Humorous cartoons have a way of pointing out the absurdity of everyday life, and no one does it better than John McPherson. In this comic review, we’re diving into 20 side-splitting Close to Home panels that showcase his brilliantly bizarre view of the world. From awkward medical moments to hilarious social encounters, McPherson’s work hits close to home—literally and comically.
Artist Bio
John McPherson is the creative genius behind Close to Home, a syndicated comic panel that’s been tickling funny bones since 1992. With a background in mechanical engineering, McPherson took a sharp turn into cartooning, eventually landing his work in over 700 newspapers worldwide. His distinct style is marked by squiggly lines, quirky characters, and punchlines that sneak up on you.
#1 Mystery Diagnosis Gone Wild.
A man is sprawled on a hospital bed, covered in bugs—and the doc cheerfully announces he’s being featured on Mystery Diagnosis. It’s gross, creepy, and hilarious all at once. McPherson has perfected the “medical mishap” genre of cartooning, and this one is top-tier weird.
#2 Icebreaker of the Year.
At a party, someone wearing a “Fred” name tag casually announces he’s an ambulance driver. The sheer randomness and deadpan delivery make this one golden. The awkwardness practically leaps off the page.
#3 Gallstones via TSA.
The Nakey-Scan 2000x does more than check for weapons—it’s now a tool for gallstone diagnosis. “Teaming up with airport security” has never sounded so medically questionable. This is Close to Home logic at its finest.
#4 Modern-Day Porch Pirates.
Online shopping meets swashbuckling crime as literal pirates raid someone’s front steps. Visual puns like this are where McPherson truly shines—absurdity with just enough realism to make you laugh (and worry).
#5 Bye Bye, Human Resources.
The Zorbon X-21K doesn’t whine, gossip, or sob about its boyfriend. It’s the ultimate corporate fantasy… or nightmare. This robot might just be the next CEO. Equal parts funny and dystopian.
#6 Morgue Mix-Up Madness.
A man sits up on a morgue tray while two doctors try to play it cool. “The examiner who performed your autopsy was fired” is just… chef’s kiss. The dry dialogue makes it 10x better.
#7 Grandma’s TMI Moment.
A group of teenage boys is left horrified after grandma casually asks about her missing sparkly thongs. This one is cringe comedy at its absolute peak—and yes, it’s glorious.
#8 Near-Death Experience, Explained.
A bandaged patient remembers a tunnel of light. The doctor’s explanation? He biked into a moving train. Harsh truths hurt, but McPherson makes them hilarious.
#9 Ping Pong Prison Break.
Prison guards are thrilled that the inmates now have ping pong in their cells. A darkly funny reminder that not all rehabilitation programs go as planned. The visual of inmates playing through the bars is priceless.
#10 Worst Injection Pep Talk Ever.
The nurse’s monologue about eye rolling, burning, and screaming is… not what you want to hear before a shot. But it is what you want from a hilarious cartoon.
#11 Desperate Bathroom Break.
No rest stops for 82 miles? No problem. Just leap into a porta-potty on a moving truck. Holly’s bold move earns her a gold medal in bathroom emergencies—and comic timing.
#12 Laughing Gas Panic.
A dental patient bursts out of the office, high on fumes, warning everyone through uncontrollable giggles. Chaos in a dentist’s waiting room has never looked this joyful.
#13 IRS Drones: Coming Soon.
Short-staffed and fully automated, the IRS now sends robot auditors. The bleak absurdity of this scenario hits a little too close to home… which is exactly the point.
#14 Age Reveal Revenge.
One friend adds extra candles to the cake—just to watch Ellen melt down. Petty birthday pranks are universal, and this one lands with flame-fueled accuracy.
#15 Bike Shorts Emergency.
ER staff have apparently seen it all—including the surgical removal of too-tight spandex. That 12% statistic is suspiciously specific… and perfectly ridiculous.
#16 The Dental Scam.
An orthodontist’s assistant is sneakily adding “income” to a model of his beach house as each patient is billed. It’s satirical, cynical, and sadly plausible. Corporate greed, but with glue sticks.
#17 The In-Laws Defense Plan.
To avoid a five-night visit from Jeff’s parents, the family sets up a fake crime scene in the yard. A bold strategy, and honestly? Genius.
#18 Spider Piñata Stress Test.
Why spend 30 minutes on a treadmill when you can release a sack of spiders and test heart rates instantly? Welcome to medical innovation, McPherson style.
#19 Card-Reading Cheapskates.
After 32 years of marriage, Carla and Ben skip the purchase and just read romantic cards to each other in the store. That’s love… or just budget brilliance.
#20 The Back Hair Ponytail Trend.
Dwight’s attempt to turn his back hair into a stylish ponytail is met with open horror at the pool. Trendsetter? More like trend misfire—but thank you, Dwight, for the visual.
A Quick Recap
If you love humorous cartoons that find the funny in awkward family moments, corporate chaos, and weird health scares, John McPherson’s Close to Home is your comic holy grail. His single-panel gags are loaded with wit, weirdness, and just enough truth to make you wonder, “Is this actually happening somewhere?”
Artist Credit
All comics featured in this article are the work of the brilliantly twisted mind of John McPherson, creator of Close to Home. His humor, while often outrageous, is always relatable and refreshingly bold.
📌 Official Website: closetohome.com
📘 Facebook: facebook.com/closetohomefans
📸 Instagram: Not officially listed
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