By Ninja Steven Garza, a professional comedian, started using cartoons to share his jokes. Even though he didn’t know how to draw at first, he worked hard, learning from books and practice. Now, his comics mix humor with storytelling in a unique way.
In his one-panel comics, Steven explores quirky and odd ideas. He often includes characters from his four-panel comic series Fret Buzzed, giving fans a fun surprise if they recognize them.
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Bored Panda spoke with Steven to learn more about his creative process. He explained that his time as a stand-up comedian has shaped the way he writes his cartoons. “I’m lucky to know some of the funniest people around, and sometimes I’ll share a joke or idea with a friend to see their reaction. They act as a test audience before I finish the cartoon. Comedians are brutally honest, which can be both helpful and tough.”
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Like most artists, Steven faces creative blocks sometimes, but over the years, he’s found a few ways to get through them. “My brain works best when I’m under pressure with a deadline coming up. Something about knowing I have to finish soon helps ideas flow. No matter how hard I try, I’m never more than a week or two ahead of my weekly deadline for a newspaper submission.
I have some tricks for when I get writer’s block. Since I work digitally, I save all my past characters and backgrounds. I can copy and paste them into new situations or poses, which helps spark ideas. My favorite trick is to picture my characters in my head and let them interact. I imagine them having conversations and just watch what happens. Usually, that gives me an idea, and sometimes it even helps me write an entire joke.”
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Steven shared that he has a regular routine for making cartoons. “I like to sit on my couch with my iPad and have some eighties or nineties TV shows playing softly in the background. The nostalgia from revisiting my childhood helps inspire me and creates a cozy environment for my work.”
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For Steven, his favorite part of making comics is inking the final draft. “It’s really satisfying to ink the final lines and cover the original sketch. I love watching the cartoon come to life as it goes from a simple pencil drawing to a finished piece. Coloring the comic is just as enjoyable because it lets me set the mood. I often use trial and error to choose the final colors. I also think it’s interesting how changing the color palette can completely change the feeling of the joke.”
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