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If you love cartoons that are as clever as they are hilarious, you’re in for a treat. Joe Dator—a cartoonist whose work is sharp, surreal, and just the right amount of absurd—turns everyday observations into laugh-out-loud moments in his single-panel comics. Joe’s work blends pop culture, irony, and a deep appreciation for the weirdness of being human.

A long-time contributor to The New Yorker, Joe’s style feels timeless—effortlessly smart and always unexpected. Whether it's a visual pun or a subtle jab at modern life, his cartoons have that rare quality: they make you laugh, think, and maybe even question reality a little.

The cartoonist is also the author of INKED, a collection of his iconic strips that belongs on the shelf of anyone who loves intelligent, offbeat humor.

Scroll down to explore some of Joe Dator’s best cartoons—and prepare to snort-laugh at least once.

More info: Instagram | Facebook | joedator.com

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    #2

    Black and white witty cartoon by Joe Dator showing people impaled on poles with a humorous twist.

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    panther
    Community Member
    5 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Everything is fine until it's you on the stake.

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    #3

    Cartoon by Joe Dator showing a game show where a contestant is unfairly awarded points despite a correct answer.

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    panther
    Community Member
    5 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Kevin had done his own research. And now he has a job in the current administration.

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    #5

    Cartoon by Joe Dator showing giant robots destroying a city with people walking in a line amid the ruins, witty humor.

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    Queen Boudicca
    Community Member
    5 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Yes. And now that old Beatles song "Yesterday" is so much more tragic....

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    #6

    Witty cartoon by Joe Dator showing a tall stack of mattresses with a person lying on top in a clever scene.

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    Riley Quinn
    Community Member
    5 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I generally end the evening with comedy stand up to erase all the negativity of the day. That's the plan, but it still doesn't stop my mind from looping on that stupid thing I did back when I was six.

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    #7

    Black and white witty cartoon by Joe Dator showing a monster arrested by police with skeletons behind crime scene tape.

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

    By the time you'd filled in the little form about which cookies you would allow, he'd eaten you. You might have thought it should be the other way round, but nooooo...

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    #8

    Cartoon by Joe Dator showing a store employee explaining different pillows in a witty housewares section.

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    #9

    Cartoon by Joe Dator showing a cafe overrun by rats with a customer missing the cat cafe atmosphere.

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    #11

    Cartoon by Joe Dator showing a man who looks like a 3D printed figure arriving to fix a 3D printer in an office setting.

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    ROB
    Community Member
    5 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I thought that was Larry David ha!

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    #13

    Cartoon by Joe Dator showing a fish speaking underwater about happiness with zero locomotion in a witty illustration.

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    Riley Quinn
    Community Member
    5 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The original phrase, “happy as a clam at high water” makes sense since clams are dug up in low tide. Shortening this phrase assumes that aspect of clam life is understood.

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    #14

    Witty cartoon by Joe Dator showing a couple at a table discussing music preferences humorously.

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    Riley Quinn
    Community Member
    5 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Typical first date. Best move? Excuse yourself to use the restroom and exit the building. Go home, get in comfy clothes, grab a pint of ice cream, and turn on Netflix (and chill cause you made it out alive).

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    #15

    Witty cartoon by Joe Dator showing Dorothy with the lion and tin man on the yellow brick road in a clever comic scene.

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    panther
    Community Member
    5 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    They used to be vital organs, now the lack of them are a employment requirement for certain government jobs.

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    #16

    Witty cartoon by Joe Dator showing a disheveled man, a woman with a drink, and a cat with a beard.

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    keyboardtek
    Community Member
    5 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    My only childhood experience with cats was my friend's cat that scratched the heck out of my ankles every time. No one in the family could get near the animal without getting scratched to shreds. I wondered why they even had it.

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    #17

    Cartoon by Joe Dator shows a woman in superhero costume talking to a man at a table with a witty caption about saving.

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    Queen Boudicca
    Community Member
    5 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Welcome to be "Typical Woman," Wonder Woman. Every. Single. Day.

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    #18

    Cartoon by Joe Dator showing two people with laptops and a bag of cash in a witty office scene.

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

    Look for the hidden cameras before you bolt with the goodies. Might be a trap.

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    #19

    Black and white witty cartoon by Joe Dator showing a king, two men, and a jester holding a doll in a humorous scene.

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    Riley Quinn
    Community Member
    5 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    That's what's missing at the White House. A good, old-fashion court jester instead of the evil buffoons inhabiting the place.

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    #21

    Cartoon by Joe Dator showing Julius Caesar stabbed with a speech bubble saying E.T. Tu in a witty cartoon style.

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

    The reason it's usually a close friend who does for you, is that he can get *close* ...

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    #22

    Cartoon by Joe Dator showing a humorous funeral scene with people confused about the event, illustrating witty cartoons.

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

    Consider yourself lucky. It could've been an MLM pitch

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    #25

    Witty cartoon by Joe Dator depicting a man walking in heavy Los Angeles traffic, surprising frustrated drivers.

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    SasquatchMelee
    Community Member
    5 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Meh, not credible has no one is alone in their cars

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    #26

    Cartoon by Joe Dator depicts a determined dog wearing a medal, humorously imagining punishing challengers at Westminster.

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

    You have not truly won, until the losers admit that they have truly lost

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    #28

    Cartoon by Joe Dator showing bears day drinking in a zoo enclosure while visitors watch.

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    Doofnuts
    Community Member
    5 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I just finished my day drinking and moving into my night drinking time.

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    #29

    Santa pulling sleigh with reindeer inside instead of harnessed outside in a witty cartoon by Joe Dator.

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    Riley Quinn
    Community Member
    5 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    FYI: Santa's reindeers are all female. Females retain their antlers in winter, whereas males do not. Make sure your tots know this crucial gender-based fact.

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    #31

    Cartoon by Joe Dator showing a superhero in a cape being advised by a large floating head in a rain-like setting.

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    Riley Quinn
    Community Member
    5 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Sensible advice when you think about it. That beret wouldn't last flying faster than a speeding bullet.

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    #32

    Witty cartoon by Joe Dator showing Santa checking if a child is playing with all the toys he brought.

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    #33

    Two men sitting at a bar in a witty cartoon by Joe Dator discussing fake death and real friends.

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    Riley Quinn
    Community Member
    5 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I'll stick with the shorter version of what a friend is. A friend is someone who will help you bury a body, no questions asked.

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    #34

    Cartoon by Joe Dator showing a dog thinking well duh while looking at a sign that says breakfast any time.

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    2econdSelf
    Community Member
    5 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    “I’ll have the French toast during the Revolution.”

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    #36

    Cartoon by Joe Dator showing a priest offering deep dish communion wafers during a church service.

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    #37

    Two people sitting on a couch talking while a crowd watches from the doorway in a witty cartoon by Joe Dator.

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    Riley Quinn
    Community Member
    5 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Life wasn't a cartoon for me. More of a psychological thriller that didn't end well for many of the characters.

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    #41

    Black and white witty cartoon by Joe Dator depicting a family gathered in a living room with a humorous caption.

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    #42

    Cartoon by Joe Dator showing a man in military uniform looking out a window while others relax in a living room.

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    Queen Boudicca
    Community Member
    5 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Melania in 2030, God willing. If we make it. And IF he leaves.

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    #43

    Cartoon by Joe Dator showing diners at tables next to a towering Great Wall of China inside a cafe.

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    The Darkest Timeline
    Community Member
    5 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Nah; I’ll just eat it. Don’t want to bother anyone.

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    #44

    Cartoon by Joe Dator showing a couple at a restaurant overwhelmed by the smell of neighbors’ cooking in a witty cartoon style.

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