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Writer and cartoonist Charlie Hankin is one of those artists who can distill an entire human condition into a single, deceptively simple drawing. His one-frame comics balance sharp humor with quiet existential weight, turning everyday moments into tiny philosophical puzzles.

Instead of giving readers clean answers, Hankin invites them into the ambiguity, leaving space to interpret, question, and connect the dots themselves. It’s this blend of wit, minimalism, and emotional precision that makes his work feel both instantly relatable and endlessly re-readable — the kind of art you come back to because it reveals something new each time.

More info: Instagram | youtube.com

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    #3

    Black and white cartoon showing funny single frame story with a wolf and three pigs by this artist.

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    Blackmoon The Dragon
    Community Member
    3 weeks ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I haven't seen her around a lot lately, I offer unsee juice/magic spells if she comes :)

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    tragical dude
    Community Member
    3 weeks ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    the big bad wolf needs small, good therapy

    Andrew Keir
    Community Member
    3 weeks ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Or "w*lf c*rc*s*s, if the c*ns*r at B*r*d P*nd* had been paying attention

    #4

    Line drawing of an artist’s single frame funny story showing guests reacting to a soccer player at a party.

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    Bill Swallow
    Community Member
    3 weeks ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The European Lawn Diving championships. (Now, WOMEN'S Soccer, on the other hand - THEY are TOUGH!!!)

    les
    Community Member
    3 weeks ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    in the womens world cup one of the england team played with a fractured leg

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    Andrew Keir
    Community Member
    3 weeks ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The immediate cure is to give a free-kick to his side and a yellow card to an arbitrarily chosen member of the opposing team. Soccer player will be back on his feet within seconds :-)

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    #5

    Two people on a porch watching Canada geese flying in formation forming a word in a funny single-frame story.

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    Angela B
    Community Member
    3 weeks ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    In Austraya, cassowary would be "meh"

    #6

    Funny single frame artist cartoon showing a father being raptured for tech support with a humorous one sentence caption.

    mecharliehankin Report

    tragical dude
    Community Member
    3 weeks ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    irreverently hilarious. the church member (me) laughed.

    Andrew Keir
    Community Member
    3 weeks ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    "Just flood the whole world and have it dry up again"

    #7

    Black and white single frame comic by artist showing mermaids with drinks and a mermaid man refusing to drink humor story.

    mecharliehankin Report

    Bill Swallow
    Community Member
    3 weeks ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Just as well. I hear they water the drinks there.

    #8

    Black and white cartoon showing two men discussing the dangers of a hoverboard in a single frame artist story.

    mecharliehankin Report

    Andrew Keir
    Community Member
    3 weeks ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    So is a pedal cycle but the dumbness exceeds the street cred by miles

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    #9

    Two women watch as a dog shakes a cocktail shaker by a bar cart in a funny single frame story illustration.

    mecharliehankin Report

    #10

    Cartoon by artist showing cavemen humorously telling a funny story in a single frame with one sentence caption.

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    Phantom Phoenix
    Community Member
    3 weeks ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Well Paper, Scissors, and Spock hadn't been invented yet. And everyone knows Rock crushes Lizard

    #11

    Two women shopping with one comparing the value of an expensive dress versus many one-dollar tacos in a single frame story.

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    Angela B
    Community Member
    3 weeks ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Mmmm tacos. Lots of tacos.

    Blackmoon The Dragon
    Community Member
    3 weeks ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Why would anyone spend that much money on clothing when you could buy clothing that looks just like it for a lot less AND have money left over for food/shelter/water/charity?

    Andrew Keir
    Community Member
    3 weeks ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Charity shops rock - imho. Or "op shops" in NZ, fsr.

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    #12

    Black and white cartoon showing a late night talk show with a Jesus figure and a producer during a funny single frame story.

    mecharliehankin Report

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

    If he only talks carpentry, the audience is likely to be board.

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    #13

    Black and white cartoon illustrating a funny story by an artist using a single frame and one sentence humor.

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    Sofia
    Community Member
    3 weeks ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    jack is off... ok sorry

    Community Member
    3 weeks ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    "Jack of knaves" refers to the playing card that is now called a jack, which was formerly known as a knave. The name change from "knave" to "jack" occurred in the 19th century to avoid confusion with the king card, as the abbreviations "K" (king) and "Kn" (knave) were too similar. "Jack" was already an informal term for the card and had a meaning of a "common man," similar to the historical meaning of "knave" as a servant or man of low social status.

    Phantom Phoenix
    Community Member
    3 weeks ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I'm not that flexible! Oh wait, there's a comma there. Ignore me

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    #14

    Courtroom cartoon showing a man defending an anteater, one-frame funny story by an artist with a single sentence.

    mecharliehankin Report

    Auntriarch
    Community Member
    3 weeks ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    What!! Oh ants, sorry just for a second I read aunts - phew!

    #15

    Black and white cartoon of two dogs at a bank counter illustrating a funny single-frame story by the artist.

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    Andrew Keir
    Community Member
    3 weeks ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I'm struggling to work out what a dog would be depositing in a bank ... ?

    Auntriarch
    Community Member
    2 weeks ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Haha, my father in law used to say "made a deposit" when the dog did what he'd been taken out to do.

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    #16

    Cartoon octopus artist telling a funny story with a single frame and sentence about eye exams and octometrics.

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

    The goal is to be able to sing 🎼 I can sea clearly now... 🎵

    Bill Swallow
    Community Member
    3 weeks ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    So... Either way, he's 'Doc Ock'.

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    #17

    Simple black and white cartoon showing a queen talking to a frog, illustrating funny stories with a single frame and sentence.

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

    "and now you know... the rest of the story".

    #18

    Single frame funny story illustration showing a snail doctor explaining slime is normal to a melting patient.

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    Lotekguy
    Community Member
    Premium
    3 weeks ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I don't have as much confidence in a Doctor who has a home office.

    #19

    Single-frame humorous illustration of an artist telling funny stories with a simple sentence and minimalistic line art.

    mecharliehankin Report

    Bill Swallow
    Community Member
    3 weeks ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Took the therapist months to get him out of his shell. Normally, he just clams up.

    #21

    Black Lagoon character tells a funny story in a single frame cartoon by an artist using one sentence.

    mecharliehankin Report

    Dave In MD
    Community Member
    3 weeks ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    But what high school in St Louis did you go to? IYKYK

    Lotekguy
    Community Member
    Premium
    3 weeks ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    For those who don't know, that's the default first question when meeting someone in St Louis. The assumption is you must have come from here, because virtually nobody moves here.

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    #23

    Cartoon humor by artist showing a sea lion and woman in a funny single frame with witty one sentence story.

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

    She otter know better.

    Andrew Keir
    Community Member
    3 weeks ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The idea of using animals as cashiers at the Zoo got off to a sticky start

    #24

    Black and white cartoon showing a woman being told the counter is reserved for lone dudes staring at their phones silently.

    mecharliehankin Report

    #25

    Black and white cartoon showing two men at a table with cigarettes, illustrating a funny story by an artist in a single frame.

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

    I doubt that smoking could hurt him. Perhaps the disappointment comes from his indifference to the effects of secondhand smoke on others.

    Lauren Linden
    Community Member
    2 weeks ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Probably. One can presume, after all, that the doctor built him with a heart. And a brain.

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    #26

    Black and white single frame illustration of two children on swings with a humorous caption about school.

    mecharliehankin Report

    #27

    Two cats watching a birthday party scene in a funny single frame illustration with a witty caption.

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    #28

    Two firefighters using a hose in a single frame artwork telling one of the funniest stories by the artist.

    mecharliehankin Report

    #29

    Cartoon artist tells funny stories with a single frame and sentence showing leprechauns and a rainbow car break-in.

    mecharliehankin Report

    #31

    Black and white cartoon showing scientists with a computer and chessboard, illustrating funny stories told by the artist in one frame.

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    Bill Swallow
    Community Member
    3 weeks ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Anyone else remembering IBM's 'Watson' beating Ken Jennings and Brad Rutter on 'Jeopardy'?

    Tim Perry
    Community Member
    3 weeks ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    As long as it doesn't want to play Global Thermonuclear War.

    #32

    Black and white cartoon showing ants investigating a giant fingerprint crime scene in a single frame funny story.

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    Kitty 🥀
    Community Member
    3 weeks ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    So it WASN’T the anteater, after all.

    Bill Swallow
    Community Member
    3 weeks ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This one wasn't *eaten*. And who's to say the anteater didn't come along and clean up other crime scenes?

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    #33

    Line drawing of a single-frame funny story by an artist showing dog characters in a doctor’s office with a humorous caption.

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    Bill Swallow
    Community Member
    3 weeks ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    "There was an old lady who swallowed a fly..."

    #34

    Black and white cartoon showing a construction machine and workers with a humorous story told in a single frame.

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    Blackmoon The Dragon
    Community Member
    3 weeks ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This sounds like something that could happen eventually tbh

    #35

    Black and white cartoon showing a patient telling a therapist a funny story in a single frame with one sentence.

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    Andrew Keir
    Community Member
    3 weeks ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    That's how you realise it's a dream

    #36

    Black and white cartoon showing a funny story by an artist with a single frame and one sentence caption.

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    #37

    Black and white cartoon showing a girl talking to a police officer about a chaotic room in a funny single frame story.

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    #39

    Black and white comic showing horse racing with a car and passengers shouting hit the gas in a funny single frame story.

    mecharliehankin Report

    #40

    Single frame cartoon from the funniest stories told by an artist featuring a humorous graveyard scene.

    mecharliehankin Report

    #41

    Black and white cartoon showing a prehistoric scene with stone slabs and a man promoting firmness in a humorous story frame.

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    #42

    Black and white cartoon showing a bar scene illustrating one of the funniest stories told by this artist in a single frame.

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    #43

    Black and white cartoon of an artist on stage performing a magic trick, illustrating funny stories in a single frame.

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    Andrew Keir
    Community Member
    3 weeks ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    "... and a scantily clad young lady to distract you all at the relevant moment"

    #44

    Black and white single frame cartoon by artist showing two naked figures walking with an angel overseeing, telling a funny story.

    mecharliehankin Report

    Auntriarch
    Community Member
    3 weeks ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    That would be me. Apples aren't worth it. Mangos now...

    Zig Zag Wanderer
    Community Member
    3 weeks ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    In fact, the fruit was never named, so perhaps....

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    #45

    Black and white comic illustration showing a humorous story told by an artist using a single frame and sentence.

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    Andrew Keir
    Community Member
    3 weeks ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Chef will NOT be happy about that

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

    A mime is a terrible thing to wait... on.

    #46

    Black and white cartoon by artist showing a funeral scene with a speaker telling a funny single-frame story.

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    #48

    Cartoon artist tells a funny story in a single frame with a grumpy character lying on a therapist's couch.

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    #49

    Black and white cartoon showing a queen, guard, and jester controlling puppets, highlighting artist's funny single frame stories.

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    ROB
    Community Member
    1 week ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This one makes me laugh so much. What a terrible job to have

    #50

    Black and white single frame cartoon showing a man writing at a desk with a crow and penguin nearby in a funny story style.

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    Novlette Williams
    Community Member
    3 weeks ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    "Quoth the penguin" would have been a seriously dope quote though.

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

    The poor penguin had to wait decades for his big break in publishing when they started Batman comics. It proved to be worth the wait.

    Phantom Phoenix
    Community Member
    3 weeks ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It didn't even seem to help when he started his own book publishing company

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    #51

    Black and white single frame cartoon by artist showing two men discussing a light bulb with a humorous caption.

    mecharliehankin Report

    #53

    Cartoon of two spiders in a therapy session, illustrating funny stories told by the artist in a single frame and sentence.

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    Andrew Keir
    Community Member
    3 weeks ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Just for once, Ariadne's explanation wasn't all tangled up

    #54

    Black and white cartoon showing two women in a gym looking at a dangerous workout machine, funny single frame story.

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    #55

    Black and white cartoon showing a football player lying on a therapist's couch with caption Go deep, funny single frame artist story.

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    #57

    Minimalist cartoon showing two castaways on a small island using humor in a single frame story by artist.

    mecharliehankin Report

    #58

    Single-frame comic showing a robot lying on a couch talking to a therapist, illustrating funny story art.

    mecharliehankin Report

    #59

    Black and white cartoon of a wedding scene with a priest and couple about to start a thumb war as a funny single frame story.

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    #60

    Black and white cartoon showing an artist using a single frame and sentence to tell a funny story about bison.

    mecharliehankin Report

    #61

    Black and white single frame cartoon showing a woman on a throne and a fortune teller, depicting funny artist stories.

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    #62

    Black and white illustration showing the funniest stories by an artist with single frame and one sentence humor.

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

    I wonder what crime/s she/they committed?

    #63

    Hand-drawn cartoon showing two men and a sign reading narration for 1 dollar, illustrating funny single frame stories by an artist.

    mecharliehankin Report

    #64

    Humorous single-frame comic by artist showing a doctor talking to a patient about listing blood type as influencer.

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    Bill Swallow
    Community Member
    3 weeks ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    "Dopey". The word you're looking for is 'dopey'.

    #65

    Cartoon artist telling a funny story with a single frame and sentence about bass face in a humorous medical setting.

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    #66

    Black and white cartoon illustrating funny stories by an artist using a single frame and one sentence with musical instruments.

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    David Paterson
    Community Member
    3 weeks ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I went to a great party recently. Four people brought ukeleles, spontaneously, independently.

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    #67

    Black and white comic art showing aliens in UFOs with a funny story told using a single frame and one sentence.

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    Khavrinen
    Community Member
    3 weeks ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    "We've got plenty of space for him to get by us."

    #68

    Single frame cartoon showing aliens walking from a UFO with a man and two humans watching, illustrating funny stories by artist.

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    les
    Community Member
    3 weeks ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    martin the martian always felt like a typo

    #69

    Two men playing video games, illustrating one of the funniest stories told by an artist in a single frame and sentence.

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    #70

    Black and white single frame comic by artist showing two baseball players with gloves sharing a humorous moment.

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