Comics Tagged : capitalism
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!
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?
The Future of Entertainment
Strip Info
- Title
- The Future of Entertainment
- Date
- June 18, 2023
- Tags
- AI art, artificial intelligence, capitalism, dumb things people do, gadgets, movies, pop culture, technology, TV, virtual reality
Transcript
- Panel 1 : Int. VR Headset – Day
-
From a user’s POV inside a VR headset, a cute robot character floats into view.
-
- Genie
- Hi! I’m Genie, your A.I.-powered entertainment bot! What do you want to watch today?
- User (O.S.)
- I wanna watch a movie where Spider-Man fights Batman at Wrestlemania!
- Panel 2 : Int. Living Room – Continuous
-
The user sits in his recliner, a beer in his hand
-
- Genie (O.S.)
- Sorry. I’m afraid I can’t do that.
- User
- Why not? I thought A.I. can create whatever I want.
- Panel 3 : Int. VR Headset – Continuous
-
In the headset, Genie explains.
-
- Genie
- Well, see… Spider-Man is owned by Disney, Batman is owned by Warner Bros, and Wrestlemania is WWE. To combine them legally, I would need a licensing agreement between all three companies that allows for… (trailing off)
- Panel 4 : Ext. Street – Later
-
Later, on the side of the road, two sanitation workers empty trash cans into a garbage truck. One worker holds up something he fished out of a can.
-
- Sanitation Worker
- Hey look! Another pair a’them expensive goggles!
At a Loss
Strip Info
Transcript
- Panel 1 : Int. BuzzFeed Office – Day
-
Kevin walks into the lobby of BuzzFeed. Headphones in, backpack on, lanyard clipped to his pants pocket. He looks non-challant.
- Panel 2 : Int. BuzzFeed Office – Moments Later
-
Kevin stops at the receptionist’s desk. The receptionist points off-panel. Kevin takes his headphone out of his ear and raises his eyebrows to listen to what the receptionist is saying.
- Panel 3 : Int. BuzzFeed Office – Later
-
Kevin stands in a nearby hallway. A sad look on his face. He hands over a yellow BuzzFeed “LOL” icon to a person with a BuzzFeed logo for a face. The literal personification of the company, if you will.
- Panel 4 : Int. Apartment – Later
-
Later, at home, Kevin lies on his side on his couch. Under a blanket, he stares off into the distance. Over him, on the top edge of the couch, his bird perches, extending a wing in an awkward, concerned gesture.
Selling Stuff on Craigslist – Part IV
Strip Info
- Title
- Selling Stuff on Craigslist – Part IV
- Date
- March 19, 2023
- Tags
- awkward, capitalism, Craigslist, Craigslist Guy, dumb things people do, Kevin, lamp, social interactions, table
Transcript
- Panel 1 : Int. Void – Day
-
Kevin sits at a little table. On the table sits a small lamp with a red shade and a sign that reads “Lamp: $5. Still works! Red shade. 18″ tall.” Craigslist Guy steps up to the table.
-
- Craigslist Guy
- Hey. I’ll buy your lamp.
- Kevin
- Great! Can you take it today?
- Panel 2 : Int. Void – Continuous
-
Craigslist Guy answers.
-
- Craigslist Guy
- Well, see… I’ll have to borrow my mom’s-“
- Kevin (interrupting)
- Oh no no! No need to tell me your life story…
- Panel 3 : Int. Void – Continuous
-
Wider to reveal several people standing behind Craigslist Guy.
-
- Kevin
- Other folks are interested too. So just tell me if you can take it today.
- Panel 4 : Int. Void – Continuous
-
Craigslist Guy launches into a big block of backstory.
-
- Craigslist Guy
- Well, see… I’ll have to borrow my Mom’s car because I don’t want to carry it home on the bus because the bus driver is a jerk who wouldn’t let me bring my lunch on the bus because one time I spilled but it wasn’t even my fault because he went around a corner too fast so my soup spilled out of my thermos which I guess I should have closed tighter but hey…
-
Kevin deadpans to the camera.
Rage Against The Machine
Strip Info
- Title
- Rage Against The Machine
- Date
- January 22, 2023
- Tags
- AI art, artificial intelligence, capitalism, creativity, digital art, Future Kevin, Kevin, Past Kevin, The Future
Transcript
- Panel 1 : Int. Kevin’s Apartment – Day
- Caption: 20 years ago…
-
Past Kevin sits at his drafting table, drawing comics. Behind him, a time portal opens and a desperate Future Kevin leans out.
-
- Future Kevin
- Hey! I’m YOU from the future! Don’t post our artwork online!
- Panel 2 : Int. Kevin’s Apartment – Continuous
-
Future Kevin continues
-
- Future Kevin
- In the future, companies will train A.I. to mimic our style without our consent!
- Panel 3 : Int. Kevin’s Apartment – Continuous
-
Future Kevin continues.
-
- Future Kevin
- Then, any talentless hack can make comics just like ours!
Past Kevin looks down skeptically at his work.
- Panel 4 : Int. Kevin’s Apartment – Continuous
-
Past Kevin raises his eyebrows.
-
- Past Kevin
- …Like ours, but funny?
- Future Kevin
- IT’S INFURIATING!
Prime Grind Time
Strip Info
- Title
- Prime Grind Time
- Date
- December 30, 2022
- Tags
- capitalism, grustle, holidays, Kevin, productivity, relatable, self care, The Grustle Monster
Transcript
- Panel 1 : Int. Office – Day
-
Kevin sits as his desk, looking over at calendar hanging on the wall. The calendar reads “December.” All of the days are crossed off except for the last week.
-
- Kevin
- Ahh! The week between Christmas and New Year’s: when no one expects me to work…
- Panel 2 : Int. Office – Continuous
-
A wider angle reveals The Grustle Monster standing behind Kevin, arms crossed.
-
- Grustle Monster
- EXCEPT ME.
- Kevin
- …Except my Grustle Monster.
- Panel 3 : Int. Office – Continuous
-
The Grustle Monster looms over Kevin as he draws.
-
- Grustle Monster
- NO DAYS OFF, BRO. THIS IS PRIME GRIND TIME.
- Kevin
- …Which is why I feel compelled to draw a comic instead of relaxing.
- Panel 4 : Int. Office – Continuous
-
The Grustle Monster continues.
-
- Grustle Monster
- YOU’LL THANK ME WHEN YOU’RE RICH.
- Kevin
- From comics? Do you even hear yourself?
The Bank Loan (Part 1)
Strip Info
- Title
- The Bank Loan (Part 1)
- Date
- November 6, 2022
- Tags
- bank loan, Bird, business, capitalism, Kevin, puns, seed money, wholesome
Transcript
- Panel 1 : Int. Kevin’s Office – Day
-
Kevin sits at his desk, drawing. His bird, wearing a little collar and tie, walks up behind him.
-
- Bird
- I need a ride to the bank.
- Kevin
- Why?
- Bird
- Because I can’t drive.
- Panel 2 : Int. Kevin’s Office – Continuous
-
Kevin looks confused.
-
- Kevin
- No- why do you need to go to the bank?
- Bird
- Because I have an interview for a business loan.
- Panel 3 : Int. Kevin’s Office – Continuous
-
Same.
-
- Kevin
- Why do you have an interview for a business loan?
- Bird
- Because I don’t have the capital to start a business myself! Obviously!
- Panel 4 : Int. Kevin’s Office – Continuous
-
Kevin turns around in his chair and smirks.
-
- Kevin
- So you’re saying you need seed money?
- Bird
- Forget it. I’ll take the bus.
The Dedicated Practice of a Future Prodigy
Strip Info
- Title
- The Dedicated Practice of a Future Prodigy
- Date
- September 11, 2022
- Tags
- capitalism, couch, esports, gaming, grind, grustle, hustle, Kevin, productivity, self care, The Grustle Monster, video games
Transcript
- Panel 1 : Int. Living Room – Day
-
The Grustle Monster sits, arms folded, next to Kevin, gaming, on the couch.
-
- Grustle Monster
- GAMING IS A WASTE OF TIME.
- Kevin
- -Sigh- C’mon, man. Please just let me relax.
- Panel 2 : Int. Living Room – Continuous
-
The Grustle Monster continues.
-
- Grustle Monster
- RELAXING DOESN’T GET YOU CLOSER TO YOUR GOALS.
- Kevin
- Fine. What if my goal is to become an esports pro?
- Panel 3 : Int. Living Room – Continuous
-
Kevin continues.
-
- Kevin
- Suddenly, this isn’t wasted time, but the dedicated practice of a future prodigy.
- Panel 4 : Int. Living Room – Continuous
-
The Grustle Monster retorts.
-
- Grustle Monster
- YOU’VE BEEN STUCK ON THE TUTORIAL LEVEL FOR WEEKS!
- Kevin
- IT’S HARD!
How To Motivate Your Co-Workers
Strip Info
- Title
- How To Motivate Your Co-Workers
- Date
- March 21, 2021
- Tags
- aphorisms, boss, capitalism, cubicle culture, Kevin, motivation, office, The Old Switcheroo, white people, work
Transcript
- Panel 1 : Int. Office – Day
-
Kevin stands next to a Bossman in front of a group of office workers.
-
- Bossman
- Remember: Failure is not an option.
- Kevin
- Yes, but failure is the best teacher.
- Panel 2 : Int. Office – Continuous
-
The Bossman looks over as Kevin continues.
-
- Kevin
- So if you want to succeed at learning, consider failing.
- Panel 3 : Int. Office – Continuous
-
The Bossman whispers to Kevin.
-
- Bossman
- What are you doing? We’re supposed to motivate them.
- Kevin
- I am!
- Panel 4 : Int. Office – Continuous
-
Something dawns on the Bossman
-
- Bossman
- Wait- do you even work here?
- Kevin
(arms up) - Naps for everyone!
Tote Bags
Strip Info
- Title
- Tote Bags
- Date
- August 14, 2020
- Tags
- Bird, capitalism, controversy, environmentalism, ethcial consumption, Kevin, liberalism, NPR, tote bags, white people
Transcript
- Panel 1 : Int. Home – Day
-
Kevin holds a reusable tote bag filled with groceries. A logo printed on the bag reads “NPR.” A green ring-necked parrot sits on a perch behind him.
-
- Bird
- Wait, Kevin- haven’t you heard? Tote bags are bad for the environment.
- Panel 2 : Int. Home – Continuous
-
The parrot is now on Kevin’s shoulder. Kevin looks incredulous.
-
- Kevin
- What? How?
- Bird
- Reusable cotton totes take more energy to create than plastic bags.
- Panel 3 : Int. Home – Continuous
-
Kevin looks down at his tote bag as the parrot continues.
-
- Bird
- Each new tote has to be reused 20,000 times to break even.
- Panel 4 : Int. Home – Continuous
-
Kevin raises his eyebrows.
-
- Kevin
- But… how will people know I support NPR?
- Panel 5 : Int. Home – Continuous
-
The parrot leans in.
-
- Bird
- Kevin, you’re a white, middle-aged liberal… we know.
-
Kevin deadpans to camera.