Issue 5

"Can't you see that none of this is real?!" This article contains information about media that, although official, is not canon to the main series.

Release Date:	November 26, 2014
Pages:	32
Credits
Story by:	Frank Gibson
Art by:	Tyson Hesse Paulina Ganucheau Uwe Heidschötter ("The Infinite Loop")
Additional stories:	Patrick Wirbeleit ("The Infinite Loop")
Previous	Issue 4
Next	Issue 6

The Amazing World of Gumball #5 or "Battle of the Bands" as the story is called in the Volume 2 collection, is the fifth issue of The Amazing World of Gumball comic books. 

Synopsis

Gumball and Darwin are having a totally relaxing day. No wacky misadventures, no getting into trouble...just enjoying each other's company and—oooh, Battle of the Bands!! They've gotta try out for that!

Plot

SPOILER AHEAD! Important details about the plot or story are up ahead (Skip section)

As another day begins for Gumball and Darwin the two brush their teeth, eat their breakfast and happily ride the bus to school as they laugh and joke around with each other. In class the two are pleased about how peaceful and uneventful their day has been so far. They are interrupted however by Banana Joe bursting in and informing everyone Tina is about to fight Ocho. Gumball is eager to go and watch, but Darwin insists that they stay where they are, so as to not ruin their peaceful day. Banana Joe entices them even further, claiming Tina has learnt to breathe fire, but before Gumball can agree to go Darwin rejects the offer for both of them. Joe agrees and walks away, getting incinerated in a wave of Tina's fire.

Noticing Gumball is disappointed, Darwin assures him that he made the right choice, since they get to enjoy a nice peaceful afternoon instead now. This fails to cheer up the feline however, so Darwin suggests they go and look at the school notice-board, since that always cheers him up. Doing so, they find notices about football tryouts, a fight club, a knitting club, and to Gumball's excitement a flyer for a Battle of the Bands competition, which he is eager to sign up for. Darwin however is not, as he fears they'll end up competing against each other, and they'll somehow escalate things and get hurt. Gumball ignores him however, and before Darwin can stop him signs both of them up for the competition as a team. Coach Russo walks over and takes the sign up sheet and locks in their submission, much to Darwin's annoyance.

Later that evening the two begin to practice for the competition, Gumball attempting to play a guitar whilst Darwin tries to play drums. Neither have any idea what they're doing. Coach Russo, having watched the two's entire attempt through the window, advises them to believe in themselves. Darwin insists that they do and assures her that they just need more time to practice, Coach refuses, informing them that the competition is later that night and that if they don't attend they'll be given detention. Panicking, Darwin asks Gumball what they're going to do now. The latter offers no plan, simply attempting to assure Darwin by trying to get him to imagine everyone chanting their names.

Now at the actual show, Gumball and Darwin step on stage for their performance. Introducing themselves to the judges, consisting of Coach Russo, Miss Simian and Principal Brown, as "The Gumballs", the two begin their performance.. Lasting only a few seconds and using makeshift instruments that sound terrible, the judges are very unimpressed. As they are the only participants however. the two win the competition by default, and are handed the trophy. Having actually enjoyed himself, Darwin apologises to Gumball for being so stubborn about the whole idea, the former accepting his apology.

Suddenly, Tina and Ocho crash through the wall and onto the stage with a loud roar, The two fight, Tina breathing fire as Banana Joe claimed, whilst Ocho attempts to electrocute her with bolts of electricity. Tina steps forward and accidentally lowers her foot onto, and crushes, Gumball's makeshift guitar under her foot, Coach Russo listens in awe at the note it produces. Brought to tears she dubs Tina the winner of the competition instead, much to Gumball and Darwin's disbelief.

The Infinite Loop

On his way to the park, Gumball is shocked when a blue paw very similar to his own suddenly emerges from his right and hands him a ten dollar bill. Taking it, he excitedly runs over to Darwin and shows it off to him. He suggests they should spend it, but is unsure what to buy with it. Anton suggests they buy some peanut butter and jam to make makeshift t-shirts. The two consider this, only to reject it after imaging a swarm of bees chasing them and realizing how terrible an idea it would be. Leslie overhears and suggests they instead buy fertilizer in order to grow big and strong. Imagining themselves growing incredibly muscular, the two are thrilled at the idea, only to immediately change their minds as an ice cream cart rolls up.

Running over, Gumball eagerly asks for the biggest ice cream ever. When he goes to pay however, the blue paw from earlier suddenly snatches his ten dollar note from underneath him. Deciding to steal it back, Gumball reaches his arm up and steals the money back...from his past self. This sparks a loop of Gumball repeatedly stealing the money from his past self over and over until Darwin finally yells at Gumball to stop doing so, He suggests he instead give it to himself before he even goes to the park as that way he'll have twenty dollars to start with, and when his future self steals the money from him he'll still have ten dollars. Gumball obliges, stretching his arm back to the very beginning of the story and giving his original self the money. The story, therefore, starts over again. In order to avoid the story looping forever the comic advises the reader when they get back to the end of the loop to stop and turn to the next page instead of returning to the beginning yet again.

Gumball and Darwin wait for the results of Darwin's plan, only for nothing to happen. Left with no money, Darwin laments that his idea maybe wasn't such a good idea after all. The two are disappointed, though quickly forget about the lost dollar and begin to laugh as they see their ice cream, which had fallen to the floor, get up and begin to run away.

End spoilers

Characters

Main characters

• Gumball
• Darwin
• Coach

Supporting characters

• Banana Joe
• Tina

Minor characters

• Alan
• Carmen
• Bobert (photo)
• Principal Brown
• Miss Simian
• Ocho

Main characters

• Gumball
• Darwin

Supporting characters

• Anton
• Leslie
• Ice cream vendor

Minor characters

• Sentient ice cream
• Banana Joe
• Box person
• Purple woman
• Large woman
• Tina

Gallery

Cover A by Missy Pena

Cover B by Jay Fosgitt

Cover C by Drew Green (original)

Cover C by Becky Dreistadt (final)

Trivia

• An early synopsis for the comic, released alongside many others before the comic's release, details an entirely different plot than what was eventually used, in which Gumball uses dramatic entrances to try and increase his popularity. It is unknown why this plot was scrapped.

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