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Steve McGinn makes minimalist comics using a Flair pen and a scanner. His drawings are simple but sharp, often diving into the weird, funny, and oddly relatable moments of everyday life. From awkward social situations to pop culture references, tech woes, and more, his cartoons land somewhere between absurd and totally spot-on.

You might’ve seen his work in Funny Times, Weekly Humorist, The American Bystander, Alta Journal, Freaky Magazine, and Words & Sports Quarterly. His cartoons also show up on Nelson Line greeting cards, and he's been featured in two anthologies from the “Ultimate Cartoon Book by The World’s Greatest Cartoonists” series — Everyone’s A Critic, and All’s Fair in Love & War, both edited by Bob Eckstein.

More info: Instagram | cartoonstock.com

Bored Panda reached out to Steve McGinn to learn more about his creative process, inspirations, and the impact of his cartoons in today’s fast-paced media landscape. The artist admitted he might be either cursed or blessed with the habit of jotting down almost fully formed cartoon ideas in words the moment they strike. "To no one's surprise, if I don't jot them down immediately, they're likely gone. From there, they get transferred to a big list of ideas to be drawn out when the time comes. Some ideas are better than others, but they'll all make it from my black Flair pen onto copy paper at some point."

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    Speaking of inspiration for cartoons, Steve confessed he has no idea where it comes from — but he doesn’t question it. "Just about anything socially human comes from a person's personal take on life unfolding, not that stagnation can't also be funny, and I'm no different in that inherent procession. If, for whatever reason, someone comes from or suppresses their own personal take, let's hope it's only for survival purposes and not from some lack of trusting it or fear of how it'll come across. Learning to trust and be forthcoming about your personal decisions can be tough, though. It also often takes courage. By the way - I'd be remiss to not mention that my wife Julie, our daughter Caroline, and our cat Mazzy are HOF members of this 'life unfolding' bit."

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    According to Steve, he tries not to dwell too much on reactions, whether they’re good or bad. "I'm happiest when I think a drawing is able to loyally convey whatever idea it's intending to. Maybe even give it a little something extra that makes it better. Reviews can louse all that up. Likewise, what appears to be popularity contests makes me wonder if people forgot such petty things were supposed to end after high school. All that being said, I do appreciate it when someone gets an obscure reference or has a strong appreciation for the absurd. I love the sensation that occurs when one other person chuckles at the same bit as you in a coincidentally silent movie theater. The joy of connecting is wonderful when people find their people."

    #6

    Hand-drawn comic by Steve McGinn showing two men discussing social media and continuous applause humorously.

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    #7

    Cartoon by Steve McGinn showing an elephant playing a band with weird, funny, and relatable everyday moments.

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    As our attention spans shrink, we were wondering what role cartoons play in today's culture. Steve told us he doesn’t think he’s very qualified to comment on today’s culture of fast media other than to say it sounds like something he’d spoof. "I guess that'd be my cartoonist role then, adjacent as it is. My brain would probably liken it to the age-old trick of 'fast-talking' as in the vocal equivalent of tenderizing meat so you can do what you want with it. Hey! On the list goes!"

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    #9

    Black and white comic by Steve McGinn showing two men playing basketball with a humorous caption about getting looked at.

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    #10

    Two people looking at a laptop in a comic by Steve McGinn highlighting funny and relatable everyday moments.

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    Serena Myers
    Community Member
    1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Is there? 🎶I follow nobody, no not I, and nobody follows me🎶

    #11

    Three men with beards clinking glasses in a comic by Steve McGinn illustrating relatable everyday life moments.

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    #13

    Comic by Steve McGinn showing a person stressed, highlighting weird and funny moments of everyday life.

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    #16

    Black and white comic illustration of a car with a student debt sign, highlighting weird and funny moments of everyday life by Steve McGinn.

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    #17

    Comic by Steve McGinn showing two people on a couch with one saying don't get me started on basically everything.

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    Marketable
    Community Member
    1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Nobody needs to get you started; you are a yapping self-starter.

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    #18

    Comic by Steve McGinn featuring a woman humorously listing things she won't do, illustrating relatable everyday moments.

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    Serena Myers
    Community Member
    1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    That'll be me in my care home. Cantankerous old biddy till the end, lol.

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    #20

    Black and white comic by Steve McGinn showing three men with one saying preference should be given to those who can pay.

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    Tabitha
    Community Member
    1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Only if they truly deserve it. Otherwise, go to the back of the line, a*****e.

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    #22

    Black and white comic by Steve McGinn showing a doctor explaining a warped brain scan to a patient.

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    Marketable
    Community Member
    1 month ago

    This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

    Ah yea, a cuck and his wife's phony liberal brain; a mass of tangled confusion and faith in lies told her by the propagandists of the globalist-elites-owned-and-programmed MSM.

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    #24

    Comic by Steve McGinn shows a humorous barber and customer discussing a possible new hairstyle in everyday life.

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    #26

    Black and white comic by Steve McGinn showing a woman asking a masked man about eating or wearing something humorously.

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    #27

    Comic by Steve McGinn showing a man in robes responding to a burning bush with the caption the internet begs to differ.

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    #28

    Comic by Steve McGinn showing a couple having a casual, funny, and relatable conversation in everyday life.

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