Today's comic dives into trending trauma, where even pain and heartbreak are judged by views, shares, and social reach. For Hailey, the real tragedy isn’t what happened — it’s that none of it is gaining traction online.
The Comic Scout
I’ve been using Toocheke to run my sites for years, so when Brian Leeto launched a brand-new comics discovery platform, I didn’t hesitate.
The Comic Scout launched last week, and it’s a fantastic way to:
Check it out here:
https://www.thecomicscout.com/
Transcript
Panel 1:
(caption): “Shortly in the kitchen…”
(Sound effect): “Bwaa”
Hailey: “Rose, I’m devastated.”
Rose: “I know, sweetie… but I think it’s for the best…”
Panel 2:
Hailey: “FOR THE BEST?! He didn’t even mention my hashtag once!”
Panel 3:
Hailey: “No ‘like and subscribe’… no username drop… Just ‘you’re a terrific person’ and ‘you deserve better’…”
Panel 4:
Hailey: “I’m a brand ambassador for Campbell’s soups… Would it have killed him to mention the chicken noodle dripping down his face?!”
Panel 5:
Rose: “He did say something about ‘scalding hot’ and ‘searing pain’…”
Cap (coming from a video playing on Rosie’s phone): “Gonna need another skin graft…”
Panel 6:
Hailey: “Omigosh… that’s horrible… how gruesome!”
Panel 7:
Hailey: “It’s not trending… Not even a little…”
Alt Text
Comic strip set in a diner kitchen with seven panels featuring two waitresses, Hailey (young, long hair) and Rose (older, hair in a bun). In the first panel, Rose hugs Hailey as Hailey cries dramatically, saying she’s devastated while Rose reassures her it’s for the best. In the next panel, Hailey angrily gestures while Rose looks upset, complaining Captain Heroic didn’t mention her hashtag. Hailey continues ranting about the lack of promotion — no “like and subscribe” or username mention — only sincere compliments. In silhouette, Hailey reveals she’s a brand ambassador for Campbell’s Soups and wanted attention drawn to the spilled soup incident. Rose checks her phone and notes he mentioned pain instead, joking about needing a skin graft. Hailey reacts with exaggerated horror. In the final panel, both women look at the phone disappointed as Hailey says it isn’t trending, adding, “not even a little.”
Ads creep into comic frames
I gotta be honest with you guys. I haven’t quite figured out how I feel about this.
OK, actually, I have. If GM offered the right amount of money, Evil Atom would drive a Pontiac. Often. 🙂
[Detroit Free Press]
A young, handsome New York City firefighter had it all, including a loving fiancée whose daughter from a previous relationship adored him and his Pontiac Solstice GXP.
Then, tragedy struck and he lost his job and the two people he cared most about to a deadly fire – but he still had his car. So, he became an action hero and tricked out his Solstice with shotguns and other gadgets to save the lives of others.
If this sounds like a story ripped from the comics, it is. However, Time Warner’s DC Comics created this series as a paid product placement for General Motors Corp.’s Pontiac brand. DC, which will launch the six-issue series called Rush City in stores July 19, has already posted it to its Web site, www.dccomics.com. Read more.
