#TrollFace: The Face of Internet Mischief
The crudely-drawn smiling face with a mischievous expression became the universal symbol of online trolling and internet pranks.
Creation
DeviantArt user Whynne (Carlos Ramirez) drew the original image in Microsoft Paint in September 2008 for a webcomic called “Trolls.” The simple, somewhat disturbing grin captured the essence of internet mischief perfectly.
Originally called “Coolface,” the image spread across 4chan and Something Awful forums as the embodiment of successful trolling.
Rage Comic Era
Troll Face became the centerpiece of rage comics—the MS Paint comic format that dominated early 2010s internet humor. It represented the final panel’s punchline, the moment when the troll reveals their trick.
The face appeared in thousands of variations and scenarios, always conveying the same energy: “I did something sneaky and you fell for it.”
Catchphrases
Common text accompanying Troll Face:
- “Problem?” (later “Problem, officer?” after the meme’s creator successfully enforced copyright)
- “U Mad?”
- “Cool story bro”
- “Trolololo”
Copyright Battles
Carlos Ramirez successfully enforced copyright over his creation, winning settlements against companies using Troll Face without permission—including a $250,000 settlement with the merchandising company behind “Meme Merchandise.”
The irony: the face symbolizing lawless internet chaos was protected by intellectual property law.
Legacy
While rage comics faded, Troll Face remains recognizable as a symbol of internet culture’s early era—when “trolling” meant harmless pranks rather than coordinated harassment.
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