Dark humor cartoon fans, rejoice — this review takes you on a tour of 20 ridiculous, laugh-out-loud moments from John McPherson’s long-running series Close to Home. Equal parts absurd and relatable, these single-panel comics pull no punches when it comes to poking fun at everyday life, awkward situations, and the hilariously bizarre.
Artist Bio John McPherson
John McPherson, the mastermind behind Close to Home, has been delivering daily doses of offbeat humor since 1992. His work is syndicated worldwide by Andrews McMeel, appearing in hundreds of newspapers and online platforms. Known for his bold cartoon style, exaggerated characters, and witty captions, McPherson specializes in capturing the weird quirks of ordinary life. From parenting mishaps to medical absurdities, his humor blends sarcasm with relatable scenarios. Over the years, his work has gained a loyal fanbase who appreciate his knack for making uncomfortable truths and everyday frustrations absolutely hilarious.
#1. Lego Helmet Dreams
When Dad falls asleep, the kids see him as just another DIY project. Forget toys — this “motorcycle helmet” might be OSHA’s worst nightmare.
#2. Gym Date Disaster
Nothing says “romance” like snapping your weight bench mid-lift. The poor guy’s face screams “swole regret.”
#3. Cliffhanger Confidence
Two airbags. Zero driving skills. At least this couple finds comfort in car safety… while freefalling off a cliff.
#4. Starbucks in Space
Forget oxygen. Forget food. Astronauts just want their caramel macchiato. Priorities, people.
#5. Cat Realtor Shenanigans
Scratching posts, litter boxes, mice infestations — the feline dream house. Zillow for cats would sell this in seconds.
#6. Freedom of Information Act, Classroom Edition
Why study when you can demand access to your neighbor’s test? Truly, the Constitution at work.
#7. Spider Showdown with Macho Man
Armed with a rolled-up newspaper and a pep talk from the Village People, Ed prepares for battle. Cue the Rocky soundtrack.
#8. Australian Accent Class
Barry figures a foreign accent will impress women. Let’s just say “ankle biter” doesn’t scream smooth operator.
#9. Marriage Counselor Mayhem
Miranda takes “working through problems” a little too literally… with a voodoo doll mid-session. Yikes.
#10. Venus de Milo Delivery
Finally, the truth comes out — moving accidents happen to everyone, even ancient statues. Zeus Movers is not getting five stars.
#11. Shyness Support Group
An introvert’s nightmare: being asked to share in a circle. Bonus points for the woman literally hiding under a paper bag.
#12. Teen Discipline, Medieval Style
When “time-out” doesn’t cut it, just break out the stocks and pillories. Parenting level: extreme.
#13. The Worst Doctor Ever
“This might hurt a little” is one thing. “You’ll scream uncontrollably” is next-level malpractice.
#14. Fish Oil Side Effects
When your spouse starts attracting stray cats like a Disney princess, maybe it’s time to cut back on the supplements.
#15. Carpool Lane Zombies
Need a buddy for the HOV lane? Hitchhiking zombies have your back… literally.
#16. Cat Owner Battle Armor
Anyone who’s tried taking cats to the vet knows — this gear is not overkill. It’s survival.
#17. Anxiety Butterflies
Science calls it stress. This surgeon calls it… a belly full of butterflies. Diagnosis: flutter panic.
#18. MRI Overbooking Madness
Mrs. Neal and Mrs. Locke get their scans done simultaneously. The healthcare system has never been this efficient.
#19. Phone-Withdrawn Teens
Fresh into 9th grade, these kids stare at their palms like mystics discovering prophecy. Nope, just missing TikTok.
#20. Sleepwalker’s Invisible Fence
Because nothing says “sweet dreams” like getting zapped awake by a shock collar at 3 a.m.
Closing Thoughts
These 20 dark humor cartoons prove that John McPherson’s Close to Home thrives on taking the ordinary and twisting it into something outrageously funny. From awkward parenting moments to medical absurdities, his work manages to be both shocking and weirdly relatable — the sweet spot of dark humor.
Credit: All featured comics are by John McPherson, creator of Close to Home. You can view more of his work on his official GoComics page. His sharp wit and absurdist style continue to make Close to Home one of the funniest syndicated comics running today.
👉 For more comic reviews and laughs, be sure to visit Boredcomics.com.
