Topic: WCT Dec 20-24, 2010 (1821-1824) (Read 210473 times)

~~cesariojpn~~ · « **Reply #200 on:** 22 Dec 2010, 01:13 »

Love Tai's PING! look in panel 3. Reminds me of the Pokemon games where a trainer illicits a ! above their head when they want to battle.

Dr. ROFLPWN · « **Reply #201 on:** 22 Dec 2010, 01:41 »

She's being supportive, but she's also his mom. Moms and dads will sometimes embarrass you, even (especially) when they are helping! It's kind of a thing that they do, and you learn to deal with it! Or you, um, subject them to passive-aggressive bullshit like you suggested, I guess.

Carl-E · « **Reply #202 on:** 22 Dec 2010, 02:44 »

The embarassment of one's offspring is an ancient and delicate art, one passed down from generation to generation, yet always new. And believe me, said offspring provide more than enough material!

~~cesariojpn~~ · « **Reply #203 on:** 22 Dec 2010, 02:49 »

Yesterdays strip remind me of something:

In the Gay scene, i've heard of Leather Daddies and the like....is there a Lesbian equivalent?

Nodaisho · « **Reply #204 on:** 22 Dec 2010, 03:02 »

Quote from: Dr. ROFLPWN on 22 Dec 2010, 01:41

She's being supportive, but she's also his mom. Moms and dads will sometimes embarrass you, even (especially) when they are helping! It's kind of a thing that they do, and you learn to deal with it! Or you, um, subject them to passive-aggressive bullshit like you suggested, I guess.

That's not passive-aggressive. Requesting someone stop doing something you dislike, and then removing yourself from the situation if they refuse is what those worthless social skill classes always teach you.

There's a time and place for everything, and your child's worst few days in recent memory probably aren't the right time to be embarrassing him.

Mayhem · « **Reply #205 on:** 22 Dec 2010, 03:29 »

Did this make anyone else wonder if Marten has some kind of slight Oedipus complex? Because isn't that almost EXACTLY what Dora did?

My apologies if someone else said this first and I didn't see it... these threads are so LONG.

Dr. ROFLPWN · « **Reply #206 on:** 22 Dec 2010, 03:33 »

Except those social skills classes kind of do not apply to the woman who gave birth to you and raised you from childhood, and applied to her they are pretty passive-aggressive. I guess if you have a really bad family situation that shit applies? Maybe? I don't want to fucking go into that. Marten, the person who matters here, has a mother who loves him and who walking off on would be shitty and childish.

It's also, to me, pretty clear Veronica was doing it to get a reaction and make him stop stewing in his own BLUH BLUH, which is what he wants to do.

If anything, Marten's reaction here is a good one--he goes "Mooooommm, GOD", and she goes "oh shhhh" and that is how things work because she's his mother.

If it was one of his friends doing this? Sure, walk away! But it's his mom.

pwhodges · « **Reply #207 on:** 22 Dec 2010, 03:39 »

Well, I do know that us parents do some pretty strange and embarrassing things for and to our children, but I wouldn't have done that myself. Not least because I wouldn't have the nerve to anyway.

Delator · « **Reply #208 on:** 22 Dec 2010, 03:53 »

I don't see Veronica going with Tai to the goth club...but I can totally see her making Marten go along as Tai's wingdude.

...maybe while at the club they'll encounter a vomiting Allosaurus and thence run into Raven or Natasha.

...hey, I can dream, can't I? : (

Near Lurker · « **Reply #209 on:** 22 Dec 2010, 04:18 »

Scrolling down (rather slowly for RAM issues) from the top, I first took the second panel as Veronica thinking "hang on - you're a lesbian?!" It was not until I actually saw the panel that it occurred to me that would have made absolutely no fucking sense.

I want to see gothy Marten now. Of course, with his luck, guess who else will have had the idea of picking up a rebound at the goth club...

Blackjoker · « **Reply #210 on:** 22 Dec 2010, 04:28 »

Looking back at this, it worries me that the most support Marten has gotten from someone partially involved a knockout punch.

Somnus Eternus · « **Reply #211 on:** 22 Dec 2010, 04:38 »

Quote from: Dr. ROFLPWN on 22 Dec 2010, 03:33

Except those social skills classes kind of do not apply to the woman who gave birth to you and raised you from childhood, and applied to her they are pretty passive-aggressive.

This, so much this.

I'm trying to think of a time when Mom hasn't embarrassed me when she thinks she's helping, and I'm only getting a handful. Usually I'd be so focused on the embarrassment by the end of it, my angst over whatever problem I was having that was "OMG THE END OF THE WORLD" was put into perspective and became more like, "Well, this sucks" instead.

In short, to your parents, your humiliation is about healing.

EDIT: I'm also kind of surprised at how many people voted for Christmas fan service in the poll. Aren't we on the naughty list this year?

Border Reiver · « **Reply #212 on:** 22 Dec 2010, 06:09 »

Of course we're on the naughty list - one "Aw Shit" cancels out ten thousand "Attaboys", or at least seems that way.

Predictions for the rest of the week

Wednesday - build up, Thursday - cliffhanger, Friday - Christmas fan service 27 (30%)
Sod that - three days of fan service 9 (10%)
We're going to end the week at CoD, aren't we? 10 (11.1%)
Yelling Bird 6 (6.7%)
Beginnings of the Jeph/Winslow epic story arc (should last til next Christmas) 12 (13.3%)
Whatever the Hell Jeph wants 26 (28.9%)

Given the clear request of the fans, I think fan service is in order, but to keep it original - can I have a cup of black coffee instead?

tbones · « **Reply #213 on:** 22 Dec 2010, 06:15 »

Hum, is it me, or since Veronica is gradually losing the lines on her cheek?

Seriously, there is a certain difference from #1820 to #1823

But anyway, i wonder how high are Veronica's rates...

*EDIT*
Ok, that sounded WAY less creepy in my head

snubnose · « **Reply #214 on:** 22 Dec 2010, 06:20 »

Quote from: tbones on 22 Dec 2010, 06:15

But anyway, i wonder how high are Veronica's rates...

*EDIT*
Ok, that sounded WAY less creepy in my head

I wonder WHY she would have any rates for THAT in the first place.

I wouldnt have thought that "Helping lesbians to pick up women at certain places" would be part of her job.

jwhouk · « **Reply #215 on:** 22 Dec 2010, 06:25 »

Quote from: Dr. ROFLPWN on 22 Dec 2010, 00:58

I think Jeph has perfected Veronica's look in today's comic. She is fantastically drawn. That, and I love her the most. Especially her arched eyebrow when disappointing poor Tai. Have pity, Veronica, she just wants to be the Padawan to your clear Jedi Master-ness.

I agree with the drawing part. I'm not sure what Jeph thinks, but I'm pretty sure that's what VV looks like, compared to her previous appearances in the strip.

By the way, on the subject of Bi-ness: she did mention that some of the people she worked with were women or very convincing drag queens. It's entirely possible that she did do a bit of column A and a bit of column B in her BDSM work.

jwhouk · « **Reply #216 on:** 22 Dec 2010, 06:29 »

Quote from: Near Lurker on 22 Dec 2010, 04:18

I want to see gothy Marten now. Of course, with his luck, guess who else will have had the idea of picking up a rebound at the goth club...

Nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo...........

jwhouk · « **Reply #217 on:** 22 Dec 2010, 06:32 »

Quote from: snubnose on 22 Dec 2010, 06:20

Quote from: tbones on 22 Dec 2010, 06:15
But anyway, i wonder how high are Veronica's rates...

*EDIT*
Ok, that sounded WAY less creepy in my head
I wonder WHY she would have any rates for THAT in the first place.

I wouldn't have thought that "Helping lesbians to pick up women at certain places" would be part of her job.

Ah, but "Escort Service" would be part of her job description.

The Seldom Killer · « **Reply #218 on:** 22 Dec 2010, 06:36 »

I think you're confusing Marten's mum for a whore. There is a not insignificant difference between prostitute and professional dominatrix. Should you ever feel the need to engage the services of a sex worker in the future, I would strongly suggest you learn the difference.

Although in an emergency, just ask if they use the feather or the whole chicken.

Near Lurker · « **Reply #219 on:** 22 Dec 2010, 06:55 »

Quote from: tbones on 22 Dec 2010, 06:15

Hum, is it me, or since Veronica is gradually losing the lines on her cheek?

Seriously, there is a certain difference from #1820 to #1823

I get the feeling Jeph just felt he'd overshot the mark once 1820 was actually up, and scaled it back a bit. I don't really see much of a difference between 1821 and today.

Quote from: jwhouk on 22 Dec 2010, 06:25

By the way, on the subject of Bi-ness: she did mention that some of the people she worked with were women or very convincing drag queens. It's entirely possible that she did do a bit of column A and a bit of column B in her BDSM work.

Even if she went as far as actual sex, a risk I can't imagine someone of her notoriety would take, I don't think I'd count that sort of thing. She's not Inara, whom we personally saw turn people away just for being unattractive; if she took on a senator who said we needed "more Jesus in the Constitution," even (especially) if he was paying double, I'm guessing she was rather mercenary about her clients.

Boomslang · « **Reply #220 on:** 22 Dec 2010, 07:17 »

Quote from: Near Lurker on 22 Dec 2010, 06:55

Even if she went as far as actual sex, a risk I can't imagine someone of her notoriety would take, I don't think I'd count that sort of thing. She's not Inara, whom we personally saw turn people away just for being unattractive; if she took on a senator who said we needed "more Jesus in the Constitution," even (especially) if he was paying double, I'm guessing she was rather mercenary about her clients.

Maybe being a dominatrix is more fun if you think your clients are actually deserving of the thorough humiliation and beating you're about to bestow?

And I don't imagine professional dominatrices get a lot of work from female clients, the only ones I can see doing so are the people like Hannelore's mom (but hopefully not her specifically), who are extremely dominant in everyday life.

The Seldom Killer · « **Reply #221 on:** 22 Dec 2010, 07:26 »

Said Boomslang, unwittingly stumbling on an imminent plot device of epic embaressment karma.

The Seldom Killer · « **Reply #222 on:** 22 Dec 2010, 07:28 »

New poll and I'm disappointed at the lack of other. I'm voting for the powers of Curtis Donovan.

zadojla · « **Reply #223 on:** 22 Dec 2010, 08:18 »

Quote from: Dr. ROFLPWN on 22 Dec 2010, 01:41

She's being supportive, but she's also his mom. Moms and dads will sometimes embarrass you, even (especially) when they are helping! It's kind of a thing that they do, and you learn to deal with it! Or you, um, subject them to passive-aggressive bullshit like you suggested, I guess.

Yes, exactly. I pretty much know (because it's my daughter) exactly how far I can go. And if I accidentally piss her off, I just stop, and she's back in 15 minutes, because I'm her dad. Parent/child relationships are like none other, because, barring pathological behavior, it comes the closest to unconditional love.

zombie moon · « **Reply #224 on:** 22 Dec 2010, 08:30 »

It must be Tuesday in the comic.

ecstaticjoy · « **Reply #225 on:** 22 Dec 2010, 08:46 »

Quote from: zombie moon on 22 Dec 2010, 08:30

It must be Tuesday in the comic.

How do you know?

galarant · « **Reply #226 on:** 22 Dec 2010, 08:54 »

Here Ladies and Gentlemen, I give you the roots of why Marten is such a wimpy, weak little sap. His own mother emasculates him in public, and then when he rightfully complains about it, she calls him "uptight!" She treats him like he was one of her submissive clients rather than her son.

And he was just looking to repeat the pattern with Dora. To fall into his familiar, comfortable role as the punching bag. It's really true what they say...we always wind up dating people exactly like our mothers or our fathers.

Near Lurker · « **Reply #227 on:** 22 Dec 2010, 09:01 »

Quote from: ecstaticjoy on 22 Dec 2010, 08:46

Quote from: zombie moon on 22 Dec 2010, 08:30
It must be Tuesday in the comic.

How do you know?

In real-Northampton, it being a small city, there aren't that many clubs - one of them (which is likely also "that gay nightclub down on Pleasant Street," even though it's only sort-of gay) holds a goth-themed Tuesday, and that's the only one I know, and presumably the only one he knows. Of course, neither living in Northampton nor being especially gothic or much of a club hopper, I wouldn't know; moreover, this is not real-Northampton, this is funny-robot-allosaurus-world-Northampton, where there are all the clubs Jeph needs there to be.

Quote from: The Seldom Killer on 22 Dec 2010, 07:26

Said Boomslang, unwittingly stumbling on an imminent plot device of epic embaressment karma.

...no. Bad Seldom Killer. Bad. You get the...

...oh, I see your game.

Kugai · « **Reply #228 on:** 22 Dec 2010, 12:34 »

You'd think she'd give a discount to her sons boss and friend - But I doubt that, even then, Tai could afford her on her wages.

Her words do imply that she would be willing to do it if Tai could afford it though, so I would assume that she does work both sides of the street - so to speak - when she wants to. Whether she's actually Bi though is another matter.

Is it cold in here? · « **Reply #229 on:** 22 Dec 2010, 12:40 »

That may also have been a polite way of saying "I'm not interested".

Kugai · « **Reply #230 on:** 22 Dec 2010, 12:45 »

Quote from: Is it cold in here? on 22 Dec 2010, 12:40

That may also have been a polite way of saying "I'm not interested".

Could be, but her reaction in the previous strip suggests there is some sort of interest there.

Even if it's only the Cute Puppy Syndrome.

And I get the feeling that Veronica would be more up front, if polite, about turning Tai down if that were the case.

Heliphyneau · « **Reply #231 on:** 22 Dec 2010, 13:10 »

OK, first, mega-props to Elysiana for the Cthulhu-summoning-Marten alternate panel earlier in the thread -- definitely made me lol. Second, Tai hugging Veronica in the last panel of yesterday's strip reminded me of Pintsize hugging Dora and Faye waaaaaayyy back before they knew him well enough to go near him (strip 152, I think). Similar mix of cute, funny, and creepy too. ^_^ Regarding today's strip, Tai says she wishes her Mom would help her pick up chicks, but odds are if her actual Mom actually tried to do that, then Tai would be about as embarrassed as Marten was. Careful what you wish for, lil' butch one.

I'm wondering if Jeph's D&D character will ever debut in a filler strip and lop Yelling Bird's (or Randy's) head off. What? It'd grow back . . .

Mr_Rose · « **Reply #232 on:** 22 Dec 2010, 15:28 »

Pretty sure if you lopped Randy's head off, not only would the body grow a new head, but the head would grow a new body...

Wiregeek · « **Reply #233 on:** 22 Dec 2010, 15:49 »

WE Are Eternal...

Mr_Rose · « **Reply #234 on:** 22 Dec 2010, 16:47 »

OK, what the hell has Marten been telling Mom? Surely nothing bad?

On the other hand Hannelore has been getting a lot better lately, so whatever it was could have been plain truth not so long ago...

P.S. New comic's up, go check it out guys.

shiroihikari · « **Reply #235 on:** 22 Dec 2010, 16:56 »

Is it really necessary for Veronica to keep saying things like this? Talk about tactless.

Then again, what the hell did Marten tell her about Hannelore? I'd like to think he wasn't talking bad about her but "OH HEY SHE'S ACTUALLY PRETTY NORMAL" implies that he told Veronica that Hanners was a fucking nutcase or something. Or at least that's the way I interpreted it. I could be wrong.

someone1074 · « **Reply #236 on:** 22 Dec 2010, 16:58 »

Check out the transformation of her hair from panel 1 to 4. Probably done on purpose, but still humorous.

themacnut · « **Reply #237 on:** 22 Dec 2010, 17:03 »

Aaaannd Marten's embarrassment is complete. Complete with Hannelore potentially upset at him for telling his mom she's nucking futs (note that's what she may THINK Marten told his mom, not what he may have actually said). Yeah I'll bet that fifth of hard liquor is looking better and better...

iduguphergrave · « **Reply #238 on:** 22 Dec 2010, 17:04 »

D'aw kudos to Hannelore, you can tell how hard shes trying to make a good impression; she got dressed up and did her hair (I assume; I mean it looks different but Jeph just might be drawing it different now). I especially like the third panel, how she's tentatively reaching out to shake hands while kind of "bracing" herself with her other hand; you can tell she's not used to shaking hands.

I'm sure Marten never said anything like "Man you won't believe this whacked-out crazy bitch I know!" He probably just told his mom about Hanners' extreme OCD which, lets face it, until very recently was pretty bad.

Border Reiver · « **Reply #239 on:** 22 Dec 2010, 17:23 »

Apparently, most of you believe that Marten's all about what he wants rather than what he needs this holiday season.

What would Marten want for Christmas

Mom to be slightly less embarassing 4 (8.3%)
The greasy, queasy knot in his stomach to go away 13 (27.1%)
His friends to be less "OMG!' around Mom 13 (27.1%)
Yelling Bird 2 (4.2%)
Coupons from "Roscoe's Discount Liquor Hut" 7 (14.6%)
A day of reflection on all the good his life does have 9 (18.8%)

Just back from seeing Trans Siberian Orchestra with the family and am a little deaf now, but damn that was an awesome show.

Here's an early poll to go with the early comic.

Mr_Rose · « **Reply #240 on:** 22 Dec 2010, 17:49 »

Quote from: someone1074 on 22 Dec 2010, 16:58

Check out the transformation of her hair from panel 1 to 4. Probably done on purpose, but still humorous.

I do so love Hanners' psychomorphic hair - it's also one of the things I think they did quite well w/Tonks in the HP films.

Also, is anyone else getting a distinct Velma vibe off Hanners' jumper there?

Is it cold in here? · « **Reply #241 on:** 22 Dec 2010, 18:20 »

That would be "very vivid Velma vibe".

In 980, Hannelore seemed at peace with the notion that she's a nutjob.

Armadillo · « **Reply #242 on:** 22 Dec 2010, 19:04 »

...and Marten's slow-motion tumbling descent down the world's largest flight of stairs continues.

It seems strange to feel this badly for a fictional character, but I can't help myself. Dude's been absorbing chain-nutshots for a good few weeks here.

Nodaisho · « **Reply #243 on:** 22 Dec 2010, 19:05 »

Quote from: Dr. ROFLPWN on 22 Dec 2010, 03:33

Except those social skills classes kind of do not apply to the woman who gave birth to you and raised you from childhood, and applied to her they are pretty passive-aggressive. I guess if you have a really bad family situation that shit applies? Maybe? I don't want to fucking go into that. Marten, the person who matters here, has a mother who loves him and who walking off on would be shitty and childish.

It's also, to me, pretty clear Veronica was doing it to get a reaction and make him stop stewing in his own BLUH BLUH, which is what he wants to do.

If anything, Marten's reaction here is a good one--he goes "Mooooommm, GOD", and she goes "oh shhhh" and that is how things work because she's his mother.

If it was one of his friends doing this? Sure, walk away! But it's his mom.

Actually, the only time those social skills classes work is with people that you are really close to. Otherwise you generally need to apply a firmer hand to not get walked on. And no, it still doesn't count as passive-aggressive. It still doesn't fit the passive part or the aggressive part. Aggressive would be threatening to go back home and drink another bottle of whiskey, passive would be not doing anything. Passive-aggressive would be not doing anything until he gets home, at which point he gets blackout drunk again. Asking politely but firmly for her to stop would be assertive.

Aggressive would also be pretty ironic, given that emotional blackmail is supposed to be how parents keep their children in line, not vice versa.

If your parents think that the right way to make you feel better immediately after a rough break-up is making your day even worse, I'm very sorry.

That said, it's a comic. It's not supposed to be realistic.

ysth · « **Reply #244 on:** 22 Dec 2010, 19:08 »

Ha! I thought, I bet there'll be an early comic tonight. But that was much earlier than I expected.

Nice work with the fingers in every panel. I hate fingers.

Kugai · « **Reply #245 on:** 22 Dec 2010, 19:12 »

I don't think Marten has told Veronica anything but the truth about Hanners - embarrassing incidents and all.

Oh dear - is that as bad as it sounds? I hope not.

Hanners hair; It's alive, IT'S ALIVE!!!!!

Crash stop of the week? Faye and Veronica in the same room.

Hooooooo boy!

jwhouk · « **Reply #246 on:** 22 Dec 2010, 19:40 »

I suspect he told her how they met. Which should be weird enough as it is.

Dr. ROFLPWN · « **Reply #247 on:** 22 Dec 2010, 20:01 »

Quote from: Nodaisho on 22 Dec 2010, 19:05

Quote from: Dr. ROFLPWN on 22 Dec 2010, 03:33
Except those social skills classes kind of do not apply to the woman who gave birth to you and raised you from childhood, and applied to her they are pretty passive-aggressive. I guess if you have a really bad family situation that shit applies? Maybe? I don't want to fucking go into that. Marten, the person who matters here, has a mother who loves him and who walking off on would be shitty and childish.

It's also, to me, pretty clear Veronica was doing it to get a reaction and make him stop stewing in his own BLUH BLUH, which is what he wants to do.

If anything, Marten's reaction here is a good one--he goes "Mooooommm, GOD", and she goes "oh shhhh" and that is how things work because she's his mother.

If it was one of his friends doing this? Sure, walk away! But it's his mom.
Actually, the only time those social skills classes work is with people that you are really close to. Otherwise you generally need to apply a firmer hand to not get walked on. And no, it still doesn't count as passive-aggressive. It still doesn't fit the passive part or the aggressive part. Aggressive would be threatening to go back home and drink another bottle of whiskey, passive would be not doing anything. Passive-aggressive would be not doing anything until he gets home, at which point he gets blackout drunk again. Asking politely but firmly for her to stop would be assertive.

Aggressive would also be pretty ironic, given that emotional blackmail is supposed to be how parents keep their children in line, not vice versa.

It sounds to me like we are applying different standards to Marten's behavior! It also sounds to me like the way you think a child should interact with their parents and the way I think a child should interact with their parents are so different that it is like we are from two different planets, and I will drop the matter because I don't see this going in a constructive direction.

Quote from: Nodaisho on 22 Dec 2010, 19:05

If your parents think that the right way to make you feel better immediately after a rough break-up is making your day even worse, I'm very sorry.

I didn't ever say that that was--what? I don't even know where you're getting that. What I said was that sometimes parents will embarrass you, and I implied that this was sort of a fact of life, and that maybe what Veronica did, by her standards, was pretty normal parental behavior. Again, though, we appear to have really different standards!

Quote from: Wiregeek on 22 Dec 2010, 15:49

WE Are Eternal...

I keep picturing Randy doing the whole Sovereign dialogues from Mass Effect and it works too well oh God ;_; HE IS THE HARVESTER OF WORLDS

And to keep the top post kind of going in a not shitty direction, I'm pretty sure he's just told her anecdotes about this friend of his who does things like stay up 40+ hours and has really severe OCD and is from Space.

Kugai · « **Reply #248 on:** 22 Dec 2010, 20:10 »

Randy is Sauron

Is it cold in here? · « **Reply #249 on:** 22 Dec 2010, 20:42 »

Quote from: Nodaisho on 22 Dec 2010, 19:05

That said, it's a comic. It's not supposed to be realistic.

It's a comic, but it's one with what Malli_Kite called "internal logic". The characters don't do things at random. They have personalities, and their actions flow from those. They do things that real people might (or might do if they owned robots, that is).

For instance, in all the debate about the motives and wisdom of Ms. Reed's actions, nobody yet has said "no mother would ever do that!".

Which makes it absorbing to read, but also means that cartoonish exaggeration has an uneasy coexistence with psychological realism.

THESE FORUMS NOW CLOSED (read only)

Poll

Which album did Mom bring?

Author Topic: WCT Dec 20-24, 2010 (1821-1824) (Read 210473 times)