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I am a cartoonist who has worked for well-known British comics such as The Beano and Viz. One of my most popular comics to date is the more personally inspired Socially Awkward Misfit. The main character in the comic has also been brought to life in animation, which has already debuted in film festivals...as well as my Youtube channel.
Here are my 40 comics about being an introvert featuring my introverted character Sam (Socially Awkward Misfit). I have just completed my fourth book, which is now on Kickstarter here.
More info: rosshendrick.co.uk | sociallyawkwardmisfit.com | Instagram | X | webtoons.com | Facebook | Youtube
This post may include affiliate links.
#1
Go Big Or Go Home
Final score:
68points
Lorraine Sexton 1 year ago
Home is the best place and no it is not unhealthy to stay home. Staying home doesn't always mean you are sitting in front of a television all day. I myself live out in the woods, I get to have nice relaxing days in the pool with the sounds of nature all around. It's therapeutic.
It's been ten years since I first started drawing my comic character Sam. Ten whole years of Sam's adventures of awkwardness, introversion, social anxiety, introspection, and existential dread. So for the ten-year anniversary, I am creating a book that goes right back to the start, to tell the story of how SAM came about.
RELATED:
#2
Put Phone On Silent
Final score:
57points
StrangeOne 1 year ago
I prefer it on silent. I'll get the notifications when I see them on my own time. No one else needs to hear them, too.
ScoobyLinny 1 year ago
Exactly! I get to them when I want to. I have it on do not disturb either (except for calls, which I only get if it's really important)
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Lester the Space Duck 1 year ago
My phone is always on silent, and the only time I have it with me is when I leave the house. It's strange when it accidentally gets turned off of silent and I wonder where the sound is coming from 😂
Memento Mori 1 year ago
I haven't heard my ringtone in so long I wouldn't even recognise it - and if it were to make an unorthodox sound, I'd accidentally throw it into the ocean. Simple.
Dariana Perez 1 year ago
People don't understand that I already like to put my phone on airplane mode. Most days, I never get a message from anyone, and it's a huge relief.
#3
Recharging
Final score:
54points
Farah the Turtle 1 year ago
A large group of pandas is called an embarrassment (FR!)
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lia bar yossef 1 year ago
When your friend invites you over, thats called an "im sick, perhaps in another day".
In an exclusive story, I talk about how it started and will document how far I've come so far, from my very rough sketches to a Sam animation being a finalist in a film festival.
"The story of Sam" will be an exclusive 14-page story, and there be another exclusive story, "Day at the Job Centre".
#4
Awfully Quiet
Final score:
52points
#5
Coldcall
Final score:
50points
Brain-In-A-Vat 1 year ago
Don't forget to block the number, or they'll just keep calling back . . .
Load More Replies... Lorraine Sexton 1 year ago
I would do the same thing I hate those dang calls. No offense to the folks making them but you never know when it's a scammer.
Danish Susanne 1 year ago
I did that just the other day and I felt a bit bad about it, but I just didn't have time for that call because I was waiting for another also from an unknown number.
Hari R 1 year ago
I do better than that. I have a set formula for responding to such calls. Each such random call I use to motivate myself to do something personally benefitful, to remind myself of doing something, or just having a lot of innocent fun with the caller. It doesn't matter what my formula is, what matters is, you do enough preplanning to make sure that the time spent on such calls is going to benefit you the maximum.
In the book, there will be a compilation of comics from 2020 to 2024, and as an extra bonus I will be redrawing some of the best comics I've done over the last ten years.
The book will be around 60 pages, in color, measuring 210 x 148 mm (A5 size).
#6
Final score:
49points
Lester the Space Duck 1 year ago
When I am at work, I cannot understand how people can talk CONSTANTLY for eight hours. Heck, I rarely have enough to talk about for eight minutes!
Lorraine Sexton 1 year ago (edited)
There are very few things I can talk about for hours but get me on a roll about my fav video game and I might never shut up lol
#7
Get Out Of The House
Final score:
49points
Socially Awkward Misfit is drawn from my own experiences in life, such as struggling with social anxiety, and issues relating to introversion and being socially awkward.
The most rewarding part of creating comics has been the feedback from lots of people who say they can relate to the issues in my cartoons, and it is heartwarming to hear that it has helped them to know they don't feel alone in this world.
#8
Stay And Chat
Final score:
45points
#9
Nothing Planned
Final score:
44points
StrangeOne 1 year ago
LOL My mom. "What are your plans for the weekend?" For the amount of time she's known me for, you'd think she would know by now I plan nothing. But knowing her, nothing is unproductive, unimportant and free to invite herself over and get me "moving". I really do need to learn to give her a laundry list of all things I won't be doing so she knows not to bug me.
#10
Call/Text
Final score:
43points
StrangeOne 1 year ago
I've come to hate texting. I spend more time trying to fight autocorrect and a wonky touch screen, and trying to make sure my tone in my text matches what I mean. Then I get anxiety because I'll be texting something longer and the other person will text something else unrelated and shift the conversation so that what I've been texting is now irrelevant. AGH
Lester the Space Duck 1 year ago
I miss my old phones with physical keyboards. Even so, I agree it's so difficult to get the tone right, even with using emojis. That, and if I get a text, chances are I don't even see it until hours later.
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Giuditta Jones (she/them) 1 year ago
I thought the phone was on silent mode (for years) 😋 (a joke)
#11
Bored And Lonely
Final score:
42points
Lotekguy 1 year ago
At group dinners, it often feels like I'm seated between two conversations I'm not part of.
Lester the Space Duck 1 year ago
This. And if I say something relevant to the conversation, I get looked at like I have three heads.
Load More Replies... lia bar yossef 1 year ago
In group dinners, it seems like they only invented me to pay, and even then, they don't even care.
#12
Are You Busy?
Final score:
41points
#13
Silent Treatment
Final score:
40points
#14
Final score:
39points
#15
Alone
Final score:
38points
Annika Kremer 1 year ago (edited)
True. I've never had one, but I've pet-sat a friend's dog for a while and it's great. You have a living, affectionate being with you, but there's none of the stress and fear of judgement that comes with being around humans.
Load More Replies... #16
Benefits
Final score:
37points
StrangeOne 1 year ago
RUN. Next he'll be going on about how your coworkers will be your new family.
#17
Coming To The Party?
Final score:
36points
Tom Nagel 1 year ago
Yeah, I never go anywhere, and have avoided all human contact for the majority of my existence. However I seem to keep catching that strong airborne strain of COVID. LoL
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#18
Friends
Final score:
35points
Ashley_Kirin 1 year ago
Friends is one of the most lackluster shows I've seen. It doesn't have the same energy of 80's shows nor the great writing of 2000's shows. It's this weird middle ground where it's not bad, but it's not good. I don't get why people obsess over it. At least the Office is funny, if capable of second hand embarrassment sometimes. Friends is just full second hand embarrassment.
Isabel Galvez 1 year ago
I don't find "The office" funny and I love "Friends". Something for everyone.
Load More Replies... #19
Introvert/Extrovert Differences
Final score:
33points
FluffyDreg 1 year ago
I mean just a little. Ordering in is pretty expensive if you are doing it constantly. Grocery shopping is much lighter on your budget.
Load More Replies... #20
Party Trick
Final score:
33points
#21
Halloween
Final score:
32points
#22
You're Really Quiet
Final score:
32points
#23
Supermarket
Final score:
31points
Lester the Space Duck 1 year ago
When I go shopping, I move through the store so quickly I'm surprised I've never been suspected of shoplifting.
#24
Group Conversations
Final score:
30points
Lorraine Sexton 1 year ago
Yeah these are hard to jump into especially if no one gives you an opening.
Lester the Space Duck 1 year ago
Easier said than done! (No pun intended)
Load More Replies... #25
Salesman
Final score:
29points
#26
Thanks
Final score:
29points
MyName'sLisaMontoyaYouKiltMyPa 1 year ago
We should all try being just a little quiet from time to time.
Howard Johnson 1 year ago (edited)
You must not have a life. Jesus, go away!
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#27
Want To Come Out?
Final score:
28points
#28
Recovery
Final score:
24points
Lester the Space Duck 1 year ago
Just in time for the next holiday season.
Load More Replies... #29
World's Biggest Extrovert
Final score:
24points
#30
Interesting
Final score:
23points
#31
You Can Call
Final score:
12points
MyName'sLisaMontoyaYouKiltMyPa 1 year ago
Reminds me of asking my mom if I can do something and she would say, “I don’t know. Can you?"
Lester the Space Duck 1 year ago
This was the response from many of my teachers in grade school when someone asked "Can I go to the bathroom?" Instead of "May I go to the bathroom?"
Load More Replies... #32
Bringing To The Conversation
Final score:
11points
#33
Costume Party
Final score:
10points
#34
Haircut
Final score:
9points
Ελένη Κ. 1 year ago
Terrible situations you have to avoid... I used to go to a different hair dresser's every three or so months to have my hair cut just because I didn't want them to think we know each other and we can have small talks.. Solved it. I learned to cut my own hair so I do not need them any more! YES!
cerinamroth 1 year ago
Pretend to speak a foreign language they probably won't know, or make one up. Then you just give them hand signals for "stop" and "how much?" and maybe muster up a brief smile as you walk out.
#35
Final score:
9points
#36
Won't Take No For An Answer
Final score:
9points
#37
Going Out For A Meal
Final score:
8points
#38
Chit Chat
Final score:
8points
#39
Call Me
Final score:
7points
#40
Phone Call
Final score:
6points
Add New Image
What do you think ?
Serena Myers 1 year ago
Being an introvert is not, and I repeat not, the same as being socially awkward or having social anxiety. It stands by and of itself. Introvert (me) could quite happily direct drivers on and off the weighbridge, chat to them, ask them how their wife/baby/dog/hamster/goldfish was, walk them down to where they needed to load or tip. If someone's dog bounces up to me, tail wagging, I have no problem having a short conversation with the owner. However, I prefer my own company, plus husband and cats, of course. Introversion can be associated with other issues, but an introvert can be just that. An introvert.
Ross Hendrick (Post author) 1 year ago
Hi Serena, yes that is true. I am an introvert who does have social anxiety, and therefore I make comics relating to both, and there is often some cross over. In this post, I feel they are more on the introversion side, and in another post I made are the ones which are more to do with anxiety.
Load More Replies...
Rosie 1 year ago
OK, so I'm an introvert. However, I'm not socially awkward. I'd happily chat/socialize in a group or w/a friend or two. I take pride in being a good listener & do my best to communicate my POV w/o offending or boring anyone. That said, I'm frequently ignored or dismissed, so I end up just enjoying my own company, even if I feel lonely or left out. So it pisses me no end when I'm *then* told that I should be more social or open or whatever. What is the expectation, that one should beg for attention like a toddler? Better alone, thanks.
Penguin Panda Pop 1 year ago
I expect some downvotes, but I'm gonna say it anyway. Sam seems like kind of a d*ck in some of these. I understand that he doesn't like talking to people, but he's made it his entire personality. For example, maybe the hairdresser is bored. She's just trying to pass the time, he could make a little effort to pass the time with her. I say this as someone who is hopeless at small talk.
Ross Hendrick (Post author) 1 year ago
Well, as the name suggests, he is a socially awkward misfit haha.
Load More Replies...
Lester the Space Duck 1 year ago
I certainly can see Sam's viewpoint. I speak to literally no one outside of my job, never go out, am lousy at small talk, and feel like I never have anything interesting to say. Ironically, my job is in customer service.
Mimi La Souris 1 year ago
i like it, Sam says what i am to polite to say sometimes :) thank you for sharing your work
Mike Beck 1 year ago
Another non-socially-awkward introvert here! I can carry on conversations (but not start them, usually) just fine and I can be completely alone for weeks. Although I prefer the second one, my job is persuading people to part with their money (and I'm apparently pretty good at it).
Lorraine Sexton 1 year ago
I feel this a bit more than some other comments but not because I am socially awkward. I have some trauma from my past so it is often very hard to open up to new people. I can do the typical hi, how are ya but that is as far as the conversation will usually go with me. It is hard for me to jump into conversations especially when others continuously go on and on. So if you are an extrovert help your friend out and give them an opening to actually speak if you value their input. It really helps us out if the conversation isn't one continual run on sentence. XD
Mihai Antonie 1 year ago
I thought "introvert" is somewhere on a scale between "people are boring" and "people are disgusting". Idk what any of this has to do with social anxiety. It's anxiety when I fear you will disappoint me, not when I am absolutely sure of it, right?
Ross Hendrick (Post author) 1 year ago
I have a separate post about my comics about anxiety, these one are more to do with introversion, although there is some cross over there.
Load More Replies...
Harvey Smith 1 year ago
I agree with Serena and Rosie; I am a lifelong Introvert, I like quiet and alone time. I am NOT, however, socially awkward, anxious or isolated. I'm liked by friends, respected in my industry, make presentations to large groups and am able to converse on a range of topics. I find large gatherings to be overly noisy, forced and tedious. I dislike small talk and superficial gratuitous chatter. My "batteries" do drain quickly in some situations and require time to re-charge. I don't feel that I need or benefit from encouragement to "get out more". Thanks Ross, keep being you!
Ross Hendrick (Post author) 1 year ago
Thanks Harvey. I'm an introvert who also has social anxiety, although it's got better over the years. I made comics relating to both social anxiety and introversion, this posts are more in line with introversion and I have another post which has ones which are more related to social anxiety. There's sometimes a bit of cross over with the two.
Load More Replies...
Serena Myers 1 year ago
Being an introvert is not, and I repeat not, the same as being socially awkward or having social anxiety. It stands by and of itself. Introvert (me) could quite happily direct drivers on and off the weighbridge, chat to them, ask them how their wife/baby/dog/hamster/goldfish was, walk them down to where they needed to load or tip. If someone's dog bounces up to me, tail wagging, I have no problem having a short conversation with the owner. However, I prefer my own company, plus husband and cats, of course. Introversion can be associated with other issues, but an introvert can be just that. An introvert.
Ross Hendrick (Post author) 1 year ago
Hi Serena, yes that is true. I am an introvert who does have social anxiety, and therefore I make comics relating to both, and there is often some cross over. In this post, I feel they are more on the introversion side, and in another post I made are the ones which are more to do with anxiety.
Load More Replies... Rosie 1 year ago
OK, so I'm an introvert. However, I'm not socially awkward. I'd happily chat/socialize in a group or w/a friend or two. I take pride in being a good listener & do my best to communicate my POV w/o offending or boring anyone. That said, I'm frequently ignored or dismissed, so I end up just enjoying my own company, even if I feel lonely or left out. So it pisses me no end when I'm *then* told that I should be more social or open or whatever. What is the expectation, that one should beg for attention like a toddler? Better alone, thanks.
Penguin Panda Pop 1 year ago
I expect some downvotes, but I'm gonna say it anyway. Sam seems like kind of a d*ck in some of these. I understand that he doesn't like talking to people, but he's made it his entire personality. For example, maybe the hairdresser is bored. She's just trying to pass the time, he could make a little effort to pass the time with her. I say this as someone who is hopeless at small talk.
Ross Hendrick (Post author) 1 year ago
Well, as the name suggests, he is a socially awkward misfit haha.
Load More Replies... Lester the Space Duck 1 year ago
I certainly can see Sam's viewpoint. I speak to literally no one outside of my job, never go out, am lousy at small talk, and feel like I never have anything interesting to say. Ironically, my job is in customer service.
Mimi La Souris 1 year ago
i like it, Sam says what i am to polite to say sometimes :) thank you for sharing your work
Mike Beck 1 year ago
Another non-socially-awkward introvert here! I can carry on conversations (but not start them, usually) just fine and I can be completely alone for weeks. Although I prefer the second one, my job is persuading people to part with their money (and I'm apparently pretty good at it).
Lorraine Sexton 1 year ago
I feel this a bit more than some other comments but not because I am socially awkward. I have some trauma from my past so it is often very hard to open up to new people. I can do the typical hi, how are ya but that is as far as the conversation will usually go with me. It is hard for me to jump into conversations especially when others continuously go on and on. So if you are an extrovert help your friend out and give them an opening to actually speak if you value their input. It really helps us out if the conversation isn't one continual run on sentence. XD
Mihai Antonie 1 year ago
I thought "introvert" is somewhere on a scale between "people are boring" and "people are disgusting". Idk what any of this has to do with social anxiety. It's anxiety when I fear you will disappoint me, not when I am absolutely sure of it, right?
Ross Hendrick (Post author) 1 year ago
I have a separate post about my comics about anxiety, these one are more to do with introversion, although there is some cross over there.
Load More Replies... Harvey Smith 1 year ago
I agree with Serena and Rosie; I am a lifelong Introvert, I like quiet and alone time. I am NOT, however, socially awkward, anxious or isolated. I'm liked by friends, respected in my industry, make presentations to large groups and am able to converse on a range of topics. I find large gatherings to be overly noisy, forced and tedious. I dislike small talk and superficial gratuitous chatter. My "batteries" do drain quickly in some situations and require time to re-charge. I don't feel that I need or benefit from encouragement to "get out more". Thanks Ross, keep being you!
Ross Hendrick (Post author) 1 year ago
Thanks Harvey. I'm an introvert who also has social anxiety, although it's got better over the years. I made comics relating to both social anxiety and introversion, this posts are more in line with introversion and I have another post which has ones which are more related to social anxiety. There's sometimes a bit of cross over with the two.
Load More Replies... 
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