# Surreal Retro Cartoons These Bizarre Modern Situations are Drawn in 50s Comic Illustration Style By Charlotte Joyce Kidd | Published 2015-10-16 | Art & Design Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/comic-illustration References: [itsnicethat](http://www.itsnicethat.com/articles/janne-livonen) & [janneiivonen.net](http://janneiivonen.net/) Finnish artist Janne Iiovenen is making waves with his skilled retro style of comic illustration. Iiovenen's comic illustrations resemble the classic cartoons of the 50s, especially the famous work of Belgian Georges Prosper Remi. Remi was better known by the pen name of Herge, under which he wrote the internationally famous Tintin series from 1929 to 1976. But although the style of the comic illustrations is vintage, it's their juxtaposed use of very modern imagery that makes them so interesting. Iiovenen depicts digital-age scenes like a frustrated office worker attacking his desktop computer with his mug of coffee and groups of friends gathered around their laptops. Janne Iiovenen's fascinating comic illustration has been featured in publications including Wired and The Guardian, and he has been commissioned by [Lexus](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ls-concept) and [American Airlines](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/wood-for-the-trees). ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 6.9/10 - Popularity: 100% | Activity: 99% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Art & Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/artdesign) > [Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/design) ## Key Themes ### Why This Trend Is Growing - **Retro-inspired Art:** Embracing the nostalgic aesthetic of vintage comics to create modern art that resonates with audiences. - **Juxtaposition of Old and New:** Combining elements of classic comic illustrations with contemporary imagery to create thought-provoking and visually striking artworks. - **Digital-age Surrealism:** Exploring the intersection of technology and everyday life through surreal illustrations that reflect the frustrations and complexities of modern society. ### Industries Being Reshaped - **Art and Design:** Opportunities for artists, illustrators, and designers to utilize retro-inspired techniques to create unique and marketable artworks. - **Publishing and Media:** Platforms and publications seeking fresh and engaging visual content that blends nostalgia with contemporary themes. - **Advertising and Branding:** Brands and agencies can leverage retro-inspired illustrations to create eye-catching campaigns that resonate with consumers and evoke a sense of nostalgia. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Mind-Bending Graphic Novels](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/incal.md) - [Revived Retro Animations](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/stranger-things-animated-series.md) - [Digital Archetype Sculptures](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/christian-rex-van-minnen-1.md) - [AI-Generated Real-World Transformations](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ai-generated-world.md) - [Cartoonish NFT Collectibles](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/i-like-you-youre-weird.md) - [Anime Horror-Style Reimaginations](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/junji-ito-artwork.md) - [Sci-Fi-Inspired Classical Posters](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sen-donnan.md) - [AI Comic Creators](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/comic-factory.md) - [Horrific Beer-Themed Comics](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/garage-beer.md)