The Argyle Sweater Comics by Scott Hilburn are the ultimate blend of absurdity, wordplay, and quick-hit comedy. With a style reminiscent of The Far Side but uniquely his own, Hilburn turns everyday concepts, historical figures, animals, and objects into punchline gold. Whether he’s poking fun at classic literature or twisting familiar idioms, Hilburn’s comics are full of unexpected twists and brilliant visual cues. In this roundup, we highlight 10 of his most laugh-out-loud, pun-packed panels that showcase just how witty and wildly imaginative The Argyle Sweater really is.
About Scott Hilburn
Scott Hilburn is the creator of The Argyle Sweater, a single-panel comic strip syndicated by Andrews McMeel since 2008. With a background in clinical psychology and a natural knack for offbeat humor, Hilburn brings a unique voice to the comic world. His work is known for its twisted takes on pop culture, science, animals, and absurdist scenarios that surprise readers with just the right amount of weird. Often compared to Gary Larson’s The Far Side, Hilburn’s art style and punchlines stand firmly on their own. His use of anthropomorphized animals, historical satire, and hilarious misunderstandings makes The Argyle Sweater Comics a must-read for fans of clever, quirky cartoons.
Credit Scott Hilburn
Profile info Facebook | X | Instagram and Go Comics
1. Gallop Polls
A horse being surveyed about whether he prefers trotting or ambling throws up his hooves and groans, “I hate these Gallop Polls.” This comic masterfully blends a political polling pun with literal horse behavior for a laugh that hits on multiple levels. The added detail of the horse’s briefcase reading “Michael Hors” adds another layer of satire. Hilburn shows how a single pun can turn an everyday phrase into barnyard hilarity.
2. Great Moments in Art History
In this art-themed twist, Claude Monet considers painting inside a sauna, completely unaware that the steam will blur his already-impressionistic vision. The comic pokes fun at Monet’s blurry brushstrokes while placing him in the worst environment possible for visual clarity. Hilburn nails the humor in art history with this absurd setup, blending cultural knowledge and comic exaggeration into one steamy joke.
3. Seasons’ Greetings
An adorable pun in the most literal sense this comic shows spice containers greeting each other: “Yo!” says garlic; “Ciao!” says oregano. It’s a charming panel filled with personality, as each spice delivers its own style of “season’s greetings.” Hilburn’s genius shines in how he anthropomorphizes everything, even condiments, creating a gag that’s both groan-worthy and grinningly clever.
4. Old McDonald Injury
Here, Old McDonald’s ceiling fan fix goes horribly wrong, resulting in multiple “snap-snap” sounds not from animals, but from a broken arm. It’s a hilarious misinterpretation of the classic nursery rhyme “E-I-E-I-O,” now turned into an ER visit. The comic is a prime example of how Hilburn reimagines childhood tropes into darkly funny, modern situations.
5. Scary Apple
In this twisted take on fruit family life, a parent apple scolds Martin for wearing a worm disguise that’s terrifying the “children.” It’s a visual punchline that flips biology into theater, treating worm infestations like Halloween costumes. Hilburn combines unsettling imagery with wholesome domestic life to deliver a bizarre but hilarious moment of produce-based parenting.
6. Sharp Week
A group of balloons watches a TV program filled with knives, needles, and pins, while their aunt suggests finding something more “blunt.” But the kids insist it’s “Sharp Week.” This spoof on Discovery Channel’s “Shark Week” is balloon-specific brilliance. The stakes feel hilariously high for these fragile viewers, and the juxtaposition of a floating audience with sharp content is too perfect.
7. Green Eggs Regret
A character dressed like Dr. Seuss’s Sam-I-Am lies in a hospital bed after eating those infamous green eggs apparently, they were spoiled. The doctor dryly recites lines from the book while giving a diagnosis. It’s a clever postscript to a beloved children’s tale, turning Seuss-style rhyme into adult-level satire with Hilburn’s usual comedic bite.
8. Panda Pranks
Three pandas laugh as a fourth, unsuspecting panda peers through binoculars unaware his black eye patches have been erased with white-out. It’s a classic prank played in the most specific way possible. This comic shows how far Hilburn will go for a visual gag, taking the recognizable panda look and turning it into the setup for a laugh that’s so dumb it’s brilliant.
9. Hershey’s Hug
In a sweet but pun-laden twist, an M&M ends a date by walking a Hershey’s Kiss to her door but he only gets a “hug.” Literally. The joke merges candy brands with dating expectations and disappointment. Hilburn squeezes so much story into one panel, making it both a pun and a parody of romantic tropes.
10. Shark Senses
Two sharks sip drinks on a sofa while explaining their sharp sense of smell for blood but claim their noses aren’t so good with “other scents.” The octopus beside them looks horrified. It’s a laugh built on both marine biology and flatulence, proving that Hilburn can blend science and potty humor like a pro.
Final Thoughts
The Argyle Sweater Comics deliver a rare combination of intelligence, absurdity, and visual pun-making that’s hard to beat. Scott Hilburn’s ability to mine humor from art, animals, food, and even balloons is a true testament to his imagination. These 10 comics are only a small slice of his genius, but they showcase why his work continues to captivate fans worldwide. For more hilarious single-panel cartoons, check out TheHumorSide.com and discover a daily dose of laugh-out-loud brilliance.
