Best of Herman Comic Strips by Jim Unger is your ultimate dose of offbeat, single-panel humor. From hospital rooms to royal courts, Unger’s hilarious one-liners cut straight to the absurd core of everyday life. These 10 handpicked classics prove just why Herman is a legend in the world of comic strips.Jim Unger, the brilliant mind behind Herman, was a British-born Canadian cartoonist whose career redefined single-panel humor. Launched in 1975, Herman became a global sensation — syndicated in over 600 newspapers and translated into multiple languages. With his beady-eyed, balding characters and minimalist art style, Unger carved a niche that blended absurdity, dry wit, and deadpan comedy.
Artist Bio
Unger’s comics often portrayed authority figures, patients, spouses, and everyday Joes in hilariously ridiculous situations, all captured in a single frame with a zinger of a caption. His distinct humor didn’t rely on slapstick but on unexpected truths and ironic logic. In 1982 and 1987, he was honored with the National Cartoonists Society’s Newspaper Panel Cartoon Award. Though he retired in the early ’90s, fan demand brought Herman back into syndication, affirming its timeless appeal. Jim Unger passed away in 2012, but his work remains iconic — a staple for anyone who loves humor with a side of absurdity.
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1. Safari SOS
This comic nails visual storytelling: a ragged man stands at a payphone requesting a tow truck… from inside a lion safari park. His torn clothes and battered appearance say everything. The absurdity of calmly asking for roadside help in a life-threatening situation is peak Unger. It’s one of those strips where the setting delivers half the joke, and the caption seals the deal. It’s dry, outrageous, and totally unforgettable in true Herman style.
2. Bed Strength Misjudged
A nurse evaluates a patient who’s sprawled in bed like a twisted paperclip and tells him he’s “not strong enough to get out yet.” The visual makes the joke land — the patient’s body is bent in ways that scream he shouldn’t be upright at all. Unger’s ability to exaggerate anatomy for comedy works flawlessly here. It’s a brilliant mix of deadpan medical logic and exaggerated physical humor that makes you wince and laugh at once.
3. Seatbelt Recall
Here, a man crawls across the floor, trapped under a car seat. A woman reads a letter explaining the car’s been recalled — due to issues with the seat belts. It’s Unger at his punniest, where the literal interpretation of a recall turns into a physical gag. The way the man is casually crushed while she calmly reads the letter delivers classic juxtaposition — absurd situation, straight-faced commentary. An underrated gem in the Herman collection.
4. Burglar Trouble
In this strip, a burglar peeks inside a window asking a friend to check if “she’s hiding behind the front door.” Meanwhile, the woman stands behind him holding a baseball bat. It’s a comic that plays with timing and irony — we, the viewers, know exactly what’s coming. Unger expertly places the punchline in the expressions: clueless crook vs. smug justice. It’s the perfect example of setup-meets-payoff in just a single panel.
5. Makeup Value
This strip features a woman, her partner, and a critical third-party dad who says, “Twenty bucks a week on makeup, and he’s the best you can come up with?” The joke stings — and that’s what makes it work. Unger taps into brutal in-law honesty with a wonderfully awkward social moment. The real punch is the contrast between the confident father’s comment and the couple’s silent discomfort. Relatable, cringe-worthy, and delivered with a wink.
6. Ancient Memory
A hospital patient excitedly announces his memory is back — then claims to remember who won the World Series in 1200 B.C. It’s absurd, obviously, and that’s the point. Unger combines the fear of memory loss with hilarious exaggeration. The doctor’s expression of disbelief makes the moment. You can’t help but laugh at the sheer randomness of the punchline. It’s peak Herman: taking something serious and turning it delightfully ridiculous.
7. Over-Bandaged
A man is completely mummified in bandages, while a nurse casually wonders why finger bandages are so long. The visual is hilarious — a total overreaction to a minor injury. It’s a classic “overkill” joke, but the delivery is pure Unger. The deadpan nurse and over-wrapped patient create the kind of visual tension that makes single-panel comics sing. You don’t even need the caption to laugh — but when you read it, it’s even better.
8. Doggy Diet Secret
A woman wonders aloud how her husband eats all her cooking and never gains weight — while the dog sits suspiciously full beneath the table. It’s classic misdirection: we think it’s about metabolism, but the dog is the real punchline. Unger’s ability to create layered meaning in one frame is on full display here. This one’s for every dog owner who’s “shared” meals without realizing it. Silly, smart, and timelessly funny.
9. Royal Taster
A king praises his new food-taster, saying he’s following in the footsteps of his 16 predecessors — all presumably poisoned. The absurdity of casually referencing 16 likely deaths, while maintaining royal composure, is what makes this comic gold. The food-taster’s terrified expression adds depth to the joke. It’s Unger’s way of sneaking in morbid humor without losing his comedic charm. Regal absurdity at its finest.
10. Bedtime Diet Fail
A woman praises her husband for almost completing a week on his diet — as he secretly snacks under the covers. The humor lies in the contrast: her encouragement vs. his sneaky behavior. It’s a funny and very real look at how we sabotage our own good intentions. Unger taps into everyday deceit with a wink, not a lecture. The joke is clean, simple, and effortlessly human.
Final Thoughts
These 10 Best of Herman Comic Strips by Jim Unger prove that you don’t need multiple panels to make people laugh — just one frame, one punchline, and Unger’s genius. His blend of biting wit and wild situations still hits home decades later. For more laugh-out-loud humor, visit TheHumorSide.com and keep the comedy going!
