Extra Points on Your Loyalty Card

One of my cartoons is set in an Indian-style bazaar, where a smiling vendor gestures towards a bed of nails while a curious customer looks on. It appeared in the Daily Star some years ago...

Beneath the scene, the caption reads: “...plus you get extra points on your loyalty card.” 

At first glance it’s a playful clash of cultures — the exotic image of a bed of nails paired with the very ordinary concept of supermarket loyalty schemes. But there’s an added pun here too: the nails themselves have “points” of a very different kind.

The humour works on two levels. It highlights the absurdity of applying modern marketing gimmicks to something as impractical as a bed of nails, while also slipping in a cheeky play on words. 

The double meaning of “points” adds to the punchline, making the cartoon both witty and memorable. Like much of my work, it relies on juxtaposition and language to create a sharp, satirical edge — in this case, quite literally.

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Wife Shows Counsellor Her Holiday Photos...

This political cartoon is set in a relationship counselling session at RELATE, the UK relationship support charity. 

The wife is animatedly showing the counsellor a collection of holiday photos scattered across the desk. The caption reads: “And this is one of him ignoring me in Greece…”. 

The humour comes from the exaggerated contrast between her enthusiasm and his apparent disengagement, highlighting a familiar relationship complaint: feeling overlooked or ignored.

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The joke works because it exaggerates a common marital issue - lack of attention - in a relatable and visual way. The husband’s disengaged posture and the wife’s meticulous presentation of evidence create a playful tension that many couples will recognise. 

It’s this mix of over-the-top documentation and subtle social commentary that makes the cartoon both funny and insightful.

Cartooning keeps me on my toes – and if you like this one, you might enjoy “Supermarket” or my nostalgic favourite “A Lovely Day for Caravaning”. Both show how a small moment can spark a good laugh!

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Better Cup of Tea...

This cartoon takes place in a Marriage Guidance office, where a husband and wife sit with a counsellor around a table, cups of tea in front of them. 

Instead of addressing their relationship, the husband blurts out: “I only come along because you make a better cup of tea.” 

The humour lies in the sheer obtuseness of his remark. In one sentence, he not only sidesteps the real purpose of the meeting but also shows himself up as both thoughtless and faintly misogynistic.

The joke works because it undermines the serious, professional setting with a trivial excuse that makes the husband look ridiculous. 

Viewers instantly grasp that he’s missing the point entirely, turning what could have been a moment of honesty into an absurd distraction about tea. 

The cartoon highlights how some people can be blind to the bigger picture, preferring to latch onto small comforts - and that’s exactly what makes the gag funny and relatable.

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Now with wings...

Cartoon: Feminine Towels with Wings

This classic black and white cartoon from my archives captures one of those moments where language and literal thinking collide in a burst of humour. It shows a woman standing by an open window, holding a box labelled “Feminine Towels – Now With Wings!”. 

In a wonderfully absurd twist, the towels have quite literally taken flight – fluttering their way out of the box and disappearing through the window. Her expression of disbelief completes the gag perfectly.

The cartoon plays on the well-known advertising phrase “now with wings”, which most people associate with the practical design of sanitary towels. 

But here, that same phrase is interpreted in the most literal way possible – giving the product actual wings! It’s a simple idea, yet it highlights how everyday marketing slogans can sound delightfully funny when taken at face value. 

That mix of wordplay and visual comedy is what gives this drawing its timeless charm.

Like many of my cartoons, this one uses clean, expressive linework and a single, sharp idea to deliver a quick laugh. It’s the kind of humour that doesn’t need colour or complex detail – the joke lands instantly because the concept is so relatable. 

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We’re surrounded by phrases that make perfect sense in advertising, but sound completely absurd if you imagine them happening in real life. This cartoon brings that absurdity to life in one simple, memorable scene.

Cartoons like this have long been a staple of magazines, newspapers and greetings cards, and they still appeal to readers who enjoy clever, observational humour. 

Whether you work in marketing, love classic gag cartoons, or just appreciate a smart visual pun, this piece is sure to raise a smile. 

It’s a reminder that sometimes, the funniest ideas come from everyday language and a slightly sideways way of looking at the world.

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See more of my cartoons at www.nigelsutherland.co.uk

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