20 Best Cornered Cartoons That Are Brilliantly Absurd

May 19, 2025

Best Cornered cartoons are the kind of daily dose you never knew you needed until you catch yourself snort-laughing over your morning coffee. In this comic review, we’re diving deep into 20 of the most hilarious, offbeat, and cleverly written Cornered comics by the legendary Mike Baldwin. These single-panel gems pack more punch than a sitcom scene, thanks to Baldwin’s masterful timing and absurdist flair.

About Mike Baldwin

Mike Baldwin, the mind behind Cornered, has been tickling funny bones since 1996. His cartoons have appeared in hundreds of newspapers worldwide, gaining a cult following among lovers of smart, one-panel wit. Baldwin’s humor thrives on twisted logic, visual puns, and the often-ridiculous realities of everyday life. Cornered’s style is distinct—visually simple but rich in layered humor. From workplace absurdities to awkward therapy sessions, Baldwin’s themes explore the corners of life we often overlook.

#1 Car Alarm Snooze Mode.

A man is peacefully sleeping in his car… with literal snooze lines zipping from his head and vehicle. The caption nails it: “For a small fee, subscribers can deactivate the car alarm snooze button.” Genius! Baldwin turns tech culture into a punchline you wish wasn’t so plausible.

#2 Puppet Lawyer Logic.

In prison, an inmate looks up at a lawyer clearly being controlled like a marionette. The lawyer says, “Good move asking for a lawyer. You can’t outsmart the cops by yourself.” A brilliant jab at legal puppetry and justice-system cynicism.

#3 Grain of Truth.

Browsing the bulk bins, a woman finds a literal “grain of truth” for sale. Satirical, literal, and ironic—Baldwin crushes it in one absurd grocery aisle.

#4 Couch Therapy Twist.

A woman on a therapy couch complains, “Sometimes it feels like I’m just in the way” — ironic, considering the therapist is seated behind her scribbling notes. Layered and darkly relatable.

#5 Ideas on the Back Burner.

In an office, a fiery stove erupts under a bulletin board. “Maybe it was a good sign. Their ideas usually got put on the back burner.” Literal flames plus corporate satire = comedy gold.

#6 CIA Conference Mystery.

A crowd gathers under a “Welcome CIA” banner. The punchline? “Best conference I’ve never been to.” The meta-humor is off the charts here—subtle and oh-so sharp.

#7 Stay Off Your Feet.

A doctor advises a heavily pregnant woman to “stay off her feet until the baby’s born” — but she’s already levitating from sheer exhaustion. A visual laugh with a deadpan punch.

#8 Bates Motel Shower.

A father tells his daughter to take shorter showers, all while the “Bates Motel” curtain looms behind her. It’s creepy. It’s funny. It’s delightfully wrong.

#9 Service Desk Momentum.

A long line of people wait at a service desk. The clerk says, “I’ll be with you momentarily. I’m just gathering momentum.” It’s the most accurate depiction of Monday energy ever drawn.

#10 Shadow of a Model.

In an art gallery, two visitors look at abstract paintings. One says, “I like that he doesn’t exploit his models,” while the models’ literal shadows are painted on the wall. Clever commentary on modern art, minimalism, and interpretation.

#11 Game of Throws.

A tire is flying at a terrified driver with the sound effect Screech! The caption? “Game of Throws.” This pun could qualify for a dad joke championship.

#12 Overthinkers Anonymous.

A support group sign reads: “Overthinkers Anonymous.” Someone ponders, “Seriously though, why only 12 steps?” Self-deprecating and spot-on, especially for the analysis-prone.

#13 Interrogation Lighting Fail.

In a police lineup, someone identifies a suspect before the lights are turned on. “Wait until they turn on the light.” It flips the logic of crime dramas with perfect timing.

#14 Not So Amen.

A priest corrects someone: “It’s ‘Amen’ — not ‘Hell yeah.'” A divine comedy misstep that shows how language, like faith, needs context.

#15 Suburban Commandments.

A preacher delivers this commandment: “And bloweth not thine grass clippings unto thy neighbor’s yard.” If Moses lived in the ‘burbs, this would be on the tablet.

#16 Longer Hours With Help.

Two businessmen show off a trench coat filled with employees. One says, “Now that I’ve got help, I can stay open longer.” Retail pain captured with noir-level flair.

#17 Comedy Night Dilemma.

A painfully shy comedian stands on stage, while the audience awkwardly debates whether to laugh behind his back. It’s dark, sweet, and a little too real.

#18 Bad Part of Town Tour.

A man finishes a tour with, “This concludes our walking tour of the beautiful, yet notorious, bad part of town,” while a mugger raises his hands nearby. Safety never stood a chance.

#19 12-Stitch Program.

A reformed knitter sits among his yarn creations. The caption: “All thanks to the 12-stitch program.” A hilarious, wholesome parody of addiction recovery.

#20 Turf War Dining.

A mobster growls over steak and seafood: “Someone’s always trying to muscle in on your surf and turf.” Bad puns meet gangster tropes—perfect.

Final Thoughts

That wraps up our collection of the Best Cornered cartoons by the brilliant Mike Baldwin. His ability to blend puns, irony, and social commentary into a single-panel format is second to none. These comics are weird, witty, and endlessly re-readable.

Credit: All comics featured in this article are by Mike Baldwin, the genius behind Cornered. His unique take on life’s oddities has made this strip a long-running favorite among comic fans.

For more hilarious cartoon collections, absurd laughs, and twisted takes on daily life, head over to Boredcomics.com. You won’t regret it—unless you overthink it!