Mike Swaim
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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
NEW COMIC!

Skate Expectations

Lulu takes up ice skating in today’s comic. Low to no dialogue comics are my favorite to make especially when I am running down to the wire.

#daniandlulucomic
Four-panel Dani & Lulu comic. Panel 1: Lulu ice skates on a frozen pond, arms behind her as she glides forward smoothly. She wears a red winter hat, blue coat, and pink skirt. Panel 2: Lulu lifts one leg and balances on a single toe pick, striking a confident skating pose with her arms out. She appears focused and steady. Panel 3: Lulu attempts a spin on the ice. Her upper body twists, her arms flail, and her eyes go wide as she loses control and begins to topple. Panel 4: Lulu has crashed into a snowbank at the edge of the pond. Her boots stick straight up behind her. She grumbles: “The dog in the comic makes this look so easy.”
December 6, 2025 at 2:56 PM
trillionpixels.bsky.social
I would love to have the new Lego Enterprise D but $400 is a little steep. I still have my Mega Bloks TOS Enterprise I picked up on clearance for about $60 about 6 or so years ago. I think it pretty neat still. I’m frugal.

#startrek
Mega blok USS Enterprise starship model on shelf side view. Mega blok USS Enterprise starship model on shelf viewed front and above. Mega blok USS Enterprise starship model on shelf forward view.
December 6, 2025 at 2:54 AM
trillionpixels.bsky.social
REPOST: cupcakes and penguins

Jules slowly making her way into the friend group with some gifts on this Christmas throwback Thursday

#daniandlulucomic
Four-panel comic. Panel 1: A cardboard box filled with penguin-shaped Christmas ornaments sits open. Off-panel, Jules says, “Dani, I brought you some ornaments!” Panel 2: Dani says, “Wow! You’re giving me your penguin ornaments?” Jules replies, “Yep. My parents said there are too many penguins on the tree.” Lulu stands beside them, silently holding one ornament and reacting. Panel 3: Close on Jules, gesturing as she talks. She says, “Too many penguins? How is that even possible? Anyway, I thought I’d share. Also…” Panel 4: Jules now holds a tray of decorated cupcakes. She says, “…I brought cupcakes!” Lulu, shocked, blurts, “How did she do that?!” Dani watches quietly. Jules adds, “See, they’re icebergs with penguins on top.”
December 4, 2025 at 3:40 PM
trillionpixels.bsky.social
NEW COMIC!
Cold Exposure Intercept

Lulu’s casual remark about her home world’s climate catches the attention of an unexpected listener, triggering a chain of questions that could expose her true origin.

#daniandlulucomic
Four-panel Dani & Lulu comic. Panel 1: Dani and Lulu walk side-by-side from school down a chilly, leaf-covered forest path in their winter coats and hats. Lulu says, “It turned cold way too fast.” Panel 2: Closer view of Dani and Lulu walking. Dani asks, “Does it get this cold where you’re from?” Lulu replies, “Just the poles and extreme altitudes.” Panel 3: Dani and Lulu, now looking human, continue walking. Behind them, a girl is following at a distance. Lulu says, “It’s mostly warm on my planet.” Panel 4: The girl has stopped walking, staring wide-eyed in shock at what she just overheard. Dani and Lulu continue on unaware.
December 3, 2025 at 3:10 PM
Reposted by Mike Swaim
nerdykris.bsky.social
On the one hand it's more work, on the other hand it's nice to be so well known across all the companies that people come straight to me instead of their in house IT support desk.
a man with a lightning bolt on his shirt is sitting at a table and says " i 'm wildly popular "
Alt: David from Schitt's Creek saying "I'm wildly popular, some might even venture to call me beloved"
media.tenor.com
December 1, 2025 at 8:16 PM
trillionpixels.bsky.social
NEW COMIC!
The Splurge

Lulu learns about a new tradition between Thanksgiving and Christmas.

I honestly have not seen much of this in the last 15 or 20 years, but I’m also not getting up a 3 in the morning to stand in line for discounted computer supplies anymore.

#daniandlulucomic
Panel 1 Dani and human-looking Lulu stand in a crowded store aisle. A furious shopper off-panel is shouting symbols of anger. The shopper yells, “I’m gonna hit you!” Dani stands firm, holding Lulu’s hand protectively, and calmly says, “No.” Lulu looks startled, clutching a shopping list. Panel 2 The crowd suddenly surges. Lulu shouts, “Wha..?!” Dani, pulling Lulu past the crowd explains urgently, “One day a year, the rules of civility are suspended.” Panel 3 Dani and human Lulu manage to reach a quiet alcove near a fitting-room door. Dani leads Lulu by the hand while explaining, “People descend into chaos driven by frenzy and desperation.” Panel 4 Inside a fitting-room Lulu is now in her alien form, nervous, clutching her hands to her chest. Dani finishes, “We call it Black Friday.”
November 29, 2025 at 2:34 PM
trillionpixels.bsky.social
REPOST: Friends

Hey it’s Thanksgiving in the USA, but I didn’t forget about my throwback Thursday! So here’s a Thanksgiving Throwback Thursday about Christmas.

#daniandlulucomic
Four-panel comic. Panel 1: Dani, dressed in an elf outfit with a pointed hat and glasses smiles and says, “I need to get ready for my friends.” Panel 2: Lulu stands in front of a Christmas tree, wearing a fluffy Santa outfit. Lulu asks, “So who are these friends?” A shelf with decorations sits behind her. Panel 3: Dani and Lulu stand together near the Christmas tree. Dani gestures toward Lulu and says, “Well, for starters, you and…” Panel 4: Jules enters wearing a winter hat and festive jacket, holding Vern the penguin plush. Dani, off-panel, says “Jules.” Jules says, “Hi Lulu!” Lulu instantly shifts into her human disguise, startled by Jules’ sudden appearance.
November 27, 2025 at 3:47 PM
trillionpixels.bsky.social
NEW COMIC!
Thanksgiving Memories

Lulu reminisces with Dani and Jules about her home planet’s holiday tradition similar to Thanksgiving.

Dani and Lulu wish a Happy Thanksgiving to you and your families near, far, and found along the way.

#daniandlulucomic
Four-panel Dani & Lulu comic. Panel 1: Lulu sits at a table in front of a plate of food. Her mother places a platter with odd alien foods on the table. On the table sits a large platter with a green blob dotted with several large white eyes and hairs. Panel 2: Lulu smiles as she squeezes a buttery substance from a slug like creature onto toast. Panel 3: Lulu smiles broadly having speared a slime covers eye ball out of the green blob. Panel 4: Lulu as a human sitting at a kids table flanked by Dani and Jules with her stuffed penguin plushy Vern. Lulu is holding a turkey leg and saying: “Butter butt slug squeezings and jelly eyes on toast is the best part of the Three Moons Feast”.
November 26, 2025 at 2:53 PM
trillionpixels.bsky.social
NEW COMIC!
Commitment Issues.

I had this idea back when I taught weather and climate in my earth science course. I wasn’t drawing the comic unfortunately. It came back up over the past couple of weeks when the weather seemed to change rapidly over a few days.

#daniandlulucomic
Four-panel Dani & Lulu comic. Panel 1 (10:00 AM): Dani and Lulu stand on a city sidewalk holding ice cream cones. The sky is clear and sunny on this unusually warm Fall day. Panel 2 (11:00 AM): Dani and Lulu walk through a park in long pants, Fall jackets, and hats. Leaves fall around them. Dani’s breath is visible in the cold air. Panel 3 (1:00 PM): Dani and Lulu stand together at a bus stop in heavy rain. They hold a red umbrella above them. Panel 4 (2:00 PM): Dani and Lulu stand outside under a bright sun on a very hot Fall afternoon. Dani is sweating and opening a water bottle. Lulu is sweating heavily and fanning herself with a hand-held fan while saying, “Your planet has a problem with climate commitment.”
November 22, 2025 at 3:02 PM
trillionpixels.bsky.social
REPOST: Stars

Did I mention Lulu likes stars? A Christmas throw back to the first year of the comic. Yes, panel 2 was inspired by MC Escher.

#daniandlulucomic
Four-panel comic. Panel 1 Lulu lifts a small Christmas tree ornament and looks at it with wide eyes while Dani sorts through a box of decorations. Lulu says, “You drag a tree into your home and decorate it with glass balls?” Panel 2 A shiny ornament reflects a distorted, fish-eye view of Lulu as she leans close to examine it. Lulu says, “Boring.” Dani, offscreen, replies, “It’s tradition.” Panel 3 Lulu kneels beside the box of ornaments, starting to talk about traditions. She says, “A pretty silly one for a few days a year when…” She suddenly stops and shouts, “Oh my stars!” Panel 4 Dani sits beside Lulu smiling as Lulu holds up a bright star-shaped tree topper. Lulu says, “I’m so here for this.” Dani adds, “I got this for you too.” Holding up a small Santa suit.
November 20, 2025 at 2:45 PM
trillionpixels.bsky.social
It’s #CraziesDayParade hosted by @jonscrazyblues.bsky.social and @lollipopcomics.bsky.social ! The Luluverse balloons are inflated and in flight.
A comic drawing of parade balloons of Lulu, Dani, Jules, and the plushy penguin Vern. It’s labeled “2025 Crazies Day Parade”.
November 19, 2025 at 6:24 PM
trillionpixels.bsky.social
NEW COMIC!
Bad Taste

Lulu explores the future of human culinary arts. I almost used an old line that made rounds through the internet years ago, but I’m glados I didn’t.

#daniandlulucomic
Four-panel Dani & Lulu comic. Panel 1: Lulu presents a small purple cake to Dani. Dani says, “What’s this?” Lulu, cheerful, says, “I’ve taken up baking to learn more about human foods.” Panel 2: Lulu holds a knife, ready to cut the cake. Lulu says, “Want a slice?” Dani, excited, replies, “Yes! Thanks!” Panel 3: Scene dramatically changes. Dani vomits violently into a toilet- “Blaaaaaarg!!!” Lulu looks confused at her phone in one hand and holding Dani’s hair in the other. She says, “Why would a.i. lie? The recipe was highly recommended by eatsgpt.” Panel 4: Dani remains hunched over the toilet, looking sick. She says weakly, “All artificial…” Lulu responds, “No intelligence.”
November 19, 2025 at 3:12 PM
Reposted by Mike Swaim
lollipopcomics.bsky.social
Get your balloons ready! #CRAZIESDayParade
jonscrazyblues.bsky.social Jon Esparza @jonscrazyblues.bsky.social · 20d
Tomorrow! Tomorrow! The #CRAZIESDayParade is tomorrow! That’s right, one last reminder to fill your OC’s with an appropriate amount of helium and post with the tag! Featuring commentary from me and @lollipopcomics.bsky.social, ALL art MUST be SFW, no exceptions! Be there or be spherical!
November 19, 2025 at 12:59 AM
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 · 22d
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 · Oct 31
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