Scott Hilburn, the brilliant mind behind The Argyle Sweater, is a modern master of single panel humor. Known for his sharp punchlines and absurd takes on everyday situations, Hilburn’s work blends observational comedy with surrealist wit. His style pays homage to The Far Side, yet stands entirely on its own with contemporary gags and pop-culture pokes.
Artist Spotlight Scott Hilburn and His Signature Wit
His comics have appeared in hundreds of publications through Andrews McMeel Syndication. Whether it’s puns, historical spoofs, or visual gags, Hilburn’s humor hits you fast and stays with you. He doesn’t just make you laugh — he makes you think, then laugh again. That’s the beauty of a true single-panel craftsman.
#1 The Breakfast of Anteaters.
An anteater is cooking up pancakes beside a cereal box labeled “Ant Jemima.” If your breakfast didn’t start with a pun, did it even happen? This comic shows how Hilburn takes a classic household scene and flips it on its antennae — literally.
#2 Smell the Roses… Literally.
Two dogs show up at a house just because someone said, “Let’s stop and smell the roses.” Too literal? Hilariously so. Hilburn captures the innocence (and comedy) of taking things at face value.
#3 Brass Quartet’s Mystery Member.
When Charlie Brown’s teacher joins a jazz band, the joke isn’t just heard — it’s garbled. The woman with no instrument explains everything. It’s a deep-cut pun with retro cartoon flair.
#4 Peas Out, Pod Broken.
A breakup story told by peas in a pod. “Peas tell me you’re pulling my legume” is the kind of wordplay that only Hilburn can deliver without it feeling forced. A sad, sprouted drama.
#5 The Dating Scene — Candy Edition.
A chocolate bar uses a dating site called “Confection Connection.” It’s full of candy puns — Payday, Mr. Goodbar, 5th Avenue — all packed into one ridiculous profile. This one’s a sweet treat for pun lovers.
#6 Death Has Medical Bills Too.
The Grim Reaper balks at a $750 X-ray. “You’ve got to be skulling me” is implied. Even death can’t escape healthcare horror — and that’s funny in a dark, too-close-to-home way.
#7 Senior Living Misinterpreted.
Graduates in caps and gowns accidentally celebrate at a retirement facility labeled “Senior Living.” It’s a classic Hilburn double-meaning gag that’s both wholesome and awkward.
#8 A Grim Wardrobe Crisis.
The Grim Reaper shopping for a cloak asks if it comes in “solid black.” Goth problems, eternal edition. This comic is peak visual irony.
#9 Snails on a Fitness Journey.
Two snails discuss running a 5K. One says he only has two weeks of vacation. The pacing of this joke — slow and deliberate — fits the subject perfectly. Snail-paced humor? Nailed it.
#10 Plus Size Help From the Red Cross.
When a woman asks for plus-size clothes, the response comes from a literal “plus” sign with a handbag. Wordplay this visual shouldn’t work this well, and yet… it crushes.
#11 The Golden Treadmill.
King Midas can’t use his golden treadmill — everything he touches turns to gold. It’s a clever twist on a myth with a modern twist, and a bit of a fitness commentary, too.
#12 Welcome to the Hotel Yelpifornia.
A Yelp review for the Hotel California? Genius. “You can check out anytime you like, but you can never leave” makes a perfect review line. You’ll hum The Eagles while laughing.
#13 Not Rock Science.
Cavemen inventing fire, with the dad exclaiming, “This not rock science.” This one hits you like a rock — right in the pun center of your brain.
#14 Curiosity Rover’s Real Obstacle.
NASA’s Curiosity Rover is stuck on a squeaky dog toy. Why? Because Mars is apparently littered with discarded chew toys. The absurdity here is so casually perfect, it’s laugh-out-loud worthy.
#15 Uber, the Beta Version.
An early startup version of Uber involves a guy just turning your keys in the morning. “Eventually we’ll drive too,” he says. This one is so meta it hurts — in a good way.
#16 Santa’s Cold Truth.
Santa’s shocked by how cold it is… and sneezes mid-thought. Gesundheit, big guy. A Christmas chuckle wrapped in a dad joke bow.
#17 Jefferson’s Diagnosis.
Thomas Jefferson gets diagnosed with “Independencitis.” What else do you call a strong desire to self-govern? Revolutionary humor at its punniest.
#18 OB/CD — The Rock/Pizza Combo.
A band mashes up ACDC with pizza lyrics. Fries, pies, and rock ‘n roll make this an oddly satisfying cultural collage.
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#20 The Great Caulk Fight.
A historical-style gang war breaks out… with caulking guns. “Caulk fighting” being outlawed might be one of the most original setups in comic history. Yes, it’s ridiculous — and glorious.
Final Thoughts: Absurdity, Wit, and a Whole Lot of Laughs
Scott Hilburn’s The Argyle Sweater is a masterclass in single panel humor. These comics are fast, clever, and just the right amount of weird. Whether he’s parodying mythology, history, or modern life, Hilburn delivers punchlines that hit hard in just one frame.
Credit: All comics featured are by Scott Hilburn, creator of The Argyle Sweater.
📌 Official Website: gocomics.com/the-argyle-sweater
📘 Facebook: facebook.com/TheArgyleSweater
📸 Instagram: The Argyle Sweater
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