Adult Children Comics by Stephen Beals is a comic review celebrating one of the sharpest voices in workplace humor. Through clever setups, dry wit, and painfully relatable moments, Stephen Beals has turned the everyday grind into comedy gold.
Stephen Beals is the creator behind Adult Children, a razor-sharp comic strip that turns life’s dullest routines into hilarious reflections on adulthood. With a background in illustration and storytelling, Beals built his reputation on cartoons that explore the dysfunctions of workplace culture, customer service nightmares, and awkward personal encounters. His comics often feature characters navigating jobs they hate, coworkers they tolerate, and systems they can’t Escape All wrapped in sarcasm and comic timing.
Beals’ unique style is marked by expressive characters, pastel-toned palettes, and clear punchlines that land hard. He doesn’t shy away from social commentary either — weaving satire about corporate bureaucracy, generational friction, and mental exhaustion into panels that feel both funny and true. With a consistent presence online and a growing fanbase, Beals has carved out a niche as the modern voice of the overworked and underappreciated. If you’ve ever wanted to scream into a pillow after a long shift, chances are you’ll find Validation and in Adult Children.
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1. How to Handle Angry Customers Like a Pro (Or Not)
When asked how to deal with rude customers, one character’s strategy is to just “keep being sweet” — and never stop talking. The result? Either the customer gives in… or gives up. This strip brilliantly mocks the forced cheerfulness of service jobs and highlights the true power of endless politeness. A perfect opener for anyone who’s ever had to “smile through the pain.”
2. The Secret Life of Retail Workers Revealed
An older customer blames self-checkout on lazy millennials — until the cashier admits they crouch behind counters to avoid people. This hilarious exchange plays with generational stereotypes and workplace apathy in a way that’s both savage and oddly satisfying. Bonus: the digital coupon jab at the end is pure Beals brilliance.
3. The Retail Greeter’s Breaking Point
People blocking aisles? There’s a hero for that. Meet the “mover,” who’s taken it upon herself to shout people into action when the store greeter gives up. This comic is chaos incarnate and 100% accurate to every weekend shopping trip you’ve endured.
4. When You Quit… But Not Really
Workplace drama hits peak levels when a team member returns to their old store, and the reactions range from passive-aggressive to theatrically distraught. Beals nails the messy mix of personal emotions and inconvenient logistics that come with changing jobs — even if it’s just down the street.
5. Returning to Work Just to Spite Your Boss
Sometimes revenge is a good reason to go back. This strip captures the moment someone returns to their old job not out of nostalgia, but to inconvenience a former manager. The sarcasm is thick, the humor is dry, and the emotional honesty makes it all the better.
6. Lunch Break Drama and Sweet, Sweet Payback
Being called in on your day off? Again? This comic channels the passive-aggressive workplace energy perfectly — and ends with a satisfying mic drop: “Just proving a point.” A must-read for every employee who’s been guilt-tripped into a shift they didn’t agree to
7. The Conflict Resolution Class Gone Wild
In a class meant to promote peace, two characters argue the whole way through. Their eventual conclusion? Sometimes a meltdown is exactly what’s needed. This strip skewers corporate “emotional training” and turns it into farce — all while staying painfully true to life.
8. Which Witch Is Which? A Roleplay Disaster
Conflict role-play turns magical when one character likens another to the Wicked Witch of the West. With a Wizard of Oz punchline and a side of pettiness, this one is pure comedy for anyone who’s sat through a cringey HR workshop.
9. Dressing Up for Work? That’s Cute.
In this strip, one coworker compliments another’s appearance — but the backhanded sweetness unravels fast. The fake smiles, fake compliments, and real frustration are on full display, proving once again that Beals is the king of subtle shade.
10. Doctor, Dealer, or Both?
A conversation about mental health meds turns darkly funny when someone mistakes “doctor-prescribed happiness” for drug dealing. It’s a biting take on workplace burnout, overmedication, and how sometimes you just need a pick-me-up to survive your shift.
11. Happy Place Hijacked
A calm walk in the park turns into mental escape therapy from retail hell. The final punch — “I don’t want to come back” — speaks for every employee zoning out at a register. A perfect blend of tranquil visuals and brutal retail honesty.
12. Management Training: Now 80% More Useless
A corporate training that once meant free hotel stays is now a cheap Zoom call. This comic skewers post-pandemic cost-cutting with a perfectly deadpan delivery. Beals reminds us that even progress feels like regression sometimes.
13. Bored Without Twitter, But Still Banned From Phones
After swearing off social media, a worker discovers that real life is… kind of dull. The kicker? They’re still not allowed to use their phone. A perfect millennial dilemma wrapped in four sarcastic panels.
14. Stay in the Small Talk Zone, Please
A harmless weather chat derails into political commentary — until the cashier slaps down a brilliant boundary: “Stay in the small talk zone.” This comic is for anyone who’s ever been caught in a convo that took a hard turn too fast.
15. Embarrassment, Two Years Later
A shopper is still cringing over a year-old conversation where they awkwardly said “You too!” after a cashier’s goodbye. It’s a hilariously real comic that reminds us — we’ve all been haunted by minor interactions.
16. Quick Answer? No.
A customer asks for a simple stock check, and the journey to the back room reveals nothing but towering boxes. The final answer? “No.” This one’s for everyone who’s ever had to fake productivity while secretly giving up inside.
17. Employee Discounts Are Dangerous
Half-off books? A blessing and a curse. This comic turns book addiction into a workplace hazard and the ending (“Help me put these in my car without judging”) is both hilarious and painfully accurate.
18. Therapy, But Make It Budget-Friendly
A down-in-the-dumps worker seeks sympathy, but his coworker provides quick-fix logic instead. The blend of romantic yearning, realism, and dark humor makes this one of the most layered comics in the series.
19. Social Distance, No Excuses Needed
A woman shuts down a space-invading stranger not with COVID excuses — but with pure sass and logic. The panel nails the universal desire for personal space, especially in public lines. It’s a public service announcement, Beals-style.
20. Salary Negotiation, Vickie Style
The world’s most painfully honest job interview unfolds as one applicant repeatedly shuts down vague HR talk. The highlight? “The ability to cut through nonsense.” If only we all had that courage in interviews.
Final Thoughts
If you’ve ever clocked into a shift and immediately regretted it, these Adult Children Comics by Stephen Beals will feel like a hug and a scream at the same time. They capture the messiness of modern work life with humor, grit, and more than a touch of truth. Big thanks to Stephen Beals for giving us 20 ways to laugh through the chaos. For more comics like these, visit BoredComics.com and feed your funny bone!
