Comics in Category : Social Media
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!
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!
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.
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.
The Problem with A.I. Art
Strip Info
- Title
- The Problem with A.I. Art
- Date
- December 11, 2022
- Tags
- AI art, AI training, artificial intelligence, Kevin, Lensa, self own, Stable Diffusion
Transcript
- Panel 1 : Int. Startup Office – Day
-
Kevin stands at the desk of an engineer in the office of an A.I. startup. Hands on hips and frowning, he wears a shirt that says “Reject AI Art.”
-
- Engineer
- O.K. sir, I searched our A.I. training database for your artwork and found no results.
- Kevin (indignant)
- Good!
- Panel 2 : Startup Office – Continuous
-
The engineer bends over, adjusting his glasses to better read the screen.
-
- Engineer
- Oh wait- there’s a note. It says: “This artist’s work was found to be of insufficient quality for training…”
- Panel 3 : Int. Startup Office – Continuous
-
The engineer continues reading as Kevin’s face falls.
-
- Engineer
- “…Including this artist’s work, even as an example of a negative output, would degrade the quality of the algorithm…”
- Panel 4 : Startup Office – Continuous
-
The engineer continues reading as Kevin puts up a hand in protest.
-
- Engineer
- “Hashtag crappy, hashtag hack-“
- Kevin (interrupting)
- O.K. Y-you can stop reading now.
You’re The Worst
Strip Info
- Title
- You’re The Worst
- Date
- October 17, 2022
- Tags
- Instagram, Kevin, mailing list, promo, self promotion, social media
- Notes
Transcript
- Panel 1 : Int. Void – Day
-
Kevin stands next to a social media app logo.
-
- Kevin
- Did you know this lil’ guy doesn’t show you all of my comics?
- App
- It’s true. I don’t!
- Panel 2 : Int. Void – Continuous
-
The app continues.
-
- App
- I’m focusing more on video these days.
- Kevin
- And how’s that going?
- App
- Not great!
- Panel 3 : Int. Void – Continuous
-
Kevin continues.
-
- Kevin
- So if you don’t want to miss out, sign up for my free mailing list. You’ll get my new comics a day early, plus all kinds of fun stuff — right to your inbox!
- Panel 4 : Int. Void – Continuous
-
The app looks up at Kevin.
-
- App
- I’m going to bury this post.
- Kevin (patting it’s head)
- Of course you will. You’re the worst!
No “Off” Switch
Strip Info
- Title
- No “Off” Switch
- Date
- June 12, 2022
- Tags
- anxiety, beach, Bird, fomo, Kevin, mental health, productivity, relatable, self care, social media, vacation
Transcript
- Panel 1 : Ext. Beach – Day
-
Kevin sits on a beach chair on a sunny shore. Wearing an open Hawaiian shirt, he clasps his hands behind his head and smiles. His bird perches on his elbow.
-
- Kevin
- Isn’t this great? A week away from social media! No F.O.M.O. No stress…
- Panel 2 : Ext. Beach – Continuous
-
Kevin and his bird sit in silence, soaking up the sun and surf.
- Panel 3 : Ext. Beach – Continous
-
Another moment of quiet.
- Panel 4 : Ext. Beach – Continous
-
Kevin’s bird turns to him.
-
- Bird
- You’re thinking of ways to turn this into content, aren’t you?
- Kevin
- Yes. I’m very broken.
Welcome to The Metaverse!
Strip Info
- Title
- Welcome to The Metaverse!
- Date
- March 27, 2022
- Tags
- dumb things people do, Facebook, Kevin, Metaverse, orc warrior, salmon shirts, social interactions, social media, technology
Transcript
- Panel 1 : Int. The Metaverse – Day
-
Kevin stands in a digital void next to a giant orc.
-
- Orc
- Welcome to The Metaverse! Here, you can be anyone you want!
- Panel 2 : Int. The Metaverse – Continuous
-
The orc continues.
-
- Orc
- Look at me! I’m an accountant irl. But here, I’m an orc warrior! No judgement!
- Panel 3 : Int. Metaverse – Continuous
-
The orc continues.
-
- Orc
- Go ahead! Be who you’ve always wanted to be!
-
Kevin closes his eyes and starts to glow.
- Panel 4 : Int. The Metaverse – Continuous
-
Kevin’s shirt changes from black to light pink. “Plip!” He smiles.
- Panel 5 : Int. The Metaverse – Continuous
-
The orc looks on, skeptically.
-
- Orc
- Yeeeah… Salmon’s not your color.
-
Kevin deflates.
Keyboard Generals
Strip Info
- Title
- Keyboard Generals
- Date
- March 7, 2022
- Tags
- current events, Dunning Kruger, politics, President, single panel, Situation Room, social media, Twitter, war
- Notes
Transcript
- Panel 1 : Int. The Situation Room – Day
-
A stressed US President hunches over a large conference table in The Situation Room. Seated around the table are military generals, advisers, and policy leaders. On the table are laptops and papers with sensitive military information. The President motions to a round, bald-headed man wearing wraparound sunglasses and a Bored Ape Yacht Club t-shirt standing beside him. The guy throws up the devil horns sign.
“Gentlemen, this is a very precarious international situation, Which is why I brought in @callofdoody69 for his expert opinion.”
An Important Message From The Future
Strip Info
- Title
- An Important Message From The Future
- Date
- August 8, 2021
- Tags
- advice, etiquette, Future Kevin, Kevin, movies, Past Kevin, social media, time travel, TV
Transcript
- Panel 1 : Int. Void – Day
-
In the year 2006…
-
Past Kevin is startled by Future Kevin, who reaches for him through a time portal.
-
- Future Kevin
- “Hey! I’m you from the future! I have something very important you need to hear…”
- Panel 2 : Int. Void – Continuous
-
Future Kevin gets to the point.
-
- Future Kevin
- Not every piece of media is for you.
- Panel 3 : Int. Void – Continuous
-
Past Kevin listens skeptically as Future Kevin continues.
-
- Future Kevin
- Instead of publically complaining about a movie, tv show, or band you don’t like, try thinking ‘This is not for me’ and moving on.
- Panel 4 : Int. Void – Continuous
-
Past Kevin frowns.
-
- Past Kevin
- Okay… but why come back and tell me this now?
- Future Kevin
- You’re about to join this thing called ‘Twitter…’
Free Ways To Support Your Favorite Artists
Strip Info
- Title
- Free Ways To Support Your Favorite Artists
- Date
- July 4, 2021
- Tags
- creativity, Instagram, Kevin, productivity, single panel, social media
Transcript
- Panel 1 : Int. Void – Day
-
A single panel graphic. A header at the top reads, “Free Ways To Support Your Favorite Artists (from good to best).”
In a descending column under that are the following actions: “Bookmark, Like, Comment, Share,” and finally, “Learn to code, hack Instagram, and change the algorithm to favor artists again.”
At the bottom is a drawing of Kevin hunched over a laptop looking suspicious.
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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