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.”
Here’s an interesting summation of the 90s from a comics perspective.
[COMICBOOKBIN.COM:]
The 1990s was an incredible decade for comics. More people were buying and reading them than ever before and, in turn, more new publishers and new titles came into being. We had the formation of the superstar independent in Image Comics and the birth of the still unequaled VALIANT Universe, a high water mark in storytelling, as well as a host of others trying to imitate the two. Gimmick covers and variants were all the rage, but we loved them and (don’t tell Marvel) we still do. We were all going to be rich because the generic hot book of the week was going to be the next big thing. Well hindsight is 20/20 and with that in mind, let’s chart the Ten Most Important Comic Books of the 1990s. Read more. I have to admit, I was somewhat surprised at the author’s pick for Number One.
