Get Premium
Dark mode theme is available exclusively for premium users. Learn more about the benefits of subscribing.
No fees, cancel anytime.
Dark Mode 
No fees, cancel anytime 
then open in external browser
and click "Open in External Browser" 
30 Comics About Making It Through Life While Fighting Mental Health Issues By This Artist
Interview With Artist
Comics are one of the many mediums that artists use to express themselves and their thoughts. An artist by the name of "Yaplaws Comics" is no different as they use said art form to talk about their everyday thoughts, mental health, and just life in general.
Bored Panda reached out to "Yaplaws" with some questions! First, we wanted to know how the artist got started and was inspired to start making comics.
"I grew up reading all sorts of traditional comics—but as an adult, I preferred alt comics like Chris Ware, Seth, Gabrielle Bell, the Hernandez Brothers, and Jeffrey Brown. I can’t leave out Edward Gorey—even though he was not a comic artist."
More info: Instagram | yaplaws.substack.com
This post may include affiliate links.
#1
sherry powers 3 years ago
I got to work about 10-15 mins early and sit in my car and watch the stars until 5 mins before I have to clock in. It's pretty much the only time I get time to myself.
Leanne Hailes 3 years ago
Can't enjoy/afford anything in Canada right now. Thanks to peoples taking advantage of CERB payments that they don't even qualify for or deserve
When it comes to getting inspired and making comics for a reason, the artist revealed that, “I make comics as a means to express feelings and questions that I don’t know how to ask in another way. My comics are not necessarily about making readers smile. I always hope to connect with them on a deep emotional level. It also helps to create things others can relate to.”
RELATED:
#2
Yoga Kitty 3 years ago
...and then I got Covid and everything has lost its taste. Didn't worry too much about it in the beginning but now it has been over three months and I am seriously starting to wonder if pizza will taste like moldy cardboard for the rest of my life? And chocolate like nothing at all? I have all of a sudden lost one of my strongest tools for rewarding, comforting and enjoying myself. I know that I shouldn't use food as soulfood anyway - maybe my sense of taste will return as soon as I have developed a more reasonable coping mechanism?
Load More Replies...
Sharon Kapon 3 years ago
Hahaha…. As a person who deals with mental health I know how it feels
BeepBeepBoopBoop 3 years ago
I literally love iced coffee idk what I'd do without it
Load More Replies... Stephanie Paich 3 years ago
Being mindful of the moments you experience something that makes you feel good is very helpful. Even if you only smile for a second, take note of the fact that you smiled and be grateful for having something to smile about. It makes getting through the frowns easier.
Shyla Bouche 3 years ago
In case anyone is interested, Mormons aren't supposed to drink coffee.
Surprisingly enough, the artist was rather busy with comics as he told us that at times he used to make around 10 comics a day, however, later the number dropped as he told us himself, “I make one or two daily now, though I had been doing as many as ten a day and barely sleeping, at the beginning of 2018. I typically get up and ride to the coffee shop in the wee hours of the morning. I take a few hours to write and draw my comic in ProCreate on my 2nd Gen iPad Pro.”
#4
Verified Loser 3 years ago
Accurately me.... One side can smile as a butterfly flits passed me on a walk as I'm simultaneously worrying about everything I need to do, want to get done, and otherwise.. It's a life saver.
#5
lesbian artist 3 years ago
aww reminds me of my mom and my brothers........... cause I don't know where they are but I know they're alive...
When it comes to being an artist, Yaplaws told us that he was always involved in the industry in one way or another. “I have always loved art as well as the commercial art world of books and print. I just love the printed object and how it can say so much about the time it was created. I had not made any art after art school, but was jump-started again when I was posting on the site ello.co. My handle there is @agency, it’s a place to show your art online and alongside some really talented creators. I used to make mostly vector art that was flat - and totally different. I eventually started making comics which I felt allowed me to tell a more specific story than art for art's sake.”
#6
Hyper-fixated-Panda 3 years ago
It bit me, and I turned. It was so fun being a vampire, but my doctor says "You'Ve GoT RaBieS! YoU coUld dIe!"
Johnny Storm 3 years ago
Vampire:"And that's why I only get my blood from blood bank. People is just being creepy now.."
PanteraSilva 3 years ago
Why? Immortality isn't as bad when you look at it in a different angle. For example how much you can learn
Rose 3 years ago
But everyone you'll ever love will die and leave you . . . ☹️
Load More Replies... Jaime Blackwater 3 years ago
I wouldn't mind honestly. It may bleak, but I'd watch humanity off itself. Go into vampirebernation until new life is sensed then re-emerge to see what's come to replace humans. And the whole being a vampire thing would make it easier to survive in the new world I'm sure!
Lorraine R 3 years ago
But vampires crave mammalian blood. What if the only survivors are arthropods?
Load More Replies... #7
Angersly 3 years ago
The fact that he's completely alone and doesn't seem happy about it.
Load More Replies...
DiabolicalGardyloo 3 years ago
Well all (who can) always show up to my gpas birthday especially since grandma died 14 years ago and he was older then her by 5-7 years to boot. So we know he misses her everyday bc she should have out lasted him. So yeah sad but we don't put our gpa in those situations.
49 reasons 3 years ago
That's actually realistic. When my grandmother (who had emphysema...) turned 75, my mother added 75 candles to her birthday cake and even lit them. Of course my grandmother couldn't begin to blow out that bonfire. The result was an unappetizing coat of wax on the frosting. Bleah!
Rose 3 years ago
They make candles in the shape of numbers for a reason. 😧 😪 😠
Load More Replies... Aside from liking commercial art of books and print, the artist also went to study Fine Art and finished the course with a Bachelor's degree. “I went to the Cooper Union in NY City where I earned my Bachelor's in Fine Art. I have always appreciated art and felt that school gave me the power of analysis which allowed me to look at it critically. When I like something, I can articulate why - even if only to myself.”
#8
Hyper-fixated-Panda 3 years ago
Procrastination! We all we do it and then pretend we don't, and then act like nobody else does.
Lorraine Woollands 3 years ago
Lost my dog this morning and with my depression,this is pretty much how I am feeling right now
v3lv3t_v10l3t 3 years ago
Yep...the day in the life of procrastination. Deal with it, but maybe later actually
Glen Moore 3 years ago
Dang, other than the hair, and I don't think I have a yellow shirt, that is most definitely....me. Place heartbroken emoji here
#9
Quite a few of Yaplaws comics have gone viral not only on Instagram but also all over the internet, therefore we were wondering how it felt having one's work be seen by hundreds of thousands of people. “Seriously, it feels like vindication. I have been creating a few thousand comics by this point and it often feels pretty thankless. I have been fortunate to be included in a few small books and even had signed with a literary agent (which sort of fell through, but it still felt good).”
#10
Hyper-fixated-Panda 3 years ago (edited)
Candy corn looks like a traffic cone. It looks like it people to stay away. I have haphephobia, so human touch is quite triggering, but it makes me feel like I have a little bit of defense. Like a little barrier. Obviously, it does nothing, but it makes me feel all safe. I love how it tastes as well. Notice: This is edited because at first, it came off as an unrealistic expectation that people would magically understand and i'm sorry that it came off rude. Don't downvote the negative comments or anything please, it was originally quite rude appearing.
Load More Replies...
Locke Lamora 3 years ago
Then your taste buds, my friend, are irrevocably damaged :)
Load More Replies...
v3lv3t_v10l3t 3 years ago
Dude...candy corn is the best[i have like three containers of it in my pantry right now...bad for ya teeth but mighty delicious on Halloween](unless you hate that corny sugary sweet)
Trinity Cottrell 3 years ago
I live in Australia and I have never seen a "candy corn" in real life. I've seen them in American movies, though.
#11
Steven Alexander 3 years ago
Why look for friends? They just stab you in the back or leave in the end anyway
Inanna McGraw 3 years ago
See Groucho Marx: “I wouldn’t want to belong to any club that would have me as a member.”
WordiGirl 3 years ago
I'm a friend to everyone, but I don't really feel like I have many close friends who I can really be comfortable with except my siblings, my parents, and God. A lot of people don't understand me, and I don't expect them to, but it becomes one-sided when I try to help them and be there for them but they can't or won't do the same for me. So yes. I stay "friends" with them but I gauge the environment before acting and speaking because our whole relationship can't be built on constant argument, shaming, and disagreeing. I respect that no two people are the same. No two thought processes are the same, but if my own philosophies offend you or make you feel attacked, I'd rather not go all out like that so I stay too reserved and therefore don't feel comfortable like I should with a "friend" so yeah. ....wow. what has this become? Sorry for this strange rant.
Alana Voeks 3 years ago (edited)
I've been "friends" with people just to be used my whole life. Only one person didn't do that in my past, and they didn't listen to me about themselves getting used. Then we had a falling out because I said anything. So, yeah, really doubt anyone really WANTED to be my friend. I think it's the novelty feeling.
Jennifer Potter 3 years ago (edited)
Reminds me of the guy sitting on his roof to escape flood waters story (which I hold close to my heart and cherish dearly). Just in case someone hasnt heard it, I will do my best to repeat it: One day a great flood came and submerged a man's house all the way up to the roof. He clambered up to sit on the highest point, and then prayed, "Oh God, the flood waters are getting higher! Please come rescue me!" A few minutes later a woman in a canoe paddles near. "Want a lift?" she asked the man on the roof. "No thanks," he says, "I'm waiting for God to rescue me." So she paddled on.
Jennifer Potter 3 years ago (edited)
...A few hours later he hears the roar of a boat engine and a fishing boat comes by. The water is now up to the man's waist. "Hey Mr.!" they shout. "Want a ride?" "Nah, the man says, "I'm waiting for God to rescue me." "Ok," they shrug, and motor away. A few hours later the waters get so high that the man has to abandon his roof and cling to the top of a tree beside his house. He was dogpaddling, and was exhausted from the shock and the energy expended to stay afloat. Suddenly he hears the beating of helicopter blades, and a sleek black aircraft comes as close to him as they can and say, "Sir! We can give you assistance! Grab my hand when when we dip down and we'll pull you up!" "Thank you, but no thank you," he replies weakly through the din, "I am waiting for God to rescue me! I asked Him, and I know he will come!" "But..."the pilot starts to frown and protest and becon him closer, but the man refuses and waves them away. They eventually decide to leave him there and by the
Load More Replies...Lastly, we asked if the artist had any advice to share with those of you who might be stuck in their art journey, be it feeling unmotivated or just burnt out.
“I talk to a lot of young and new creators, and I always say you don’t have to learn how to draw. Just figure out how you draw and keep doing that. As far as creating comics, you need to always think about the story - the writing, and who you are talking to. Not all comics are going to find that audience, but they should keep going and make it with no expectation of reward and feedback. As long as you keep making art, you will get better and have a treasure chest of work to use how you want down the road.”
#12
#13
54 s 3 years ago
I dunno. She seems pretty friendly. Smiling. Laughing. Shame about the whole no pants thing though.
Load More Replies...
Tegan Ware 3 years ago
#5 a creepy dead old bald lady looking at you through your window with long nails(this happened to me 5weeks ago)
DumplingQueen 2 years ago
What if the old dead lady is the eyes moving towards you in the bedroom? Then you only have to worry about two things, the old lady and the spiders on your head!
#14
novasoup (she/her) 3 years ago
omg i just realized your new username is "penny tent" like your old one with "PENITENTeyeball"
Load More Replies...
#15
Yodelis Sosa 3 years ago
I Think Most Of Us Expected A More "Coroline" Experience. Am I Right?? 🔘 🔘 😨 😨
#16
Batgirl Kitty 3 years ago
As sad as it is for them to be in a plastic cup, there isn’t a ton of space to put every individual beta fish in a tank. For those who don’t know, putting two beta fish together will cause them to beat each other up.
Cheshire Grin 3 years ago (edited)
Yeah, but only male beta fish fight, we made that mistake out of ignorance once
Load More Replies...
ℙ𝕦𝕣𝕣.𝕞𝕒𝕚𝕕 3 years ago
I thought this when I rescued a kitten off the streets. Poor animals out there struggling to find enough to eat, to keep warm in the cold and avoid getting run over by vehicles of all types. I try not to think about it but it's hard.
I Am LoKitty Of Meowsgard 3 years ago
I hear you. My family and I have rescued many cats over the years, we currently have 5 cats we got from shelters. I would adopt as many as I could, if I could. My dream is to have a farm and then I can adopt all of the "unadoptables". The ferals, the ones who don't do well inside, the ones with behavioral issues. Give them all a home where they can roam, be social if they want, hunt. Just so they don't spend their life in a shelter, or get euthanized.
Load More Replies...
pink_panda 3 years ago
Selling betta fish should maybe not be legal? Or at least they shouldn't have 60 of them sitting there endlessly. How often do people actually buy them?
H.J. carlson 3 years ago
Never understood the Betta fish. Why's there a fish breed that hates it's own kind??🤔
Subconscious Dreams Studios 3 years ago
Betas live in tiny puddles in the wild which is why pet stores put them in those tiny cups! They probably don’t even know what to do with themselves in a large tank! It be like living in some thick woods your whole life and then suddenly move to the dessert where you can see everything for miles when you never could before! It’s intimidating to be so exposed!
ADHD raptor 3 years ago
this needs to be higher up, i always feel so bad for the fish at petsmart, they all look so sad :(
#17
#18
#19
Kim Hernandez 3 years ago
This is going to be the new norm. Retailers are pushing the holidays earlier and earlier. No wonder why it feels like time flys by so quickly
Stephanie Paich 3 years ago
I love Christmas. It's my favorite time of year. Giving has always brought me great joy, and I can't help but get excited that it's around the corner once September is over. I don't see anything wrong with being in the Christmas spirit early. If only people could have it 365 days a year.
#20
Kimberly Winkelmann 3 years ago
I felt it was a metaphor for depression. Idk
Load More Replies...
#21
Stephanie Paich 3 years ago
I once heard of a car that was being developed that would display pretty landscapes on the windows as you drove. Instead of just........looking out the window at the pretty landscape as you drive..........
Alana Voeks 3 years ago
I actually deleted my fb a long time ago and I haven't looked back once.
#22
#23
#24
Headless Roach 3 years ago
For here / Am I sitting in a tin can / Far above the world / Planet Earth is blue / And there's nothing I can do 🎶
Tigara Akimoto 3 years ago
Ground Control to Major Tom / Take your protein pills and put your helmet on
possumfish 3 years ago (edited)
" I miss the Earth so much I miss my wife It's lonely out in space On such a timeless flight." Yes, it's a different song. Just seemed relevant.
Stephanie Paich 3 years ago
For every trip to the moon, there was always a man who had to stay in the main rocket while the others went to the moon's surface. When this person went behind the moon, there was no radio contact for that time. It must have been scary and lonely.
#25
#26
#27
Hyper-fixated-Panda 3 years ago
Horrific: Uncarved pumpkin that the owners try and pass off as being scary.
Alana Voeks 3 years ago
Rather use the pumpkin for pies, cheesecakes, cookies, cakes, and what else have you
BeepBeepBoopBoop 3 years ago
oh boy I don't know where you live but here they specifically have carving pumpkins and eating pumpkins! DO NOT make the mistake of eating a carving pumpkin lol
Load More Replies... #28
Mark Howell 3 years ago
The sun always shines thro' the dark cold, sometimes it just feels as though it has flown off.
Alexander Smith 3 years ago
So that's why it feels cold dark and lonely like I'm trapped at the bottom of a frozen lake. The sun thawed the ice too much.
#29
Lakota Wolf 3 years ago
I remember being a small child in school and sometimes the teacher would give us photocopied papers with a scribbled blobby weird shape similar to the outline in the first panel... our assignment was to draw the shape "into" something that we saw in the shape, and write a short couple of lines about it. One of my favorite assignments that I have remembered all of my life, I'm 40 now! XD
#30
#32
#33
#34
Mark Howell 3 years ago
Discworld: Susan had more hair and meat as the grand-daughter of Death
#35
#36
Hyper-fixated-Panda 3 years ago (edited)
if it weighs down on you, then don't do it. Every persons mental health matters, and you have done us all a favor, now go focus on yourself.
Lakota Wolf 3 years ago
It is not our place to question how their art/posting it makes them feel :)
Load More Replies... #37
Yoga Kitty 3 years ago
They don't know the flowers in the cracks of the pavement to my door - they would probably survive a nuclear attack! They have made me trip so often when I step on them that I have started to apologize when I accidently kick them...
#38
#39
The Radio Demon 3 years ago
basically the scary stories to tell in the dark movie
Load More Replies... #40
#41
#43
#44
#45
#46
#49
Lizzy Abbey (she/they) 3 years ago
how do you read this? like 1st panel 3rd panel 4th panel 2nd panel?
Whitney Anderson 3 years ago
im pretty sure up, down, over, up. The way the slide goes.
Load More Replies...
#51
3 years ago
This is equivalent to We're all gonna die, oh by the way: DON'T FORGET TO WASH THE DISHES.
Alex Foster 3 years ago
I kind of assumed that it was about the fact that we are trashing our world. And having trash to take out tonight means they've already started the same path again
Load More Replies...
#53
Whitney Anderson 3 years ago
they both die but you gotta decide if your gonna let it crumble you or if you'll get back up and live again.
Mark Howell 3 years ago
The tree. You will bloom again after the dark times and be strong and tall
#56
Penny Tent (she/her) 3 years ago (edited)
I’d quit squid game (that’s not saying much tho, I just hate human interaction)
#59
Hyper-fixated-Panda 3 years ago
I am the opposite! Their losing my audience hahaha! Their losing their hair! Hahaha! Haha Im running out of money! Wait, its not about me, oh c**p, I'm sorry.
Add New Image
Explore more of these tags
What do you think ?
Brian Fletcher 3 years ago
Painful at times, but needed to see these. Thanks for sharing them!!
Hyper-fixated-Panda 3 years ago
I love these comics, but artist, if you don't, then you never have to do them.
Stephanie Paich 3 years ago
These are cute. Some are sadder than others, but being down together isn't as bad.
Eddie Mielke 3 years ago
If you've gotta express it, express it if it helps. Making others happy can help, no matter the influence, as long as you still deal with your own feelings. We'll get there friends, we will get there.
Brian Fletcher 3 years ago
Painful at times, but needed to see these. Thanks for sharing them!!
Hyper-fixated-Panda 3 years ago
I love these comics, but artist, if you don't, then you never have to do them.
Stephanie Paich 3 years ago
These are cute. Some are sadder than others, but being down together isn't as bad.
Eddie Mielke 3 years ago
If you've gotta express it, express it if it helps. Making others happy can help, no matter the influence, as long as you still deal with your own feelings. We'll get there friends, we will get there.
Related on Bored Panda
