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Vaughan Tomlinson is back on Bored Panda with his most recent cartoons! If you missed our previous posts featuring strips by this master of one-panel wit, you should definitely check them out.

This artist’s series is packed with sharp observational humor and a touch of the absurd. Tomlinson’s work has appeared in popular magazines like The Times, The Wall Street Journal, and Reader’s Digest. Without further ado, keep scrolling to explore his latest strips and learn more about the series straight from the artist himself!

More info: Instagram

We reached out to Vaughan to learn more about his work. We were curious about the strangest or most unexpected source of inspiration he’s ever used for his strips. Here’s what we found out: “I try to find humor in everything. There’s always something funny about even the darkest, saddest moments. Probably one of the most unexpected sources of inspiration was a eulogy at a funeral. The person speaking kept mentioning the fact they had attended an elite university, which had nothing to do with anything, certainly not the person whose funeral it was. And I just thought, this would make a great cartoon.”

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    When asked about specific comic ideas that he personally loved but ultimately scrapped because they felt too weird or risky, Tomlinson responded: “I’m a big fan of slapstick, physical comedy. Especially ’80s films starring Leslie Nielsen. Think Airplane! and the Naked Gun films. I always end up drawing really silly cartoons along the same vein. They make me laugh but I end up scrapping them because I’m pretty certain that no one would ever publish them.”

    #4

    Observational comic by Vaughan Tomlinson showing two men at a bar, one speaking to a radiant figure, with a woman watching.

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    #5

    Two men in an office, one sitting with notes, the other with head in hand, illustrating observational comics by Vaughan Tomlinson.

    vaughantomlinson Report

    panther
    Community Member
    10 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Hey at least he has some, well at least for now.

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    The cartoonist shared with us that sometimes he receives feedback that he completely wouldn’t expect. He explained: “I am sometimes genuinely surprised when people get offended by a cartoon. It’s usually because they interpret it in a way I had never even thought of.”

    #6

    Observational comic by Vaughan Tomlinson: Grim Reaper visits man's 40th birthday, saying "I'm here for the hair."

    vaughantomlinson Report

    Finally, Vaughan told us that there isn’t a single strip he’s created that holds special meaning to him. However, he added: “ I really love drawing bugs and animals. All the insect ones are my favorites.”

    #8

    Santa holding a fly swatter, standing by a child's bed in an observational comic by Vaughan Tomlinson.

    vaughantomlinson Report

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    #9

    Observational comic by Vaughan Tomlinson showing a father reassuring a child about monsters in the closet.

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    #10

    Observational comic by Vaughan Tomlinson showing a figure on a chair with others whispering, captioned humorously.

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    #11

    Penguin sitting at bar next to bartender, captioned "Plenty of ice," in clever observational comic by Vaughan Tomlinson.

    vaughantomlinson Report

    Bartlet for world domination
    Community Member
    10 months ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    A vacationing penguin is driving his car through Arizona when he notices that the oil pressure light is on. He gets out to look and sees oil dripping out of the motor. He drives to the nearest town and stops at the first gas station. After dropping the car off, the penguin goes for a walk around town. He sees an ice-cream shop and, being a penguin in Arizona, decides that something cold would really hit the spot. He gets a big dish of ice cream and has at it. Eating with flippers, ice cream everywhere. After finishing, he goes back to the gas station and asks the mechanic if he's found the problem. The mechanic looks up and says "It looks like you blew a seal." "No no no!" the penguin says hastily, "It's just ice cream!"

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    #13

    Family with devices and luggage in observational comics scene by Vaughan Tomlinson.

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    robecca leyden
    Community Member
    10 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Looks like they have a giant picture of avocados.

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    #14

    Observational comic by Vaughan Tomlinson depicting two women talking on a city street about going out.

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    #16

    Man with a mug observes accountants flying south in an observational comic by Vaughan Tomlinson.

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    #17

    Observational comic by Vaughan Tomlinson showing a parrot repeating "How's the project going?" between two office workers.

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    Lotekguy
    Community Member
    Premium
    10 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    "TPS Reports! TPS Reports! TPS Reports!"

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    #18

    A clever observational comic by Vaughan Tomlinson depicting two people having a humorous conversation on a stoop.

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    #20

    Observational comic by Vaughan Tomlinson showing a family praying at dinner with a humorous tweet reference.

    vaughantomlinson Report

    panther
    Community Member
    10 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    That is probably not far off in certain circles. Are you sure it's Lord Elon and not President Elon?

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    #22

    Two dogs at a table, with one complimenting the other's skunk scent. Observational comedy by Vaughan Tomlinson.

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    #24

    Observational comic by Vaughan Tomlinson shows two witches flying in a carpool lane beside a person in a car.

    vaughantomlinson Report

    Admiralshallbethejudgeofthat
    Community Member
    10 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Apparition is faster (HARRY POTTER FANS KNOW WHATS UP!!!)

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    #25

    Observational comic by Vaughan Tomlinson featuring Frankenstein with a humorous take on wine pairing at dinner.

    vaughantomlinson Report

    #26

    Observational comic by Vaughan Tomlinson depicting two angels in heaven discussing clichés.

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    #27

    Two people observing drones in the sky with a telescope; observational comic by Vaughan Tomlinson.

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    #29

    Clever observational comic by Vaughan Tomlinson showing cavemen critiquing cave art, saying "Derivative."

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    #30

    Couple in bed with musician playing guitar in spotlight; observational comics by Vaughan Tomlinson.

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    #31

    Observational comic by Vaughan Tomlinson of a B**M scene with a humorous twist related to cartooning.

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    #32

    Comic by Vaughan Tomlinson showing a person at a desk telling a visitor, "I'm afraid the doctor left early today."

    vaughantomlinson Report

    Toothless Feline
    Community Member
    10 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    “But I need to see Dr. Magritte right away!”

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    #33

    Artist cartoon by Vaughan Tomlinson shows an artist sitting at a table with a 'Meet the Artist' sign.

    vaughantomlinson Report

    #35

    Comic by Vaughan Tomlinson featuring climbers surprised by a talking yeti in the mountains.

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    #36

    Observational comic by Vaughan Tomlinson showing two people looking at an airship with "Your Ad Here" written on it.

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    #37

    Observational comic by Vaughan Tomlinson: Angels joking about marriage vows in the afterlife, with halos and wings.

    vaughantomlinson Report

    #38

    Comic by Vaughan Tomlinson: Courtiers discuss a forthright king as a jester lies on the ground nearby.

    vaughantomlinson Report

    panther
    Community Member
    10 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Except he lies every time he opens his mouth.

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    #39

    Comic by Vaughan Tomlinson: Crowd cheers as cyclist rides towards a broken bridge, shouting "Do it! Do it! Do it!"

    vaughantomlinson Report

    #40

    Observational comic by Vaughan Tomlinson featuring birds in a humorous living room scene with clutter.

    vaughantomlinson Report

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