Thai Illustrator Makes Colorful Comics That Take Unexpected Turns And Here Are 18 Of The Best Ones
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The holidays are coming to a close, and some believe that there‘s no time more bluesy than the one after the festive season. Hence it’s the perfect time to take a look at these heart-wrenching comics from 27-year-old Tum Natakorn Ulit, an artist from Bangkok, Thailand, whose unique style and sad stories are almost guaranteed to squeeze a tear out of you. Though they‘re thematically different, these so often relatable comics always convey a bittersweet sense of tragedy.
Ulit told Bored Panda that he gets inspiration for his cartoon drawings and stories “Mostly from pain and my own experience that I interpreted into comics so that I can express those feelings.”
A sense of tragedy is ambiguous. In some sense, it‘s heart-wrenching, even painful, to see someone in a tragic circumstance. On the other hand, seeing a tragedy is sort of mesmerizing, it catches you in a mysterious way, it connects to you. Catharsis is a feeling of elation and exaltation that comes at the culmination of observing a tragic experience from afar. A great greek philosopher Aristotle has said that catharsis has the power to cleanse a person‘s soul and to reinvigorate one‘s life, making one appreciate it even more. These comics are, in some sense, a highly concentrated form of tragedy. It breaks one‘s heart to seem them unravel the way they do, but even after the most unexpected plot twist, you can see a small ray of hope peering through.
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Soldier boy
Image credits: Tum Natakorn Ulit
Insert coin here
Image credits: Tum Natakorn Ulit
Hello again
Image credits: Tum Natakorn Ulit
Hi and goodbye
Image credits: Tum Natakorn Ulit
My precious…
Image credits: Tum Natakorn Ulit
Ulit says that he realized the good he could do for others when a friend called him after seeing one comic, tearfully telling the artist that he had thought he was the only one. His words pulled Ulit out of a dark time in his life. “I want to turn my situation into something else, something that people can appreciate or might even help them in any way,” he says. “Helping others might just be my own excuse, these colorful drawings might just be my own therapy…”
Cat’s vision
Image credits: Tum Natakorn Ulit
Almost a miracle until…
Image credits: Tum Natakorn Ulit
Hug Hug
Image credits: Tum Natakorn Ulit
His bio on Facebook reads “Only tears can clear your eyes,” and his creative ideas, all rendered in cartoonish colors and charmingly soft textures, usually have bittersweet endings that show that forgiveness and hope are possible.
In his comics, people who realize their errors can reconcile with their loved ones, and lost love means that if one person turned out not to be the one, better opportunities are yet to come. He sometimes ventures into social commentaries that have no silver lining by nature, such as noting the senselessness of war or the destruction of our natural resources for the benefit of the upper 1%. But in general, the prevailing theme of his work is valuing what we have in front of us, rather than working for unattainable wealth or dwelling on missed opportunities.
Mr. Santa, do you see me?
Image credits: Tum Natakorn Ulit
Pick colors for your nature
Image credits: Tum Natakorn Ulit
Only God(zilla) knows
Image credits: Tum Natakorn Ulit
I choose you, you eat me
Image credits: Tum Natakorn Ulit
“I’m an observant [type] who focuses on the actual world and things happening around them. I enjoy seeing, touching, feeling, and experiencing. I want to keep my feet on the ground and focus on the present, instead of wondering why or when something might happen,” Ulit says. Scroll down for some of his best comics, and have tissues ready.
No matter how high it is
Image credits: Tum Natakorn Ulit
And they all lived happily ever after?
Image credits: Tum Natakorn Ulit
Happiness Begins
Image credits: Tum Natakorn Ulit
Same hand that hold you
Image credits: Tum Natakorn Ulit
A flower that fits the soul
Image credits: Tum Natakorn Ulit
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Some of these hit hard like the dog, or work one.
or that love one... Unfortunately for me, I always been stabbed
There are different kinds of love, Lenka, and even if you believe nobody has ever loved you, not even your family. Then love what you create and make, and the love you give it will be reflected back to you.
PhantomBuni love
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✅✅Looking for hook up with a stranger! ⚡⚡ Ready for any experiments! ⚡⚡ --==>>> ︆︆v︆︆.︆︆︆︆ht/UA8N
Have no idea what most of these are trying to convey
yeah some were too long and I feel like captions or dialogue would help to convey the story.
Exactly, Peter. Some were clear enough, but others...just confusing. And I’m usually pretty good at seeing hidden meanings or messages. Anyone out there want to contribute some captions for a few of the murkier examples? Maybe even the author, Tum Ulit, could weigh in. Thank you!
I think they were beautiful. But that’s just my opinion I’m sorry
nothing. most of them are just predictable tearjerkers with no message
You lack comprehension.
“I Choose You, You Eat Me” is about how many politicians are corrupted, and do not have the interest of the people at heart. “No Matter How High It Is” is about a woman who gave everything to a man, because she loved him and thought he loved her. Eventually she realizes he was using her, and decides to start her own life, without him. “And They Lived Happily Ever After?” is another eye-opener that uses classic fairy tales and myths to show how bad pollution is. “Happiness Begins” is about a father who was so obsessed with work he never spent time with family, and when he finally realized his mistake, his wife was gone and his son’s childhood too, however his son forgave him, and they re-forged their bond. “Same Hand That Hold You” is about a troubled man who went to prison, but reformed and became a doctor once released. “A Flower That Fits The Soul” is a reminder that, no matter how much you want someone, they are individual and have their own problems and needs, and everyone must
temptations try to distract her. She “already found her precious”. “Cat’s Vision” is a lesson that, no matter what price is put on something, be it art or something more, the best payment you could give is true and honest appreciation. “Almost a Miracle” is about how a young boy got his heart broken when he realized his crush already had a boyfriend. “Hug Hug” is about a girl who keeps trying to date, but always ruins the relationship somehow. Eventually she finds someone who loves her, and instead of rejecting her because of her flaws, he embraces them. “Mr. Santa, Do You See Me?” is about a poor girl in an abusive household that just wants to have a glimmer of a normal childhood. “Pick Colors for your Nature” is showing how pollution is slowly killing our planet, and that the next generation (children) will be living in a half-broken world. “Only God(zilla) Knows” is about how nothing needs to destroy earth; we humans do a better job at it than anything else.
I think "almost a miracle" is more a spin on a classic fairy tale, where instead of cinderella having a magic makeover, it's the boy. but he doesn't chase after.
“Soldier Boy” is about a dog who had split allegiances, and their first master, the one that was more loyal to them, had to sacrifice the dog in order to instil peace, however the (presumed) pup of the dog survived and was given to one of the soldiers. “Insert Coin Here” is about people spending so much time on work and money, that slowly their time runs out. The “Insert coin to continue” at the end is to symbolize the choice the man now has to either continue pursuing material things or spend what little time he has left with his loved ones. “Hello Again” is about a special bond a girl with cancer and her dog had, before they both died and were reunited in death. “Hi and Goodbye” is a metaphorical tale about how some people will do anything to impress someone, anything for love, even destroy themselves. However, no matter how hard you try, some people will not turn to you. “My Precious” is about a grandmother who values her family above all else, no matter what sort of rich
I actually thought it was the same dog- just that the man was looking back on a memory.
understand and accept that. Hope this helped! Read from bottom to top, by the way.
Okay: I liked the art of these, but the dog/solider, and the dog and little girl got to me (darn onion cutting ninjas). those two were the best in my opinion. :)
Some of these hit hard like the dog, or work one.
or that love one... Unfortunately for me, I always been stabbed
There are different kinds of love, Lenka, and even if you believe nobody has ever loved you, not even your family. Then love what you create and make, and the love you give it will be reflected back to you.
PhantomBuni love
This comment is hidden. Click here to view.
✅✅Looking for hook up with a stranger! ⚡⚡ Ready for any experiments! ⚡⚡ --==>>> ︆︆v︆︆.︆︆︆︆ht/UA8N
Have no idea what most of these are trying to convey
yeah some were too long and I feel like captions or dialogue would help to convey the story.
Exactly, Peter. Some were clear enough, but others...just confusing. And I’m usually pretty good at seeing hidden meanings or messages. Anyone out there want to contribute some captions for a few of the murkier examples? Maybe even the author, Tum Ulit, could weigh in. Thank you!
I think they were beautiful. But that’s just my opinion I’m sorry
nothing. most of them are just predictable tearjerkers with no message
You lack comprehension.
“I Choose You, You Eat Me” is about how many politicians are corrupted, and do not have the interest of the people at heart. “No Matter How High It Is” is about a woman who gave everything to a man, because she loved him and thought he loved her. Eventually she realizes he was using her, and decides to start her own life, without him. “And They Lived Happily Ever After?” is another eye-opener that uses classic fairy tales and myths to show how bad pollution is. “Happiness Begins” is about a father who was so obsessed with work he never spent time with family, and when he finally realized his mistake, his wife was gone and his son’s childhood too, however his son forgave him, and they re-forged their bond. “Same Hand That Hold You” is about a troubled man who went to prison, but reformed and became a doctor once released. “A Flower That Fits The Soul” is a reminder that, no matter how much you want someone, they are individual and have their own problems and needs, and everyone must
temptations try to distract her. She “already found her precious”. “Cat’s Vision” is a lesson that, no matter what price is put on something, be it art or something more, the best payment you could give is true and honest appreciation. “Almost a Miracle” is about how a young boy got his heart broken when he realized his crush already had a boyfriend. “Hug Hug” is about a girl who keeps trying to date, but always ruins the relationship somehow. Eventually she finds someone who loves her, and instead of rejecting her because of her flaws, he embraces them. “Mr. Santa, Do You See Me?” is about a poor girl in an abusive household that just wants to have a glimmer of a normal childhood. “Pick Colors for your Nature” is showing how pollution is slowly killing our planet, and that the next generation (children) will be living in a half-broken world. “Only God(zilla) Knows” is about how nothing needs to destroy earth; we humans do a better job at it than anything else.
I think "almost a miracle" is more a spin on a classic fairy tale, where instead of cinderella having a magic makeover, it's the boy. but he doesn't chase after.
“Soldier Boy” is about a dog who had split allegiances, and their first master, the one that was more loyal to them, had to sacrifice the dog in order to instil peace, however the (presumed) pup of the dog survived and was given to one of the soldiers. “Insert Coin Here” is about people spending so much time on work and money, that slowly their time runs out. The “Insert coin to continue” at the end is to symbolize the choice the man now has to either continue pursuing material things or spend what little time he has left with his loved ones. “Hello Again” is about a special bond a girl with cancer and her dog had, before they both died and were reunited in death. “Hi and Goodbye” is a metaphorical tale about how some people will do anything to impress someone, anything for love, even destroy themselves. However, no matter how hard you try, some people will not turn to you. “My Precious” is about a grandmother who values her family above all else, no matter what sort of rich
I actually thought it was the same dog- just that the man was looking back on a memory.
understand and accept that. Hope this helped! Read from bottom to top, by the way.
Okay: I liked the art of these, but the dog/solider, and the dog and little girl got to me (darn onion cutting ninjas). those two were the best in my opinion. :)