There is a fundamental rule I follow: more complex the concept, the simpler the graphics; conversely, the simpler the concept, the more fun you can have with the graphics.
There really isn't a lot more to say; nevertheless, I suggest you go and read how Thomas P.M. Barnett would have approached this thing, which you might also want to click to enlarge and thus enjoy in its full glory:
Two ways to respond: webmentions and comments
Webmentions
Webmentions allow conversations across the web, based on a web standard. They are a powerful building block for the decentralized social web.
“Ordinary” comments