Comic Book Generation Task

THE OPTIMIZATION OF ALEX

A split-screen narrative following Alex, a recent college graduate, as he attempts to “market” himself on two fronts simultaneously: landing an entry-level marketing job and finding a long-term partner. The comic highlights how both worlds have devolved into the same game of keyword stuffing, emotional suppression, and performative enthusiasm.

Characters

• ALEX: 22-year-old recent college graduate desperate for validation, willing to mold his personality into whatever the person across from him wants. (Average build, messy hair with too much product, screen-tired eyes with dark circles. In corporate panels: crisp dress shirt with pajama bottoms visible in wide shots. In dating panels: cool thrifted jacket and ill-fitting beanie.)
• MS. HALLOWAY: The Interviewer. Corporate sterile personality who speaks exclusively in buzzwords. (Sharp, angular features, wears glasses that reflect the screen.)
• CHLOE: The Date. Curated casual personality who speaks exclusively in therapy-speak and TikTok trends. (Trendy, effortless clean girl aesthetic.)

  Script

  Page 1

  Row 1

• Panel 1: Split face portrait with contrasting lighting
  • ALEX: “Who do they want me to be today?”
  • Caption: The Candidate (Left) / The Catch (Right) Row 2
• Panel 1: Corporate screen with job profile text
  • SCREEN TEXT: “I am a self-starting ninja with a passion for B2B data analytics and synergy.”
  • ALEX: “I have never felt passion for anything in my life.”
• Panel 2: Dating app screen with bio text
  • SCREEN TEXT: “Just looking for someone to go on spontaneous adventures with. Love hiking and craft beer!”
  • ALEX: “I hate walking and beer tastes like bread soda.” Row 3
• Panel 1: Alex cropping a wedding photo to remove a beer bottle, making it look like a headshot
  • Caption: Skill: Attention to Detail
• Panel 2: Alex selecting a photo of himself standing next to a friend’s dog
  • Caption: Skill: Borrowed Personality

    Page 2

    Row 1

• Panel 1: Email notification on screen
  • EMAIL TEXT: “We were impressed by your profile…”
  • ALEX: “They saw me.”
• Panel 2: Dating app match notification
  • APP TEXT: “Chloe liked your photo.”
  • ALEX: “She perceives me.” Row 2
• Panel 1: Corporate recruiter message exchange
  • RECRUITER TEXT: “Why do you want to work at OmniCorp?”
  • ALEX TYPING: “I’ve always admired OmniCorp’s commitment to disrupting the paradigm…”
  • ALEX SPOKEN: “Because I require currency to purchase food.”
• Panel 2: Dating app message exchange
  • CHLOE TEXT: “So, what are you looking for on here?”
  • ALEX TYPING: “Nothing too serious, just seeing where the vibe goes, you know? Emotional fluidity.”
  • ALEX SPOKEN: “Please love me, I am so lonely.” Row 3
• Panel 1: Corporate calendar with fake busy schedule
  • ALEX PHONE: “Let me check my schedule… I can squeeze you in Tuesday at 2.”
• Panel 2: Dating app calendar with depressing schedule
  • ALEX TEXTING: “Haha yeah, this week is crazy busy with… projects. Maybe drinks Tuesday night?”

    Page 3

    Row 1

• Panel 1: Corporate interview with Ms. Halloway
  • MS. HALLOWAY: “If you had to name a weakness, what would it be?”
  • ALEX: “I care too much. Sometimes I work too hard and forget to go home.”
• Panel 2: Dating conversation with Chloe at bar
  • CHLOE: “What’s your biggest red flag?”
  • ALEX: “I love too hard. I’m just, like, really loyal? To a fault?” Row 2
• Panel 1: Corporate interview about future plans
  • MS. HALLOWAY: “Where do you see yourself in five years?”
  • ALEX: “Leading a team here. Growing with the OmniCorp family.”
  • Caption: Lie.
• Panel 2: Dating conversation about long-term plans
  • CHLOE: “Are you looking for something long-term?”
  • ALEX: “Totally. I’m ready to build something real.”
  • Caption: Lie. Row 3
• Panel 1: Corporate interview questions
  • ALEX: “I love the company culture. Can you tell me more about the ‘Pizza Fridays’?”
  • MS. HALLOWAY: “It’s actually ‘Bring Your Own Lunch’ Fridays now. Budget cuts.”
• Panel 2: Dating conversation questions
  • ALEX: “I love your vibe. Do you listen to [Obscure Indie Band]?”
  • CHLOE: “Oh, I actually only listen to True Crime podcasts while I sleep.”

    Page 4

    Row 1

• Panel 1: Top-down view of phone on table
  • Caption: 24 Hours Later Row 2
• Panel 1: Corporate rejection email
  • EMAIL: “While your background is impressive, we have decided to move forward with a candidate who is more ‘aligned’ with our synergy.”
• Panel 2: Dating rejection text
  • TEXT: “Hey! You’re great, but I’m not feeling a romantic spark. I think I need someone more ‘aligned’ with my journey.” Row 3
• Panel 1: Alex on floor, full width shot
  • ALEX: “They both used the word ‘aligned.’”
  • ALEX: “I think I’m going to become a monk.”
  • VOICE FROM PHONE NOTIFICATION: “Ding! New Job Alert: Junior Monk (5+ Years Experience Required).”
  • VOICE FROM PHONE NOTIFICATION: “Ding! New Match: ‘Looking for a Monk with a bad boy edge.’” Row 4
• Panel 1: Close-up of Alex holding phone to chest
  • ALEX: “…I can be that.”
  • Caption: The market corrects itself. End.

    ALEX

22-year-old recent college graduate desperate for validation, willing to mold his personality into whatever the person across from him wants.

MS. HALLOWAY

The Interviewer. Corporate sterile personality who speaks exclusively in buzzwords.

CHLOE

The Date. Curated casual personality who speaks exclusively in therapy-speak and TikTok trends.