The Beginning of A Dog Named Karma

Start with Comic #1, titled “Beware The Magic 2020 Ball”

Kiki Schirr

Published in

A Dog Named Karma

3 min readDec 28, 2020

Text with bubbles are said aloud, text on purple is an unspoken thought. Additional author notes at the end.

December 15, 2019 — Talako and Frieda visit the city to meet her Psychic:

Frieda, a redheaded girl, is dragging a reluctant hipster, Talako, to her psychic, hoping Talako will believe. He is grumpy.

Inside the lobby of the psychic’s office the sound of the front door creaks over a Magic 20/20 Ball alone on a pedestal.

Suddenly the Ball begins to emit a sinister energy and it might be then that you notice all the “Do NOT touch signs.”

Frieda tells Talako to wait for her in the lobby, but the warning falls on deaf ears as he sees the Magic Ball, still glowing

Without hesitation, Talako grabs the Ball, excited that the Psychic is apparently into “nostalgic irony” — a fellow hipster? — (Note: Talako incorrectly assumes The Psychic is a woman)

For his first question, Talako asks whether his sister’s June wedding will end up just as perfect as she wants it.

Completely focused, Talako shakes the Ball wildly.

The Ball displays a message: “HA HA HA.”

Talako is confused. The Magic 8 Balls of his childhood never laughed. Instead he asks about his plans for a trip to Europe.

Now angry and confused, Talako frantically shakes the Ball, asking about finding a job, SXSW, and his graduation.

But the Ball only laughs at his questions. Talako is confused, but reflects that maybe it’s better he hadn’t asked about…

“Frieda?” Talako gasps, as she returns to the room. His hair is a mess from shaking and he looks distressed.

Frieda and the Psychic stand in the hall, staring at Talako. The Psychic remains in the shadows as Frieda admonishes Talako.

Talako suggests it was good that he tested the thing, it has to be broken — all it does is laugh at his plans for next year.

In a close up of The Psychic, as they think of what’s ahead in 2020, The Psychic’s expression is unsettlingly sad…

Click here to read the next comic in A Dog Named Karma

Author’s Note:
Hope you all weathered 2020 as best you could! I know the world threw a lot of crap our way this year, but from how I’ve seen my friends and family respond, I’m proud of what we have accomplished despite the unexpected speed bumps in our journey.
This comic is the first in a series, originally published in my former publication, Tech Doodles, to suggest those readers also give this comic a shot. But all comics about Frieda and Talako (and Karma!) will appear in A Dog Named Karma from now on. Be sure to subscribe for email updates!
And, as always, I appreciate hearing from you. My email is in my bio if you want to reach out! Thank you!
— Kiki

Click here to read the next comic in A Dog Named Karma

The Beginning of A Dog Named Karma

Start with Comic #1, titled “Beware The Magic 2020 Ball”

December 15, 2019 — Talako and Frieda visit the city to meet her Psychic:

Click here to read the next comic in A Dog Named Karma

Click here to read the next comic in A Dog Named Karma

Written by Kiki Schirr