# Comic-Inspired Brake Ads This Promotion for Volkswagen City Emergency Brake Uses Comic Violence By Alexander Lam | Published 2013-07-20 | Autos Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/city-emergency-brake References: [ibelieveinadv](http://www.ibelieveinadv.com/2013/07/volkswagen-city-emergency-break-almost-close-nearly/) & [volkswagen](http://www.volkswagen.co.uk/technology/braking-and-stability-systems/city-emergency-braking) In an effort to promote [Volkswagen's](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/game-on) City Emergency Brake, the car manufacturer commissioned a series of beautifully illustrated ads. The print ads feature potential auto accidents designed like a comic book. Each illustration has a different action word combined with puffs of cartoon smoke. Words like 'Almost,' 'Close' and 'Nearly' are emphasized in the ads. Below the visual is text that states "Volkswagen City Emergency Brake. Automatically stops you car between 5 and 30 km/h." The ads were designed by British ad agency Adam&Eve [DDB](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cargurus-latest-ad) for Volkswagen. Adam&Eve DDB created the ads to get across how important emergency brakes can be. By showing comic book violence, the ad agency is making a very strong statement about the potential for emergency brakes to save your life. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 2.1/10 - Popularity: 26% | Activity: 30% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Autos](https://www.trendhunter.com/autos) ## Key Themes ### Why This Trend Is Growing - **Comic-inspired Ads:** Opportunity for brands to use comic book aesthetics to engage audiences and communicate messages effectively. - **Visual Storytelling:** Growing trend of using visual narratives to convey complex ideas and emotions in advertising campaigns. - **Safety-focused Advertising:** Increasing focus on promoting safety features in automotive advertising to highlight brand value and appeal to consumers. ### Industries Being Reshaped - **Automotive:** Disruptive innovation opportunities in creating innovative safety features and technologies that attract and reassure consumers. - **Advertising:** Potential for creative agencies to explore unconventional and visually striking approaches to capture audience attention and convey brand messages. - **Graphic Design:** Opportunities for graphic designers to collaborate with brands and create visually engaging promotional materials using comic book aesthetics. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Cheeky Electric Vehicles Ads](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/koda-hijacks-competitors.md) - [Auto-Centric Short Films](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/relax-we-care.md) - [Haute Auto Pattern Campaigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/audi-car-couture.md) - [Creative Auto Campaigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/electric-capri.md) - [Unconventional Vehicle Control Ads](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/heart-of-joy.md) - [Humorous Automotive Campaigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/where-have-you-been.md) - [Branded NFT Treasure Hunts](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/game-on.md) - [Car Safety-Promoting PSAs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/never-happens-campaign.md) - [Horrific Beer-Themed Comics](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/garage-beer.md)