Valigarmander

@valigarmander

Comic Artist • Comic Writer • Comic Reader • Not a Stand-up Comic linktr.ee/valigarmander He/Him

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Valigarmander@valigarmander· 5h

Because I'm Depressed #642: "On Anger Issues, Pt. 2" #becauseimdepressed #comics bcdecomic.com/comics/642/

A four-panel comic.

Panel one: Ben and Eve are leaning against the rail of a wooden bridge near a lake. Eve grumbles, “Diego thinks I have -anger issues.” Ben, exhaling vapor from a vape, replies, “Well… yeah, don’t you?”

Panel two: Eve looks over at Ben angrily and responds, “-Of course not!- I might get -angry-, but I don’t have -issues-.”

Panel three: Eve continues, “‘Issues’ implies I’m not -justified- in being angry about all the stupid shit happening around me at every moment.”

Panel four: Ben replies, “Hmm… I never considered that.” Eve rests her head on one of her hands and says, “Really, it’d be an issue if I -wasn’t- pissed off all the time.”

Valigarmander@valigarmander· 7d

Because I'm Depressed #641: "On Anger Issues, Pt. 1" #becauseimdepressed #comics bcdecomic.com/comics/641/

A six-panel comic.

Panel one: The clock display on the kitchen oven reads “7:01 PM”. From out of frame, Eve shouts, “God -damn it!!-“

Panel two: Diego, standing in the kitchen with a can of beer in his hand, looks at Eve and asks, “What’s wrong?” Eve angrily gestures at the oven and yells, “The fucking clock on the oven is five minutes too slow!”

Panel three: Unimpressed, Diego says, “Okay…” Eve turns and points at the microwave, adding angrily, “And the fucking clock on the microwave is five minutes -too fast!-“

Panel four: Eve raises her hands in frustration and screams, “Every fucking month I fix them, and then a month later they’re out of fucking sync again! Why can’t our clocks just run at the -same fucking speed!?- -FUCK!!-“

Panel five: Diego stares at Eve wide-eyed as she huffs angrily.

Panel six: Diego deadpans, “You might have anger issues.” Eve snaps back, “-You- might end up in traction if you don’t watch it.”

Valigarmander@valigarmander· 14d

Because I'm Depressed #640: "On the Sun" #becauseimdepressed #comics bcdecomic.com/comics/640/

A four-panel comic.

Panel one: Diego is standing next to a bus stop on a city street during a hot day, as the sun beats down on him. He is sweating profusely and fanning himself off with his hand.

Panel two: Diego tilts his head up and looks into the sky, shielding his eyes from the sunlight with his hand.

Panel three: The sun shines brightly in the sky above the cityscape.

Panel four: Sweat dripping down his face as he looks up at the sky, Diego scowls and says, “How I -loathe- you.”

Valigarmander@valigarmander· 21d

Because I'm Depressed #639: "On Encouraging Words" #becauseimdepressed #comics bcdecomic.com/comics/639/

A four-panel comic.

Panel one: Diego and Ben are sitting on the living room sofa together. Diego is slouched back and looks depressed. He says, "I'm so -depressed-... I could really use an encouraging word right now."

Panel two: Ben strokes his chin in deep thought.

Panel three: Ben turns to Diego and says, "-Effervescent.-"

Panel four: Diego looks at Ben, annoyed, and says, "That's not what I meant." Ben replies, "How about -stentorian?-"

Valigarmander@valigarmander· 28d

Because I'm Depressed #638: "On Loneliness, Pt. 5" #becauseimdepressed #comics bcdecomic.com/comics/638/

A six-panel comic.

Panel one: Diego glumly walks down the hallway and into the living room.

Panel two: Diego glances into the room and sees Eve, Chel, and Ben sitting on the sofa together. They’re watching a show on the TV.

Panel three: Diego approaches the sofa from behind. Ben has his arm resting in the back of the sofa, while Chel is leaning against Eve. The three look content. Diego asks, “What’re you watching?”

Panel four: Ben answers, “New comedy show.” Eve adds, “It sucks.”

Panel five: Diego responds, “Ahhh.”

Panel six: Diego crosses his arms and smiles softly, joining the other three in watching the show.

Valigarmander@valigarmander· Jul 7

Because I'm Depressed #637: "On Loneliness, Pt. 4" #becauseimdepressed #comics bcdecomic.com/comics/637/

An eleven-panel comic.

Panel one: Diego is sitting at his desk in his bedroom. He has a drink in one hand and is resting his head in the other, looking wistfully at a framed picture of Ada on the desk. He says, "Happy Anniversary, hon."

Panel two: The framed photo shows Ada sitting down, her hands in her lap, smiling gently. Diego continues, "Twenty years married."

Panel three: Diego throws back his glass, drinking deep from it.

Panel four: He rests the glass on his desk, staring at the picture.

Panel five: He lowers his head in sadness, adding, "Nineteen years separated."

Panel six: Diego says, "You'd think by now, the pain would've faded. Yet it still feels as fresh as ever."

Panel seven: Diego raises his gaze and stares off into the distance, continuing, "But that's my fault, isn't it? I just can't let go of you."

Panel eight: The photo of Ada is in focus. Diego says, "You were my best friend. My confidant. I relied on you for comfort, for companionship, for guidance. And since you left... I've been totally lost."

Panel nine: Diego stares intently at the photo.

Panel ten: Diego's gaze lowers in sadness, and he says, "I'm sorry, Ada. If I had been a better husband..."

Panel eleven: Diego slouches over his desk, staring at the photo of Ada, and continues, "...Maybe I could've convinced you to stay with me."

Valigarmander@valigarmander· Jun 30

Because I'm Depressed #636: "On Loneliness, Pt. 3" #becauseimdepressed #comics bcdecomic.com/comics/636/

A twelve-panel comic.

Panel one: Eve and two coworkers, a man and a woman, are walking away from the shuttered entrance to the City Zoo and into a parking lot. The sun is setting and the zoo is closed. Eve, walking with a backpack slung over her shoulder, comments, "Well, that was a shitty day." Eve's female coworker responds, "You're telling me. When I chose to become a vet tech, I didn't think I'd be spending so much time collecting -stool samples-."

Panel two: Eve looks over at her coworkers with a smile and says, "Y'know, -I- think a night on the town would help us unwind. There's this new place downtown we -need- to check out. It's got a -rooftop bar!-"

Panel three: Eve's coworkers glance at each other uneasily.

Panel four: They both turn to face Eve. The male coworker says, "Nah." The female coworker smiles and says, "I'm good."

Panel five: Eve raises her hands incredulously and says, "Come on, you two. What happened to your sense of -adventure?- We used to go clubbing after work -all the time!-"

Panel six: The male coworker frowns and responds, "Eve, we're in our -forties.- I have a colonoscopy in the morning." The female coworker adds, "And I have to go pick my kids up from school."

Panel seven: As Eve looks on with a disappointed expression, the female coworker continues, "Our all-nighters back in the day were a lot of fun, but we're just -too old- for that now."

Panel eight: Eve frowns, puts her hand on her hip, and huffs, "Well" suit yourselves. If you change your mind, I'm free all night."

Panel nine: Eve's coworkers begin cheerfully walking off into the parking lot as Eve watched them forlornly. The male coworker says, "Sure thing, Eve. Have a nice one." The female coworker says, "Later."

Panel ten: Eve watches her coworkers leave with a sad expression.

Panel eleven: Bitterly, Eve hoists her backpack up and begins walking in the opposite direction.

Panel twelve: Eve walks by herself into the parking lot, the setting sun in the sky ahead of her.

Valigarmander@valigarmander· Jun 23

Because I'm Depressed #635: "On Loneliness, Pt. 2" #becauseimdepressed #comics bcdecomic.com/comics/635/

A nine-panel comic:

Panel one: Chel is sitting on the bed in her bedroom, alone. She's looking down at her phone.

Panel two: She continues to look at her phone, a somber expression on her face.

Panel three: The phone displays a social media post by Yadira. The photo shows Yadira and two friends taking a selfie together, all smiling and arms around one another. Yadira's caption says, "Finals are done, time to celebrate!!"

Panel four: Chel looks deeply upset.

Panel five: She types a comment on her phone that reads, "I miss you".

Panel six: Chel looks down at her phone, hesitating.

Panel seven: She frowns and looks to the side.

Panel eight: The phone displays the comment Chel posted, which simply reads, "Congrats! <3"

Panel nine: Chel slumps back in her bed and sighs dejectedly.

Valigarmander@valigarmander· Jun 17

Same energy.

A magazine illustration showing DC Comics superheroes Batman, Robin, Wonder Woman, Aquaman, and Superman, along with manga/anime character Lupin the Third, who is grinning and has his arm around Wonder Woman.

Valigarmander@valigarmander· Jun 16

Because I'm Depressed #634: "On Loneliness, Pt. 1" #becauseimdepressed #comics bcdecomic.com/comics/634/

An eighteen-panel comic.

Panel one: A sweeping view of a grocery store, with customers walking around and attendants manning checkstands. In the middle of the store, Ben approaches a checkstand with a loaded shopping basket in hand. An attendant calls out to him, "Hi, Ben. I can take you at this lane." Ben responds, "Thanks, Paula!"

Panel two: Paula, an older woman with white hair and a nose ring, smiles and asks, "Find everything okay?" Ben grins, placing his basket on the conveyor belt, and replies, "Sure did!"

Panel three: Paula begins scanning items and placing them into a shopping bag. Ben watches silently, a smile on his face.

Panel four: Ben looks aside, as if considering his words.

Panel five: Ben leans over the counter and asks, "Sooo" have you talked to my -mom- lately?"

Panel six: Paula continues scanning items and answers, "She came in last week. Her and your dad are doing just fine."

Panel seven: Still leaning over the counter, Ben nervously asks, "And -Gabe?- Has his wife..?" Paula responds with a smile, "A healthy baby girl."

Panel eight: Ben smiles ecstatically and says, "-Wow!- I can't believe it! A -baby girl!-"

Panel nine: Ben grins and strokes his chin, continuing, "That means I've got a nephew -and- a niece now! Ain't that -something'?-"

Panel ten: Paula finishes bagging Ben's groceries with a mildly concerned look, saying, "You know" maybe it'd be better for you -and- your family if you would just -reach out- to them instead of stalking them through me. That'll be forty-six ninety, by the way."

Panel eleven: Ben swipes his card on the keypad to pay, saying, "I've already tried that, believe me. It just ain't that simple with Jehovah's Witnesses."

Panel twelve: Paula hands the bag off groceries to Ben, who takes it with a smile. Paula says, "Well" have a good day, Ben." Ben replies, "You too, Paula."

Panel thirteen: Ben begins to turn to walk away, saying, "And" thanks for relayin' the good news."

Panel fourteen: Ben begins to walk off, his smile fading. Paula watches him go with a concerned look.

Panel fifteen: Ben stops in place as Paula asks, "Can I tell your mother you said hi, at least? The next time she comes in?"

Panel sixteen: Ben stands in silence, facing away from Paula.

Panel seventeen: Ben says, "No" it's better if you don't."

Panel eighteen: Ben walks in silence out the exit doors of the grocery store as Paula watches from the checkstand.

Valigarmander@valigarmander· Jun 9

Because I'm Depressed #633: "On Reciprocity" #becauseimdepressed #comics bcdecomic.com/comics/633/

A five-panel comic.

Panel one: Ben and Eve are sitting on the living room sofa. Ben has an Xbox controller in hand, while Eve is staring down at her phone. Eve says, "I'm getting hungry. Why don't you make something for me to eat?"

Panel two: Ben responds, "Why should I? You never make -me- anything." Eve, still looking down at her phone, answers, "If you make me something to eat -now-, then I promise I'll make something for you -later-."

Panel three: Ben asks, "How much later?" Eve replies, "Thirty years from today."

Panel four: Ben stares forward, contemplating.

Panel five: Ben is standing in the kitchen, stirring a boiling pot on the stovetop. A jar, an empty box of pasta, and a cutting board with a sliced bell pepper sit on the counter. Ben says to himself with a smile, "It's nice havin' somethin' to look forward to."

Valigarmander@valigarmander· Jun 2

Because I'm Depressed #632: "On Diets (Again)" #becauseimdepressed #comics bcdecomic.com/comics/632/

A four-panel comic.

Panel one: Diego is eating a fast food hamburger at the dining room table. A carton of fries and a soda are on the table in front of him. Chel walks past him, looking at him with a concerned expression.

Panel two: Chel says, "Dad... you're supposed to be on a -diet-." His mouth full of food, Diego answers, "I -am- on a diet. What of it?"

Panel three: Chel gestures at the table incredulously and asks, "Where are all the -vegetables-?" Diego replies, unfazed, "French fries are potatoes. Potatoes are vegetables."

Panel four: Growing annoyed, Chel puts her hand on her hip and asks, "And the burger?" Diego turns to her angrily and responds, "I asked them to put an -extra pickle- on it! Now get off my case!"

Valigarmander@valigarmander· May 26

Because I'm Depressed #631: "On Diets" #becauseimdepressed #comics bcdecomic.com/comics/631/

A five-panel comic.

Panel one: Diego is sitting in a hospital examination room. Indrani enters the room, pushing the privacy curtain aside with a smile. She says, "Good afternoon, Mr. Rivera! What seems to be bothering you?"

Panel two: Diego answers with a concerned expression, "Well, every morning as of late I wake up feeling nauseous. And I have -awful- heartburn, day and night."

Panel three: Diego turns his head away from Indrani, somewhat embarrassed, and continues, "And, uhhh... my -hemorrhoids- have been acting up pretty badly again."

Panel four: Still smiling, Indrani explains, "I'm going to tell you right off the bat: those are all symptoms of a -poor diet-. We've been through this -before-, haven't we?" Diego growls, "Hrrrm."

Panel five: Indrani continues, "I suggest you try a -low-fat diet- with lots of whole grains and vegetables. And -no more- alcohol!" Diego raises his hands angrily and shouts, "Why is it always a -diet-? Just give me a -pill- that'll fix everything!"

Valigarmander@valigarmander· May 19

Because I'm Depressed #630: "On Self Worth" #becauseimdepressed #comics bcdecomic.com/comics/630/

A three-panel comic.

Panel one: Diego is sitting on the recliner in the living room, slouched back and looking depressed. Eve is standing nearby, examining the books on the bookshelf. Diego says, "I constantly have these nagging little doubts about my worth as a human being. Am I -wrong- to feel that way?"

Panel two: Eve turns her head to look at Diego and says, "Absolutely, Diego."

Panel three: Eve turns back to the bookshelf and continues, "You ought to be having -huge- doubts." Diego looks up at her unhappily.

Valigarmander@valigarmander· May 12

Because I'm Depressed #629: "On Good News" #becauseimdepressed #comics bcdecomic.com/comics/629/

A six-panel comic.

Panel one: Diego and Ben are sitting on the living room sofa. Ben is on his phone, while Diego is slouched back with his arms crossed. Diego grouses, "This country is fucked, the world is fucked, everything is so -fucked-." Ben looks at him and replies, "C'mon, man. That's not true."

Panel two: Diego angrily retorts, "-Yes it is!- Just look at the -news!-" Ben smiles and says, "It's not -all- bad news out there, bro! There's a lotta -good- news happenin' too!"

Panel three: Ben leans towards Diego, showing him what's displayed on his phone. Ben explains, "Here, look at -this!- 'Maryland has become the first state to ban dynamic pricin' in grocery stores.' That's real good news!"

Panel four: Diego asks, "What's 'dynamic pricing?'" Ben answers, "Y'know, when stores use your personal data to raise prices on things you'll probably buy."

Panel five: Diego stares forward with a distressed expression and exclaims, "That's a -thing?- And it's still -legal- in 49 states!?"

Panel six: Diego grasps the sides of his head and shouts in despair, "Oh God, the world is -worse- than I -ever imagined!-" Ben looks down at his phone and says, "Uh... forget the news. How about some funny cat videos instead?"

Valigarmander@valigarmander· May 5

Because I'm Depressed #628: "On Generations" #becauseimdepressed #comics bcdecomic.com/comics/628/

A two-panel comic.

Panel one: Wren and Chel are sitting on a bench at a dingy bus stop. Frowning, Wren says, "Our generation sure got -screwed over-." Chel, sitting with her arms crossed, replies, "Yeah... But what can we do about it?"

Panel two: Wren leans forward, raises their fists and says with a devious grin, "Screw over the next generation even -worse-." Chel looks at them, unimpressed.

Valigarmander@valigarmander· Apr 28

Because I'm Depressed #627: "On Scents, Pt. 7" #becauseimdepressed #comics bcdecomic.com/comics/627/

A nine-panel comic.

Panel one: A bottle of shampoo held in Diego's hand. Its scent is labeled "Jasmine & Black Cherry".

Panel two: Diego looks down at the bottle somberly. He is sitting on the bed in his bedroom; framed pictures of Ada adorn the walls in the background.

Panel three: Diego pops open the lid of the shampoo bottle with his thumb.

Panel four: Diego closes his eyes and raises the bottle to his nose, inhaling the scent. Visions of jasmine flowers and black cherries surround him.

Panel five: A flashback to Diego and Ada as teens, lying side by side in the grass. They're holding hands and smiling as they stare off into the sky.

Panel six: Diego turns his head to look at Ada, smiling warmly.

Panel seven: Ada continues staring into the sky.

Panel eight: Ada turns her head to look at Diego and returns a smile.

Panel nine: Back in the present, Diego sits on his bed with the shampoo bottle in hand. He smiles and sighs wistfully.

Valigarmander@valigarmander· Apr 21

Because I'm Depressed #626: "On Scents, Pt. 6" #becauseimdepressed #comics bcdecomic.com/comics/626/

A seven-panel comic.

Panel one: Ilda and Diego are standing in the back room of Byte Me, near a large shelving unit. Ilda has her arms crossed and is listening to Diego. Diego is leaning against a stack of boxes loaded on a pallet. He says, "And when you walked past me the other day, it was the first time I'd experienced that scent since Ada and I began courting over twenty years ago. I didn't want to lose that scent forever... and I took it a bit too far."

Panel two: Ilda looks aside with a frown and says, "Well, now that you've taken the time to -explain- yourself..."

Panel three: Ilda looks at Diego and smiles, continuing, "I think that's really sweet."

Panel four: Ilda says, "You clearly love her a lot, even after all these years that she's been gone." Diego looks to the floor somberly and stutters, "Y-Yeah."

Panel five: Ilda begins walking away, saying, "I'll check the bottle when I get home, and I'll let you know the next time I bring in a shipment." Diego smiles warmly and responds, "-Thank you!- I really appreciate it!"

Panel six: Ilda stops in place, raising her index finger declaratively and saying, "Oh, and one more thing."

Panel seven: Ilda grabs Diego by the tie and leans over him with an angry scowl, saying, "Touch my hair again, and I'll stomp your face in so hard you'll be smelling nothing but -show polish- for the rest of your life." Diego, sweat dripping down his face, weakly replies, "Understood."

Valigarmander@valigarmander· Apr 14

Because I'm Depressed #625: "On Scents, Pt. 5" #becauseimdepressed #comics bcdecomic.com/comics/625/

A thirteen-panel comic.

Panel one: Ilda walks in front of a shelving unit in the back room of Byte Me, writing something on a tablet in her hand. The shelves behind her are loaded top-to-bottom with boxes of different sizes.

Panel two: Ilda pauses in place, still writing on the tablet. One of the boxes behind her is pushed aside by Diego, who is lying flat on one of the shelves and wielding a pair of scissors.

Panel three: With Ilda still distracted, Diego reaches out and grabs her ponytail, raising the scissors to it.

Panel four: Ilda abruptly steps forward, yanking Diego forward. Ilda notices Diego holding her ponytail; Diego looks shocked.

Panel five: Ilda stares down at Diego with disbelief and dawning anger.

Panel six: Diego looks up at Ilda, stunned and wide-eyed, with sweat dripping down his face. He’s still holding Ilda’s ponytail in one hand and the scissors in the other.

Panel seven: Diego smiles awkwardly and says, “This, uhhhh… this looks bad, doesn’t it?”

Panel eight: Ilda grimaces angrily as she snatches her ponytail from Diego and responds, “You’re -damn right- it does, little man.”

Panel nine: Diego waves his hands with a panicked expression and explains, “I-I just wanted to snip a little piece off! B-Because I really like the way it -smells!-“

Panel ten: Ilda glares at Diego furiously.

Panel eleven: Diego awkwardly grins and says, “Th-that came out wrong. I just meant that you smell like my -dead wife!-“

Panel twelve: Ilda’s enraged expression melts into an utterly confused one.

Panel thirteen: Diego slouches forward dejectedly and places his hand on his forehead, saying, “…Can I start over from the beginning?”

Valigarmander@valigarmander· Apr 7

Because I'm Depressed #624: "On Scents, Pt. 4" #becauseimdepressed #comics bcdecomic.com/comics/624/

A six-panel comic.

Panel one: Agatha approaches Diego, who is stepping out from behind a stack of boxes in the back room of Byte Me. Agatha says, “No dice… Sorry, Diego.” Frustrated, Diego replies, “Damn it… There -has- to be another way!”

Panel two: Agatha gestures at Diego and tells him, “You’re making this harder than it needs to be. Why not just -ask her- directly? I’m sure she’d be willing to help you out if she knew the whole story.” Diego looks down at the floor, frowning, and says, “I can’t just -ask- her that!”

Panel three: Agatha turns to walk alway, looking over her shoulder at Diego with a frown, and says, “I’m not sure what else to tell you. Either be honest and upfront with her, or let go of this whole thing.”

Panel four: Agatha walks off. Diego unhappily watches her leave.

Panel five: Diego notices a tool cabinet next to him and leans over it, peering inside one of the open drawers.

Panel six: Diego takes a pair of scissors from the drawer, stroking his chin with his other hand as he examines it thoughtfully. He says to himself, “Or… take a -third- option.”

Valigarmander@valigarmander· Mar 31

Because I'm Depressed #623: "On Scents, Pt. 3" #becauseimdepressed #comics bcdecomic.com/comics/623/

Panel five: Ilda smiles and begins to walk away, saying, “Okay, everything’s in order. See you next week!” Agatha watches her leave, responding, “Ah, yeah. Have a nice day!”

Panel six: Agatha turns around to look at Diego, shrugging disappointedly.

Panel seven: Diego glowers in frustration behind the boxes.

Valigarmander@valigarmander· Mar 24

Because I'm Depressed #622: "On Scents, Pt. 2" #becauseimdepressed #comics bcdecomic.com/comics/622/

Panel five: Faisal, his arms crossed, says, “Well, I imagine she’ll be dropping off another shipment in a couple of days.” Diego grins and points at Agatha, saying, “Great! Agatha, -you- need to ask her for me!” Agatha is taken aback.

Panel six: Flustered, Agatha gestures at herself and asks, “-Me?- Why me?” Diego dourly responds, “Because if -I- go up to her and tell her I like the way her hair smells, I’m going to end up in a sex offender registry.”

Valigarmander@valigarmander· Mar 17

Because I'm Depressed #621: "On Scents, Pt. 1" #becauseimdepressed #comics bcdecomic.com/comics/621/

A ten-panel comic.

Panel one: Faisal and a woman are standing in the back room of Byte Me. The woman, with her hair in a long, segmented ponytail, and wearing a baseball cap and a down jacket, hands Faisal a tablet and says, “That’s the whole load. Just sign here.” Faisal smiles and signs the tablet, saying, “Yep…”

Panel two: Faisal returns the tablet to the woman with a big grin and says, “There ya go. Nice meeting you! Try not to work too hard the rest of the shift.” The woman gives a laid-back smile as she takes the tablet and replies, “Yeah, well, I’ve got six more stops to do today.”

Panel three: The two walk off in different directions. Faisal waves goodbye and says, “Alright, peace out!” The woman responds, “Later.”

Panel four: The woman walks off toward the exit door next to the loading dock. Diego appears from the other end of the room, walking towards her while absentmindedly looking down at his phone.

Panel five: Diego and the woman walk past each other without looking at each other.

Panel six: Diego reacts with extreme shock as a flowery scent wafts past him.

Panel seven: Stunned, he stops in place and whips around to look back at the woman.

Panel eight: The exit door slams shut. The woman has just left.

Panel nine: Diego turns to Faisal and Agatha, who are loading boxes onto a stock cart. While pointing at the exit door with a startled expression, Diego shouts at his two coworkers, “-Who- was -that!?-“ Faisal placidly answers, “Her? That’s -Ilda-, the new driver.”

Panel ten: Sweat dripping down his face, Diego gravely says, “-I need to find out what shampoo she uses.-“

Valigarmander@valigarmander· Mar 10

Because I'm Depressed #620: "On the End of Civilization (Again)" #becauseimdepressed #comics bcdecomic.com/comics/620/

A three-panel comic.

Panel one: Ben and Chel are hanging out in Ben’s messy, poster-adorned bedroom. Ben is sitting on his bed, holding his guitar in his hands. He looks at Chel, who is sitting backwards on an office chair next to the bed, one arm lying on the backrest and the other propping up her head. With a weary expression, Chel says, “Civilization as we know it might end in our lifetimes… Isn’t that -terrifying?-“

Panel two: Ben strokes his chin in contemplation.

Panel three: Ben smiles and responds, “Actually, it makes me feel a lot better about not settin’ up an I.R.A.” Chel looks at him, unimpressed.

Valigarmander@valigarmander· Mar 3

Because I'm Depressed #619: "On the End of Civilization" #becauseimdepressed #comics bcdecomic.com/comics/619/

A four-panel comic.

Panel one: Chel is sitting in a recliner with a sad expression, slouched back, her hands in her lap. Eve is pulling a book from a bookshelf next to the recliner, glancing down at Chel. Chel says, “We’re living through the end of civilization, aren’t we? There’s no point in even -trying- to fight it.”

Panel two: Eve turns to face Chel, smiles warmly, and says, “I disagree. The world has been through worse than this before, and people still managed to pull it back from the brink. Things will get better, Chel. It’s just going to take a lot of -consistent-, -determined- work from good folks like us.”

Panel three: Chel frowns and says, “Sighhh. I guess so.” Eve, looking perplexed, says, “You sound disappointed.”

Panel four: Chel crosses her arms and answers, “I wanted an excuse to give up.”

Valigarmander@valigarmander· Feb 24

Because I'm Depressed #618: "On Medicine" #becauseimdepressed #comics bcdecomic.com/comics/618/

A two-panel comic.

Panel one: Diego is sitting at the kitchen table, pouring himself a drink from a bottle into a shot glass. Ben approaches from behind and asks with a smile, “What’re ya drinkin’, bro?” Diego answers, “Medicine. For my health.”

Panel two: Ben takes the bottle and examines it, saying, “…This is Irish cream.” Diego raises the shot glass to his mouth and continues, “My -mental health.”

Valigarmander@valigarmander· Feb 17

Because I'm Depressed #617: "Problems" #becauseimdepressed #comics bcdecomic.com/comics/617/

A three-panel comic.

Panel one: Chel and Ben are seated in the passenger and driver’s seats, respectively, of Ben’s car, as Ben drives them down the road. Chel looks at Ben and asks, “What’s the best thing to do when you’ve got a problem on your hands? Try and solve it right away, or think it over for a bit first?”

Panel two: Ben responds, “Think it over, for sure. You should -always- think long and hard about a problem before tryin’ to fix it.”

Panel three: Chel scratches her chin in contemplation and says, “Yeah… to make sure you go about fixing it in the right way.” Ben grins and replies, “Nah, to give it time to go away on its own.”

Valigarmander@valigarmander· Feb 10

Because I'm Depressed #616: "On Achievements (Again)" #becauseimdepressed #comics bcdecomic.com/comics/616/

A three-panel comic.

Panel one: Eve is sitting at the kitchen table, typing away at her laptop. Diego is standing behind her, leaning against the counter and looking down at his phone with a sad expression. Diego says, “It’s hard not to feel like a -failure- when most of our old classmates have gone on to achieve -so much-.”

Panel two: Diego leans over Eve to show her his phone, which she turns to look at. Diego says anxiously, “Look at these careers! Can you imagine what your life would be like if you were an -executive- or an -ambassador- or a -published author-?”

Panel three: Eve turns in her seat towards Diego and says with annoyance, “I -am- a published author.” Diego looks at her unimpressed and replies, “I meant a -popular- one.”

Valigarmander@valigarmander· Feb 3

Because I'm Depressed #615: "On Achievements" #becauseimdepressed #comics bcdecomic.com/comics/615/

A four-panel comic.

Panel one: Ben and Diego are sitting on the living room sofa. Ben is leaning back with his arm resting on the back of the sofa and looking at Diego, who is scrolling on his phone. Diego says, “I’ve been looking up people we went to high school with. Some of them have become doctors, actors, business leaders, professional athletes… One of them’s even a -state senator-!”

Panel two: Diego gestures at his phone with an angry expression and continues, “It’s -maddening-! They’ve accomplished -so much- with their lives! And what the hell have -I- accomplished!?”

Panel three: Diego stares at his phone, frowning sadly. Ben scratches his chin in thought.

Panel four: Ben smiles and says to Diego, “You took the trash out this mornin’.”

Valigarmander@valigarmander· Jan 31

New pfp tiiiiiime.