We're used to comics that entertain, make us laugh, and offer a brief escape from the hustle and bustle of daily life. However, some comic artists go beyond humor, weaving deeper themes into their work. Erik, the artist behind the “Bonus Context” project, is one of them. While his strips often carry humor, they also deliver more philosophical messages. If you remember our previous post about his work, great! If not, you still have a chance to catch up and explore his earlier creations.
Erik’s comics primarily feature animals discussing their place in the world and other thought-provoking topics. Human characters also make appearances in some strips. To learn more about his series, we invite you to scroll down and check out his latest pieces, along with our interview with the artist himself.
More info: Instagram | patreon.com | bonuscontext.com | ko-fi.com
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We reached out to Erik, the creator of the “Bonus Context” project, to ask him a few questions about his comic series. He shared insights into the recurring themes that run throughout his work: “I usually make comics about things that are universal for humans and have animals observe and talk about [them]. So, I guess the most common theme is ’animals observing humans do things that [are] actually silly when looked at from the outside!’”
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When asked how he comes up with ideas for his new strips, the comic artist responded: “After hundreds of comics, it’s still hard. I just have to force myself to think about it. Sometimes, I Google concepts such as ‘freedom’ or ‘love’ and hope to find a good quote to start with, but mostly, it’s just about treating it as a task that requires hard work.”
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Next, we were wondering how Erik approaches humor in his comics. The cartoonist shared with us: “I know comics don’t have to be funny, but usually, I try to make a joke – even if the topic is serious. It is the format I have landed on!”
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Finally, Erik shared with us which other comic artists he admires: “I’m a huge fan of Gary Larson, and I really wish I could draw as well as Bill Watterson!”
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