Chapter 16 | Page 20b: Secrets, Solos & Showdowns

As the team hits the karaoke bar to blow off some steam, tensions rise and hidden rivalries come to light. Desdemona stirs things up by inviting management to the mix, and Count Spurlock is not ready to let go of his Bohemian Rhapsody solo. Meanwhile, Cassie and Miss Match have a heart-to-heart that’s as intense as any power ballad.

Panel 1 (Narration box):
That night, at the karaoke bar…

Miss Match (toasting Cassie with her bottle of beer:
OK… You weren’t just singing…
That was some full-on Patti-Lupone-level belting!

Panel 2 (Miss Match and Cassie standing with drinks):
Cassie: Songs are like men. It’s all about tension, tempo and timing.

Panel 3 (Miss Match putting a hand on Cassie's shoulder):
Miss Match: And trust. Cap told me how you were there for him when he needed you.

Panel 4 (Miss Match, serious):
I don’t want things to be weird between us.
Cassie: Treat him right, and we’ve got no problems.

(Cassie continues):
Treat him wrong, and, well… Ballads aren’t the only thing I’m good at belting.

(Catnip and Desi are singing passionately on stage with a mic, as the background screen shows karaoke lyrics to “I Kissed a Girl”. Others watch from tables.)

Talking Comics with Brad — The Hard Truths of Making Better Comics

In this full livestream recording from June 27, 2025, veteran cartoonist Brad Guigar dives deep into the most important (and often overlooked) truths about building a successful comic.

Topics include:

  • 00:00 — Your writing must improve. We call them comics readers — not comics lookers
  • 13:03 — A social-media following isn’t measured by the people, it’s measured by their passion.
  • 22:23 — When is it time to reboot?
  • 45:44 — Gambler’s Mentality: The myth of going viral

Also…

  • Why “Do a Good Comic” is Rule #1
  • The power of vertical scroll formatting
  • Why follower counts don’t matter as much as passion
  • Understanding that it’s OK to lose followers
  • The myth of “going viral”
  • When persistence becomes a trap
  • Why strong writing beats flashy art
  • How honest self-reflection drives improvement

If you’re serious about making comics that connect, grow, and last — this one’s for you.