Comic Discussion > QUESTIONABLE CONTENT
WCDT 8-12 August 2011 (1986-1990) aka Method's birth week
sharpreed:
Long time lurker here, but I'm driven to speak at this point. I don't believe that Marten is really unmotivated or lazy. If you look at his character in every comic he has always, always, placed the well being of others ahead of his desires, and passions. I believe the reason we haven't seen Marten actively pursue his goals is because he is in part content with the way things are. Think about how often people love to bitch about any given situation but the moment you ask them what they'd do differently they have no answer. Marten is driven by his needs to help other people, at the expense of himself. Look at his character dynamic with Faye. What he really wanted for the longest time was to be with her. Every character in the QC knew this, but he didn't say anything until she brought it up to him. He says specifically it was because he didn't want to push her into anything, or make things weird. This is because he really cares about her not because he wasn't willing to pursue it. In my mind when Dora and Marten talked about finally doing what he wanted, it was her gently pushing him to be just a little more selfish. To think about what is best for himself instead of worrying over others for a change. Just in my opinion though, obviously. Personally speaking, I wouldn't mind if the music path is how Marten turns out making a living, but I don't want to see him grow big in the QC universe. Perhaps, his stardom or lack thereof could be like Sven's, in that he makes enough to survive but isn't always thronged by the masses...though that would make an interesting internal conflict with how Marten is with the ladies.
The reason Deathmole being a Metallica cover band would be bad in simple. Deathmole being a cover band would be in direct opposition to the indie lifestyle Marten has tried to carve out for himself. Its a complete sellout on everything he stands for, and since Marten's new aim is to do what he wants for a change I don't think that he would allow the band to go that direction. I mean look at the contempt in Marten's face when they finally get to the Enter the Sandman riff, he's all like, really?
badbum61:
Hey, Marten's guitar isn't plugged in in the first frame.....and then, look! it magically is! :psyduck:
I'm glad he switched to the SG, though....I'm currently attempting repairs on my '74 Deluxe, which.....uh, fell into a foldback wedge at high velocity mid-show many years ago. Got a '72 Tele as well, but I'll take the SG over it any time!
jwhouk:
--- Quote from: badbum61 on 09 Aug 2011, 06:07 ---Hey, Marten's guitar isn't plugged in in the first frame.....and then, look! it magically is! :psyduck:
--- End quote ---
It's plugged in in the first frame; it's just that Jeph forgot to draw the plug connecting the wire to the guitar. :roll:
lepetitfromage:
--- Quote from: stoutfiles on 08 Aug 2011, 20:51 ---
-I think he should shoot for a low risk, achievable career goal. However, it has not been said that Marten is trying to make a career out of this, he might just want another hobby. Which is fine, for now anyway.
-When he fails, and he will unless multiple characters pull 180's, then he'll be back in the coffee shop that much older having accomplished nothing. I wonder when characters like Faye and Dora are married off and Marten is still that guy trying to keep the band alive and working at the library. I don't care if he has a hobby, but I want him to grow up a little as far as his future's concerned. Yes, Jeph is not going to let Marten fail at life, but if Marten was a real-life person his most likely outcome would be failing at life if he continues down this path. If you had Marten as a real-life friend, you wouldn't be the least bit worried about his future?
--- End quote ---
A few things about this post made me think. Would I be worried about Marten's future? Absolutely! Would I try to dissuade him from doing what he wants? Probably not. Most of my art school friends are still moping around directionless but they don't want to give in to the notion of a career goal outside of the arts because they don't want to sell out. I haven't had conversations with them about their goals because they don't regard mine as anything worth doing (unless they are directly related to the arts). Granted, not ALL of my friends are/were like this, but the ones who had similarities to Marten are still floating around, trying to find the meaning in their lives. Remember the beginning of the strip itself? Marten complained that he hated his job, had no idea what he wanted to do, etc. Music and women are the only two things he's quasi-passionate about. Is it sad? Kinda. Are there people like this in the real world? Absolutely.
Some artsy people will suck it up and do what they need to do to move out of their parents' basements, some won't. It's the nature of the field itself- it doesn't pay much (if anything) until you've made a name for yourself. It's hard to make a name for yourself in the arts when you spend 40 hours of your week in an office somewhere (and it's hard to survive working less than 40 hours). Not to mention- if they do "suck it up", they are forced to question the lack of meaning and/or purpose in their lives because they feel that they are not living up to the quality of life they want (this is basically where I fall....). They want to make a living, make art, toouch peoples' lives, change the way the world thinks, change the life of just ONE person for the better.....but they are stuck filing papers, answering phones or crunching numbers. For some people, it's enough to have a job, come home, enjoy life outside of those 40 hours per week and be content. Not for those of us of the creative* persuasion.
*I always hated this word because so many people use it to describe things they don't understand rather than saying that they don't understand and asking for an explanation. But there aren't enough words to describe artists :-P
eee.....sorry for the novel. i'll get off the soapbox now....
Warning - while you were typing 4 new replies have been posted. You may wish to review your post.
damnit! I'm posting anyway!!
Throg:
I was curious to see how Jeph would depict music in an essentially silent medium, especially comparing how skilled / unskilled the musicians are.
It seems like Marten > Amir/Hannelore >>>> Natasha.
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