Comic Discussion > QUESTIONABLE CONTENT
WCDT 2887-2891 (2-6 February 2015)
anahata:
--- Quote from: valkygrrl on 06 Feb 2015, 07:26 ---Not happy. You might be able to make an argument for giddy or nervous and resolved. Maybe a bit crazy, as in holy s#!t did I just do THAT? She just went all-in and there's nothing to do but look hopeful, be hopeful and see how the cards flop.
--- End quote ---
Also Marten's response perhaps refers not (only) to her physical appearance, but also her courage in doing that the way she did.
Soulsynger:
My heart LITERALLY skipped a beat when I caught the first glimpse of the comic a few minutes ago. (NOT figuratively, literally.)
Gotta hand it to Jeph for showing exactly the right amount of (mis-/) information and omitting the right things in a way that doesn't in the least interfere with the rhythm of panel-to-panel reading.
I believe there is an exact calculation at work here to evoke the reaction we see on the forum right now. Discussion, constructive/destructive analysis, a back and forth exchange of opinion about what we've seen and not seen. Brilliant! :claireface:
--- Quote from: BenRG on 06 Feb 2015, 02:27 ---[ ... ]
PANEL 3 - FAYE gesturing with her coffee cup; her expression is teasing
FAYE: "Good. Just one thing: I'm all for the free expression of love, y'know."
PANEL 4 - MARTEN and CLARE are looking at each other and blushing. FAYE, in extreme foreground, is drinking some of her coffee with an expression of righteousness
FAYE: "Just try not to express it for four goddamn loud hours next time!"
[ ... ]
--- End quote ---
Try as I might, I can NOT see either Marten or Claire being very loud during... °O
I'm with Zebediah on why Marten said what he said. The moment, atmosphere and buildup over the last few comics fits very well with it.
lightsabermario:
--- Quote from: Zebediah on 06 Feb 2015, 07:04 ---
--- Quote from: jimwormmaster on 06 Feb 2015, 06:46 --- As for today's strip, Claire's face is adorable in panel 4. The kind of nervous look, the hair twirl, it really sells the mood. And gotta hand it to Good Guy Marten for knowing just what to say. I feel no shame in adding to the sea of squee on this one.
--- End quote ---
I actually don't think it's a case of Marten "knowing what to say". BenRG pointed this out a bit upthread, but it bears repeating - Marten is tired. Marten is close to exhausted. He doesn't have the physical or mental energy to be suave or calculating. Whatever enters his head is what is going to come out of his mouth. He's too tired to be anything but utterly honest. So this isn't some attempt on his part to say the right thing - he says exactly what he thinks, and it happens to be exactly the right thing. Which is why he's Good Guy Marten.
--- End quote ---
Honestly, I fully disagree. The reason is that there was no hesitation. Not even a pause to process what was or wasn't down there. He would have said that regardless. He may have even avoided looking downwards entirely to avoid contaminating his answer with hesitation. The lack of looking downwards wasn't an oversight, it was a clue! Anyone dating someone whose private bits are in question and has deliberately not pressed the question would have known that this moment was coming and prepared for it. The fact that he never pressed the question is a sign that he is being super considerate and respectful, and a super respectful person would plan for this moment and have a thoughtful response, like "You are beautiful" planned in advance, just in case he was worried he might blurt out something offensive or surprised. Preparation like that isn't that disingenuous, it's just being super careful that you don't accidentally hurt someone with your immediate response. The fact that he was exhausted during this merely speaks to his dedication to not hurting her.
Honestly, considering everything, particularly given what he's just gone through, in my mind Marten is starting to change from Good Guy Marten to Unrealistically Good Guy Marten. He's not all the way to Marty Stu or Sainthood-level Marten, but he is definitely starting to bridge the gap of believability. I mean when is the last time he's done anything selfish or or wrong or non-heroic in any way? All of our other QC characters have character flaws, but I have yet to see Marten demonstrate any. In fact, the very reason he and Dora broke up was because he "had to be on his best behavior at all times" and he wasn't getting the same respect.
Neko_Ali:
--- Quote from: Halloween Jack on 06 Feb 2015, 07:34 --- :-o
Wow. Go you two!
And WRT the close analysis of whether Marten actually dared to look at Claire's genitals: for fuck's sake, literally. It's like the overanalysis of Faye's rolling blackout in the ER.
--- End quote ---
That's what the forum does though. It over analyzes everything. Especially on a Friday strip. That's part of why I regret this comic... I was afraid to come into the thread. I was afraid the mods would have to be swinging the ban hammer like crazy. But people have been respectful and on point. Still, I would have been happy if they had left 'behind closed door' just that. And had Friday Faye coming out into the main room to see Marten and Claire having pancakes. And Marten saying 'You know.. She's right. Your mom's pancakes are much better.'
katharsys:
--- Quote from: Neko_Ali on 06 Feb 2015, 07:47 ---Still, I would have been happy if they had left 'behind closed door' just that. And had Friday Faye coming out into the main room to see Marten and Claire having pancakes. And Marten saying 'You know.. She's right. Your mom's pancakes are much better.'
--- End quote ---
I for one am extremely happy that Jeph decided to put this up... There is something sweetly wonderful about showing that trepidation, excitement, and courage in the face of the fear of rejection. This is something more than just a Claire and Martin moment, but more a human moment - something that many people, no matter whether they are cis or trans, have experienced in the course of their lives.
To show them just eating pancakes the morning after would have been the easy way out, and maybe just a hint too saccharine.
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