[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/level.png]]

''Level'', stylized ''leveL'', is a webcomic by Nate Swineheart.

The first iteration focused on Cael, an apparently-normal boy living in the massive futuristic metropolis of Level. Plagued by strange dreams, he decides one day to take home a school computer to research the possible causes. His plans are stymied, however, by his violent cousin Reagan, who shows up to take him shopping and then to a game of Gravball, on the suggestion of Cael's mother.

From there, everything goes [[MindScrew quite insane]]. ''leveL'' went on a big hiatus from July 2010, then [[ContinuityReboot rebooted]] on [[http://www.levelthecomic.com/teal-gold/welcome/ August 1, 2013]] on [[http://www.levelthecomic.com/ a brand-new website]] (you can still read the old version under "Extras").

The reboot explores the dystopic city of [=LeveL=] more, a sprawling metropolitan utopia, technologically advanced and socially just. Three years after the Holopaque Storm, a mysterious event that shook up the city of [=LeveL=], triggering a war between the Tiern and [=UnTiern=], the only eyewitness of the Storm, Cael Dalton, is being assigned a new therapist. At the same time, an equally mysterious optimist Rain has a package to deliver.
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%%!! The old ''leveL'' contains examples of:
%%* ArtEvolution: To a remarkable degree.
%%* GovernmentConspiracy: With several levels.
%%* MajorInjuryUnderreaction: Emory was just as creepy then as she is now. Possibly more. The underreaction made her seem nearly ''undead''.
%%* MindScrew

!! The ContinuityReboot has:
%% * ActionGirl: Emory, though she's not very girly. [[{{Determinator}} Tal]].
%% * AffectionatePickpocket: Tal. [[spoiler: Rain's GenreSavvy, though, and doesn't fall for her cute act]].
%% * AllTherapistsAreMuggles: Reagan's a therapist and, [[BrutalHonesty surprisingly]], not ''completely'' horrible at it.
* AllThereInTheManual: [[http://www.levelthecomic.com/extras/ Here]] you can find information on the Tiers.
* TheAntiNihilist: Rain tells it beautifully:
--> '''Rain''': We're more than the awful things we endure. Just because the world around me is awful doesn't mean I have to be.
%% * AxCrazy: Emory gives off a decidedly psychopathic vibe.
%% * BewareTheNiceOnes: Rain is friendly, goofy and moral. Doesn't mean he can't handle whatever the WretchedHive throws at him.
%% * CatapultNightmare: Cael, which convinces him to [[spoiler: put the panacea bracers on]].
* CombatParkour: Rain's style of fighting, awfully flashy and heavy on {{Three Point Landing}}s, but gets the job done.
%% * CuteAndPsycho: [[spoiler: Miss Tal's]] true colours.
%% * DeadpanSnarker: Reagan is viciously snarky. Others get into action, too, but Reagan is the snarkmaster of the cast.
%% * {{Determinator}}: Tal. Does. '''Not'''. Give. Up.
%% * TheEmpath: '''Not''' a power to be envied. Will drive you mad, then catatonic, sooner or later.
%% * FantasticCasteSystem: Nine castes, or "Tiers", plus the [=UnTiern=].
* FlashbackCut: [[TheEmpath Empaths]] induce these when [[TouchTelepathy touching you]]. May be used as a distraction, although sometimes AMindIsATerribleThingToRead.
%% * HardLight: Loads. Makes for shiny special effects.
%% * HollywoodAutism: InformedAttribute of Cael.
%% * HumanWeapon: Cael's fate if general Erato has his way. At least he softens the blow by framing it as an offer.
%% * IdeaBulb: Rain has them.
* LayeredMetropolis: Level, partially built of HardLight on higher levels, with a [[UrbanSegregation slum]] nearer ground.
%% * MedicalHorror: The beginning of Chapter 1.
* NoMedicationForMe: Reagan leaves her patient the choice of whether he wants to be medicated or not. He chooses medication, but might soon regret it.
* NotSoImaginaryFriend: [[spoiler: Wryn's ghost? Or whatever the thing is?]] for Cael. Though he might be [[ImaginaryEnemy Not So Imaginary Enemy]] just as well.
* OddCouple: [[SensitiveGuyAndManlyMan Neurotic, artsy Cael and his best friend, rougish Wryn]].
%% * OurSloganIsTerrible: "Teddy's Tar - We'll stick by you!"
* PaintingTheMedium: The site layout colours change with the proceedings of the story.
%% * PersonOfMassDestruction: Quite possibly, Cael.
%% * PlayfulHacker: Wryn is learning.
* ThePollyanna: Rain. When we meet him in BadGuyBar, he avoids several mishaps and ends up with a beer bottle in his hands (which he promptly gives away):
-->'''Rain''': Free drink, how nice!
* PowerOfTrust: When they bond over music.
-->'''Cael''': If our spots were reversed [...] would you trust me?
-->'''Reagan''': [[spoiler: (releases his bounds)]] Play me the song.
* RecurringDreams: Cael has recurring [[DreamsOfFlying Nightmares of Flying]]. Whether they're psychic or DreamingTheTruth remains to be seen.
* RedOniBlueOni: The [[HotBlooded choleric]] Reagan and her [[TheStoic quietly optimistic]] assistant Jordan. They even wear tops [[ColorCodedForYourConvenience in their respective colours]].
%% * ReluctantPsycho: Cael isn't crazy. So he says.
* RoofHopping: The long ChaseScene starting [[http://www.levelthecomic.com/comics/01-02-37/ here]].
* TheScapegoat: The [=UnTiern=], for the Holopaque Storm. [[spoiler: This resulted in civil war, which is still raging at the time the story starts]].
%% * ShiningCity: The opening narration claims Level is this.
* TheTeetotaler: Rain "doesn't smoke and orders tea in a bar".
* ThouShaltNotKill: Rain avoids killing and calls [[AxCrazy Emory]] out on it.
* WrongSideOfTheTracks: Sprawl. Some sectors get [=UnTiern=] (cut of from the Tiers system), making them even [[WretchedHive more of that]].
* YouthIsWastedOnTheDumb: The whole plot (or, at least, Cael and Wryn's involvement in it) started by them doing something they weren't supposed to.