Ruud Hendriks, the Dutch illustrator who works under the name HeyHeyMomo, has built an audience for his work around two small characters named Momo and Forg over the last few years. More than three years of comics later, he has opened a new store stocked with fresh T-shirt designs and prints of his strips.
The duo’s next set of escapades is underway, and the creator continues to render them with cheerful expressions. We now have details on the newest installment, along with the account of how the maker brings these scenes into being.
The Duo Behind the Comics
More than three years ago, Momo and Forg were introduced to Bored Panda readers. Their wholesome adventures have since become a familiar sight in the artist’s feed, providing a welcome dose of sweetness in the often chaotic corners of the internet.
Bored Panda reported that Ruud said it is rare he draws them with anything but a smile on their little faces. The personalities of these characters have stayed largely the same, though some traits have developed naturally over time.
Ruud noted that Forg has grown more reserved over time. “Forg really became a creature of little words,” While Momo can talk at length, Ruud explained, Forg tends to respond with a brief “yes” and then step back, letting his companion take the lead. The trait wasn’t part of the original design, but the creator has found pleasure in exploring the contrast between the two characters and keeps working with that pairing in his comics.
Where the Ideas Come From
Ruud’s latest comic creations draw on a wide range of sources. Asked about what inspires his work — personal experiences, things he sees online, or random thoughts — he said “All of the above, really.”.
Ruud stores ideas for comics in his phone and sketchbook, and they come from all kinds of sources: shower thoughts, strange talks with amusing friends, odd YouTube clips. Most of them look “incoherent nonsense” when he returns to them later. But occasionally, a small idea turns out to be worth building into something bigger.
Another method the artist uses to begin a drawing is letting his mind wander and producing a single random panel first, with the story following only after the image takes shape. For instance, he could sketch Momo and Forg in front of an ice cream truck without having any idea what happens next, and only later construct a small exchange around that setting. This spontaneous approach contributes significantly to the natural feel of their adventures.
The Comics Have a Purpose
The comics also have a very intentional purpose. “It has always been my goal with my drawings to bring a little bit of joy to my own little corner of the internet,” Ruud told Bored Panda.
The artist believes his comics can provide a tiny refuge where readers might put aside the difficult and weighty matters surrounding them, at least for a brief spell. Given how social media keeps changing, he holds that taking the time to notice the cheerful, straightforward pleasures of everyday existence has become more crucial than ever before.
The Merchandise Website
Beyond comics, the artist has now opened a new merchandise website, where he is selling fresh T-shirt designs, prints of his comics, and additional items.
How the Comics Look Today
Readers can now turn to the newest set of stories featuring Momo and Forg for their entertainment.
What Makes the Comics Work
A number of factors account for why Momo and Forg’s comics continue to hold up well, and here is a brief summary of the elements that stand out.
- The contrast between Momo’s talkative nature and Forg’s quiet presence gives each comic a built-in dynamic.
- Ruud’s willingness to start with a single panel and build the story afterward keeps the comics feeling spontaneous and fresh.
- The artist’s goal of bringing joy to the internet is stated directly, which explains the consistent tone without forcing it.
A Look at the Characters
| Character | Personality |
|---|---|
| Momo | Talkative, cheerful |
| Forg | Quiet, introverted |
Why This Matters
Momo and Forg’s charm rests on simple, sweet moments between two cute characters, but what keeps readers coming back is how the artist works. Rather than forcing a fixed way of doing things, Ruud allows his characters to grow naturally, and he draws inspiration from wherever it surfaces.
The very core of this work is its freedom to act on impulse. A single panel created without a fixed ending takes on its own form in the instant it’s made, instead of being bent to fit a plan laid out in advance.
Final Word
The artist admits to zoning out and drawing a single panel first, then building a story around it, which speaks to real craft beneath the surface. Momo and Forg remain the same fun-loving, optimistic little creatures they have always been.
The artist’s goal is simple: use the comics to bring happiness to the internet. A recent merchandise website offers a new way to reach that content, but the comics remain the primary focus. They keep doing what they set out to do from the start — offering a cheerful, bright spot online where people can put aside the difficult and heavy matters surrounding them, at least for a little while.
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