Chapter 17: Page 15b | Trending Trauma: If It’s Not Viral, Did It Even Happen?

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:

  • Follow Evil Inc updates

  • Discover new comics

  • Rebuild the kind of discoverability social media used to offer

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.”

 

Hey Comics — Kids! S02E38: Star Wars The Force Awakens

Hey Comics Kids podcast logoBe sure to visit our Patreon page! (patreon.com/heycomicskids ) We went to see Star Wars The Force Awakens as a family, and we all loved it. The boys deliver a perceptive — if not adoring — review.

Star Wars The Force Awakens as a teaching tool

From a parent’s perspective, Star Wars The Force Awakens is an excellent opportunity to talk about things like sexism and racism in terms that are real-world and significant to them. For example, in this podcast, we discussed how some fans were upset that one of the main characters was a woman and another was black. It was a way to discuss these issues in a way that they could relate to — and that’s not always so easy to do. Back on the fanboy side of things, we discuss whether Kylo Ren was the most powerful Sith Lord we’ve seen thus far. He’s definitely more powerful than Darth Maul. But could he have stood toe-to-toe with Vader? We discuss it! And I secretly hope that my experience with my soon-to-be-teenage sons goes a little better than Han Solo’s. Star Wars The Force AwakensStar Wars The Force AwakensSupport us on Patreon — the money will be given to the boys to encourage their creative efforts. Subscribe to us on iTunes — and please take some time to rate the show and leave a friendly comment! That’s gonna help us climb the iTunes charts! Just remember… like Max says, “This is a friendly place, people!”  Follow us on Evil Inc. Don’t like iTunes? No problem-o. Just follow this feed and you’ll get every update as it happens. Follow us on Blubrry — another iTunes alternative with great programming for you to enjoy. Discover it today! Follow us on Stitcher — yet another way to get the podcast. As always, thanks to the U.S. Army Blues Band for our theme music!