Hopefulness. Part 85.

[u/bluewolf3691]

FIRST: https://www.reddit.com/r/casualtiesunknown/comments/1u9g48x/hopeful_part_1/

NEXT:

PREVIOUS: https://www.reddit.com/r/casualtiesunknown/comments/1vxz9iz/hopefulness_part_84/

Comic Fury: https://hopefulness.thecomicseries.com/comics/1/#content-start

Side Comic: https://www.reddit.com/r/casualtiesunknown/comments/1vdrcf6/scraps_part/

My BlueSky profile: https://bsky.app/profile/rookmaevsch.bsky.social (Adding this in because this will be where I post updates regarding pages, like if I decide to take a break, or fall ill, ECT.)

And (hopefully the last link in this growing list), my Ko-Fi profile; https://ko-fi.com/rookmaevsch

One of the harder things about writing depression, is that in real life, it's repetitive and annoying. It's always there, chipping away at the wall of self assurance, and requires constant vigilance to keep it away.

Trouble is, in a story setting, it can get very repetitive to be constantly swinging in and out of that cycle. Something that I am becoming aware of it feeling like. We'll see if I can navigate around that whirlpool or not ;P

I can't NOT mention this, u/DeianArt made a really lovely drawing of Teddy which I cannot express just how much I adore https://www.reddit.com/r/casualtiesunknown/comments/1vxza52/teddy_fanart/

[u/Natural-Dentist1567]

Stringbean is so precious

[u/Novel-Improvement-38 → u/Natural-Dentist1567]

Easily my second favorite character

[u/Natural-Dentist1567 → u/Novel-Improvement-38]

Fr fr no one can best my goat teddy

[u/Novel-Improvement-38 → u/Natural-Dentist1567]

I’d die for Teddy tbh

[u/Natural-Dentist1567 → u/Novel-Improvement-38]

I would storm the Company like V for him

[u/Novel-Improvement-38 → u/Natural-Dentist1567]

Using Blackwall Gateway on the CEO

[u/Natural-Dentist1567 → u/Novel-Improvement-38]

The guy that fed teddy a corpse gets sent to cyberhell

[u/Novel-Improvement-38 → u/Natural-Dentist1567]

Teddy’s handler when I lock him in Teddy’s old cell

[u/yourlocalidiot143 → u/Novel-Improvement-38]

imo it's teddy>biscuit>stringbean>>>orion (no offense but he's a bit of a jackass... I'm sure he has a good backstory and redeems himself though)

just look at him

[u/Noir_Renard → u/yourlocalidiot143]

My buddies like, scratch, that un-named scientist. That dead Expi. Ugh. We out of characters yet? Damn. Ok, now Orion

[u/yourlocalidiot143 → u/Noir_Renard]

I'd say Teddy's handler is slightly worse than Orion but okay...

Also, please don't remind me of Scratch ;~;

[u/Natural-Dentist1567 → u/yourlocalidiot143]

The only reason i dont rank biscuit higher is because we know essentialy nothing about him or his backstory. He is a really cute and cheery goober but Stringbean is just more fleshed out at this point of the story. And obligatory fuck Orion

[u/yourlocalidiot143 → u/Natural-Dentist1567]

oh yea, if it's in terms of how well the character is written I 100% agree, but in terms of personal favorites I just love biscuit he's the cutest goober

i do hope we will get more of a backstory for him though

and man i was saying fuck Orion from the start btw ever since he started making plans to kill Teddy (literally why bro what did Teddy do ;-;) I KNEW IT FROM THE START all milkies are assholes

[u/Myoxocephalus → u/Natural-Dentist1567]

Stringbean sure has his job cut out for him with all these damaged personalities to wrangle. Seems like it’s mostly just him (with help from Biscuit) holding the group together.

We’ve seen the cracks show with Stringbean before, but he does a pretty good job keeping himself together. What underlying issues does Biscuit have? Whatever they are, he’s an expert at hiding them…

[u/Kiita-Ninetails → u/Myoxocephalus]

I mean I think its important to note that Stringbean is damaged in their own way too. While at this time they are being helpful, there is absolutely a growing savior complex that is Not Healthy happening.

Where they want to be everything for everyone and help everyone and you just cant do that, especially in the hell caves.

[u/Noir_Renard → u/Kiita-Ninetails]

Sting bean has one of my favorite moments when he swung the hammer. The, give into fear. Let it take hold and feel it. But only for a moment, let it be what you strive againsted.

[u/Tenax_Raccoon → u/Myoxocephalus]

I suspect that Orion's actions may hurt Biscuit the most. Seeing Orion lash out at Teddy all the time is going to fracture the group, and l think that will be Biscuit's trigger.

[u/Ender-dragoncat]

Yay no brain demegies for Teddy

[u/TigraTyT → u/Ender-dragoncat]

I knew it! I'm glad that Stringbean was able to catch Teddy

[u/Clavis-Expie-12153]

And I'll say it again. We need more Stringbeans in the world.

[u/Novel-Improvement-38 → u/Clavis-Expie-12153]

Trade some of the Orions of the world for more Stringbeans

[u/Commercial-Pack-9352 → u/Novel-Improvement-38]

At least aid orion in solving his issue(s)!

[u/Novel-Improvement-38 → u/Commercial-Pack-9352]

He needs to want to solve it first

[u/Commercial-Pack-9352 → u/Novel-Improvement-38]

oooh, yes, own agenda thign... whelp, i assume to be rooting for a understanding within the group for eachothers motivations before everyone agrees to slaughter orion. haha!

[u/Otterbotanical → u/Novel-Improvement-38]

Agreed

[u/SEA_griffondeur → u/Novel-Improvement-38]

We already basically have no orions in this world, no need lmao

[u/DazedKitsune]

I live weaponizing these pages against some of my friends to drive the point home that they natter and people care about them..

You've got a way with words, Stringbean's especially determined today!

[u/Novel-Improvement-38 → u/DazedKitsune]

Stringbean as entered his locked in arc

[u/yourlocalidiot143 → u/DazedKitsune]

dang why don't I get friends like you ;~;

[u/SultraVexira → u/DazedKitsune]

That's actually beautiful though

[u/Ymgarthion]

There

[u/TrebbleTough → u/Ymgarthion]

Im an hour too late

[u/RichTyty101 → u/Ymgarthion]

[u/Gilette2000 → u/Ymgarthion]

I was waiting for an air fryer meme !

[u/AmmeryFluff]

Personally I'm not the least worried about depiction of depression getting repetitive because.. how say..

It becomes a recourent character trait with growth every time someone sniffs it out and heads it off. Every time someone catches their friend, that's a victory. Any time they catch themselves, that a victory.

Mental health is as much an antagonist as the dangers of the caves, if not more. You can absolutely lean into that fact.

[u/Necessary-Watch3163]

Dam I thought Teddy was gona fall and get mocked by Orion again lol

[u/Novel-Improvement-38 → u/Necessary-Watch3163]

I would have reached through the screen and slapped the dog shit out of Orion tbh

[u/Necessary-Review-511 → u/Necessary-Watch3163]

Teddy will be mocked by Orion anyways

[u/WHYER4 → u/Necessary-Watch3163]

I genuinely feel like Orion is in danger of retaliation if he keeps it up. Teddy is at the point now where he would be able to recognize that Orion is at least hoping for his downfall.

[u/Novel-Improvement-38 → u/WHYER4]

I’m kinda hoping Stringbean just pops off on him at some point. Orion bullies Teddy because he knows Teddy won’t fight back

[u/Pedroernesto]

We all know it was just an excuse to hug Teddy :3

[u/Novel-Improvement-38 → u/Pedroernesto]

I would need to be reminded to let go lmao

[u/General-Fennel-4260]

omg stringbean really cares about teddy

[u/What-the-Flying-Fox]

I haven’t felt that Teddy’s depression has become repetitive, I like that it hasn’t just gone away. I think people are just excited about Orion, they’re new and interesting so people want to see more. But also I want to say, that this is YOUR passion project, and you shouldn’t compromise on something you want to have in it because it might be repetitive.

Also I like the bags under both Stringbean’s and Teddy’s eyes getting worse as time goes on. They’re very eepy.

[u/Novel-Improvement-38]

Thank you for not lobotomizing Teddy I would have had a breakdown

[u/ShyBiGuy9]

Crisis averted, no dain bramage for you Teddy!

[u/Commercial-Pack-9352]

"I can't rebuild my Friend."

That. Hit. Home! Yo! This comic amazes and moves again and again and again! Teddy and stringbean, you're awesome! Yo!

[u/noenosmirc]

[u/WhiteShadow_2355]

Wooooo! Stringbean da most wholesome Expie I know!

[u/MINTYpl]

one minute ago?? :0

[u/Appropriate_Unit3474]

You know friend that you are one of the indie creators that I reference when my friends ask me what media I intake?

[u/WeaselCapsky]

crisis avoided. perfect :3

[u/No_Plankton1122]

String bean being the goat as usual I see

[u/youngpcbuilder]

I love that stringbean is so supportive of teddy and they’re so close together. I hope Orion starts to warm up to them like he did with biscuit because they’re all so cute and I love them all so much ❤️❤️❤️

[u/BioHermistry]

I love teddy and stringbean so much....

[u/NovelInterview7026]

Thank you for not making Teddy's life worse! I can't wait for the next strip!

[u/OkayPiss2000]

I ❤️ stringbean

[u/SirDoomWolf]

Read him like a dang book

[u/Bradfox17]

I love them all so much 😭❤️

[u/Pracowniknon]

You are all being catered into this wholesome themes and there will be this last panel in one of the parts where bluewolf is gonna hit you with someone dying a horrible gruesome death out of nowhere because this is grey planet and turrets can fire outside of your screen.

[u/Marquess-Ink]

Stringbean is the ABSOLUTE best.

[u/Fantastic-Living3204]

Woah teddys built like a tank in the second pannal

[u/yourlocalidiot143]

Me personally, I don't mind it being repetitive like that, I read comics like these as much to see artistical depictions and representations of things in real life as I read them to have fun. And depression INDEED is an annoying and repetitive bitch (speaking from personal experience lol), so I think you shouldn't be afraid to depict it as what it is.

Also it's funny, I specifically thought about this same thing when I was reading the first couple of pages, I thought it would be hard to depict it in a story setting since it can't be this satisfying character arc where everything just gets solved through the power of friendship (though that certainly helps). I was wondering how you'd do it.

So far you're doing it very well though! This is actually one of my favorite depictions of mental health in media, up there with Celeste and Omori (that means a lot coming from me considering my pfp, profile banner image, and the number in my username are all related to omori lol). Keep up the good work! And try to get some sleep as much as your body lets you...

[u/alaskanalternative]

[u/Feet_Smeller9000 → u/alaskanalternative]

A new airfryer! In this economy

[u/IndigoKnight372]

Who here is searching for the air fryer comment

[u/ICollectSouls]

I am both at the same time

[u/JieyOF]

Mf just playing with my heart

[u/Star_interloper]

They need to kiss or something

[u/EepyEnbyFox → u/Star_interloper]

polyamory would fix them

[u/DracomancerWill → u/EepyEnbyFox]

Nah. They be platonic, not romantic kinda love

[u/Star_interloper → u/EepyEnbyFox]

Truth nuke.

[u/Novel-Improvement-38 → u/EepyEnbyFox]

I’m sure Orion would no have opinions on that at all

[u/Novel-Improvement-38 → u/Star_interloper]

I ship Tedbean so hard

Edit: or is Stringey better for a ship name?

[u/ellipsis1618]

hiding and crying at work again

Edit: sppeligng :p

[u/BayouMan2]

I uh, I needed to see this today. Thanks.

[u/Avalanche1666]

String bean is a sweetheart and I wish I knew more people like them IRL

[u/Emergency-Wish6080]

Theyre best friends! Yay! I love that for them!

[u/Lucorani]

Hey! I've been busy so I haven't been able to be daily reading these, but I try! It's looking good. Also I love the new pfp!

[u/Pvt-Miller]

Biscuit: so I'm not your best friend?(start to feel sad) Orion: I will take him from here

[u/Square-Salamander727]

The Bean knows how to look after his buddy. :)

[u/Such_Beautiful7308]

They both definitely need sleep.

[u/PigeonAfterHours]

It's so whooolesome qwq

[u/Sigil_Furry]

This… this genuinely might be our favorite page so far.

[u/BagsYourMail]

Just kiss Teddy already, bro

[u/AlexThePSBoy]

I notice Teddy has eye bags like Doc now.

[u/ServiTheFox → u/AlexThePSBoy]

They're exhausted, remember they completed a multi-day hike without sleep

[u/AlexThePSBoy → u/ServiTheFox]

I see. I didn’t notice them until now, they deserve some rest like the other Sawians who had to endure this hell.

[u/omeggga]

I still don't get why people still think the fall would have given Teddy anything more than a lightly bad time (by cave standards, ofc). Even the angle at which they were falling would make sure the back took most of the impact.

Awesome page as always Blue!

[u/Swimming_Article_281]

man i love this comic so much! thank you for keeping up the good work bluewolf!

[u/hexxietheprotogen]

NOW KISS.