While I don't believe in entirely ruling out images that rely on text, all the visuals add is showing a cat and a little girl looking into a light. To those unfamiliar with the context, this may seem vaguely indicative, but to those of us more familiar with it, we know Coraline's "shocked" expression is actually a pleasantly surprised one, and she's not upset with what she finds until much later on. Last I checked, it was generally considered almost as bad to have a "bad image for those who know the context" as a "bad image for those who don't."

For some alternatives, I propose the following from "Long Light" from XKCD:

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EDIT: Or better yet, the following from Calvin And Hobbes:

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edited 13th Jul '11 6:30:22 AM by neoYTPism

Bumping because I feel this ought to be addressed.

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Edited by Jicragg on Oct 12th 2020 at 3:57:21 AM

So...crowner?

The first two are Jackass Genie, but the rest could work. Especially the Christmas one.

This implies, quite correctly, that my mind is dark and damp and full of tiny translucent fish.

I say wait until we have more options first.

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Edited by Jicragg on Oct 12th 2020 at 3:57:43 AM

Oh, here's another idea... how about this?

The problem with your suggestions, Jicragg, is that they are about wording poorly, or not specifically enough. This trope is more along the lines of getting what they ask for only to find out it is not as pleasant as they thought it would be. (This is also why I just then replaced the Death Star example with the Total Drama Island; it gets across the same point but more concisely.) Anyway, I decided to edit the Calvin And Hobbes one into the OP.

edited 13th Jul '11 6:28:58 AM by neoYTPism

Most of the suggestions are pretty text-heavy. I haven't seen anything that really jumps out as stellar.

First key to interpreting a work: Things mean things.

Motion to pull

The current pic doesn't really depict the trope...this should've been done at the start of the thread.

Support.

Fight smart, not fair.

Motion to pull

I like the xkcd one.

The words above are to be read as if they are narrated by Morgan Freeman.

I like the xkcd one a lot. It's both hilarious and subtle. Also, it's not a Literal Genie, which I think is a plus. I'd be okay with the "Grampa buried alive" one too.

edited 20th Sep '11 12:21:27 AM by troacctid

Rhymes with "Protracted."

Pulled after vote.

Previous:

Fight smart, not fair.

The XKCD one doesn't show the negative reaction to it; the Calvin And Hobbes one shows him realizing why his wish is a bad idea one step at a time. I'd support the latter.

"The Daily Show has to be right 100% of the time; FOX News only has to be right once." - Jon Stewart

For this trope, the wish is granted.

edited 20th Sep '11 1:34:04 PM by troacctid

Rhymes with "Protracted."

Meh, realizing why it's not a good idea still qualifies as a reference to the trope, even if it isn't played straight.

"The Daily Show has to be right 100% of the time; FOX News only has to be right once." - Jon Stewart

Do something from Arisa. That's my wish.

Horrible scan quality makes that particular suggestion a no-go...

XKCD looks good in my opinion. Though it doesn't neccesarily show the negative consequences, it does show the inherent flaw. He got exactly what he wanted but its different than he thought it would. Definitely better than the last pic.

Hmm, there's also [1].

Rhymes with "Protracted."

Wow we need to wrap this up already.

Supporting xkcd.

The words above are to be read as if they are narrated by Morgan Freeman.

Nice. Supporting the Lio example.

Support Gravitaz on Kickstarter!

I don't think we can use the one panel comic. I'll vote for xkcd

edited 7th Jan '12 3:15:25 PM by Frosplosion

"I know where I am, I just don't know where I am in where I am." - Me