this post was submitted on 31 Aug 2025

975 points (99.3% liked)

Comic Strips

19042 readers

2872 users here now

Comic Strips is a community for those who love comic stories.

The rules are simple:

The post can be a single image, an image gallery, or a link to a specific comic hosted on another site (the author's website, for instance).
The comic must be a complete story.
If it is an external link, it must be to a specific story, not to the root of the site.
You may post comics from others or your own.
If you are posting a comic of your own, a maximum of one per week is allowed (I know, your comics are great, but this rule helps avoid spam).
The comic can be in any language, but if it's not in English, OP must include an English translation in the post's 'body' field (note: you don't need to select a specific language when posting a comic).
Politeness.
AI-generated comics aren't allowed.
Adult content is not allowed. This community aims to be fun for people of all ages.

Web of links

!linuxmemes@lemmy.world: "I use Arch btw"
!memes@lemmy.world: memes (you don't say!)

founded 2 years ago

MODERATORS

lawrence@lemmy.world

975

Middle Man (media.piefed.world)

submitted 3 days ago by The_Picard_Maneuver@piefed.world to c/comicstrips@lemmy.world

27 comments fedilink hide all child comments

top 27 comments

sorted by: hot top controversial new old

[–] WoodScientist@lemmy.world 131 points 2 days ago (7 children)

That could be a fantastic superpower. Imagine a superhero called Middle Man. What would his powers be? He would have to have powers relating to connecting and engaging with people.

In my head canon, Middle Man has a form of psychic power. Come to him with any problem, no matter how strange or obscure. He will instantly be able to know the most qualified person on the planet to help with that problem and how to get in contact with them. And using his super power of persuasion, he'll be able to contact them up and always be able to convince them to help or advise you.

[–] Rhaedas@fedia.io 54 points 2 days ago (1 children)

That was my take from the comic. He did his job flawlessly.

Until you learn that previously someone had come to him asking how to get revenge on their boss and company in that building for firing them, and Middle Man got the world's best arsonist on the job.

[–] WoodScientist@lemmy.world 19 points 2 days ago

Maybe the arsonist was recruited by Middle Man's arch nemesis. They're basically the same abilities-wise; the only real difference is alignment. Middle Man uses these powers to help the innocent, his nemesis uses them to obtain power and wealth.

Not sure what his nemesis should be named though. Maybe Middle Manager, and he uses his powers for petty control? Middle Man once convinced a cosmetic surgeon for rich celebrities to fly to a war-torn country and help land mine victims. Middle Manager once convinced Martha Stewart do his laundry for a season.

[–] SethranKada@lemmy.ca 14 points 2 days ago

I love this

[–] prole@lemmy.blahaj.zone 10 points 2 days ago

Sounds like the perfect premise for a "monster of the week" type serial TV show.

[–] Lost_My_Mind@lemmy.world 4 points 2 days ago

I'm imagining them not so much as a super hero. More like someone who switches the line.

Sometimes good, if it benefits them. Sometimes evil, if it benefits them.

The key here is, they don't give a shit if the job gets done. They know that anyone coming to them for help is already desprate to know HOW to fix things.

So superman might ask how to overcome kryptonite. And Batman might ask who would have the answer to a riddle (as in, Batman knows the answer, but the answer requires additional materials to complete, and thats where Middle Man could come in.)

But also, Catwoman might ask where she could obtain blueprints for the building of city hall. And the penguin would ask where he could find the best bomb making materials. Because despite his whole thing is that he's a penguin, he uses an awful lot of bombs. And nobody ever assosiates that with him. Most people think The Joker.

[–] TheHotze@lemmy.world 8 points 2 days ago

Absolute King.

[–] NaibofTabr@infosec.pub 5 points 2 days ago

"I'm a people person... I have people for that."

[–] NoForwadSlashS@piefed.social 5 points 2 days ago

That sounds like a middle manager but actually useful.

[–] Sterile_Technique@lemmy.world 60 points 2 days ago (1 children)

The version we got IRL:

[–] Jankatarch@lemmy.world 16 points 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago)

(He then proceeded to charge $10K in fees nonetheless.)

[–] Allero@lemmy.today 6 points 1 day ago

Actually useful

[–] QuarterSwede@lemmy.world 53 points 2 days ago

Sometimes it’s who you know and not what you know.

[–] Kazumara@discuss.tchncs.de 7 points 2 days ago

Another job well dispatched. He can be proud of himself today!

[–] mental_block@lemmy.wtf 28 points 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago)

"Was the least I could do. Now.. I prefer cash but Venmo or Bitcoin works too"

[–] TipsyMcGee@lemmy.dbzer0.com 4 points 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago)

”I deal with the customers”

[–] brown567@sh.itjust.works 12 points 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago)

You forgot the part where Middle Man charges the citizen for That Guy's work, then proceeds to not pay That Guy a single red cent

[–] jaybone@lemmy.zip 12 points 2 days ago

This guy hangs out with Captain Hindsight in the League of Mediocrity.

[–] manny_stillwagon@mander.xyz 12 points 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago) (1 children)

1000003137

The Middleman: You know how in comic books there's all kinds of mad scientists and aliens and androids and monsters, and all of them either want to destroy or take over the world?

Wendy: In comic books, sure.

The Middleman: Well it really does work like that.

https://www.themoviedb.org/tv/15147-the-middleman

[–] Evil_Shrubbery@thelemmy.club 10 points 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago)

Omg, such a good show!!
Vibes so nice!!

[–] TomMasz@piefed.social 7 points 2 days ago

Oh, and I get 15% off the top.

[–] How_do_I_computah@lemmy.world 8 points 2 days ago

"I used to fly into burning buildings all the time. Back then things burned hotter too. I get it. If you keep at it I'll absolutely put in a good word for you when I'm done with this position. Until then just keep knocking it out of the park, ok?"

[–] bjoern_tantau@swg-empire.de 8 points 2 days ago (1 children)

I bet there's a JLU episode about the guy at the Justice League headquarters responsible for coordinating all the members and sending them out to assignments.

[–] tetris11@lemmy.ml 1 points 2 days ago

Starman I think

[–] Sidhean@piefed.social 4 points 2 days ago

If Middle Man hadnt sent Okay Hero to help an old lady cross the street, That Guy might not have been available. I get the feeling, however, that Middle Man knows who started that fire

[–] Quibblekrust@thelemmy.club 3 points 2 days ago

He's a people person, damnit!

[–] original_reader@lemmy.zip 3 points 2 days ago

https://www.doublefine.com/games/middle-manager-of-justice