Leigh Rubin, the mastermind behind Rubes, has been bringing a delightful dose of offbeat humor to the world since the 1980s. His cartoons appear in newspapers, books, greeting cards, and calendars across the globe. What makes Rubes stand out is its wildly original take on everyday life reimagined through the lens of talking animals, visual puns, and hilarious misunderstandings.
Rubin’s cartoons often feature animals behaving like humans (or vice versa), and his unique style makes even the silliest situations feel relatable. Whether it’s a fish debating evolution, a bear ordering pizza, or a penguin decorating an egg, Rubes delivers wholesome, absurd humor that appeals to all ages.
Beyond cartooning, Rubin is also a speaker and creativity advocate, regularly sharing his story and process with students, professionals, and aspiring artists. His work reminds us of the joy in simple things and that a good laugh is just a panel away.
Credit Leigh Rubin
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#1 The Bear Delivery Mix-Up
A bear answers the door of his cave, clearly displeased with his pizza order. He tells the delivery man he asked for pepperoni, sausage, and a large deliveryman—not onions and just him. A hilarious twist on food delivery expectations that only Rubes could pull off.
#2 The Bear Scat Phone
Two Park rangers investigate a pile of bear droppings in the woods and discover a missing hiker’s cellphone inside. Nearby, a smug-looking bear walks off with a stick, hinting he knows exactly what happened. Leave it to Rubes to turn forest crime scenes into laugh riots.
#3 Budget Headstone
At a gravestone that reads only “FOOL,” two men explain that the full message was too expensive—letters cost extra. So they went with something short, savage, and affordable. A Rubes classic that perfectly combines humor, irony, and the ultimate budget cut.
#4 FWOOP! The Fish Gets It
Two fish swim through the ocean when one hears a “fwoop” and wonders what it is—right before a flying dinosaur swoop in and grabs him. The prehistoric version of “you had to be there,” Rubes brings extinction into a single punchline.
#5 One Small Step for Fish
A fish eyes a worm on dry land and mutters, “One of these eons…” as if dreaming of evolutionary progress. It’s evolution explained the Rubes way—hungry, hopeful, and completely ridiculous.
#6 Goldilocks Caught in the Act
Goldilocks has moved beyond chairs and porridge—now she’s using the bears’ bathroom. Papa Bear grumbles about her complaints and the invasion of privacy. Rubes gives the fairytale a hysterical fourth act twist we didn’t see coming.
#7 Buckskin Fashion Crisis
A deer models a buckskin outfit in front of a mirror while the tailor encourages him: “That buckskin is definitely you.” It’s fashion, identity, and mild existential dread all rolled into one classic Rubes panel.
#8 Painting the Baby’s Room
A mother bird paints her egg with “eggshell white” and explains she’s just decorating the baby’s room. It’s a perfectly innocent and absurd twist only Rubes could come up with—nesting taken literally.
#9 The Anti-Colonel Protest
A chicken holds a protest sign reading “No Sanders,” alarming another hen. She clarifies it’s not Bernie she fears—it’s the Colonel. Rubes fuses fast food and fowl activism into one perfectly roasted joke.
#10 Ursa Major Misunderstood
A scoutmaster points to the sky and says, “There’s Ursa Major and Ursa Minor,” but instead of stars, we see two actual bears staring back. In Rubes’ world, even the constellations don’t follow the rules.
Summary
From prehistoric punchlines to pizza-loving predators, Leigh Rubin’s Rubes cartoons offer a laugh in every panel. With clever wordplay, visual gags, and lovable characters (animal or otherwise), these single-panel gems prove why Rubes has remained a fan favorite for decades. Huge thanks to Leigh Rubin for making us laugh at the weird and wonderful world around us.
Loved this collection? For more rib-tickling cartoon content, comic commentary, and the lighter side of life, be sure to visit www.thehumorside.com where we celebrate humor in all its wonderfully weird forms!
