Surly Queen
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surlyqueen.bsky.social
Surly Queen
@surlyqueen.bsky.social
250 followers 350 following 2.5K posts
She/Her | Artist | Bard/Rogue | Bibliophile | Bog Witch

I read comics and I draw comics:
www.surlyqueen.net

Call me a Luddite, and you'd be right.
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surlyqueen.bsky.social
Surly Queen @surlyqueen.bsky.social · Jan 21
"After that we had the worst time of all. If it hadn't been for Bluebell's jokes and chatter we'd have stopped running for certain."

Stories and art are important. Especially now. To be able to scrape up enough of whatever it takes to put light and beauty out into this world is a powerful thing.
surlyqueen.bsky.social
I wish more people knew about Arriola's work and I wish I could get my hands on more of his comic collections. His work was beautiful and just about all of it is out of print and seems largely forgotten.

Look at this ink work! *Chef's kiss*
A black and white comic page from the newapaper strip, "Gordo." It features a rooster, chihuahua, and a cat talking about an beautifully embroidered Mexican dress. A black and white comic page from the newspaper strip, "Gordo." It features an all-black kitten playing with a small ball.
February 10, 2026 at 8:54 PM
surlyqueen.bsky.social
Of course I studied the classics
The cover of a book titled "Gordo's Cat," by Gus Arriola. A blue and white bird is perched on the O in Gordo and an orange cat hangs by his front paws from the C in cat. The cat is looking up at the bird.
February 10, 2026 at 8:54 PM
surlyqueen.bsky.social
This is key.

My story was set in reality, but cartoonish things happened *regularly.* That was the gag.

My cast ended up fighting a giant crab in a cave under a beach and someone pointed out a cave like that couldn't exist under a beach.

My guy, one of the main characters is a talking pineapple.
February 10, 2026 at 3:55 AM
surlyqueen.bsky.social
Age verification?

I was traumatized by Land Before Time in theaters.
numetalweeb.bsky.social NU METAL WEEB 𖤐 🇦🇺 @numetalweeb.bsky.social · 1d
Age verification?

I had a top 10 on MySpace
sockothesock.bsky.social 🔵🧦 Socko The Sock! 🧦🔴 - The Sock VTuber! @sockothesock.bsky.social · 1d
Age verification?

Socko crawled out of the soup.
February 10, 2026 at 3:44 AM
surlyqueen.bsky.social
It's been a bit of a learning curve for me, but they're SO cute!
February 9, 2026 at 11:37 PM
surlyqueen.bsky.social
#HourlyComicDay

Oh yeah, we watched that Super Bowl thingy!
Panel 1: Everyone is sitting and watching the game. Wendy says, "Finally! Commercials!" Caption: The real reason I watch, despite the dwindling quality... Panel 2: The TV with "ADS!!!" On the screen. Everyone's heads are in the foreground, watching. Word balloons blare, "AI!!!" "CRYPTO" and "FATPHOBIA." Caption: JFC, that MAHA ad was super gross. The word "super" is underlined. Panel 3: More word balloons blare from the off-panel TV: GAMBLING, GAMBLING, MORE AI, and GAMBLE. The last "gamble" is emphasized in bold. The people watch with varying levels of concern and boredom. Panel 4: Wendy boos and says, "BOOOO PATRIOTS!" The other person asks, "Are you a Seahawks fan?" And Wendy responds, "No, the Patriots fans are just too smug." Caption: I'm from AL...what are pro sports?! Panel 5: Word balloon proclaims, "HALFTIME!!!" Wendy appears three times in the panel. She says, "People who hate this are dumb!*" while dancing. She looks pleasantly surprised and says, "Oh shit! Ricky Martin!" She points at the TV with wide eyes and says, "There's PEOPLE in all that grass!" Caption (also the *): BC racists are dumb! Panel 6: Is split into two panels. The first half is Wendy happily yelling, "WOO HOO SEAHAWKS WIN!" Second half Wendy admits, "Actually...That wasn't a bad game as far as football goes!" while Raf looks on with a smirk.
February 9, 2026 at 9:15 PM
surlyqueen.bsky.social
Continuing #HourlyComicDay even though it's late.
Stick comic for Hourly Comic Day. Panel 1: Wendy and Xena are talking. Wendy says, "Put Qibli in his carrier and we can feed him down here." Xena says, "Okay!" Caption: We got a leopard gecko for Christmas. Panel 2: Xena walks in carrying a lizard in a small tank with a handle. She says, "Here he is! I put 8 crickets in!" Caption: He's still little so we're monitoring how many bugs he eats. Panel 3: A lizard, Qibli, is in a tank, staring down a cricket. His tail is raised and motion lines indicate the tail is shaking. Caption: He shakes his tail like a rattlesnake when he's about to pounce! Panel 4: Wendy is knocking a small box with crickets off of a table and says, "Whoops!" as Xena looks on anxiously while closing Qibli's tank. Caption: I managed to knock over the cricket cage when we were putting Qibli back.... Panel 5: Wendy and Xena frantically catch the escaped crickets! Panel 6: Wendy places the cricket box back on the table with a relieved sigh. Xena looks down at the floor and yells, "DID WE GET THEM ALL?!" Caption: So that was exciting.
February 9, 2026 at 9:03 PM
surlyqueen.bsky.social
I don't have a #nitro account to cancel, but if I did.........
a computer monitor with a green screen that says deleted on it
Alt: A gif from Strongbad Emails: an old computer monitor with a green screen that flashes, "DELETED!!" Strongbad's round head is in the foreground.
media.tenor.com
February 9, 2026 at 6:13 PM
surlyqueen.bsky.social
#HourlyComicDay

Chores and company for the Superb Owl!

Hello, it is dark now, so I am not using natural light, so all my photos will be yellow now.
Two stick comics for Hourly Comic Day First comic 4-5pm Panel 1: Wendy is loading the dishwasher. Caption: The Usual..... Panel 2: Wendy looks at Xena, who is covered in gloppy splotches. Wendy asks, "Why are you covered in paint?" Panel 3: Wendy and Raf both share a word balloon asking, "What should we do for dinner?" Second comic, 5-6pm Panel 1: Wendy is frantic, her arms a series of waving lines. She says, "Ah! Someone's coming over! TIDY! Panel 2: Wendy excitedly yells, "FOOD!" ad Raf presents two boxes labeled pizza. Panel 3: A third person with a Mohawk comes through a door. Wendy and Raf are waving and say, "HIIIIIII!"
February 9, 2026 at 1:12 AM
surlyqueen.bsky.social
Best damn post of the night.
ruhee.ca cozy fan tutte @ruhee.ca · 2d
No Kings includes Draft Kings
February 9, 2026 at 1:02 AM
surlyqueen.bsky.social
#HourlyComicDay

Mystery solved!

They're not allowed to do revs, burn-outs, etc in the parking lot of where they have the car meet, so they cut loose on an on-ramp to the highway and everybody troops over there to watch.
Two stick comics for Hourly Comic Day The first one 2-3pm Panel 1: Wendy thinks with her tongue out and a pencil to her chin and says, "Hmm...should I REEEALLY do comics about staring at screens?" Caption: Catching up on all these comics, lol! Panel 2: Wendy shrugs Panel 3: Wendy drawing at a drafting table and says, "Why not?" Caption: What's a diary comic if it's not truthful? Second comic, 3-4pm Panel 1: Wendy says, "Ooooooooh!" Caption: Internet Sleuthing... Panel 2: Wendy says, "All those Youths were milling about after a car meet up!" Panel 3: Wendy says, "And they were on the street bc people show off as they leave the meet!" "Explains the cloud of smoke too!" Caption, accompanied by a drawing of Wendy in a deer-stalker cap and smoking an old-timey pipe: Mystery solved!
February 8, 2026 at 10:18 PM
surlyqueen.bsky.social
#HourlyComicDay

Yes, my life really is this glamorous 😎
Stick comics for Hourly Comic Day 12-1pm, three panels of Wendy staring at her phone in various poses with spirals for eyes and bubbles over her head. Caption, spanning all three panels, reads: DOOMSCROLLING! Second comic, 1-2pm. Panel 1: Wendy watches a tablet and says, "oooooooh! So graceful!" Panel 2: Wendy yells at the tablet, with shark teeth, "SHOW ME WHAT JOHNNY WEIR IS WEARING!" Panel 3: Wendy has a pleased expression, hands clasped at her chin and says, "mmm skates make a Good Sound." Caption spans all three panels and reads: OLYMPICS!!!
February 8, 2026 at 8:44 PM
surlyqueen.bsky.social
#HourlyComicDay

On this day in history, I made it to Michael's and did not buy anything for myself 😆

I wanted to ask The Youths what was going on, but didn't get caught by the light so I didn't get the chance!
Stick comic for Hourly Comic Day. A trip to Michael's. Panel 1: Wendy and Xena are in the car. There is a cloud of smoke ahead of them. Wendy says, "what the heck is all that?" Caption: On the way to Michael's. Panel 2: Wendy looks out the window and sees a crowd of people (labeled "A Sea of Youths"). Caption: It's definitely not a protest...No one's carrying signs or chanting...Just standing and chatting! Panel 3: Interior of the car. Wendy is driving and Xena is peeking around from the backseat. Wendy is still looking at the crowd and says, "Weird." Xena looks disgusted and says, "They look like TEENS." Caption: I suppose I will never know why they were there. Panel 4: Three Wendys run excitedly around the panel saying, "ooooo beads!" "More fancy markers!" and "FAIRY HOUSES!" Caption: At Michael's. Panel 5: Xena is holding a sketchbook and Wendy's hand, leading her. Wendy looks back over her shoulder. Xena is saying, "I found one I like, let's go!" Wendy says, "Do I need a new paint-by-number?" Caption: I decided I do not. Panel 6: Wendy and Xena in the car. The crowd is still there. Wendy is thinking, "The youths are still out..." Xena says, "Ew....Teeeeeeeeens." Caption: On the way back...
February 8, 2026 at 8:03 PM
surlyqueen.bsky.social
#HourlyComicDay
10-11am Hourly Comic Panel 1: Wendy watches something on a tablet. Caption reads: No plans this morning so it's time to binge Olympics! Panel 2: Wendy talks to the tablet, saying "Oh yes, CLEARLY under-rotated!" "That bump is going to REALLY cost him" and "That posture..." Caption reads: I am an "expert" in every sport. Next to the Caption is a dumb face, indicating that I am, in no way, an expert in any of these sports. Panel 3: Wendy is anxiously watching the tablet, saying "How are you going...like...80mph..." Voice from the tablet says, "Late in the turn." Caption reads: Of course I love figure skating, but skeleton is my favorite. It's a more terrifying version of luge! Panel 4: Wendy, still watching, says, "How are you not all dead?" A smaller stick figure with dark curly hair, Xena, arrives and says, "Mom, can we go to Michael's?" Panel 5: Wendy and Xena are talking. Wendy has her arm on Xena's shoulder. Xeba says, "I want a new sketchbook!" and Wendy replies, "Of course!" A thought bubble for Wendy contains an anguished-looking version of herself saying, "noooooooo I have to get dressed after aalllllll." Caption reads: It's fine, lol...I just hadn't planned on going out! Panel 6: Wendy and Xena are walking. Xena says, "Do you need anything from there?" and Wendy replies, "Nah, not really." Caption reads: Or DO I? With a little drawing of Wendy looking sneaky.
February 8, 2026 at 6:20 PM
surlyqueen.bsky.social
It's #HourlyComicDay!

I missed it last year, and I've been in a bit of an art slump, but I'm here for it today.
A stick comic featuring myself. Panel 1: In bed, waking up. Thought bubble reads, "why does it feel like I have homework due?" Panel 2: looking at my phone. Panel 3: wide-eyed realization about something on the phone. Panel 4: Leaping happily out of bed. Caption reads, "It's Hourly Comic Day!" Panel 5: anxiously staring ahead. Caption reads, "It's been a minute since I took an unscheduled break from my regular webcomic...." Panel 6: looking determined. Caption reads, "But I feel ready today."
February 8, 2026 at 3:17 PM
surlyqueen.bsky.social
I'm in the minority with you. The only servers I'm in where I actually chat are with people I know IRL.
February 7, 2026 at 12:57 PM
surlyqueen.bsky.social
I'm pretending to watch the Olympic Opening Ceremonies live.

It is so artsy fartsy and I would be dyiiiiiiiiiing except I also kinda love it.
February 7, 2026 at 1:32 AM
Reposted by Surly Queen
seananmcguire.bsky.social
This is only related in a sideways manner, but: the story of any small slice of humanity is the story of humanity, just boiled down and distilled. So:

In 2020, we had a lot of conversations about harassment at SF/F conventions, and Isaac Asimov came up several times.
karenho.bsky.social Karen K. Ho @karenho.bsky.social · 5d
the Epstein files are really devastating because they remind me of how many girls and women miss out on professional opportunities, mentorship and careers because of how many powerful, rich and influential men only view girls and women — and interactions with them — through the lens of sex
February 5, 2026 at 8:58 PM
Reposted by Surly Queen
xerxes.gay
Furries have already achieved the dream of every shit silicon valley technology and in a more ethical and less cringe way

The metaverse: VRChat
NFTs: adoptable fursonas
Typing words into a text box and having art appear: commissions
February 4, 2026 at 1:48 PM
Reposted by Surly Queen
lucyknisley.bsky.social
"Haunted"
#IceOut #IceOutComics
A comic in black/white/blue. Lucy rolls her bike through an alley, by a crew building a fence. Narration: My neighbors hired a crew to rebuild their fence. Crew member: "Do you need us to move our stuff out of the way?" Lucy: "Oh! No, you're all good, thanks!" Lucy: "Have a good one!" Crew member: "You, too!" Narration: I was teaching when my phone started lighting up with alerts from the rapid response network and neighbor chat. Lucy's back is to us as she shows a group of enthusiastic children something on a notebook. Behind her, her phone in her bag is buzzing. Narration: By the time the lesson was over, they were already gone. Lucy is reading messages on her phone. Messages: Alert: black SUV Sighting: be on alert for... Confirmed abductionL alley between ----- and ----. SUV plates... We tried to get them inside, but it was too... ...Contacting an I.R. lawyer. Heading to Broadview later today. Lucy is riding her bike home. Narration: On the ride home, I kept thinking "If I'd been there, could I have warned them? Would my ICIRR* training have helped?" *Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights. Get trained and know your rights at ICIRR.org. Narration: I'd taken the training after Halloween, when the violent ICE raids had locked down our schools and driven our neighbors indoors. (Image of a halloween bucket in the shape of a jack-o-lantern) Narration: Halloween is fun here-- The community filling the streets and opening our doors to one another. But this year's was tense, frightened and subdued. Haunted. Lucy is standing in the alley, staring at the newly built fence. Narration: When I got home, it was all done. The other two guys who had gotten inside in time stayed and finished the build. The new fence is superimposed with the brief exchange from earlier in the comic ("Have a good one" You, too") Narration: I see it every day and think about how those guys built this in the spot where strangers in masks took their friend. Narration: How many other places in our communities are similarly haunted? (Drawings of sidewalks, buildings, streets and windows)
February 5, 2026 at 5:20 PM
surlyqueen.bsky.social
They're so cute!
February 5, 2026 at 5:50 PM
surlyqueen.bsky.social
Every time I see a St. Bernard, I think about that chaos 😆
February 5, 2026 at 2:01 PM
surlyqueen.bsky.social
I played Yatzee in a home where if you got a Yatzee, the house rule was you had to run around the house yelling Yatzee over and over.

No one told me the dogs would chase you.

One of them was a St. Bernard.

And she was exactly like this 😆
February 5, 2026 at 12:12 PM
surlyqueen.bsky.social
Oh man, I used to love this show when I was a kid and one I'd like to revisit as an adult. It's a really good one.
February 5, 2026 at 12:09 PM
surlyqueen.bsky.social
It's also really nice to have something to look forward to. I really didn't mind when they started to release shows weekly, and that's not just nostalgia talking.
February 5, 2026 at 12:43 AM