Rubes Humorous Comics by Leigh Rubin is a masterclass in surreal and offbeat humor. Created in 1984, Leigh Rubin’s comic strip takes ordinary scenarios and twists them into wonderfully absurd punchlines that appeal to readers of all ages. With a unique artistic style and a sharp wit, Rubin’s humor often centers around animals, everyday life, and bizarre “what-if” situations that make you do a double-take — and then laugh out loud.
Leigh Rubin has syndicated Rubes in over 400 newspapers worldwide, and his work has been featured in greeting cards, calendars, and even on cattle ranches (yes, seriously). What makes Rubes stand out is its blend of observational insight and complete nonsense — all wrapped in deceptively simple illustrations. Whether it’s a cow in therapy or kangaroos solving mysteries, Rubes finds hilarity in the unexpected. Rubin has also published multiple books and is a popular speaker at schools and events where he shares his creative process and humor philosophy. These comics reflect not just great jokes, but clever insights into the world seen through an ever-curious lens. Buckle up — here are 10 of the best Rubes comics to brighten your day!
Profile info Instagram | Facebook | rubescartoons.com
1. Goldilocks and the Toilet Predicament
In this hilarious twist on the Goldilocks tale, the comic shows her outside the bear’s outhouse, only to be handed a single roll of toilet paper — no options, no choices. It’s a cheeky play on her usual “too hot, too cold, just right” dilemma, showing there’s one area in life where indecision simply isn’t an option. Classic Rubes style clever, odd, and unexpectedly real!
2. Moo-Ving Half-and-Half
This visual gag hits dairy humor right on the udder! A farmer dutifully milks a cow, aiming not for a bucket, but for tiny single-serve creamers — the kind you find at restaurants. The commitment to packaging the milk this way shows the “dedication” it takes to deliver half-and-half. Ridiculous and perfect.
3. Busy Versus Bored — With Sharks
Three frantic men in a sinking boat are bailing water as sharks circle hungrily. One man threatens mutiny if another utters, “It’s better to be busy than bored,” again. The tension, the danger — and yet the punchline mocks the overused phrase in the most Rubes-appropriate way: morbid, ironic, and laugh-out-loud funny.
4. Accounting on the Range
Ever wonder what would happen if an accountant joined a cattle roundup? This comic answers that — as a suited man on a donkey rounds 48 cows and bulls up to a nice, even 50 “for the sake of ease.” It’s a perfect collision of cowboy life and corporate number-crunching, and it absolutely works.
5. Noah’s Shopping List
Biblical humor is tough to nail, but Rubes nails it (pun intended). Noah is seen at “Jacob’s Lumberland,” picking up over 23,000 boards, 8,000 sheets of plywood, and 6,000 pounds of nails. The joke is all in the deadpan delivery and absurdly specific list — as if he’s prepping for a divine Home Depot run.
6. Domestic Lions
Two lions stand at the sink doing dishes. One mournfully asks, “What happened to us, Edna? We used to be so wild.” The image of two majestic beasts trapped in suburban routine is both sad and side-splitting. It’s a brilliant metaphor for lost youth, wrapped in a very hairy punchline.
7. Dog Therapy
This time, a dog lays back on a therapist’s couch, confessing its deep fear of vacuums. The human therapist calmly replies, “Who doesn’t?” — a punchline that hits on both the ridiculous and the relatable. It’s classic Rubes: anthropomorphic, witty, and adorably weird.
8. Roadside Mystery: The Splatterpus
Two kangaroos in detective gear examine roadkill, struggling to identify the creature. “Duck? Beaver? Otter?” one ponders. The punchline? “Splatterpus.” It’s a grisly wordplay gem and one of Rubin’s cleverest animal puns — dark humor at its finest.
9. Bird-Watching Breakdown
A woman peers through binoculars with two unimpressed cats beside her. “Bird-watching,” she says, “is like looking at a menu and not ordering.” The cats’ expressions say it all — why observe when you could pounce? It’s a perfect example of Rubes’ love for letting animals steal the comedic spotlight.
10. Piggy Bank Pleads for Mercy
A piggy bank, eyes wide with terror, begs its young owner to “reconsider my position on loan forgiveness” as the child raises a hammer. It’s a smart, satirical spin on finance and debt, seen through a kid’s interaction with his savings. Equal parts adorable and ominous — and totally Rubes.
Summary
If you love your humor with a twist of the bizarre and a sprinkle of genius, Rubes Humorous Comics by Leigh Rubin delivers every time. With iconic illustrations and brainy punchlines, Rubin keeps readers guessing — and laughing — with every panel. For more hilarity, visit TheHumorSide.com.
