Comics in Category : Bonus Panel
Grustle Hours
Bonus Panel
Strip Info
- Title
- Grustle Hours
- Date
- July 14, 2024
- Tags
- bonus panel, capitalism, cell phone, couch, grind, hustle, Kevin, productivity, relatable, self care, side hustle, social media, The Grustle Monster
- Notes
-
I think about time a lot. Like a whole lot. There’s so much I want to do in my lifetime. So I worry that, unless I make the most of every minute, I won’t get to everything. This anxiety has made me very susceptible to productivity and hustle culture. The Grustle Monster is, obviously, the embodiment of my anxiety. I have conversations like this with him every day.
But lately, my relationship to time and achievement has been changing. Part of that has been due to several big personal events in the last year. Part of it is due to reading the book 4000 Weeks by Oliver Burkeman. Now I’m trying to think about time as this beautiful, limited resource of unknown quantity. This lovely video from my old boss Ze Frank sums it up nicely.
So do you have a Grustle Monster in your head? How do you deal with him?
Transcript
- Panel 1 : Int. Kevin’s Apartment – Day
-
Kevin lays on his couch, looking at his phone. Behind him, The Grustle Monster stands with his arms crossed.
-
- Grustle Monster
- Eight hours for sleep. Eight hours for work. Two hours for meals. One hour for exercise.
- Panel 2 : Int. Kevin’s Apartment – Continuous
-
The Grustle Monster continues.
-
- Grustle Monster
- That leaves five hours per day for your side-hustle. You say you don’t have time, but it’s your discipline that’s lacking.
- Panel 3 : Int. Kevin’s Apartment – Continuous
-
Annoyed, Kevin retorts.
-
- Kevin
- You forgot: two hours for commute, three hours for family, two hours for bathing and chores…
- Panel 4 : Int. Kevin’s Apartment – Continuous
-
The Grustle Monster does the math.
-
- Grustle Monster
- That’s twenty-seven hours per day.
- Kevin
- So piss off.
- Bonus Panel : Int. Kevin’s Apartment – Moments Later
-
Kevin, still on his couch, still looking at his phone.
-
- Grustle Monster
- Where does ‘Scrolling Social Media for Two Hours” fit?
- Kevin
- SELF CARE!
Every. Job. Site.
Bonus Panel
Strip Info
- Title
- Every. Job. Site.
- Date
- February 13, 2024
- Tags
- capitialism, desk, glasses, job hunt, Kevin, LinkedIn, moustache, office, resume, technology, The Internet, website
Transcript
- Panel 1 : Int. Office – Day
-
A website—personified with glasses, a moustache, and arms and hands—sits in a chair at a desk. Across its forehead is written EVERY JOB SITE. It beckons to someone off-camera.
-
- Website
- Just give me your resumé and I’ll auto-populate our application for you!
- Panel 2 : Int. Office – Continuous
-
Wide shot revealing Kevin sitting on the other side of the desk. Wearing a short-sleeved dress shirt and red tie, he hands his resume to the website.
- Panel 3 : Int. Office – Continuous
-
The website adjusts its glasses, looking at Kevin’s resume.
-
- Website
- Ah! I see your last job was “Resumé” with a start date of “Baltimore” and an end date of “Microsoft Word”
- Panel 4 : Int. Office – Continuous
-
Reverse on Kevin. He frowns and beckons the website to give him his paper back.
-
- Kevin
- -Sigh- Just let me do it.
- Panel 5 : Int. Office – Moments Later
-
Kevin and the website still sitting at the desk.
-
- Website
- Isn’t this a Dilbert comic?
- Kevin
- No. I’m not a racist.
Just Trying To Make A Living
Bonus Panel
Strip Info
- Title
- Just Trying To Make A Living
- Date
- December 4, 2023
- Tags
- algorithms, art, bonus panel, capitalism, commerce, creativity, creator economy, Kevin, Patreon, robots, social media, technology, You
- Notes
-
Don’t tell Instagram, but I’ve started a Patreon. Patreon, if you don’t know, is a membership site where you can get access to exclusive bonus material from me for a small monthly fee. Tiers start at $2 a month and come with a bunch of cool stuff: including bonus comics; old, embarrassing comics from my archive; and a monthly, invite-only “Draw With Me” livestream. Join me!
Transcript
- Panel 1 : Int. Void – Day
-
A cartoon version of You, with all your wit, charm, and good looks, walks up to Kevin and waves.
-
- You
- Hi, Kevin! I really like your comics and cartoons!
- Kevin
- Gee thanks!
- Panel 2 : Int. Void – Continuous
-
Kevin motions to a nearby door. It’s a frosted glass door with a sign over it. Cut off by the panel border, the sign reads only “Patre”. Beyond the frosted glass door, we can kinda make out baloons and some type of flashy lighting. Looks like a real party.
-
- Kevin
- You know, I have some great bonus stuff over here if you’re interested.
- Panel 3 : Int. Void – Continuous
-
You smile that winning smile everyone loves.
-
- You
- Oh cool! You’ve got a Patre-
- Panel 4 : Int. Void – Continuous
-
From off-screen, Kevin interrupts you by shoving his hand in your face. His finger presses your lips, quieting you.
-
- Kevin
- Shhhh!
- Panel 5 : Int. Void – Continuous
-
Kevin comes in close next to you, pressing his cheek into yours.
-
- Kevin (whispering)
- The Algorithm will hear you!
- Bonus : Int. Void – Moments Later
-
The Algorithm, a towering, angry robot, appears behind You and Kevin. It extends its arms out in a menacing way. You and Kevin shrink in fear.
-
- The Algorithm
- Outside Link Detected!!
- Kevin
- Run!
The Best Streaming Service
Bonus Panel
Strip Info
- Title
- The Best Streaming Service
- Date
- October 2, 2023
- Tags
- Bird, bonus panel, cars, film, Gas Station TV, gasoline, jacks, Kevin, Martin Scorsese, movies, pop culture, relatable, streaming
Transcript
- Panel 1 : Int. Kevin’s Apartment – Day
-
Kevin walks through the front door of his apartment at night, taking off his jacket. His bird sits on a nearby table, playing jacks. The bird looks up at Kevin.
-
- Bird
- Hey! Where have you been?
- Kevin
- At the gas station, filling up my car.
- Panel 2 : Int. Kevin’s Apartment – Continuous
-
Kevin hangs up his jacket as his bird looks at him skeptically.
-
- Bird
- For three hours?
- Kevin
- Yeah. There was this amazing movie on Gas Station TV.
- Panel 3 : Ext. Gas Station – Earlier
-
Kevin stands at the pump, staring at the tiny gas station TV, holding back tears. He holds the pump handle in his hand. The gas cap on his car is open. He hasn’t even started pumping gas yet. The sun is setting. A line of cars behind him HONK incessantly at him.
- Panel 4 : Int. Kevin’s Apartment – Continuous
-
Kevin shrugs.
-
- Kevin
- Scorsese? At the Exxon?!
- Bird
- These streaming wars are getting out of hand.
- Panel 5 : Int. Kevin’s Apartment – Continuous
-
An attendant approaches Kevin at the pump.
-
- Attendant
- Sir? Are you crying?
- Kevin (clearly crying)
- No! It’s the gas fumes! Shut up!
Forced Career Change
Bonus Panel
Strip Info
- Title
- Forced Career Change
- Date
- September 25, 2023
- Tags
- bonus panel, creativity, Instagram, Kevin, relatable, social media, video
Transcript
- Panel 1 : Int. Void – Day
-
An Instagram icon with arms and legs stands on a table. Kevin stands in front of it, presenting a comic.
-
- Kevin
- I’m a cartoonist! I make comics!
- Panel 2 : Int. Void – Continuous
-
Instagram snatches the comic from Kevin’s hands. Kevin looks surprised.
- Panel 3 : Int. Void – Continuous
-
Instagram rips up Kevin’s comic as Kevin’s eyes bug out.
-
- Now you make videos.
- Panel 4 : Int. Void – Continuous
-
Instagram insists.
-
- Say it.
- Kevin (defeated)
- Now I make videos.
Enhance!
Bonus Panel
Strip Info
- Title
- Enhance!
- Date
- September 11, 2023
- Tags
- AI art, AI training, anime, awkward, bonus panel, crime, entertainment, police, Stable Diffusion, TV, waifu, weird things people do
Transcript
- Panel 1 : Int. Police Squad Room – Day
-
A tech sits in front of a monitor and keyboard. A police sergeant leans over his sholder.
-
- Tech
- Sergeant! We have security camera footage from the crime scene!
- Sergeant
- Show me.
- Panel 2 : Int. Police Squad Room – Continuous
-
Close on the monitor: grainy footage of a parking garage. The sergeant points at a small, dark silhouette of a figure walking.
-
- Sergeant
- There’s our perp. Enhance!
- Panel 3 : Int. Police Squad Room – Continuous
-
The footage zooms in 200% on the silhouette. Not much more detail.
-
- Sergeant
- Enhance again!
- Panel 4 : Int. Police Squad Room – Continuous
-
The footage zooms in to 400%. A little contrast in the figure, but still not enough.
-
- Sergeant
- Enhance using generative A.I.!
- Panel 5 : Int. Police Squad Room – Continuous
-
The footage transforms into a purple-haired anime waifu with… a rather large chest. She winks and throws up the “peace” sign.
- Panel 6 : Int. Police Squad Room – Continuous
-
Back to the tech and the sergeant.
-
- Sergeant
- Nice.
Full Disclosure
Bonus Panel
Strip Info
- Title
- Full Disclosure
- Date
- August 27, 2023
- Tags
- Batman, Batman In Therapy, bonus panel, Catwoman, couples, Gotham City, masculinity, mental health, movies, Poison Ivy, pop culture, self care, Therapist, therapy, toxic masculinity
Transcript
- Panel 1 : Ext. Gotham City – Day
-
Catwoman straddles a prone Batman. With a sly smile, she traces her finger across the bat-symbol on his chest.
-
- Catwoman
- So tell me… what’s the Big Bad Bat really afraid of?
- Panel 2 : Ext. Gotham City – Continuous
-
A close-up on Batman. He looks… sad?
-
- Batman
- Honestly? I’m afraid that, if I fully process my childhood trauma and grief… I’ll lose my motivation to fight crime.
- Panel 3 : Ext. Gotham City – Continuous
-
A close-up on Catwoman. She looks away in discomfort as Batman continues.
-
- Batman
- …And since crime-fighting is such a big part of my identity, I’m afraid losing it will change how I define my masculinity.
- Panel 4 : Int. Catwoman’s Hideout – Later
-
Catwoman sits on the couch of her hideout, looking out the window, concerned. Behind her, Poison Ivy leans over to gossip.
-
- Poison Ivy
- Sooo… how’s it going with Batman?
- Catwoman
- Honestly, it’s been a bit heavy since he started going to therapy…
- Bonus Panel : Int. Therapist Office – Later
-
In full costume, Batman lies on the couch of his therapist’s office. Behind him, in a plush chair, his kindly therapist takes notes.
-
- Therapist
- …And how is commmunication with the woman you’re seeing?
- Batman
- Good! I think she likes me!
Stop Asking
Bonus Panel
Strip Info
- Title
- Stop Asking
- Date
- August 13, 2023
- Tags
- awkward, beer, bonus panel, creativity, cups, dumb things people do, frat guy, Kevin, party, social interactions
Transcript
- Panel 1 : Int. Party – Day
-
At a party, a drunk frat guy walks up to Kevin.
-
- Frat Guy
- Hey! Cartoon Boy! Put me in one of your comics!
- Kevin
- Sorry, but no…
- Panel 2 : Int. Party – Continuous
-
The frat guy presses.
-
- Frat Guy
- C’mon! I bet I’m funnier than your dumb characters.
- Kevin
- Oh, I’m sure you are.
- Panel 3 : Int. Party – Continuous
-
Fed up, Kevin explains.
-
- Kevin
- Look, no offense, but stop asking cartoonists to be in their comics. It’s just not going to happen, okay?
- Panel 4 : Int. Void – Continuous
-
Zoom out to Kevin, sitting at his desk, drawing the comic we’ve just been reading. He lifts his pen from his monitor.
-
- Kevin (realizing)
- Wait. (beat) Shit.
Every GenX Kid’s Dream
Bonus Panel
Strip Info
- Title
- Every GenX Kid’s Dream
- Date
- August 6, 2023
- Tags
- awkward, Bird, bonus panel, couch, Future Kevin, Kevin, movies, Past Kevin, pop culture, self care, social interactions, The Future, time travel, TV
Transcript
- Panel 1 : Int. Teenage Kevin’s Room – Day
-
Teenage Kevin looks surprised when Future Kevin appears out of a wormhole behind him.
- In the year 1993…
-
- Future Kevin
- Hey Kevin! I’m YOU from the future! I’ve got great news!
- Panel 2 : Int. Teenage Kevin’s Room – Continuous
-
Future Kevin continues.
-
- Future Kevin
- Thirty years from now, they’re going to make a great TMNT movie!
- Teenage Kevin (O.S.)
- Big deal. We’ve already had three TMNT movies.
-
Future Kevin holds up a poster for Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtes: Mutant Mayhem.
- Panel 3 : Int. Teenage Kevin’s Room – Continuous
-
Future Kevin continues.
-
- Future Kevin
- Yeah, but this one will have a score by Trent Reznor!
- Teenage Kevin (dismissive)
- ~OK cool~ Thanks for letting me know. Bye!
-
Teenage Kevin waves his future self away.
- Panel 4 : Int. Teenage Kevin’s Room – Continuous
-
Future Kevin shrugs.
-
- Future Kevin
- I thought you’d be excited! What are you do–
- Teenage Kevin (interrupting)
- JUST GO!
-
We now can see that Teenage Kevin, hunched over, has hastily thrown a blanket over his groin.
- Bonus Panel : Int. Future Kevin’s House – Later
-
Back in the future, Future Kevin stands in his living room, shivering in disgust. Nearby, his bird scoffs.
-
- Bird
- It’s your fault. You gotta knock, remember?
Catching Up
Bonus Panel
Strip Info
- Title
- Catching Up
- Date
- July 30, 2023
- Tags
- beach, Bird, bonus panel, dumb things people do, Kevin, self care, social media, Twitter, vacation
Transcript
- Panel 1 : Int. Apartment – Day
-
Kevin, wearing a Hawaiian shirt and carrying luggage, stands in the doorway of his house. His bird greets him with raised wings.
-
- Bird
- Hey hey! Welcome back from vacation!
- Kevin
- Thanks! What did I miss?
- Panel 2 : Int. Apartment – Continuous
-
Kevin’s bird ponders.
-
- Bird
- Let’s see… He renamed it “X”, but he doesn’t own the trademark. So there probably a bunch of lawsuits coming. Also: he limited the number of tweets you can read without paying.
- Panel 3 : Int. Apartment – Continuous
-
Kevin’s smile fades. His face ages as he listens to his bird go on.
-
- Bird
- Oh! And he started paying people to post, but you have to subscribe first – which kinda sounds like a pyramid scheme?
- Panel 4 : Int. Apartment – Continuous
-
Kevin turns around and walks away, dragging his luggage with him. His bird calls after him.
-
- Bird
- …and did I mention he wants us to use it as a banking app? BECAUSE HE WANTS US TO USE IT AS A BANKING APP!
- Bonus Panel 1 : Ext. Beach – Later
-
Now at the beach at sunset, Kevin drags his luggage behind him as he walks into the ocean.
- Bonus Panel 2 : Ext. Beach – Later
-
Kevin is gone under the water. All that’s left are his footsteps and the drag marks of his luggage.
A Shorts Story
Bonus Panel
Strip Info
- Title
- A Shorts Story
- Date
- July 2, 2023
- Tags
- anxiety, awkward, BBQ, Bird, body positivity, bonus panel, Kevin, relatable, roast, shorts, social interactions, white people
Transcript
- Panel 1 : Int. Apartment – Day
-
Kevin stands in his apartment, wearing teal shorts, revealing his skinny, pale legs. His bird, standing on a nearby table, leans over in interest.
-
- Bird
- What’s with the shorts? You never wear shorts
- Kevin
- I’m going to a BBQ and it’s too hot out for pants.
- Panel 2 : Int. Apartment – Continuous
-
The bird continues.
-
- Bird
- Wow. You’re wearing them in public? But people will see your bare legs!
- Kevin
- I know. But I’m sure no one will notice.
- Panel 3 : Ext. Field – Later
-
Kevin is at the BBQ. Some jerk yells to the crowd.
-
- Some Jerk
- Hey everyone! The chicken legs we ordered are here!
- Panel 4 : Int. Apartment – Later
-
After the party, Kevin is back home.
-
- Bird
- Sooo… how’d it go?
- Kevin
- Never again.
-
Kevin sets his shorts on fire with a lighter.
Touch Grass
Bonus Panel
Strip Info
- Title
- Touch Grass
- Date
- June 25, 2023
- Tags
- bonus panel, capitalism, computers, creativity, guilt, Kevin, mental health, nature, park, productivity, relatable, rest, self care, shame, The Grustle Monster
Transcript
- Panel 1 : Ext. Park – Afternoon
-
Kevin lies in the grass of a field on a sunny summer day. Eyes closed. Hands behind his head. Smiling.
-
- Kevin
- Aaaaah. There’s nothing like a lazy summer afternoon…
- Panel 2 : Ext. Park – Continuous
-
Closer on Kevin’s face as a strange shadow creeps over him. He opens one eye to see:
- Panel 3 : Ext. Park – Continuous
-
Kevin’s POV: The Grustle Monster standing over him, blocking out the sun. Furrowed brow. Frowning.
- Panel 4 : Ext. Park – Continuous
-
Wider to reveal The Grustle Monster looming over Kevin in a menacing way.
-
- Kevin
- Damnit I’m allowed to rest!
- Panel 5 : Ext. Park – Later
-
Later, two passersby notice Kevin sitting on the grass, his full, two-monitor desktop set up in the grass in front of him.
-
- Passerby 1
- Did that guy bring his desktop to the park?
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