Comics are short stories that offer insight into the world of Team Fortress 2 as seen through the eyes of the mercenaries, their boss, and the colorful characters that make up their adventures. The storyline boasts a very loose continuity - although comics serve to explain concepts such as the origins of a weapon, some events may conflict. The first six Team Fortress 2 comics, released individually to promote major updates, also introduced popular non-player characters, particularly the Administrator, Saxton Hale, Miss Pauling, and Merasmus.