”

What makes the series work especially well is that the humor operates on several levels at once. Some jokes land instantly through visual absurdity, while others reward readers who recognize the music reference hiding behind the character choice. The four-panel structure also gives the comics a fast rhythm, allowing different generations, fandoms, and musical tastes to collide inside a single gag. Parisi’s cartoons still carry the clarity and accessibility of classic newspaper humor, but the references feel perfectly suited for modern internet audiences raised on memes, playlists, and pop culture overload. Scroll down to see some of his newest music-themed comics.