75 times bored students vandalized textbooks in the best way possible

Picture it: it’s 2:00 p.m. on a Tuesday in the middle of high school. You’re sitting at a sticky desk in the back row of your history class. And it is getting so boring. The teacher is up there droning on, your eyelids are starting to droop, and you’re watching the minutes on the clock slowly tick by.

But you can’t fall asleep in the middle of class. That would be so embarrassing, especially since the teacher is going to make a scene. You have to occupy yourself somehow. So. you pull out a pencil and start to draw.

You don’t draw just anywhere, of course. You could doodle in your notebook, but where’s the fun in that? No one will ever see it. The teacher had the entire classy open their books anyway, so perhaps It’s time for some prime textbook vandalism.

There are two reasons people vandalize textbooks. The first is because they’re bored. The second is because they know someone else will see their artistic work…sooner or later. And isn’t it nice to know you’ll be giving another student a laugh the next time they’re bored in class? Here are 75 textbook doodling legends.

1. That has to hurt

I don’t know how to do this flip, but I’m guessing it doesn’t involve landing flat on your back. But at least one student was bored enough to draw it happening.

Twitter/@corenocirofa
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Twitter/@corenocirofa

2. This is my worst nightmare

Didn’t we all have a fear of losing our bathing suits at the beach? We probably weren’t in any real danger of it happening. The same can’t be said for this poor textbook swimmer.

Twitter/@Chanta_in_inari
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Twitter/@Chanta_in_inari

3. They look just a little too happy

You thought this lady was just doing a regular shopping transaction. But in the new version, she has a gun — even so, they’re both still smiling. A bit strange, but I’ll allow it.

Twitter/@kenta230
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Twitter/@kenta230

4. They saw the opportunity and took it

If you do your science homework long enough, you might start seeing figures in those mindless shapes. In this case, a pair of glasses made up of…well, something to do with hydroxymethyl.

Twitter/@peten0739
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Twitter/@peten0739

5. Instantly cooler

How can you be mad at a student for vandalizing their textbook when they have so much talent? Plus, they turned a boring lesson into an action story. So much better.

Twitter/@yoshitakaseiko
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Twitter/@yoshitakaseiko

6. I guess they had phones back then

Who knew they had smartphones back in ancient Asia — and even made duck faces and threw peace signs? And they say you don’t learn anything in school.

Twitter/@rakugaki_www1
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Twitter/@rakugaki_www1

7. The Stone Age or the Rock Age?

You see simple proto-humans working with crude tools; this artist sees the opportunity for a scene reimagined. Or, you know, they were super bored in their history class.

Reddit/dickwolfe
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Reddit/dickwolfe

8. Science is always changing

The wonderful thing about science is it’s always growing, improving, and developing. Maybe one day we’ll discover an element of surprise. That’ll be a…well, surprise.

Reddit/hightechkid9
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Reddit/hightechkid9

9. He called himself out

This clever comic and the fact the artist called himself out, all points to one amazing thing. He intended for it to be seen and appreciated by the next person who got this textbook. Isn’t sharing a beautiful thing?

Reddit/reggit99
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Reddit/reggit99

10. It’s encouraging

If there’s one thing we all need in a boring class, it’s a little bit of encouragement. This bit comes from a beloved childhood cartoon character, so it’s automatically better.

Reddit/threequarks
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Reddit/threequarks

11. Hi…

This is like those old Choose Your Own Adventure books we all enjoyed as kids. The only difference is here, you’re rewarded with a goofy picture of Stitch from Lilo and Stitch.

Imgur/imahappyguy
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Imgur/imahappyguy

12. *you’re

And here’s the other version of the same one, but this just happened to catch a substitute teacher by surprise. They should’ve docked the student points for that misspelling.

Imgur/ithoughtofrhinos
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Imgur/ithoughtofrhinos

13. This student was REALLY bored

You have to be going crzy with boredom to notice a font change in a textbook. Not only is it a font change, but it’s a font change of a single letter.

Imgur/SerArthurDayne151
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Imgur/SerArthurDayne151

14. But did they say it in Japanese?

People often say that Japanese is one of the hardest languages to learn. It seems as though language experts disagree — but this person didn’t. Maybe they’ll switch to Spanish next year.

Imgur/funkystuhero
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Imgur/funkystuhero

15. It’s none of my business

Sure, this comic is a little bit crass, but it’s also quite clever. It takes a moment to get the joke. And of course, it’s remarkably well drawn. Good job, random student.

Imgur/goombaforyourwoomba
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Imgur/goombaforyourwoomba

16. No need to be rude

Sure, vandalism that consists of random scribbles and doodles is fun. But even better is vandalism that serves as a commentary on the subject matter. Sometimes, with inappropriate language.

17. Dinosaurs use outdated technology

There should be a rule in movies that if the story sarts to drag, you add a dinosaur. After all, dinosaurs make everything instantly more exciting, even a boring old textbook.

18. Kids these days

This kid might be using an extremely outdated computer, but don’t be fooled: he’s 100 percent a kid of the 21st century. You can tell by his trendy slang, even if his haircut is from 1999.

Reddit/umerkornslayer
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Reddit/umerkornslayer

19. Math class must’ve been rough

I’ve been in some boring math classes, but nothing like what this student’s describing. Okay, you know what? Scratch that. Attending math class is terrible.

Reddit/TryNewUserName
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Reddit/TryNewUserName

20. You could say they asked for this

You can’t tell me when the makers of this textbook included the words “What is love?” in the text, they didn’t see the potential for this edit. It opens up a new possibility that textbooks are meant to be vandalized.

21. New theory: they’re all the same person

You’d have to be blind not to notice the handwriting of all these superheroes is the same. This leads to my new theory that Batman, Spider-Man, Superman, and Captain America are the same person. In this essay, I will…

22. Don’t smoke and calculate, kids

I’m not sure if the circle is the one that’s high or if the textbook vandal was commenting on themselves. To be fair, I’ve had plenty of high school classes that made me want to escape mentally.

23. It’s an attack

There’s no denying that the pose of this anatomy diagram makes it look distinctly King Kong-like. The only difference is it’s a skinless human, not a giant ape. And no skyscrapers, of course.

Reddit/sovietRAGEFACE
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Reddit/sovietRAGEFACE

24. Somebody catch that hair

When one student saw this picture’s unusual hairstyle, the potential for a sketch was born. We didn’t see it right away, but now that we do, it’s impossible to miss.

25. Strike three, you’re out

There is some impressive detail in this textbook drawing. Either their class was incredibly boring or they just need an outlet for their mad art skills. Or possibly both.

Twitter/@ciropinitav
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Twitter/@ciropinitav

26. Shall we dance?

We get it — Sigmund Freud is a little funny at the best of times because of the oedipal complexes and penis envy. But this textbook vandal managed to make him even funnier.

27. It’s the circle of life

Sometimes, textbook doodles add information that was missing in the original illustrations. If not for this drawing, how would we know the final part of the food chain includes man-eating zombies?

28. She’s so curvaceous

Some women claim to be “perfectly” beautiful because their measurements are in exact proportions to one another. But this might be the only woman in the world who can prove her curves are mathematical.

29. How does he achieve that hairdo?

What’s his secret to perfectly-coiffed hair? You don’t have to wonder anymore, thanks to this helpful textbook illustration. He has a daily regimen of a fan directly to the face.

30. Oh, that’s terrifying

I don’t know what this illustration is supposed to be post-vandalism. I think it’s two people in Joker makeup, one reviving the other. But based on what I know about the Joker, she could be murdering him.

31. There’s some impressive detail

This is one of those drawings that just gets better the longer you look at it. Sure, the first thing you see is him setting a child on fire with a giant magnifying glass. But don’t overlook his skateboard or the goat.

32. Isn’t he adorable?

There’s no question, this is meant to be silly. But this artist is relatively talented. Well, talented at drawing bodies, at least. Who knows what their faces look like?

33. I have some questions

When you’re bored enough, inspiration can come in the strangest places. The average person wouldn’t look at these triangles and see the opportunity for tiny people. But you know who would? Someone who’s dying of boredom.

34. Sex education: now with tigers

I’ve heard the female reproductive system compared to a lot of other things. But a tiger is a new one. I feel the need to tell everyone that uteruses don’t contain tigers.

35. Why is she smiling?

Lots of people are afraid of sharks when they go to the beach, but this girl clearly isn’t. This leads you to wonder if she had a hand in this shark attack. New theory: she’s in league with the sharks.

36. Nature is cruel

It’s hard for kids to learn that nature can be cruel, especially for defenseless heterotrophs. But for those of us with really twisted senses of humor, this is downright hilarious.

37. I get you, textbook doodle

Let’s be real: this is our reaction to pizza every time. Something tells me this student might’ve been bored and hungry in the period right before lunchtime.

38. Is this a trust exercise?

The added doodles are strange, but even the original illustrations are confusing. I don’t know what’s going on in any of these pictures. But that woman must be insanely strong.

39. But what’s the volume?

I think if I found a picture in my textbook with this label, I’d laugh out loud in the middle of class. Then my teacher would make me explain why I was laughing at a picture of sushi.

40. That’s not what they meant

Those are supposed to be the dates of issue and return, not a self-description. Doesn’t every snarky elementary schooler think they’re just so funny?

Reddit/RottenRazar
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Reddit/RottenRazar

41. That turned dark

Everyone: if you’re going to drown someone by pushing them down into a pool repeatedly, remember to do it in style. Every murderer needs a special pose and outfit.

42. Yikes

I’m not sure if this is an illustration of a student’s feelings about the class or if they just have a dark sense of humor. Either way, this is painful to look at.

43. It’s useful commentary

I didn’t know I needed helpful commentary in a sexual education textbook. But it adds something, doesn’t it? It’s good to appreciate the lesson material.

44. Who knew Mario was such an important figure in history?

Some characters are so iconic, we recognize them instantly. We even know who they are if their most distinguishing features are drawn on top of someone else. Amazing.

45. The secret identity of Niels Bohr has been revealed

If you remember your high school history lessons, you probably vaguely remember who Niels Bohr was. But you probably didn’t know he was the monster Davy Jones, did you?

46. The stakes just got higher

You might’ve thought this was a boring conversation about doing some paperwork. But with a couple of small changes, it’s now the plot of a high-stakes action movie. Way more interesting.

47. Um…

Since we can’t see the full text of the page, we don’t know what those objects are. That makes Morpheus’ commentary just a little bit disturbing. Do I want to know what they’re made of?

48. A variation of a classic

This was a favorite among elementary schoolers back in the days when you would temporarily sign textbooks out. I bet M. Doyle and A.D. feel lame in comparison.

49. Breakdown in a science textbook

If this thought bubble wasn’t there, we’d never know this illustration depicts a man having an identity crisis. We’d just think he was working on a car, like a bunch of morons.

50. I found the murderer

Sometimes, things aren’t what they seem. You probably thought this man was resuscitating an unconscious child. That’s exactly what he wants you to think.

51. It was there all along

Who knew the continent of Africa was hiding a mysterious secret within its very shape? Is this the geography textbook equivalent of finding Jesus in a piece of toast?

52. She’s about to lose some friends

When you pull out this card in Uno, you never know what could happen. People might cry, scream, or start to fight. Cards can be a violent game.

Reddit/Cartier727
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Reddit/Cartier727

53. He’s adorable

Remember learning about Jean-Jacques Rousseau, the philosopher whose works influenced the Enlightenment and the French Revolution? I bet your teachers didn’t tell you he knew how to rock a mini skirt.

Reddit/NorintheWary1
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Reddit/NorintheWary1

54. She doesn’t know her strength

Call the Guinness Book of World Records, because this might be the strongest woman in the world. Not even Serena Williams could achieve this impressive — but also horrifying — feat.

55. Well, that’s not good

I have questions about this scene. But frankly, I’m too scared to even ask them. The original illustration was weird, too. Why doesn’t he have legs? Why are there so many people?

56. It just became creepy

This was a perfectly normal illustration until someone decided to add a second guy in there. I don’t know what he’s saying, but his stance is predatory if you ask me.

Imgur/himepudding
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Imgur/himepudding

57. How to ruin a thumbs up

If you feel like you need some bleach for your eyes after that, you’re not the only one. They took an innocent illustration and turned it into a monstrosity. Okay, I admit it is kind of funny.

58. Do I want to know?

There’s so much detail in this drawing that I feel like I should be asking questions. You know what, I changed my mind. I don’t want to know.

59. When in doubt, add a gun

Michael Scott once said: “What is the most exciting thing that can happen on TV or movies or in real life? Somebody has a gun.” It certainly made this biology textbook more exciting. Well, relatively.

60. He’s not amused

You’d think some historical figures would be amused to learn their picture had been vandalized with a pink ponytail. Albert Einstein, for instance? He would’ve laughed. But not this guy.

61. Why don’t more textbooks have ostrich people?

I can’t read the entire conversation, but it looks like Sam and Momoko are having a relatively normal conversation about cars. It doesn’t say anything like, “Hey Sam, how did you become an ostrich-human hybrid?”

62. They managed to make math worse

There’s only one thing that could make math even more terrifying and painful than it already is. And that’s s whatever the heck this guy is. He’s downright terrifying.

63. Don’t put lightsabers in your mouth

There are two options for this interesting illustration of Darth Maul: either lightsabers have a musical function or he’s just straight-up putting it in his mouth. And Darth Maul should know better than that.

64. Elvis, is that you?

We’ll never know who this was originally supposed to be — except those of us who can read this language, of course. But he looks more fabulous than he did before.

65. Please put your pants back on

You’d think that being offered a piece of cake is always a nice thing, but as this picture shows, that’s not always the case. It’s horrifying if the person offering it is exposing their hairy thighs.

66. Classic figures: the horror version

Drawing mustaches and silly eyes on illustrations is a classic part of the textbook doodling process. It’s a fundamental Introduction to Textbook Vandalism. Or at least it would be if that existed.

67. Is that a common problem?

I’ll admit I haven’t traveled a lot, so maybe this is something I knowledgeable of. Are there places in the world where you have to wait for giant robots to cross the train tracks?

68. Bow fights would make concerts more exciting

Concerts are beautiful experiences, but let’s face it: all that classical music can drag on. What I’m saying is everyone would welcome a mid-concert bow fight.

69. When in doubt, add an eye patch

Glasses, hats, mustaches, beards, and eye patches — all perfect things to doodle when class is getting boring. Especially if one of those eye patches involves what appears as a domesticated fox.

Twitter/@WingStone8810
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Twitter/@WingStone8810

70. Never take a selfie while running

Not only is this man suspiciously lacking skin, but he’s also in the midst of a sprint. It’s not like adding a selfie stick makes him any weirder than he already is.

Twitter/@rennzi384
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Twitter/@rennzi384

71. This gives a new meaning to “babyface”

It used to be an illustration of an adorable baby smiling and posing. Now it’s a horrifying baby-faced muscle man with nipple stars. I hate it.

72. That’s illegal

Is it horrible that this made me laugh out loud? Sure, the guillotine was a real thing during mid-evil times. But this one takes you by surprise.

73. Sometimes school is like a horror movie

There are the regular, cute textbook doodles and then there’s this. It’s markedly less cute, but you have to admit it took talent. Super creepy, but talented.

74. Stop smiling, you psychopath

Look, it’s bad enough to shoot someone in the head on the pages of a school child’s textbook. But do you have to smile while you do it? What kind of sick freak are you?

75. Lightsabers make everything better

I have no idea what was going on in the original picture, but I do know one thing. Every situation is more interesting when you add lightsabers into the mix.

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Source: Bored Panda, My Modern Met, Demilked, Ranker, Imgur