Nick Wright
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nickthewright.com
Nick Wright
@nickthewright.com
880 followers 300 following 400 posts
I make the webcomic Treading Ground (a raunchy romcom about broke people), videos, games, and burritos. I talk about Star Trek, lefty stuff, and old anime. he/they

Comic! - https://treadingground.com
NSFW! - https://patreon.com/treadingground
Posts Replies Media Videos
nickthewright.com
Place your hands on the steering wheel at 10 and 2 before slumping and sighing heavily

Chapter 2 | Page 7: Ugh

📱Mobile View: www.treadingground.com/comic/chapte...
(EXT. AYA'S HOUSE, a reasonably large and nice two-story suburban home) (AYA is wearing her Loco Mocha Uniform shirt and approaching her car, wearing a bookbag and looking at her phone) Aya: Ugh, guess I'm eating while driving again today. (Aya enters the car and sets her bag down next to her) (Aya closes her eyes and leans forward on the steering wheel, sighing heavily) (Rose pops up from the back seat, surprising Aya) Rose: Took you long enough. Aya: GAH!
December 18, 2025 at 6:50 PM
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Coffee is the unseen machinery that powers all industry

Chapter 2 | Page 6: Adequate

📱Mobile View: www.treadingground.com/comic/chapte...
(Tracy and Nate standing by the coffee urns at the deli) Tracy: Ah, adequate coffee. Nate: It gets caffeine into the body. Tracy: I have to say, I'm glad you're here. Nate: Oh yeah? Tracy: It'll be good for me to not have to open every day. Marie and I were the only ones who knew how to do the morning close. Nate: Ah. Well, glad to help, I guess. (Miranda appears, leaning on the counter behind them. Her nametag says "Deli Clerk | Miranda".) Tracy: Miranda, this is Nate. He's the new Bookkeeper. Miranda (looking at Nate's cup): "Boss Bitch"? Nate: It's aspirational.
December 12, 2025 at 4:00 PM
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Is this a professional relationship?

Chapter 2 | Page 5: Opportunities

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(Tracy showing Nate the safe and explaining something) NARRATION: This isn't so bad. She's had plenty of opportunities to fuck with me, but she hasn't. Tracy: Time for another coffee. Nate: I'd join you but I don't want to pay three bucks for a paper cup. Tracy: Oh, hang on. I might be able to help with that. (Tracy rooting around in the cash office, Nate looking off behind her) NARRATION: It's been almost four years. I've changed. Maybe she has too? (Close-up of Tracy handing Nate a sparkly tumbler with "Boss Bitch" on it) Tracy: Here you go. Shauntae left it when she quit. Nate: Ha, thanks.
December 4, 2025 at 10:48 PM
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They're off to a great start

Chapter 2 | Page 4: Waiting

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(Nate following Tracy into the store) Tracy: Normally I like to get in a little earlier on a day I have to open. Tracy: Nobody can go into the store alone, so try not to keep managers waiting too long. Nate: Got it. Tracy: Daisy always works the first cashier shift during the week. Tracy: She'll be here in a few, and Miranda will be in the Deli, so we'll have coffee. Tracy: It's not free, but it's fifty cents if you bring your own cup. Tracy: Here's a shirt for you. I assume you're still an L. Nate: Yeah. (Nate holding his FB shirt) Nate: Hey, are we, uh, cool? (Tracy from behind) Tracy: We're here to do a job, Nate. We don't have to like each other.
November 20, 2025 at 2:30 PM
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Reunited and it feels no good

Chapter 2 | Page 3: Hello

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(Nate exhales and walks towards the store as Steve's car pulls away in the background) (From-behind shot of Nate approaching Tracy, who is shrouded in darkness, standing under the eave outside the store) Nate: Um, hello. Tracy (close-up, slightly devious): Welcome back, Nate. Let's get started.
November 13, 2025 at 2:30 PM
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There's blood in the water

Chapter 2 | Page 2: Jaws

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(Nate is exiting Steve's car with a worried expression.) Steve: Look, just do this job for now. It can't be so bad that you can't put up with it for a few weeks until you find something better. Nate: Dude, you know how bad shit broke with me and Tracy. This is a nightmare scenario for me! I'm in JAWS and my boat is not nearly big enough. Steve: What I know is that she's a manager, so she's under more scrutiny than you are. If she treats you like shit, just go over her head and file a complaint. Nate: Ugh. Maybe. Steve: It'll be fine. I'll see you around three. Nate (leaning into the car): Abandoning me in shark-infested waters? Terrible maritime protocol. Steve: The Captain of THIS boat needs some more fucking sleep.
November 6, 2025 at 3:38 PM
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Costume Malfunction
Rose (wearing a sexy devil costume, standing behind Aya): I 'unno, is the old "bedsheet ghost" sexy enough for a sexy costume party? Aya: This is the shortest dress I've ever worn, so it better be. Aya: Shit! I cut the eye hole too low! I don't have time to figure out another costume! Rose (closeup): Well, I have a solution for you... but you might not like it. [Bex standing in a skimpy lumberjack costume with a tied flannel shirt, cutoff shorts, and a hatchet, shocked and spilling her drink. Aya is standing there with her face entirely covered and her breasts poking through the "eyeholes" of the ghost costume. Nipples are obscured by electrical tape (but not for Patreon). You can see her blushing through the sheet.]
October 31, 2025 at 3:19 PM
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I don't dance now, I make money moves

Chapter 2 | Page 1: Balance

📱Mobile View: www.treadingground.com/comic/chapte...
EXTERIOR, NEAR FOOD BARON SIGN, SUNRISE (Steve dropping Nate off) Steve: You know, when I dragged you out of Franklinburg I didn't know I'd be cursing myself to a 6:30 wakeup call. Nate: It'll just be this once. I'm going to tell them this was a mistake and quit. Steve: You got the bank account balance for that, Mr. Financial Freedom? Nate: Seventy-seven dollars and thirty-four cents. Steve: You'll be lucky if that lasts until your first paycheck. Nate: It'll last me three months living on credit. Twenty-five dollar minimum payment! (Steve sinks into the steering wheel)
October 30, 2025 at 12:01 PM
nickthewright.com
I have done that exact reference with Tracy before 🤣
Tracy as a villain looming large over the Food Baron, in the style of the screenshot above from the Streets of Rage 2 intro.
October 25, 2025 at 8:33 PM
nickthewright.com
NEW CHAPTER! We're about to see what it's like for Nate to have his ex as his new boss.

Chapter covers are a new thing for me, but they're a good opportunity to get more weird and artsy than usual, and that includes getting into a certain dramatic-ass character’s overactive imagination.
The chapter cover for Treading Ground Chapter 2 "Same Old Blues". It depicts a sadistic-looking Tracy as puppetmaster controlling a dopey-looking wooden Nate puppet.
October 24, 2025 at 2:16 PM
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I still see your shadows in my room

Chapter 1 | Page 32: Easy-Peasy

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(Memories of Tracy - laughing in FB uniform, them in bed together, Tracy vindictive, both yelling at each other, her walking away) Nate: Y-yes, I remember. Nate: I, uh... I thought she transferred. Corbin: She did! She was CSM over at Moore's Lake, but I got her back when Shauntae left. Corbin: Tracy will be your direct supervisor. Since you already know each other, it should be easy-peasy, right? Nate (horrified): ...sounds... good...
October 16, 2025 at 9:38 AM
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An unexpected detail in the employment contract

Chapter 1 | Page 31: On Board

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(Nate in reclines against the wall in his empty room, speaking on the phone. It's near sunset again and slightly dark.) Corbin: It's a beautiful day at Food Baron. This is Corbin, how can I help you today? Nate (slightly smiling): Hey Corbin, it's Nate Ashborne. Corbin: Nate! Great to hear from you, buddy! Have you thought about the offer? Nate: I did. I'm on board. Corbin: Oh wow, I can't tell you how happy I am to hear that. This is great! Nate (wincing slightly): Thanks, I'm... glad to be back. Corbin: Super! OK, sorry, but we need you in at seven in the morning. I won't be in until ten, but Tracy will get you trained on the morning close. Nate: Tracy? Tracy... Winters? Corbin: Oh, you remember her?
October 9, 2025 at 2:01 PM
nickthewright.com
The Darth Maul double light saber meme. In the first panel, one half of the lightsaber is extended, labeled "I'm not a furry". In the second panel, the other half extends, and is labeled "but"
October 7, 2025 at 1:15 PM
nickthewright.com
Rewatched Disney's Robin Hood for the first time since I was a kid, and I'm not sure what was behind the decision to make Robin and Marian look so similar.

Like, maybe do some basic genealogy before you two get married? You are the only foxes in this entire movie and you look like identical twins.
A screenshot from Disney's Robin Hood (1973) showing Robin Hood and Maid Marian walking down the aisle on their wedding day. They look exactly alike except for clothes, height, and eyelashes.
October 7, 2025 at 9:38 AM
nickthewright.com
My OC Nate, showing some frustration, saying "The FUCK bucket? I was in the FUCK BUCKET?" From: https://www.treadingground.com/comic/chapter-1-page-27-friends/
October 3, 2025 at 3:29 PM
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That was my hole, it was made for me

Chapter 1 | Page 30: Alive

📱Mobile View: www.treadingground.com/comic/chapte...
Nate: No, I wanted to thank you for not giving up on me. Nate: For dragging me out of that hole and making me live my life again. Steve (flippant): We needed another roommate. Steve (sincere): And I wanted that roommate to be my best friend. Who was still alive. Nate: I might not have been, if you hadn't kept sending me lewd memes. Steve: And you never did anything more than laugh-react. Interact with a motherfucker some time!
October 2, 2025 at 1:30 PM
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Something smells off.

Chapter 1 | Page 29: Appreciation

📱Mobile View: www.treadingground.com/comic/chapte...
(Nate returning car keys to Steve) Steve: See? I told you they'd hire you back. Nate (thoughtful): You did, and I need to thank you. Steve (shocked): Holy shit, Nate's actually showing some appreciation? What gives? Steve: Wait a minute, did you fucking VAPE in my car? If I get in there and it smells like FARTBERRY SWIRL, you're getting it steam-cleaned.
September 25, 2025 at 3:01 PM
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I'll bite. That's very close to Aya's body type
My OC Aya from Treading Ground, on the phone in a cafe wearing her Loco Mocha uniform - a brown polo, beige apron, and black yoga pants
September 23, 2025 at 1:42 PM
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It's Go/no-go time

📱Mobile View: www.treadingground.com/comic/chapte...
Rose: So yeah, I guess I'd like to be your friend. Is that ok? (Nate conflicted) NARRATION: I can't be friends with Rose. I'm heading back to Franklinburg as soon as I can convince Steve to give up on me. (Rose smiles silently) NARRATION: But somehow... (Nate smiles at Rose, who grins back.) Nate: ...Yeah. That sounds good.
September 19, 2025 at 12:29 PM
nickthewright.com
did I also write an episode of this guy's show
September 15, 2025 at 3:16 PM
nickthewright.com
The best way to honor the Bone Farmer's memory is to continue his work: engage with each other, across ideology, through spirited discourse. In a democracy, ideas about whether someone can steal your skeleton or not are tested through words and good-faith debate -- never through violence.
A comic by Matt Lubchansky from listen-tome.com, copyright 2018 (we never learn) Panel 1: A person in a cap enters a room asking, “Hey, is everything okay?” Their friend, sitting on a couch holding a phone, replies tearfully, “It’s just… The Bone Farmer… he died.” Panel 2: The man in the cap asks, “He was that thing that would break into people’s homes and steal their skeletons while they slept, right?” The friend, crying, says, “So sad.” Panel 3: The grieving friend holds up a framed portrait of a monstrous red creature with five glowing eyes and a bowtie, saying, “I mean obviously, ideologically, I didn’t agree with him. With regards to skeleton ownership. But his smart li’l bowtie!” The man in the cap responds, “You have to admire his tenacity for a cause he believed in!” Panel 4: A person with no bones suddenly speaks from the glass jar where he is puddled: “Gonna have to disagree with you folks here.” The cap-wearing man, startled, says, “Too soon, Geoff!”
September 12, 2025 at 7:36 PM
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NEW Treading Ground! Chapter 1 | Page 27: Friends

What's the opposite of the Friend Zone?

📱Mobile View: www.patreon.com/posts/138084...
Rose (poking Nate in the cheek): You're fascinating to me. You're like a walking bundle of contradictions. Nate (smiling sarcastically): Thanks. Rose: And we have a lot of stuff in common. Seems like it would be a shame to waste it. Nate: So you want to, what, be friends? Rose: Why not? Rose (thinking): It's easy, I just put you into the Friends Bucket and take you out of the... uh... Nate: The FUCK bucket? I was in the FUCK BUCKET? Rose (grinning): Pretty much.
September 11, 2025 at 4:47 PM
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Fandom wiki editors nailing the important points
Screenshot from the Dirty Pair wiki on fandom.com. Trivia - This is the first episode to show Yuri's panties.
September 8, 2025 at 6:40 PM
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NEW Treading Ground! Chapter 1 | Page 26: Roller Coaster

Relax, don't do it, when you want to go to it

📱Mobile View: www.patreon.com/posts/137437...
Nate: Sometimes it doesn't work out. Sometimes it sucks and it's painful. But that doesn't mean it's not worth trying. Nate: And now I know what NOT to do, like moving too fast. Nate: You've got to ease into these things. Rose: Like ANAL? Nate (laughing): Ha, sure. Rose: You know, that's romantic and all, but honestly? Rose: That's another case study in NOPE for me. I'll stay off that roller coaster, thanks. (Nate is no longer laughing) Rose: With that said, though... Rose (beaming): I think I do want to get to know you.
September 4, 2025 at 12:01 PM
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NEW Treading Ground! Chapter 1 | Page 25: Unlock

Lofty thoughts

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A four-panel comic in full page format. Nate and Rose are sitting on the roof of a two-story apartment building. Nate: I don't know. When you're in a relationship and it works, it can be pretty amazing. Rose: Oh yeah? Nate: It's like you unlock these new levels of love and trust. There are degrees of intimacy that go way beyond sex. You find out you're stronger together than two individuals apart. Rose: Sounds like you speak from personal experience. Nate: Yeah. I guess I do. Rose: And yet, you're up here with me instead of with them.
August 28, 2025 at 12:00 PM