Comics Tagged : self care
The Tetris Effect
Strip Info
- Title
- The Tetris Effect
- Date
- October 16, 2023
- Tags
- anxiety, Bird, couch, Kevin, mental health, self care, Switch, Tetris, video games, wholesome
Transcript
- Panel 1 : Int. Kevin’s Apartment – Day
-
Kevin slouches on his couch, bags under his eyes, playing his Switch. Next to him, an empty bag of Doritos and a few empty beer bottles. His bird, perched above him, leans in.
-
- Bird
- Umm… are you okay?
- Kevin
- I read that playing Tetris helps distract your brain from anxious thoughts.
- Panel 2 : Int. Kevin’s Apartment – Continuous
-
His bird looks concerned.
-
- Bird
- You’ve been playing for the last nine hours straight.
- Kevin
- Have you seen the news lately?
- Panel 3 : Int. Kevin’s Apartment – Continuous
-
His bird looks off into the distance, thinking, as Kevin goes back to his game.
- Panel 4 : Int. Kevin’s Apartment – Continuous
-
Kevin continues playing, his bird nestled under his arm. The bird lays its head on Kevin’s chest, watching him play.
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!
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.
-
- 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.
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.
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- 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 Face of a Real Man
Strip Info
- Title
- The Face of a Real Man
- Date
- April 16, 2023
- Tags
- gross up, gruff fellow, Kevin, masculinity, moisturizer, self care, skincare, sunscreen, toxic masculinity
Transcript
- Panel 1 : Int. Void – Day
-
Close on Kevin’s hands, shaking a bit of moisturizer from a pink bottle into his palm. A few feet away, a gruff-looking fellow puts up his hand in protest.
-
- Gruff-Looking Fellow
- Moisturizer? With sunscreen? -pfft- I don’t use any of that girlie stuff.
- Panel 2 : Int. Void – Continuous
-
The gruff-looking fellow gets in Kevin’s face, pointing at his own. Kevin recoils.
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- Gruff-Looking Fellow
- This here’s the face of a real man!
- Panel 3 : Int. Void – Continuous
-
Extreme close-up on the fellow’s scowling face. It’s burnt, cracked, pock-marked, and craggy. It’s… not pleasant.
- Panel 4 : Int. Void – Continuous
-
Kevin winces.
-
- Kevin
- Real men have skin cancer?
- Gruff-Looking Fellow
- You mean my face rubble?
Just A Reminder
Bonus Panel
Strip Info
- Title
- Just A Reminder
- Date
- February 5, 2023
- Tags
- awkward, cell phone, dental humor, dentists, Kevin, medical, relatable, self care, social interactions
- Notes
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!
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 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!
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!
Daily Affirmations
Strip Info
Transcript
- Panel 1 : Int. Kevin’s House – Day
-
Kevin’s parrot smiles into his mirror.
-
- Bird
- Who’s a pretty bird? Who’s a pwitty widdle birdy? You are!
- Panel 2 : Int. Kevin’s House – Continuous
-
The bird realizes Kevin is watching from the doorway behind him. Kevin snickers.
- Panel 3 : Int. Kevin’s House – Continuous
-
The bird snaps.
-
- Bird
- What? Shut up! Like you don’t do it too!
- Panel 4 : Int. Kevin’s House – Continuous
-
The bird continues.
-
- Bird
- Get outta here, pencilneck!
-
Kevin’s smirk fades.
- Panel 5 : Int. Kevin’s House – Later
-
Kevin stands in front of his bathroom mirror. Frowning and tearing up, he points to himself.
-
- Kevin
- Don’t let him call you a pencilneck! Who’s a big, strong man? You are!
Quite The Journey
Strip Info
Transcript
- Panel 1 : Int. Car – Day
-
A driver’s POV looking out the window. A road sign flies by reading “ROAD MAY FLOOD, 500 FT”
- Panel 2 : Int. Car – Continuous
-
Another sign flies by: “ROAD MAY NOT FLOOD, 400 FT”
- Panel 3 : Int. Car – Continuous
-
A third sign: “GET OFF ROAD’S DAMN BACK, 300 FT”
- Panel 4 : Int. Car – Continuous
-
The driver (Kevin) looks out the window with concern.
- Panel 5 : Int. Car – Continuous
-
A fourth sign: “SORRY. ROAD JUST WENT THRU BAD BREAKUP, 200 FT”
- Panel 6 : Int. Car – Continuous
-
A fifth sign: “ROAD NEEDS TIME TO WORK ON ROAD, 100 FT”
- Panel 7 : Int. Car – Continuous
-
A sixth, different sign: “ROAD WORK AHEAD, NEXT 10 MI”
- Panel 8 : Int. Car – Continuous
-
In the driver’s seat, Kevin smiles. Glad that worked out.