Webcomics have become widely popular in today’s meme-focused society. Ryan Hudson’s Channelate comics began back in 2008 and are famous for their dark humor and unexpected twists. These comics aren’t just dark and funny; they’re also impactful, deep, and sometimes too real. Hudson’s artistic expression has resonated with fans all over the world because of its eerie and captivating style, relatable messages, and unique sense of humor. Each comic is infused with his personal sense of humor and style, along with statements about life and the world around us that keep fans engaged and coming back for more. We’ve rounded up some of the best of his comics in this list, and it’s the perfect opportunity for new and old fans alike to get a refresher on some of his best work.
Empathy Vs Instincts
What do you do when your sense of empathy wars with your natural instincts? That may not be the question Ryan Hudson intended to pose with this silly comic, but it’s certainly made fans wonder. The bear feels terrible for causing this man’s death and seeks out his mother at his request. However, unable to overcome his instincts, the bear still goes after the mother and probably eats her. Dark? Check. Hilarious? Also check! Potentially deep statement about the human experience? Ryan Hudson gets it!
Did You See That Twist Coming?
Ryan Hudson’s comics have gained a massive following since they began in 2008. The dark humor and unexpected twists keep his fans coming back for more, and this comic is a perfect example of one of those twists. We see a husband talking to his wife about a tattoo design he’s come up with. It sounds sweet at first, right? That is, until you find out he intends to tattoo their baby once they’re born! Talk about massive cringe! You’ll definitely laugh out loud at some of the unexpected twists in Hudson’s comics but, just to be clear, don’t tattoo your baby!
Don’t Be Afraid Of The Dark
Being afraid of the dark is a natural phase most children go through. As parents, it’s our job to protect our kids and reassure them that nothing is lurking in their closets or under the beds. Most parents probably related and grinned when they read the first half of this comic, only for that grin to slide right off their faces when they read the final line. Sounds like there’s actually the ghost of a child calling out to the man in this comic. We hope he knows a good exorcist!
A Kind Bully?
Unfortunately, most children experience some bullying as they go through their schooling. It’s a sad fact of life that kids can be really mean to each other, and despite all the safeguards schools put in place, it’s still going to happen on occasion. However, Ryan Hudson puts a twist on the traditional schoolyard bully in this comic. Rather than bringing the other kid down, the bully in this comic is trying to lift his self-esteem up! He’s definitely not using the best methods, but it’s kind of sweet. And it’s nice to laugh at these types of jokes once you’re an adult and past the awful childhood bullying stage of life!
A Different Type Of Prank
While it’s not particularly common anymore, there was a time when the interaction in the first half of this comic happened a lot. Jehovah’s Witnesses are well-known for their attempts to go door-to-door to spread the word about their faith. However, it’s probably never ended like this before! The man in this comic actually agrees to hear about Jesus, only for the men who came to his door to laugh and walk about, leaving the poor man sad and confused. Most people would be thrilled if they could get rid of door-to-door solicitors this easily!
Talk About Awkward Timing
At first, this comic appears to be an experience many women and men have had. A man sees a woman, offers her his best pickup line, and gets unceremoniously shot down. The last panel of the comic reveals that they are actually in a doctor’s office and the woman is waiting to be seen for a serious injury! The man may not have been using a pickup line at all and may have genuinely been asking if her fall hurt. We love the dark twist that ends this comic and many others of Ryan Hudson’s!
Uh-Oh, She’s Got Some Explaining To Do!
Becoming a new parent is a wonderful experience. There are so many firsts to enjoy with your child, and it’s amazing when they start recognizing faces and can point you out of a room full of people. However, children are also brutally honest and don’t understand societal niceties the way adults do. This comic starts out sweet as a new dad asks his baby, “Where’s Daddy?”, only to end in disaster when the baby points out another man! The mommy in this comic has some serious explaining to do!
Adult Humor We Can All Relate To
Adulting is freaking hard! There are entire support groups online and in-person about how to learn to adult effectively. One of the man aspects of Ryan Hudson’s Channelate comics that fans rave over is the way he effortlessly infuses moments of adult humor into his comics. He does this in a way that’s obvious to those who know what he’s talking about without being vulgar or scandalous. In this comic, the woman says she’ll entertain the man and makes a signal with her hands and fingers that most people would assume will lead them to the bedroom. Nope! She just wanted to show him a magic trick.
How To Win A Race
Even if you’re not interested in running a race, you’ll still get a kick out of this comic. You see a man racing toward the finish line and about to touch the ribbon as he looks over his shoulder and calls out, “Why are you people chasing me? Someone help!” That’s not what you’d normally expect someone who’s about to win a race to say! It turns out, Chad is fast, but he has amnesia that makes him even faster. He’s apparently forgotten that he’s running a race and genuinely thinks everyone behind him is chasing him. That’s certainly a new way to win a race!
The Line Between Enjoyment And Annoyance
More and more people are dealing with roommate situations these days. The economy is rough, rent prices are skyrocketing, and many people need a roommate or two just to get by. Having a roommate can be a great experience, but it can also lead to some awkward interactions, especially if one person likes to blast their music late at night. This comic takes that uncomfortable conversation and puts an unexpected spin on it. The conversation ends amicably, which is all you can really hope for in this type of situation.
From Sweet To Dark In An Instant
Becoming a parent is a major life change that few are really prepared for. You can take all the classes, read all the books, and still find yourself overwhelmed with the crazy path your life has taken as a parent. It looks as though this comic is making a statement about that at first, with the man holding the baby saying he has no regrets. Then, you find out he’s actually a kidnapper! This comic will give you some serious emotional whiplash and definitely isn’t for the faint of heart.
Unexpected And Unique Absurd Twists
We’ve talked about how Ryan Hudson’s comics often end with an unexpected twist that keeps his audience on their toes and coming back for more, but that’s not the only thing that’s appealing about these twists. Often, they’re dark, hilarious, unique, and completely absurd! The grandpa apparently tries to beat off the police with this tire iron rather than trying to change his flat. This probably wouldn’t happen in real life, and it’s definitely going to give you a burst of unexpected laughter when you read it.
Captain Obvious’s Lesser-Known Cousin
Superhero content has become massively popular with the Marvel movie universe and the Arrowverse television series. When you see someone in a cape, like in this comic, you expect that they’re about to do something heroic. Instead, the hero of this comic is “Observant Man,” whose only job appears to be pointing out the obvious. He’s definitely Captain Obvious’s lesser-known cousin, and he’s probably not going to be a very popular superhero.
Addressing Challenging Topics
There’s no shortage of difficult topics that need to be discussed in society. Dealing with the death of a pet as a child is a hard experience, especially if you have to be involved in burying your pet. It’s one of those milestones in life that no one wants to reach, but many do. Ryan Hudson addresses this topic with his usual flair of dark humor with a surprise ending. Sometimes, laughter really is the best medicine!
Job Interviews Are Like Blind Dates
Job interviews are one of those nerve-wracking experiences that no one really enjoys. It often feels like a blind date where you meet with a person without knowing much about them and spend your time trying to get to know them and impress them with your personality and skills. While you should never deal with challenging experiences by taking drugs, this comic does a hilarious job of addressing the awkwardness of both blind dates and job interviews. Also, be careful of placing too much reliance on how you felt while under the influence!
Don’t Sleep On The Job
Ninety-nine percent of bosses in the world would be very upset if they caught their employees sleeping on the job. It’s a sure way to get yourself fired or, at the very least, receive a warning and possible suspension. Many of us have nightmarish dreams about what could happen if we fall asleep on the job, but this comic takes a quirky look at the situation. What if you were a pillow tester, and it was actually your job to sleep? That sounds like a dream come true, especially for us world-weary millennials.
NSFW Comics
Many of Ryan Hudson’s comics fall into the “not safe for work” category, and this one is particularly brutal. We all know what the man in the comic was probably doing. Ryan makes it obvious through the split liquor bottle, risque magazine, and the image on the television screen that this man was in the middle of some… ahem, self-care. Unfortunately, he appears to have Wolverine-like features, and the blood on the bed makes it pretty clear what happened here. Cringe.
Be Gone, Spirits!
If you’ve ever watched a horror movie or seen one of the dozens of ghost-hunting television shows on the air right now, then you know one of the classic ways to get rid of unwanted spirits involves a smudge stick and verbally revoking their right to be in your space. But this wouldn’t be a Channelate comic without an unexpected twist, and it turns out this ghost is going to keep haunting this man until he gets himself some therapy! It’s these types of surprise endings that have captivated Hudson’s audience and keep them coming back for more.
She Didn’t Want To Be His First
One-night stands are common, especially among young adults. Many people feel nervous before their first one-night stand, but it isn’t always the best idea to share this with your potential partner. Your insecurity and lack of experience might scare them away, and they might jump out of the window ninja-style just like the woman in this comic! (We’re just kidding, of course! Always communicate openly and honestly with all of your partners.)
Challenging Expectations
Even when you’ve been reading Ryan Hudson’s comics for a long time, you’ll still find yourself surprised by some of the endings. Hudson has a unique way of challenging his readers’ expectations, which keeps his fanbase hungry for more and interested. You’ll never get bored when you come across comics like this, where a cute moment between two best friends turns into something far more intense. Apparently, there needs to be more commitment in this friendship! Could this be a cute commentary about the relationship between an artist and their fans? Perhaps!
The Best Type Of Cringe Humor
Along with plenty of dark moments and unexpected twists, Ryan Hudson keeps his audience around by sprinkling in the best type of cringe humor whenever the mood suits him. Some people absolutely detest cringe humor, but we can all appreciate a good “oof” moment when it’s done correctly. This comic talks about how the woman uses the man’s sunburnt sensitive bits against him to win arguments. Anyone with those same sensitive bits or enough empathy will immediately cringe at the thought of this situation, while also laughing at the absurdity of it!
Sex Scandals
Any high-profile figure in society is likely to be involved in some type of sex scandal at one point or another. Whether it’s a leaked tape, photo, or comment about the subject, people who are very visible in the public eye are likely to be criticized more harshly than others. Politicians are particularly prone to fall victim to these types of scandals and the crazy thing is that even those closest to them are likely to get involved in the scandal and have their own opinions about it. It’s a dog-eat-dog world out there and, sometimes, all we can do is laugh about it!
Can’t Rain On His Parade
Most people find ghosts, spirits, demons, and anything otherworldly to be truly terrifying- or at least, they find it something to be respected and left alone. However, not everyone is going to let the presence of a ghost rain on their parade. The man in this comic is thrilled to have the house to himself, but a ghost makes himself known and tries to ruin his day. The man doesn’t care the ghost is there, and the ghost is sad. Also, the ghost kind of looks like a big toe. Hilarious endings and great artistry, as shown in this comic, are two components of Ryan’s comics that make them so popular!
The Downfall Of Creativity
Artists, writers, and all creative types understand the serious time commitment that’s required to pursue their passion. It’s a time-consuming process, and you can’t easily request time off from your passion projects, especially if you’re in the middle of a creative streak. Sometimes, finding a balance between your work and your familial responsibilities can be extremely challenging. This comic speaks to that and serves as a reminder to us all to be more aware of how we’re spending our time.
Dark Endings
Much like some of Ryan Hudson’s comics that we’ve already seen on this list, this one has a particularly dark ending. There are plenty of pitfalls and dangers of putting too much dark humor in your comics, but Hudson seems to have found the perfect balance that allows him to engage in dark humor without turning off his audience. It’s a fine line to walk, and it’s impressive how much success Hudson has found while balancing on this creative tightrope!
Creating A Story
Ryan’s comics are very short, which is a necessity for a successful webcomic series. Despite their short length, he still manages to create a successful story and sometimes manages to do it in a single panel. Coming up with an idea and determining how to convey it with as few words and images as possible takes a particular type of creative mind. Hudson is very unique in his ideas and delivery, which gives his audience something different from what they can find with other webcomics and is one of the driving factors behind his success.
Turning Sensitive Topics Around
There are some topics that many people would say you should never joke about. A person taking their own life is often one topic that’s considered beyond humor. But Hudson finds a way to turn that topic around into something lighthearted and hilarious rather than dark and depressing. It’s these unique twists and dark, absurd humor that distinguishes his webcomics from others on the internet. Another thing to remember is that these are meant to be funny! Don’t take them too personally.
Developing Relatable Characters
People often enjoy art because they can see something they relate to, and it makes them feel seen. Ryan Hudson does a wonderful job of developing relatable characters in his comics and putting them into situations we’ve all been through. Who hasn’t gone through a rough breakup and sought comfort from an old stuffed animal or other comfort object? It’s a common situation that’s very relatable, and it’s wonderful to have the opportunity to see this comic, laugh, and know you aren’t alone.
Perfect Pacing Every Time
Another element to creating successful webcomics is finding the proper pacing for your stories. If you hit the punchline too soon or take too long to get to the point, you’ll lose your audience. Ryan Hudson understands the unique nuances involved with pacing and manages to draw you in and leave you laughing in the perfect amount of time with every comic he produces. There’s always some twist that leaves you grinning, and the characters and situations are often close enough to reality to allow you to suspend your disbelief and enjoy the moment.
Changing Standards In Society
Many of Ryan Hudson’s comics provide some social commentary. In this comic, rather than be offended by the possibility of their son being gay, the parents are more concerned with the fact that their son may not be computer savvy. Hudson’s unique and humorous exploration of the changing standards in society provides a pleasant relief from the heavier debates found on social media and other outlets, while still proving a serious point.
Creating Viral Comics
One of the contributing factors to Hudson’s success is his uncanny ability to create viral comics. His comics have elements that anyone can relate to and often feature situations that many of us have thought about. We can’t react to things in real life the way you can have characters in a comic react due to societal norms and pressures, so it’s fulfilling to see some of life’s more awkward interactions played out in a different way. The virality of his comics gives Hudson’s comics the ability to easily reach a wide range of people who click, like, and share with an even larger audience.
The Inkblot Test
Inkblot tests aren’t commonly used in therapy anymore, but they’re still featured in many comics, tv shows, and movies as a dramatic example of the practices used to diagnose patients. Most people would look at the inkblot in this comic and see a butterfly or a mask, but the patient in the comic apparently sees his parents having sex! This brings up another interesting point about how many therapists relate emotional issues to sexual dysfunctions that arose in childhood. Or maybe we’re thinking too deeply about this silly comic!
The Common Couple Debate
Whether or not to wear a condom can be a huge debate for couples. There are lots of reasons to wrap it, but some people still make arguments against it. Of course, the most obvious explanation for why you should wear a condom is pointed out in this comic- “It’s dangerous to have sex without one.” Most people would be speaking about the risk of unintentional pregnancy or STIs, but this comic takes things in another direction by introducing a tiger. It’s nice to have a break from reality every once in a while!
Dysfunctional Family Problems
If you can’t laugh about your problems, then probably not going to enjoy these comics. You have to have a sense of humor about the darker side of life, and there are lots of families who can relate to the dark humor in this comic. How many of us have dealt with emotionally unavailable parents that suddenly change their tunes later in life? It can be such a dramatic change that it really does make you question your parent’s mental faculties. Relatable comics like this one with a sprinkle of dark humor appear to be the key to Ryan Hudson’s success.
The Tipping Culture Debate
Tipping culture is a massively debated subject in America. Many people believe that tipping should be largely done away with because it places the burden of paying workers a living wage on customers who often can’t afford to be paying other people’s salaries. Other people say tipping is necessary to help small family run restaurants and other businesses stay afloat. Whatever your position on the topic is, just know that tipping culture exists and workers do depend on those tips! Don’t leave an imaginary tip because you’ll make your server sad.
Those Rough Teen Years
The teen years are absolutely brutal on everyone involved. Teenagers are going through so many changes mentally and physically. They often become overwhelmed, overstimulated, and begin to distance themselves from family while relying more on peers. This can be an equally tough time on the parents, who only want to love and support their teen. Buying a robot version of your child may sound like a fun idea, but it’s super sketchy. Definitely funny to think about, but it’d be chaos in practice.
The Twists Keep On Coming
Many of the twists that end Ryan Hudson’s comics are absurd or unrealistic, but that’s partially what makes them so hilarious. Hudson has an excellent vision for putting relatable characters in relatable situations and then throwing in a twist so unforeseen that his audience can never anticipate it. This gives his audience something to look forward to and keeps them on their toes, which makes them more likely to keep coming back for more.
The Adventurous Spirit
How many of us played this game as a child? You take a globe, give it a good spin, and tap a random spot with your finger. Wherever your finger points is where you’re supposed to go on an adventure! It’s a fun game to play and a great way to spark imagination in children, but it’s definitely not realistic. Hudson takes this game to a level of realism with this comic and shows what the most likely result of following this game would be. You’d end up sinking to the bottom of the ocean! That doesn’t sound very fun.
Excellent Distraction Technique
How many of us tried to get out of trouble as a child by distracting our parents with a different and equally serious topic? That’s the theme of this particular comic by Ryan Hudson. A boy tries to avoid discussing hitting a ball through the window of his home by telling his mother that he’s gay. His mother is having absolutely nothing to do with his silly distraction technique and demands to know the truth! Excellent distraction technique attempt, but it never works out as we hope.
Find Yourself Good Friends
Good friends are always there for each other, through good times and bad, and they always have each other’s backs. Building positive friendships is important to maintaining a happy, healthy life, and it seems like that’s what this comic is referencing at first. Of course, then you read the twist and can’t help but do one of those awkward/cringy laughs. His friends have to carry him home because he loses his wheelchair when he gets drunk. That’s still kind of wholesome, but also a little dark.
The Next Big Step
Relationships are full of major milestones. Being able to discuss these types of sensitive topics is what makes Hudson’s comics so popular and sharable. People relate to his comics on a deep level and the topics resonate with a wide variety of people. While most people reading the first two panels of this comic would assume the major milestone the man is thinking about involves some private time in the bedroom, it turns out he’s actually thinking about letting one rip in front of his girlfriend! That’s definitely a milestone we all achieve at some point in our relationships, and it is indeed a big step.
Endings That Make You Say “Oh My God!”
We’ve talked endlessly about the unique twists Ryan Hudson manages to throw in to all of his comics, but there’s something even more specific about those twists that we have to mention. The surprise endings don’t just involve dark humor or unexpected breaks from reality. Many of them are liable to make you say “Oh my God” out loud and cringe away from your screen a little before the laughter sets in. It’s this type of instanteous reactive humor that makes Hudson’s comics a joy to read and an experience many want to repeat.
Honest Communication Is Vital
Communicating openly and honestly with your romantic partners should be non-negotiable, but there are certain topics that are difficult to broach. Some kinks, for example, can be difficult to discuss, especially if you’re not sure your partner will be comfortable with them. An even more difficult topic to discuss would be if you want your partner to cover their face during sex! We don’t recommend the method outlined in the comic above, although it is pretty hilarious to think about.
Make Your Boyfriend Feel Better
This is one of the few comics by Ryan Hudson that doesn’t have any surprise twists, dark humor, or crazy endings. Part of what makes these simple comics so successful is they share snippets of everyday life that many of us can kind relatable. Is your boyfriend sad about something small and needs something to take his mind off things? Flash him real quick! He’ll probably forget about whatever was making him sad, at least for a few minutes. The ability to turn small moments like this into relatable and sharable comics is just another feather in Ryan Hudson’s creative hat.
The Selfie Struggle
Taking the perfect struggle with your significant other is a major struggle. Someone is always making an awkward face, looking away from the camera, or blinking at exactly the wrong moment. In today’s social media oriented society, it’s become nearly a necessity to take pictures together and upload them. It’s a way to show off your relationship and show your commitment to each other. But the struggle to obtain that perfect selfie is real! Don’t worry though, we’re all facing the same struggle.
The Dark Truth Of Holidays
Holidays are supposed to be a joyful time that brings families together, but when you start researching the truth behind these holidays, the reality can be pretty depressing. Most people are well aware of the controversy surrounding Thanksgiving and some families even choose not to celebrate the holiday due to it’s dark history. Ryan Hudson takes a shot at the darkness of this holiday in this comic by sending one neighbor to try to claim the other’s land as a Thanksgiving tradition. It’s not a very polite tradition and, thankfully, he wouldn’t get away with this in real life.
Awkward Date Topics
The early stages of dating can be very fun, but there are also a lot of awkward topics to cover. You often discuss your jobs, any family history, and previous relationship history. One of the most uncomfortable topics to discuss is losing your virginity, but it’d be even worse if your date wasn’t even listening to you! This just goes to show that dating is rough on everyone, even characters in a comic!
Don’t Be Shy
When you’re the creator of an intensely popular webcomic series with a focus on dark humor, you can’t be shy about the types of topics you take on or the jokes you make. While jokes involving blind people are usually considered insensitive and rude, they work in Hudson’s channelate comics. He’s making humorous moments that aren’t intended to offend anyone and merely offer a humorous view on random situations. His refusal to shy away from uncomfortable and sensitive topics has helped Hudson build and maintain the level of success he enjoys today!
Never Assume
Everyone knows the phrase about what assuming makes you and me. Making unnecessary assumptions can also lead to a person doing things they’ll later regret, just like the lady in this comic. She’s apparently the perpetrator of a murder/suicide, which definitely isn’t going to get her past those glowing gold doors. Her husband, who was the victim of this act and did not cheat, is instantly granted access. Listen to Ryan folks and don’t assume!