"Pandemic Special #1"

Transcript
Page 1. Panel 1. A very special World on a String. Social distancing edition. CC BY-SA Ken Alleman 2020. TheWorldOnAString.KenAlleman.Org. Panels 2 and 3. Ken has a pipe in his mouth and a book in his hand. As he closes the book and looks up, we see that the title of the book is "Pandemics For Internet Experts." He says, "Oh, hello. I didn't see you come in." Panels 4 and 5. He says, "Right now, a lot of people are feeling the impact of a lot of fear and confusion. That includes artists and musicians."

Page 2. Panel 1. In simplified view, which continues for the whole page, we see people approaching a music venue with a sign on the door that says "closed." Ken says, "Musicians are having to cancel or postpone shows." Panel 2. We see a van labeled "no," and a plane labeled "definitely no!" Ken says, "This may include plans that they were counting on well in advance." Panel 3. An artist is tabling at a convention, watching a tumbleweed roll by. Ken says, "Independent artists are dealing with canceled conventions..." Panel 4. The artist is sitting at a computer. A caption indicates that the bank balance is dwindling. Ken says, "...Having invested in preparation and planned for the income." Panel 5. A bartender stands behind a bar. All the seats are empty. Ken says, "Both groups may be struggling for income at their day jobs." Panel 6. Closeup of a cell phone. The screen reads, "Gig job. Nobody in your area." Ken says, "Whether unpaid leave, gig work, or jobs that rely on tipping."

Page 3. Panel 1. Back to Ken. He says, "Here's how you can help." Panel 2. Back to the cell phone. The screen reads, "Ventreon. Money for people who make stuff." Ken says, "See if they have a subscription platform. Donate or subscribe." Panel 3. A drawing, within the comic, of the Mad Scientist striking an alluring pose. This is labeled "Mad Scientist fanart. $10." Ken says, "Shop in artists' online stores, a crucial source of income." Panel 4. The phone again. The screen reads, "Soundcamp. The Hevy Dinosaurs. Click to purchase." Ken says, "For musicians, buy merch or music online. Don't just stream. Purchase!" Panels 5 and 6. Ken says, "We hold each other up. The way through a crisis is community." Then he goes back to his book and his pipe, which is now producing bubbles.

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