Comics Tagged : creativity
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.
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.
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?
Starting A New Hobby – Part 2
Strip Info
- Title
- Starting A New Hobby – Part 2
- Date
- April 2, 2023
- Tags
- Bird, crafts, creativity, hobbies, Kevin, metalworking, recreation, relatable, weird things people do
Transcript
- Panel 1 : Int. Kevin’s Apartment – Day
-
Kevin stands at his table, wearing a metalworking visor, apron, and gloves. He holds a welding torch in his hand. On the table in front of him, a vise holds a piece of metal. Kevin’s bird, wearing a visor of his own, looks on from a pile of nearby metalworking gear.
-
- Kevin
- OK! After buying all this gear, I’m finally ready to try my new hobby for the first time!
- Panel 2 : Int. Kevin’s Apartment – Continuous
-
Kevin presses his torch to the metal. Sparks fly everywhere.
- Panel 3 : Int. Kevin’s Apartment – Continuous
-
Kevin turns off the torch. The metal has melted into an unattractive lump.
- Panel 4 : Int. Kevin’s Apartment – Continuous
-
Kevin turns to walk away, throwing the torch over his shoulder.
-
- Kevin
- Whelp, I’m no good at this. I quit!
- Panel 5 : Int. Kevin’s Apartment – Months Later
-
Kevin sits on his couch, rubbing his chin in thought.
-
- Kevin
- I think I want to try a new craft as a hobby…
-
His bird facepalms.
Starting A New Hobby – Part 1
Bonus Panel
Strip Info
- Title
- Starting A New Hobby – Part 1
- Date
- March 26, 2023
- Tags
- Bird, bonus panel, crafts, creativity, hobbies, Kevin, metalworking, recreation, relatable, weird things people do
Transcript
- Panel 1 : Int. Kevin’s Apartment – Day
-
Kevin sit on his couch, rubbing his chin in thought. His bird sits on his arm.
-
- Kevin
- I think I want to learn a new skill as a hobby.
- Bird
- Cool!
- Panel 2 : Int. Kevin’s Apartment – Months Later
-
Kevin sits at his table, hunched over his laptop. His bird sits on his shoulder.
-
- Bird
- Make anything yet?
- Kevin
- Not yet. I’m still researching techniques and gear…
- Panel 3 : Int. Kevin’s Apartment – Months Later
-
Kevin sits in the same spot, wearing protective eyewear. Some metalworking gear sits on the table next to him.
-
- Bird
- Anything yet?
- Kevin
- Not yet. I need better gear…
- Panel 4 : Int. Kevin’s Apartment – Month’s Later
-
Kevin sits at the same spot, wearing a leather apron and a safety face shield. Metalworking gear sits on the table next to him. His bird sits atop a pile of unopened boxes of stuff behind him.
-
- Bird
- Anythi-
- Kevin (interrupting)
- Look: this is half the fun of this for me, okay?!
- Panel 5 : Ext. Graveyard – Day
-
A tombstone reads: “Here lies Kevin. Who almost started a new hobby.”
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!
The Grustle Monster Cometh
Strip Info
- Title
- The Grustle Monster Cometh
- Date
- September 4, 2022
- Tags
- creativity, creator economy, fomo, grind, grustle, hustle, Kevin, motivation, productivity, relatable, self care, The Grustle Monster
Transcript
- Panel 1 : Int. Bedroom – Night
-
Kevin lays in bed, startled awake by a large, purple monster kicking in the door. Across the monster’s chest, the word “GRUSTLE” is written.
-
- The Grustle Monster
- WHAT ARE YOU DOING IN BED? AMBITION NEVER SLEEPS!
- Panel 2 : Int. Bedroom – Continuous
-
The monster jumps on the foot of Kevin’s bed, causing it and Kevin to shoot up at attention.
-
- The Grusle Monster
- WHILE YOU’RE IN HERE, SOMEONE’S OUT THERE STEALING YOUR SUCCESS!
- Panel 3 : Int. Bedroom – Continuous
-
The monster bellows.
-
- The Grustle Monster
- GET UP! GET OUT!! GET TO WORK!!!
- Kevin
- AAAAAAH!!!!
- Panel 4 : Int. Office Breakroom – Later
-
Hunched over his coffee, disheveled, with a crazy look in his eye, Kevin twitches as his coworker makes a dry observation.
-
- Coworker
- Dude, you look like crap.
- Kevin
- Can’t sleep… Grustle Monster will get me!
The Procrastination Game
Strip Info
- Title
- The Procrastination Game
- Date
- May 8, 2022
- Tags
- Bird, couch, creativity, dumb things people do, Kevin, mental health, productivity, relatable, self care, videogames
Transcript
- Panel 1 : Int. Living Room – Day
-
Kevin sits on his couch, controller in hand, playing a video game. His bird sits next to him.
-
- Kevin
- Ugh. This game sucks.
- Bird
- Then why not play a game you like?
- Panel 2 : Int. Living Room – Continuous
-
Kevin replies.
-
- Kevin
- Because if I play a game I like, I’ll get absorbed and won’t do the other things I have to do today.
- Panel 3 : Int. Living Room – Continous
-
The bird ponders.
-
- Bird
- So why not do those other things first, then play a game you like?
- Kevin
- Because playing games is how I procrastinate.
- Panel 4 : Int. Living Room – Continous
-
The bird looks concerned.
-
- Bird
- Wow, you’re all messed up, huh?
- Kevin
- My therapist calls me his “goldmine.”
Switch It Up!
Strip Info
- Title
- Switch It Up!
- Date
- February 13, 2022
- Tags
- Bird, Calvin & Hobbes, Cintiq, comic making, creativity, digital art, Garfield, homage, Kevin, meta
Transcript
- Panel 1 : Int. Home – Day
-
Kevin sits at his desk drawing, head resting on his Cintiq. Perched on the top of the Cintiq, the bird looks on.
-
- Kevin
- -Uuugh!- My comic strip is just a rehash of Garfield. I’m a hack!
- Panel 2 : Int. Home – Continuous
-
The bird responds.
-
- Bird
- Sure, the whole ‘Cartoonist/Pet” setup is the same, but it’s the details that make it different.
- Panel 3 : Int. Home – Continuous
-
The bird continues.
-
- Bird
- For example, an original art style can make it more unique. Try switching it up!
- Panel 4 : Ext. Forest – Continuous
-
Kevin and the bird appear drawn in the style of Bill Watterson of Calvin and Hobbes.
-
- Kevin
- Like this?
- Bird
- Perfect.
The Realization
Strip Info
- Title
- The Realization
- Date
- February 6, 2022
- Tags
- beach, Bird, comic making, creativity, existentialism, Garfield, Kevin, sunset
Transcript
- Panel 1 : Int. Home – Day
-
Kevin sits at his desk drawing. The bird perches on his shoulder.
-
- Kevin
- I’m making a comic strip about us!
- Bird
- Oh! Like Garfield?
- Panel 2 : Int. Home – Continuous
-
Kevin pauses.
-
- Kevin
- No. Garfield is a cat. You’re a bird.
- Bird
- Sure… But besides that, it’s basically Garfield.
- Panel 3 : Int. Home – Continuous
-
Kevin scoffs.
-
- Kevin
- …No it’s not.
- Bird
- Yes, it is. ‘Cartoonist and his sassy pet?’ That’s Garfield.
- Panel 4 : Int. Home – Continuous
-
The bird puts a newspaper scrap with Jon Arbuckle on it next to Kevin’s drawing of himself.
-
- Bird
- Look. You even draw yourself like Jon!
- Panel 5 : Int. Home – Continuous
-
Kevin eyes widen. He stares off into the distance in realization.
-
- Bird
- Congrats, dummy. You’ve created Garfield.
- Panel 6 : Ext. Beach – Evening
-
Kevin stands on the beach at sunset, same hundred-yard stare on his face.
- Panel 7 : Ext. Beach – Continuous
-
Wide shot of Kevin walking into the ocean.
- Panel 8 : Ext. Beach – Moments Later
-
Kevin is gone. Only his footsteps in the sand remain.
Trust The Process
Strip Info
- Title
- Trust The Process
- Date
- January 24, 2022
- Tags
- Academy Awards, awards, birb, Bird, creativity, documentaries, Kevin, Meryl Streep, movies, Oscars, productivity
Transcript
- Panel 1 : Int. Home – Day
-
Kevin sits at his desk drawing. The bird perches on a camera behind him.
-
- Bird
- What’s with the camera?
- Kevin
- I’m documenting my creative process.
- Panel 2 : Int. Home – Continuous
-
Kevin continues.
-
- Kevin
- Y’know- in case someone wants to make a documentary about me someday.
- Panel 3 : Int. Home – Continuous
-
The bird scoffs
-
- Bird
- -Pfft- No one will want to watch ‘Idiot Sits Alone In A Room For Hours.’
- Panel 4 : Int. Kodak Theatre – Later
-
Two presenters at the Oscars open the envelope for Best Documentary.
-
- Presenter 1
- And the Oscar goes to…
- Presenter 2
- …’Idiot Sits Alone In A Room For Hours’
- Panel 5 : Int. Kodak Theatre – Continuous
-
Kevin sits in the audience in a tux. Next to him, Meryl Streep applauds. Kevin raises an eyebrow and looks to his shoulder, where the bird crosses its arms in indignation.