Starting A New Hobby – Part 1

Starting A New Hobby – Part 1
Bonus Panel
Starting A New Hobby – Part 1

Strip Info

Title
Starting A New Hobby – Part 1
Date
March 26, 2023
Tags
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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.”

Selling Stuff on Craigslist – Part IV

Selling Stuff on Craigslist – Part IV

Strip Info

Title
Selling Stuff on Craigslist – Part IV
Date
March 19, 2023
Tags
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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.

Late Night Worries

Late Night Worries

Strip Info

Title
Late Night Worries
Date
March 5, 2023
Tags
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Notes

Three years ago, I added this bird character to my comics as a way to cope with my pandemic anxiety. Now, our avian friends find themselves in a similar situation. But with a much higher toll. It got me thinking back to those early, uncertain days of COVID. This bird helped me make it through. I figured I should return the favor.

Transcript

Panel 1 : Int. Kevin’s Bedroom – Night

Kevin is asleep in bed. His bird stands on top of him.

Bird
Hey. Are you awake? I can’t sleep.
Kevin (sleepy)
Hmm? Sure. What’s up?
Panel 2 : Int. Kevin’s Bedroom – Continuous

The bird continues.

Bird (anxious)
I can’t stop thinking about this bird flu epidemic. It’s killed fifty-eight million birds already.
Kevin
Yeah. It’s really sad, isn’t it?
Panel 3 : Int. Kevin’s Bedroom – Continuous

The bird continues.

Bird
Am I going to get it?
Kevin
Not if you stay here with me.
Panel 4 : Int. Kevin’s Bedroom – Continuous

The bird says nothing. Kevin smiles sympathetically.

Kevin
…Wow. No joke?
Panel 5 : Int. Kevin’s Bedroom – Continuous

Kevin smiles

Kevin
You’re supposed to say, “I’d rather get the virus…”
Panel 6 : Int. Kevin’s Bedroom – Continuous

The bird looks sheepish.

Bird
Sorry. Guess I’m a little pre-occupied. Can I sleep in your room tonight?
Kevin
Of course!
Panel 7 : Int. Kevin’s Bedroom – Continuous

Kevin’s bird curls up in the small of Kevin’s neck, still worried. Kevin looks on, concerned.

Panel 8 : Int. Kevin’s Bedroom – Continuous

Wide of the dark bedroom.

Bird
Epidemics sure are scary.
Kevin
I know, buddy. I know.

The Side-Hustle Shuffle

The Side-Hustle Shuffle

Strip Info

Title
The Side-Hustle Shuffle
Date
February 26, 2023
Tags
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Transcript

Panel 1 : Int. Apartment – Day

Kevin sits on his couch, smiling, knitting a little scarf.

Kevin
What a relaxing new hobby I’ve found!

Behind him, The Grustle Monster rears up.

Grustle Monster
TURN IT INTO A SIDE HUSTLE!
Panel 2 : Int. Apartment – Continuous

Shocked, Kevin turns around to address The Grustle Monster.

Kevin
C-can’t I just enjoy it?
Grustle Monster
NO! MAKE YOUR PASSION YOUR PASSIVE INCOME!
Panel 3 : Int. Apartment – Continuous

Kevin begins to interject, but The Grustle Monster yells in his face.

Kevin
But-
Grustle Monster
MONETIZE YOUR FREE TIME!
Panel 4 : Int. Craft Fair – Continuous

Kevin sits, cross-armed and scowling, behind a table at a craft fair. On the table, several of his knitted scarves are displayed. A sign above the table reads “Kevin’s Stupid Scarves. $20 or whatever.”

The Real MVP

The Real MVP

Strip Info

Title
The Real MVP
Date
February 12, 2023
Tags
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Transcript

Panel 1 : Int. Football Stadium – Evening

Confetti rains down on a football field at the end of the Super Bowl. A sportscaster interviews Kevin on the field. Kevin wears a player’s uniform and holds the M.V.P. trophy.

Kevin
(panting)
…Well, y’know, -pant- time was running out. I didn’t -pant- think I could hold on to it, but then I did…
Panel 2 : Int. Football Stadium – Continuous

Kevin hoists the M.V.P. trophy above his head.

Kevin
…I just want to thank God, my team, and my parents for believing in me. Miracles can happen! Thank you!!
Panel 3 : Int. TV Studio – Continuous

Cut to the studio, where two sportscasters chat.

Sportscaster 1
And there you have it: Kevin McShane named M.V.P. for remembering to bring home his tupperware from the Super Bowl potluck.
Panel 4 : Int. Kevin’s Apartment – Continuous

Cut to real life. Kevin stands in his apartment, holding his tupperware up like the M.V.P. trophy. Behind him, his bird quips:

Bird
You’re sooo proud of yourself.
Kevin
I always forget!

Just A Reminder

Just A Reminder
Bonus Panel
Just A Reminder

Strip Info

Title
Just A Reminder
Date
February 5, 2023
Tags
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Notes

Bonus panel

Transcript

Panel 1 : Int. Office – Day

Kevin sits at his desk at work, checking his email on his laptop. A message from his dentist reads: “Reminder: Your dental appointment is tomorrow at 10:30AM.”

Panel 2 : Int. Subway Car – Later

Later that evening, Kevin stands in a crowded subway car, checking his phone. A text message from his dentist reads: “Reminder: your dental appointment is tomorrow at 10:30AM. Reply STOP to opt out of reminders.” Kevin looks annoyed.

Panel 3 : Int. Apartment – Later

Later that night, Kevin sits at his dining room table, eating dinner. He holds his phone out to listen to a voicemail. It says “This is an automated reminder from your dentist’s office. Your appointment is tomorrow at 10:30AM.” Kevin looks angry.

Panel 4 : Int. Bedroom – Later

Later that night, Kevin lies asleep in bed. It’s quiet.

Panel 5 : Int. Bedroom – Continuous

Suddenly, Kevin’s dentist pokes his head up at the foot of Kevin’s bed.

Dentist
…Don’t forget about tomorrow!
Kevin
DAAAAH!
Panel 6 : Int. Bedroom – Continuous

The next afternoon, Kevin sits on his couch, watching TV. His bird sits on his head.

Bird
Hey – didn’t you have a dental appointment this morning?
Kevin
Ah shit! I forgot!

Rage Against The Machine

Rage Against The Machine

Strip Info

Title
Rage Against The Machine
Date
January 22, 2023
Tags
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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

Prime Grind Time

Strip Info

Title
Prime Grind Time
Date
December 30, 2022
Tags
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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 Problem with A.I. Art

The Problem with A.I. Art

Strip Info

Title
The Problem with A.I. Art
Date
December 11, 2022
Tags
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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.

The Bank Loan (Part 3)

The Bank Loan (Part 3)

Strip Info

Title
The Bank Loan (Part 3)
Date
November 20, 2022
Tags
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Transcript

Panel 1 : Int. Bank Office – Day

The bank Branch Manager sits behind his desk opposite Kevin and his bird, looking over a handfull of papers.

Branch Manager
Sir, this business plan was clearly written by your pet bird, and we don’t give bank loans to birds.
Panel 2 : Bank Office – Continuous

Dressed in a large, green bird outfit, Kevin scoffs. Dressed in a collar and tie, his bird perches next to him.

Kevin
That’s preposterious! Are you suggesting I’m not the one who came up with the idea for…
Panel 3 : Int. Bank Office – Continuous

Kevin picks up one of the loan application papers in front of him and reads it briefly.

Panel 4 : Bank Office – Continuous

Kevin returns to his hauty posture.

Kevin
…”Pluckr: The Dating App for Birds?”
Panel 5 : Int. Car – Later

Kevin drives home from the bank. On his shoulder, his bird throws up his wings in disgust.

Bird
It’s a billion dollar idea!
Kevin
Obviously. They have no vision.