Old School Humor Cartoons by Jim Unger is the kind of classic comic gold that only gets better with age. This review showcases 20 of his most hilarious Herman panels, each dripping with Unger’s signature sarcasm and wonderfully awkward scenarios.Jim Unger, the Canadian cartoonist best known for his legendary single-panel series Herman, created a unique brand of humor that thrived on absurdity, dry wit, and exaggerated characters.
About Jim Unger Mastermind Behind Herman
Launching in the mid-1970s, Herman ran in hundreds of newspapers worldwide and quickly became a syndication success. Jim’s style was instantly recognizable: slouched shoulders, long noses, grumpy expressions, and an uncanny ability to reflect everyday absurdities.Unger won multiple awards, including the National Cartoonist Society Newspaper Panel Cartoon Award, and even after retiring, his work continued to resonate with fans. His legacy lies in creating cartoons that are as funny and relevant now as they were decades ago.
#1 Coffee Cliffhanger.
A man clings to a cliff for dear life while a woman casually asks if he still wants his coffee. The brilliance? It turns life-or-death tension into a relationship squabble. Unger at his deadpan best.
#2 The Explosive Sprint.
A sprinter lines up in front of a literal landmine labeled “starter pistol”. The coach’s poker face sells it. The absurd exaggeration here screams classic Herman.
#3 Office Casualty.
A man covered in casts and crutches is met with complete indifference from his boss. “You’re four minutes late,” says the boss. Hilariously brutal workplace commentary.
#4 Waterfront Regrets.
The punchline comes via alligator: “I knew we shouldn’t have bought waterfront property!” Unger turns real estate into a ridiculous, toothy situation.
#5 The Near Miss.
A man on death row gets bad news from his executioner: “I didn’t bring my glasses. Does that say you’ve been pardoned?” Grim humor, Unger-style.
#6 Marriage Gamble.
“If you’re so dead-set against gambling, how come you’re still in the marriage business?” Herman nails it with a perfect blend of cynicism and wit.
#7 Bear Market.
“Imagine you’ve cornered a bear,” says the man selling a bazooka. “Now he runs into a house.” This is overkill taken to absurd new heights.
#8 Veggie Thief.
“I can’t get anything to grow near that fence!” Cut to the neighbor hiding stolen carrots behind his back. A petty crime never looked funnier.
#9 Abstractly Awkward.
“This is Reclining Nude.” Cue parents nervously shielding their kids from a sculpture that’s… suggestively abstract. Pure gallery satire.
#10 Doctor’s Dilemma.
The doc doesn’t even blink as he asks, “Do you want to know what’s wrong or just the dollar amount?” Only Herman could make medical bills funnier than the diagnosis.
#11 Bed of Bugs.
A patient lies in a bed literally crawling with bugs. The doctors proudly announce they’ve sent an expert in tropical diseases. Hilariously unsanitary.
#12 Kitchen Confession.
“When I told him I’d like breakfast in bed, he said sleep in the kitchen.” Herman has always been great at capturing relationship letdowns with brutal honesty.
#13 Driver’s Test Disaster.
“I hate to bother you,” says the man to the bandaged patient, “but did my wife pass her driving test?” A beautiful setup, brutal payoff.
#14 Wedding Panic.
A bride and groom in horror: “We’ve got 60 guests and only three pieces of cake!” This cartoon sums up event planning anxiety in one ridiculous visual.
#15 Catch of the Day.
A snooty waiter informs a diner that the chef is still trying to catch the catch of the day. Service with a side of fishing pole.
#16 Corkscrew Calamity.
A waiter can’t open a wine bottle and mutters he needs his toolbox. This absurd twist on fine dining shows off Unger’s mastery of inconvenience humor.
#17 Silent Treatment.
“There’s nothing on my mind… and I don’t want to talk about it.” Marital cold wars have never been more relatable.
#18 The Art of the Upsell.
A vendor tries to upsell a $10 piece with, “Wouldn’t you rather own a $200 painting?” This economic guilt trip is peak passive aggression.
#19 Talkative Teeth.
“These are guaranteed up to 140 words per minute,” says the dentist, handing over dentures. The verbal-speed warranty is such a bizarre twist.
#20 Necessary Surgery.
“Of course your surgery is ‘absolutely necessary.’ Without it, I don’t get a summer vacation.” Healthcare satire with a wicked grin.
Why Herman Comics Still Shine
Jim Unger’s Herman panels pack timeless punchlines into single frames. These Old School Humor Cartoons show just how perfectly Unger balanced the ridiculous and the real. With a style that’s instantly recognizable and a tone that’s always cheeky, Herman remains a masterclass in deadpan cartooning.
Credit: All comics featured are by Jim Unger.
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