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It'll be an informal thing.

0 (0%)

Trashbot!

1 (1.8%)

Where'd Marigold go? (Now I'm going to toss this apple into the path of the Laser!)

1 (1.8%)

THIS IS THE GREATEST MOMENT OF MY LIFE

1 (1.8%)

Lt. Potter gave the shares back.

0 (0%)

It was SEXUAL HARASSMENT...

0 (0%)

Apology Accepted.

0 (0%)

Now, go get me a bottle of something...

0 (0%)

Five million on principle

2 (3.6%)

Zero-G badminton is strenuous!

0 (0%)

HERE'S TO PRINCIPLE! TO PRINCIPLE!

0 (0%)

S'okay. 'M off doody.

1 (1.8%)

EMULATION!

0 (0%)

We are all going to die. PROBABLY NOT WOO

2 (3.6%)

Dr. Case reveals how much Hanners has changed.

4 (7.3%)

Sad stringy-haired little Hanners

11 (20%)

One-person psychiatric ward

0 (0%)

Cyborg implant? (one of the more popular theories)

0 (0%)

Hanners with the little black dress

4 (7.3%)

You're even wearing lipstick!

1 (1.8%)

Cybernetic implant? Station! They KNOW!

6 (10.9%)

Releasin' hunter killer drois.

3 (5.5%)

Somebody call for a pack of merciless hunter-killer droids?

2 (3.6%)

Aw man, we never get to kill ANYbody.

16 (29.1%)

Total Members Voted: 52

[Kugai]

In Valens name!!

Grud, what a sad childhood she definitely had, and considering that, it's remarkable she managed to become the Hanners that we all know and love.  I suspect, like others, there is more to this story than appears and it will be interesting to see if all will be revealed.


On a side note I wonder what's going on with the corridors?  Yesterday they looked like they were set up like the core corridor of B5, now today they look like the corridors in the Saucer Section of the Constitution class Enterprise.  Kinda confusing when you're trying to sort out how the Station's set up.

[Method of Madness]

@cold - I see no inconsistencies.  She just didn't find them useful, because like the good doctor, they probably saw her as a case study rather than a person.

[alienatedduck]

Yes, I can imagine it being 'the best scientific minds ever!' summoned up the Space Station, not necessarily the most sympathetic. Combine this with being stuck in this same environment, with little escape, then it kind of makes sense that she'd want to give Earth a try. And obviously she has since found things to make life easier to cope with.

[Redball]

I have to remember that my experience with QC is somewhat artificial since I didn't find QC until January when I archive binged it in about 5 days. It probably reads very differently to someone who read through the years.

Many of us have done just that. I'll own up to having done it twice since December. I liked the characters when I picked it up, liked them at the beginning and on the read-throughs they became like part of my family -- easy enough since I'm in my 70s, widowed a year ago. Try it from the top. Give yourself a week or so. Enjoy!

[celticgeek]

Welcome, Redball! 

[pwhodges]

Gosh, another who's older than me (I once counted three, but two of those aren't around these days) - welcome!

[jmucchiello]

I have to remember that my experience with QC is somewhat artificial since I didn't find QC until January when I archive binged it in about 5 days. It probably reads very differently to someone who read through the years.

Many of us have done just that. I'll own up to having done it twice since December. I liked the characters when I picked it up, liked them at the beginning and on the read-throughs they became like part of my family -- easy enough since I'm in my 70s, widowed a year ago. Try it from the top. Give yourself a week or so. Enjoy!

You misunderstand. I first encountered QC in January of 2012. Five days later, I had read the whole archive. My history with Hannelore is only 1 day shorter than my history with Faye or Martin. Faye's shocking reveal in 504 happened only a couple weeks ago and only 1 day before I was introduced to Hannelore. My view of the strip is highly compressed compared to someone who first encountered the strips years ago.

Archive Binge is a phrase meaning "reading a long archive of webcomics (or a blog) is short period of time".

[Is it cold in here?]

OK. It makes sense that she got a string of inappropriately selected and therefore useless human therapists. Dr. Buenvenida seems to be better at compassion than some schools of therapy would encourage.

If so, it's another notable characteristic of the QC world that an AI was better able to relate to someone on a human level than the surrounding humans were.

[not2b]

In our world, a therapist who had treated Hannelore would not be permitted to share the details with others, it would all have to be held in strictest confidence. Either the rules in the QC universe are different, or else Hannelore gave explicit permission to the doctors to tell Martin and Marigold all about it and the therapists concluded that sharing the information would be helpful to Hannelore.  And I guess as her best and closest friends everyone might agree that this is a good idea. But I could see all kinds of ways it could go wrong.

Or maybe there is just no medical privacy in QC-land because the AIs know everything so it's no use.

[Y]

Archive Binge is a phrase meaning "reading a long archive of webcomics (or a blog) is short period of time".

I would think archive binge meant more like rereading all or part of the archives, and to read/watch something the first time is like a marathon, just like you're marathonning through a tv show the first time, one that already had several seasons. Well I know I did when on that April fools day when xkcd redirected here.

Seeing that she was restrained often when she was there, I wonder if she doesn't have any negative feelings/memories about her room, I would be if I was restrained for extensive periods.

[jwhouk]

Remember - Dr. Case is NOT her psychiatrist. She's her "part-time" physician.

[Redball]

I have to remember that my experience with QC is somewhat artificial since I didn't find QC until January when I archive binged it in about 5 days. It probably reads very differently to someone who read through the years.

Many of us have done just that. I'll own up to having done it twice since December. I liked the characters when I picked it up, liked them at the beginning and on the read-throughs they became like part of my family -- easy enough since I'm in my 70s, widowed a year ago. Try it from the top. Give yourself a week or so. Enjoy!

You misunderstand. I first encountered QC in January of 2012. Five days later, I had read the whole archive. My history with Hannelore is only 1 day shorter than my history with Faye or Martin. Faye's shocking reveal in 504 happened only a couple weeks ago and only 1 day before I was introduced to Hannelore. My view of the strip is highly compressed compared to someone who first encountered the strips years ago.

Archive Binge is a phrase meaning "reading a long archive of webcomics (or a blog) is short period of time".

I didn't misunderstand, I just didn't read your post carefully; sorry for that. The problem with bingeing on a webcomic or, sometimes, a series of books, is that it ends. In the Aubrey-Maturin (Master and Commander) stories, it ended after 21 books; the author had died and there'd be no more. Here, it ended with the expectation of one strip a day, five days a week. I'm getting used to it, but the pace was suddenly very s-l-o-w. I can fill in with the wiki, Twitter and occasionally Jeph's late-night performance art. It's a rich mine, following a graphic novel.

[RyanW1019]

So we have a new possible oldest user; now let's go in the other direction. I'm 18, who's younger?

[Is it cold in here?]

Or maybe there is just no medical privacy in QC-land because the AIs know everything so it's no use.

Welcome, new person!

I can imagine exactly that happening. Imagine hospitals, insurance companies, and Facebook controlled by AIs with free will. There'd be no privacy of any kind. (But Tai thought she could keep her hobby secret...)

[DSL]

Given what we've seen in the last few strips, I wonder how long Hanners had been on Earth when she met Marten? Long enough to find her apartment and get a reputation as a late-night cleaning fiend, going by what the apartment agent said. But looking back at those strips, Hanners looks less "creepy" and more "terrified" -- as in, what the hell am I DOING? Particularly, look at the way her eyes are drawn, in light of what we've seen in all the strips since.

[Redball]

Or maybe there is just no medical privacy in QC-land because the AIs know everything so it's no use.

Welcome, new person!

I can imagine exactly that happening. Imagine hospitals, insurance companies, and Facebook controlled by AIs with free will. There'd be no privacy of any kind. (But Tai thought she could keep her hobby secret...)

Did anyone else think of privacy in a space controlled by an AI when Station in 2125 asked Hanners if she was decent and could he apparate? Didn't he know if she was dressed?

[themacnut]

Station probably felt it was best to at least act like it was respecting Hanner's privacy, even if it was already fully aware of whether or not Hanners was dressed.

[Is it cold in here?]

Hannelore had lived planetside long enough to establish her counting business.

Winslow was a new purchase, and it's questionable whether she could have survived long psychologically without an AI around. So maybe a short time?

But she was in eighth grade with other kids: 896.

[jwhouk]

It is possible that AI's are not all knowing. I mean, we know Momo has only a terabyte or so of storage on her old chassis.

It might be the inter-connectedness that gives AI's the appearance of being "all knowing". By that same token, though, my PC should be "all knowing" because I can look things up on Google or Wikipedia at will.

An interesting thought: whatever may have caused her OCD to explode in her pre-teens, did Station perhaps perform semi-intentional "meatball psychiatry"* on her by turning her focus on certain things (counting, for example) instead of on her OCD (repeated adjusting her curtains and checking for dust bunnies)? By doing so, he might have helped reduce her anxieties enough to where she could go down to Earth and function, somewhat, among the "natives".



* - I know I'm dating myself, but do a search for "Goodbye, Cruel World" from season 8 of MASH. You'll understand what I mean.

[WAYF]

I hereby christen the droids "Fayebots", after this strip.

[steveh11]

I just want to put it on record that Hanners in 2135 panel #3 is too cute.

I am suffering from cuteness overload.  Suffering, I tell you!!

[Is it cold in here?]

Momo's old chassis had 97 terabytes.

[westrim]

It would kind of suck never getting to fulfill your one designed purpose, wouldn't it?

[jwhouk]

Momo's old chassis had 97 terabytes.

Yeah, yeah.

I suspect that the one thing that probably helped Hanners in her growth was the development of her sense of humor. Given what we've seen out of Station's personality already, I suspect that he took the old "make 'em laugh so they stop crying" route with Hanners.

And you know what? I think it worked.

[pendrake]

For comic #2135...

1. D'aww... Hannelore looks very nice, panel for panel.  And in a black dress rather than blue, Dora would be proud.

2. Art-wise, it always looks odd (to me) when the girls (not just Hanners) wear lipstick.  Perhaps because it makes their lips look much larger and more pronounced as a result of having to make it noticable enough to know they are wearing lipstick?

3. Station still drunk, I see.  As I posted before, hopefully will not wind up having emulated drunken zero-G holo-makeouts with Lt. Potter .

4. Poor right-side H-K hover-droid, so expressively dejected.  Perhaps we will see them serving drinks at next week's birthday party.

5. Also as I posted before, I would be interested to see Marten and Hannelore getting dressed up for something special or nice (actually, the whole QC cast in general, though not necessarily all at once).  Not just the neo-Victorian wear either, though I enjoyed that bit too.

[St.Clair]

o.O

(As seen on another webcomic, a while back:  "You really don't want something designed for killing humans to have the capacity to get bored.")

[dreed]

Hilarious page

Han is AI's princess it seems.  I think one word from her and they would kill every other human on the planet if she so desires!

[Border Reiver]

Is it just me, or do Jeph's H-Ks resemble Tailor from Schlock Mercenary?

[jwhouk]

Is it just me, or do Jeph's H-Ks resemble Tailor from Schlock Mercenary?

I KNEW I recognized those things from somewhere!

[Akima]

Is it just me, or do Jeph's H-Ks resemble Tailor from Schlock Mercenary?

Only in the scissor-hands, and Tailor only has one of those. And no fans. And two eyes.

Hanners looks very elegant, but then she's generally the best-dressed of the QC girls with Dora coming in second.

It would kind of suck never getting to fulfill your one designed purpose, wouldn't it?

While people don't have a designed purpose, isn't this the paradox of the soldier? Constantly training and preparing for a role they hope they will never have to play. Of course there is the question of why Station has a squadron of killbots in the first place.

[mike837go]

Uh, stoopid question?

Since when does two (2) count as "A Pack" of H-K?

"A Brace" would be much better.

Just sayin'....

[Madmartigan]

Hanners is cute is the little black dress.

And heh.  Hanners with the death droid jokes.  Classic.

Jeph left of a 'd' in droids in panel 3.  I was wondering what the fudge a drois was until I scrolled down.

I've noticed it before as it's happening, but the bags under Hanners eyes are almost gone.  Must be great to finally get sleep on a consistent basis as well as interact normally.

Surprised the droids aren't packin'.  Just claws.

[themacnut]

It would kind of suck never getting to fulfill your one designed purpose, wouldn't it?

While people don't have a designed purpose...

Actually, they do. The same designed purpose of every other biological lifeform on this planet-survive long enough to perpetuate the species. We've just done such a good job of it that not every member of the species has to do so.

Surprised the droids aren't packin'.  Just claws.

The droid's designers were probably worried about bullets or beams punching holes in the station hull.

[SomeCanadianWeirdo]

Perhaps there are more kill bots offscreen.  You can only get so mucn in the bottom panel.

[mike837go]

What about a collective noun for H-K's?

A murder of crows, a gaggle of geese, an inconvenience of hunter-killers?

What say?

[DSL]

Since when does two (2) count as "A Pack" of H-K?

"A Brace" would be much better.

... We can't see offpanel. "... and MORE are ON THE WAY!" ... also: an inconvenience. As a fan of comic understatement ... I like it.

Surprised the droids aren't packin'.  Just claws.

Eh, you could still hide something small-caliber in those ... fuselages? I'd say something about wanting to be careful with ranged weapons in a space habitat, but I suspect that shuttle has left the docking port, at least as far as Dr. Case is concerned. (Zorp!)

Good lord, don't ever tell Pintsize or Winslow about this. Or the Roomba. They'll get ... ideas.

Also, shut up, Marigold.

[Near Lurker]

Jeph left of a 'd' in droids in panel 3.  I was wondering what the fudge a drois was until I scrolled down.

Pretty sure that was intentional.

[Deadlywonky]

What about a collective noun for H-K's?

A murder of crows, a gaggle of geese, an inconvenience of hunter-killers?

What say?

Slaughter?

Evisceration?

Dismemberment?

I'm not really thinking about collective nouns anymore, just words that sound awesome

[pwhodges]

Jeph left of a 'd' in droids in panel 3.

Jeph said on twitter it's not a typo, but is because Station is still drunk.

[El_Flesh]

Thos hunter killer drois  look alot like roombas with arms. and a lense.

[Blackjoker]

Is it odd that I find the sad killer droid to be kind of adorable?

[jwhouk]

Principles or Five Large?

Principles. It was sexual harssment.    - 9 (11.5%)
...$5 million, though, would make me feel less harassed.    - 26 (33.3%)
Can't Buy Me Love - nor my forgiveness.    - 3 (3.8%)
Just Give Me Money (That's What I Want)    - 5 (6.4%)
The Major already threatened me with a court martial.    - 0 (0%)
Take that money and RUN, baby, RUN.    - 8 (10.3%)
What is UP with that girl's cowlick?    - 1 (1.3%)
Who cares about the cash? I want that GUN!    - 0 (0%)
Is it a LASER? CAN I SHOOT THE LASER?    - 13 (16.7%)
Space Waffles?    - 5 (6.4%)
SPATHE HAM!    - 8 (10.3%)

Total Voters: 78

[celticgeek]

I find it interesting that everyone, except Hannelore, and including Dr. Case, seems very concerned about the presence of the hunter-killer droids.

[jmucchiello]

Archive Binge is a phrase meaning "reading a long archive of webcomics (or a blog) is short period of time".

I would think archive binge meant more like rereading all or part of the archives, and to read/watch something the first time is like a marathon

While a marathon would make it sound more noble, the point of calling a binge is it is similar to eating a cookie or single potato/dorito chip. And then one more. And I can eat one more, that won't be bad. And another and soon the bag of cookies or chips is empty. Likewise, reading a webcomic archive for the first time, when the comic is good, of course, is the same thing. Gotta go to bed but I have time to read one more strip. I can squeeze in another. Okay this is the last one. Um... I don't need to brush my teeth tomorrow, I can read 5 more. It's 3am? But I'm so close episode 1000. And then you hit that dreaded moment when you hit next and nothing happens. Binging.

And it's named after this website: http://www.archivebinge.net/

[jmucchiello]

Is it odd that I find the sad killer droid to be kind of adorable?

No, I was going to post about the sad, dejected robot myself.

[Skewbrow]

Hilarious page

Han is AI's Little Miss it seems.  I think one word from her and they would kill every other human on the planet if she so desires!

FYP

Hannelore's home turf advantage leaves the others defenceless.

Is it odd that I find the sad killer droid to be kind of adorable?

Yeah, the drooping lense does that. Much the same way as Spirit's "Eyes" here.

[J]

Is it just me, or do Jeph's H-Ks resemble Tailor from Schlock Mercenary?

Only in the scissor-hands, and Tailor only has one of those. And no fans. And two eyes.

Hanners looks very elegant, but then she's generally the best-dressed of the QC girls with Dora coming in second.

It would kind of suck never getting to fulfill your one designed purpose, wouldn't it?

While people don't have a designed purpose, isn't this the paradox of the soldier? Constantly training and preparing for a role they hope they will never have to play. Of course there is the question of why Station has a squadron of killbots in the first place.

well technically, we do have a designed purpose. reproduce & ensure that our genetic code out-competes that of our rivals. same as any life-form.

[Motorcycle]

Man todays had me awww'in & crackin up. Han's quick zinging of them, Station being drunk, Han's looking cute. Not to mention the droids. All in all today's strip was a massive win.

[sitnspin]

It would kind of suck never getting to fulfill your one designed purpose, wouldn't it?

While people don't have a designed purpose...

Actually, they do. The same designed purpose of every other biological lifeform on this planet-survive long enough to perpetuate the species. We've just done such a good job of it that not every member of the species has to do so.

actually, this isn't exactly correct. Perpetuating the species as a hole has nothing to do with it. Genes don't care about the species, only about themselves. Organisms are just vehicles genes use to replicate themselves. The better the design for that vehicle, the more likely it is to out compete other vehicles of similar, but slightly less optimized, design.

[LTK]

You've all got it wrong. Life has no designed purpose, nor do genes have any sort of will or goal. Life is just an accident, a giant, molecular Rube Goldberg machine that got assembled by pure chance and has been stumbling along ever since.