Random Everyday Life Situations And Other Things: 18 Of The Newest Comics By “Port Sherry”

Given the chance, Bored Panda once again reached out to Pedro with some new questions following our chat back in 2022.

When asked about his distinctive narrative style and artistry that sets "Port Sherry" apart, Pedro explained, "It’s equal parts working on what I personally find interesting, moving, or funny first and foremost, and making sure I provide all the tools necessary to let the reader into what I’m trying to say. A lot of these tools come from my love of movies: accurate facial expressions, timing, significant pauses, framing, etc. I’m always on the lookout for ways to show rather than tell. Because of this, my comics sometimes might seem too oblique and subtle, and some people would prefer they were more straightforward. However, I believe a message or twist has more impact if the reader figures it out on their own rather than if I spell it out for them."

Pedro draws inspiration from everyday life, finding humor in the mundane. He shared, "You can find humor in most everyday situations if you pay attention. Even if they are not funny per se, you can always ask yourself ‘but what if…?’ and juxtapose them with an unexpected character or situation, and the result could shine a new light on both elements. Other times, I take a look at well-known situations or stories we take for granted, try to see them in a different light, and say ‘if you think about it…’ I think that kind of curiosity can reveal new, interesting facets of what we’d normally consider mundane and boring."

With a large and diverse following, the artist remains true to his creative vision while engaging with his audience. He noted, "I am fortunate that most of the people who follow me know and accept that my work does not have thematic or tonal cohesiveness from comic to comic; the constant they like is perhaps the authenticity and sincerity in them, even if I give them whiplash from time to time. Crafting content to the specific taste of an audience is an effective way to grow your readership, but I think your mental health will invariably suffer if you devote yourself to making something you don’t believe in. You might find yourself wishing you were doing something different and personal, but you don’t out of fear of alienating your audience. I am fortunate and grateful that so many people enjoy what I like to create.

Balancing humor with deeper themes, Pedro's comics reflect his state of mind at the time of creation. "My comics are usually a reflection of where my mind was at when I made them, and sometimes I would be in a dumb silly mood, and others I would be ruminating on something more meaningful for weeks to try and find a way to convey my feelings about it succinctly and accurately," he explained. "I do believe that regardless of what I’m trying to say, I probably wouldn’t make a comic about it unless I could include a twist of some sort, something that would make the reader think about the situation, their expectations of it, and how they were reversed. So that would be the entertainment factor: I’m not comfortable making ‘soapbox’ comics or sad comics for sadness’ sake. I always try to provide an interesting, surprising ride, because that’s the best way to reach deep into people’s minds and hearts anyway."

The online platform has significantly influenced the comic artist's approach to storytelling and interacting with readers. He admitted, "Although I still prefer the large single-strip format I use on my website, I have to admit the carousel format in various social media platforms does wonders for surprise punchlines since you can’t peek at the ending right away. So, while I don’t really tailor my work toward that feature, I do take advantage of it whenever I can."

Interacting with readers has been a balancing act for Pedro. "Interacting with readers has always been a tricky thing for me because I’m from the school of thought that if you take a compliment to heart, you should also do the same with criticism… you can’t pick and choose. So, in an effort to not let their response affect me one way or the other, I’ve often kept a respectful distance. It has been great for my mental health, but I probably don’t come off as the friendliest artist. Lately, I’ve been trying to ease up a bit and be more receptive to their appreciation and enthusiasm. By default, I often get tunnel vision, and making comics every day can feel like the loneliest activity… but then there are times when I am just stunned by how much people care, even after all this time. So, I’m still coming to grips with it, trying to be better, and finding a good balance between a meaningful connection with readers and the freedom to express myself without constraints."