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What is considered horror for you might not be the same for animals or things—and vice versa. To explore this bizarre premise, Mark Parisi took it upon himself to illustrate what would be viewed as a scary movie for balloons or, for example, cats.

Mark is very well-known for his hilarious comics, all of which fall under the name Off The Mark. And if you haven't heard of him already, this post might ease you into his creative universe.

So, even though the spooky season is behind us, there's always enough space to laugh at some horror-themed comics.

More info: Instagram | offthemark.com | patreon.com | Facebook

Once again, we reached out to Mark to ask more questions about his comics. Previously, Mark had mentioned monsters as a favorite subject from his childhood. We were wondering if there were specific films, books, or personal experiences that significantly influenced his love for creating spooky and humorous art.

Mark wrote: “I think I originally liked drawing monsters because there were no rules. You could add as many eyes or legs as you wanted. But generally, monster humor is dark, and the combination of dark and silly can be fun.”

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    #2

    Cartoon about animals at a horror movie. Screen displays "Anything That Moves" while audience of mice reacts in fear.

    mark_parisi_otm Report

    #3

    Comic showing a balloon warning a ceiling fan about danger, with surprised audience watching in horror movie setting.

    mark_parisi_otm Report

    Steve Robert
    Community Member
    12 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I love it when people scream at the screen when one of the dumb protagonists decides to go down to the basement by themselves " DON'T GO DOWN. HE'S WAITING FOR YOU!", as if their warning is going to change the plot.

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    Among all the classic Halloween elements—like witches, ghosts, and werewolves—we asked which one Mark enjoys illustrating the most. 

    He responded: “Maybe ghosts because they are so easy... just loose, squiggly lines. But a werewolf in transition can be fun because there's so much concentrated kinetic energy to try to capture.”

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    Creating humor from horror is a unique skill. Mark shared the challenges he faces in making scary subjects funny.

    “The silly part has to override any gruesome part,” Mark wrote.

    #6

    Comic of a Lego block on the floor, terrifying feet on a couch, depicting horror movies for things.

    mark_parisi_otm Report

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    Having drawn Off the Mark for 35 years, we wanted to know how Mark's artistic style or approach to cartooning has changed over time, particularly when it comes to Halloween-themed art.

    “Well, after all those years I hope I've gotten better at it. Looking back at some of my old stuff can be a true horror for me,” shared Mark.

    #8

    Comic of gingerbread cookies on an ungreased pan, resembling a horror movie scene for cookies.

    mark_parisi_otm Report

    #9

    Cartoon pillows watching a scary movie of a pillow fight, illustrating horror for objects.

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    Rhett Butler
    Community Member
    12 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I can only imagine how they feel

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    #10

    Comic depicting a dog's perspective on a horror movie featuring yellow snow and the title "The Yellow Waterfall."

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    Judy Reynolds
    Community Member
    12 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I have said for years that the weather is not really cold if the yellow waterfall is still liquid when it hits the lamp post!

    #11

    Cartoon snowflake in a winter scene encountering a salt shaker with eyes, creating a horror movie vibe for objects.

    mark_parisi_otm Report

    Rhett Butler
    Community Member
    12 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Now I feel bad about using salt

    #12

    Comic showing scared wrapping paper rolls as one is about to be cut with scissors, illustrating horror scenarios for objects.

    mark_parisi_otm Report

    Steve Robert
    Community Member
    12 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Edward Scissor Hand: The Prequel

    #13

    Cats watching a horror movie featuring a giant cat on screen, illustrating a comic about animal horror movies.

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    Tabitha
    Community Member
    11 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Time and place, dear. Time. And. Place.

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    #15

    Cartoon showing theater audience reacting to a horror movie scene with stick figures and a giant pencil.

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    Steve Robert
    Community Member
    12 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I saw Eraserhead in the theater. I think that was a different movie.

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    #16

    Cartoon of limes in a theater watching a margarita with horror, illustrating horror movies for animals and things.

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    Steve Robert
    Community Member
    12 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It's only a slice. Doctor thinks he can save the rest for later. In the sequel.

    #17

    Comic of mayfly awards with audience, highlighting humorous take on the short lifespan of mayflies.

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    Rhett Butler
    Community Member
    12 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    He gonna be doing it for a lifetime

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    #18

    Comic of fruit flies excited in a theater, parodying a horror movie scene.

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    Steve Robert
    Community Member
    12 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It was a 24hour experimental film, but nobody was alive to see the ending.

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    #19

    Cartoon dogs watching a horror movie at an outdoor theater, depicting a humorous take on horror movies for animals.

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    Rhett Butler
    Community Member
    12 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    at least he's getting all the channels

    #20

    Comic showing gingerbread cookies being broken, with one in the audience saying, "I hate breakup scenes!" Horror movie for things.

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    Steve Robert
    Community Member
    12 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    But they'll be reunited in the toilet scene.

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