Kevin Smith's "View Askewniverse" was inadvertently born in 1994 with the release of Clerks. Produced for $27,500, the "slice of life" indie comedy became a hit with critics and younger audiences alike, particularly those familiar with working in the service industry.

RELATED: 10 Hilarious Kevin Smith Behind The Scenes Stories

Clerks' success has allowed Smith to continue making the types of movies that he connects with personally, inspiring a new generation of movie-goers in the process. For over 25 years, his creations have attained a loyal fanbase, thanks in large part to the filmmaker's gift for dialogue, accessibility, and heartfelt moments depicted on screen in his stories.

Stan Lee

Stan Lee

Written as an homage to 80s raunchy teen comedies, Mallrats finds the recently dumped T.S. and Brodie spending a day at the mall attempting to overcome their sorrow. To Brodie's shock, he receives a visit from none other than Stan Lee, who appears courtesy of T.S.

While Brodie fanboys over Lee's presence, the legendary comic book creator attempts to soothe Brodie's broken heart. He shares stories of his own lost loves and how his comic book characters were written as extensions of his own insecurities. In a teen comedy that's practically a love letter to comics, it doesn't get more heartfelt than Stan Lee offering relationship advice.

The Pronoun Game

In 1997's critically acclaimed Chasing Amy, Smith explores the themes of sexuality, insecurity, and identity as seen through the eyes of his main characters. After Alyssa, a proudly gay woman, befriends the charming yet insecure Holden, the pair form an unlikely friendship and romantic relationship.

Alyssa's choice in partner doesn't sit well with her lesbian friends, however. She begins by exclaiming how in love she is before tiptoeing around by using pronouns like "they" and "them" when describing Holden. This prompts one friend to ask why she's playing the pronoun game, and a reluctant Alyssa confesses Holden's name. Her friends are shocked and offer a drink to her demise, only further highlighting the fear and anxiety any LGBTQ+ person could feel in a situation like this.

Holden's Return

Ben Affleck's return to play Holden in the Jay and Silent Bob Reboot not only offers emotional resonance to the characters in the movie, but also to Smith himself. In 1995, Smith cast an up-and-coming Affleck in Mallrats, which began a friendship and partnership that spanned several years. However, the pair seemingly lost touch for nearly a decade until around 2018, when Affleck made it known that he was interested in re-connecting.

On the heels of Smith's heart attack in 2018, it's only fitting that Affleck got to be a part of the View Askewniverse gang getting back together. Smith clearly has an affectation for their friendship and Holden's character, who gives a poignantly touching speech to Jay and Silent Bob about parenthood with just the right amount of meta winks towards the audience.

Dante's Folly

On a day when he wasn't even supposed to be there, things get infinitely worse for Clerks' Dante after he attempts to get back together with his ex-girlfriend, Caitlin. Dante's obsession with Caitlin bothers his friend Randall, who decides to share the news with Dante's current girlfriend, Veronica.

RELATED: I Assure You, We're Open: 10 Interesting Facts About Clerks

Veronica tears Dante a new one, calling him out for his infidelity and hypocrisy, as he'd previously been judgmental of her sexual activities with past boyfriends. Dante then goes after Randall for telling Veronica. After brawling throughout the Quick Stop, the pair share a heart to heart. Randall admonishes Dante for his holier-than-thou attitude and says the real reason he's so miserable is because he makes himself so.

God Closes The Book

At the end of Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back, Alanis Morissette, reprising her role of God (a role which nearly went to Emma Thompson), literally closes the book of the View Askewniverse. Though fans of Smith's creation were likely saddened that their favorite characters were retiring, they at least got to experience the heartfelt sendoff they deserved.

It's interesting to note that Smith chose to have the words "The End" appear in the middle of the book, leaving the possibility open for more adventures to come. However, his interest in pursuing other stories, coupled with co-star Jason Mewes' battle with drug addiction, made the future of their characters particularly murky.

Jay's Return

Kevin Smith Heartfelt Moments - Jay's Return

Mewes' years-long battle with addiction left Smith uncertain of their cinematic future together and, more importantly, frightened for his friend's life. Smith attempted to help Mewes for years, offering him a place to live, paying for rehab, even promising to make another movie if Mewes got clean.

After years of struggle, Mewes successfully kicked his habits and Smith kept his promise, writing in roles for Jay and Silent Bob in Clerks II. Introducing them as "The New and Improved Jay and Silent Bob," Smith even includes the real-life story of Mewes driving around with deployed airbags, humorously making art imitate life. The movie is Smith's personal favorite and it's easy for fans to understand why.

Holden's Confession

After sharing a dinner together, Alyssa purchases a painting for Holden to symbolize their friendship. Overwhelmed, Holden pulls his car over on their way home and declares his true love for her. The moment combines Smith's penchant for honest dialogue with great performances from Joey Lauren Adams and Affleck.

Holden proceeds to espouse his love for her, something he acknowledges could ruin their friendship. Alyssa just stares quietly and helplessly as she takes in his words before finally exiting his car. Holden chases her down in the pouring rain and she berates him for how unfair his confession was. However, just after he turns around to leave, she rushes in to kiss him, revealing she loves him as well.

Bethany's Crisis

Dogma is the story of two renegade angels attempting to re-enter heaven via a loophole. Tasked with stopping them is Bethany, a mortal woman who experiences a powerful crisis of faith when she learns she's a descendant of Christ.

RELATED: Alanis Morissette's Best Roles In Film & TV

Metatron, played by the late, incredible Alan Rickman, appears to Bethany and consoles her. He relates the heartbreaking tale of how he had to break the news to Jesus that not only was he the son of God, but that he'd have to endure a lifetime of suffering because of it. Painfully, he recounts how he wishes he could take it all back, empathizing with Bethany's plight of feeling the weight of the world on her shoulders.

The Break-Up

During a hockey game, Holden passive-aggressively cross-examines Alyssa about her sexual past, causing her to snap. What makes this scene resonate so deeply is the pain Alyssa not only feels from Holden's accusations but in herself as well. As a proud woman who spends the majority of the movie being unapologetic for who she is, she's suddenly made to feel ashamed for her past.

To make matters worse, the one person she's trusted her story with, who she sacrificed her entire worldview for, is now crucifying her. She points out that everyone's roadmap through life is different and that she had to experiment to learn about herself. She attempts to explain it was all worth it because it led her to him. Unfortunately, Holden is unable to process this within any healthy boundaries, setting up their bittersweet ending.

The Ending

Clerks II didn't mark the end of the View Askewniverse completely, but it certainly felt like the end of an era. After Dante and Randall endure yet another wild day at work, they're arrested and go to jail. The two friends bicker over who's to blame for their predicament and Randall eventually confesses that he's afraid of losing his best friend and what he really wants is to buy the Quick Stop to own for themselves.

Jay and Silent Bob offer to give them the capital in exchange for being allowed to hang out outside without being harassed. Dante agrees and the group works towards rebuilding the burnt down convenience store. As Dante and Randall take in the sight of their freshly re-opened business, the camera pans back and fades to black and white, calling back to where it all began in Smith's original movie.

NEXT: Every Single Kevin Smith/View Askewniverse Movie (In Chronological Order)