Zerns Sickest Comics May 2026

Let us know in the comments. But please—describe it with your inside voice.

Stay sick. underground comics, tom zern, body horror comedy, alt-comix, sickos welcome zerns sickest comics

This comic was rejected by three alt-weeklies for being “too much.” It’s Zern at his peak—body horror, family trauma, and a punchline that leaves you hollow. Tom Zern’s comics aren’t for everyone. They’re for the sickos. The people who laugh when a cartoon foot turns into a mushroom. The ones who appreciate that a drawing of a sad, leaking hot dog can be funnier than any three-panel sitcom strip. Let us know in the comments

The sickness here is existential. Zern spends six panels just showing the worm trying to turn a doorknob. Later, the worm boils himself trying to make ramen. His landlord knocks: “You’re dripping through the floorboards again.” The worm replies, “I’m investing in myself.” It’s hilarious and then you realize you are the worm. 5. “Grandma’s Juice” (2015) – The Crown Jewel Premise: An elderly woman brews a weekly “juice” from the contents of her humidifier, toenail clippings, and static electricity. Her grandson is forced to drink it to inherit the house. underground comics, tom zern, body horror comedy, alt-comix,

Tom Zern isn’t a household name. He’s more like that fever dream you had after eating expired cheese at 2 AM. For decades, Zern has lurked in the grimy corners of alt-weeklies, mini-comics, and punk zines, drawing stuff that makes The Far Side look like a Hallmark card. We’re talking comics that are —not in a "cool" 90s way, but in a deeply, gloriously, physically wrong way.

Zern’s genius is turning mundane body horror into comedy. The nose-bones have little joints. There’s a two-page spread of the guy sneezing, and the bones fly out like a bizarre xylophone. One strip ends with his friend saying, “Put those back.” The man replies, “They don’t fit anymore.” You’ll laugh. Then you’ll touch your own nose. Then you’ll feel sick. 3. “Uncle Smiles at the County Fair” (2007) Premise: A deformed, grinning balloon animal named Uncle Smiles wins every carnival game but refuses to give anyone the prizes.