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trillionpixels.bsky.social
Mike Swaim
@trillionpixels.bsky.social
1K followers 2.8K following 1.4K posts
Artist and Cartoonist behind Dani & Lulu, cartographer, and science educator. He/Him

I always appreciate a follow for my comics, but if you are looking for the other Michael Swaim of Cracked fame you can find him here: @michaelswaim.bsky.social
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trillionpixels.bsky.social
I’ve been reading Robert’s stuff for years for free and love his writing. It’s about time I paid for something with his name on it.
brockway.bsky.social Robert Brockway @brockway.bsky.social · 11h
My first Starred Review in Publisher's Weekly! Now that I have that coveted star, I'm going to be completely insufferable.
November 17, 2025 at 5:50 PM
trillionpixels.bsky.social
NEW COMIC!
Project Pink Book

New character incoming! Who is she? What’s her deal? I know as much as you do. Stay tuned!

#daniandlulucomic
Four-panel Dani & Lulu comic. Panel 1: Dani and Lulu walk together on a sidewalk. Dani smiles and says, “Thankfully Mr. Rivers thinks you’re just very imaginative.” Lulu, looking cheerful, says, “That is what my mom does. She makes little stars.” Little sparkles float around her speech bubble. Panel 2: Lulu explains, “Then she studies them to learn how to fix the big ones. It’s all very scientific.” Dani replies, “But humans can’t do that. Your science is like magic to us.” Panel 3: Dani and Lulu continue walking by a tree. A child is seen sitting against the back of the tree reading a book. Dani says to Lulu, “You need to be careful.” Panel 4: Behind the tree, wearing a red hair band and holding a book titled Aliens Among Us. She spies on Dani and Lulu as they walk away. From her perception, Lulu appears human. She overhears Dani say, “We don’t need everyone knowing a real alien is on Earth.”
November 15, 2025 at 3:02 PM
trillionpixels.bsky.social
NEW COMIC!
Stellar Student

We are back! Though a little late due to work stuff. I made small updates to the panel and added my LinkTree.

Mr. Rivers is teaching guidance today. Also Lulu loves her mom.

#daniandlulucomic
Four-panel Dani & Lulu comic. Panel 1: Mr. Rivers stands at the front of the classroom beside a whiteboard labeled “Career Day” He says, “Good morning class. Today we will talk about careers. Who wants to tell us what they want to be when they grow up?” he says “Yes Lulu?” To Lulu raising her hand off panel. Panel 2: Lulu smiles brightly and her hand still raised. She says, “I want to be a stellar engineer like my mom.” Panel 3: Mr. Rivers leans against Miss Lake’s desk. He says, “If you study really hard I’m sure you’ll be a great engineer just like your mom.” Panel 4: Dani sits behind Lulu. Lulu says enthusiastically, “Thanks! My mom makes the best stars!” Dani looks at her wide eyed, mouth open, with quiet horror.
November 12, 2025 at 4:13 PM
trillionpixels.bsky.social
REPOST: Tree

Yes, another oldie. Lulu finds something odd in her basement room.

New comic this Wednesday!

#daniandlulucomic
Four-panel comic. Panel 1: Lulu stirs awake wrapped in her blanket in bed. The room is dark with some moonlight. Panel 2: She sits up wiping her eyes and fixates on something across the room. Panel 3: We see a Christmas tree sitting between a TV and a bookcase with a snow globe sitting on it. Panel 4: A view from the top of the tree looking down on Lulu who is looking up at the tree.
November 8, 2025 at 2:32 PM
trillionpixels.bsky.social
So much back pain today. I still enjoyed helping my neighbor with yardwork that would have taken him into next week to deal with. 30 years ago I worked as an archaeological field technician. Hard labor and no health insurance and I am paying for it now. Anyway, here are some archaeology comics.
Panel 1: Two archaeologists stand in a field. The woman on the right holds a clipboard and asks, “What ya got there, Norton?” The man on the left looks pleased and holds a bone. Panel 2: The man holds up the bone proudly and says, “A bone with some etching on the shaft… I think an Indian was making a flute!” The woman gestures toward the bone and replies, “Uh, actually those marks were made by a mouse…” Panel 3: The man looks offended and says, “Don’t be absurd! Mice don’t play flutes!” The woman is stunned at his ignorance. Panel 1: A man operating a back-ho asks an archaeologist, “Why’d they call him Cornwallis? Do you think he was running moonshine?” Panel 2: One of the archaeologists wearing a safety vest and hat, responds while standing next to another archaeologist. She says, “No, that was his real name, General Cornwallis.” Panel 3: A geomorphologist kneels in a trench scraping the dirt, comments, “Geez, you’d think being from North Carolina he’d know his own Civil War heritage…”
November 8, 2025 at 4:15 AM
trillionpixels.bsky.social
REPOST: Jules

Oh, I missed yesterday’s throw back Thursday comic due to life and work stuff, so here’s a Fallback Friday comic!

Originally I misspelled Jules full name as Julien, so I fixed it here. I still don’t know her last name.

#daniandlulucomic
Four-panel comic. Panel 1: A girl stands holding a plush penguin and speaking to Lulu. The girl says, “Penguins are peaceful. Mr. Penguin is from Penguin Island in Antarctica. He wasn’t born there, he was just visiting. My name is Julianne but you can call me Jules.” Lulu stands with her hands together, listening. Panel 2: The girl, Jules, smiles warmly and offers Lulu a cupcake. She says, “We’re friends now. Here’s a cupcake.” The plush penguin is tucked under her arm. Lulu looks surprised and unsure what to do. Panel 3: Jules walks away holding the plush penguin. She says, “Merry Christmas! Bye.” Lulu stands holding the cupcake, looking confused, and says, “Huh?” Panel 4: Dani stands beside Lulu, one hand on Lulu’s shoulder. Dani says, “What was that?” Lulu answers, “Your new friend Jules.” Lulu still holds the cupcake, looking bewildered.
November 7, 2025 at 3:22 PM
trillionpixels.bsky.social
REPOST: Fish Sticks

Some world building for Lulu’s planet. I still have no idea where she is from or how she got here. It’s going to be a long process. However, I’m introducing little Jules, short for Julianne, to the mix. More on her in the next comic on Thursday.

#daniandlulucomic
Four-panel comic. Panel 1: Underwater scene. A large penguin-like creature with a huge mouth full of sharp inward pointing teeth opens toward a small green alien that looks like Lulu. Lulu says, “It’s a Pik Pik. From our mythology. They explain why we started living on land.” Panel 2: Lulu looks frightened and covers her face with her hands. She says, “They are enormous and would eat us by the hundreds. They are still the stuff of nightmares.” Panel 3: Dani walks alongside Lulu with a hand on her chin. Lulu gestures with hands in the air. Lulu says, “The stories are thousands of years old, we’ve only seen them in cave art. But they exist here?!” Panel 4: A girl holds up a plush penguin toward Lulu. She says, “Mr. Penguin is small and he only eats fish sticks and snow cones.” Lulu jumps back in fear saying, “EEP!”
November 5, 2025 at 2:37 PM
trillionpixels.bsky.social
Hey look a process video! Should I post them for all the Comictober drawings? Maybe I will.
November 3, 2025 at 9:45 PM
trillionpixels.bsky.social
I actually was Grunkle Stan one year. Sadly this year I was not able to dress up.too much real life.
Me dressed as Grunkle Stan from Gravity Falls.
November 2, 2025 at 8:26 PM
trillionpixels.bsky.social
Another #Comictober finished. Much lighter than last year, but it took a bit of a toll. I’m not stopping- just taking some time to recharge.

I’m going to draft some new gags and story ideas in the next week. I still want to get a website up and I have been encouraged to post on Reddit.
Lulu, a small green creature with a pink bow and bat-like wings, stands smiling and gesturing as she speaks. The text reads: “Hi current and new readers! We hope you enjoyed this expanded comic month with ComicTober. My cartoonist needs to take about a week off, so expect rerun comics during the break. In that time, he’ll be working on new strips and exploring some new avenues for posting. Dani and I will be back with new comics on Nov 12th!”
November 1, 2025 at 3:34 PM
trillionpixels.bsky.social
This is also doubling as my very, VERY, late entry to the #CRAZYHalloweenParty hosted by @jonscrazyblues.bsky.social and @lollipopcomics.bsky.social
trillionpixels.bsky.social Mike Swaim @trillionpixels.bsky.social · 17d
COMICTOBER Day 13: Your “Halloweensona”

Tap comic to see all of it. It’s a long horizontal one.

Can you identify the webcomic costumes? Tell me in the comments!

Special thanks to @artbymoga.bsky.social for hosting this year’s Comictober!

#daniandlulucomic
#comictober #comictober2025
Panel 1: A long horizontal comic. Kids are lined up at my door for Halloween dressed as their favorite webcomic characters. The text reads “Happy Halloween from Dani and Lulu.”
October 31, 2025 at 3:20 PM
trillionpixels.bsky.social
COMICTOBER Day 13: Your “Halloweensona”

Tap comic to see all of it. It’s a long horizontal one.

Can you identify the webcomic costumes? Tell me in the comments!

Special thanks to @artbymoga.bsky.social for hosting this year’s Comictober!

#daniandlulucomic
#comictober #comictober2025
Panel 1: A long horizontal comic. Kids are lined up at my door for Halloween dressed as their favorite webcomic characters. The text reads “Happy Halloween from Dani and Lulu.”
October 31, 2025 at 2:24 PM
trillionpixels.bsky.social
REPOST: Dinner Guest

The penguin plushy and little girl next to it were not yet named, but it’s coming up.

Also, once again I love working on black and white.

#daniandlulucomic
Panel 1: A girl sits at a dinner table eating while a plush penguin sits upright beside her. Panel 2: Lulu, in human form, leans toward Dani and whispers, “What is that horrifying creature doing here?” Panel 3: Dani, still eating, says, “That’s just one of the neighbor kids.” Lulu, looking shocked, points and yells, “Not her, that!” Panel 4: Close-up of the plush penguin staring blankly ahead with a neutral expression.
October 30, 2025 at 2:57 PM
trillionpixels.bsky.social
I found a local cartoonist who just got a book out this week. Naturally I had to buy it. If I can get back on a regular comic schedule I’ll have Lulu review it.
clobberinthyme.bsky.social clobberinthyme @clobberinthyme.bsky.social · 19d
Brand new preview pages for GELATINOUS SPACETIME: EXTENDED EDITION! Grab your copy today at Acme Comics, Acme Comics Downtown, and Lost Ark Video Games!
October 29, 2025 at 10:28 PM
Reposted by Mike Swaim
clobberinthyme.bsky.social
Brand new preview pages for GELATINOUS SPACETIME: EXTENDED EDITION! Grab your copy today at Acme Comics, Acme Comics Downtown, and Lost Ark Video Games!
October 29, 2025 at 3:07 PM
trillionpixels.bsky.social
COMICTOBER Day 12: Graveyard Gossip

Wilma and Phoebe from the Conundrum Crew are hunting ghosts in the old graveyard. How do these ghosts pass eternity?

#daniandlulucomic
#comictober #comictober2025
Panel 1: Dani and Lulu stand in a dark graveyard under the moonlight. Dani holds a ghost detector and says, “I’m picking something up near those headstones.” Panel 2: Two transparent blue ghosts gossip over their graves. One says, “They say Edgar’s been haunting with his ex and her husband.” The other replies, “That will be an awkward eternity.” Panel 3: The ghosts continue gossiping. One says, “He’s also been haunting with both Miller sisters.” The other responds, “Scandalous! He’s barely cold.” Panel 4: Dani and Lulu listen as the ghosts chatter. Dani says, “Even in death they can’t stop gossiping.” Lulu grins and says, “I’m dying to hear more.”
October 29, 2025 at 2:08 PM
trillionpixels.bsky.social
Well well, Lulu makes a sneaky guest appearance in the latest Bubble Fox comic!
October 28, 2025 at 9:56 AM
trillionpixels.bsky.social
COMICTOBER Day 11: Zombie influencers

Brain rot sets in eventually. Anyway, Comictober has allowed me to do weird things with the characters.

#daniandlulucomic
#comictober
#comictober2025
Panel 1: A blonde zombie influencer poses with a purple bottle labeled “Reanimax,” saying, “For that unliving glow.” She holds a phone and smiles eerily as she records herself. Panel 2: A zombie with a partially exposed brain and sunglasses takes a selfie, saying, “Live your best undeath.” The background is a dark wavy blue pattern. Panel 3: Another zombie influencer with yellow hair and a hoodie holds up a can labeled “Brain Boost” and says, “Use code braaainssss.” Panel 4: Dani and Lulu stand together; Dani holds a spiked club, grimacing in disgust. She says, “Ick! They mutated into influencers!” Lulu replies, “I liked it better when they were trying to eat our brains.”
October 27, 2025 at 2:15 PM
trillionpixels.bsky.social
NEW COMIC!
Bootiful

This is a follow up to Thursday’s Comictober post. I like to call attention to other comics when I can, so I want to thank justanotherplainjane on Instagram for inspiring this during a chat yesterday. Go follow her comic work!

New Comictober on Monday!

#daniandlulucomic
Four-panel Dani & Lulu comic. Panel 1: Dani carries a skeleton in her arms with a calm expression, preparing to set it up. Panel 2: Dani studies the skeleton sitting on a red chair and says, “It needs something else.” Lulu, standing beside her, cheerfully replies, “Allow me.” Panel 3: Lulu leans forward blocking our view as her arms flail wildly. Panel 4: Dani smiles as Lulu proudly gestures toward the skeleton, now wearing a pink bow. Lulu says, “Now she’s not just another plain Jane.”
October 25, 2025 at 1:45 PM
trillionpixels.bsky.social
COMICTOBER Day 10: Skeleton in the Closet

She’s a third grader how many skeletons can Dani have in her closet?

Three more to go to finish out Comictober!

#daniandlulucomic
#comictober
#comictober2025
Panel 1: Dani opens a closet door while holding an item to put away. She says, “I’ll just put this away in the closet.” Panel 2: Inside the dark closet, a skeleton stands upright among hanging colorful clothes, staring out with hollow eyes. Panel 3: Dani screams in fear, “AAAHHH!!” as the skeleton leans forward out of the closet toward her. Panel 4: Dani lays on the floor with the plastic halloween skeleton collapsed on top of her. Lulu stands nearby, smiling and saying, “No one can accuse you of not facing the skeletons in your closet.” Dani groans, “This is embarrassing.”
October 23, 2025 at 1:57 PM
trillionpixels.bsky.social
NEW COMIC!
Realignment

I was curious how their table top rpg sessions were going.

New Comictober on Thursday!

#daniandlulucomic
Four-panel Dani & Lulu comic. Panel 1: Lulu, dressed as a fantasy thief, unlocks a dungeon cell while Jules, wearing armor, looks alarmed. Jules says, “You’re letting the goblins go free?!” Lulu replies, “I want the chest behind them!” Panel 2: Lulu reaches for a lever on the wall as Jules looks worried. Jules says, “Lulu! We don’t know what that does!” Lulu answers, “We don’t know what it doesn’t do either.” Panel 3: Lulu holds a glowing bracelet while standing near a pit of lava. Jules shouts, “Throw the bracelet of boom into the lava!” Lulu smirks and says, “I think I’m gonna keep this.” Panel 4: At a tabletop gaming table, Dani sits behind a Dungeon Master screen while Lulu and Jules play. Dani says, “I think we need an alignment check.” Lulu grins and replies, “Think of me as chaotic curious.”
October 22, 2025 at 1:18 PM
trillionpixels.bsky.social
COMICTOBER Day 9: Modern Witch

I can only think of one Modern Witch I know and I imagine her publishing Modern Witch magazine. @artbymoga.bsky.social

#daniandlulucomic #comictober #comictober2025
A comic in 2 horizontal panels. Panel 1: Dani, dressed as a witch with a black hat and purple trim, holds a broom and says proudly, “I’ll be the best witch with this broom.” Lulu, standing nearby with her green alien features and pink bow, reads from a magazine and replies, “Today’s witches don’t carry brooms or wear outfits like that.” Panel 2: Dani frowns slightly and asks, “How do you know?” Lulu holds up a colorful magazine and says, “I read it in Modern Witch Magazine.” The cover shows a stylish witch posing with pumpkins.
October 21, 2025 at 1:38 PM
trillionpixels.bsky.social
NEW COMIC!
Checked and Balanced

This is a very special visit to Chalk World which can be drawn quickly. For those who are confused- this place will come up in flashback posts soon.

New Comictober on Tuesday!

#daniandlulucomic
Four-panel Dani & Lulu comic. Panel 1: Lulu visits Vern the Penguin in Chalk World. They sit at a table with a chessboard. The background is covered in chalk doodles of stars, rockets, cupcakes, and equations. Lulu asks, “A chess game?” Vern replies, “Not just any chess game, Lulu.” Panel 2: A chalk drawing of pawns and a bishop on the board under hand-drawn diagrams. Vern’s voice explains the rules: “Two rows of pawns. Take pieces to upgrade. An upgrade can become the queen. Capture the queen—get your pawns back. Capture all opposing pawns to win!” Panel 3: Holding a pawn, Lulu tilts her head and asks, “When do the kings come into play?” Vern answers, “That’s the neat part. They don’t.” Panel 4: Lulu and Vern throw up their arms in excitement and shout, “No kings!” Chalk doodles float around them.
October 18, 2025 at 2:11 PM
trillionpixels.bsky.social
COMICTOBER Day 8: Ghosted

Nosferat-who?

I stretched this one a bit since I needed a vampire hunter comic for this year. I must say I love drawing in black and white.

#daniandlulucomic
#comictober
#comictober2025
Panel 1: A black-and-white 4 panel comic in the style of an old book illustration. An open coffin sits inside a stone crypt, completely empty. Dani, from off-panel exclaims, “Empty!” Panel 2: Dani and Lulu, dressed as classic vampire hunters, stand by the coffin. Dani holds a lantern and a wooden stake and says, “We’ve been ghosted!” Lulu, tense and alert, replies, “No, but we’re about to be!” Behind them, a confused vampire wearing a comfy sweater stands in the doorway, holding a mug of sleepy tea. Panel 3: Dani and Lulu run down a cobblestone corridor, looking frightened. The angry vampire shakes his fist and yells after them, “Lousy kids!” Panel 4: The vampire climbs wearily into his coffin, still holding his mug. He grumbles, “Can’t a guy get his eight hours in without having to worry about a stake to the heart?”
October 17, 2025 at 1:47 PM
trillionpixels.bsky.social
REPOST: Welcome to the kids’ table in this throwback Thursday post. There are some familiar kids visiting from @lollipopcomics.bsky.social and Mike and Mindy t @jonscrazyblues.bsky.social

#daniandlulucomic
Panel 1: Dani and Lulu, in her human disguise, stand at a buffet table holding plates of food. Dani says, “We are going to sit away from the adults.” Panel 2: Dani and Lulu walk with their plates. Lulu says, “They’re going to talk sports and politics the whole time.” Panel 3: Dani and Lulu sit down at a separate table with other kids. Dani says, “Welcome to the kids’ table…” Panel 4: The kids laugh and eat together. Lulu finishes Dani’s sentence, saying, “…where we discuss comics, video games, and fart jokes.”
October 16, 2025 at 2:36 PM