Comics in Category : Pop Culture
Grandpa’s Making Up Words Again
Bonus Panel
Strip Info
- Title
- Grandpa’s Making Up Words Again
- Date
- May 28, 2023
- Tags
- bonus panel, entertainment, Grandpa, HBO, HBO Go, HBO Max, little boy, Netflix, pop culture, Quibi, Roku, streaming, technology, The Future, The Internet, TV, wholesome
Transcript
- Panel 1 : Int. Retirement Home – Day
-
A young boy sits at his grandpa’s feet.
-
- Young Boy
- Grandpa? What were the Streaming Wars like?
- Panel 2 : Int. Retirement Home – Continuous
-
Grandpa sits in his easy chair.
-
- Grandpa
- Well, it all started when Netflix tried to launch Qwikster. Then HBO became HBO Go…
- Panel 3 : Int. Retirement Home – Continuous
-
Grandpa continues.
-
- Grandpa
- …See, back then, we got our HBO Go through Hulu on our Roku, but then HBO Go became HBO Max…
- Panel 4 : Int. Retirement Home – Continuous
-
The little boy looks confused as Grandpa finishes.
-
- Grandpa
- …And after Roku bought all the shows from Quibi, HBO Max became just Max.
- Panel 5 : Ext. Retirement Home – Later
-
The young boy’s Mom leads him to their car.
-
- Mom
- How was your visit with Grandpa?
- Young Boy
- Confusing.
-
In the background, Grandpa waves from the porch of his retirement home.
Work Friends
Bonus Panel
Strip Info
- Title
- Work Friends
- Date
- May 14, 2023
- Tags
- awkward, Batman, Batman In Therapy, Commissioner Gordon, Gotham City, masculinity, mental health, pop culture, social interactions, therapy
Transcript
- Panel 1 : Ext. Gotham City PD Roof – Night
-
Commissioner Gordon and Batman stand on the roof of the GCPD headquarters at night near the bat symbol.
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- Commissioner Gordon
- Thanks for helping us catch The Riddler, Batman. Gotham owes you a great debt.
- Panel 2 : Ext. Gotham City PD Roof – Continuous
-
Gordon and Batman stand facing each other for an awkward beat.
- Panel 3 : Ext. Gotham City PD Roof – Continuous
-
Batman blurts out.
-
- Batman
- …Wanna hang out after work?
- Panel 4 : Int. Psychiatrist’s Office – Later
-
Batman lays on a couch. Behind him in a chair, his therapist takes notes.
-
- Therapist
- …And how are we doing with forming male friendships?
- Batman
- I’m so awkward!
- Panel 5 : Int. All-Nite Diner – Later
-
Batman and Gordon sit stiffly in a booth of an all-night diner. Each has a strawberry milkshake in front of them.
-
- Batman
- How’s your milkshake?
- Commissioner Gordon
- – I should get home to my family…
80s Halloween Costumes
Strip Info
- Title
- 80s Halloween Costumes
- Date
- October 30, 2022
- Tags
- 80s, Claytonation, E.T., George Clooney, Gremlins, Halloween, He-Man, holidays, Kevin, Michael Clayton, Past Kevin, pop culture, taut legal thrillers
Transcript
- Panel 1 : Int. Suburban Home – Night
-
A young Kevin, dressed in a cheap E.T. Halloween costume, stands in a neighbor’s doorway. He holds up an orange plastic jack-o-lantern tub for candy.
- “As an 80s kid, my Halloween costumes were kinda weak.”
- Panel 2 : Int. Suburban Home – Night
-
Same setup a year later. Kevin now wears a cheap costume of Gizmo from Gremlins.
- “Store-bought costumes were usually just a flimsy mask and a picture of the character on a thin plastic smock.”
- Panel 3 : Int. Suburban Home – Night
-
Same setup a year later. Kevin now wears a cheap costume of He-Man.
- “But as crappy as they were, I wish that style of costume was still around today…”
- Panel 4 : Int. Suburban Home – Night
-
Same setup, present day.
- “…So I could dress up as my current favorite character:”
-
An adult Kevin stands in the doorway, wearing a cheap George Clooney mask and plastic smock with the actor’s photo on it and the logo of the movie Michael Clayton.
Why I’m Not On Stranger Things
Strip Info
- Title
- Why I’m Not On Stranger Things
- Date
- July 10, 2022
- Tags
- awkward, Debbie Gibson, dumb things people do, Dustin, Kevin, Lucas, music, Netflix, pop culture, Stranger Things, TV, Vecna, white people
- Notes
Transcript
- Panel 1 : Ext. Hawkins Graveyard – Day
-
An Overhead shot of Kevin, floating several feet in mid-air. Wearing headphones, his eyes roll back in a dumbfounded expression. On the ground, Dustin and Lucas from Stranger Things freak out.
-
- Dustin
- Oh no! Kevin’s under Vecna’s curse!
- Lucas
- Quick! Play his favorite song!
- Panel 2 : Int. Vecna’s Lair – Continuous
-
Kevin is bound up by tentacles in Vecna’s Lair. Everything has a red tint. Vecna stands opposite him, poised with his claw hand. Yet they both pause to and look skyward as a song begin playing.
-
- Singer
- Shake your love! I just can’t shake your love! Shake your love! I just can’t shake… your love!
- Panel 3 : Int. Vecna’s Lair – Continuous
-
Embarrassed, Kevin blushes and grins. Vecna lowers his claw. A look of disbelief and judgement on his face.
-
- Vecna
- Debbie Gibson?
- Kevin
- Please don’t tell anyone.
Two Great Tastes That Go Great Together
Strip Info
- Title
- Two Great Tastes That Go Great Together
- Date
- May 22, 2022
- Tags
- boats, cake, Drew Carey, Executive, food, gameshow, Is It Cake, Kevin, pitch, pop culture, spokesmodel, The Price Is Right, TV
Transcript
- Panel 1 : Int. Television Studio – Day
-
A game show contestant stands at a podium, cheering with excitement. His nametag reads “Mark.” Next to him stands Drew Carey, who speaks into his signature skinny microphone.
-
- Drew Carey
- Actual retail price is twenty-two thousand dollars…
- Panel 2 : Int. Television Studio – Continuous
-
In the adjacent showroom, a spokesmodel stands smiling next to a large powerboat on a trailer.
-
- Drew Carey (O.S.)
- …which means Mark will take home this brand new boat…
- Panel 3 : Int. Television Studio – Continous
-
Closer on the boat and spokesmodel, who now holds a large kitchen knife to the bow of the boat.
-
- Drew Carey (O.S.)
- …if he can correctly guess IS IT CAKE?
- Panel 4 : Int. Studio Executive’s Office – Continous
-
An executive sits opposite Kevin.
-
- Executive
- This is the dumbest pitch I’ve ever heard.
-
Kevin leans in.
-
- Kevin
- Or the greatest?
-
Next to Kevin is a poster on an easel that reads, “The Price is Cake!”
The Sensible Detective
Strip Info
- Title
- The Sensible Detective
- Date
- April 17, 2022
- Tags
- Bird, couch, crime, Kevin, police, pop culture, self care, Sensible Detective, TV
- Notes
-
Fun fact: this is actually a redraw of a comic I first drew over 10 years ago. The original was part of an earlier version of my comics website called Funny Comics For Cool People. I produced about a dozen comics for it, but never actually launched the site. I always liked this idea, though. So I thought I’d take another swing at it.
Transcript
- Panel 1 : Int. Police Station – Day
-
A grizzled cop sips from a mug. Scowling.
-
- Caption
- Tuesdays at 8! He’s a homicide cop with no major vices…
-
- Cop
- Got drunk once. Didn’t enjoy it.
- Panel 2 : Ext. Park – Continuous
-
The cop and wife give piggybacks to each of their two kids. Everyone smiles except the cop.
-
- Caption
- …no personal trauma…
-
- Cop
- All loved ones alive and well.
- Panel 3 : Ext. Street – Night
-
The cop kneels at a crime scene near a corpse, covered in a bloody sheet. The cop looks at his watch.
-
- Caption
- …And healthy professional boundaries. He’s The Sensible Detective.
-
- Cop
- 5p.m.- Quittin’ time.
- Panel 4 : Int. Living Room – Continuous
-
Kevin sits on the couch with his bird, watching this commercial. They both furrow their brows.
-
- Kevin
- Well that’s no fun.
- Bird
- I prefer my protagonists damaged.
The Breakthrough
Strip Info
- Title
- The Breakthrough
- Date
- February 20, 2022
- Tags
- Batman, Bruce Wayne, crime, masculinity, mental health, movies, pop culture, self care, superheroes, therapy, thugs, toxic masculinity, vigilantes
Transcript
- Panel 1 : Ext. Gotham City Rooftop – Night
-
Batman holds up a thug by his collar on a Gotham rooftop.
-
- Thug
- What are you?
- Panel 2 : Ext. Gotham City Rooftop – Continuous
-
Batman growls.
-
- Batman
- I’m the victim of childhood trauma processing his emotions in an unhealthy way!
- Panel 4 : Int. Therapist’s Office – Later
-
Batman, in full costume, lays scowling on the couch of his therapist. Sitting nearby, the therapist writes in his notepad with a patient smile.
-
- Therapist
- Excellent, Bruce! We’re making real progress here.
The Worst Super Mario Game
Strip Info
- Title
- The Worst Super Mario Game
- Date
- October 17, 2021
- Tags
- 3D art, collab, Mario, plumbing, realism, Super Mario Bros, videogames
- Notes
-
3D modeling by the insanely talented Henrik Andersson. Check him out!
Transcript
- Panel 1 : Int. Video Game – Day
-
The title screen of a video game shows a 3D rendering of two plumbers standing next to their van. One, wearing a red shirt and hat with blue overalls folds his arms. The other, wearing a green shirt and hat with blue overalls, checks his phone while smoking a cigarette. The title reads “Super Realistic Mario Bros.” Under that reads “Press Start.” At the bottom of the screen, a tagline reads “© 2021 Nintendo.”
- Panel 2 : Int. Video Game – Later
-
Panel 2: Another screenshot from the same game. Now in a kitchen, the red plumber lies with his head in a cabinet under a sink. His arm stretches out to the green plumber, who hunches over a toolbox. Dialogue from the red plumber at the bottom of the screen reads, “Hand me that wrench, would ya?” Under that, three options are presented: a) Pipe, b) Basin, and c) Crescent.
- Panel 3 : Int. Video Game – Later
-
Another screenshot from the same game. Now in a basement, the red plumber hunches next to a water heater. Behind him, the green plumber stands next to a blonde woman. Dressed in pink, she folds her arms in distain. Dialogue from the red plumber at the bottom of the screen reads, “Sorry, Princess. But the part we need is on backorder…” Under that, two options are presented: a) Reschedule, and b) Charge x2.
- Panel 4 : Int. Living Room – Continuous
-
Two kids sit on a couch, controllers in hand.
-
- Kid 1
- This game sucks.
- Kid 2
- Wait ’til we get to ‘Paperwork Island.’
The Secret of My Success
Strip Info
- Title
- The Secret of My Success
- Date
- October 10, 2021
- Tags
- Avengers, burnout, Captain America, city, Kevin, Marvel, memes, mental health, movies, New York City, parody, self care
Transcript
- Panel 1 : Ext. New York City – Day
-
Close up on Captain America, during that famous scene in the big battle of the first Avengers movie.
-
- Captain America
- Kevin, you haven’t taken any time off from work in over a year. How are you not burnt out?
- Panel 2 : Ext. New York City – Continuous
-
Kevin, walking away, looks back over his shoulder with a smile.
-
- Kevin
- That my secret, Cap…
- Panel 3 : Int. New York City – Continuous
-
Closer on Kevin. Still with the cocky smile.
-
- Kevin
- …I’m always burnt out!
- Panel 4 : Int. New York City – Continuous
-
Reverse on Kevin as he faces away from Captain America. His smile is gone. Replaced by the hundred-yard stare, heavy eyelids, and sagging mouth of someone at his wits’ end. Cap stands confused behind him.
Blue’s Clues Blues
Strip Info
- Title
- Blue’s Clues Blues
- Date
- September 19, 2021
- Tags
- apartment, bachelor pad, Bird, Blues Clues, childhood, couch, Kevin, mental health, nostalgia, self care, Steve from Blues Clues, TV
Transcript
- Panel 1 : Kevin’s Int. Living Room – Day
-
Kevin’s POV: Steve from Blues Clues speaks in a clip from that recent video.
-
- Steve
- And then you at you! And look at all you’ve accomplished!
- Panel 2 : Int. Kevin’s Living Room – Continuous
-
Up angle on Kevin, who is watching the clip on his phone, derpy look on his face. The bird watches over his shoulder.
-
- Steve (OS)
- And it’s just… it’s just so amazing, right?
- Panel 3 : Int. Kevin’s Living Room – Continuous
-
Wide angle of Kevin’s shitty bachelor apartment. Laundry on the floor. Dirty plates and trash strewn about. Unopened mail. Framed Quentin Tarantino movie posters on the wall. And that one torch lamp every dude had in the early 00s. Kevin sits slumped on the couch, in his boxers and socks, watching the video on his phone.
-
- Bird
- He’s not talking to you.
- Kevin
- I figured.
The Next Doctor Strange Movie (Probably)
Strip Info
- Title
- The Next Doctor Strange Movie (Probably)
- Date
- July 18, 2021
- Tags
- Benedict Cumberbatch, Doctor Strange, Fantastic Four, Marvel, movies, Multiverse, Spider-Man, superheroes, Wolverine
Transcript
- Panel 1 : Ext. MCU Multiverse – Day
-
Dr. Strange ushers MCU heroes into a portal. The heroes include Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield as Spider-Man, plus Hugh Jackman as Wolverine.
-
- Dr. Strange
- Come, friends! All MCU variants are needed on the main timeline!
- Panel 2 : Ext. MCU Multiverse – Continuous
-
Dr. Strange looks over his shoulder as someone off-panel speaks.
-
- Someone (OS)
- Fantastic! We’re ready to help!
- Panel 3 : Ext. MCU Multiverse – Continuous
-
Reverse angle to reveal the cast of the 2015 Fantastic Four movie (you know – the lame one with Miles Teller). Dr. Strange rolls his eyes.
- Panel 4 : Ext. MCU Multiverse – Continuous
-
Dr. Strange closes the portal around himself, leaving the lame Fantastic Four variants there. Dr. Strange flashes a peace sign and a huge grin.
-
- Dr. Strange
- Sorry, all full, gotta go!
That Anakin / Padme Meme
Strip Info
Transcript
- Panel 1 : Ext. Field – Day
-
Kevin sits in a field of tall grass, dressed like Anakin Skywalker from that one meme.
-
- Kevin
- I’m going to make a drawing of you.
- Panel 2 : Ext. Field – Continuous
-
Padme smiles.
-
- Padme
- It’s not going to look like you, right?
- Panel 3 : Ext. Field – Continuous
-
Kevin deadpans.
- Panel 4 : Ext. Field – Continuous
-
Padme’s face now looks like Kevin’s.
-
- Padme
(alarmed) - It’s not going to look like you, right?
- Padme
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