2010-08-24
Explanation
This comic tells the story of a supervillain named Destructicus and the relationship problems that come with being an evil overlord. In the opening panels, Destructicus -- a menacing red-cloaked figure with sharp teeth and clawed hands -- is shown cackling maniacally ("HOHOHOHO HAHAHAHA!") while unleashing destruction with a death laser in a city, with terrified citizens fleeing. His girlfriend then confronts him, calling out his name. She tells him "It's over!" and explains: "You spent the last 3 months building your stupid death laser and ignoring me! It's clear you only care about yourself!" When he tries to respond with "But-" she simply says, "I'm sorry. Goodbye."
After she leaves, two wordless panels show Destructicus standing alone -- first watching her walk away through a doorway, then sitting by himself in the dark. The final panel reveals a beautiful starry night sky, with the death laser being used to project the message "Will you marry me?" onto a distant planet. The twist reframes the entire conflict: the death laser was never about villainy at all. Destructicus was building it as an elaborate, cosmically grand marriage proposal, and his girlfriend broke up with him before he could reveal the surprise.
The votey panel continues the post-breakup conversation. Destructicus asks, "Is this because I killed everyone you ever loved?" to which his ex replies "Yes." He then sheepishly asks, "So... can we still be friends?" and she responds, "I'd like that, yes." This adds a darkly comic coda, reminding us that despite the romantic twist, Destructicus is still a mass-murdering supervillain, and the cheerful agreement to remain friends after acknowledging genocide is absurdly nonchalant.