“You Won’t Believe What Happened Next!”

Overview:
“You can’t imagine what happened next” is a multi-panel webcomic format that gained popularity as an exploitable meme template. It depicts a character in a seemingly mundane or typical scenario followed by an unexpected twist, often illustrated with exaggerated or humorous results. This format lends itself well to various topics, allowing users to create relatable and absurd narratives.

Origin:
The meme format originated from a comic titled “You Won’t Believe What Happened Next,” which was created by Twitter user @textbookcomics in early 2020. The comic features a character recounting an event that starts with an engaging, yet typical story. The punchline diverges sharply from expectations in an absurd or humorous way, leading to the phrase “You can’t imagine what happened next.” The comic’s relatability and humor contributed to its viral spread across social media platforms.

Spread:
Following its introduction, the format quickly proliferated across various websites, including Reddit, Instagram, and Tumblr, where users began sharing their own renditions of the comic. The meme’s flexibility allowed it to be adapted to a wide range of topics, from everyday life scenarios to pop culture references and fictional narratives. As the meme gained traction, it became a common format for comedic storytelling.

Notable Examples:
Some notable examples of the meme include humorous takes on everyday situations, such as a person attempting to make a dinner reservation only to encounter a highly improbable event, like being served dinner by a celebrity chef. Other examples feature bizarre outcomes, such as a character going to the store to buy milk and accidentally becoming a hero in an alien invasion scenario. These situations often emphasize the absurdity of the punchline, highlighting the unexpected twist.

Variants / Remixes:
Variations of the meme often incorporate different artwork styles or change the dialogue while maintaining the core structure. Users have also replaced the characters with well-known figures or created entirely new narratives, enhancing the creativity and humor within the format. The phrase “You can’t imagine what happened next” is frequently substituted with various other comedic lines, further diversifying its appeal and usage.

Summary:
“You can’t imagine what happened next” emerged from a simple comic strip and evolved into a versatile meme format that allows users to depict a wide range of absurd, humorous twists in storytelling. Its ability to surprise audiences with unexpected and exaggerated outcomes has solidified its place in internet culture, broadening its reach across multiple social media platforms.