Unlike mainstream humor strips, the "Ruthless Tickling" comic focuses on the physical sensation of tickling as a transformative force. These stories often feature "sturdy" or "stoic" characters—ranging from superheroes like Stark to celebrities like Emma Watson—who are placed in positions of helplessness. The "ruthlessness" referred to in the title denotes the unrelenting nature of the act rather than any genuine malice, often ending in a breakdown of character stoicism in favor of uncontrollable laughter.