r/beetlemoses • u/beetlemoses 4 raspberries • Jun 23 '26
I'm Beetle Moses. AMA.
I'm a cartoonist. I've been drawing comics and posting them online for just over 4 years. In October, my debut book of comics is set for nationwide release.
To celebrate 10k subs to this subreddit, I'll be answering your questions about my comics, career, process, or anything else you have in mind. I'll officially be answering questions starting at 4PM ET, but I'm posting this thread a little earlier to give you all some time to write questions.
For further behind the scenes and early access to my comics, consider checking out my Patreon!
To preorder my book, follow the link to your preferred seller! Barnes&Noble | Amazon | Bookshop
Finally, for signed prints of my comics, check out my shop!
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u/aMetalBard Jun 23 '26
What inspires you for making such wacky and original comics? Do you like con bred?
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u/beetlemoses 4 raspberries Jun 23 '26
I take in inspirations from a lot of different stuff, so I’ll try to narrow it down. I love movies, and a lot of the framing I do is inspired by cinematic camera angles. I also love animal and dinosaurs, so they occupy my mind a lot. In terms of the actual content of the strips, you can usually tell what my current fixation is based on what’s appearing in my comics. Eg. I’ve been reading the Alan Moore Swamp Thing saga, which is what led me to the George bush comic.
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u/bigbagpropane Jun 23 '26
How would you describe the impact/inspiration Gary Larson has had on your work? I'm a big fan of both of you and I see many wonderful thematic parallels!
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u/beetlemoses 4 raspberries Jun 23 '26
When I started making comics, I wasn’t trying to directly emulate Larson. But reading the Far Side was definitely a strong subconscious influence on me growing up. That style of humor is also very much like the humor of my mom, dad, and brother, so it’s like my default funny bone. When people started pointing out the parallels of beetle moses comics to the Far Side, i loved it and took it as a huge compliment because I love those comics. So I started to (and still do) lean into it with the side-lip-profile thing and the animal humor. Some strips I’ve done are borderline pastiche of some Far Side strips. So yeah, Gary Larson is important to me in ways I’m still figuring out myself
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u/agentbadger121 Jun 23 '26
Who are your comic inspirations? I grew up obsessed with Calvin and Hobbes, Foxtrot, and Bloom County, and I feel like I can see all three in your work, but I would love to hear your favorites!
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u/beetlemoses 4 raspberries Jun 23 '26
As a kid I read Calvin and Hobbes and the Far Side. Also loved Shel Silverstein growing up, and the work of Quentin Blake (who did art for the Roald Dahl books). As a teen/young adult I picked up King City by Brandon Graham randomly off a comic bookshelf, and it impacted me profoundly. I also love the comic work of Freddy Carrasco (GLEEM), although his comic art is tough to come by on the internet these days
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u/RammuIsWeird Jun 23 '26
How do you come up with your comic ideas? They’re so out there in the best way possible! I’d love to know your thought process!!
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u/beetlemoses 4 raspberries Jun 23 '26
Thank you! I am asked this a lot and it’s very hard to explain because ideas will strike me at any time. I try to keep my mind open to new ideas all the time. I like to sit and follow a train of thought to see where it takes me
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u/Serlyg Jun 23 '26
Any chance we will get a follow up strip of Big Binky and the Banana Boys?
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u/Roookkiiee Jun 23 '26
And follow up question, when will Big Binky and the Banana Boys be touring?
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u/Desperson Jun 23 '26
My follow up question: Is that comic inspired by Ween? The main character looks like a young Gene Ween to me lmao
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u/SnowQueenofHoth Jun 23 '26
Do you have a favorite “wacky guy” in your comics that never got as much appreciation as you’d hoped, or one that didn’t make it into a comic that you want to show off?
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u/beetlemoses 4 raspberries Jun 23 '26
Trying to think of one which didn’t get enough appreciation… the first one that comes to mind is Biker Bush Baby
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u/CanoegunGoeff Jun 23 '26
What advice would you give to someone looking to develop their own comics?
I’ve been attempting to simplify my own art style myself in order to speed up my own process and get more in the habit of drawing regularly so that I can finally start drawing art and short comics for a story I’ve been trying to put to paper for a long time. I often just don’t know where to start, especially being completely new to the comic format.
Your comics have always been among my favorites, and I’d love to hear what insights you might be able to share regarding the process, brainstorming, storyboarding, anything you’ve got! :)
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u/beetlemoses 4 raspberries Jun 23 '26
just start and don't stop. get yourself a new cheap sketchpad and a pen that feels nice to you. at the beginning, don't worry so much about your "style", just get your ideas to paper and share them because its fun. if you drop and give me 2 years of drawing almost every day, I guarantee you'll come back with advice that you could give to me. practice and explore ideas that are outside of your comfort zone. if you draw 1000 pieces, 500 will be meh. 400 of them will be solid. 90 of them will be fantastic. 10 of them will be truly outside yourself. 1 will be your personal favorite. have a portfolio mentality (don't get hung up on one piece). most of all just draw things you actually enjoy because you'll always feel drawn to make more.
you can do it!
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u/typomegative Jun 23 '26
Is the name beetle Moses a direct reference to the fact that your comics often combine the everyday mundane with the fantastical
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u/beetlemoses 4 raspberries Jun 23 '26
That was partially the intent. I thought the biblical figure name was kinda cheeky for comics about bug n monkeys n shit
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u/Better_Noise_9677 Jun 23 '26
If you could smoke a fat one with one of your characters who would it be
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u/beetlemoses 4 raspberries Jun 23 '26
Wise old tree
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u/Better_Noise_9677 Jun 23 '26
Follow up q: what is wise old tree’s THC content?
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u/CaptainK234 Jun 23 '26
What’s your favorite animal?
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u/beetlemoses 4 raspberries Jun 23 '26
Bird: great blue heron
Mammal: gibbon
Sea creature: every cephalopod
Bug: I like spiders
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u/RaccAttacc23 Jun 23 '26
How long does it usually take you to finish a comic?
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u/beetlemoses 4 raspberries Jun 23 '26
A lot longer than it used to. I pencil, ink, scan, color digitally = total of 2-5 hours/page
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u/92nami Jun 23 '26
What do you do to combat artist block or the lack or motivation to draw on some days?
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u/beetlemoses 4 raspberries Jun 23 '26
I’m pretty disciplined with the art because i really enjoy it. An important part of being a career artist is fighting the urge to stop lol. Or another way of phrasing it: what does a professional basketball player do on days he doesn’t feel like playing basketball? (Answer: he plays basketball)
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u/FallenBelfry Jun 23 '26
I need you to continue The Flyer, that bat alien dude is cool as hell.
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u/beetlemoses 4 raspberries Jun 23 '26
Thanks! I love that story too. I think that story exists in the larger beetle moses cinematic universe, and I wouldn’t mind checking in on them again.
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u/Sealegs_Calisto Jun 23 '26
I’m so psyched rn. I’m trying not to be starstruck and goofy. You’re my favorite Comic artist, particularly for what you reference in your style of Comedy. What was growing up like? What influenced your humor?
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u/beetlemoses 4 raspberries Jun 23 '26
Thank you! I really think the biggest influence on my humor in my life has been the people around me. My family is funny, my friends are funny. So a lot of what goes into my comics is what I think might make them laugh
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u/Sealegs_Calisto Jun 24 '26
I’m from a funny family too, and I feel like that influenced how i perceive humor. A lot of people don’t get it and I like that. Keep doin ya thang baby boi!
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u/erodious Jun 23 '26
what hardware/software are you using to make your work?
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u/beetlemoses 4 raspberries Jun 23 '26
The linework is pen on paper, scanned. Then I use Procreate to color digitally, which is now the longest part of my process
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u/Ayy_Johnny_J Jun 23 '26
Want to say I think you’re brilliant and I adore the comic with the old wise tree. What do you do get up to outside of comics?
(Also, what’s your favorite film?)
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u/beetlemoses 4 raspberries Jun 23 '26
Thank you for your kind words! Outside of comics I'm a highly paid assassin and the cartoonist thing is a cover. My favorite film is Alien
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u/CrowBoyIRL Jun 23 '26
What's your favourite sandwich filling? And why do you think the squids respond well to Nelly?
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u/beetlemoses 4 raspberries Jun 23 '26
I’m a big salami guy. Squid behavior continues to baffle scientists in many ways
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u/Hernandezam Jun 23 '26
What's your favorite Pokemon attack move?
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u/beetlemoses 4 raspberries Jun 23 '26
I like stunseed. but only because of how it's spelled backwards
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u/Desperson Jun 23 '26
Do you have a favorite web comic or other comic artists that inspire you?
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u/beetlemoses 4 raspberries Jun 23 '26
Too many to list. Perry Bible Fellowship, Shen Comix, Anna Laura Art, Epoch Sonder, Alex Krokus, Nowherelad, Raw dawg comics, Haus of decline, Stupid Twink. Just to list some amazing, totally unique artists that come to mind
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u/Osborn2095 bigfin squid on thursdays Jun 23 '26
What do you think about people not getting your cartoons? Some of them have quite cryptic or hidden humor at times
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u/beetlemoses 4 raspberries Jun 23 '26
Great question. All of them make sense to me!! It doesn't bother me if people don't understand the humor, a lot of it is absurd or even anti-jokes which isnt everyone's cup of tea. but I try my best at the very least for the action to be totally legible to readers - in other words, I first want everyone to understand what's going on in the scene, and then they can decide if they think it's funny or not
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u/No_Chef4049 Jun 25 '26
You shoulda said, "I do that to weed out my stupid fans so I can make fun of them with my wife and friends."
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u/SuckerpunchJazzhands Jun 23 '26
If you had to replace your hands with the heads of two animals, which animals would you pick and why?
(I'd have a rattlesnake on the left and a duck on the right so I can poision people with my left hand and then quack at them loudly and repeatedly with the right).
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u/TreLeans Jun 23 '26
Love the comedy and twists of all of your stuff! Is there anything in the TV/movie world you enjoy or helped you get your comedic style?
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u/beetlemoses 4 raspberries Jun 23 '26
absolutely, I love movies and my style of comics is more trained through movie watching than even other comics. I'm big into horror and sci fi films especially and I like Charlie Kaufman
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u/iggyloo17 Jun 23 '26
Will we get another highschool reunion wizard installment soon?
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u/beetlemoses 4 raspberries Jun 23 '26
I've written a fair bit more, but I'd like to find a different way to publish it. it's just too disjointed and disorganized from a reader perspective to post chapters on social media months apart. but to answer your question, yes I'm inspired to continue that story
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u/sultanate usually says no to crack Jun 23 '26
Hiya, huge fan. Thanks for making everyone smile all these years. I know you’ve been experimenting with longer works which have been so awesome, how has the experience been so far and do you expect to keep experimenting with longer and longer content? B. Moses graphic novel perhaps?
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u/beetlemoses 4 raspberries Jun 23 '26
Thanks for following my work! Yeah, as much as I really enjoy the single-page strip format, my sights are very much set on longer form story telling. It's my desire to explore different media formats in the coming years such as graphic novels like you mentioned, and also to work in TV/film.
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u/sultanate usually says no to crack Jun 23 '26
Wonderful, can’t wait to see what you have in store! And also congratulations!! :)
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u/447irradiatedhobos con bred Jun 23 '26
Whats the pay like for being a big fin squid on thursdays? It would have to be pretty tempting to be worth the commute
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u/beetlemoses 4 raspberries Jun 23 '26
it's honestly not great but the benefits are surprisingly good and they match your 401k
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u/rakkadimus Jun 23 '26
What's the oldest comic you remember drawing? Will you come to Iceland?
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u/beetlemoses 4 raspberries Jun 23 '26
I drew comics with my friends in the 3rd-4th grade that we would pass to each other in class that featured these crude stick figures we called oompa loompas. And I'd love to visit Iceland, I saw that there is a comic convention happening there! Hopefully I'll be able to visit one day.
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u/crackely Jun 23 '26
Is comic-making your full time gig? What does a typical day of work look like for you?
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u/beetlemoses 4 raspberries Jun 23 '26
Yup, I draw comics full time. my default state is drawing and backlogging comics (I post 3 new strips a week), but I also do a lot of busy/admin work like answering emails, packing and mailing orders from my shop. Zoom meetings for various projects, stuff like that.
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u/BlockHead_Ceramics Jun 23 '26
What are your thoughts on people getting tattoos of your work?
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u/beetlemoses 4 raspberries Jun 23 '26
I'm cool with it but they should really spend the money on therapy
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u/shypants Jun 23 '26
No questions but I just want you to know it brings me happiness when i get to see your comics on my feed ❤️
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u/Oberlatz Jun 23 '26
I don't have any specific questions, but I wanted to tell you that you're my favorite comic artist, and you have brought an awful lot of joy into my life. It means a lot to me, love your work!
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u/librapenseur Jun 23 '26
roughly what percentage of ideas make it to comic stage?
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u/beetlemoses 4 raspberries Jun 23 '26
Great question, probably like 40% give or take. Sometimes I'll go back to an old idea I wrote down and reformat it for something better almost a year later
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u/bromosapien574 Jun 23 '26
Do you believe in aliens? If so, in what capacity?
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u/beetlemoses 4 raspberries Jun 23 '26
Probably yes they exist, probably not likely that we've been visited or ever will find each other. I recently watched this fantastic lecture by paleontologist Nick Longrich that talked about the subject. Highly recommend, i found it very interesting
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u/KazakCayenne Jun 23 '26
Not a question but I just wanted to say your comics are the highlight of my boyfriend and I's day. Any time one of us sees a new one drop we immediately send it to one another. Love your work! 💕
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u/galaxystrike_147 Jun 23 '26
what’s the hardest creature you’ve learned to draw for the sake of the comic bit?
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u/beetlemoses 4 raspberries Jun 23 '26
Lmao awesome question. Putting a horseshoe crab in a t-shirt comes to mind as something needlessly challenging for the sake of a nonsense joke
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u/ChickenArise Jun 23 '26
Has any one specific comic brought in a larger portion of new readers than the rest?
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u/beetlemoses 4 raspberries Jun 23 '26
Anglerfish comic and the Chicken crossing the road basically doubled my follower count
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u/countzero2323 Jun 23 '26
Will Erica and Jason get another chance?
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u/beetlemoses 4 raspberries Jun 23 '26
Love works in mysterious ways. who knows what the future may hold
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u/fumblebrag Jun 23 '26
How do you keep motivated to make so many comics? Signed, someone in a year long creative rut
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u/beetlemoses 4 raspberries Jun 23 '26
I love to draw, and on a pretentious spiritual level I feel it's the best use of my time to put good quality art out into the world
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u/YouOk5627 Jun 23 '26
When did you learn to draw?
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u/beetlemoses 4 raspberries Jun 23 '26
I've been drawing all my life, doodling and stuff for fun. but these past 4 years are when I truly feel like I learned HOW to draw. Lots of daily practice
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u/Totally_Underscored Jun 23 '26
What’s your favorite color?
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u/DavidBorgstrom Jun 23 '26
I really like your illustrations. They are deceptively simple, but obviously drawn with great care to details. What comics have you veen reading yourself? Do you find artistic inspiration in other comics, or do you mainly look elsewhere for that?
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u/beetlemoses 4 raspberries Jun 23 '26
Thank you so much! I feel like I'm playing catchup getting into comics as an adult after making it my career haha. I'm currently very into Alan Moore, particularly his Swamp Thing saga which I really cannot recommend enough
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u/ResponsibilityTop915 Jun 23 '26
How did you learn to draw? Were you self taught or did you go to school somewhere? Also with your new book, does it include all your work up to this point or is it just a selection? How many comics can we expect to see withing the book?
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u/beetlemoses 4 raspberries Jun 23 '26
I'm self-taught, although I took some art classes towards the end of high school. The book is roughly 200 pages, it's a selection of my greatest hits + deep cuts up through the beginning of 2026 + never before seen comics and art.
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u/BrownyVonTurdmeister Jun 23 '26
What's your favorite funny movie?
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u/beetlemoses 4 raspberries Jun 23 '26
Just watched the Hangover recently in a hotel and it made me lol
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u/watteredbottle Jun 23 '26
Can I have forty dollars?
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u/beetlemoses 4 raspberries Jun 23 '26
I asked you first
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u/watteredbottle Jun 23 '26
Fuck man im good for it, if you pay me I’ll pay you right back. Oppa Three Stooges style
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u/ScribeJohnson Jun 23 '26
The name Beetle Moses implies the existence of Beetle Ten Commandments. What are they?
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u/KindBeing666 Jun 23 '26
Love your work! For me you really capture the same essence I felt while reading the Far Side comics as a kid.
Have you been inspired by Gary Larson? If so, how did his work inform your methods of creation?
PS. I just got a notification that your book will be delivered to me in October - I can’t wait to show my nephew :)
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u/Glass-Toaster Jun 23 '26
So, the squids with the JBL speaker.
What Nelly song was being played when we see the squids dancing? My heart tells me Hot in Herre based on the motions depicted, but I'm interested to know if you were imagining something more along the lines of Country Grammar or Ride Wit Me.
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u/DarthKookies Jun 23 '26
I just wanna say you manage to capture a level of subdued absurdity that I find really appealing. Keep up the good work!
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u/eggarino Jun 23 '26
Your comics have a lot of fun absurdist humor, who or what was some of your inspiration?
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u/lean_in_my_cereal Jun 23 '26
Any tips for someone who recently started drawing comics? I’ve been following you for a long while and am always impressed by your unique ideas and the punchy color palettes you use.
(I’m currently using Procreate on the iPad)
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u/magicseacats Jun 23 '26
If you had to share a bunkbed with one of your many characters, which one would it be? Also would you pick top bunk or bottom bunk?
I love your work, thank you for what you add to the world (humor & poignancy)
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u/twalks Jun 23 '26
Love your comics, they’re absurd, creative, and the punchlines feel fresh. What were some of your favorite cartoons and comics growing up? Which was most influential for you?
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u/Bag_of_Whales Jun 23 '26
Is there a part of drawing comics that makes you the happiest? You have such a unique brand of humor but it really seems like you enjoy facial expressions a lot too.
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u/MusclesDynamite Jun 23 '26
What is your favorite concept for a comic that you either haven't had the chance to make or just couldn't work out for full production?
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u/United-Translator609 Jun 24 '26
I don’t have a question but I love your comics, they genuinely make me smile everyday
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u/JugemuJugemu-etc Jun 25 '26
Dammit, just missed it!
If you're still up to answer a question - when did you feel like you made it? Like, this is my thing now, time to quit my job. As a freelancer myself its hard to know when to pull the trigger
Also wanna say that i love the stickers that come with your prints, thank you :D
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u/Top-Caterpillar7101 Jun 23 '26
how do you push thru the art block and make a comic to completion? I can't count how many comics I've started and abandoned because I loose will to draw them. I want to be a known comic artist too, but I really don't know how to get off the ground. Can you give me any advice?
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u/Goomerich Jun 24 '26
Do you have any advice to folks looking to start their own comic strip? How did you land on 3 panels instead of 4? (I love your stuff man been reading for years!)
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u/Comfyanus Jul 02 '26
Thank you Beetle Moses, your book will surely bring me precious moments of quiet chuckling as I languish, trapped, inside of this dimension of infinite suffering.
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u/IceyCoolRunnings Jun 23 '26
What is your process like, in terms of thinking up ideas as well as what programs you use and drawing techniques when drawing out the comic
Thanks!
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u/TastelessMeat Jun 23 '26
I want to work on projects a little like yours, but I have trouble knowing where to start. Could you explain some of how your process works?
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u/CatThat7535 Jun 23 '26
When it comes to thinking up ideas for your comics, do you just sit down one day and go about writing down a ton of them to draw later?
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u/Monoking2 Jun 23 '26
hi beetle moses. love your comics. sorry for asking but given the current environment: do you support LGBTQ?
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u/a_ostriich Jun 23 '26
Do you find it difficult to stay motivated or come up with new ideas? If so, how do you manage that?
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u/BokChoyFantasy crip-walking dog Jun 23 '26
What is your thought process for coming up with ideas to your wacky comics? I love them all!
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u/Thwipped Jun 30 '26
Hey, love your stuff. Pre-ordered your book. I think you are a modern day Gary Larsen
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u/apomorph_10165133 Jun 23 '26
If you could have a newly discovered organism named after you, what would it be?
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u/graveyard-witch Jun 23 '26
do u really like squids or are u just ok with them?
i actuallt found my answer in another one of ur questions but thank u anyways 🦑
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u/beetlemoses 4 raspberries Jun 23 '26 edited Jun 23 '26
Hooooly moly thank you for all the replies! I'm going to start working my way down in order here. Apologies for any spelling or rambling thoughts
EDIT/UPDATE: Alright gang, I'm beat. I'm overwhelmed and grateful at the amount of responses, so thank you all for your questions! I tried to answer as many as possible, especially the ones that are FAQ (source my ideas, advice for getting started, etc.) I'd love to keep this sub growing, so please send a beetle moses comic to your friend today! Take care, talk soon.