Barry and the moose.You kid, but it would seem that that's technically legal in Denmark.
Wait, who was the first couple to get married?Henry (Marten's Dad) Reed and Maurice.
irrevocably
Comic's up.
Haven't we seen the shirt Bubbles is wearing, or one very like it, on Faye before?
Yup, that's Faye's shirt.
Yup, that's Faye's shirt.
Yup, that's Faye's shirt.
It'll never fit Faye again, then.
Yup, that's Faye's shirt.
It'll never fit Faye again, then.
Yup, that's Faye's shirt.
Oh and psst--more evidence that AIs don't consider "robot" offensive.
I'm pretty sure that racist, homophobic and ableist slurs wouldn't be okay from a lover or a friend, so I'm not sure that applies. If "robot" was an offensive term, it would definitely ruin their relationship.
I think we can agree that "robot" is not an offensive word.
...Cosette pregnant is a truly horrifying thought.
Remember how accident prone she is?
...Cosette pregnant is a truly horrifying thought.
Remember how accident prone she is?
I'm a kid again and I've seen the Micronauts Battle Cruiser in the Sears catalog and store sales flyers and whatever and I've been wanting the Micronauts Battle Cruiser for Christmas but never thought I'd actually get it, and now it's Christmas morning and OH MY GOD I GOT THE MICRONAUTS BATTLE CRUISER!!!!!!!!!!
...Cosette pregnant is a truly horrifying thought.
Remember how accident prone she is?
Well, you can't deny that the conference had an effect, which is probably all she was going for...
At the risk of thread derailment: I entirely understand and empathise with the feelings of the people of Central Europe who feel like their nations were thrown under the bus at Yalta. However, giving Stalin the 'security buffer zone' he demanded was probably the only thing that stopped World War 2 in Europe smoothly seguing into World War 3. This would probably have involved the US throwing every atom bomb it had, as soon as they were built, at Russia without any consideration for the secondary effects of a prolonged bombardment with first-generation 'dirty' fission devices would have on the Eurasian environment.
There is no doubt that Yalta, like Munich before it in 1938, was a bad deal for those people sacrificed like a pawn in a game of chess. However, I would say that there is an argument that it was the least worst option available to avert the prospect of the war in Europe (now between the UK, France and the USA and the Soviet Union) from lasting another 10 years.
I voted Wil and Penelope since it seems like a tidy way to write them out.
Bubbles is definitely wearing Faye’s shirt, but I don’t know how it could fit unless she mistakenly ordered a 3X by mistake and never returned it.
I was looking at panel 2 again and thinking about how Faye was stating everything in questions and not looking at Marten as if she was afraid of Marten's disapproval in some way. The implication is: "Are these the right things for me to say?" Then you get Marten's approval and, in panel 3, she's smiling in relief. It's quite beautiful in a way.
I really do think that Faye is a messed-up kid and I really do think that she has serious problems with believing that others approve of her choices (or of her in general).
While the Battle Cruiser was indeed cool, I much preferred the mighty Hornetroid. Not only was it a bug robot aircraft, the box art was done by Ken Kelly, who did album covers for Kiss and Manowar.
Faye could always get a new one. Topataco (https://topatoco.com/collections/jeph-jacques/products/qc-bearmonster) still sells them.
:D
I really do think that Faye is a messed-up kid and I really do think that she has serious problems with believing that others approve of her choices (or of her in general).
Bubbles, now that you and Faye are together, you need to work on not making Marten pee his pants every time you touch him. How about a nice, normal invention known as "the hug"?
Oh and psst--more evidence that AIs don't consider "robot" offensive.
I'm pretty sure that racist, homophobic and ableist slurs wouldn't be okay from a lover or a friend, so I'm not sure that applies. If "robot" was an offensive term, it would definitely ruin their relationship.
I think we can agree that "robot" is not an offensive word.
Not much to say about the comic otherwise, but... okay, comparing Marten's (positive) impact to the conference of Yalta kinda rubs me the wrong way, with me being Polish and all.
For those who don't know, the prevailing Polish sentiment about what happened in Yalta is basically "Poland got screwed over by the West and basically shoved into USSR's loving arms". It has the connotations of our nation's history being decided FOR us, with world superpowers dividing Europe as they saw fit, despite the fact that we were the first country to fight Nazi Germany and such.
I'm aware the political reality of the time was much more complex, but comparing something that led to Faye and Bubbles being a couple with what led to Poland being stuck as a Soviet satellite country for the next 40+ years...
...to me, the implications are troubling at best.
The comic's fine otherwise, but this part is just, UGH.
EDIT: not to mention the redrawing of Polish eastern border. Which is a much more complicated issue (what with the people living in pre-partition Eastern Poland being nations other than Poles, which Poland for the most part always failed to acknowledge), but with the end result being that those nations got swallowed whole into USSR... yeah, Yalta sucked for pretty much ALL of Eastern Europe.
EDIT 2: this article sums up the issue pretty well: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Western_betrayal
I really do think that Faye is a messed-up kid and I really do think that she has serious problems with believing that others approve of her choices (or of her in general).
A very important part of becoming an adult is stop giving a fart about approval from others—even friends. I have come to the realization recently that many people have difficulty outgrowing this, though, and that can hold one back—especially if they have stupid or malicious friends.
I'd call this an oversimplification. I think it's more like being an adult is knowing when to give a fart about what people think.
I'd call this an oversimplification. I think it's more like being an adult is knowing when to give a fart about what people think.
I rate Marten's response as open acceptance rather than enthusiastic support.
That's a good thing and was good for Faye and Bubbles but I think the occasion called for leaping forward to hug them and saying "I'm so happy for you!".
Marten is not really the type to do that anyway. This is pretty much as enthusiastic as you're likely to get out of him.
I'd call this an oversimplification. I think it's more like being an adult is knowing when to give a fart about what people think.
Actually, adults don't fart. ever.
From what I’ve seen of Faye, she doesn’t care much about how most people think about her. But Marten is one person whose good opinion she absolutely must have. Fortunately Marten is probably the most uncritically supportive person in her entire life. He is open-minded about relationships and truly just wants to see Faye happy, so he has zero problems with Faye & Bubbles.^^^THIS^^^
I'm pretty sure that racist, homophobic and ableist slurs wouldn't be okay from a lover or a friend, so I'm not sure that applies. If "robot" was an offensive term, it would definitely ruin their relationship.It may be more like african-american vs black, or LGBT vs queer, or Chinese vs asian. One is gnerally more informal than the other and which is better may depend on the speaker, referrent and context.
I think we can agree that "robot" is not an offensive word.
I have to say that, given the difference in size between Faye and Bubbles, brasca must be right about Faye having accidentally ordered an XXXL once and having never returned it. Her normal Angry Bear would be practically skin-tight on Bubbles!
Wait so does this mean baked beans are the secret of eternal youthI'd call this an oversimplification. I think it's more like being an adult is knowing when to give a fart about what people think.
Actually, adults don't fart. ever.
I'd call this an oversimplification. I think it's more like being an adult is knowing when to give a fart about what people think.
Actually, adults don't fart. ever.
A might fine accusation from someone with 'bottoms' in their username!
No, that's Bubble's sweatshirt (http://www.questionablecontent.net/view.php?comic=3180).I voted Wil and Penelope since it seems like a tidy way to write them out.
Bubbles is definitely wearing Faye’s shirt, but I don’t know how it could fit unless she mistakenly ordered a 3X by mistake and never returned it.
Unstable molecules.
To be fair, Bubbles might cause widespread property damage with that booty if she did dance. So perhaps this is for the best.
To be fair, Bubbles might cause widespread property damage with that booty if she did dance. So perhaps this is for the best.
Bubbles won't do the booty dance?
She's jinxed it.
Bubbles won't do the booty dance?
She's jinxed it.
Did she? Every booty dance we've seen has been for a relationship that ultimately fell apart. :-P
I could feel the letdown just looking it up on an image search.While the Battle Cruiser was indeed cool, I much preferred the mighty Hornetroid. Not only was it a bug robot aircraft, the box art was done by Ken Kelly, who did album covers for Kiss and Manowar.
Oh wow, Hornetroid! I vividly remember the feeing of playing with that one. As a concept, it was amazing. As far as playing with it, though, I felt a big letdown, since all you could do with it was flap the wings and squirt water.
I could feel the letdown just looking it up on an image search.
Granted, my childhood straddled the 80s and the 90s, so I got the Insectoids Lego sets.
Actually, adults don't fart. ever.
Actually, adults don't fart. ever.
That is a dirty lie. The older humans get, the more they fart.
Not Marigold. (http://www.questionablecontent.net/view.php?comic=2651)
For the sake of me being right, I'm prepared to argue that Marigold's dance is not technically a booty dance, but a regular dance of joy that just happens to occur after she got some booty. However, if her and Dale break up later, I'll be sure to cite it as yet another example of the booty dance being a relationship killer. :P
Watch it, Bubbles. His tears are caustic.But not as caustic as her words.
Okay so I hate to say it but the comic has taken, at least for me, a kind of weird turn.
Why oh why can't we just have like...two more weeks of Faye and Bubbles talking and cuddling and kissing and THEN everyone else can come back...
I don't even know what to say about today's comic. You lost me, Jeph. You're awesome, but ...you lost me here.
Bubbles has downloaded all of the Armed Forces Special Operations manuals on psychological warfare.
And she knows how to use them.
The comic has been almost exclusively about Faye and Bubbles for a month and a half now (excluding the filler week). Even when the rest of the cast has been present, they have been talking about Faye and Bubbles and they still are. I know that Faye and Bubbles are super important to you, but I am personally ready for the arc to begin transitioning back to the other characters. I am eager to see how Brun is getting on.
Could it be? Character development for Pintsize?
That said, Pintsize DOES seem to have a fear of intimacy. His sexual jokes and perversions seem to be a way of distancing himself from any feelings he might have for someone, knowing that his chassis isn't conducive to the kind of intimacy that Bubbles and Faye have.
Maybe he will get a humanoid chassis after all.
If you mixed in the right Technic pieces, then yes. But the sets with the abdomen piece used in the Sonic Stinger and the Celestial Stinger sets had lights and sounds.I could feel the letdown just looking it up on an image search.
Granted, my childhood straddled the 80s and the 90s, so I got the Insectoids Lego sets.
Those look like fun. They weren't motorized, were they? For me, that was the most amazing thing about the Micronauts: the little tank treads on Biotron and Microtron and Nemesis... I get a sensory rush just thinking about them. Heady stuff.
Bubbles has downloaded all of the Armed Forces Special Operations manuals on psychological warfare.
And she knows how to use them.
You know what I think is disturbing about this? I can't help but wonder how much Bubbles may be projecting her own issues on Pintsize. I mean, she was a mistress in trying to distance herself from all emotional connections (in her case by playing the violent and unpredictable defective war machine). On the other hand, Pintsize (in private moments with Momo which, to be fair, Bubbles knows nothing about) seems to actually have a fairly good handle on why he does what he does and for what reason.
Then again, maybe that's the point, isn't it? If we accept the thesis that Pintsize does what he does to manipulate his room-mates into a healthier mindset then might him letting Bubbles think she has a handle on him be something for exactly the same purpose?
That said, we know that the LOOM is the most effective way to moderate Pintsize's behaviour, at least somewhat. I think that by trying to intimidate Pintsize psychologically rather than physically, Bubbles may be on a winning formula!
Bubbles has downloaded all of the Armed Forces Special Operations manuals on psychological warfare.
And she knows how to use them.
Doing it in public implies that she's also familiar with the concept of deterrence ...
And accidentally crushes him in the process. RIP Pintsize.Bubbles has downloaded all of the Armed Forces Special Operations manuals on psychological warfare.
And she knows how to use them.
Doing it in public implies that she's also familiar with the concept of deterrence ...
Next strip is Bubbles hugs Pintsize to de-escalate the tension
You know what I think is disturbing about this? I can't help but wonder how much Bubbles may be projecting her own issues on Pintsize. I mean, she was a mistress in trying to distance herself from all emotional connections (in her case by playing the violent and unpredictable defective war machine). On the other hand, Pintsize (in private moments with Momo which, to be fair, Bubbles knows nothing about) seems to actually have a fairly good handle on why he does what he does and for what reason.
Then again, maybe that's the point, isn't it? If we accept the thesis that Pintsize does what he does to manipulate his room-mates into a healthier mindset then might him letting Bubbles think she has a handle on him be something for exactly the same purpose?
That said, we know that the LOOM is the most effective way to moderate Pintsize's behaviour, at least somewhat. I think that by trying to intimidate Pintsize psychologically rather than physically, Bubbles may be on a winning formula!
Okay so I hate to say it but the comic has taken, at least for me, a kind of weird turn.
Why oh why can't we just have like...two more weeks of Faye and Bubbles talking and cuddling and kissing and THEN everyone else can come back...
I don't even know what to say about today's comic. You lost me, Jeph. You're awesome, but ...you lost me here.
I don’t see projection in Bubbles as she has different issues. In her case, she lost her platoon and seems to feel guilty. I don’t know how much of the description of missing memories there is but she seems to feel responsible for the deaths. We don’t know how much of that through action, inaction or simply being overwhelmed. Whatever happened, we don’t know how much is related to survivors guilt and how much is due to how much is in the detail. Furthermore, in her attempt to deal with the trauma she underwent an operation that led to the loss of said memories. In her mind that loss is another betrayal of her squad.
Add to that the fact that there have been people who have accused her of being a danger, her guilt and fear of herself took off. Corpse Witch exploited her anxieties to control her.
I'm just relieved to have something, anything, other than Faye and Bubbles cuddling. There have been some plots that were much more fascinating to me lately (how AI works with respect to civil rights in society, the struggles of getting a small business up and running, interesting interactions and growth between characters, and (for that matter) the logistics of AI sexuality) that it felt like stalling to me. Now that we can see others interact to the change, it's a lot more interesting to me. Obviously, others like different things.
I'm just relieved to have something, anything, other than Faye and Bubbles cuddling. There have been some plots that were much more fascinating to me lately (how AI works with respect to civil rights in society, the struggles of getting a small business up and running, interesting interactions and growth between characters, and (for that matter) the logistics of AI sexuality) that it felt like stalling to me. Now that we can see others interact to the change, it's a lot more interesting to me. Obviously, others like different things.
Has everyone totally forgotten how damn LONG it took for them to cuddle? You can't just take it for granted. Two months ago I thought Faye for sure didn't feel the same and Bubbles was going to be devastated. I was shocked when it really happened, and it's going to take time for it to sink it for me that it's real. More of them cuddling helps, uh, cement that reality for me.
I'm left with the strong impression that she and Pintsize had a conversation here that we either didn't see (wireless comms?) or that AIs can put meaning in words that their human friends can't understand because their use of language is different. In any case, she and Pintsize seem to have come to some sort of agreement without any of their human friends being aware of it!It was something along the line of:
I think going from protesting the Iraq war to dying in the dirt outside of Mosul from friendly fire makes me the ultimate Irony Boy tbh
Wow, that is so not the reaction I expected from Bubbles. I thought he would be Pintsize paste staining the floor. This is absolutely brilliant on Bubbles part, she absolutely destroys him and claims her place in the social hierarchy. I look forward to see how he recovers from this. And I think this is going to be one of my favourite pages, one of the few that I actually laughed when I initially read it. Nicely done.
Wow, that is so not the reaction I expected from Bubbles. I thought he would be Pintsize paste staining the floor. This is absolutely brilliant on Bubbles part, she absolutely destroys him and claims her place in the social hierarchy. I look forward to see how he recovers from this. And I think this is going to be one of my favourite pages, one of the few that I actually laughed when I initially read it. Nicely done.
Hm, I'm somewhat curious what particular made you laugh about this one.
While a great and rather powerful comic, nothing about it struck me as a 'haha' aspect (?)
"Ta." "Ta"??? Who says "Ta"???
"Ta." "Ta"??? Who says "Ta"???
Some Brits do. Short for "Thank you", at least in the context I've heard the Beatles use it :laugh: probably not what Jeph was going for here. In this case probably a terse "ta ta!" as in "goodbye" as in "get out of my hand you little weasel".
It's maybe an echo of Corpse Witch breezily saying "Ta!" after reprimanding Faye for fixing May. It's indeed uncommon, so that may have been the only time Bubbles had heard it, so it may come to her mind as the way to do contemptuous dismissal.
I say the following knowing full well the degree to which I am projecting. I'm probably off-base.
I'm disquieted by this strip, and since the other night I've been trying to figure out why. I think it's because I'm convinced that Bubbles is not as calm as she seems. She is torn apart inside, and devoting most of her mental energy to putting on a calm exterior. And that shit will come out sideways somewhere down the line.
For reasons why I feel this way, see my post from last night. We've seen many examples of her fear of anyone being hurt because of her, her self-loathing, her violent attempts to isolate, her fear of being laughed at, and the anger she turns on herself for having presumed to live like a normal person. I'm sure that she was grappling with all that when she entered into verbal combat with Pintsize. She was cornered, and she was full of fear, and she had to show the world that she wasn't afraid of him. So her emotional landscape was nothing like what she let show.
In short, she needed to be seen to win that fight, but in reality no one won. She's roiling inside. Don't believe me? OK. "Ta." "Ta"??? Who says "Ta"??? That sounds forced and artificial, even for Bubbles. She's straining to sound all cazh n' shit.
Again, I know my experience isn't everyone's. I envy people who can engage in this sort of confrontation and not come out of it feeling like they've been dunked in acid. It's just that there are reasons why I identify with Bubbles so strongly, and if I'm not completely wrong about her, then her emotional problems will be every bit as much of an obstacle to their relationship as Faye's. Faye is afraid of people leaving her, and deep down she fears that she will be the reason they leave. Bubbles is afraid of people being hurt because of her, and that fear makes it hella convenient to retreat into that comfortably cold mantle of the freak who should never have dreamed of being anything but alone.
Wait, so Brits still use it? I was under the impression that it was something that only the oldest people would say without irony, and that younger people would only say it theatrically.
"Ta." "Ta"??? Who says "Ta"???
Some Brits do. Short for "Thank you", at least in the context I've heard the Beatles use it :laugh: probably not what Jeph was going for here. In this case probably a terse "ta ta!" as in "goodbye" as in "get out of my hand you little weasel".
Wait, so Brits still use it? I was under the impression that it was something that only the oldest people would say without irony, and that younger people would only say it theatrically.
"Ta." "Ta"??? Who says "Ta"???
Some Brits do. Short for "Thank you", at least in the context I've heard the Beatles use it :laugh: probably not what Jeph was going for here. In this case probably a terse "ta ta!" as in "goodbye" as in "get out of my hand you little weasel".
Wait, so Brits still use it? I was under the impression that it was something that only the oldest people would say without irony, and that younger people would only say it theatrically.
This (31 year old, but I have siblings still at uni) Brit has used it unironically and heard it used frequently. It may be more a northern thing, but I haven't even seen that much of a divide. Pretty much just a general casual thanks.
...
<snip>I'm convinced that Bubbles is not as calm as she seems. She is torn apart inside, and devoting most of her mental energy to putting on a calm exterior. And that shit will come out sideways somewhere down the line.
<snip>
"Ta." "Ta"??? Who says "Ta"???
Some Brits do. Short for "Thank you", at least in the context I've heard the Beatles use it :laugh: probably not what Jeph was going for here. In this case probably a terse "ta ta!" as in "goodbye" as in "get out of my hand you little weasel".
Wait, so Brits still use it? I was under the impression that it was something that only the oldest people would say without irony, and that younger people would only say it theatrically.
Hopefully they're on the first floor, because otherwise, the poor people below them... :psyduck:
Comic’s up.
That poor bed frame.
truck suspension
Hopefully, Juicy is in the apartment below them, because I can't think of anyone else in the comic I'd be willing to subject to that.Hopefully they're on the first floor, because otherwise, the poor people below them... :psyduck:
I'm like 90% we've seen them climb stairs to the apartment, so...
Early on, most AIs (generally AnthroPCs) acted similarly. Not in the same way as him, but not like responsible adults. Winston and Momo are good examples. It's significant that both of them now have full-sized, fully humanoid bodies as they've accepted more "adult" responsibilities.
...Winston and Momo disapprove of his actions, but they also "grew up" with him, and they're desensitized to him.
I do believe I "called it" on the bed springs back when folks were first asking why they don't just share the bed.
I believe that the saying is "caused it!".I do believe I "called it" on the bed springs back when folks were first asking why they don't just share the bed.
Is there a term analogous to "called it" when you didn't so much predict something as to make it happen?
Early on, most AIs (generally AnthroPCs) acted similarly. Not in the same way as him, but not like responsible adults. Winston and Momo are good examples. It's significant that both of them now have full-sized, fully humanoid bodies as they've accepted more "adult" responsibilities.
...Winston and Momo disapprove of his actions, but they also "grew up" with him, and they're desensitized to him.
His name is Winslow. There's no Winston in the strip as far as I know.
I believe that the saying is "caused it!".I do believe I "called it" on the bed springs back when folks were first asking why they don't just share the bed.
Is there a term analogous to "called it" when you didn't so much predict something as to make it happen?
Comic’s up.
That poor bed frame.
RIP Bed.
Considering that there was a time when she didn't even HAVE a bed and slept on the couch and it was a plot point when she did get the bed... maybe we should do an arc covering the trials and tribulations of the various furniture items in the apartment.
It's maybe an echo of Corpse Witch breezily saying "Ta!" after reprimanding Faye for fixing May. It's indeed uncommon, so that may have been the only time Bubbles had heard it, so it may come to her mind as the way to do contemptuous dismissal.Or in 3364 (https://www.questionablecontent.net/view.php?comic=3364) after sending Roko away. Corpse witch used to use the term condescendingly, and bubbles worked with her a long time and is channeling her, intentionally or not.
"Ta." "Ta"??? Who says "Ta"???
Some Brits do. Short for "Thank you", at least in the context I've heard the Beatles use it :laugh: probably not what Jeph was going for here. In this case probably a terse "ta ta!" as in "goodbye" as in "get out of my hand you little weasel".
I believe that the saying is "caused it!".I do believe I "called it" on the bed springs back when folks were first asking why they don't just share the bed.
Is there a term analogous to "called it" when you didn't so much predict something as to make it happen?
I dunno, it's not quite as punchy, somehow. :clairedoge:
Hopefully, Juicy is in the apartment below them, because I can't think of anyone else in the comic I'd be willing to subject to that.Hopefully they're on the first floor, because otherwise, the poor people below them... :psyduck:
I'm like 90% we've seen them climb stairs to the apartment, so...
QC wrapping up? Well, Yelling Bird revealed Jeph’s retirement plan (https://www.questionablecontent.net/view.php?comic=1620) a few years ago....YB said that's "the next five years worth of QC strips"; how old is that strip? JJ doesn't datestamp them.
The death of the bed. It's true, it is a good framing device. It actually makes me think those who have predicted Q.C. is wrapping up may be onto something.
That poor bed frame.
"Impetuous. Homeric!"
While they are dealing with the bed, they should also evaluate the structural integrity of the floor. Otherwise the tenants below them might get a surprise visit from their upstairs neighbours.
Truck suspension is an excellent cheap and simple solution to the problem AND provides a very convenient setup for "truck bed" puns.
Questionable Content has evolved. It started out as a 20-something sitcom, turned into a romantic comedy of sorts and then into social commentary.
Oh, hell, as long as people are picking random couples out of the cast and talking about them getting married, why not Tilly and Tortura? I think there's an entire comedy series - with moments of both heart-touching adorable and hair-raising terror - in that one.Tilly prefers they/them, which suggests that they're non-binary.
There is at least one problem with it though. Has Tilly ever expressed a gender preference? Or for that matter a gender?