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How Can I Be Sure? Upper West Sider Cracks the Code

June 29, 2025 | 8:16 AM
in ABSURDITY, ART, COLUMNS
28

By Gary Martin

Today’s illustration is subject-agnostic, meaning we could be talking about politics or climate or who will win the series. Every day is a roller coaster. For a while at least, we can be certain of that.

Gary B. Martin is an illustrator and animator who has lived on the Upper West Side for more than 30 years. His illustrations appear in the Rag on Sundays, chronicling life in the neighborhood, New York City, and the Universe. See them all here. For a broader range of Gary’s work, including animations and other motion graphics, please visit www.martoons.com

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28 Comments
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Paula
Paula
12 days ago

You summed up what many of us are thinking. 👍🏻

3
Reply
Nancy
Nancy
12 days ago

How Can I Be Sure? In a world that’s constantly changing…

1
Reply
KB Pederson
KB Pederson
11 days ago
Reply to  Nancy

Love that song!

0
Reply
Ellen T. White
Ellen T. White
12 days ago

You said it!

2
Reply
David
David
12 days ago

That’s disturbing….

2
Reply
David
David
12 days ago

This one hits home

3
Reply
Neal Leibowitz
Neal Leibowitz
12 days ago

You’re right, every day is a roller coaster and I always throw up on roller coasters.

7
Reply
Joanna
Joanna
12 days ago

Ain’t it the truth.

2
Reply
A Shenker
A Shenker
12 days ago

Great saying. Very true

2
Reply
L Shenker
L Shenker
12 days ago

Great pun of words

1
Reply
Mia Trachinger
Mia Trachinger
12 days ago

Yes, sure does feel like the world is on fire. Thanks Gary.

2
Reply
Sby
Sby
12 days ago

When were things ever certain? 50s Cold War—60s social upheavals—70s economic upheavals—80s Gorbachev era—on and on—if you’re old enough you’ve seen this all before—get a grip

4
Reply
Don
Don
12 days ago

That’s certainly true!!!

1
Reply
Andy
Andy
12 days ago

Ain’t it the truth!!

1
Reply
Debfrombrooklyn
Debfrombrooklyn
12 days ago

Not uncertain times. We are certainly headed toward Project 2925 unless you call your senators and ask them to vote against the Bill. Gary hit a raw nerve because he is so in tune! 🎵

5
Reply
Debfrombrooklyn
Debfrombrooklyn
12 days ago

2025

4
Reply
Andrew
Andrew
11 days ago
Reply to  Debfrombrooklyn

You mean 2029.

1
Reply
Peter Birkenhead
Peter Birkenhead
12 days ago

Ain’t it the truth!

1
Reply
Therese Sargent Case
Therese Sargent Case
12 days ago

Feeling the same…

1
Reply
Mike Richter
Mike Richter
12 days ago

You shouldn’t need to explain the comic

3
Reply
Steve
Steve
12 days ago

Unfortunately, very true. Keep up the great work.

1
Reply
Jenn Jones
Jenn Jones
11 days ago

While I appreciate the realism of this cartoon, I prefer the sentiments expressed in the lyrics of “As Time Goes By”. Play it again Sam!

Last edited 11 days ago by Jenn Jones
0
Reply
Perer
Perer
11 days ago

Why is everyone so negative? Well to do rent with rent stabilized apartments. There are plenty of people in this town with real problems.

1
Reply
Corcoran
Corcoran
11 days ago

I’m certain no matter what you say here someone is going to be triggered. Keep on triggering Martoonerville!

0
Reply
Elaine
Elaine
11 days ago

That’s it in a “NUT SHELL!” And we have many, many NUTS 🥜

1
Reply
Edith Tyson
Edith Tyson
11 days ago

Perfect, as usual.

0
Reply
Oren
Oren
11 days ago

The world is a much safer place now that Iran’s nuclear operations are a pile of rubble …… not that any Upper West Sider would ever admit that publicly!

2
Reply
Jerome
Jerome
10 days ago

Enough with these neurotic depressing cartoons. Everyone around here is not depressed, anxious and/or miserable.

1
Reply

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