Ballard Street comics offer a delightfully offbeat peek into the surreal side of suburban living. Created by cartoonist Jerry Van Amerongen, this long-running panel series is known for its eccentric characters, unconventional humor, and situations that balance perfectly between the ridiculous and the oddly relatable. With its trademark exaggerated expressions and stylized art, Ballard Street has carved out a cult following who appreciate its absurd take on aging, marriage, and the mundane.
Artist Bio
Jerry’s work often features stout, stubborn characters caught in bizarre but familiar life moments — like inventing strange exercise routines or having deep thoughts in even stranger positions. His influence is rooted in mid-century cartooning with a modern twist, creating a timeless feel. Vân Amerongen, originally a corporate executive, began his cartooning career relatively late in life. His first strip, The Neighborhood, ran from 1980 to 1990, followed by Ballard Street, which continued as a single-panel cartoon until 2019.Below are 10 of the most wonderfully weird Ballard Street comics that showcase Van Amerongen’s knack for poking fun at the human condition in all its bizarre glory.
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1. What Did Mrs. Neeley Mean?
This panel hilariously captures the confusion of an older gentleman who’s clearly not taking an insult very seriously — or simply doesn’t get it. With his wife watching, amused and unbothered, the humor lies in the deadpan delivery and polka-dot underwear.
2. Gene’s Bubble Wrap Office Attire
Gene wraps himself in bubble wrap to prep for another day at work. The absurdity is undeniable, and yet, who among us hasn’t mentally armored up before facing the daily grind?
3. Emotional Breakthrough
Nancy, mid-cartwheel in the living room, is said to have broken through her “emotional logjam.” The comic is delightfully ridiculous, with her husband nonchalantly reading a wrench magazine while his wife flips behind him.
4. Elliot’s Relaxation Technique
This panel is a masterclass in physical comedy. Elliot’s bizarre backbend mid-conversation draws laughs simply from how seriously he seems to be taking his relaxation — while his partner clearly is not amused.
5. Shared TV Criticism
Here, even the family dog has joined the man in protesting the TV program by covering his head with a newspaper. The woman’s snide remark — “So now both of you don’t like the way the story’s going?!” — adds the perfect dry humor.
6. Roller-Skating Chaos Incoming
The caption perfectly sets the stage: Inez is about to lose her peace of mind — and possibly some lamps. The man’s wild eyes, combined with the impractical roller skates, scream incoming disaster.
7. Maritime Marriage Goals
A couple dressed like sailors in bed — complete with periscopes and a steering wheel — ponders bridge clearance. It’s visually hilarious and subtly romantic in that weird Ballard Street way.
8. The Outing of Stephen, Lois, and Archie
This comic shows a man with a dog on his head, his wife tagging along, and neither batting an eye. That’s the beauty of Ballard Street — the absurd is perfectly normal.
9. Daphne’s Free-Form Fantasy
Daphne stands with a playful smirk, mid-monologue, clearly ready to embrace a more whimsical life. Her husband, unfazed, stays immersed in his paper — a recurring theme of disconnect that always lands well.
10. Surplus Energy, Ballard-Style
Donald is hilariously decked out in a makeshift energy-harvesting contraption. Vivian looks on skeptically a perfect commentary on domestic life and one partner’s boundless oddball ambition.
Final Thoughts Ballard Street comics by Jerry Van Amerongen take slice-of-life humor to bizarre new levels. The charm lies in the mix of exaggeration, deadpan expressions, and surreal setups that somehow reflect real-life feelings. To see more of this wonderfully twisted suburban world, check out the full archive at thehumorside.com.
Credit: All comics created by Jerry Van Amerongen and originally published via Creators Syndicate. Full rights and visuals at ballardstreet.com.
