Rev. Dr. Derek M Ballard PhD
@derekmballard.bsky.social
A dad that did some writing/storyboards on Adventure Time, Midnight Gospel, lead background design on MYSTERY CUDDLERS, PULP for Netflix, HBO. My graphic novel CARTOONSHOW is from Oni Press. Also, grew up in a FEMA trailer
https://linktr.ee/derekmballard
https://linktr.ee/derekmballard
Reposted by Rev. Dr. Derek M Ballard PhD
jazz brunch
January 5, 2025 at 11:09 PM
jazz brunch
Reposted by Rev. Dr. Derek M Ballard PhD
hangin’ on (2/2)
January 28, 2025 at 1:18 PM
hangin’ on (2/2)
Reposted by Rev. Dr. Derek M Ballard PhD
hangin’ on (1/2)
January 28, 2025 at 1:18 PM
hangin’ on (1/2)
Reposted by Rev. Dr. Derek M Ballard PhD
I worked closing shifts alone at a Subway when I was 14. eventually I got fired for stealing food. (there was no food at home.)
Chip chippy, chip chippy, chip chip cherree, child laborers are as lucky as lucky can be innit
'Working in a chippy at 14 made me more confident'
Changes to employment laws will make it easier for under-16s to work part-time.
www.bbc.com
January 5, 2026 at 2:01 PM
I worked closing shifts alone at a Subway when I was 14. eventually I got fired for stealing food. (there was no food at home.)
married a raver from New Orleans.
What's the most ridiculous way you ever hurt yourself? I got out of the tub, skidded in water and tripped over the toilet. Ankle sprain.
😅
😅
January 6, 2026 at 2:54 AM
married a raver from New Orleans.
Reposted by Rev. Dr. Derek M Ballard PhD
Reposted by Rev. Dr. Derek M Ballard PhD
people really do this
January 5, 2026 at 3:07 PM
people really do this
Reposted by Rev. Dr. Derek M Ballard PhD
Thanks so much for reading my comics! You guys make it worthwhile. Please consider a one time tip via Ko-fi. (If you can’t no worries.)
ko-fi.com/derekmballard
ko-fi.com/derekmballard
Buy Derek M Ballard a Coffee
Become a supporter of Derek M Ballard today!
ko-fi.com
July 9, 2025 at 4:49 PM
Thanks so much for reading my comics! You guys make it worthwhile. Please consider a one time tip via Ko-fi. (If you can’t no worries.)
ko-fi.com/derekmballard
ko-fi.com/derekmballard
Reposted by Rev. Dr. Derek M Ballard PhD
Oh shit are we starting a movement to get Derek's work in the funnies??
Do it. Come on.
HEY!
Hey... DO IT.
Do it. Come on.
HEY!
Hey... DO IT.
January 5, 2026 at 8:35 PM
Oh shit are we starting a movement to get Derek's work in the funnies??
Do it. Come on.
HEY!
Hey... DO IT.
Do it. Come on.
HEY!
Hey... DO IT.
Reposted by Rev. Dr. Derek M Ballard PhD
"Over here, Derek!"
January 5, 2026 at 8:22 PM
"Over here, Derek!"
Reposted by Rev. Dr. Derek M Ballard PhD
The good Reverend Doctor's linework is so fresh, loose, and energetic he should be on comics pages
It's the kind of dynamism of the golden age of strips, mixed with the dynamic sensibilities of Thompson or Watterson
It's the kind of dynamism of the golden age of strips, mixed with the dynamic sensibilities of Thompson or Watterson
January 5, 2026 at 8:20 PM
The good Reverend Doctor's linework is so fresh, loose, and energetic he should be on comics pages
It's the kind of dynamism of the golden age of strips, mixed with the dynamic sensibilities of Thompson or Watterson
It's the kind of dynamism of the golden age of strips, mixed with the dynamic sensibilities of Thompson or Watterson
Reposted by Rev. Dr. Derek M Ballard PhD
Do it you cowards
January 5, 2026 at 8:06 PM
Do it you cowards
dear king features
January 5, 2026 at 8:04 PM
dear king features
I love comics.
January 5, 2026 at 7:45 PM
I love comics.
Reposted by Rev. Dr. Derek M Ballard PhD
Thinking about how Dilbert and Dogbert are also about to die
January 5, 2026 at 6:52 PM
Thinking about how Dilbert and Dogbert are also about to die
Reposted by Rev. Dr. Derek M Ballard PhD
opening credits
August 9, 2025 at 3:35 PM
opening credits
Reposted by Rev. Dr. Derek M Ballard PhD
Reposted by Rev. Dr. Derek M Ballard PhD
people really do this
January 5, 2026 at 3:07 PM
people really do this
Reposted by Rev. Dr. Derek M Ballard PhD
The Ballard Metric: An economic test for financial transparency.
1. Creative income covers 100% of bills?
2. No "invisible" safety net (partner/family)?
3. Path is replicable for someone with $0?
If not, the success is subsidized and creative credit should be shared.
1. Creative income covers 100% of bills?
2. No "invisible" safety net (partner/family)?
3. Path is replicable for someone with $0?
If not, the success is subsidized and creative credit should be shared.
January 5, 2026 at 2:08 PM
The Ballard Metric: An economic test for financial transparency.
1. Creative income covers 100% of bills?
2. No "invisible" safety net (partner/family)?
3. Path is replicable for someone with $0?
If not, the success is subsidized and creative credit should be shared.
1. Creative income covers 100% of bills?
2. No "invisible" safety net (partner/family)?
3. Path is replicable for someone with $0?
If not, the success is subsidized and creative credit should be shared.
I worked closing shifts alone at a Subway when I was 14. eventually I got fired for stealing food. (there was no food at home.)
Chip chippy, chip chippy, chip chip cherree, child laborers are as lucky as lucky can be innit
'Working in a chippy at 14 made me more confident'
Changes to employment laws will make it easier for under-16s to work part-time.
www.bbc.com
January 5, 2026 at 2:01 PM
I worked closing shifts alone at a Subway when I was 14. eventually I got fired for stealing food. (there was no food at home.)
Reposted by Rev. Dr. Derek M Ballard PhD
I've been trying to get my version of the Bechdel Test to catch on called the Ballard Metric. It basically asks if the creator was able to work for free or for slave wages due to an invisible financial safety net and recontextualizes the work. (I'm kinda joking idk)
Many full time creatives have “invisible safety nets” like bread-winning partners, trust funds, external support, etc. No shame on anyone, but it creates a false vision of success. The cost of going to cons alone on top of hoping to eat as a freelancer are untenable, IMO.
When people hear that I'm returning to part time work they often ask "are things not going well with your art?"
The problem really is things are going well, but the world is so unstable that I long for some consistency and income that I don't have to pay quarterly taxes on
The problem really is things are going well, but the world is so unstable that I long for some consistency and income that I don't have to pay quarterly taxes on
November 3, 2025 at 2:59 PM
I've been trying to get my version of the Bechdel Test to catch on called the Ballard Metric. It basically asks if the creator was able to work for free or for slave wages due to an invisible financial safety net and recontextualizes the work. (I'm kinda joking idk)
Reposted by Rev. Dr. Derek M Ballard PhD
here’s some more visual development I did for Fionna and Cake season two.
January 2, 2026 at 11:25 PM
here’s some more visual development I did for Fionna and Cake season two.
Reposted by Rev. Dr. Derek M Ballard PhD
pride of work
February 11, 2025 at 11:44 PM
pride of work
Reposted by Rev. Dr. Derek M Ballard PhD
reminded me of this comic i absolutely love. perfectly expresses how, while I feel for the folks who succumb to that pressure, it absolutely doesn't justify the complicity
January 4, 2026 at 5:08 PM
reminded me of this comic i absolutely love. perfectly expresses how, while I feel for the folks who succumb to that pressure, it absolutely doesn't justify the complicity