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Yes.

15 (5%)

No, it's not the same.

14 (4.7%)

No, it's even worse.

25 (8.4%)

No, it means Dora's history.

30 (10.1%)

No, because it's going to end different.

19 (6.4%)

No, because there's emergency bourbon.

17 (5.7%)

UBMEOD!

34 (11.4%)

Oh heck, who am I kidding?

4 (1.3%)

(sniff) No, I've just got (sniff) allergies...

31 (10.4%)

This thread is gonna hit 40 pages by tomorrow, isn't it?

109 (36.6%)

Total Members Voted: 237

[enigma3d]

I don't think this is likely to happen, if it happens at all, until Jeph decides to end QC. Where would the story go from there? If this is indeed some great overarching goal, once it's been achieved, what is there left to tell? Only way I could see it happening is if something like Marten/Faye get together, and then move away or something, and now we have a new story to tell, and a new webcomic to tell it in. But I don't see how it could work in QC without making it not QC any more.

Well, yeah, and I agree.  That's the problem with hanging your hat on Unresolved Sexual Tension between characters: once you resolve it, you can no longer tell that story, and if Jeph brought them together it would have to be at the very end (or the comic would jump the shark so hard it'd leave teeth marks).  I just feel like the storyline is moving back toward the Faye/Marten UST, as part of a long arc away from it that brought us Marten/Dora and the weirder Faye/Angus side trek.  The thing is, Jeph is pretty blatantly moving toward a resolution of the Marten/Dora era and the only way I would see the comic going after that is to pick back up on the Faye/Marten possibilities.  Anything else would be, well, Marten dating Cousin Oliver.

As one of the "God Dora is being a bitch, Marten doesn't need a relationship like THAT" posters, I've got to say I think you're orbiting the Moon if you think that

A. This is "blatantly" the end of the Marten/Dora era. Given Jeph's previous drama arcs, this will most likely lead to character development for all. I cannot imagine him having them break up without giving Dora a chance to actually work on her issues and stop being the hideous snappy bitch she's been for the past X number of comics.

B. This is some kind of slow progression to a Faye/Marten lovefest. Why do I say this? Because guess what, people change a lot in 1 year (which I believe is the rough Marten/Dora timeline so far?) and it's entirely possible that one or both of the Marten/Faye "I wuv you but I can't" pairing has, you know, moved on to the point at which they don't see the other as a romantic option. Further, I think it would be a moment of spectacular pointlessness to have bothered to introduce Angus at all if that were really any kind of destination point.

C. Jeph has any kind of overall end in mind.

D. You think that Faye/Marten will be the new focus point, given that the regular important cast list has grown so much.

Just my opinions, and if you disagree I challenge you to a duel to the death with UBMEOD's.  

I agree with all four points. My previous post was merely outlining the only way I felt that that particular plot twist would be resolved in a way that made any kind of sense. Not that I believed the original proposal had a snowball's chance in hell of happening 
 

[Saral]

Dora and Marten break up. Dora then rebounds by attempting to seduce Angus, which really "riles Faye up."

Of course, this is totally unlike what I was eventually expecting, which was Marten and Dora getting married, and Dora insisting on being the flower girl at her own wedding.

I read this as 'Marten then rebounds by attempting to seduce Angus', which would be hella entertaining, especially if it worked.

I can just see Marigold suffering from life-threatening nasal blood loss.

Then Dora becomes a fetish Porn actress, thus bringing things full circle...

[Wiregeek]

Dora and Marten break up. Dora then rebounds by attempting to seduce Angus, which really "riles Faye up."

Of course, this is totally unlike what I was eventually expecting, which was Marten and Dora getting married, and Dora insisting on being the flower girl at her own wedding.

I read this as 'Marten then rebounds by attempting to seduce Angus', which would be hella entertaining, especially if it worked.

I can just see Marigold suffering from life-threatening nasal blood loss.

Then Dora becomes a fetish Porn actress, thus bringing things full circle...

oh hell, Marten ends up marrying her after his night with Angus, she becomes a fetish model..  and Marten has back issues of All Marine Manwich in his sock drawer... 

IT WORKS.

[GeoffTheLlama]

.... he should just get drunk with her, then gently but firmly rub her up against a wall by her wrists and start kissing and dry humping her while whispering in her ear about how much he likes her, sexually as well as a friend. Though at first she might be disconcerted or disorientated it's important he never stop - Marten is passive by nature but if he apologises and walks away it will just add to Faye's abandonment issues as she'll feel that her crying or screaming for him to stop has pushed him away. Unfortunately I don't think Marten has the willpower to do this ... really, what he needs is a good friend who would help him out by lacing his drink with cocaine or some other aggressant that would allow him to really let his inhibitions go and confess his feelings, but I don't think any are up to it 

Goddamn. Just write a fanfic

I'd make a crack about Marigold's writing skills, but...

EDIT: OH HAY I FAIL AT POSTING

[iduguphergrave]

I'm actually on the forums for the first time in MONTHS, mainly to shake my head in wonder at this thread. It's like a car accident and a space shuttle explosion are having sex with each other. 

And from the word of the almighty himself I draw.....MY NEW SIGNATURE! *lightning crashes*

[graymouser]

As one of the "God Dora is being a bitch, Marten doesn't need a relationship like THAT" posters, I've got to say I think you're orbiting the Moon if you think that

A. This is "blatantly" the end of the Marten/Dora era. Given Jeph's previous drama arcs, this will most likely lead to character development for all. I cannot imagine him having them break up without giving Dora a chance to actually work on her issues and stop being the hideous snappy bitch she's been for the past X number of comics.

The thing is, I think the Marten / Dora relationship has unresolved issues that have become toxic and are harming things to the point where its continuation would mean that the comic would be heading toward a really, really dark place.  I don't just think Dora's being a bitch and Marten should DTMFA (but seriously he should DTMFA), it's getting to the point of really harming the people.  Jeph has been modestly emotionally realistic up to this point, and I can't believe he will allow a fairytale ending to this rough patch.  If they just make up for the time being, it will just mean another big fight in the near future, and to be blunt from a dramatic aspect I don't think that the comic could take it.  It'd make much more sense from the story angle to just have them permanently break things off.

B. This is some kind of slow progression to a Faye/Marten lovefest. Why do I say this? Because guess what, people change a lot in 1 year (which I believe is the rough Marten/Dora timeline so far?) and it's entirely possible that one or both of the Marten/Faye "I wuv you but I can't" pairing has, you know, moved on to the point at which they don't see the other as a romantic option. Further, I think it would be a moment of spectacular pointlessness to have bothered to introduce Angus at all if that were really any kind of destination point.

Faye made clear that it was going to take a long time for a Faye / Marten lovefest to be possible.  But more with the next point.

C. Jeph has any kind of overall end in mind.

I think it has to go there long term, that's just the story structure of a harem comic.  Marten will get together with Faye at the end.  There will be a TON of distractions, as I said I think it's a long and angsty road, but unless QC is a massive exercise in deconstruction "the end" when it comes, would naturally be a Faye / Marten pairing.

[Soluzar]

 That's the problem with hanging your hat on Unresolved Sexual Tension between characters: once you resolve it, you can no longer tell that story, and if Jeph brought them together it would have to be at the very end (or the comic would jump the shark so hard it'd leave teeth marks).  I just feel like the storyline is moving back toward the Faye/Marten UST, as part of a long arc away from it that brought us Marten/Dora and the weirder Faye/Angus side trek.  The thing is, Jeph is pretty blatantly moving toward a resolution of the Marten/Dora era and the only way I would see the comic going after that is to pick back up on the Faye/Marten possibilities.  Anything else would be, well, Marten dating Cousin Oliver.

For what it's worth, I'd settle for UST between Marten and Faye. I appreciate that a resolution to that situation tends to be the end of the good part of the story. I just don't want either of them being 'resolved' with someone else. See... while I quoted the maxim earlier, I don't believe in "love the one you're with".

[Carl-E]

*Looks back at the thread she has slogged through, and ahead at the brave, brave regiment before her*

*Silently takes up her dickbroom, tears in her eyes*

I would join you, gentlemen, if you will have me.

Just be careful how you hold that thing, ma'am. 

[Wiregeek]

I'm actually on the forums for the first time in MONTHS, mainly to shake my head in wonder at this thread. It's like a car accident and a space shuttle explosion are having sex with each other. 

And from the word of the almighty himself I draw.....MY NEW SIGNATURE! *lightning crashes*

I wanna be the space shuttle explosion!

[Soluzar]

C. Jeph has any kind of overall end in mind.

I agree wholeheartedly on that point

D. You think that Faye/Marten will be the new focus point, given that the regular important cast list has grown so much.

Sadly, I must agree on this too, which is why I find myself questioning my desire to continue reading. For now I'm just questioning it though, I've not arrived at the point where I'm sure I want to quit. Which is why I'm posting here... to see if any more concrete idea of my interest in the strip emerges.

[Annaira]

Long time reader, first time poster...

Kinda felt like I needed to say something, because I've always liked the Marten-Dora pairing, and I guess I'm sort of weird, because I want to see them stay together. I have to agree with others, though, in saying that if they get back together after this without some definite changes in behavior, the whole storyline is going to become grossly overused and stagnant. This whole thing had an air of finality to it anyhow.

I do think that everyone is being kind of harsh on Dora, almost like you all have been holding back your irritation at her as much as Marten has. She's been out of line before, 100%. But in this case, I have to agree with the ONE person who said this earlier: I honestly think she thought Marten was kidding. I've been there before, too...I'll be yukking it up with a bunch of friends, having a lighthearted conversation, and then I'll decide to do something or say something I was told not to, I assumed in jest, and wind up yelled at. I remember having a fight like that when some kid told me not to take a picture of him, so yeah, I can get that Dora was under the impression that Marten wasn't serious. I mean, if you think about it, the conversation they were having initially wasn't about anything heavy or serious, and everyone had a smile (or semblance thereof) on their face. Why would you come to the conclusion at that point that someone is being serious? Add to that the fact that Marten hasn't ever told Dora to stay out of his stuff before, and it's --to me, anyhow--understandable how this whole mishap could be seen as okay in Dora's book.

That being said, I also think that Dora's apology could have been a little more humble. And now, Marten's bitter and speaking about Dora in a nasty, angry way we haven't heard before, and my Spidey Senses tell me it's all over. How sad.

BTW...I also want to second/third/millionth that Hannelore and Marten, while impossible at this point, would be aDORABLE.

Oh yeah. And hi.

[carg1]

I'm so with Marten on this, she's just getting annoying now and its not his fault that she barged into a door that he wanted shut.  Of course, I'm surrounded by pushy, insistent women so my view may be jaded.

[Is it cold in here?]

So why isn't Dora in therapy already?

She's considered it. She has seen Faye grow impressively after doing it for herself.

[Saral]

Long time reader, first time poster...

Kinda felt like I needed to say something, because I've always liked the Marten-Dora pairing, and I guess I'm sort of weird, because I want to see them stay together. I have to agree with others, though, in saying that if they get back together after this without some definite changes in behavior, the whole storyline is going to become grossly overused and stagnant. This whole thing had an air of finality to it anyhow.

That being said, I also think that Dora's apology could have been a little more humble. And now, Marten's bitter and speaking about Dora in a nasty, angry way we haven't heard before, and my Spidey Senses tell me it's all over. How sad.

Indeed and like you I liked it, but it seems to have been shoved off a cliff in a horrible way to bring back Marten/Faye, rather than a more organic destruction.

I do think that everyone is being kind of harsh on Dora, almost like you all have been holding back your irritation at her as much as Marten has. She's been out of line before, 100%.

Yep. But when I looked at the shoving off the cliff I realised my irritation wasn't at Dora, but her behaviour, and why I was so irritated. The difference between how she had been presented including by her brother and how she's acting now. They don't sync.

I'm so with Marten on this, she's just getting annoying now and its not his fault that she barged into a door that he wanted shut.  Of course, I'm surrounded by pushy, insistent women so my view may be jaded.

Probably not. If anything you'll have a better idea, than anyone else...

[rje]

Fffffffff
there are posts on page 16 I want to respond to!
But this is not page 16. This is page 19. (No backread!)
Would that be bad form?
Is it possible to necro a discussion within it's own thread?
How big is this going to fucking get before I have a chance to also include my ultimately useless opinion? Does it make me a loser for the fact I am checking this -webcomic forum at work-?

And the most important question OF ALL TIME
Will people ever stop projecting their own lives / experiences / selves onto characters, in a blatant need for the characters to somehow redeem -their- past mistakes, and do what they themselves never did?
Cos like. Dudes.
Marten is -not your avatar-.
He is not going to redeem you.

unless he is in fact Jesus
I could be wrong
 

[raoullefere]

So why isn't Dora in therapy already?

She's considered it. She seen Faye grow impressively after doing it for herself.

Because talking about it is one thing, and going in for it, another. It can be just as scary as going in for surgery.

Fffffffff
there are posts on page 16 I want to respond to!
But this is not page 16. This is page 19. (No backread!)
Would that be bad form?
Is it possible to necro a discussion within it's own thread?
How big is this going to fucking get before I have a chance to also include my ultimately useless opinion? Does it make me a loser for the fact I am checking this -webcomic forum at work-?

Just do it. Otherwise you'll stand out of the herd and be picked off.

And the most important question OF ALL TIME
Will people ever stop projecting their own lives / experiences / selves onto characters, in a blatant need for the characters to somehow redeem -their- past mistakes, and do what they themselves never did?

You must be kidding. That question pales before, say, what does a UBEMOD sound like as it strikes a foe?

Cos like. Dudes.
Marten is -not your avatar-.
He is not going to redeem you.

unless he is in fact Jesus
I could be wrong

It has been said (in a guest strip) that Marten is Hipster Jesus

[MarkCorrigan]

The thing is, I think the Marten / Dora relationship has unresolved issues that have become toxic and are harming things to the point where its continuation would mean that the comic would be heading toward a really, really dark place.  I don't just think Dora's being a bitch and Marten should DTMFA (but seriously he should DTMFA), it's getting to the point of really harming the people.  Jeph has been modestly emotionally realistic up to this point, and I can't believe he will allow a fairytale ending to this rough patch.  If they just make up for the time being, it will just mean another big fight in the near future, and to be blunt from a dramatic aspect I don't think that the comic could take it.  It'd make much more sense from the story angle to just have them permanently break things off.

Except you can get help with that. This is by far and away not a ruined relationship, and if you think it is, I have to wonder how many relationships you've just signed off on because you thought it was too far gone.

Faye made clear that it was going to take a long time for a Faye / Marten lovefest to be possible.  But more with the next point.

No, Faye made it clear it would be a long time before Faye was with anyone. She grew as a person to the point where she could be with someone. She is.

She isn't going to leave Angus for Marten, and this isn't a long game Faye/Marten ship. You're projecting your fantasies onto the webcomic and reading what isn't there.

I think it has to go there long term, that's just the story structure of a harem comic.  Marten will get together with Faye at the end.  There will be a TON of distractions, as I said I think it's a long and angsty road, but unless QC is a massive exercise in deconstruction "the end" when it comes, would naturally be a Faye / Marten pairing.

Why? Why is that natural at all? That sounds like a bullshit quote from "How To Write A Simplistic and Predictable Webcomic That's Nothing Like Real Life."

You assume that this is a harem webcomic. Whatever that is, I'm sure it isn't one since it's an ensemble piece, and secondly even if it WAS a harem comic, why must it end that way? Why must all things be pigeon-holed to fit neat little boxes? Guess what, Jeph, and I hesitate to proclaim what our supreme overlord is thinking, tends to go for a realistic comedy/drama plot with fantastical elements. Just because two people were attracted at one point doesn't mean they will end up together. Real life isn't like a happy wondrous fairytale where "true love" conquers all. True love doesn't exist. There isn't one person for everyone and they will find them in the end. Love. Is. Hard. It won't fall together like a neat little puzzle just because you and a stream of hacks who write "Harem comics".

ETA: Why shouldn't he end up with one of his previous girlfriends? Afterall, he's stated he still has feelings for them and he met them first. I mean, just because they've all probably moved on and are in different relationships now doesn't mean anything, it would be natural for Marten and X-Woman to be together, since they were together first and Faye, Dora and her boyfriends since Marten are just roadbumps to be moved past as they work towards their twu wuv. 

[Annaira]

Indeed and like you I liked it, but it seems to have been shoved off a cliff in a horrible way to bring back Marten/Faye, rather than a more organic destruction.

I'll agree with that, though I certainly hope we're not going to a Marten/Faye angle. You wanta see some true bitchiness? I honestly believe Faye would be 10X worse than Dora has been so far.

And as far as what you said about Dora's character being completely different, I gotta say once I started looking back, you're absolutely right and that irks me. Maybe we'll get some sort of explanation as to why she's suddenly so much worse?

[Cartilage Head]

MarkCorrigan takes his webcomics seriously.

Chill out, dude. Your tone is a little rough. You straight up internet-yellin'.

[Wiregeek]

Except you can get help with that. This is by far and away not a ruined relationship, and if you think it is, I have to wonder how many relationships you've just signed off on because you thought it was too far gone.

And to turn that around, if you think that this isn't a ruined relationship, I have to wonder how many abusive, unhealthy relationships you've suffered in because you thought it could be saved.

MarkCorrigan takes his webcomics seriously.

Chill out, dude. Your tone is a little rough. You straight up internet-yellin'.

Naw, the penis is out and laying on the metaphorical table for all to see, but that's not dickslappery in the slightest.

[Heliphyneau]

Emergency bourbon?  Whether Faye should drink it or not, I think I might need some.  If I were to use my UBMEOD against the tidal wave of Farten shippers and Dora's-a-bitchers etc., the poor thing would be worn down to a nub -- not nubs, but a SINGLE NUB, making it a BUBMEOD (Beyond Useless Broom Made Entirely Of Dicks).  Though reading this thread has been . . . compelling?

Not sure if bourbon goes well with popcorn, but I'm gonna go find out.  If you want some, I'll share.






Warning - while you were typing, a ridiculous number of new replies have been posted.  You may wish to review your whether you want to post anything at all.

[ecstaticjoy]

emergency bourbon! yes, lady!

What's all this devotion to Emergency Bourbon?  Why not Emergency Rum?  I can't even get bourbon where I live, but rum is cheap and way plentiful.

I bet what we call Rooster Wash is every bit as vile as Midnight Hobo.  And it used to be unbelievably cheap, but with inflation and all . . .

Um, because bourbon is delicious. And who said anything about drinking the cheapest thing you can find? Gross. Plus, isn't rum for kids? To train them how to like alcohol because it's as sweet as kool-aid?

[MarkCorrigan]

MarkCorrigan takes his webcomics seriously.

Not really. If Jeph decided to stop writing tomorrow I would be mildly upset and I'd move past it.

One thing I can't stand however, is the efforts of some people to be as mind-numbingly stupid as possible. Creationism, hardcore religious fundementalism, psychics, people assuming that all artists and writers are hacks who stick to specified plotlines and have no originality and who project their own obsessive fanboyish dreams and hopes for the future of the medium onto it so hard they start losing focus on reality. You know, the usual.  

Chill out, dude. Your tone is a little rough. You straight up internet-yellin'.

Hahaha. No, no I'm really not. If I was internet yelling, you WOULD know about it. I'm quite practised in the art of ripping someone's head off and holding the now unseeing eyes before the evidence they need to ride the short bus.

Guess I'm just a git.  

[eyosgkxb]

MarkCorrigan takes his webcomics seriously.

Chill out, dude. Your tone is a little rough. You straight up internet-yellin'.

And people thought I was bad.

Not really. If Jeph decided to stop writing tomorrow I would be mildly upset and I'd move to the next webcomic/anime/fandom.

[reboundstudent]

No one has offered this suggestion, so I'll go ahead and do it.

Maybe Dora hasn't gotten her butt into therapy because she can't afford it.

Therapy isn't a free thing. Even with good health insurance, it can be damn expensive. We know Dora has been stressing out over how well the coffee shop is doing, but we have no idea what the health insurance situation is like. Faye might be able to afford it because of an inheritance from her father, or through her mother, or because Dora gives her employees enough insurance but gives herself none (means she can still afford to keep the coffee shop afloat but doesn't feel bad for denying insurance to her friends.)

Furthermore, I'm a little rubbed raw by everyone's suggestion that somehow getting into therapy will make Dora all better. It can take YEARS to work through trust issues, and that's if Dora finds a therapist she clicks with right off the bat. Honestly, in a way, I think Faye may have gotten off "lighter" on her issues than Dora has. Far as we know, Faye was a pretty well-adjusted individual until her dad's suicide. Dora, on the other hand, has an entire lifetime of skewed thought patterns and a=b=c behavior reactions to work through. She has to unlearn the way she sees the world.

People who blithely suggest "Therapy or she's a bitch" have obviously never been in therapy and dealt with this issue (in themselves) before, or at least not honestly in my opinion. I have some severe trust issues as well, and even with therapy and me "working at them".... they get way worse before they get better. In order to heal, you have go completely against instinct, open yourself up, be raw and uncomfortable and uncertain and self-conscious. And it has to be a CONSTANT process. It never ends, it never stops, you have to be disciplined and on task.

And it's a little bit of a catch-22, breaking up to work through these issues. These issues only become apparent when you're in a relationship. When you're not in a relationship... you don't have to confront your trust issues because they are not a part of your every day life.

Am I saying Marten has to "put up with it?" Of course not. We all have different tolerance levels of things we can deal with/things we can't, and Marten has every right to draw that line and say "I can work with this, but I am incapable of handling that."

But that's where Marten needs to take some responsibility, as well. Has he really sat down with Dora and drawn out "Here are my boundaries"? Not that I can see. He's confused being passive with being nice. Ironically, his issue is much like Dora's... he has difficulty stepping outside of himself and understanding if his behavior is EFFECTIVE. He acts on instinct (to deny his own desires) and is not effectively communicating, thus actually making the situation worse.

In conclusion... they've both got their things to work on, but the suggestion that Dora "just get therapy already" is a little simplistic, if we're judging this comic from a Real World perspective.

[Loki]

I actually intended to keep up with this thread and am on page 17 now. Screw you guys

[MarkCorrigan]

And to turn that around, if you think that this isn't a ruined relationship, I have to wonder how many abusive, unhealthy relationships you've suffered in because you thought it could be saved.

None. I'm in my first relationship (a few years and still going strong, although we have fights and get stressed. Sometimes one of us doesn't think about the other and, shocker, gets upset about it. Sometimes we have issues we need to work past. Sometimes one of us has to be the butt-monkey for a day or so because the other one has lost their mental shit. Then it gets reversed. Our relationship is currently long distance, which makes it hard, and we've both got some issues wth things, which makes it harder. Neither of us is abusive.

Naw, the penis is out and laying on the metaphorical table for all to see, but that's not dickslappery in the slightest.

Agree here fully though.  

[eyosgkxb]

No one has offered this suggestion, so I'll go ahead and do it.

Maybe Dora hasn't gotten her butt into therapy because she can't afford it.

She's a private business owner with no prior trouble paying the bills. I'd say she might be able to pencil it in somewhere.

[Wiregeek]

None. I'm in my first relationship

Well, as much as I like your style, you just lost all credibility to speak on relationships as a group (vs. specific tactics or guidelines).

The question remains, though..  is that a metaphorical dick on the table, or, perhaps...   a metaphorical Useless Broom Made Entirely of Dicks?

BTW, someone needs to draw that.

[ChibiSoma]

I want Marten/Faye to happen just because of the sea of tears it would trigger. They would be delicious. They would taste so very delicious.

Dora ends up as a hobo under a bridge, blowing bums to get the lozenges she needs to stand outside Marten's apartment, shrieking at him for every little thing he does every day.

Hannelore goes on to invent the cure to cancer. But she can't do anything with it because ew.

Tai goes on to star in a harem show written by Marigold.

And Angus moves on and follows his true calling - performing as the Lord of the Dance! 

[eyosgkxb]

None. I'm in my first relationship

Well, as much as I like your style, you just lost all credibility to speak on relationships as a group (vs. specific tactics or guidelines).

The question remains, though..  is that a metaphorical dick on the table, or, perhaps...   a metaphorical Useless Broom Made Entirely of Dicks?

BTW, someone needs to draw that.

Whoa, the crazy inside jokes won't stop, don't stop!

I want Marten/Faye to happen just because of the sea of tears it would trigger. They would be delicious. They would taste so very delicious.

Yea, IRL tears, that would be awesome. I can almost hear the crying now.

[reboundstudent]

No one has offered this suggestion, so I'll go ahead and do it.

Maybe Dora hasn't gotten her butt into therapy because she can't afford it.

She's a private business owner with no prior trouble paying the bills. I'd say she might be able to pencil it in somewhere.

Um... except she mentions in an earlier comic she's incredibly worried about bills, and is working 60 hour work weeks. And here's the real CRAZY statistic... small business owners have the HARDEST time paying for health insurance. It's by far the biggest cut of their profit.

[MarkCorrigan]

MarkCorrigan takes his webcomics seriously.

Chill out, dude. Your tone is a little rough. You straight up internet-yellin'.

And people thought I was bad.

Not really. If Jeph decided to stop writing tomorrow I would be mildly upset and I'd move to the next webcomic/anime/fandom.

Nope. Don't enjoy most Anime, read two other webcomics, one of which isn't even story based, and I'm not a fanboy for anything else. Possible exception of films. I get quite invested in my opinions of films, good or bad. Not really fandom though, because I don't obsess over films, or assume some films are how films should be made (obvious artistic talent aside, Transmorphers was never going to be The Godfather afterall).

In fact, I rarely get invested strongly in anything, to the detriment of my life in some cases. I guess my problem is that I'm a debater. I pick arguments (not fights) and I just keep going. I think my political interest, and my sceptical approach to life fuels it, but I think it mostly comes from my being a few screws short of an IKEA bookshelf.  

Also, I haven't stated that I hate any of the characters (I don't) that I love any of them (I don't) that I know anyone like any of them (I don't, apart from certain elements here and there) or that I read this comic for any reason other than that it keeps me entertained and I think the writing is very good. (I don't)

I'm not on any ships (I think some couples will be together, I think other couples are unlikely, otherwise I'm not bothered, I try to predict where things will go, but if I'm wrong, I'm not really bothered (although I confess, if Jeph pulls a "twoo wuv" twist I will be annoyed, mostly because it's nonsense and I thought he liked writing life-like stories). I can't think of any reason I'd leave the comic beside me just not being interested anymore.

I don't know. If you think I'm a fanboy, then maybe I just don't realise it, but I can't think of a fanboy who would shrug and not be fussed if there were no webcomics.

[Mr_Rose]

I feel sorry for Faye.
Having the couple you share a flat with argue is bad enough.
When one is your boss and the other is somebody you had feelings for is only going to make it worse.

I know its also unpleasant for Dora and Marten but its their mess and they have something to gain/lose.
Faye is right in the middle but just has to watch what happens.


 Of course the real reason this thread is so long is everyone wants to use the

Wow. Wasn't expecting this.
Someone mentioned Faye in the context of Marten/Dora drama and she wasn't hooking up with either of them at the end.
Well done sir/madam/entity.

[eyosgkxb]

[MarkCorrigan]

None. I'm in my first relationship

Well, as much as I like your style, you just lost all credibility to speak on relationships as a group (vs. specific tactics or guidelines).

The question remains, though..  is that a metaphorical dick on the table, or, perhaps...   a metaphorical Useless Broom Made Entirely of Dicks?

BTW, someone needs to draw that.

Why? It's not like I'm 16. I accept that I'm not schooled in the fine art of being in various relationships, but honestly, I'm not exactly in an easy lovey-dovey it's all going to be sunshine and flowers oh wait now Im bored" relationship.

I'm sure if I do end up in other relationships I may get knowledge of different types, but honestly, if this is a failed relationship I'd be surprised. Not if it fails, but if it's an absolutely no going back failed relationship.

From what Ive seen of other couples I've spent a long time around, dynamics where one person is insecure and loses their shit can be rectified if the couple work at it. Hell, the relationship I'm in? We're BOTH insecure about some things. We've worked on them and while we still both slip up, we aren't fretting all the time because we talked it out, we thought things over, and we're happy. Maybe I'm still naive but hey, if this is going to be number #1 in a string of relationships, I'm learning a lot from it.

[MarkCorrigan]

[eyosgkxb]

None. I'm in my first relationship

Well, as much as I like your style, you just lost all credibility to speak on relationships as a group (vs. specific tactics or guidelines).

The question remains, though..  is that a metaphorical dick on the table, or, perhaps...   a metaphorical Useless Broom Made Entirely of Dicks?

BTW, someone needs to draw that.

Why? It's not like I'm 16. I accept that I'm not schooled in the fine art of being in various relationships, but honestly, I'm not exactly in an easy lovey-dovey it's all going to be sunshine and flowers oh wait now Im bored" relationship.

I'm sure if I do end up in other relationships I may get knowledge of different types, but honestly, if this is a failed relationship I'd be surprised. Not if it fails, but if it's an absolutely no going back failed relationship.

From what Ive seen of other couples I've spent a long time around, dynamics where one person is insecure and loses their shit can be rectified if the couple work at it. Hell, the relationship I'm in? We're BOTH insecure about some things. We've worked on them and while we still both slip up, we aren't fretting all the time because we talked it out, we thought things over, and we're happy. Maybe I'm still naive but hey, if this is going to be number #1 in a string of relationships, I'm learning a lot from it.

Don't feed the trolls kid.

 

[MarkCorrigan]

I want Marten/Faye to happen just because of the sea of tears it would trigger. They would be delicious. They would taste so very delicious.

Dora ends up as a hobo under a bridge, blowing bums to get the lozenges she needs to stand outside Marten's apartment, shrieking at him for every little thing he does every day.

Hannelore goes on to invent the cure to cancer. But she can't do anything with it because ew.

Tai goes on to star in a harem show written by Marigold.

And Angus moves on and follows his true calling - performing as the Lord of the Dance! 

That...that would be hilarious.

[MarkCorrigan]

 

 

[Wiregeek]

 

[MarkCorrigan]

You win 1 internets.

[Wiregeek]

You win 1 internets.

I'm only half troll, mind...   

[MarkCorrigan]

You win 1 internets.

I'm only half troll, mind...   

I'm only half argumentative asshole. I think that's a good compromise. 

[O8h7w]

And I'm only half lurker... 

It seems MarkCorrigan started the smiley-only conversation, and therefore should be rewarded not one internetz, but one psyduck 

ROFL, while trying to go to bed. It's proving to be a hard task!

[lockwoodlo]

What's all this devotion to Emergency Bourbon?  Why not Emergency Rum?  I can't even get bourbon where I live, but rum is cheap and way plentiful.

I bet what we call Rooster Wash is every bit as vile as Midnight Hobo.  And it used to be unbelievably cheap, but with inflation and all . . .

Um, because bourbon is delicious. And who said anything about drinking the cheapest thing you can find? Gross. Plus, isn't rum for kids? To train them how to like alcohol because it's as sweet as kool-aid?

Don't know where you learned about rum.  Ever heard the expression "He got a rum deal", meaning he was shafted?  Or "What a rum character!", meaning an asshole.

Good rum is aged and smooth.  Rooster Wash goes straight from the still to the bottle and then to the shelf in the store.

Sweet?  No way!

[rje]

I really think this is just going to end up with inevitable Marten/Steve hook up that's been hinted at for so long.

YES
They've already been to first base after all, might as well dudes, I mean c'mooon.

[graymouser]

Except you can get help with that. This is by far and away not a ruined relationship, and if you think it is, I have to wonder how many relationships you've just signed off on because you thought it was too far gone.

None, this is not personal.  The Marten / Dora relationship as it has developed has been one that's got an extremely unhealthy dynamic - and honestly I don't see the characters as being willing to salvage it.

She isn't going to leave Angus for Marten, and this isn't a long game Faye/Marten ship. You're projecting your fantasies onto the webcomic and reading what isn't there.

I'm not projecting anything - my fantasies have nothing to do with Faye and Marten, trust me.  I'm just trying to present some analysis based on story structure, and I see this comic as being structured in a way that the long-term tendency will be toward a Marten / Faye thing.  This idea that everyone is just personalizing everything is silly.

Why? Why is that natural at all? That sounds like a bullshit quote from "How To Write A Simplistic and Predictable Webcomic That's Nothing Like Real Life."

You assume that this is a harem webcomic. Whatever that is, I'm sure it isn't one since it's an ensemble piece, and secondly even if it WAS a harem comic, why must it end that way? Why must all things be pigeon-holed to fit neat little boxes? Guess what, Jeph, and I hesitate to proclaim what our supreme overlord is thinking, tends to go for a realistic comedy/drama plot with fantastical elements. Just because two people were attracted at one point doesn't mean they will end up together. Real life isn't like a happy wondrous fairytale where "true love" conquers all. True love doesn't exist. There isn't one person for everyone and they will find them in the end. Love. Is. Hard. It won't fall together like a neat little puzzle just because you and a stream of hacks who write "Harem comics".

This is just over the top.  Having a dramatic structure, even one in common with many anime and manga that have a harem structure, is not a sign of a "hack" and this kind of insult is ridiculous.

[Mr_Rose]

Just gonna leave this here in case he comes back:

[Emperor Norton]

Not as urgently as Dora needs to learn that the Hedgehog's Dilemma never works out well for anyone.

I could be way off the mark here, because for all I know that phrase could be in everything I haven't seen or read...

Eva fan?

It isn't relevant to anything, but... that's the only place I personally ever heard that expression used.

Schopenhauer? Freud?...

*throws hands up in disgust*