History MoodWhiplash / Comicbooks

* ''Franchise/{{Batman}}''

** Paul Cornell's Batman-spinoff ''Comicbook/KnightAndSquire'' miniseries is mostly played for whimsy and laughs. There's a superhero milkman, a secret society of ninja Morris Men, a clone of Richard III who tries to topple the monarchy by taking over Twitter and Youtube. The last story is about Jarvis Poker, the British Joker, a harmless old prankster going on a crimeless crime spree, complete with singing fish and sneezing-powder getaways. Knight and Squire are letting him continue as a last hurrah since he's dying of cancer. Then he gets cornered by the Shrike, a hot-blooded young superhero who hasn't got the memo, and [[spoiler: ComicBook/TheJoker turns up, shoots Shrike dead, and embarks on a killing spree]].
* Keith Giffen and J.M. [=DeMatteis=]' ''Comicbook/JusticeLeagueInternational'' was a very good example, where a comedic quip, a DeadpanSnarker, or a hilariously drawn expression by Kevin Maguire would come out of nowhere in a dramatic scene. Issues ranged from pure comedy to action/drama at will.
* In issue #5 of ''ComicBook/TheSandman'', a relatively light story involving the Justice League, Silver Age villain Dr. Dee escapes from Arkham Asylum and gets a ride with a passing motorist. She's initially terrified, but Dee looks harmless and frail, and soon the mood relaxes and they are chatting amiably. At the end of the story she lets him out at his destination, telling him sincerely to take care of himself...and he casually kills her. The next issue, "24 Hours", is one of the most nightmarish stories in the entire ''Sandman'' run.
* ComicBook/SecretSix is a freaking mood roller coaster.
* ''Franchise/WonderWoman'' [[ComicBook/WonderWoman1942 Vol 1]]: Lila Brown, one of the handful of recurring named characters in the Golden Age stories, is murdered [[KilledOffForReal via disintegration]] by Dr. Psycho in an explosion that only misses killing ComicBook/SteveTrevor because Diana grabbed him and yanked him over his desk one handed without bothering to change from her Diana Prince identity. Diana then ''cracks a joke'' about Lila not having to listen to her any more since Lila's last words were that she didn't take orders from her.

* There's an issue of ''ComicBook/CableAndDeadpool'' where Deadpool is having a mental crisis. It's ''Deadpool'', so of course he's going to make you laugh. But, then you feel bad about it realize that you just laughed at a guy who's seriously having a mental breakdown over all the people he's killed in the past.
* One of the better known issues of ''ComicBook/FantasticFour'' featured Sue Storm having complications during her pregnancy. They decide to engage Doc Ock, appealing to his intelligence and so forth, and have a typical superhero-on-supervillain battle at one point, only to return to find that they were too late, and Susan already miscarried.
* "The Slavers" from ''Comicbook/ThePunisherMAX'' was an incredibly dark, depressing story where Punisher tried to tackle a real-world problem and, ultimately, failed. So, to lighten the mood a little, Creator/GarthEnnis brought in the most outrageous and over-the-top villain in the MAX universe: Barracuda. While it was hardly [[LighterAndSofter a Disney movie]]; a mercenary with gold teeth that read "FUCK YOU" who likes pancakes and sea shanties is considerably cheerier than gang of slave traders who brutalize young girls and kill infants.
* The ''ComicBook/SpiderMan'' comics and sagas live in this trope.
* The first issue of the ComicBook/AnyaCorazon's ''Spider-Girl'' series plays like a SpiritualSuccessor to lighthearted teen superhero like ''ComicBook/YoungJustice''. Then on the last page [[spoiler: her father is killed. The second issue is all about her grieving.]]
* Whedon's run on the Astonishing ComicBook/XMen saw Kitty put on a ten mile long bullet shaped bus, effectively dead. Then Beast was told by Abigail Brand, head of Sentient World Observation and Response that the reason for her argumentative stance towards him, was that she needed him to check her judgment on the job, while also wanting to "break [him] like a pony" while off the job, his blue furry monster-dom was not a turn off to her. Also that the green hair was because she was half alien.
* ComicBook/UltimateMarvel

* ''Comicbook/TarotWitchOfTheBlackRose'' wanders from Fanservice to FanDisservice to AuthorFilibuster and back.
* ''Comicbook/SinCity'' had a short story featuring Shlubb and Klump. The story involved the mafia getting [[YouHaveFailedMe tired of their goofiness]] and tricking them in blowing themselves up. Normally, what humor the series elicits is along the lines of BloodyHilarious. This time around, it was a [[NonFatalExplosions cartoonish bomb hidden inside of a dummy]] with a more family-friendly effect. When the bomb goes off, it's enough to blast a dock to splinters but it simply gave the characters AshFace and AmusingInjuries. The slapstick was a major departure from the grittiness found in most stories.

** "Who's a Good Dog?" is a fun, upbeat adventure of Andy Merton and his pet Corgi Hank after they've fused to become the [[AnimalSuperheroes superhero G-Dog]]. Then [[spoiler:the veterinarian reminds Andy that [[SurprisinglyRealisticOutcome Hank is in his old age.]]]]

* In issue 17 of the second ''ComicBook/AstroCity'' series, we get the life story of the Mock Turtle, a soft-spoken, naive, good-hearted inventor who only ever wanted to find a city of dreams. After getting tricked into committing crimes by a manipulative woman, he eventually makes his way to Astro City, where he's saved from his troubles and welcomed as a friend by Steeljack and the denizens of Kiefer Square. The issue ends with him having finally found his city of dreams, happy at last. Then issue 18 [[spoiler:opens after his brutal murder]].

* The end of the Italian comic ''ComicBook/AnOctopusToTheThroat'' (''Un Polpo Alla Gola''), the main characters' [[UsefulNotes/ConspiracyTheories theories]] are proven to be just childish delusions, and they draw closer to their ex-teacher. Then we found out the truth about the skull, the finding that started the whole story: [[spoiler:it was the school janitor's childhood buddy, a little street thug. He pushed the janitor's BerserkButton by making fun of being attached to an old toy (it was a gift from his mother, who had left his father). In response, the janitor pushed him down a staircase. He didn't get up]].

!!The following have their own pages:
[[index]]
* MoodWhiplash/TheDCU
* MoodWhiplash/MarvelUniverse
[[/index]]
----

[[quoteright:300:[[ComicBook/SonicTheHedgehogArchieComics https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/i_hope_its_totinos_3.jpg]]]]

!!The following have their own pages:
[[index]]
* MoodWhiplash/TheDCU
* MoodWhiplash/MarvelUniverse
[[/index]]

* ''Comicbook/SinCity'' had a short story featuring [[ThoseTwoBadGuys Shlubb and Klump]]. The story involved the mafia getting [[YouHaveFailedMe tired of their goofiness]] and tricking them in blowing themselves up. Normally, what humor the series elicits is along the lines of BloodyHilarious. This time around, it was a [[NonFatalExplosions cartoonish bomb hidden inside of a dummy]] with a more family-friendly effect. When the bomb goes off, it's enough to blast a dock to splinters but it simply gave the characters AshFace and AmusingInjuries. The slapstick was a major departure from the grittiness found in most stories.

** Book 7 starts with the Legendaries trying to stop a [[SmugSnake ridiculously arrogant villain]] named El Diablo from stealing a potion, [[spoiler:then introduces Dawn and Dusk, the twin Gods of Creation and Destruction, who announce their intent to erase Alysia from existence unless the Legendaries can fix the damage done by the Jovenia incident. This follows until Book 8, a very serious plot involving more information about Gryf's species and how they're FantasticRacism fodder, as well as Skroa manipulating the heroes and murdering several people for his schemes]].

** Book 1 is basically flat comedy until the end, [[spoiler:which leaves a ridiculous SequelHook: the mysterious amnesiac kid who was traveling with the Legendaries, Elysio, is actually Darkhell, the Legendaries' ArchEnemy]]. In Book 2, we learn that a whole group of heroes, including protagonist Danael's big brother Ikael, have been turned into monstrous beings in an attempt to get the Stone of Crescia the Legendaries were seeking. Then [[TheHeroDies almost all the Legendaries die]] trying to get the stone-- [[SoleSurvivor only Danael survives]]. Then their efforts are completely flaunted when the demonic EvilSorcerer Skroa [[ShaggyDogStory takes the Stone for himself]]. Also, Danael's fellow Legendaries [[BackFromTheDead are revived]] before the end. [[spoiler:The book ends with a hint that Elysio drank a memory potion and became Darkhell again]].

*** [[spoiler:Things get even crazier when Fabulous member Shaki reveals he has already met with Darkhell, was the one who gave him his scar on the cheek, and wants revenge for Darkhell murdering his entire tribe. Pretty dark... except Darkhell has a reveal of his own: Shaki's real name is "[[EmbarrassingNickname Little Cat Drinking his Milk Bowl]]". Needless to say, whatever tension the scene may have held goes right out the window.]]
** Book 5 starts off with Danael's and Halan's comical rivalry for Jadina's heart. [[spoiler:Then we learn Halan was [[LoveMakesYouEvil so eager to win he actually teamed up with]] the vicious Pirate Captain Cedeyrom in a scheme involving TimeTravel to [[RetGone prevent the Legendaries from ever existing]]]]. The Legendaries attempt to follow them in Book 6, and it ends with all of them [[FinalGirl except Jadina]] dying ''again'', though Jadina manages to hit the ResetButton so the whole bonkers thing never happened to begin with.
** Book 7 starts with the Legendaries trying to stop a [[SmugSnake ridiculously arrogant villain]] named El Diablo from stealing a potion, [[spoiler:then introduces the Gods Dawn and Dusk, who announce their intent to run roughshod over all of Alysia if the Legendaries aren't able to do their hero thing in time. This follows until Book 8, a very serious plot involving more information about Gryf's species and how they're FantasticRacism fodder, as well as Skroa manipulating the heroes and murdering several people for his schemes]].

[[AC:Franchise/DCUniverse:]]
* ''Franchise/{{Batman}}''
** It's been said that ComicBook/TheJoker, written properly, should frighten you one minute, have you laughing the next, then hating yourself once you realize just what you're laughing at.
*** The last two pages of ComicBook/TheWideningGyre. Batman has just opened up to a new hero, unveiling himself as Bruce Wayne, and introducing the man to his fiance, and the hero, who's already revealed himself to Batman earlier, takes his own off for all of them to go have breakfast and talk like normal people. Next page, [[spoiler:the "hero" pulls down his ''real'' mask and slits Bruce's fiance's throat as he reveals that he is Onomatopoeia]].
*** Another example is from the novel "ComicBook/{{A Death in the Family}}" when Jason Todd finally meets his long lost birth mother and they have a heartwarming reunion... when suddenly, The Joker arrives and forces her to betray him by handing Jason over to him. Then the Joker thrashes Jason within an inch of his life with a crowbar then leaves both him and his mother locked in a warehouse triggered to explode, and they both die.
** Part of ''Battle for the Cowl'' starts with Damian taking a Batmobile on a joyride with a goth/punk girl he picked up, before ComicBook/{{Oracle}} takes over the controls and ejects the girl from the passenger seat in a panel played for laughs. Then, about two pages later, Killer Croc tackles the Batmobile and belches up the girl's shoe, thanking Damian for the "[[ImAHumanitarian snack]]".
*** Cue Dick coming to save the "[[AnnoyingYoungerSibling Brat]]" and the two momentarily joking about Damian's earlier predicament, only for them to suddenly get blasted out of the air and Dick to fall unconscious, causing Damian to panic and scream for Dick to wake up. Oh, Mood Whiplash indeed!
** Paul Cornell's Batman-spinoff ''Comicbook/KnightAndSquire'' miniseries is mostly played for whimsy and laughs. There's a superhero milkman, a secret society of ninja Morris Men, a clone of Richard III who tries to topple the monarchy by taking over Twitter and Youtube. The last story is about Jarvis Poker, the British Joker, a harmless old prankster going on a crimeless crime spree, complete with singing fish and sneezing-powder getaways. Knight and Squire are letting him continue as a last hurrah since he's dying of cancer. Then he gets cornered by the Shrike, a hot-blooded young superhero who hasn't got the memo, and [[spoiler: ComicBook/TheJoker turns up, shoots Shrike dead, and embarks on a killing spree]].

* Keith Giffen and J.M. [=DeMatteis=]' ''Comicbook/JusticeLeagueInternational'' was a very good example, where a comedic quip, a DeadpanSnarker, or a hilariously drawn expression by Kevin Maguire would come out of nowhere in a dramatic scene. Issues ranged from pure comedy to action/drama at will.
* In issue #5 of ''ComicBook/TheSandman'', a relatively light story involving the Justice League, Silver Age villain Dr. Dee escapes from Arkham Asylum and gets a ride with a passing motorist. She's initially terrified, but Dee looks harmless and frail, and soon the mood relaxes and they are chatting amiably. At the end of the story she lets him out at his destination, telling him sincerely to take care of himself...and he casually kills her. The next issue, "24 Hours", is one of the most nightmarish stories in the entire ''Sandman'' run.
* ComicBook/SecretSix is a freaking mood roller coaster.

* ''Franchise/WonderWoman'' [[ComicBook/WonderWoman1942 Vol 1]]: Lila Brown, one of the handful of recurring named characters in the Golden Age stories, is murdered [[KilledOffForReal via disintegration]] by Dr. Psycho in an explosion that only misses killing ComicBook/SteveTrevor because Diana grabbed him and yanked him over his desk one handed without bothering to change from her Diana Prince identity. Diana then ''cracks a joke'' about Lila not having to listen to her any more since Lila's last words were that she didn't take orders from her.

* ''ComicBook/{{Watchmen}}'': Nite Owl's snow suit. The story in general is [[CrapsackWorld depressing as hell]], but....when he puts on that ridiculous fluffy white coat, it's hard to take it seriously. The best part? It's (of course) an owl-suit.

[[AC:Franchise/MarvelUniverse]]
* There's an issue of ''ComicBook/CableAndDeadpool'' where Deadpool is having a mental crisis. It's ''Deadpool'', so of course he's going to make you laugh. But, then you feel bad about it realize that you just laughed at a guy who's seriously having a mental breakdown over all the people he's killed in the past.
* One of the better known issues of ''ComicBook/FantasticFour'' featured Sue Storm having complications during her pregnancy. They decide to engage Doc Ock, appealing to his intelligence and so forth, and have a typical superhero-on-supervillain battle at one point, only to return to find that they were too late, and Susan already miscarried.
* "The Slavers" from ''Comicbook/ThePunisherMAX'' was an incredibly dark, depressing story where Punisher tried to tackle a real-world problem and, ultimately, failed. So, to lighten the mood a little, Creator/GarthEnnis brought in the most outrageous and over-the-top villain in the MAX universe: Barracuda. While it was hardly [[LighterAndSofter a Disney movie]]; a mercenary with gold teeth that read "FUCK YOU" who likes pancakes and sea shanties is considerably cheerier than gang of slave traders who brutalize young girls and kill infants.
* The ''ComicBook/SpiderMan'' comics and sagas live in this trope.
* The first issue of the ComicBook/AnyaCorazon's ''Spider-Girl'' series plays like a SpiritualSuccessor to lighthearted teen superhero like ''ComicBook/YoungJustice''. Then on the last page [[spoiler: her father is killed. The second issue is all about her grieving.]]
* Whedon's run on the Astonishing ComicBook/XMen saw Kitty put on a ten mile long bullet shaped bus, effectively dead. Then Beast was told by Abigail Brand, head of Sentient World Observation and Response that the reason for her argumentative stance towards him, was that she needed him to check her judgment on the job, while also wanting to "break [him] like a pony" while off the job, his blue furry monster-dom was not a turn off to her. Also that the green hair was because she was half alien.
* ComicBook/UltimateMarvel
** ''ComicBook/UltimateDaredevilAndElektra'': Elektra returns so happy from her date with Matt, gossiping with Phoebe about her blossoming romance... and suddenly find that someone trashed her dorm room and attacked Melissa.
** ''ComicBook/UltimateSpiderMan''
*** Oh, no! Peter is sad about his unrequited love for Mary Jane! Let's have the school bully pie him in the face, quick!
*** Mary Jane is having a romantic moment with Peter, just about to have her first kiss... and suddenly, she has to go home and empty the litter box.
** ''ComicBook/TheUltimates''
*** In-Universe, Stark pointed that revealing his brain tumor killed the atmosphere stone dead, and tried to cheer things up after it.
*** Tony Stark would usually be delighted to sign an autograph for a woman, but the team is discussing Henry Pym's wifebeating habits, and it's a monumentally bad moment for that.

*** [[spoiler:Things get even crazier when Fabulous member Shaki reveals he has already met with Darkhell, was the one who gave him his scar on the cheek, and wants revenge for Darkhell murdering his entire tribe. Pretty dark... except Darkhell has a reveal of his own: Shaki's real name is "[[EmbarrassingNickname Little Cat Drinking his Milk Bowl]]". Needless to say, Shaki is majorly embarrassed.]]
** Book 5 starts off with Danael's and Halan's comical rivalry for Jadina's heart. [[spoiler:Then we learn Halan was [[LoveMakesYouEvil so eager to win he actually teamed up with]] the vicious Pirate Captain Cedeyrom in a scheme involving TimeTravel to [[RetGone prevent the Legendaries from ever existing]]]]. The Legendaries attempt to follow them in Book 6, and it ends with all of them [[FinalGirl except Jadina]] dying ''again'', though Jadina is able to reset time so the whole bonkers thing never happened to begin with.

* Whedon's run on the Astonishing ComicBook/XMen saw Kitty put on a ten mile long bullet shaped bus, effectively dead, but Beast was told by the half-alien head of Sentient World Observation and Response that she needed him to check her judgement on the job, and wanted to break him like a pony off the job, and that his blue furry monsterdom was not a turn off to her. Also that she was half alien.

* ''Dead@17'' ends its rough cut arc, which is a flashback involving child abuse, torture, demons, and a sociopath murdering a bunch of people, with an 11 Omake made by three artists. The middle one especially is a series of 3-4 panel strips staring the main character and her best friend (who split up in the previous arc after said friend was brutally tortured for her connection to the main character) making light of the zombies who killed half their town and the main character's status as undead.

* The french fantasy series [[ComicBook/LesLegendaires Les Légendaires]] is brimming with this one. There are so many times the story switches between silly and serious that it's hard to keep track. Most notably, almost every story arc starts with the protagonists being portrayed as a bunch of {{Idiot Hero}}es who get themselves embarrassed while fighting some minor annoyance, only to get flung into a far more serious conflict against a much bigger threat and somehow win. Let's break it down:

* The end of the Italian comic "''Un Polpo Alla Gola''" (''An Octopus to the throat'') The main characters' [[UsefulNotes/ConspiracyTheories theories]] are proven to be just childish delusions, and they draw closer to their ex-teacher. Then we found out the truth about the skull, the finding that started the whole story: [[spoiler:it was the school janitor's childhood buddy, a little street thug. He pushed the janitor's BerserkButton by making fun of being attached to an old toy (it was a gift from his mother, who had left his father). In response, the janitor pushed him down a staircase. He didn't get up]].

** Paul Cornell's Batman-spinoff ''Knight and Squire'' miniseries is mostly played for whimsy and laughs. There's a superhero milkman, a secret society of ninja Morris Men, a clone of Richard III who tries to topple the monarchy by taking over Twitter and Youtube. The last story is about Jarvis Poker, the British Joker, a harmless old prankster going on a crimeless crime spree, complete with singing fish and sneezing-powder getaways. Knight and Squire are letting him continue as a last hurrah since he's dying of cancer. Then he gets cornered by the Shrike, a hot-blooded young superhero who hasn't got the memo, and [[spoiler: ComicBook/TheJoker turns up, shoots Shrike dead, and embarks on a killing spree]].

** Book 1 is basically flat comedy until the end, [[spoiler:which leaves a ridiculous SequelHook: the mysterious amnesiac kid who was traveling with the Legendaries, Elysio, is actually Darkhell, the Legendaries' ArchEnemy]]. In Book 2, we learn that a whole group of heroes, including protagonist Danael's big brother Ikael, have been turned into monstrous beings in an attempt to get the Stone of Crescia the Legendaries were seeking. Then [[TheHeroDies almost all the Legendaries die]] trying to get the stone-- [[SoleSurvivor only Danael survives]]. Then their efforts are completely flaunted when the demonic EvilSorcerer Skroa [[ShaggyDogStory takes the Stone for himself]]. Also, Danael's fellow Legendaries [[OnlyMostlyDead are revived]] before the end. [[spoiler:The book ends with a hint that Elysio drank a memory potion and became Darkhell again]].

** Book 5 starts off with Danael's and Halan's comical rivalry for Jadina's heart. [[spoiler:Then we learn Halan was [[LoveMakesYouEvil so eager to win he actually teamed up with]] the vicious Pirate Captain Cedeyrom in a scheme involving TimeTravel to prevent the Legendaries from ever existing]]. The Legendaries attempt to follow them in Book 6, and it ends with all of them [[FinalGirl except Jadina]] dying ''again'', though Jadina is able to reset time so the whole bonkers thing never happened to begin with.
** Book 7 starts with the Legendaries trying to stop a [[SmugSnake ridiculously arrogant villain]] named El Diablo from stealing a potion, [[spoiler: then introduces the Gods Dawn and Dusk who announce that they're gonna wreck all Alysia if the Legendaries aren't able to do their hero thing in time. This follows until Book 8, a very serious plot involving more information about Gryf's species and how they're FantasticRacism fodder, as well as Skroa manipulating the heroes and murdering several people for his schemes]].
** The Anathos Cycle was probably the most extreme case: [[spoiler:Book 9 starts with Darkhell attacking Prison Barek and mercilessly slaughtering the guards in order to free his daughter Tenebris. Cut to the Legendaries enjoying a swim in a lake. They are then thrown headfirst into one of the darkest storylines in the whole comic. Book 10 switches quickly from a comical argument between the Legendaries to each couple confessing their love to one another. Then GodOfEvil Anathos shows up a few pages later and [[CurbStompBattle proceeds to thoroughly dominate the heroes]]. And then Jadina proceeds to make a fool of Anathos by [[OutGambit Out-Gambitting]] him]].

** ''ComicBook/UltimateSpiderMan'': Oh, no! Peter is sad about his unrequited love for Mary Jane! Let's have the school bully pie him in the face, quick!

** The Anathos Cycle was probably the most extreme case: [[spoiler:Book 9 starts with Darkhell attacking Prison Barek and mercilessly slaughtering the guards in order to free his daughter Tenebris. Cut to the Legendaries enjoying a swim in a lake. They are then thrown headfirst into one of the darkest storylines in the whole comic. Book 10 switches quickly from a comical argument between the Legendaries to each couple confessing their love to one another. Then GodOfEvil Anathos shows up a few pages later and [[CurbStompBattle proceeds to thoroughly dominate the heroes]]. And then Jadina proceeds to make a fool of Anathos by [[OutGambit Out-Gambitting him]]]].