Top 2024 Caption Contest Comics

A Year of Creative Captions and Community Connection

This year, we launched our caption contest to bring some levity and creativity to our Sunday E-ditions. Our editor, Tim Carl, blended traditional drawing with cutting-edge techniques like digital sketching and AI synthesis to craft playful and thought-provoking single-panel comics. Originally, we invited readers to craft their own captions in the comments. However, as participation grew, we introduced a poll system featuring possible captions for readers to vote on or use as inspiration for their own submissions.

As 2024 winds down, we’re revisiting some of our favorite caption contest comics. Each features the winning caption, a link to the original article, and the story that inspired it.

A Note on Supporting Local Journalism

As we celebrate the past year, we also look to the future of independent local news. Napa Valley Features remains ad-free, conflict-free and locally owned, but we depend on reader support to continue.

Here’s where we stand:

• Nearly 4,300 subscribers enjoy our stories, but fewer than 1,000 are paid subscribers.

• Non-paying readers are deeply engaged with our content, and we value their readership.

If every reader became a paid subscriber, we could sustain Napa Valley Features for years to come. For as little as 16 cents a day, your support keeps local news independent and relevant.

In 2025, local journalism will continue to face challenges. But with your help, we can remain a trusted source for the stories that matter to Napa Valley.

Together, we can keep Napa Valley Features thriving.

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2024's Caption Contest Winners

"Tell me again about the days before avocado toast."

“Avocado Days” is from “Sunday E-dition: Generational Collaboration Can Build a Better Future,” originally published June 23, 2024.

"I just feel so... disconnected lately."

“Robot Therapy” is from “Sunday E-dition: The AI Dilemma — Are Creatives Safe?” originally published Sept. 29, 2024.

A three-way tie: “So… belly rubs for life, right?” “I think this is the beginning of something beautiful.” and “Who rescued whom again?”

“Belly Rubs for Life” is from “Sunday E-dition: Paws for Peace Supports Domestic Violence Survivors,” originally published Nov. 10, 2024.

"Once, we didn’t need flags to call it home."

“Bear Stories” is from “Sunday E-dition: Locals’ Role in the 1846 Bear Flag Revolt,” originally published Oct. 20, 2024.

"Your Honor, today I represent the underserved."

“Eggplant Defense” is from “Sunday E-dition: Eggplant Abundance,” originally published Oct. 6, 2024.

"Sure, you’re cute, but have you seen me?"

“Cataso” is from “Sunday E-dition: 36th Annual Open Studios Napa Valley Kicks Off This Month,” originally published Sept. 22, 2024.

"Taking 'thinking outside the box' to new heights."

“Goose Pizza Delivery” is from “Sunday E-dition: Napa Valley's Cheese and Crust — A Family’s Journey,” originally published Sept. 8, 2024.

“Can someone carry me? I’m exhausted just thinking about it,”

“Quail Carry” is from “Sunday E-dition: Back to School — Mental Health Tips for Caregivers and Students,” originally published Aug. 25, 2024.

A three-way tie: "Let’s argue while we still can," "You always have to have the last word," and "If only you had listened to me."

“Dinosaur Debate” is from “Sunday E-dition: Youth in Journalism,” originally published July 21, 2024.

“I need some space.”

“More Space” is from “Sunday E-dition: Retired Judge Brings Real Napa Valley Crimes to Life,” originally published July 7, 2024.

"I wonder if they can land on their feet."

“Landing on Your Feet” is from “Sunday E-dition: The First La Onda Festival Was a Smash Hit,” originally published June 9, 2024.

"Our secret to success: Add a fancy name and triple the price."

“The Secret” is from “Sunday E-dition: Napa Valley College Breaks New Ground,” originally published May 26, 2024.

"When your robot has more outdoor hobbies than you do."

“Hobby Hound” is from “Sunday E-dition: Celebrating One Year + Terry Family Band at The White Barn,” originally published May 5, 2024.

The case of the missing calm: Suspect last seen beneath the avalanche of ‘I might need it someday.’”

“Declutter Specialist” is from “Sunday E-dition: The Great Spring Declutter,” originally published March 24, 2024.

"New definition of a 'boatload' of fun!"

“Doggy Boat Load” is from “Sunday E-dition: Joann Serafini Supports Jameson Humane with Core Program,” originally published April 7, 2024.

"They said, 'Paint what you love most.'"

“Kitty Artist” is from “Sunday E-dition: Yäger Galerie Hosts Sacred Icon Exhibit for Christmas,” originally published Dec. 1, 2024.

"Robots agree—humans are overrated."

“Robot Reporter” is from “Sunday E-dition: Challenges of AI in Journalism,” originally published Feb. 25, 2024.

“But this one is different.”

(Not a caption contest entry, but we love this one) “Wine Lake” is from Dan Berger's Wine Chronicles: “The Growing Wine Lake,” originally published April 11, 2024.

"Mere mortals wouldn't understand."

“Cat Connoisseur” is from “Sunday E-dition: Sipping Through the Var's Rosé Region,” originally published Aug. 11, 2024.

"If anyone brings up politics, the turkey blows the whistle."

“Turkey Ref” is from “Sunday E-dition: Can We Be ‘Too Political?’” originally published Aug. 4, 2024.

“Honestly, Parker, I feel like we're just two peas in a podcast."

“Two Peas in a Pod” is from “Sunday E-dition: Women’s History Month, Her Stories Discovered,” originally published March 10, 2024.