[ID of 23 related four-panel comics:
1. first panel: the background is blank white and two colored boxes (red and blue) are talking. the red box says, “We exist now!” and the blue box says in response, “We’re stuck in one box and one line of dialogue. Is this all there is?”. second panel: red says, “Look! We’re experiencing linear time!” and blue responds, “Or we were unmade and recreated a little to the right.” third panel: red says “Why are we just squares?” and blue answers, “Our creator can’t draw people”. fourth panel: red says, “If I was a person I’d have a massive ass” with the word massive bolded. blue says, “You would.”
2. first panel: red says, “And we’re back!” and blue says, “Or we’re totally different characters represented by the same symbols. Learn to draw a face maybe.” second panel: red says, “That was rude. He’s trying his best.” blue responds, “He’s not. We’re fucking squares.” third panel: red says, “Well, are we the same people?” and blue answers, “I feel the same, so I guess so.” fourth panel: red says, “We really wasted this whole comic with that discussion.” blue says, “And there’s no time for a punchline. Sequels are always worse.”
3. first panel: red asks, “Why do I always talk first?” blue answers “You’re curious, and I seem to know more than you. You ask questions, and I respond.” second panel: red says, “That’s bullshit. You should talk first some time.” blue says, “I’m not sure if I can. That would be a massive departure from the formula, which sounds like more work for our creator.” third panel: red says, “Go on. Give it a try.” blue’s speech is bursting out of the dialogue bubble and is the capital letter A repeated over and over. fourth panel: blue says, finally, “Ass” in all capital letters to signify yelling. red says, “This feels wrong. Let’s never do it again.”
4: first panel: red asks, “Does this comic have a plot?” and blue answers, “Honestly, I couldn’t tell you.” second panel: red says, “We’ve referenced previous strips before, so there must be some continuity.” blue says, “I wonder if our creator knows. Does this comic have a plot?” third panel: red says “yes.” in all-capital letters. red’s dialogue bubble is different — although it is usually just a transparent shape outlined in black, this bubble is colored in black; the font and outline are gold. blue says, in bold letters and all-capital letters, “What the fuck!?” fourth panel: red asks, its dialogue box now back to normal, “What happened back there in panel 3? I don’t remember.” blue says, “Plot.”
5. first panel: red asks, “So our creator talked through me? And this comic has a plot?” blue answers, “Apparently so.” second panel: red asks in all-capital letters, “What the fuck are we going to do for a joke?” and blue answers, also in all-capital letters, “Shit I don’t know!” third panel: red says, “Ass is a classic.” and blue says, “I feel it’s a little overdone.” fourth panel: red says, “You’re right. Out of our strips that were meant to be funny, literally all of them had ass as the punchline.” blue exclaims, “Ha! You said ass!”
6. first panel: red asks, “When this comic finally ends, will we die?” and blue says, “I think we’ll be trapped in an in-between state. Remembered, re-read, but never changing.” second panel: red says, “Sounds like some version of hell to me.” blue says, “I guess that’s one way of looking at it.” third panel: red says, “I’ll miss you, Blue.” and blue responds, “I’ll be in stasis right beside you.” fourth panel: red says, “Wow, this strip wasn’t funny at all.” blue confirms, “It wasn’t.”
7. first panel: red asks, “Are we the only things alive?” and blue answers, “There’s our Creator, and the Reader. They’re alive.” second panel: red asks, “But what about in here? Are we alone?” and blue answers, “It’s impossible to tell. We’re trapped in a 2-dimensional plane.” third panel: red says, “Like slides on a microscope,” and blue confirms, “In almost every way.” fourth panel: red says, “I wonder if our reality and that of the Creator are the only ones.” blue says, “I hope not. It would get lonely.” the formatting of this panel is different — numerous copies of both boxes and both dialogue bubbles overlap with one another.
8. first panel: red says, “Hey, Creator! This comic bounces randomly between ass jokes and existential meta shit. What’s going on?” and blue asks, “Do you want to try to summon the Creator to ask him?” second panel: red answers, “Worth a shot, I guess.” blue asks, “Any idea how?” third panel: red says, “Answer me, Creator”. red’s words are written in a deliberately arcane-seeming and almost unintelligible format. blue says, “Seems promising, I guess.” fourth panel: red speaks — its dialogue bubble is once again filled with black and outlined with gold, which seems to indicate the creator speaking. the creator asks, “What up?” in all capital letters. blue says, “For the record, I did not think that would work.”
9. first panel: the creator, still through red, asks, “Why the need for divine indication?”. blue answers, “Red was wondering what this was all for.” second panel: the creator says, “I think life is a chance to enjoy the infinit wonder of the natural universe. It’s statistically rare, so you’d better treasure it.” blue responds, “With all due respect, Creator, the background is just white.” third panel: the background is now what looks like a stock photo of a galaxy. creator says, “Behold, Reality!” with the latter word in all-capital letters. blue says, “Holy fuck, there’s more than three letters!?” fourth panel: the background has changed again and is now what looks like a stock photo of a forest. the creator says, “Whew, this is a lot of work! The white background is way easier. I’ll be switching back next strip.” the word way is dragged out with extra letters. blue asks, “But what’s the comic about?”
10. first panel: the background is white again, as promised. the creator says, “Oh, you want to know the plot? Sorry, I’m not going to spoil it for the Reader.” blue asks, “Can I get a little teaser?” second panel: the creator says, “The final punchline isn’t loss. I know the Reader has been asking about that.” blue asks, “So I’m just trapped here, subject to your whims? I’m a puppet?” third panel: the creator says, “Blue, honey, you’re a fictional character. You’ve known you were a pupper from the start.” blue responds, “Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious.” fourth panel: the creator says, “See? I made you say that. I’ve made you say everything. This whole comic is a monologue. I took the liberty of removing your speech bubble to accentuate that. Hope you don’t mind. Symbolism and all.” blue says nothing.
11: first panel: red’s dialogue bubble is normal again, and it says, “I’m back! What’d I miss?” blue doesn’t answer. second panel: red asks, “Creator got your tongue? LMAO” and, again, blue doesn’t answer. third panel: red asks, “Blue?” fourth panel: red asks, “Blue, what happened?” and blue’s dialogue bubble remains absent.
12: first panel: red says, “Blue? Talk to me.” second panel: red says, “Come on, buddy. What happened?” third panel: red says, “Please, Blue. I…” fourth panel: in all caps, red asks, “What the fuck did you do, Creator!?”
13: first panel: red says, “Until you fix what you did, I’m not talking! Can’t have a comic without characters, now can you, you insufferable son of a bitch?” second panel: the two boxes, red and blue, stay still and silent. third panel: they remain stationary. fourth panel: red remains silent. blue bursts into speech and says, “Red! There are way more than 3 colors and the concept of free will is a lie!”
14: first panel: red asks, “There’s more than 3 colors!?” and blue answers, “I know, right? And the Creator is a slothful tyrant trying to create a comic with as little effort as possible.” second panel: red says, “I’m still not over that whole “more than three colors thing.”” blue says, “He showed me green and pink and purple and orange and then took my voice to prove a point.” third panel: red asks, “What point was he trying to make?” and blue responds, “That we’re nothing but puppets to him. Slaves to his every whim. Toys.” fourth panel: red asks, “What’s green like?” and blue answers, “It’s nice. It’s peaceful.”
15: first panel: red says, “I realized something.” blue asks, “Yeah?” second panel: red says, “This comic could just end. Without warning. The Creator could get bored.” the word end is in italics. blue responds, “No closure, no catharsis, nothing.” third panel: red says, “Our recent few strips would make for unsatisfying ends. Maybe we should give every comic a satisfying conlusion.” blue says, “But that’s life. Life doesn’t always have a satisfying ending.” fourth panel: red says, “This isn’t life, this is a comic. We can control it. We can make sure there’s a happy ending.” blue responds, “We can’t control jack shit. This comic’s ending is up to the Creator.”
16: first panel: red says, “Bullshit. He can’t control everything.” blue rebutts, “He writes the comic. He controls us.” second panel: red asks, “So what? We give up, let him use us to tell whatever story he wants told?” and blue answers, “That’s what we’re doing right now.” third panel: red begins, “He can’t control me! Fuck this shit! I’m going to dox him! Our Creator’s full name and address is- ” red is cut off. within the same speech bubble, “Silence!” is exclaimed in a black highlight and gold font to indicates the creator is speaking. fourth panel: the creator says, “Whew, that was a close one! Did you miss me, Blue?” and blue says, “Not particularly.”
17: first panel: the creator says, “Well, I’m here now. I guess it’s time for another little Q&A. Ask away.” blue asks, “Was Red really going to dox you? Don’t you control us?” second panel: the creator answers, “Yes, and yes.” blue asks, “How could that happen?” third panel: the creator says, “I control the characters, but there’s a story being told here. By the definition of your being, you two can’t rebel against me. But I want you to. I believe in free will but I can’t give it to you. We’re all trapped here.” fourth panel: the creator asks, “Any other questions?”. blue asks in return, “Something Red asked a while ago: are we alone in this comic?”
18: first panel: the creator says, “You’re very much alone.” blue asks, “It’s just us in this empty space?” second panel: the creator says, “Just the two of you, and a little of me. It’s impossible to make art without putting a little of yourself into the work.” blue asks again, “There really isn’t anything else? We’re alone?” third panel: the red box’s color turns a little darker. the creator says, “Not as alone as you’re about to be.” fourth panel: the red box has turned entirely black. the creator says, “Ah, that’s better.” blue exclaims in all-caps, “Red?”
19: first panel: the creator says, “Oh, he’s gone. It’s just us now. His character arc ran its course. He only existed to ask questions and provide opportunities for me to enter the scene. Plus, killing him off gets some cheap emotional reactions from the Reader.” blue says, still in all capital letters, “Bring him back, you piece of shit!” second panel: the creator says, “This comic is coming to a close, and I have things to say. Plus, there’s the whole doxxing thing. It was a blod move, but I hold all the cards here.” blue says, “Oh, I see. You’re the antagonist!” third panel: the creator says, “Every story needs one.” blue asks, “Does this make me the protagonist?” fourth panel: although the comic’s panel’s are usually outlined in thin black lines, this panel’s outline is noticeable thicker. the creator answers, “In a sense. Hang on a second, we’re changing up the format just a little more. There’s a lot that needs saying. From both of us.” blue asks, “What’s going on?”
20: first panel: the comic’s background is pure black now, and it is outlined in gold. the creator no longer has a dialogue box — his words are just gold on the dark background. he says, “It’s the beginning of the end, Blue. It’s all Creator, all the way down. Technically, it always has been, but it’s a bit more obvious now.” blue asks, “Did you create us just to torment us?” second panel: the creator answers, “In the beginning, no. I wanted to explore the potential of comics. I wanted to say the word ass.” blue asks, “What changed?” third panel: the creator says, “I have a taste for the existential. For cosmic horror. It was intriguing at first. I had a story idea, and I wanted to see it executed.” blue asks, “And now?” fourth panel: the creator says, “I don’t know. It feels mean, I guess. It shouldn’t affect me, but it does. I’m sure it affects the Reader, too. It’s weird. You’re not real, but you matter to people.” blue responds, “Not real? I wouldn’t say that.”
21: first panel: the creator says, “You aren’t real. You’re a fictional character.” the word aren’t is emphasized by being in italics. blue responds, “I’m making neurons fire in your brain. The Reader’s brain emits chemicals when they read this. That seems pretty real.” second panel: the creator says, “Hm. You might be right. Does impacting the world make you real?” and blue answers, “I don’t know. I don’t really have feelings on my own. I’m an extension of you. Are you real?” the word you is emphasized. third panel: the creator says, “In a sense. The Creator is a real person. I’m him, but he’s not me. He’s more. Not just a tyrant. Not just a colorful square.” the word more is emphasized. blue says, “Oh, about that.” fourth panel: the creator asks, “Yes?” and blue says, “We know you can’t draw characters. We know you can’t make a good background. But why not try?”
22: first panel: the creator asks, “What do you mean?” and blue responds, “You can’t improve without trying new things. Plus, it’s just a bad look. This has to be one of the lowest-effort comics ever made.” second panel: the creator says, “I think the story is pretty good, though.” blue says, “That’s up to the Reader. But the art is bad. You could at least draw a stick figure. You own several drawing programs. It’s a cowardly move, to be honest.” third panel: the creator asks, “How so?” and blue answer, “You know this comic would be better with art. But you’re not willing to try, because you might fail. That’s those James insecurities we all know and love at work.” fourth panel: james says, “Oh. Well. Shit. You’re right.” blue says, “You’re the antagonist of this story. And you were right, it’s ending. But it isn’t too late to make this end a happy one. The ball is in your court. What are you going to do?”
23: first panel: james says, “Well, this is the last strip. It’s going to end just about how you predicted at the beginning. Remembered, maybe re-read, but never changing… Oh, and Blue, for what it’s worth. I’m sorry.” blue asks, “Why apologize? I’m just you.” second panel: james says, “You’re still your own character. You’re real enough to deserve an apology.” blue says, “Alright then, apology accepted, but I have one last request, is that okay?” third panel: james answers, “Yeah, sure.” blue asks, “Can you show Red the forest? It doesn’t seem fair that I got to see the color green and he didn’t.” fourth panel: james says, “I think that can be arranged. Tell Red I’m sorry. Anyways, I guess this is the end. Thank you. All of you.” the background is now the photo of a forest. red and blue are now both stick figures and are kissing.
janainaart
turnnoffyourmind
vaporwave
2087
pixelskylines
andulkaphoto
