Story Index

Looking for a certain GPF story, but don't know when it occurred? Well, here's the place to look! Welcome to the Story Index! Here's a list of every GPF story, including a brief description and a link to the first strip in the sequence. Missed the introduction to Fred? Want to keep tabs on the Pookel saga? Then this is the place!

• Year One (Nov. 1998 to Oct. 1999)
• Year Two (Nov. 1999 to Oct. 2000)
• Year Three (Nov. 2000 to Oct. 2001)
• Year Four (Nov. 2001 to Oct. 2002)
• Year Five (Nov. 2002 to Oct. 2003)
• Year Six (Nov. 2003 to Oct. 2004)
• Year Seven (Nov. 2004 to Nov. 2005)
• Year Eight (Nov. 2005 to Mar. 2008)
• Year Nine (Mar. 2005 to Oct. 2008)

Year One (Nov. 1998 to Oct. 1999):

The Beginning (Nov. 2 to Nov. 28, 1998)

The first three weeks of GPF essentially introduce us to four of the main characters: Nick, Dwayne, Fooker, and Ki. We meet the cast through Nick's eyes, as he is interviewed by Dwayne, meets the impossible Fooker, and finally befriends the lovely Ki. Following that is a week of miscellaneous strips, unrelated to each other.

Fooker's Apartment (Nov. 30 to Dec. 12, 1998)

Fooker invites Nick to his apartment to watch a new sci-fi show, but Nick discovers that Fooker's place is a disgusting cesspool of filth. This marks the first real appearance of Fred the Slime Mold, but he doesn't become a character until later. Following this week is another week of miscellaneous strips.

Fooker's Speech (Dec. 14 to Dec. 19, 1998)

A customer requests that Fooker make a speech at an important company luncheon. Dwayne panics, Fooker goes nuts. Lots of silliness. There is also foreshadowing of Trudy's impending arrival.

Pookel on IRC (Dec. 21 to Dec. 26, 1998)

Nick tries his hand at IRC, only to learn he has a secret admirer. And you'll never guess who it is... Okay, you will guess who it is, but he won't. Fun online for all.

Introduction of Trudy (Dec. 28, 1998, to Jan. 9, 1999)

Dwayne hires a new marketing director, who is more than she appears. Who is this mysterious woman? Is she annoyingly happy, or wickedly evil? Only time will tell....

Oklahoma Nick and the Server of Doom! (Jan. 11 to Jan. 16, 1999)

The first of many GPF parodies. Nick's search for a file on the server turns into a romp through his imagination in this send up of the Indiana Jones series. Oklahoma Nick must defeat the sinister Sys Admin Root (Fooker) and rescue his precious file.

Introduction to Fred the Slime Mold (Jan. 18 to Jan. 23, 1999)

Fooker's first encounter with the now-sentient slime mold Fred. The wise-crackin', PBS lovin' sack of protoplasm eats the TV remote, and the feud is on. Who will gain superiority in the apartment: brains, or humanoid legs?

Trudy begins her evil... (Jan. 25 to Jan. 30, 1999)

This week is simply a collection of miscellaneous strips proving Trudy's vile nature is growing. Dropping safes on the competition, torturing the others... only a grim glimpse at the horror to come. It's followed up by a Saturday strip featuring Fred and Fooker (couldn't fit it anywhere else).

Code-A-Holics Anonymous (Feb. 1 to Feb. 20, 1999)

When Dwayne gets concerned that the GPF programmers spend too much time on their computers (even after work), he sends them to join "Code-A-Holics Anonymous." Can our heroic trio survive the mayhem? Read on to find out! This is also the first appearance of Dexter the Trekkie Contractor who, like Fred, would find himself creeping back into the strip every so often....

Geek Wars (Feb. 22 to Mar. 6, 1999)

With Star Wars: Episode I only months away, it seemed only fitting to take on the greatest sci-fi film ever made. This two-week parody pokes fun at George Lucas' masterpiece. Although entitled Geek Wars, there isn't much geekiness in this story, but the parody is fun, nonetheless.

Conquering the World... or Nick's Heart? (Mar. 8 to Mar. 13, 1999)

This week starts out in silliness as Nick and Ki jokingly plot to take over the world through the Internet, then becomes more serious as Nick ponders his relationship with his female coworker. Could he be falling for her? And how does she fit in with this mysterious "Pookel" on IRC?

Fooker's Abducted by Aliens! (Mar. 15 to Mar. 20, 1999)

Fooker gets abducted by aliens, but it seems the aliens got more than they bargained for! Extreme silliness!

2001: A Space Oddity (Mar. 22 to Mar. 27, 1999)

Although not a strict parody of 2001: A Space Odyssey, Nick attaches some new artificial intelligence hardware to his PC, and it takes on a personality of its own. And Dave thought he had a neurotic computer....

April Fools' 1999 (Mar. 29 to Apr. 3, 1999)

Random silliness dominates this week. Ki defends her smoking habits, Fooker develops bungee computing, Nick answers readers' mail, and the April Fools' strip drawn by Steve Troop of The Adventures of Mayberry Melonpool becomes part of the Great April Fools' Comic Switch.

The Return of Dexter (Apr. 5 to Apr. 17, 1999)

Dexter from the Code-A-Holics story resurfaces to make Nick and Ki's lives difficult. Brought in as a contractor to help finish a Y2k project, Dexter begins to make moves on Ki, who finally gives in and goes on a date with him. Nick, however, is unconsciously jealous....

Dr. Fredrick Physarum (Apr. 19 to Apr. 24, 1999)

Finally, the mystery of how Fred pays his half of the rent is solved. How does a sentient slime mold make money without being discovered for what he truly is? By becoming a professor for a major online university, of course....

The Black-Tie Gala (Apr. 26 to May 8, 1999)

Dwayne takes the gang to a big formal party thrown by a customer. What could be more fun that watching a bunch of socially-inept geeks in tuxes and evening gowns? Fooker shows his fashion tastes, while friction ignites between Ki and Trudy.

Trudy Torments Ki (May 10 to May 15, 1999)

Following the events of the black-tie gala, where Trudy and Ki end up wearing the same dress, Trudy devotes the entire week to making Ki miserable. Is it mild ribbing, or something much darker? And will the guys be any help?

Birth of a New Slime Mold! (May 17 to May 22, 1999)

Is Fred getting fat and lazy? Or is something else going on, something more... interesting? Join Fooker's surprise when he suddenly finds out he now has two gelatinous co-tenants instead of one!

Introduction of Professor Wisebottom (May 24 to May 29, 1999)

Nick's eccentric-inventor uncle, Professor Otto Wisebottom, is coming to visit. Find out just how deeply geekiness runs in Nick's family.

The Space Con (May 31 to July 3, 1999)

When Nick, Ki, and Fooker take a trip to a big sci-fi convention in a neighboring town, many surprises are in store. Look for stars, sci-fi fun, random silliness, and one of Ki's biggest secrets is finally revealed... but to who?

Fooker's Pizza Problems (July 5 to July 10, 1999)

The team heads to a local pizza parlor to celebrate winning a new account. But will Fooker's bizarre pizza-eating past catch up with him?

Dwayne Returns to His Programming Roots (July 12 to July 17, 1999)

When Dwayne reminisces about his old days as a programmer, he decides to jump back into the saddle and help the gang code again. But is he up to the task, or will he be a worse nuisance that Dilbert's boss?

Trudy Torments Fooker (July 19 to July 24, 1999)

Out of boredom, evil, or just plain spite, Trudy turn her sights on Fooker, giving him a week of pure heck. But what kind of meanness does she have planned? Fortunately for her, torturing Fooker is not that hard....

The Pookel Mystery Deepens... (July 26 to July 31, 1999)

While Nick ponders flushing his IRC flame "Pookel" out into the open, Fooker makes an interesting discovery. Could "Pookel" be somewhere in the GPF Software building? And if so, will her secret be revealed?

Trudy Moves In Next Door (Aug. 2 to Aug. 21, 1999)

Fooker's neighbor Chuck hears a rumor that a beautiful woman is moving into the apartment next door. Could this be Fooker's big chance to finally score? Or is this only the beginning of his worst nightmares? This story also names Fred's fellow slime mold, Persephone.

The Movie Date (Aug. 23 to Sept. 4, 1999)

"Pookel" agrees to meet Nick at the movies, but guess who Nick finds waiting there.... Ki's biggest secret is finally revealed, but you'll never guess to whom....

The Nerdvana Saga (Sept. 6 to Oct. 23, 1999)

The longest, most complicated GPF tale to date, this enigmatic gem has drawn us rave reviews. Nick mysteriously receives free tickets to "Nerdvana," the world's first amusement park built especially for geeks. (With rides like the "Null Pointer," you can see why!) He, Fooker, and Ki discover the park is indeed a dream come true... or is it a nightmare? Plots twists and turns reveal the park is more than it seems, and soon Ki is the only person who can prevent the elimination of every geek from the face of the planet! With Dexter, super models, cameos and more, this saga will keep you guessing, right up until the surprise ending. A tale not to be missed!

Trudy's Tips for the Truly Evil (Oct. 25 to Oct. 30, 1999)

A short departure from our recent mammoth story lines, Trudy offers a brief series of tips for those seeking to become purely malevolent. "Tip #4: Never make a pact with the Devil... unless you know you can beat him at his own game." The week ends with a one-shot where Trudy gets the best of Fooker... again.

Year Two (Nov. 1999 to Oct. 2000):

The Brotherhood of the Twisted Pair (Nov. 1 to Nov. 13, 1999)

Fooker receives a mysterious package that leads him on a bizarre quest. Soon, he and Fred are plunged into the strange, ultra-geek world of a group known only as the Brotherhood of the Twisted Pair. This one is better read than explained; trust me on this one. :)

Professor Wisebottom's Time Machine (Nov. 15 to Dec. 4, 1999)

Nick, Ki, and Fooker are called to Prof. Wisebottom's lab late at night to behold his newest, greatest invention: a time machine! What follows is a wild, outlandish romp through time, and a look at some of the odd perils naive time travelers may face. A bit silly at times, this one has received quite a bit of praise from fans. Now... if only Fooker can get to see Helen of Troy naked....

Y2k: The Phantom Menace (Dec. 6, 1999, to Jan. 7, 2000)

Okay, okay... every other cartoonist in the world did something about Y2k. So sue me. But least mine was about the characters living through the roll-over, not the event itself. So there. This story starts with a week-long diversion, where Nick tries to avoid the inevitable. Then, for the real meat of the story, the gang prepares to celebrate the coming of the new millennium (or the last year of the last millennium, your choice), only to have their plans drastically changed. Look for some interesting character development, some warm squishy moments, and a laugh or two along the way. Oh yeah, and Ki in a skimpy red dress.

Trudy's Boyfriend, Fooker's Bully (Jan. 10 to Jan. 22, 2000)

Fooker runs into a blast from his past in the form of Butch Kilgore, his old high school bully. What's worse, Butch is now dating Fooker's next door neighbor... Trudy! What could these two sadistic monsters have in store for our favorite slacker hacker? Or... will Fooker turn the tables on the evil masterminds? You've got to read it to find out!

Friendly Espionage (Jan. 24 to Feb. 5, 2000)

Ki is getting uncomfortable not knowing if Nick is interested in her romantically, or if he sees her as just a friend. So she asks Fooker to perform a little "friendly espionage" to find out. And what he learns will definitely shock you! (It did everyone else!) Find out why this is the most controversial GPF tale to date (and why I got several e-mails with the subject line, "Nooooooo!")

The HOSERS/GPF Crossover (Feb. 14 to Feb. 19, 2000)

Find out what happens when two online comics collide head-on as the GPF gang is invaded by the ultra-secret crime fighting (and doughnut smuggling) team of HOSERS! As the HOSERS team tracks down a lost teammate, Nick and Fooker are drawn in to the fray, which includes all-you-can-eat pizza gluttony, physical ineptitude, and a clash with Trudy's torture device collection. To navigate the crossover, click the crossover banner at the top of the page to switch between the GPF and HOSERS archives!

Gone Shoppin' (Feb. 21 to Feb. 26, 2000)

A minor excursion into the life of Ki, as she tackles on of the most terrifying moments in a woman's life: shopping for this year's bathing suit. Short, sweet, and to the point (with maybe a hint of foreshadowing...?), plus the added bonus of seeing Ki in a bikini....

The Safe-Dropping Incident (Feb. 28 to Mar. 25, 2000)

Here's a shocking twist for the GPF gang that caught everybody by surprise! When Dwayne is almost flattened by a falling safe, the team gets plunged into a bizarre sequence of events focusing around Trudy's past. Will Trudy's old college boyfriend Trent finally get the best of her, or will some unexpected knights come to her aid? If you thought you knew all there was to know about the GPF gang, here's one to blow your mind!

April Fools' 2000 (Mar. 27 to Apr. 1, 2000)

More April Fools' silliness! This year, we switched with Tony Lower-Basch of Nosferatu, who created an awesome CGI animated GPF cartoon! (Flash FLV only.) This is preceded by a Dexter taking over the comic with his tabloid news show, "GPF Conspiracy Central."

The Team-Building Hike (Apr. 3 to May 13, 2000)

What happens when you take four computer geeks and a marketing dominatrix and set them loose in the Great Outdoors? Utter mayhem! Dwayne takes the GPF crew out for a team-building hike that ends in a comedy of errors. And, believe it or not, Fooker is their only hope for survival! This is a great, all-encompassing story, because it gives each character they're own moment in the spotlight.

The Date (May 15 to Jun. 17, 2000)

It's the one you've all been waiting for... the final romantic showdown! The battle for Nick's affections is on when Trudy asks Nick out on a dinner date, and Ki is ready to do anything to stop her. Will Trudy sink her talons into Nick? Will Ki be left heart-broken and alone? Will Fooker learn any table manners? It's the story line you've been begging to see!

Interlude: Trudy's Phone Call (Jun. 19 to Jul. 1, 2000)

In the aftermath of the previous story, Trudy sulks over the interruption of her plans, only to be interrupted in her sulking by a mysterious phone call. Get ready for surprises with this one... to quote Weird Al, "Everything You Know is Wrong!"

Nick an' Ki, Sittin' in a Tree... (Jul. 3 to Jul. 7, 2000)

A refreshing change for the deeper, longer, and more "heavy" stories lately, this week follows Nick and Ki as they begin to discover each other. Most of the strips are relatively unrelated, but all deal with our new favorite lovebirds. :)

The Pookel Test (Jul. 8 to Jul 15, 2000)

Prompted by Fooker's questioning, Ki decides to test Nick's new loyalty to her by reviving her "Pookel" IRC personae. Will her little scheme succeed, or will it backfire back into her face?

Secret Agent Geek (Jul. 17 to Sept. 2, 2000)

Lured by a mysterious phone call, Nick and Ki are plunged into a world of intrigue and danger when the discover... Fooker is really a secret agent! Now our heroic trio must thwart the diabolical "Moldfinger" before his plans for world domination are fulfilled. This blockbuster seven-week saga is one definitely not to miss!

Ki Quits Smoking (Sept. 4 to Sept. 9, 2000)

Now that Nick and Ki are an item, little snags are bound to crop up. Here's one she wasn't expecting! Will Ki give up her smoking habit to save her new boyfriend's nose? Even worse, will Fooker actually be of some help?

Introducing Nicole (Sept. 11 to Sept. 30, 2000)

Sure, she's been mentioned a time or two, but we've never seen her... until now. When Dwayne's wife appears at GPF headquarters, she'll have to wade through unsuspecting geeks before she can deliver her exciting news to her husband. Get ready for everything to change!

Yoshi comes to visit (Oct. 2 to Oct. 14, 2000)

Can Ki keep track of her annoying yet brilliant little brother, Yoshi? Don't count on it!

Credit Card Blues (Oct. 16 to Oct. 21, 2000)

What's scarier than the Microsoft Outlook e-mail virus? Try Fooker with a credit card!

The Halloween Party (Oct. 23 to Nov. 4, 2000)

Fun and surprises as the gang helps host a community Halloween party!

Year Three (Nov. 2000 to Oct. 2001):

Discovered! (Nov. 6 to Nov. 18, 2000)

When Persephone accidentally falls down the kitchen sink drain, it's a race for Fooker and Fred to save her before something else happens. Will they rescue her in time, or will something more... sinister be unveiled?

Husbands and Wives (Nov. 20 to Nov. 25, 2000)

A quaint, quick little look into Dwayne and Nicole's private lives as well as an update on the pregnancy.

Mr. Pookel (Nov. 27 to Dec. 23, 2000)

Many, many developments in this deceptively simple story, including: the origin of Ki's "Pookel" login, Nick and Ki's relationship is severely tested, and the cosmic repercussions of Trudy's actions again seem to emerge. As an added bonus, Fooker gets repeatedly pummeled by a teddy bear.

College Days (Dec. 25, 2000 to Jan. 27, 2001)

Want to know what Nick, Ki, and Fooker were like in college? Here's your chance! Learn about your favorite geeks while they were still newbies! Explore Nick's embarrassing yearbook autographs! Watch a younger Fooker hit on an even feistier Ki! Watch Fooker double over in pain while Ki kicks him in the.... An absolute fan favorite, and winner of Absurd Notions' Smart Move Award.

Ubersoft v. GPF Software (Jan. 29 to Feb, 17, 2001)

When Fooker is e-mailed the source code to Nifty Doorways, the most unstable operating system on Earth, his tinkerings set into motion the most exciting, bizarre, and twisted GPF crossover to date! Watch as the worlds of GPF and Help Desk collide, as the mighty Ubersoft Corporation takes our gang to court, and Trudy faces her old nemesis, Mr. Bunny the Hoppy Computer Guy (aka The Boss)!

The Fractal Explorer (Feb. 19 to Mar. 3, 2001)

Professor Wisebottom's up to his old inventing tricks again as he spins the gang through his Virtual Reality Fractal Explorer. This wild, crazy, and somewhat silly adventure will send you reeling, and it'll definitely bring a surprise of color to your day. ;)

Fooker's Girlfriend...? (Mar. 5 to Apr. 7, 2001)

Fooker... has a... girlfriend...?!? Could it be?!? The impossible becomes possible in this five-week-er, which also includes the answer to the most talked about question in Nick and Ki's relationship: Have they... "done it" yet?

Baby Crazy! (Apr. 9 to Apr. 28, 2001)

As the due date of Nicole's baby is swiftly approaching, the GPF Software crew decide to throw her a baby shower. However, there's one major, unexpected result: It's effect on Ki!

Alliances (Apr. 30 to May 19, 2001)

Fooker and Fred draw Nick and Ki into their confidence and reveal the slime molds' existence to the pair. But when alliances are being drawn, which side does everyone end up on? Perhaps not the side you'd think.

Rude, CRUDE, and Socially Unacceptable (May 21 to June 9, 2001)

So what's Trudy been up to for the past few months? At last, the secret is revealed! Check out this cameo-laden story featuring the return of Moldfinger and Dr. Not, and find out a thing or two about everyone's favorite evil marketing chick. You have been warned....

Intervention (June 11 to June 23, 2001)

In this hilarious crossover with the incredibly awesome Absurd Notions, the GPF gang travel to a nearby Linux Expo, where Fooker's OS elitism reaches its frustrating peak. Can Nick join forces with his AN counterparts to bring Fooker and Warren back down to Earth? Extra crunchy goodness!

Special Delivery (June 25 to Aug. 25, 2001)

By far, our most ambitious story yet. This nine-week epic answers many questions and raises tons more! As Dwayne and Trudy muse over GPF Software's financial uncertainty, a raging storm rocks the area. Flash floods are called in, leaving the whole community at risk! Heroes are born, risks are taken, and the unthinkable becomes thinkable... and in the background, guess what blessed event is bound to occur! See the cast as you've never seen them before, and learn a think or two about what they're really made of. Exciting and thrilling, heart-breaking and uplifting, this tale has it all!

The Inventor's Gene (Aug. 27 to Sept. 8, 2001)

While recovering from the flu thanks to the last story, Nick makes a startling discovery about his genetic history. Will this new development change his and Ki's lives forever? Or is it just an excuse for extra silliness? Professor Wisebottom makes a much un-needed reappearance.

Close Encounters of the Dairy Kind (Sept. 10 to Oct. 13, 2001)

Trudy's mysterious plans are nearly complete. She needs one last piece of "information" from Fooker, and the final cog will be in place. But when her plans back-fire, she and our favorite slacker hacker are plunged into the wildest, zaniest, and definitely raciest GPF story yet! Full of twisted surprises and surprising twists, this tale pits the ultimate odd couple against an unexpected foe, marking a shocking return by some very old antagonists.

GPF Plotline Multiplex! (Oct. 15 to Nov. 3, 2001)

One thing many fans have said is that I'm very good at keeping several different plots moving at once. Well, there's one way to set up a challenge! This is one story that will keep your head spinning, as we try to weave at least five (and maybe more, as I could have lost count) individual threads moving all at once. GPF mayhem at its most confusing (and fun)!

Year Four (Nov. 2001 to Oct. 2002):

Year Four is very different from previous years, as it is primarily composed of a single, far-reaching story arc we call Surreptitious Machinations. Filled with lots of drama, action, plot twists, and the usual GPF humor, this tale is guaranteed to be the ultimate GPF masterpiece. (Note that it is highly recommended that the reader be familiar with the events of the past three years before reading this story, as it ties up a lot of loose threads.)

Surreptitious Machinations:

Prologue: Rhymes and Ruminations (Nov. 4 to Dec. 1, 2001)

The Gamester and Mischief take special interest as the troubling problems first alluded to back in "Trudy's Phone Call" begin to take shape. They intently watch the events of the not-to-distant future, as freedom fighters Todd and Sydney Duncan race to Professor Wisebottom's hidden lab. Todd uses Wisebottom's aging time machine to vanish into the past, just as the oppressive Empress--none other than our favorite evil marketing witch Trudy--arrives to crush the rebellion. While the others are taken prisoner, Empress Trudy vanishes herself, leading from the prologue into the first chapter of this epic tale....

Chapter 1: Back From the Future (Dec. 2, 2001 to Jan. 12, 2002)

Nick and Ki's Christmas shopping is interrupted by two mysterious visitors: the time-tossed Todd and his mysterious pursuer, the Empress' secret weapon... the Fookinater! A harrowing chase ensues, ending at a nearby chocolate factory, where the Fookinater is ultimately destroyed. ("We don't have to worry about him any S'more.") Meanwhile, the Empress arrives at her destination, to have a little one-on-one with her past self! The Empress (the mysterious phone caller who has been feeding her information for years) reveals to Trudy her master plan, which the present Trudy must execute to ensure their world domination. Just as the Empress is about to issue a final warning, Todd arrives, threatening to kill both Trudys to ensure the Empress' evil empire never forms. A struggle breaks out, leaving the current Trudy knocked unconscious, while the Empress and Todd vie for control of the temporal remote and suddenly vanish back into the future....

Chapter 2: The Juggernaut Unleashed (Jan. 13 to Feb. 9, 2002)

The following day, Dwayne is working late at the GPF Software building when a supply closet suddenly catches fire! Dwayne tries to stop the flames, but is thwarted at every turn. The sprinklers don't work and the fire extinguisher isn't charged! He barely escapes with his life, just as Nick and Ki--picking up Fooker from the airport--happen to drive by. The four watch in stunned silence as the GPF building burns to the ground. The fire chief suspects arson, but that surprise doesn't compare to when Fooker gets arrested for the previous night's shooting spree! As the gang struggles to keep cohesion during this turbulent time, Secret Agent Geek is paid a brief visit from his superior, "Amadeus," who happens to be none other than....

Chapter 3: Trials and Tribulations (Feb. 10 to Mar. 23, 2002)

Before Fooker's trial, we meet Agent #12, a colleague from the U.G.A. who will represent him as his lawyer. The trial begins with several surprising revelations, including a replacement judge (the judge from Help Desk, who appeared in the Year Three Ubersoft v. GPF Software story) and an unexpected prosecutor... none other than Alan Sedgewikki, the Code-A-Holics Anonymous guy. The trial moves swiftly, with an overwhelming list of evidence and witnesses in favor of the prosecution. The defense makes a valiant effort, but Nick's testimony about the Fookinator (he's not going to lie under oath) is dismissed as "science fiction delusions." Worst of all, Fooker's neighbor Chuck takes the stand and surprises everyone by saying he knew Fooker was planning the attacks beforehand. (Could Chuck still be under Trudy's mind control?) Fooker is swiftly convicted. During the pause between the conviction and the sentence, Dwayne is surprisingly arrested for insurance fraud (for burning down the building), while Nick gets a mysterious phone call of us own....

Chapter 4: To the Four Winds... (Mar. 24 to Apr. 13, 2002)

Following Dwayne's arrest, Nick and Ki discuss Nick's new job prospects while waiting for Fooker's sentencing. Fooker is sentenced to several consecutive life sentences, and is carted away before any of his friends can say goodbye. Nick and Ki visit Dwayne, who convinces Nick to take the new job he's been offered. There's only one problem: the job is many miles away, leaving the possibility of a long distance relationship between him and Ki. Ki decides to pull up roots and follow her boyfriend, when an unexpected phone call shatters any plans the two may share. Ki's father is seriously injured in an automobile accident and on the verge of death. Ki flies out to comfort her family, while Persephone accidentally stows away in her purse. The chapter ends with a disturbing glimpse at the missing years between the present and the dreaded future, as the time-hopping Todd recovers one of Empress Trudy's time remotes....

Chapter 5: Random Threads (Apr. 14 to May 18, 2002)

Scattered by the previous chapters' events, the GPF Software crew begin to settle into their new lives apart from each other. Nick means his new team and runs into an unexpected surprise... Trudy is now working at the same company, same location. Meanwhile, Dwayne and Fooker are being transported to their respective prisons when a terrible accident frees them. Another old face from the past resurfaces, as Trudy's old boyfriend Trent was being transported on the same bus. The trio are not officially on the lamb, but hot on their trail is a U.S. Marshall, ala The Fugitive. Ki reunites with her family while attempting to get a new job... and failing miserably. She begins to investigate her father's accident and discovers than Chuck (Fooker and Trudy's former neighbor) is behind it. Confused and uncertain, she contemplates what to do next, when she encounters an unexpected visitor... Todd!

Chapter 6: Plots and Complications (May 19 to Jun. 15, 2002)

Todd comes back from the future (again) to reveal to Ki how Trudy comes to power. Her surreptitious machinations revolve solely around Nick, who is on the verge of an astounding discovery that will revolutionize the world's energy. However, Trudy uses her schemes to isolate Nick and keep his friends from stopping him. Trudy will eventually use Nick's invention to overthrow the world's governments and establish herself as supreme Empress. There is, however, a glimmer of hope as the GPF crew eventually will reunite to oppose her. However, as each old friend falls, Trudy's power--and her madness--grows. Overwhelmed yet willing to help, Ki agrees to Todd's challenge, and the two rush off to reunite the gang. Meanwhile, time is ticking away, as Nick's epiphany begins to take shape...

Chapter 7: The Tapestry Unravels (Jun. 16 to Jul. 13, 2002)

Armed with Todd's knowledge of future events, he and Ki race to locate and reassemble the original GPF Software team. Meanwhile, Fooker, Dwayne, and Trent are on the run and get a little unexpected help from a familiar furry face... Wallace T. Bruin, the talking ex-circus bear! Also meanwhile, Ki, Todd, and Prof. Wisebottom free Fred from his laboratory prison. More also meanwhile, Fooker contacts Sharon to try and get her help, resulting in a chilly conversation. Still more also meanwhile, the two paths converge, and finally the group reunites. Even still more also meanwhile, Trudy is moving Nick into position to spring her vicious plans, while Chuck shows signs of insubordination. Yet even still more also meanwhile, the rejoined GPF crew share and plan, readying a defense against Trudy's final move, which looms only a few weeks away...

Chapter 8: Wars and Confrontations (Jul. 14 to Oct. 5, 2002)

The final showdown! Everyone converges on unsuspecting New York City as C.R.U.D.E. delivers an ultimatum: The nations of the world must surrender to them, or New York will be destroyed. What follows is a multi-front battle from the streets of Manhattan to the crown of the Statue of Liberty, as C.R.U.D.E. storm troopers duke it out with U.G.A. elite soldiers. Everyone is split again to fight different fronts, but the most important conflict is for Nick's heart and loyalty, with Ki and Trudy in the center ring. Many surprises abound in this twelve-week grande finale... so don't expect me to give away the details. You'll have to read those for yourself.

Chapter 9: Loosening Up Tied Ends (Oct. 6 to Oct. 26, 2002)

With the Battle of New York behind them, the remaining GPF crew try to return to some sense of normalcy. Suffice it to say, I can't let that happen. Major changes in the strip occur here, which cannot be easily summarized here. Read on to find out for yourself.

Epilogue: You Knew There Had to be a "But"... (Oct. 27 to Nov. 2, 2002)

An epilogue with the Gamester and Mischief? Of course, you realize, this means something still isn't quite right....

Year Five (Nov. 2002 to Oct. 2003):

Guest Weeks: Interpretations (Nov. 3 to Nov. 16, 2002)

In an effort to make up for lost time due to a hand injury in the summer of 2002, I handed over control of the strip for the first two weeks of Year Five to some of the best online cartoonists in the business. See some of their wild takes on the GPF crew!

Reboot (Nov. 17 to Nov. 30, 2002)

It's back to business for the GPF gang as they move into their new building and try to return to life as normal. Of course, life is rarely normal here at GPF, so expect plenty of surprises... including three new regular cast members!

Girl Talk (Dec. 1 to Dec. 7, 2002)

Female bonding! Ki and Sharon share some "girl talk" while we get some interesting glimpses into the life and history of GPF's new system administrator.

Slime Mold Roomies from Heck!!! (Dec. 8 to Dec. 14, 2002)

In Fooker's absence, Fred and Persephone have moved into Nick's apartment. Do you think this will lead to peaceful cohabitation? Nah... that's not my style....

Sashimi and Teriyaki Steak (Dec. 15 to Dec. 28, 2002)

Nick and Ki finally have an evening to themselves, so Ki takes her man to a hibachi steakhouse. While Nick adjusts to the culture shock, you can prepare yourself for plenty of relationship humor (and a little bit of foreshadowing thrown in for good measure).

The Counsel of Ethendale (Dec. 29, 2002 to Jan. 25, 2003)

When Sharon and Dexter uncover Ki's top-secret fantasy novel on the file server backups, anything can happen....

Relativity (Jan. 26 to Mar. 1, 2003)

Two stories wrapped into one: Nick, Ki, and Sharon unexpected run into Fooker's younger brother Justin, who reveals some surprising revelations about his family and the history of the U.G.A. Meanwhile, Trudy (on the run from the U.G.A, C.R.U.D.E., the FBI, and just about every other acronym on the planet) pays a quick visit to her relatives: first her cousin Gwynn (from Sluggy Freelance), then her divorced parents. Ready to see just how dysfunctional these families are?

Bowl-A-Rama (Mar. 2 to Mar. 15, 2003)

Dexter's feeling blue, so how can the team cheer him up? Why, take him bowling, of course!

S1r3n and B0r0m1r (Mar. 16 to Mar. 22, 2003)

Yoshi's attacking GPF's network again, but why? Could it be just teenage hubris, or is there a more sinister reason? And who is his mysterious online friend "s1r3n?" Yep, it's another one of those spooky, ominous mystery stories, gang....

Sales Pitch (Mar. 23 to Mar. 29, 2003)

So, was hiring Trent as GPF's new marketing director a good idea? Or will he ruin one of the company's oldest and most faithful accounts?

Adventures in Slime Mold Sitting (Mar. 30 to Apr. 5, 2003)

Yes, it's perhaps the most contrived plot we've had in a while. But at least we think it's funny. Can the slime molds be trusted to watch Sydney while Dwayne and Nicole are out?

The Other Woman (Apr. 6 to Apr. 26, 2003)

When the a client's employee seems to have designs on Nick, Ki drags Sharon and Dexter in to help her investigate. However, is there more to mysterious new character Trish than meets the eye?

Freddie Gets Fired (Apr. 27 to May 3, 2003)

Dr. Fredrick Physarum is out of a job when the online university finally learns he has no credentials. Will Fred turn into the ultimate couch potato, or will Ki come to his rescue?

The MUTEX ReBooted (May 4 to Jun. 14, 2003)

Nick's Inventor's Gene is in full swing when he creates the ultimate virtual reality machine called the MUTEX. Convincing the rest of the gang to give it a try, the GPF Software crew become trapped in parodies within parodies as they struggle to escape. Parodies include The Matrix, ReBoot, Tron, The Tick, Star Trek, and a few other things I've probably forgotten. Also look for the return of "s1r3n" and a certain time-traveling teenager....

A View to a Kill -9 (Jun. 15 to Jul. 19, 2003)

Fooker's back! Hot off a brief tour of duty in Iraq, our favorite ubergeek turned secret agent must turn his sights to hunt down the scattered members of C.R.U.D.E., starting with Dr. Nefarious. Can he and Agent #12 capture the evil doctor before he and his "stowaway" henchwomen irradiate the Florida Keys?

2 + 2 = 5 (Jul. 20 to Jul. 26, 2003)

Finally, we get to see Dexter's and Trent's initial reactions to their new slime mold coworker. Will things get off to a rocky start, or will a good does of slime smooth things over?

Evil Minds Unite (Jul. 27 to Aug. 30, 2003)

Now it's Trudy's turn to come back into the spotlight, as she puts into motion a new plan to regain power and influence. In her sights is one Clifford Mayers, founder of the mega-corporation Mayers Corp. and card-carrying member of the mysterious Concordat. But Mayers has his own surreptitious machinations in play, hoping to form an alliance with the sentient A.I. turned dethroned despot Emperor PC. It's a twisted tale of double-crosses, triple-crosses, and quadruple-crosses in this wickedly fun crossover with fellow Keenspot strip Funny Farm.

Short People Got Nobody to Love (Aug. 31 to Sept. 6, 2003)

It's not easy being a short Asian chick. Love, relationships, and petite women's clothing....

Sister Sharon (Sept. 7 to Oct. 4, 2003)

The Brotherhood of the Twisted Pair is back, and this time they've set their sights on Sharon. But can this boy's club of hackers handle a sys admin she-geek? Or is there another layer of mystery, as the BotTP's top brass seem to think there's more to a favorite red-head than meets the eye...?

Office Politics (Oct. 5 to Nov. 1, 2003)

Reminiscent of the GPF Plotline Multiplex!, this story switches back and forth between four intertwined plot threads in typical GPF fashion. Will Dexter become a full employee or head out the door? Will Trent's "pranks" be the death of Fred? Can Sharon stick her foot any farther in her mouth? Will Nick and Ki play tonsil hockey or actually get some work done?

Year Six (Nov. 2003 to Oct. 2004):

Schizophrenia (Nov. 2 to Nov 29, 2003)

Trish is back, and so is... Trish? Can Ki and Sharon solve the mystery of the two Trishes before one of them permanently disappears?

Season's Meetings (Nov. 30 to Dec. 27, 2003 to ????)

When Ki gets stranded over the Christmas holiday, Nick tries to make the best of things by inviting her home for the holidays. Can she survive the pressure of family and holiday stress, all without drowning in dog drool?

Legal Beagles (Dec. 29, 2003 to Jan. 3, 2004)

Fred seeks legal advice from Nicole as he preps for his lawsuit against Trent. But has our favorite slime mold bitten off more than he can chew? Or is it Nicole that's in deeper trouble that she thinks?

Indecipherable Proposal (Jan. 4 to Jan 17, 2004)

When Sharon's old college pal Craig Ridge pays a business call to GPF, it's time for the two to catch up on old times. In true GPF fashion, somebody is bound to missinterpret things and blow them out of proportion. We'll let you guess who.

A Tail of Two Species (Jan. 18 to Feb. 14, 2004)

The Inventor's Gene has kicked in again, and now Nick's hooked up the MUTEX to his old "Velociraptor" power source. And you know that's a bad thing when this even has the Gamester panicked! Nick and Ki are suddenly transported to another universe, where predator and prey species live in an uneasy civilization, where rabbits can marry wolves and birds secretly rule the world (or at least they used to, until they built computers to do that for them)... sounds almost like something out of Kevin & Kell. Oh, wait... it is out of Kevin & Kell! Two of the Web's biggest comics cross over in this unlikely pairing that has deep and long-last repercussions on both comics. I hope you've caught up on all your archive reading.... ;)

Strange Bedfellows (Feb. 15 to 28, 2004)

It's time to check back in on our favorite ex-marketing chick turned failed world despot, and things aren't looking so good. Strange dreams seem to haunt Trudy, and now she's seeing time traveling teenagers and future versions of herself... again. Next think you know, she'll be seeing tall scary men in green jester caps....

Why-Fi? (Feb. 29 to Mar. 6, 2004)

It's Sharon vs. Trent, sys admin vs. clueless user, when Trent sets up an unauthorized WiFi access point. Hilarity ensues.

War of the Words (Mar. 7 to Mar. 13, 2004)

Fred and Trent are at it again, as the tension between them heats up.

A Match Made in... (Mar. 14 to Apr. 3, 2004)

Yoshi's having a bad day. First the FBI raids his house, looking for information about his mysterious contact "s1r3n." Then "s1r3n" herself contacts him, wanting to meet in person... and she's nothing like he expected....

The Big Three-Oh (Apr. 4 to Apr. 17, 2004)

It's an exercise in Murphy's Law when all of Ki's plans for Nick's 30th birthday go down the tubes. (You'd think that being friends with Sharon would get her an exemption or something.)

Dexter's Speed Date (Apr. 18 to May 1, 2004)

One would think that Dexter would be smart enough not to ask a slime mold for dating advice. Apparently, that's not the case....

Rendez-Vous à Paris (May 2 to Jun. 26, 2004)

Sharon's trip to Paris with her old friend Craig turns out to be more than she bargained for. Craig gets replaced by a master of disguise who makes passes at her, she gets attacked by sword-swinging and machine-gun-toting henchwomen, and a sexy super-spy is trying to steal her man. But in the end, will she get to go home with the man she loves, or will he leave her behind to ride once again into the sunset? (PS: Yep, Fooker's back.)

Geek Eye for the Luddite Guy (Jun. 27 to Jul. 3, 2004)

In a light-hearted twist from recent heavier stories, this parody of Bravo's Queer Eye for the Straight Guy has a decidedly geeky bent.

Homecoming (Jul. 4 to Jul. 31, 2004)

Fooker has come home to stay, and the gang is throwing him a welcome home party. But when an uninvited Trish crashes the party, everything goes in surprising directions. There's lots of little twists to this story, including an ending that's sure to keep everyone talking.

Habeas Dorkus (Aug. 1 to Aug 21, 2004)

Fred may be ready to make peace, but Trent is revving up his libel lawsuit into full gear, and he's not doing it alone. When Trent teams up with young, cut-throat lawyer Mercedes de la Croix, are Fred's days of safety and anonymity at an end?

Take this Job and rm -f it (Aug. 22 to Sept. 11, 2004)

Fooker finally starts his new job working as a sys admin contractor. But undoubtedly his boss isn't the only one watching his performance. What remains of the Brotherhood of the Twisted Pair is also reviewing his résumé, and they seem to have an alternate agenda in mind....

Gochisosama Deshita (Sept. 12 to Nov. 6, 2004)

In another long-awaited story arc, Nick finally meets Ki's parents. Her mother is easy to please, but could Ki's father produce an irreparable rift between our favorite geek lovebirds? And could this finally be the opportunity for Nick to pop the question? I guess you'll have to read the story to find out. ;)

Year Seven (Nov. 2004 to Oct. 2005):

Alpha Female (Nov. 7 to Nov. 20, 2004)

Ki and Sharon have always been buddy-buddy. But could that change when Dwayne pits them against each other in a new project?

The Mouths of Babes (Nov. 21 to 27, 2004)

It's father-daughter time for Dwayne and Sydney. But is a certain three-year-old getting a little too big for her britches?

Fifth Wheel (Nov. 28 to Dec. 18, 2004 to ????)

Sharon is feeling sorry for Dexter since he's become their "fifth wheel," so she convinces the gang to help her find him a date. But when they find a reluctant volunteer, will a wild card get thrown into the mix to make things interesting? (You've probably been reading this comic long enough; you tell me! ;)

Cold Aggression (Dec. 19, 2004 to Jan. 1, 2005)

The other sys admins in the building have a bone to pick with Sharon, and they're ready to take it to the battle field. The snowball fight battle field, that is. But Sharon has a secret weapon, with years of covert training: Fooker!

Prudent Jurisprudence (Jan. 2 to Jan. 22, 2005)

After some cold posturing by Mercedes de la Croix, Nicole is beginning to doubt her ability to defend Fred in his impending lawsuit with Trent. But after some extra support from her client, the pair begin to formulate a strategy. With the help of Prof. Wisebottom, they've got a new line of attack... but will it be enough to overcome Mercedes' slick legal manipulations?

I Dream of Fooky (Jan. 23 to Jan. 29, 2005)

A quick little one-weeker on Fooker and Sharon's relationship. After Fooker has a bizarre, Mac-filled dream, he begins to wonder about where he and Sharon are headed, and if their route will eventually take them chasing after Nick and Ki to the altar. Will Sharon set his mind at ease, or will they looking for a Justice of the Peace?

Providence (Jan. 30 to Mar. 5, 2005)

In another dramatic turn, Trudy narrowly escapes capture by the UGA, only to be terribly injured and fall into the most unlikely of hands: Dr. Akhilesh Seghal. Snowed in by a fierce blizzard and confined by her wounds, will Trudy confront the demons of her past and seek redemption, or will she plunge even deeper into her spiral of self-hate and madness? Already in the running to be one of GPF's most controversial story arcs, this one's for all those people who kept calling Trudy one-dimensional back in Years One through Three.

Pre-marital Perturbation (Mar. 6 to Mar. 20, 2005)

There are few things more stressful than planning a wedding. Are Nick and Ki up to the task?

Remote Control (Mar. 20 to Apr. 2, 2005)

After a quick visit to Professor Wisebottom's lab, Fred discovers a new addition to his bag of tricks: the ability to control other people's bodies. You know what they say, however... power corrupts, and in Fred's opinion, Trent's been begging for some embarrassment.

Crisis in Infinite MUTEXes (Apr. 3 to May 14, 2005)

It's time for another trip to the MUTEX, and this time Nick leads the gang into a universe based on his super hero comics. But, as usual, they've bitten off more than they can chew, and they're in for one exciting adventure. This story features some of Jeff's most intricate artwork, some guest coloring by Meaghan E. Quinn, and a cameo by one of Jeff's more bizarre non-GPF characters. It's one roller coaster ride you'll never forget.

Genetics (May 15 to May 28, 2005)

Sharon's adoptive parents arrive to give her some amazing news: some court records have been unsealed and the name of Sharon's birth mother has been revealed. When she investigates her true heritage, will she be shocked by what she finds?

You're "The One" That I Want (May 29 to Jun. 25, 2005)

Dwayne's big expansion finally takes place, and guess who's brought in as contractors to fill in the gaps? Scott and Tim, the "Zero One" and "One Zero" from the Brotherhood of the Twisted Pair. Now that their two lone candidates for "The One" work under the same roof as they do, will their prophecy finally be fulfilled? Or they find out that their search is a lot more complicated than anyone could have thought...?

Felis Regina (Jun. 26 to Jul. 2, 2005)

Anyone who has ever "owned" a cat knows who the real master of the house is. It's no different in the GPF universe, only sometimes they have friends in high places we never know about....

Assuming Arguendo (Jul. 3 to Aug. 20, 2005)

Finally! Fred and Trent's lawsuit hits the courthouse. Will Fred survive being thrust into the limelight, or will he be on his way to the poor house, paying off his legal debts? This one's got a surprising twist ending that nobody predicted, so don't miss this one!

Prometheus One (Aug. 21 to Sept. 17, 2005)

Now that the Star Wars saga is complete and Star Trek: Enterprise is off the air, Dexter is suffering from sci-fi withdrawals. At Ki's prompting, he turns some of his old fan fiction into an all new story. Could Ki be far from the only budding author about the office?

Sam (Sept. 18 to Oct. 29, 2005)

Ki finally reveals to Nick about her old college boyfriend--excuse me, her fiancé. How will Nick react to the news? Will he be able to cope with the darker parts of his bride-to-be's past?

A Picture's Worth... (Oct. 30 to Nov. 5, 2005)

A nice little artistic experiment: An entire GPF story told completely without words. Can Fred and Sharon peacefully coexist under one roof?

Guest Weeks: Interpretations II (Nov. 6 to Nov. 19, 2005)

We briefly delayed the start of Year Eight to bring back another batch of guest artists and their interpretations of the GPF crew. Lots of wacky stuff in this one, including an exclusive look at one of our Keenspot PREMIUM exclusive features.

Year Eight (Nov. 2005 to Mar. 2008):

Like Year Four, Year Eight is one big story arc comprising of 50 weeks. Summing up the events of the previous three years (while continuing to build on the four before that), this massive tale brings the crew head-to-head with the darkest parts of their own souls. Already receiving more praise than our previous epic Surreptitious Machinations, we proudly present...

To Thine Own Self...:

(Note: You will likely notice a discrepency with some of the dates during this "year". That's because the comic suffered a number of update interruptions due to the birth of my son. However, the story continues to be a single unit and although this "year" really spans over two physical years, it will still be treated as a single "year" in the archive.)

Chapter One (Nov. 20 to Dec. 31, 2005)

(Witty description goes here)

Chapter Two (Jan. 1 to Feb. 4, 2006)

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Chapter Three (Feb. 5 to Mar. 25, 2006)

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Chapter Four (Mar. 26 to Apr. 29, 2006)

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Chapter Five (Apr. 30 to Jun. 10, 2006)

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Chapter Six (Jun. 11 to Aug. 2, 2006)

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Chapter Seven (Aug. 4, 2006 to Oct. 8, 2007)

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Chapter Eight (Oct. 15, 2007 to Mar. 3, 2008)

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Year Nine (Mar. 2008 to Oct. 2008):

Business as Usual (Mar. 10, 2008 to ???)

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