Comics Tagged : self care
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.
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- 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.
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.
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.”
The Sensible Detective
Strip Info
- Title
- The Sensible Detective
- Date
- April 17, 2022
- Tags
- Bird, couch, crime, Kevin, police, pop culture, self care, Sensible Detective, TV
- Notes
-
Fun fact: this is actually a redraw of a comic I first drew over 10 years ago. The original was part of an earlier version of my comics website called Funny Comics For Cool People. I produced about a dozen comics for it, but never actually launched the site. I always liked this idea, though. So I thought I’d take another swing at it.
Transcript
- Panel 1 : Int. Police Station – Day
-
A grizzled cop sips from a mug. Scowling.
-
- Caption
- Tuesdays at 8! He’s a homicide cop with no major vices…
-
- Cop
- Got drunk once. Didn’t enjoy it.
- Panel 2 : Ext. Park – Continuous
-
The cop and wife give piggybacks to each of their two kids. Everyone smiles except the cop.
-
- Caption
- …no personal trauma…
-
- Cop
- All loved ones alive and well.
- Panel 3 : Ext. Street – Night
-
The cop kneels at a crime scene near a corpse, covered in a bloody sheet. The cop looks at his watch.
-
- Caption
- …And healthy professional boundaries. He’s The Sensible Detective.
-
- Cop
- 5p.m.- Quittin’ time.
- Panel 4 : Int. Living Room – Continuous
-
Kevin sits on the couch with his bird, watching this commercial. They both furrow their brows.
-
- Kevin
- Well that’s no fun.
- Bird
- I prefer my protagonists damaged.
The Breakthrough
Strip Info
- Title
- The Breakthrough
- Date
- February 20, 2022
- Tags
- Batman, Bruce Wayne, crime, masculinity, mental health, movies, pop culture, self care, superheroes, therapy, thugs, toxic masculinity, vigilantes
Transcript
- Panel 1 : Ext. Gotham City Rooftop – Night
-
Batman holds up a thug by his collar on a Gotham rooftop.
-
- Thug
- What are you?
- Panel 2 : Ext. Gotham City Rooftop – Continuous
-
Batman growls.
-
- Batman
- I’m the victim of childhood trauma processing his emotions in an unhealthy way!
- Panel 4 : Int. Therapist’s Office – Later
-
Batman, in full costume, lays scowling on the couch of his therapist. Sitting nearby, the therapist writes in his notepad with a patient smile.
-
- Therapist
- Excellent, Bruce! We’re making real progress here.
The Secret of My Success
Strip Info
- Title
- The Secret of My Success
- Date
- October 10, 2021
- Tags
- Avengers, burnout, Captain America, city, Kevin, Marvel, memes, mental health, movies, New York City, parody, self care
Transcript
- Panel 1 : Ext. New York City – Day
-
Close up on Captain America, during that famous scene in the big battle of the first Avengers movie.
-
- Captain America
- Kevin, you haven’t taken any time off from work in over a year. How are you not burnt out?
- Panel 2 : Ext. New York City – Continuous
-
Kevin, walking away, looks back over his shoulder with a smile.
-
- Kevin
- That my secret, Cap…
- Panel 3 : Int. New York City – Continuous
-
Closer on Kevin. Still with the cocky smile.
-
- Kevin
- …I’m always burnt out!
- Panel 4 : Int. New York City – Continuous
-
Reverse on Kevin as he faces away from Captain America. His smile is gone. Replaced by the hundred-yard stare, heavy eyelids, and sagging mouth of someone at his wits’ end. Cap stands confused behind him.
Blue’s Clues Blues
Strip Info
- Title
- Blue’s Clues Blues
- Date
- September 19, 2021
- Tags
- apartment, bachelor pad, Bird, Blues Clues, childhood, couch, Kevin, mental health, nostalgia, self care, Steve from Blues Clues, TV
Transcript
- Panel 1 : Kevin’s Int. Living Room – Day
-
Kevin’s POV: Steve from Blues Clues speaks in a clip from that recent video.
-
- Steve
- And then you at you! And look at all you’ve accomplished!
- Panel 2 : Int. Kevin’s Living Room – Continuous
-
Up angle on Kevin, who is watching the clip on his phone, derpy look on his face. The bird watches over his shoulder.
-
- Steve (OS)
- And it’s just… it’s just so amazing, right?
- Panel 3 : Int. Kevin’s Living Room – Continuous
-
Wide angle of Kevin’s shitty bachelor apartment. Laundry on the floor. Dirty plates and trash strewn about. Unopened mail. Framed Quentin Tarantino movie posters on the wall. And that one torch lamp every dude had in the early 00s. Kevin sits slumped on the couch, in his boxers and socks, watching the video on his phone.
-
- Bird
- He’s not talking to you.
- Kevin
- I figured.
As Good As It Gets
Strip Info
- Title
- As Good As It Gets
- Date
- June 27, 2021
- Tags
- Bird, birdcage, existentialism, Kevin, mental health, self care, The Future
Transcript
- Panel 1 : Int. Home – Day
-
Kevin sits at his desk, working on his laptop. Behind him, his bird stands on its cage.
-
- Bird
- What if this is as good as it gets?
(For you, I mean.)
- Panel 2 : Int. Home – Continuous
-
Kevin rasies an eyebrow as the bird continues.
-
- Bird
- What if you’re never as happy, healthy, or successful as you are right now?
- Panel 3 : Int. Home – Continuous
-
Kevin looks visibly annoyed as the bird really drives it home.
-
- Bird
- What if it’s just one long, slow slide into irrelevance from here on out?
- Panel 4 : Int. Home – Moments Later
-
The bird is in its cage. A black shroud covering it.
-
- Bird
(from under the shroud) - Not the self-reflective type I see.
- Bird