Capslocked Youth Responds to Tree

desire men / two men / exemplary men

And we’re back! Enjoy your mid-month bonus issue, with some dumb cartoons in it, and even more dumb cartoons behind the paywall.

In its current state, this newsletter can never compete with the barrage of wholesome drivel on Substack, so here’s an inspirational comic for you and your outer child:

Yes, I know it’s probably too small to be called a vat, but I like the word.

I’ve been thinking about this ad for a Russian dial-up provider, featuring a bunch of local celebrities, including the then 14-year old rapper Detsl (who has also been immortalized in Thomas Pynchon’s Bleeding Edge, of all things). In the ad, the first three celebrities look into the camera and say: I use Cityline—and I use Cityline—because it’s trendy. Uh-huh, Detsl chimes in, it’s trendy.

Now, the reason I’ve been thinking about it is that I can’t remember another ad that embraces the shallowness of its messaging. The ad isn’t selling a lifestyle, or even a service, it’s openly admitting to having no substance. Disarming honesty, really. Detsl eventually stopped being 14, and even died under vague circumstances at 36 (having repeatedly told interviewers that he’s planning to fake his death at 35). Go figure.

Anyway. Foghorn returns (and hopefully concludes its first chapter) at the end of the month…

…if I can stop playing Animal Well, that is. This game is incredible. Reminds me of the best parts of Rain World, Cave Story, and even Dark Souls, but all round more accessible. It does a fantastic job of truly letting you explore, instead of holding your hand and nudging you to the next thing to unlock, revisit, collect. Highly recommended to read/watch nothing and go in blind.

Also, I have a 1-page comic in the new anthology Peep, curated by Sammy Harkham and Steven Weissman, two men. I posted it on instagram back in 2020, I think, so it’s very of its time. Note the Tote Moderna. You can buy the anthology from Secret Headquarters, Gosh! Comics, and other shops.

And now, PAYWALL!

Beyond: romance, beach bods, and exemplary men.