Episode 3: Awkward
Another little comic I was working on between my last commission that I forgot to post 😅
The advice from the "devil" actually came from my mum and dad, they loved messing with people on my behalf. Unfortunately I didn't inherit their knack for making stuff up on the spot though...
Image Description
A comic illustrated in a chibi style containing 8 panels.
Panel 1 depicts two characters at a grocery store. One of the characters is Nix, a purple anthropomorphic dragon in a wheelchair. Nix is an amputee and is not wearing prosthetics. The have a wheelchair trolly in front of them which they are placing an orange into. An anthropomorphic dog in a blue shirt approaches them and says "OMG, what happened to your legs!?".
Panel 2 shows Nix with their head tilted to the side, an awkward sweat drop running down their forehead. The following dialogue appears in a thought bubble "I hate when total strangers ask me this out of the blue... I don't mind talking about it, but I just never know what to say. If I'm honest, they get all uncomfortable. If I say I don't want to answer, they get mad and call me rude... I just want to finish my shopping...." As they think, two characters appear on Nix's shoulder, a red devilish version of themself with tattered clothes and wings, and a gold angelic version with feathery wings in a white robe.
Panel 3 shows a close up of Nix's shoulder angel, they have their head bowed as they say, "They're just curious, just tell a simplified version, "you got sick as a baby." That will be enough and you can go on with your day."
Panel 4 show's their shoulder devil rolling their eyes and crossing their arms as they say, "Oh please, when has that ever worked? It still ends up uncomfortable even with the "Short and Sweet" version."
Panel 5 shows them continuing behind to talk, "They just get upset over their own assumptions and stereotypes no matter how you say it, and then half the time, you end up having to comfort them..." Behind them, another thought bubble appears showing how that interaction might go. The dog is crying, saying "That's so sad, I feel so sorry for you!" and nix awkwardly trying to reassure them, "Oh no, please don't! It's ok, I'm not upset by it. please don't be sad". The last line is written in smaller text to show it is said softer.
Panel 6 shows another close up of the devil as they continue to speak, "They're going to make it weird no matter what, so i think you should have some fun! Make something up! Something fun, Something dramatic! Like you fought a crocodile or something!"
Panel 7 shows nix and the dog again, as Nix sit's there uncomfortably saying, "Uuuuuuhhhh....."
Panel 8 shows Nix saying "...I took an arrow to the knee...?" The dog's expression becomes one of frustration, as he asks "Reall?". In the corner, the devil pops up again, looking disappointed as well, "That's... Not really what i had in mind..."