Protagonist's Journey to Villain: Difference between revisions

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== [[Anime]] & [[Manga]] ==
== [[Anime]] & [[Manga]] ==
* ''[[Black Lagoon]]'', As the series goes on "outside" character [[Nice Guy|Rock]], who is [[Character Development|quickly turning into]] [[Action Survivor|something]] [[Guile Hero|else]]. The opposite is true of [[Villain Protagonist|Revy]], who has actually [[Defrosting Ice Queen|eased up]] thanks to Rock's optimism.
* ''[[Black Lagoon]]'', As the series goes on "outside" character [[Nice Guy|Rock]], who is [[Character Development|quickly turning into]] [[Action Survivor|something]] [[Guile Hero|else]]. The opposite is true of [[Villain Protagonist|Revy]], who has actually [[Defrosting Ice Queen|eased up]] thanks to Rock's optimism.
* ''[[Death Note (Manga)|Death Note]]'' is this for Light. He starts off just killing dangerous criminals, but it's only a few episodes before he convinces himself that [[Utopia Justifies the Means|since his intentions are noble]], and the police are trying to stop him, it's perfectly acceptable to murder them as well. And from there, things go [[From Bad to Worse]].
* ''[[Death Note]]'' is this for Light. He starts off just killing dangerous criminals, but it's only a few episodes before he convinces himself that [[Utopia Justifies the Means|since his intentions are noble]], and the police are trying to stop him, it's perfectly acceptable to murder them as well. And from there, things go [[From Bad to Worse]].
* This happens to Michi in [[Osamu Tezuka]]'s original ''[[Metropolis (Anime)|Metropolis]]'' manga.
* This happens to Michi in [[Osamu Tezuka]]'s original ''[[Metropolis (anime)|Metropolis]]'' manga.
* A good half of the plot of ''[[Naruto]]'' focuses on the slow decline of [[The Rival|Sasuke]] from angsty, but loyal to full on villainy and the titular character's (thus far unsuccessful) attempts to stop this.
* A good half of the plot of ''[[Naruto]]'' focuses on the slow decline of [[The Rival|Sasuke]] from angsty, but loyal to full on villainy and the titular character's (thus far unsuccessful) attempts to stop this.
** The slow descent ended the instant {{spoiler|Tobi}} got his claws into Sasuke. With a bit of egging on by the master manipulator, Sasuke [[Jumping Off the Slippery Slope|dives headlong off the slope]]; even his teammates who had suffered under Orochimaru were stunned by his sudden swerve into open murder.
** The slow descent ended the instant {{spoiler|Tobi}} got his claws into Sasuke. With a bit of egging on by the master manipulator, Sasuke [[Jumping Off the Slippery Slope|dives headlong off the slope]]; even his teammates who had suffered under Orochimaru were stunned by his sudden swerve into open murder.
* The first half of the third season of ''[[Yu-Gi-Oh GX]]'' is this for protagonist Judai. He doesn't remain a villain for long, but comes out the situation an almost completely different character.
* The first half of the third season of ''[[Yu-Gi-Oh! GX]]'' is this for protagonist Judai. He doesn't remain a villain for long, but comes out the situation an almost completely different character.
* ''[[Berserk]]'' devotes much of the Golden Age arc to the relationship between [[Anti-Hero|Guts]] and [[Big Bad|Griffith]], and focuses on the factors which would ultimately lead Griffith to betray Guts and become his number one enemy.
* ''[[Berserk]]'' devotes much of the Golden Age arc to the relationship between [[Anti-Hero|Guts]] and [[Big Bad|Griffith]], and focuses on the factors which would ultimately lead Griffith to betray Guts and become his number one enemy.
* ''[[Mirai Nikki]]'', turning [[The Woobie]] into... well, [[Well-Intentioned Extremist|something]] [[Axe Crazy|else]] [[Woobie, Destroyer of Worlds|entirely.]]
* ''[[Mirai Nikki]]'', turning [[The Woobie]] into... well, [[Well-Intentioned Extremist|something]] [[Axe Crazy|else]] [[Woobie, Destroyer of Worlds|entirely.]]
* ''[[Mahou Sensei Negima]]'': This ''may'' be the fate of {{spoiler|poor Negi}}, who starts the series as a [[Stepford Smiler]] brought on by a [[Dark and Troubled Past]]. {{spoiler|As he and his students become involved in magic and the magical world, he begins to put his students in trouble and he blames himself for everything. In the Magic World arc, [[It Got Worse|things get worse]] and he learns [[Black Magic]].}} Now struggling with [[The Corruption]] and the danger of becoming a inhuman demon, it's only {{spoiler|his}} [[True Companions]] preventing the [[Jumping Off the Slippery Slope|jump off the slippery slope]] {{spoiler|while his enemies and his master want to push him over the edge. Though whilst his master would rather he were ''evil'', they don't want him mindless. Unlike the enemies.}}
* ''[[Mahou Sensei Negima]]'': This ''may'' be the fate of {{spoiler|poor Negi}}, who starts the series as a [[Stepford Smiler]] brought on by a [[Dark and Troubled Past]]. {{spoiler|As he and his students become involved in magic and the magical world, he begins to put his students in trouble and he blames himself for everything. In the Magic World arc, [[It Got Worse|things get worse]] and he learns [[Black Magic]].}} Now struggling with [[The Corruption]] and the danger of becoming a inhuman demon, it's only {{spoiler|his}} [[True Companions]] preventing the [[Jumping Off the Slippery Slope|jump off the slippery slope]] {{spoiler|while his enemies and his master want to push him over the edge. Though whilst his master would rather he were ''evil'', they don't want him mindless. Unlike the enemies.}}
* ''[[Chirin no Suzu (Anime)|Chirin no Suzu]]'' has this happen to Chirin. A cute little lamb grows up and turns into a murdering demonic ram.
* ''[[Chirin no Suzu]]'' has this happen to Chirin. A cute little lamb grows up and turns into a murdering demonic ram.
* The ''[[Warrior Cats]]'' [[Expanded Universe]] manga ''The Rise of Scourge'' is about how a cute little kitten named Tiny became [[Complete Monster|Scourge]], ruler of BloodClan and [[Evil Counterpart]] to [[The Hero]] Firestar.
* The ''[[Warrior Cats]]'' [[Expanded Universe]] manga ''The Rise of Scourge'' is about how a cute little kitten named Tiny became [[Complete Monster|Scourge]], ruler of BloodClan and [[Evil Counterpart]] to [[The Hero]] Firestar.
* This trope is the body of the story in ''[[Ga Rei Zero]]''.
* This trope is the body of the story in ''[[Ga-Rei Zero]]''.
* ''[[Shakugan no Shana]]'': {{spoiler|Sakai Yuuji}} goes down this road because {{spoiler|he's sharing a body with the Snake of the Festival inside Reiji Maigo.}}
* ''[[Shakugan no Shana]]'': {{spoiler|Sakai Yuuji}} goes down this road because {{spoiler|he's sharing a body with the Snake of the Festival inside Reiji Maigo.}}
** In the end, this trope is [[Subverted Trope|subverted]] in the final light novel. While incredibly ruthless, {{spoiler|Snake of the Festival Yuji ultimately turns out to be the [[Big Good]], permanently saving the day so to speak by ending the [[Forever War]] and providing a world for Crimson Denizens to exist without devouring humans' Power of Existence, furthermore allowing the Flame Haze to finally lay aside their weapons.}}
** In the end, this trope is [[Subverted Trope|subverted]] in the final light novel. While incredibly ruthless, {{spoiler|Snake of the Festival Yuji ultimately turns out to be the [[Big Good]], permanently saving the day so to speak by ending the [[Forever War]] and providing a world for Crimson Denizens to exist without devouring humans' Power of Existence, furthermore allowing the Flame Haze to finally lay aside their weapons.}}
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== [[Fan Works]] ==
== [[Fan Works]] ==
* In ''[[Code Geass Mao of the Deliverance (Fanfic)|Code Geass Mao of the Deliverance]]'', Mao's frustration, growing insanity and desperation twist him into a much more manipulative and brutal person. Later chapters, however, appear to hint at a moral recovery.
* In ''[[Code Geass: Mao of the Deliverance|Code Geass Mao of the Deliverance]]'', Mao's frustration, growing insanity and desperation twist him into a much more manipulative and brutal person. Later chapters, however, appear to hint at a moral recovery.
* [http://flummery.livejournal.com/26300.html This] quite amazing fanvid about the [[Doctor Who (TV)|Tenth Doctor]]. The scariest part is that the song (which is also an example of this trope) actually does fit his canon personality to a T.
* [http://flummery.livejournal.com/26300.html This] quite amazing fanvid about the [[Doctor Who|Tenth Doctor]]. The scariest part is that the song (which is also an example of this trope) actually does fit his canon personality to a T.


== [[Film]] ==
== [[Film]] ==
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* Harvey Dent / Two-Face in ''[[The Dark Knight]]''.
* Harvey Dent / Two-Face in ''[[The Dark Knight]]''.
** Page quote, [[Foreshadowing|foreshadows]] his own future and ends up having this as his character theme.
** Page quote, [[Foreshadowing|foreshadows]] his own future and ends up having this as his character theme.
* Fred C. Dobbs in ''[[The Treasure of the Sierra Madre (Film)|The Treasure of the Sierra Madre]]''. He starts off as our main character, but our allegiance gradually switches to his partners as he comes down with [[Gold Fever]] and eventually goes bad.
* Fred C. Dobbs in ''[[The Treasure of the Sierra Madre]]''. He starts off as our main character, but our allegiance gradually switches to his partners as he comes down with [[Gold Fever]] and eventually goes bad.
* ''[[The Social Network]]''. It shows Mark's slide from average nerd to a possible [[Corrupt Corporate Executive]] due to one mean streak too many. {{spoiler|Around the end of the film, he realizes his mistakes, but has somewhat realized he's gone too far to fix them, and tries to make some amends by friend requesting his ex-girlfriend who he insulted over the course of the film.}}
* ''[[The Social Network]]''. It shows Mark's slide from average nerd to a possible [[Corrupt Corporate Executive]] due to one mean streak too many. {{spoiler|Around the end of the film, he realizes his mistakes, but has somewhat realized he's gone too far to fix them, and tries to make some amends by friend requesting his ex-girlfriend who he insulted over the course of the film.}}
** Although a lot of the credibility of how villainous he really was is thrown in doubt by the end of the film considering that the film's multiple POVs, none of which are actually Mark's but of the ones testifying against him, are most likely [[Unreliable Narrator|biased.]] Discussed by Mark and his lawyer in the last scene.
** Although a lot of the credibility of how villainous he really was is thrown in doubt by the end of the film considering that the film's multiple POVs, none of which are actually Mark's but of the ones testifying against him, are most likely [[Unreliable Narrator|biased.]] Discussed by Mark and his lawyer in the last scene.
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'''Marylin Delpy''': Perjury. Creation myths need a Devil. }}
'''Marylin Delpy''': Perjury. Creation myths need a Devil. }}
*** In a similar vein, [[Pirates of Silicon Valley]] focuses a lot on Steve Jobs' transformation from a counter-culture child of [[The Sixties]] to a hard-driving [[Bad Boss]] who's consumed by his ambition and drives away his friends. [[It Got Better|He gets better.]]
*** In a similar vein, [[Pirates of Silicon Valley]] focuses a lot on Steve Jobs' transformation from a counter-culture child of [[The Sixties]] to a hard-driving [[Bad Boss]] who's consumed by his ambition and drives away his friends. [[It Got Better|He gets better.]]
* Washizu in ''[[Throne of Blood (Film)|Throne of Blood]]''. Since the film is based on ''[[Macbeth (Theatre)|Macbeth]]'', this is not a surprise.
* Washizu in ''[[Throne of Blood]]''. Since the film is based on ''[[Macbeth]]'', this is not a surprise.
* Kane in ''[[Citizen Kane (Film)|Citizen Kane]]''.
* Kane in ''[[Citizen Kane]]''.
* It was originally assumed that this would be the plot of ''[[The Scorpion King]]'', as the prequel to ''[[The Mummy Trilogy|The Mummy Returns]]'', but the film ends on a good note with no indication that [[Dwayne Johnson|Mathias]] will become evil.
* It was originally assumed that this would be the plot of ''[[The Scorpion King]]'', as the prequel to ''[[The Mummy Trilogy|The Mummy Returns]]'', but the film ends on a good note with no indication that [[Dwayne Johnson|Mathias]] will become evil.
** [[Word of God]] is the Scorpion King in ''The Mummy Returns'' is actually Mathias's [[Identical Grandson]].
** [[Word of God]] is the Scorpion King in ''The Mummy Returns'' is actually Mathias's [[Identical Grandson]].
* ''[[My Best Friends Wedding]]'' is a rom-com variation of this, although the film is clever enough to hide it under the usual Julia Roberts tropes for the first half of the film.
* ''[[My Best Friend's Wedding]]'' is a rom-com variation of this, although the film is clever enough to hide it under the usual Julia Roberts tropes for the first half of the film.
* ''[[The Godfather (Film)|The Godfather]]'' trilogy is all about Michael Corleone's transformation from [[White Sheep]] of a crime family to its ruthless leader, and subsequent doomed attempts to [[The Atoner|atone]]. Initially he's not supposed to be involved in the family business at all, as his father genuinely wants someone in the next generation to leave their criminal past behind, but Michael is drawn in in order to protect him from assassination and ends up being the only real candidate to succeed him. He starts out promising his wife that he too intends to make the family legitimate, and his justification for everything is that he's protecting his family. But it turns out he thinks the best way to do that is by consolidating his power and taking out all his enemies in one fell swoop, {{spoiler|who happen to include his brother-in-law}}. The second movie takes the paradox further -- now the enemies he's wiping out are {{spoiler|a terminally ill man who's no threat to him anyway and, famously, his own brother}}, and in the meantime his coldness and the violence that surrounds him have driven his wife and children away. The third film has him as a tragic figure realizing that he can't undo what he's done and that the future of the family is out of his hands, and eventually receiving the ultimate poetic punishment: {{spoiler|seeing his daughter killed by a bullet meant for him}}.
* ''[[The Godfather]]'' trilogy is all about Michael Corleone's transformation from [[White Sheep]] of a crime family to its ruthless leader, and subsequent doomed attempts to [[The Atoner|atone]]. Initially he's not supposed to be involved in the family business at all, as his father genuinely wants someone in the next generation to leave their criminal past behind, but Michael is drawn in in order to protect him from assassination and ends up being the only real candidate to succeed him. He starts out promising his wife that he too intends to make the family legitimate, and his justification for everything is that he's protecting his family. But it turns out he thinks the best way to do that is by consolidating his power and taking out all his enemies in one fell swoop, {{spoiler|who happen to include his brother-in-law}}. The second movie takes the paradox further -- now the enemies he's wiping out are {{spoiler|a terminally ill man who's no threat to him anyway and, famously, his own brother}}, and in the meantime his coldness and the violence that surrounds him have driven his wife and children away. The third film has him as a tragic figure realizing that he can't undo what he's done and that the future of the family is out of his hands, and eventually receiving the ultimate poetic punishment: {{spoiler|seeing his daughter killed by a bullet meant for him}}.


{{smallcaps| [[Literature]]}}:
{{smallcaps| [[Literature]]}}:
* ''[[Wicked (Literature)|Wicked]]'' is the Wicked Witch of the West's descent into madness and evil.
* ''[[Wicked (novel)|Wicked]]'' is the Wicked Witch of the West's descent into madness and evil.
** Although, if you ''[[Alternative Character Interpretation|really]]'' [[Grey and Gray Morality|wanna]] [[Crapsack World|get]] [[Freudian Excuse|into]] [[The Woobie|it]]...
** Although, if you ''[[Alternative Character Interpretation|really]]'' [[Grey and Gray Morality|wanna]] [[Crapsack World|get]] [[Freudian Excuse|into]] [[The Woobie|it]]...
** Mad, yes, but she never gets around to much actual evil (apart from neglecting the kid who is probably hers) because she's busy being insane and broken-hearted and bitter as hell.
** Mad, yes, but she never gets around to much actual evil (apart from neglecting the kid who is probably hers) because she's busy being insane and broken-hearted and bitter as hell.
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== [[Live Action TV]] ==
== [[Live Action TV]] ==
* The titular ''[[Angel]]'' has this. [[Heel Face Revolving Door|A couple of times.]]
* The titular ''[[Angel]]'' has this. [[Heel Face Revolving Door|A couple of times.]]
* ''[[Breaking Bad]]'' is about Walter White's descent from [[Anti-Villain]] to [[Villain Protagonist]]. Series creator Vince Gilligan stated that his goal with Walter is to turn [[Goodbye Mr. Chips|Mr. Chips]] into [[Scarface]].
* ''[[Breaking Bad]]'' is about Walter White's descent from [[Anti-Villain]] to [[Villain Protagonist]]. Series creator Vince Gilligan stated that his goal with Walter is to turn [[Goodbye, Mr. Chips|Mr. Chips]] into [[Scarface]].
* On [[Buffy the Vampire Slayer]], {{spoiler|Willow gets pushed on the journey to villainy in season 6.}}
* On [[Buffy the Vampire Slayer]], {{spoiler|Willow gets pushed on the journey to villainy in season 6.}}
* {{spoiler|Morgana}} from ''[[Merlin]]''. [[Woobie]] [[Well-Intentioned Extremist]] to [[Manipulative Bitch|manipulative]], [[Psychotic Smirk|chronic smirker.]]
* {{spoiler|Morgana}} from ''[[Merlin]]''. [[Woobie]] [[Well-Intentioned Extremist]] to [[Manipulative Bitch|manipulative]], [[Psychotic Smirk|chronic smirker.]]
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== [[Theatre]] ==
== [[Theatre]] ==
* One of the best examples of this would be ''[[Macbeth]]''. He starts off as a noble person and good guy - a hero returning from war in triumph, but ambition, his wife, and the witches turn him into a monster.
* One of the best examples of this would be ''[[Macbeth]]''. He starts off as a noble person and good guy - a hero returning from war in triumph, but ambition, his wife, and the witches turn him into a monster.
* ''[[Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (Theatre)|Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street]]''. A barber framed and transported for life for a crime he did not commit by a corrupt judge who wanted his beautiful wife for himself, he returns to London, finds out what happened to his wife and daughter in the meantime {{spoiler|though he turns out to have been lied to about the former by Mrs. Lovett, who led him to believe that his wife was dead}}, and seeks revenge against the judge, leaving a trail of blood and death in his wake that would ultimately lead to him becoming the infamous Demon Barber of Fleet Street.
* ''[[Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (theatre)|Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street]]''. A barber framed and transported for life for a crime he did not commit by a corrupt judge who wanted his beautiful wife for himself, he returns to London, finds out what happened to his wife and daughter in the meantime {{spoiler|though he turns out to have been lied to about the former by Mrs. Lovett, who led him to believe that his wife was dead}}, and seeks revenge against the judge, leaving a trail of blood and death in his wake that would ultimately lead to him becoming the infamous Demon Barber of Fleet Street.


== [[Video Games]] ==
== [[Video Games]] ==
* The alliance campaign of ''[[War Craft|Warcraft 3]]'' does this with prince Arthas and the [[Trauma Conga Line]] that leads to him becoming The Lich King.
* The alliance campaign of ''[[Warcraft|Warcraft 3]]'' does this with prince Arthas and the [[Trauma Conga Line]] that leads to him becoming The Lich King.
** To a lesser degree we have Illidan, Sylvanas, Maiev Shadowsong, Kael, and Grom Hellscream, though admittedly several of these became [[Anti-Villain|Anti Villains]] while Grom redeemed himself via [[Heroic Sacrifice]].
** To a lesser degree we have Illidan, Sylvanas, Maiev Shadowsong, Kael, and Grom Hellscream, though admittedly several of these became [[Anti-Villain|Anti Villains]] while Grom redeemed himself via [[Heroic Sacrifice]].
* Sarah Kerrigan's plot-arc from ''[[Starcraft]]'' could basically be described as "heroic moral center" to "[[Brainwashed and Crazy]] [[The Dragon|Dragon]]" to "[[Big Bad]] in her own right".
* Sarah Kerrigan's plot-arc from ''[[Starcraft]]'' could basically be described as "heroic moral center" to "[[Brainwashed and Crazy]] [[The Dragon|Dragon]]" to "[[Big Bad]] in her own right".
** ''Starcraft 2'' {{spoiler|appears to have retconed this so that the brain-washing was practically another person. It's generally implied that Sarah Kerrigan is not the same person as the Queen of Blades, and that her infestation had left the good Sarah trapped inside her own mind.}}
** ''Starcraft 2'' {{spoiler|appears to have retconed this so that the brain-washing was practically another person. It's generally implied that Sarah Kerrigan is not the same person as the Queen of Blades, and that her infestation had left the good Sarah trapped inside her own mind.}}
* The ''[[Metal Gear Solid]]'' prequel games - ''[[Metal Gear Solid 3|MGS3]]'', ''[[Metal Gear Solid Portable Ops|Portable Ops]]'' and ''[[Metal Gear Solid Peace Walker|Peace Walker]]'' - are this for Naked Snake/Big Boss.
* The ''[[Metal Gear Solid]]'' prequel games - ''[[Metal Gear Solid 3 Snake Eater|MGS3]]'', ''[[Metal Gear Solid Portable Ops|Portable Ops]]'' and ''[[Metal Gear Solid Peace Walker|Peace Walker]]'' - are this for Naked Snake/Big Boss.
* ''[[Heroes of Might and Magic]]'''s first ''Heroes' Chronicles'' campaign details the rise and fall of Tarnum, a barbarian whose only goal is to free his people from the tyrannical rule of the Bracadan wizards to re-establish the glorious barbarian empire of old. Throughout the campaign, various events cause him to grow more paranoid and ruthless, with the tipping point being his poisoning of all his generals, whom he suspected of treachery. He is eventually ended by King Rion Gryphonheart, the first Erathian king, in a [[Combat By Champion]]. The remaining campaigns detail his redemption after he is not admitted to the barbarian afterlife. His final redemption comes in the barbarian campaign of ''Heroes of Might and Magic IV'', where he guides a young barbarian named Waerjak in uniting the scattered tribes in a story mirroring his own, minus this trope.
* ''[[Heroes of Might and Magic]]'''s first ''Heroes' Chronicles'' campaign details the rise and fall of Tarnum, a barbarian whose only goal is to free his people from the tyrannical rule of the Bracadan wizards to re-establish the glorious barbarian empire of old. Throughout the campaign, various events cause him to grow more paranoid and ruthless, with the tipping point being his poisoning of all his generals, whom he suspected of treachery. He is eventually ended by King Rion Gryphonheart, the first Erathian king, in a [[Combat by Champion]]. The remaining campaigns detail his redemption after he is not admitted to the barbarian afterlife. His final redemption comes in the barbarian campaign of ''Heroes of Might and Magic IV'', where he guides a young barbarian named Waerjak in uniting the scattered tribes in a story mirroring his own, minus this trope.
* Jin Kazama in ''[[Tekken]] 6''. Regardless of his [[Utopia Justifies the Means|reasons]] [[Knight Templar|for]] [[Batman Gambit|doing]] [[Evil Versus Evil|it]], he plunged the entire world into war and nearly cruelly executed his uncle (it's not like he wasn't enjoying it) based on selfishness and ''a theory.'' Jin himself recognizes what his actions have turned him into, even though he's the only one who could have done what he did.
* Jin Kazama in ''[[Tekken]] 6''. Regardless of his [[Utopia Justifies the Means|reasons]] [[Knight Templar|for]] [[Batman Gambit|doing]] [[Evil Versus Evil|it]], he plunged the entire world into war and nearly cruelly executed his uncle (it's not like he wasn't enjoying it) based on selfishness and ''a theory.'' Jin himself recognizes what his actions have turned him into, even though he's the only one who could have done what he did.
* In ''[[Shin Megami Tensei III Nocturne (Video Game)|Shin Megami Tensei III Nocturne]]'', the entire game serves as this {{spoiler|if you choose the True Demon Ending}}.
* In ''[[Shin Megami Tensei III Nocturne]]'', the entire game serves as this {{spoiler|if you choose the True Demon Ending}}.


== [[Web Comics]] ==
== [[Web Comics]] ==