Also called Hercules Thumbs Up · Cool Story Bro · CSB
Hercules gives an enormous grin and a thumbs-up above a printed “Cool story, bro.” Add the boast or long-winded claim that deserves this deliberately unconvincing enthusiasm.
The words sound approving, but the combination of the grin and the stock reply can dismiss a story as boring, irrelevant, or self-important. The smile does not have to mean agreement.
This template already includes its response. Your caption supplies the remark being answered, so the finished image reads as a short exchange.
The thumbs-up comes from Incredible Hercules #122, published on October 29, 2008. The issue was written by Greg Pak and Fred Van Lente, with the pictured panel drawn by Clayton Henry. In an interview with SKTCHD, Van Lente recalled moving Pak’s gag to the next page so the image would arrive as a surprise. [1] [2]
The phrase had a separate life before the comic image. Know Your Meme documents “Cool story, bro” on 4chan’s video-game board in July 2008 and notes a similar sarcastic response in the 2001 film Zoolander. The picture in this template comes from the Hercules comic. [3]
A character responds to Hansel’s story with a dismissive variation of the phrase. [3]
Know Your Meme records it being used against lengthy or personal stories. [3]
Clayton Henry’s grinning thumbs-up supplies the picture later paired with the response. [1]
Put a short boast across the top, above the eyes. Leave the grin, raised thumb, and large printed response at the bottom clear.
The bottom line is part of this image, so adding it again only repeats the joke. If you need more room for the setup, add a Header above the picture.
Original captions to try with this template.
Original artwork by Clayton Henry / Marvel Comics
The response punctures a claim to being earlier than everyone else.
Original artwork by Clayton Henry / Marvel Comics
The size of the file is offered as an achievement whether or not anyone asked.
Original artwork by Clayton Henry / Marvel Comics
The printed reply meets a confident boast with very little interest.
References for this template. Example captions are original.
The publisher lists the release date and issue credits.
The comic’s co-writer explains how Pak’s gag, his page placement, and Henry’s drawing came together.
Separates the phrase’s earlier uses from the later Hercules image macro.
