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Hi, my name is Kalman ‘Carun’ Balla. Once upon a time, in a galaxy far far away, I used to be a writer – this was the plot twist. My short stories were published in a Hungarian magazine. However, during the COVID-19 lockdowns, I realized that writing descriptions and narratives were a bloody torture, while punchlines on their own weren’t as effective. So, after some pestering from my missus, I started drawing cartoons that matched my one-line jokes.This was the beginning of my true creative journey, while in reality, I worked as a welder/fabricator, a paramedic, and a chef, and now I am the certified positive input in a local care home with the official title of catering assistant. This leaves me enough free time to play on the PS5, throw a few darts, listen to rock music, and draw.

Since that’s why you’re here, enjoy my cartoons!

More info: Instagram | X | threads.net

As a self-taught artist, I started as a kid doodling in all my school books, drawing the occasional superhero comics of my own, and photoshopping pictures in the traditional pen-and-pencil way; but then I ditched the idea of doing something with this “rare” talent.

This hiatus lasted until December 2021 – more than twenty years. After some nagging, I purchased sketchbooks and quality pencils, only to realize that these didn’t magically create better images of the ones in my head. Neither did the professional drawing software and the extra brushes. I watched YouTube videos, sometimes on repeat – even my missus knows Marco Bucci’s color theory from the heart – and practice, practice, practiced.

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    #2

    Zero To Hero – Through 20 Cartoons Of Kalman 'Carun' Balla

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    Sam Juan
    Community Member
    1 year ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Thou shalt ROCK-ETH

    Tabitha
    Community Member
    1 year ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    We shall, we shall, Rocketh you! (Stomp, stomp, clap! Stomp, stomp, clap!)

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

    Eine kleine knight music.

    Liam Storer
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Three knights having fun. So wholesome 😌

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    #3

    Zero To Hero – Through 20 Cartoons Of Kalman 'Carun' Balla

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    Frank Russell
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    And apparently hasn't for some time.

    Fynne
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Ever since that darn Bible was released

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    Why?
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Stop sending your thoughts and prayers!

    Su Boddie
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The problem is: it isn't the praying, it's the prayers.

    Natty Tempest
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    All we get are the plagues, floods and natural disasters...

    Ace
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Narrator: Reader, he never cared...

    Caroline Hawthorne
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    What's ironic is that He really does care, but so few even acknowledge He exists, let alone look to Him for help. I encourage anyone who questions to ask Jesus to show Himself to you, show He cares. He's waits to be invited, but has always loved you:)

    RedDexter
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I respectfully say that this occupies so many levels of wrong. I'll never knock another man's work though. Peace.

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    Today, I use a sketchbook when I’m out and about, and Procreate on my iPad as my main work tool. After learning the basic software functions and various painting techniques, Inktober 2022 moved me in the direction of drawing cartoons because… those are awesome. And laughter is the best medicine, right?

    #4

    Zero To Hero – Through 20 Cartoons Of Kalman 'Carun' Balla

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    Yohualtica
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    "Maybe you're not ready for this, but your descendants in hundreds of thousands of years will love it... For a while"

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    #5

    Zero To Hero – Through 20 Cartoons Of Kalman 'Carun' Balla

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    Sam Juan
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    How has BP not censored this yet?

    Why?
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Nothing to see here, folks. Move on!

    Natty Tempest
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Oh gosh! You can't see all of her bits!

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    I enjoy discovering the fun side in the Far Side of everything – pun intended. Except in politics. That’s a joke in itself, at which I can’t laugh. Graham Annable aka Grickle, Sir Terry Pratchett, JP Ahonen can always make my day; while artistically I always fall for Marco Bucci and Nikolai Lockertsen. There are also unnamed heroes appearing in my life as special guests whose stories and wisdom never cease to amaze and inspire me. There’s a punchline lurking in many stories – I prefer finding that and helping people deal with our dull, often gloomy reality.

    #7

    Zero To Hero – Through 20 Cartoons Of Kalman 'Carun' Balla

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    ArodTheHorrible
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Superhero old folks home. That could get fun

    Robert Skinner
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I got to be honest I'd be willing to watch that as a new Marvel comedy series when superheroes get old that would be funny as hell to watch Spider-Man like in this cartoon can't shoot his web or Thor that can't pick up the hammer even though he has the ability to or Iron Man that well can't hold up the iron

    Thanks to the drawing challenges, Dragon and Dude were born, and now I ended up here.

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    I’d like to take the opportunity to invite you to check out my Instagram, especially if you’re in dire need of some silly jokes and a good laugh. Who knows what the future brings? I think Dragon would look pretty on the cover of Vogue magazine, my vampire could feature as a blood-type diet specialist in health columns, and the witch would give the best beauty tips and tricks. So, as the agent of the above cool folks, I urge you to spread the word and let’s sneak a morsel of happiness in the world.

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    #8

    Zero To Hero – Through 20 Cartoons Of Kalman 'Carun' Balla

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    Tabitha
    Community Member
    1 year ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Does he actually own that garbage can, or is he just renting? Asking for a friend.

    -
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Love this! I used to live in Toronto, the trash panda capital of the world. One lovely evening, I saw two raccoons on a date, having a romantic dinner among the garbage bags.

    #9

    Zero To Hero – Through 20 Cartoons Of Kalman 'Carun' Balla

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    #10

    Zero To Hero – Through 20 Cartoons Of Kalman 'Carun' Balla

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    #13

    Zero To Hero – Through 20 Cartoons Of Kalman 'Carun' Balla

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

    Mine does the opposite. Well, I hope that explains what I see in there.

    Anonymous
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    He probably bought that mirror at a carnival

    Jack Reacher
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Couldn't he just look down at his fat belly and see that it's not a six pack?

    Blue Mar
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Oh please, we all know this isn't working for man in mirrors... They all look great while woman very opposite. Magic mirror is our seeing.

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    #14

    Zero To Hero – Through 20 Cartoons Of Kalman 'Carun' Balla

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    Apatheist Account2
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Nerd alert - Vikings never had horned helmets.

    The wee giant
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    nerd alert 2 - the horns would be excellent hand holds for slitting a vikings throat

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    #15

    Zero To Hero – Through 20 Cartoons Of Kalman 'Carun' Balla

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    Janet Fleming-Halmrast
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    At concerts of old, women would sometimes throw undergarments at the group. Evidently, the female dragon is throwing her bra at the front man.

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    Natty Tempest
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Yonder night doth slay-eth the dragon! He brings back lacey pelts as proof.

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    #16

    Zero To Hero – Through 20 Cartoons Of Kalman 'Carun' Balla

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    Mr.Li
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    A shield is actually a very good weapon. Use the edge and hammer the cr@p out of your enemy

    Fynne
    Community Member
    1 year ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Or chuck it like a frisbee

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

    What's he using for the other wheel? I may need to know in a few years

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    #18

    Zero To Hero – Through 20 Cartoons Of Kalman 'Carun' Balla

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    #19

    Zero To Hero – Through 20 Cartoons Of Kalman 'Carun' Balla

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    Little CJ
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Is that how he ended up at the urologist?

    Tabitha
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Only if he was able to get his rock off.

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    Danish Susanne
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Am I the only one wondering why Superman doesn't recognize Kryptonite at sight?

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    #20

    Zero To Hero – Through 20 Cartoons Of Kalman 'Carun' Balla

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    Rob Philippo
    Community Member
    1 year ago

    I think more cartoonists need to take a step back from their work and try to see if what they create will make sense to their readers. This one is definitely a head scratcher.

    Lauren S
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Maybe “faster than a speeding bullet” doesn’t play out well in all settings?

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    Blue Malamute
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Pretty sure he's just nervous about having a finger up his butt - despite his super powers.

    ArodTheHorrible
    Community Member
    1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    "Performance" issues, I guess? Does the little blue pill work on a Kryptonian?

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

    I hope they have a really strong container for collecting the sample.

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