It starts.

Well, actually it didnt start here, but the non beachball comics are in a binder I have yet to locate so we'll see. Either way, The first of us to turn into a beachball was Nathan. Royally peeved at being drawn cute and fuzzy, he decides to make the most of being 4 legged.
the toons were still aware of the audience at this point, and this talked to the artist while she drew.