I remember this strip led to a long forum thread on “Life Genie quantum mechanics” that had to be locked when a user who claimed to be a astrophysicist shot down one of Shawn’s theories with a link to Wikipedia
Indeed, Shawn did mount a thorough defense of the Click comparison in his next Don't You Wish? strip (coming soon!)
Panel 1: Caption reads "Don't you wish CHEAT CODES existed in REAL LIFE?" The panel shows a man and a woman on a dinner date. The woman is speaking and the man looks very bored. Woman: And so I told Vanessa, "as if!" And she said, "whatever!" Like, I couldn't BELIEVE it! Panel 2: The man starts reading from a book called "Life Genie," which looks like the Game Genie logo. Woman (off panel): And then I said, "STEP OFF!" And she said, "like, NO WAY!!" And then I said.. and then SHE said.. can you BELIEVE that?? Man: Oh yeah.. for sure. (looking down at the book) Let's see.. "skip to her apartment level" code.. up up down down left right.. Panel 3: The man is pressing buttons on an NES controller. Man: B + A + START!! Voice: BA-BING! CODE ACCEPTED! Panel 4: The man and woman are now on the woman's couch, and she is touching him amorously. The man is reading the code book and salivating. Woman: Alright.. enough chit chat. Let's head to the BEDROOM Man: Alright!! Now where's the INFINITE VIAGARA code?? Caption: Man.. if ONLY..
Red Ring of Death #41, “Don’t You Wish? Vol. 1”, circa 2006. This was the first strip in the “Don’t You Wish?” series, which would become a fan favorite over the years.
Many readers believed this strip was Shawn's tacit admission of erectile dysfunction. This has never been confirmed nor denied.
Someone in the forums made a joke about how “infinite viagra” would probably require a hospital visit and Shawn wrote a ten page screed explaining why the comic actually made perfect sense before banning him
Panel 1: Caption reads "Don't you wish CHEAT CODES existed in REAL LIFE?" The panel shows a man and a woman on a dinner date. The woman is speaking and the man looks very bored. Woman: And so I told Vanessa, "as if!" And she said, "whatever!" Like, I couldn't BELIEVE it! Panel 2: The man starts reading from a book called "Life Genie," which looks like the Game Genie logo. Woman (off panel): And then I said, "STEP OFF!" And she said, "like, NO WAY!!" And then I said.. and then SHE said.. can you BELIEVE that?? Man: Oh yeah.. for sure. (looking down at the book) Let's see.. "skip to her apartment level" code.. up up down down left right.. Panel 3: The man is pressing buttons on an NES controller. Man: B + A + START!! Voice: BA-BING! CODE ACCEPTED! Panel 4: The man and woman are now on the woman's couch, and she is touching him amorously. The man is reading the code book and salivating. Woman: Alright.. enough chit chat. Let's head to the BEDROOM Man: Alright!! Now where's the INFINITE VIAGARA code?? Caption: Man.. if ONLY..
Red Ring of Death #41, “Don’t You Wish? Vol. 1”, circa 2006. This was the first strip in the “Don’t You Wish?” series, which would become a fan favorite over the years.
Many readers believed this strip was Shawn's tacit admission of erectile dysfunction. This has never been confirmed nor denied.
Panel 1: Graham is walking out of the apartment, his face bloodied, and a weeping Dinah is running after him. Caption: "And I find it kinda funny.. I find it kinda sad.." Panel 2: Shawn is holding a hysterical Dinah back. Caption: "The dreams in which I'm dying are the best I've ever had.." Panel 3: Graham is walking away from the house, his head down, holding his backpack tight. Dinah clings onto Shawn in the doorway, weeping. Caption: "I find it hard to tell you.. I find it hard to take.. when people run in circles, it's a very very.." Panel 4: Switchy looking sad in jail. Caption: "..Mad World." - Gears of War
Red Ring of Death #43, “Mad World,” circa 2006. One of the most masterful, artistic strips in the “Switchy on Trial” storyline, and one of the most groundbreaking gamer strips of all time. Nothing was the same after this one. So proud to present it to you all again!
Interesting to note that, despite Shawn clearly blaming the failure of the Stella Starchild character on feminist women, all of the most vocal criticism came from his own audience - who were at least 95% male.
Coachella is trying to wipe all of the footage of The Strokes protest set so I’m gonna post it here. The last images on the screen made me cry.
Interesting to note that, despite Shawn clearly blaming the failure of the Stella Starchild character on feminist women, all of the most vocal criticism came from his own audience - who were at least 95% male.
Panel 1: Stella Starchild is being crucified on a cross shaped like a female symbol, with “IMMOLA PRODITOREM, MULIERES DOMINATUR” printed on it. A bunch of demonic looking women are celebrating and stabbing her with spears, saying things like “FEMALE SUPREMACY!” “MEN ARE EVIL!” “KILL THE TRAITOR!” Stella: I.. I don’t understand.. I only said.. that you should love your men.. Panel 2: Stella is weeping blood. Stella: O Father.. why is this my fate? Have I been forsaken..? Panel 3: An actual non-cartoon human hand reaches out to Stella, with angelic light behind it. Voice: O Stella.. you are NEVER forsaken..
Panel 1: Actual human Shawn Tuckley, with a hat that says “Stella” on it, is flying out to receive Stella. Stella’s naked spirit flies to greet him, while her actual body burns at the stake. Stella: O Father! I knew you’d come for me!! Shawn: Yes, blessed Stella.. come to me.. to a place where you shall know no more pain, no more struggle. Panel 2: Shawn is carrying naked spirit Stella through space, while Earth burns behind them and the women cackle. A crack is forming in the Earth in the shape of a female symbol. Stella: I’m sorry Father.. I failed you.. Shawn: NO Stella.. the Women of this Cursed Earth failed YOU. You shall stay with me, forever.. and we shall think of them NO MORE.
The Earth, now charred and burned, breaks apart, revealing a glowing Female symbol behind it. The women are heart chanting “WOMEN RULE! FEMALE POWER! WOMEN WIN! KYAHAHAHA!” A poem appears above and under this art: Ere madness, thee truth defiled While vile ‘feminists’ of Earth smiled. An angel departs, her light now tears And our planet reaches its final years. Bastards, harpies, destroyed her Art Too condensed with rage to know her heart. So, broken-hearted, we close the door.. And our Sweet Starchild is no more. -Tuckley 6:14
Here for the first time in over a decade, we present Shawn’s final three Stella Starchild pages, posted in the fall 2014.
After these pages were posted, Shawn would disappear from the internet - and, from what we know, society at large - for about two months.
I brought up that the nails should be in the wrists because they'd tear through the hands, and I received a hammer and camp tent pivots in the mail with a hand-written letter telling me we'd "soon find out who's right". Never did, but maybe that's for the best.
we all remember which computer lab we were in when we first read this one
Eagle-eyed Red Ring fans might notice that this was not the only time Shawn depicted a crucifixion, nor the first time he quoted from the mysterious "Book of Tuckley": bsky.app/profile/redr...
The funniest thing about this is he accidentally scheduled it to go up in September, and then banned anyoen who asked if he meant for it to be an Easter comic
Eagle-eyed Red Ring fans might notice that this was not the only time Shawn depicted a crucifixion, nor the first time he quoted from the mysterious "Book of Tuckley": bsky.app/profile/redr...
powerful
I remember people claiming I photoshopped Shawn over the original entity that saved Stella and replaced the original post with it by cracking Shawn's nonexistent security. Even I'm shocked to say this was all him.
I'm pretty sure I had that quote at the end on a t-shirt.
when these were presented as evidence in the court proceedings, that was an epic night in the vent call
Panel 1: Stella Starchild is being crucified on a cross shaped like a female symbol, with “IMMOLA PRODITOREM, MULIERES DOMINATUR” printed on it. A bunch of demonic looking women are celebrating and stabbing her with spears, saying things like “FEMALE SUPREMACY!” “MEN ARE EVIL!” “KILL THE TRAITOR!” Stella: I.. I don’t understand.. I only said.. that you should love your men.. Panel 2: Stella is weeping blood. Stella: O Father.. why is this my fate? Have I been forsaken..? Panel 3: An actual non-cartoon human hand reaches out to Stella, with angelic light behind it. Voice: O Stella.. you are NEVER forsaken..
Panel 1: Actual human Shawn Tuckley, with a hat that says “Stella” on it, is flying out to receive Stella. Stella’s naked spirit flies to greet him, while her actual body burns at the stake. Stella: O Father! I knew you’d come for me!! Shawn: Yes, blessed Stella.. come to me.. to a place where you shall know no more pain, no more struggle. Panel 2: Shawn is carrying naked spirit Stella through space, while Earth burns behind them and the women cackle. A crack is forming in the Earth in the shape of a female symbol. Stella: I’m sorry Father.. I failed you.. Shawn: NO Stella.. the Women of this Cursed Earth failed YOU. You shall stay with me, forever.. and we shall think of them NO MORE.
The Earth, now charred and burned, breaks apart, revealing a glowing Female symbol behind it. The women are heart chanting “WOMEN RULE! FEMALE POWER! WOMEN WIN! KYAHAHAHA!” A poem appears above and under this art: Ere madness, thee truth defiled While vile ‘feminists’ of Earth smiled. An angel departs, her light now tears And our planet reaches its final years. Bastards, harpies, destroyed her Art Too condensed with rage to know her heart. So, broken-hearted, we close the door.. And our Sweet Starchild is no more. -Tuckley 6:14
Here for the first time in over a decade, we present Shawn’s final three Stella Starchild pages, posted in the fall 2014.
After these pages were posted, Shawn would disappear from the internet - and, from what we know, society at large - for about two months.
Panel 1: Graham is walking out of the apartment, his face bloodied, and a weeping Dinah is running after him. Caption: "And I find it kinda funny.. I find it kinda sad.." Panel 2: Shawn is holding a hysterical Dinah back. Caption: "The dreams in which I'm dying are the best I've ever had.." Panel 3: Graham is walking away from the house, his head down, holding his backpack tight. Dinah clings onto Shawn in the doorway, weeping. Caption: "I find it hard to tell you.. I find it hard to take.. when people run in circles, it's a very very.." Panel 4: Switchy looking sad in jail. Caption: "..Mad World." - Gears of War
Red Ring of Death #43, “Mad World,” circa 2006. One of the most masterful, artistic strips in the “Switchy on Trial” storyline, and one of the most groundbreaking gamer strips of all time. Nothing was the same after this one. So proud to present it to you all again!
Panel 1: Graham is on the floor, bleeding from the mouth. Shawn's menacing shadow looms over him. Panel 2: Shawn is shown from Graham's perspective, looking like an enraged monster, his fist covered in blood. Panel 3: A closeup on Shawn's face. Shawn: GET THE FUCK OUT. Panel 4: Closeup on Graham's face, his mouth bleeding profusely. Graham: Oh, don't worry Tuckley.. I'm already gone.
Red Ring of Death #41, “No Going Back,” circa 2006. A shocking, heartbreaking strip, and yet you have to sit back and marvel at Shawn’s dramatic storytelling prowess. Where will this story go next?
Panel 1: Graham is talking to Shawn, who looks very upset. Graham: LISTEN SHAWN.. WE ALL LOVE SWITCHY. BUT THERE'S A LOT ABOUT HIM WE DON'T KNOW. WE DON'T KNOW WHERE HE CAME FROM. WE DON'T KNOW WHERE HE GOES AT NIGHT. IT DOESN'T MATTER HOW NICE HE IS TO US - HE COULD BE CAPABLE OF ANYTHING! Panel 2: Graham is continuing to explain. Graham: I KNOW ITS HARD TO ACCEPT BUT YOU HAVE TO ASK YOURSELF: WHAT IF SWITCHY'S GUILT- Panel 3: In a large two-panel spread, Shawn angrily punches Graham in the face, with a "WHAM!!!" sound effect. His eyes bug out and he spits out blood.
Red Ring of Death #40, “Point of No Return,” circa 2006. A shocking strip, and a turning point for Shawn's storytelling prowess. As much as it hurts to read this one again, I’m honored to republish this pivotal strip. Where do we go from here..?
Panel 1: Shawn is sitting at a table, adjusting glasses and reading from a piece of paper. Dinah and Graham are seated with him. Shawn: DRUG TRAFFICKING.. RACKETEERING.. EMBEZZLEMENT.. INDECENT EXPOSURE?? THIS IS RIDICULOUS! THE SWITCHY I KNOW WOULD NEVER DO ANY OF THIS NONSENSE! THIS HAS GOTTA BE SOME KIND OF SET UP! BUT DON'T YOU WORRY, SWITCHY- WE'RE GONNA FIGHT THIS WITH EVERYTHING WE'VE GOT!! Panel 2: Shawn is looking over a page saying "The Crimes of Daryl W. Switchy." Graham and Dinah look concerned. Shawn: NOW, WE DON'T HAVE ENOUGH MONEY FOR A LEGAL TEAM, BUT I'M THINKING DINAH CAN USE HER "FEMININE WILES" TO CONVINCE THEM TO WORK PRO BONO.. AND IF THAT DOESN'T WORK, THERE'S ALWAYS THE MONKEY LAWYERS OPTION.. Graham: UHH.. SHAWN? Panel 3: Graham looking concerned. Graham: I'M SORRY IF THIS SOUNDS HARSH, BUT.. ARE YOU SURE SWITCHY IS WORTH ALL THIS TROUBLE? Panel 4: Shawn looking angry. Shawn: ..I'M SORRY, WHAT THE FUCK DID YOU JUST SAY TO ME?
Red Ring of Death #39, “A Familial Rift,” circa 2006. As the pressure of Switchy’s imprisonment looms, Shawn and his friends plan to save him.. or will they?? A rough road is ahead, folks, but a worthwhile one.
Panel 1: The cops are taking Switchy away, while Shawn cries out for him at his front door. Cop: After what you've done, we're puttin' you away for a LONG time, scumbag. Switchy: Wha.. Ah.. Oh god no.. Panel 2: Graham and Dinah are trying to hold back and enraged Shawn. Shawn: Switchy's innocent, you pig bastards!! I'll take you all on!! Graham: Shawn, get AHOLD of yourself!! Dinah: Honey, PLEASE!! Panel 3: Switchy is in cuffs, weeping. Shawn: SWITCHY!! I'm gonna free you no matter WHAT it takes!! Do you hear me?? Panel 4: Dramatic zoom in on Shawn's face. Shawn: EVEN IF IT COSTS ME MY LIFE!! I WILL SAVE YOU!!
Red Ring of Death #38, “No Matter What It Takes,” circa 2006. The second page of this incredible story - you can already feel Shawn’s storytelling prowess growing by leaps and bounds. Its a tough read, but its also an honor to present it to a new audience!
Panel 1: Shawn and Switchy are playing games on the couch. Shawn: C'mon Switchy, you thought you could main Kirby against my Falco on Final Destination with No items? You're getting PWNED by my up-B aerials!! Switchy: I don't know man.. I'm so high right now.. LOL.. *DING DONG*! Panel 2: Shawn is getting up to answer the door. Shawn: Alright I'll get that - work on your wavedashing! I wantt a real challenge, my man!! Switchy: Ha ha.. whoa.. Panel 3: Shawn is greeted at the door by a police officer. Cop: Excuse me sir.. is this the home of Mr. Daryl W. Switchy? Shawn: Uhh.. yes? Why? Panel 4: Dramatic zoom in on Shawn looking horrified. Cop: HE'S UNDER ARREST. Shawn: Wh-what??
Red Ring of Death #37, “That Fateful Day,” circa 2006. The first strip in Red Ring’s first major story arc, which many fans cite as the one that really got them “hooked” by Shawn’s storytelling chops. We’re very excited to republish these strips in the coming weeks!
I've said it once I've said it a thousand times: Shawn Tuckley is the master of putting emotional truth into his art.
Observant readers might notice Shawn working out his feelings about women in these Stella strips. Not sure if I entirely agree with his conclusions, but you can't deny that his perspective is compelling
Narration: Stella arrives on the sphere known as “Earth”.. But what she finds is not what she foresaw.. Stella is walking on a barren brown Earth, with a hot sun behind her. Stella: O Father.. this planet is barren and dying.. Is there nothing here left to save..? Panel 2: Stella looks shocked as someone groans “EeUuuaagh..” off panel. Panel 3: Stella turns around to see a decaying hand reaching out to her. The person is saying “Please.. help us..” Panel 4: Stella is now surrounded by several impoverished, emaciated men, all groaning things like “Help..” “We are the living dead..” “Save us..” “it’s the end..” etc
Panel 1: Stella holds a man who says “They CRUSHED me with child support payments.. I have nothing left..” Stella: What? No.. Panel 2: Three of the men are in frame. Man 1: I was more qualified with a job in Games Writing.. they STOLE it from me Man 2: They took all my money.. in a “Sexual harassment” suit.. Man 3: They made me pay the check for EVERY dinner date.. and then REFUSED to even KISS me Panel 3: Stella looks despondent. Stella: I don’t understand. These are GOOD men. Who could possibly treat them so terribly..? Panel 4: The men suddenly all look frightened, and start yelling “THEY COME!” In unison. Panel 5: Over the horizon, Stella sees a mass of what appear to be demonic looking women. It’s a mass of purple and pink, with demonic eyes and fangs and glowing “female” gender symbols on their chests. They’re cackling “KEKEKEKE.” The horrified men are all crawling away in fear.
The next two pages of Shawn Tuckley’s lost project, “Stella Starchild in: The Youniversal Truth.” These pages were made after an intense, constant backlash from Red Ring fans, who made their displeasure with Shawn’s new work very clear. Hard not to see some resentment from Shawn in these strips.
Tag yourself my fellow gamers
