False Knees

False Knees brings Joshua Barkman's web comic series to print format, featuring conversations between birds and other wildlife in their natural habitats. The stark black and white illustrations capture the essence of each creature while maintaining scientific accuracy. The comic strips follow various species as they interact, capturing both mundane moments and existential musings. Through their dialogues and behaviors, the animals reflect on nature, relationships, and survival with deadpan humor. The collection balances observational comedy with darker undertones, exploring themes of mortality, belonging, and the quiet wisdom found in the natural world. The juxtaposition between realistic wildlife art and modern dialogue creates a unique perspective on both human and animal existence.

Readers consistently appreciate the mix of dry humor and natural observations in False Knees, with many noting how the comic captures both realistic bird behavior and relatable human emotions. Likes: - Detailed, accurate bird illustrations that maintain character personality - Dark humor that doesn't feel forced - Blend of scientific accuracy with absurdist situations - Character expressions, especially the birds' eyes - Works as both a nature book and comedy collection Dislikes: - Some found the humor too dark or nihilistic - Book is shorter than expected - Print quality doesn't match the vibrancy of the online comics - A few readers wanted more variety in species featured Ratings: Goodreads: 4.41/5 (1,300+ ratings) Amazon: 4.8/5 (1,100+ ratings) Notable reader comment: "The artwork perfectly captures both the majesty and complete ridiculousness of birds in their natural habitat." - Goodreads reviewer

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The Lonely Existence of Asteroids and Satellites by Lisa Hanawalt Line drawings merge nature with human emotions through stories about animals dealing with modern life situations.

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🦋 False Knees began as a webcomic on Tumblr in 2012, featuring darkly humorous conversations between realistically illustrated birds and wildlife. 🌿 Creator Joshua Barkman is a self-taught artist who grew up in rural Ontario, where his close observations of local wildlife inspired his distinctive art style. 🦅 The comic's name "False Knees" comes from a made-up term for when birds tuck their legs up while perching, making it appear as though their knees bend backward. 🎨 Each panel in the book is hand-drawn using traditional materials including ink and watercolor, rather than digital tools. 🦜 While the animals in False Knees speak and act like humans, Barkman maintains strict anatomical accuracy in his illustrations, often referencing wildlife photography and scientific guides.