Times are tough, and it’s hard not to feel overwhelmed. I had planned to list all the chaos in the world today, but even thinking about it makes me want to take a break. While younger generations seem to cope with the absurdity through trends and memes, my generation found a poignant expression of our feelings in a webcomic from the 2010s: This is Fine by KC Green.
Debuting around 2013, the comic features a dog calmly sipping coffee while its house burns down. As Green explained in a past interview, the comic reflects his struggles with mental health and the feeling of needing to ignore the chaos surrounding us: “It kind of feels like you just have to ignore all the insanity around you like a burning house.”
The comic’s influence is evident; it was even referenced by a US senator in 2018 and used as a political jab during the 2016 election. In response, Green humorously redrew the comic featuring the GOP elephant.
Now, a new project is taking shape based on this iconic comic. This is Fine: Maximum Cope will soon launch its Kickstarter campaign, promising a classic platformer where players, as Question Hound, journey through their subconscious to confront the fears and anxieties we all face.
You might wonder how a game inspired by a comic about denial can translate into a platformer. However, the character of the dog has evolved beyond just passively accepting doom. In a 2016 follow-up comic titled This is Not Fine, Question Hound realizes the severity of the situation and takes action, shouting, “What the hell is my problem?!”
In an interview, Green noted that this sequel was a response to the overwhelming strangeness of 2016, highlighting a collective breaking point in society. The game’s concept—navigating through one’s mind and battling inner demons—serves as a kind of prequel to that realization.
Reflecting on the journey since 2016, it’s surreal to acknowledge that the sense of dread remains as relevant as ever. The Kickstarter for This is Fine: Maximum Cope will begin on September 26.