“Sometimes It’s Funny Here”: 30 Of The Best Absurd Comics By This Russian Artist

Korabelnikov is from Russia, but before you jump to any conclusions about what these comics might be about or their atmosphere, here's how the artist talks about his home country: "I'm from Russia; not from Russia, where Ivan Drago rides a bear over nuclear missiles and even the rainbow is so scary and gray that it could be a promotion in the new horror film, but from that Russia where there are many kind and happy people open to the world."

The artist who posts his comics in both Russian and English says anything can trigger his imagination, from events in his personal life to something that happened to people around him.

Don't get charmed by the adorable style of the comics—some of them have a deeper meaning that you will only be able to notice if you look at yourself and the world around us with irony. The artist says that conveying the hidden messages through comics is actually the most challenging part of drawing comics.

"I think the hardest part is to convey the emotion and hidden meaning of the comics. Sometimes the plot has a double meaning. And the most pleasant thing is the smiles of my relatives, friends, and everyone who can recognize themselves in the comics. I draw them for these moments."

'Proidemtes' most often follows stories of animals, foods, astronomical objects, and inanimate objects. This all comes from the artist's surreal imaginary world where anything is possible.

"I think many of us from time to time ask the question: 'what if our gadgets, tools and other things have their own personal lives?' or 'what if animals had their own hidden world with their own problems, needs, and reflections?' So my comics are kind of a parallel universe where you can understand the language of animals and gadgets and be something like an outside observer."

Rabbits, snails, flies, pigeons, sloths, and more regularly appear in the comics.

"I've loved animals since I was a child. They are always like kids, aren’t they? And as I said, the main idea is to try to look into some alternative universe and find out what’s happening there in a world with talking animals. Oh, and also I’m really bad at drawing humans."

Korabelnikov can't imagine his life without humor and it shows in his comics that are lighthearted, with a pinch of sarcasm and absurdity.

"Well, I cannot imagine how anyone can live without humor in this world and take everything seriously without self-irony. Probably only politicians and insurance agents can survive without these qualities."

The artist draws just for fun at this point and has a daytime job to pay the bills, but he hopes that someday, one of his characters will become a local meme.

The author of 'Proidemtes' says he generally gets a very positive reaction and shares a funny story that illustrates what can happen when you get the facts wrong.

"They usually laugh. I like it. I once drew a series with the planets of the Solar System with a short, humorous text, as if a space traveler had written it. So a real Russian doctor of astronomy came in the comments and tried to note all the inaccuracies in the text. It was funny."

Korabelnikov says he wants to evoke self-irony in people who read his comics and make them understand that we all share the same struggles and problems.

Lastly, the artist shared a valuable piece of advice for upcoming artists: "Don't listen to what others have to say about your works. Just create and have fun. Because if not, then what's the point?"