Comic Discussion > QUESTIONABLE CONTENT
WCDT: 2796-2800 (22-26 September 2014) Weekly Comic Discussion Thread
Platypodes:
--- Quote from: Rghfrgl on 26 Sep 2014, 15:26 ---
--- Quote from: reicreature on 26 Sep 2014, 14:01 ---I think it's very wrong to say that Claire's tran-ness isn't a part of her character
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I'd agree with this. Like if you look at the first panel here. The comic doesn't TALK about it, but you look at her expression and realize that's probably the first time she really got to dress up like that, fitting room aside. And as the comic went on she's expressed herself a lot girlier, getting her ears pierced and being more likely to wear a dress over a shirt and shorts.
Of course, most girls go through that. But not when they're 24. And that's how I think being trans is relevant to Claire's character. She's a late bloomer and still finding herself.
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I agree. This also applies to her lack of romantic experience and her uncertainty around boys. If I recall correctly, she more or less directly attributed the fact that she's never kissed anybody to being caught up in her own transition.
We've also seen her discuss her coming to terms with safety issues because of being trans. This is an element in her relationship with Clinton, and has probably contributed to her general anxiety and tension.
Overall, I think it's been a great balance in which her trans-ness is is a part of her character but not her defining characteristic. Nice work, Jeph.
As for the question of whether Marten wants to date a trans girl, why preemptively agonize over this if we're not also going to agonize over whether Marten wants to date a book geek, or a grad student, or someone who's inexperienced at dating, or someone who doesn't know s*** about indie music, or any of Claire's other characteristics that he could conceivably not desire in a partner?
--- Quote from: ZoeB on 26 Sep 2014, 04:53 ---And if this is a long term thing - "Don't ever stop." - whats Veronica's reaction going to be? There is plenty of scope for comedic confusion, as so many think they know more than they do, and some misconceptions are hilarious. She's likely to have more than most.
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Haha, I forgot about how Veronica was already trying to get Marten and Claire together at the wedding. I can imagine her inundating Claire with sex tips when she and Marten are still in the "holding hands" phase of a relationship. :-D
--- Quote from: Thedrd0nna on 26 Sep 2014, 08:15 ---The other thing: Marten is drunk, but he doesn't appear to be "accidentally eat an armadillo" drunk. I mean, he still seems reasonably in control of his faculties, and aware of what's going on around him. With that said, if a girl is nuzzling your neck and saying "don't ever stop", you would have to be Tequila Monster drunk, or worse, not to get that message.
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Good point. However oblivious he was to start with, he's got to be at least starting to catch on by now, and his reaction is all positive.
--- Quote from: Madmartigan on 26 Sep 2014, 09:47 ---As for drunken Marten being "intimate" here with Claire, I have my own theories. The drunken socializer. When sober, I absolutely HATE being touched. Major pet-peeve. Also decently introverted. Get me drunk though, and I schmooze. And not just that, I get way super feely with people, even strangers, more so with friends. I basically become the hugging panda bear. Embarrassing really, but true.
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Steve does that, but I don't think we've ever seen Marty do it, and we've seen him drunk quite a few times.
Is it cold in here?:
Here's what I put together when Claire first confided in Marten, for all the new people who signed up then.
--- Quote from: Oldie but goodie ---Welcome!
In another situation (involving a sexual minority, actually, though that wasn't the point), Jeph got tons of email about an individual decision the character was making, because the people emailing him thought it was a message about everyone in the same minority.
Unless Jeph makes an unprecedented change in how he writes, Claire is going to be an individual. (If I understand right, in fact, that's the part that is a breath of fresh air for trans people looking at portrayals in the media). The characters all screw up to the normal human extent, and a bit more so that funny situations come up.
When Claire does something stupid, be reassured in advance that it's NOT a reflection on other trans people.
If a character says something stupid or hostile to or about Claire, that character will be the opposite of speaking for the author. If nobody does, it's only because Jeph apparently doesn't enjoy writing nasty people.
If Claire's experiences don't match those of other trans people, same comment, she's an individual. For example, right now it looks like she has a supportive family. That doesn't mean Jeph is suppressing the reality of the reactions so many trans people get from those who most need to support them.
--- Quote from: Jeph --- ...if you're trying to divine some overarching moral standpoint from my comic: the moral of my comic is that people should try to be nice to each other."
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(100% off topic, I like Claire. She reminds me of myself in several ways).
EDIT: The comic and the forum include large doses of silliness, even about the most serious of subjects. The Claire story line is going to remind many people of the worst experiences of their lives. Humor is consistent with respect for your experience. This next quote isn't official, but it's insightful:
--- Quote from: Dr. ROFLPWN --- I also think it's important to step back, take a breath, and recall that QC is at its heart a lighthearted situational comedy where perpetual hipsters, nerds and a mad scientist's daughter share lives with porn-obsessed robots and Yelling Birds, and that if you view everything in it through the lens of Really Serious Drama, you are inviting nothing but constant heartbreak. Like life, QC should be enjoyed, and laughed at, not just the source of bitten lips and pursed brows
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ElsaStegosaurus:
--- Quote from: bhtooefr on 26 Sep 2014, 15:35 ---Can I just say that I'm incredibly jealous of both Marten and Claire, and what they're sharing, right now?
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Srsly. This comic is giving me some serious flashbacks (and some pangs) to a time when things were new and nervous and exciting.
CaptainFish:
I might've been overly facile with my cute line earlier. But, it's my simplified read of what I think is a really well written positive moment of character development. Marten is being intimate in a surprisingly confident, but also nigh-platonic fashion. Even though he's drunk/tipsy, he asks for consent which shows he's not so far gone as to behave abnormally (like when Faye knocked him out) and also that he has a lot of care and concern for Claire. Claire is having what might be her first intimate/semi-intimate experience (outside of the wedding cuddle and Steve butt grab) and she's not only enjoying the hell out of it but appears completely at ease and safe. It's a beautiful moment not only for their relationship but for both of them as individuals. And while I think Marten's behaviour in these strips and Claire's interactions with Marten recently show that their relationship is going to another level, even if it doesn't this moment is still great.
So, yeah, applying questionable hangups to Marten based on nothing does kinda bum me out even if it did lead to some really important discussion, cause I think the text tells a much different story.
Y:
Well it's not like Marten has to grade them, but it would different if they would be permanently joining the library staff. As the reason to not date coworkers is not because of whether your employer is cool with it but because you have to work with them if it didn't pan out well.
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