- Artist: Andy Babbitz
- Based in: Los Angeles
- More Info: Instagram
Andy Babbitz Finds the Funny Side of Everyday Life
Best observational comics often begin with something so ordinary that most people barely notice it. A familiar conversation, an awkward social moment or a small annoyance can become the setup for a surprisingly effective joke. Los Angeles artist Andy Babbitz has built much of his cartooning around that idea. Babbitz combines a background in advertising and art direction with a love of cartooning.
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His work has appeared in The New Yorker, where his credits include humor pieces such as “Word Clouds”, published April 2, 2019, and “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: First Drafts,” published Nov. 18, 2022. That professional design background is visible in his comics.
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The drawings are generally clean and controlled, allowing the joke to remain the focus. Instead of relying on elaborate visual detail, Babbitz often builds a scene around a simple premise and lets the final beat change how the reader understands it.
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Babbitz has previously described his creative goal as making everyday experiences feel unexpected. That approach explains the appeal of his work: the setup can feel familiar, but the conclusion takes the situation somewhere the reader did not anticipate.
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His influences also help explain the style. In an earlier interview, Babbitz recalled discovering Gary Larson as a child and later studying The Complete Far Side. He has also cited contemporary comedians and cartoonists among his influences.
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The result is a form of slice-of-life comedy that does not require an elaborate fictional universe. The situations are recognizable, while the punchlines introduce the absurdity.
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Babbitz’s strongest material works because the humor starts with observation rather than spectacle. He takes experiences that might normally disappear into the background and gives them a second look. His career across design, advertising and cartooning also gives the work a distinctive visual discipline.
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Combined with influences ranging from Gary Larson to contemporary comedy, that background has helped shape a style that is recognizable without becoming visually complicated. Scroll down to see the full selection of 24 funny comics by Andy Babbitz and decide which everyday situation gets the biggest laugh.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Andy Babbitz?
Andy Babbitz is a Los Angeles-based artist, creative director and cartoonist whose work includes humorous comics and illustrations. His work has appeared in The New Yorker.
What are Andy Babbitz’s comics about?
His comics frequently explore everyday situations, social interactions, awkward moments and familiar experiences, often ending with an unexpected comedic twist.
Has Andy Babbitz been published in The New Yorker?
Yes. The New Yorker has published Babbitz’s work, including “Word Clouds” in 2019 and “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: First Drafts” in 2022.
What inspired Andy Babbitz’s cartooning style?
Babbitz has cited Gary Larson and The Far Side as important early influences, along with comedians and contemporary cartoonists whose work shaped his approach to observational humor.
