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Comic Discussion => QUESTIONABLE CONTENT => Topic started by: bunnyThor on 30 Jul 2008, 20:17

Title: Risqué Art in *my* QC? How much is too much?
Post by: bunnyThor on 30 Jul 2008, 20:17
(I hereby acknowledge that Jeph will do what he will, and we in the forum are merely Yelling Birds, spouting off to little effect.)

Here's a lingering thread for discussion after the "shocking" Episode #1098 has passed into the archive.

Please detail what you do and don't want to see and why. Also include region/country of origin, as that may have a bearing on your cultural biases regarding the depiction of the human form and certain human activities.
Title: Re: Risqué Art in *my* QC? How much is too much?
Post by: Surgoshan on 30 Jul 2008, 20:22
I think you're overthinking it.  Enjoy that.
Title: Re: Risqué Art in *my* QC? How much is too much?
Post by: Rocketman on 30 Jul 2008, 20:30
Region: Occupied Confederacy, Fourth Military District

Stance: I like boobies. The boobies must serve the story, however. No penis plz.
Title: Re: Risqué Art in *my* QC? How much is too much?
Post by: katastrophe on 30 Jul 2008, 20:54
Honestly, this is a comic about adults, and I fully expect it to reflect the storyline which any adult would encounter. Sex is a part of our lives as adults, and therefore I think it fully should be fine to bring up and discuss in detail. Some of our most noteworthy moments are risqué, so why avoid it? I don't think it should be brought in just for the hell of it; however, I have no qualms about the hook-ups and the sex, which are fun parts of life and have all kinds of humorous elements that seem perfectly meant for comics.

Plus, boobies are awesome. Everyone loves boobies!
Title: Re: Risqué Art in *my* QC? How much is too much?
Post by: BlakeJustBlake on 30 Jul 2008, 20:58
Indeed! Yay boobies!
Title: Re: Risqué Art in *my* QC? How much is too much?
Post by: est on 30 Jul 2008, 21:35
Jeph could draw a large 1-panel comic of Marten banging a goat while cutting a dude in half with a WH:30K chainsword for all I care.  I'd probably be all like "oh hey, Jeph's really got the detail on that chainsword down pretty well.  Not sure about how the goat looks though.  Maybe it's not shaggy enough?  Not sure.  Hm"

In the background Faye would be biting a baby.

Like, right on the face, om nom nom nom
Title: Re: Risqué Art in *my* QC? How much is too much?
Post by: Dickbutt on 30 Jul 2008, 21:52
http://www.questionablecontent.net/view.php?comic=1098

Oh baby someone turn the air conditioning back on it's g-g-getting hot in here.
Might wanna change that.

Also, I'm kind of in between 'This is Jeph's comic its his choice just let it make sense in the story' and 'This is the limit right here'.
Title: Re: Risqué Art in *my* QC? How much is too much?
Post by: cgarci21 on 30 Jul 2008, 22:20
Honestly I care very little about the nudity. I don't read the comic for that. If it happens, as it inevitably would in real life, then it happens and it furthers the story. Thats all. I can't understand why everyone is being so fussy.

Chicago,
Illinois,
United States
Title: Re: Risqué Art in *my* QC? How much is too much?
Post by: UglyShirts on 30 Jul 2008, 22:35
How about this...How about Jeph agrees to draw Faye with her shirt off JUST frequently enough to remember that she's supposed to have a scar on her chest?

I'd settle for that.
Title: Re: Risqué Art in *my* QC? How much is too much?
Post by: foofighterq on 30 Jul 2008, 23:06
As long as the nudity isnt there just for shits & giggles, and is actually important to the comic/plotline/punchline im fine with Jeph going as far as he feels the comic needs to go. Remember, the comic is Jephs baby, if he wants to suddenly dress the girls in Hijab's, put a set of chatisy tubes  (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Carrara_klein_frontaal.jpg) on all the male members (no pun intended), and/or just say fuck it and give pintsize a human body (or a close proximate of one) and let him run wild threw the streets of QC land, then Jeph damn well can. The desire hasnt hit him to do so, so sit back, enjoy the ride, and try not to make a mess on your keyboard everytime Faye and Sven appear half naked on your screens.
Title: Re: Risqué Art in *my* QC? How much is too much?
Post by: britMonster on 30 Jul 2008, 23:18
http://questionablecontent.net/view.php?comic=1098 this is 1098. We are on 1198. Lol

Also, I give this a day, maybe two before it is locked.
Title: Re: Risqué Art in *my* QC? How much is too much?
Post by: Man-Eating Eggplant on 30 Jul 2008, 23:33
I would voice my opinion, but I would be banned for life.

Just like from Arizona.
Title: Re: Risqué Art in *my* QC? How much is too much?
Post by: reicreature on 31 Jul 2008, 00:03
Jeph could draw a large 1-panel comic of Marten banging a goat while cutting a dude in half with a WH:30K chainsword for all I care.  I'd probably be all like "oh hey, Jeph's really got the detail on that chainsword down pretty well.  Not sure about how the goat looks though.  Maybe it's not shaggy enough?  Not sure.  Hm"

In the background Faye would be biting a baby.

Like, right on the face, om nom nom nom

I think I love you now.
Title: Re: Risqué Art in *my* QC? How much is too much?
Post by: Doug S. Machina on 31 Jul 2008, 00:32
Jeph could draw a large 1-panel comic of Marten banging a goat while cutting a dude in half with a WH:30K chainsword for all I care.  I'd probably be all like "oh hey, Jeph's really got the detail on that chainsword down pretty well.  Not sure about how the goat looks though.  Maybe it's not shaggy enough?  Not sure.  Hm"

In the background Faye would be biting a baby.

Like, right on the face, om nom nom nom

Wow. Awesome.

In the next strip, they walk into the frame saying "That was a wild weekend," and never mention it again.
Title: Re: Risqué Art in *my* QC? How much is too much?
Post by: WriterofAllWrongs on 31 Jul 2008, 01:08
This is risque?  That's odd, considering that 99% of TV could basically be translated into 1 show consisting of two A-list celebrities fucking each other with Tommy Lee's dong while 8,000 Palestinians die in the background.

Title: Re: Risqué Art in *my* QC? How much is too much?
Post by: LittleKey on 31 Jul 2008, 02:07
It doesn't really matter to me. It adds to the comic.
Title: Re: Risqué Art in *my* QC? How much is too much?
Post by: parm on 31 Jul 2008, 02:52
Jeph could draw a large 1-panel comic of Marten banging a goat while cutting a dude in half with a WH:30K chainsword for all I care.  I'd probably be all like "oh hey, Jeph's really got the detail on that chainsword down pretty well.  Not sure about how the goat looks though.  Maybe it's not shaggy enough?  Not sure.  Hm"

In the background Faye would be biting a baby.

Like, right on the face, om nom nom nom

That is so hot.

...

WAIT. I mean, that is so WRONG. Not hot. WRONG. Yes. Er.
Title: Re: Risqué Art in *my* QC? How much is too much?
Post by: Border Reiver on 31 Jul 2008, 04:49
Jeph could draw a large 1-panel comic of Marten banging a goat while cutting a dude in half with a WH:30K chainsword for all I care.  I'd probably be all like "oh hey, Jeph's really got the detail on that chainsword down pretty well.  Not sure about how the goat looks though.  Maybe it's not shaggy enough?  Not sure.  Hm"

In the background Faye would be biting a baby.

Like, right on the face, om nom nom nom

Now that would be an interesting comic.  The arc leading to it would be awesome (or one helluva dream sequence - Jeph you like those right?) You're right though, the goat proabably wouldn't be shaggy enough, but I think that that would be due to Jeph's drawing style which doesn't seem to lend itself to textures very well.

But what sort of sauce goes with baby?  My guess would be something that goes with the more delicate pork dishes.
Title: Re: Risqué Art in *my* QC? How much is too much?
Post by: Nornin on 31 Jul 2008, 05:01
This is risque?  That's odd, considering that 99% of TV could basically be translated into 1 show consisting of two A-list celebrities fucking each other with Tommy Lee's dong while 8,000 Palestinians die in the background.


I do agree.
Why is it that (american) people can never see breasts, penisis or vagina without going all prudish?
But violence and murder is something you watch without cringing?

Is this tolerance to nudity confined to Europe?

I see nothing wrong with this picture and for what it's worth, this would not be considered risqué in Iceland!

But then again... we sunbathe topless  :lol:
Title: Re: Risqué Art in *my* QC? How much is too much?
Post by: Cartilage Head on 31 Jul 2008, 05:03
 You know, because Est's joke wasn't NEARLY funny enough. Thanks for expanding upon it guys! It is SO much more hilarious now.
Title: Re: Risqué Art in *my* QC? How much is too much?
Post by: Border Reiver on 31 Jul 2008, 05:13
No problem, any time
Title: Re: Risqué Art in *my* QC? How much is too much?
Post by: RightSaidJames on 31 Jul 2008, 05:16
Has anyone else spotted the irony of this supposed outrage? No?

Well, go back to today's comic. Read the banner/logo at the top of the page. Now read the comic again.

.... do you see it yet?
Title: Re: Risqué Art in *my* QC? How much is too much?
Post by: bunnyThor on 31 Jul 2008, 08:22
Why is it that (american) people can never see breasts, penisis or vagina without going all prudish?

A large number of the people who colonized the lands of what was later "America" were religious extremists called "Puritans"--and they were as fundamentalist and conservative as their name suggests. Even though the mechanisms of the new American government were devised and founded by a bunch of free-thinking, agnostic intellectuals, the Puritan ethos carried strongly through the mainstream of American culture, and continues to reverberate there today.

What most Americans would consider moderate and unremarkable in religious observance would be appalingly overzealous fanaticism to most Northern Europeans. And what the mainstream of America considers politically "liberal" would be considered hard-line conservative in most of the EU, and our "conservatives" would be borderline fascist.

But violence and murder is something you watch without cringing?

America is a relatively young country who was founded during a bloody armed insurrection. This violent revolution is still lionized and romanticized to this very day. Also, much of the American frontier was conquered by outlaws, desperados, and roughnecks, all who frequently came into lethal conflict with both the Mexican conquerors to the south and the aboriginal peoples who wanted the land too. This era of land-grabbing, vigilanteism, and murder has also been sanitized and put on a pedestal as "The Pioneer Spirit of the Old West".

Though most people in America are not violent in the slightest, we still venerate those who are because of our shared history.

Is this tolerance to nudity confined to Europe?

Except for certain tropical tribal cultures who haven't been "contaminated" by Western culture and missionaries, Europe is the place where nudity is most tolerated.

I see nothing wrong with this picture and for what it's worth, this would not be considered risqué in Iceland!

But then again... we sunbathe topless  :lol:

Women sometimes sunbathe topless in America too...just not where anyone might accidentally see them doing it.
Title: Re: Risqué Art in *my* QC? How much is too much?
Post by: Rocketman on 31 Jul 2008, 08:41
A large number of the people who colonized the lands of what was later "America" were religious extremists called "Puritans"--and they were as fundamentalist and conservative as their name suggests. Even though the mechanisms of the new American government were devised and founded by a bunch of free-thinking, agnostic intellectuals, the Puritan ethos carried strongly through the mainstream of American culture, and continues to reverberate there today.

The North was. The South was colonized by Greco-Roman imitators (guess where most of those free-thinking agnostic intellectuals came from). They had a little spat over how to run things (the abolitionist movement was spearheaded by evangelists who declared that slavery had no place in the 'New Jerusalem'), but we all know how that turned out.
Title: Re: Risqué Art in *my* QC? How much is too much?
Post by: RightSaidJames on 31 Jul 2008, 09:01
Has anyone else spotted the irony of this supposed outrage? No?

Well, go back to today's comic. Read the banner/logo at the top of the page. Now read the comic again.

.... do you see it yet?

Quote from: The QC FAQ, written by Jeph
Q: Where did you come up with the name "Questionable Content"?

A: I was just trying to think of a vaguely unique-sounding name, that's all. It's sort of a joke in that there's not really all that much "questionable content" in QC.

*cough*

Yes, I know that, but my point still stands, as does the general point that this is the Internet, and there is no promise of any page being completely innocent in nature.
Title: Re: Risqué Art in *my* QC? How much is too much?
Post by: Thorbard on 31 Jul 2008, 09:34
Ok, lets try a different angle: where would you put such a warning on a webcomic page? Why are you looking at webcomics at work?

NSFW is used mostly on places where its not clear to someone reading, say a forum such as this, if a topic or link contains content which may be hugely "unsuitable", when listed on a place where the majority of the content is "suitable".

This QC strip shows no more detail than the one where Raven flashed Sven, Dora flashed Marten, Dora in her underwear in various strips, Sven in a towel or probably a dozen more that aren't coming immediately to mind. What makes them safe for work where this one isn't?
Title: Re: Risqué Art in *my* QC? How much is too much?
Post by: mehmeh on 31 Jul 2008, 11:45
Whether or not it makes logical sense, for many Americans nudity with sexual touching is more NSFW than nudity without touching. I'm personally OK with this episode and even more sexually intense work as long as it continues to serve the story.

I think that this comic really benefited from being be done like it was because it showed her ambivalence and his evident interest well. It was also a great showcase of Jeph's growing talent -- that class he was taking has worked!
Title: Re: Risqué Art in *my* QC? How much is too much?
Post by: marshallbanana on 31 Jul 2008, 11:51
Why are you looking at webcomics at work?
I got bored of looking at code?


No but seriously I don't get it. "An id is a terrible thing to waste"? Am I just dense? What is the joke?
Title: Re: Risqué Art in *my* QC? How much is too much?
Post by: Rocketman on 31 Jul 2008, 12:10
No but seriously I don't get it. "An id is a terrible thing to waste"? Am I just dense? What is the joke?

"The id is responsible for our basic drives such as food, sex, and aggressive impulses. It is amoral and egocentric, ruled by the pleasure–pain principle; it is without a sense of time, completely illogical, primarily sexual, infantile in its emotional development, and will not take "no" for an answer." - from Wikipedia.
Title: Re: Risqué Art in *my* QC? How much is too much?
Post by: bicostp on 31 Jul 2008, 12:12
I don't really care if there's implied or obstructed risqué art in the comic as long as it's there to service the plot, rather than the fans.

Location: About 100 miles from where the comic takes place.
Title: Re: Risqué Art in *my* QC? How much is too much?
Post by: celticgeek on 31 Jul 2008, 12:42
No but seriously I don't get it. "An id is a terrible thing to waste"? Am I just dense? What is the joke?

Aside from the definitions of the id, there was a commercial (for the United Negro College Fund) a while back where the punchline was "A mind is a terrible thing to waste."
Title: Re: Risqué Art in *my* QC? How much is too much?
Post by: Switchblade on 31 Jul 2008, 13:11
Jeph's strip, Jeph's rules. If this is what he wants to draw, fair enough. Personally, I'd be a little less shy about the girl-nipples, but it's not my webcomic.

Honestly, I don't think "risque" is the right term here - it's not like the fact she's topless is being fetishized, which is what "risque" means to me. So they're getting naked, so what? It's a pretty logical thing for them to be doing in the circumstances. That's the point, I think - so long as the treatment of the theme is matter-of-fact and mature, then the decision as to how much flesh to show becomes purely artistic.
Title: Re: Risqué Art in *my* QC? How much is too much?
Post by: marshallbanana on 31 Jul 2008, 13:31
No but seriously I don't get it. "An id is a terrible thing to waste"? Am I just dense? What is the joke?

Aside from the definitions of the id, there was a commercial (for the United Negro College Fund) a while back where the punchline was "A mind is a terrible thing to waste."

Well I knew that second part...

Thanks for the help... being as I'm a computer scientist and not a psychologist, I read that as i.d. XD
Title: Re: Risqué Art in *my* QC? How much is too much?
Post by: celticgeek on 31 Jul 2008, 14:13
All computer scientists are welcome here. 

Welcome!

And introduce yourself in the "Hi, I'm new section."
Title: Re: Risqué Art in *my* QC? How much is too much?
Post by: Vendetagainst on 31 Jul 2008, 15:26
No but seriously I don't get it. "An id is a terrible thing to waste"? Am I just dense? What is the joke?

Aside from the definitions of the id, there was a commercial (for the United Negro College Fund) a while back where the punchline was "A mind is a terrible thing to waste."

not a punchline, a slogan. :wink:
Title: Re: Risqué Art in *my* QC? How much is too much?
Post by: Suzi on 31 Jul 2008, 16:14
Hmm.. I don't mind a bit of nudity at all. Even though it's pretty much a joke.. the title of this comic is Questionable Content. Sooo there you go.. it may contain some content that is questionable.. sooo if you're not comfortable, don't read it! :D

Jeph, great comic.. :D Faye + Sven = Cuteness! :D
Title: Re: Risqué Art in *my* QC? How much is too much?
Post by: MrBlu on 31 Jul 2008, 19:25
=\ You care too much.

Even The Outer Circle shows a bit of nudity.
Title: Re: Risqué Art in *my* QC? How much is too much?
Post by: ThisIsOriginal on 31 Jul 2008, 20:27
It's partial nudity whoop-de-doo.

oh and for those "it should say NSFW" people, your saying if a partial nude women walked in to your work and stud in front of you, you would be just as mad?

didn't think so.
Title: Re: Risqué Art in *my* QC? How much is too much?
Post by: hurkkk on 31 Jul 2008, 21:37
might i point out sven's armpit hair in the newest comic?

far too risque! =o
Title: Re: Risqué Art in *my* QC? How much is too much?
Post by: Surgoshan on 31 Jul 2008, 22:24
might i point out sven's armpit hair in the newest comic?

No.  You might not.  Heathen!
Title: Re: Risqué Art in *my* QC? How much is too much?
Post by: Aerodyne on 31 Jul 2008, 23:09
might i point out sven's armpit hair in the newest comic?

No.  You might not.  Heathen!

Let's not forget the miles of butt cleavage in the third frame.  :-o
Title: Re: Risqué Art in *my* QC? How much is too much?
Post by: dr. amy legit esq. on 31 Jul 2008, 23:10
Risque'? Well, we saw Faye and Sven pretty much as naked before, though I'll admit the boob-grabbage is taking it a little farther than Jeph has in the past... I fully blame the influence of Anders Loves Maria, which has *far* more risque nudity, anyway... I don't understand the offense, it's not gratuitous, and kinda funny in that last panel...*shrug*

Oh, and I'm from Sacramento, California... but in my heart, I live in a cave in the Pyrenes...
Title: Re: Risqué Art in *my* QC? How much is too much?
Post by: britMonster on 31 Jul 2008, 23:38
I'm an American. I've lived here all my life, and I have no problem with nudity. Not all Americans have issues with things like that. Just some of them who are uptight. I hate clothes actually, whenever I can be. . . I'm naked.
Title: Re: Risqué Art in *my* QC? How much is too much?
Post by: Vendetagainst on 31 Jul 2008, 23:47
in America views on sexuality are really polarized, either you adore it or you detest it*

*By which I mean depictions of sexuality as well as views on what is acceptable within sexuality**

**Because honestly, who isn't a slut in their own little fantasies?***

***I mean really, just think of the last thing you thought of while jacking it.****

****people can't even bend like that, dude. Come on.
Title: Re: Risqué Art in *my* QC? How much is too much?
Post by: bunnyThor on 01 Aug 2008, 09:04
Honestly, I don't think "risque" is the right term here - it's not like the fact she's topless is being fetishized, which is what "risque" means to me.

risqué
Suggestive of sexual impropriety; bordering on the indelicate.

You may want to update your mental definition.  8-)

Title: Re: Risqué Art in *my* QC? How much is too much?
Post by: Switchblade on 01 Aug 2008, 10:37
risqué
Suggestive of sexual impropriety; bordering on the indelicate.

You may want to update your mental definition.  8-)

Quote
Impropriety:
# an improper demeanor
# the condition of being improper
# indecency: an indecent or improper act
# familiarity: an act of undue intimacy

I honestly don't think any of those apply here. I've seen nothing "improper" about these last two strips. The subject's being handled with considerable delicacy in fact - more than I personally think is necessary.

Hence, I don't think the term "risqué" is entirely accurate.
Title: Re: Risqué Art in *my* QC? How much is too much?
Post by: monkeybiz on 01 Aug 2008, 16:04
Quote
Women sometimes sunbathe topless in America too...just not where anyone might accidentally see them doing it.

You mean like my roof?

This whole argument is a microcosm of American culture. Some people think the human form can be appreciated and enjoyed, and others feel it's shameful and should be covered up.

The NSFW tag is designed to indicate content that is Not Safe For Work. Outright nudity, graphic depictions of sex, etc., none of which Jeph illustrated here. All we see is foreplay and afterglow.

I really don't get what the big deal is.
Title: Re: Risqué Art in *my* QC? How much is too much?
Post by: avra on 01 Aug 2008, 17:43
I have no problem with it.  As long as I can for the most part look at qc on my school laptop without worrying about getting in trouble, I don't mind some nudity.  Just as long as it serves a purpose.
Title: Re: Risqué Art in *my* QC? How much is too much?
Post by: RevxlvingDxxr on 01 Aug 2008, 19:31
I guess if "moar hits" is a purpose, then, yes, the recent comics definitely seem to serve a purpose.

I miss the old QC. It had these lovable, fumbling, truly enjoyable characters. I have NO idea where those characters went. :\
Title: Re: Risqué Art in *my* QC? How much is too much?
Post by: WriterofAllWrongs on 01 Aug 2008, 20:34
"I'm more an early QC fan, you know, before they started showing natural, regular parts of human life instead of telling a joke about Steven Malkmus every other comic.  They totally sold out."
Title: Re: Risqué Art in *my* QC? How much is too much?
Post by: RevxlvingDxxr on 01 Aug 2008, 22:45
My mistake. I have seen the error of my ways. Every work of fiction should display more "natural, regular parts of human life." You know what else would be great? If there were some Calvin and Hobbes strips where Calvin has grown up to become a somewhat "slow" trucker, and Hobbes is a stuffed animal in every panel. Great character growth, there.

Snark aside -- what I'm trying to say is that every work of fiction, from web comics to novels, is driven primarily by characters. QCs characters have changed so much that they're essentially unrecognizable. Yes, great, they're much more three-dimensional now, they're overcoming their crippling anxieties and having adult relationships. But you know what? There's plenty of that present in every-day life, so I can hardly consider it entertainment. QCs old punchlines entertained not because they were comedy gold, but because they seemed like something those awkward characters might have said and laughed at. The comic is definitely very different now...

I guess those of us who don't get to see the boobies too often in real life might be digging it, though.
Title: Re: Risqué Art in *my* QC? How much is too much?
Post by: StMonkey on 02 Aug 2008, 00:03
Hey, I see my fair share of boobies and I still think these strips are rather entertaining. But at least as far as the strip changing goes, I don't think the strip has changed all that much, just that the relationships between the characters has grown. When the strip starts, Marten knows Pintsize and Steve, and just meets Faye. Faye already knew Dora and Dora kinda knew Raven, and evereyone acted like they were acquaintances, which they were. I know when I meet people, the beginning of the friendship is kinda awkward but relaxed and humoured. As we watch the characters grow closer, like in real life, more serious talk can be spoken rather than indie cred comparison and fart jokes. I think if we had caught onto Martens life a year earlier, it would have stayed the way it started. Instead the comic starts with a twist of fate for two people and their circle of friends.

But hey, ya know, boobs.
Title: Re: Risqué Art in *my* QC? How much is too much?
Post by: bunnyThor on 02 Aug 2008, 00:22
All I can say for sure is that this is an awful lot of furor over boobs which we don't actually see a majority of.   :|

They'll be calling this the Partial Boob Uproar of '08.
Title: Re: Risqué Art in *my* QC? How much is too much?
Post by: WriterofAllWrongs on 02 Aug 2008, 01:27
Snark aside -- what I'm trying to say is that every work of fiction, from web comics to novels, is driven primarily by characters. QCs characters have changed so much that they're essentially unrecognizable. Yes, great, they're much more three-dimensional now, they're overcoming their crippling anxieties and having adult relationships. But you know what? There's plenty of that present in every-day life, so I can hardly consider it entertainment. QCs old punchlines entertained not because they were comedy gold, but because they seemed like something those awkward characters might have said and laughed at. The comic is definitely very different now...

Yeah, man.  I hear you.  I preferred when the characters were totally unrealistic and I couldn't relate to any of their crazy traumas and obscure references to now, where the jokes are more well-rounded and the art style is much less crude and the story is actually interesting to follow. 
Title: Re: Risqué Art in *my* QC? How much is too much?
Post by: Rocketman on 02 Aug 2008, 07:25
If you didn't get the obscure jokes in early QC, you will think recent QC is better. If you got the obscure jokes before, you will think it used to be better.

I didn't get the jokes and I still like older QC a bit better. Too many of the characters piss me off now.
Title: Re: Risqué Art in *my* QC? How much is too much?
Post by: RevxlvingDxxr on 02 Aug 2008, 08:17
@ Writer: I'm sorry, I don't get it.

It's the SAME story that is employed by any halfway popular TV drama. Here are some people, they spend a great deal of time trying to relate to each other sexually. Someone's in love, someone's just hooking up, someone is maybe in love with the wrong person, someone maybe wishes they were in love. I mean, we could dress QC characters up in some scrubs and hospital gowns and call it Grey's Anatomy. I don't care how many boobies there are or aren't. I do care that when you click the "cast" link, about half of the character descriptions are completely inaccurate now -- because character concepts have been abandoned in favor of the homogeneous mess that QC has become.

What's there to like when you can turn your TV to almost any channel and see the same exact "plot twists?"
Title: Re: Risqué Art in *my* QC? How much is too much?
Post by: mehmeh on 02 Aug 2008, 08:56
If you didn't get the obscure jokes in early QC, you will think recent QC is better. If you got the obscure jokes before, you will think it used to be better.

I did get the obscure jokes in early QC, and thought they were funny, but I thought that both of the punchlines of the last two comics were amusing as well (I particularly thought the id joke was clever). I guess that I connected indie humour with smart, witty humour, not necessarily only obscure bands.

My first comic was 183, I think. There was a Douglas Adams joke, an Insane Clown Posse joke, and a ninja joke all in one strip. Pretty glorious, really.  But the next few comics were about Faye leaning in, looking like she was going to kiss Marten, and instead passing out, head butting his boyparts, and vomiting. Pretty much relationship-oriented with no real indie-rock humour again until 233 (There were two mentions of the word "emo" and a week of guest comics in there, but I'm not count either).

So, 2 jokes that the average mainstream non-indie rock fan wouldn't get in 50 episodes. I flipped through the last 40 comics, and I'd say we could find the same or perhaps more (again ignoring the week of guest comic strips). For instance, "Army of Me" ep 1183 might count, "Bang your Head" ep 1173 perhaps,  Merzbow in 1177,  definitely. Plus, all sorts of smart jokes about psychology, history, literature, etc. that many won't get but are really funny if you get the reference.

What's there to like when you can turn your TV to almost any channel and see the same exact "plot twists?"

And that's where I disagree with you. "Raccon pogrom," "an id is a terrible thing to waste," a greeting card based on a Quiet Riot song, all brilliant jokes that you aren't going to get on Grey's Anatomy or Friends. Yeah, relationships are a pretty natural part of life, so they appear in all forms of media, but QC has still maintained something special. Every week on the WCT there are people finding out new things because of Jeph's intelligent style of humour. It doesn't have to just be about indie bands to keep up the indie spirit.
Title: Re: Risqué Art in *my* QC? How much is too much?
Post by: RevxlvingDxxr on 02 Aug 2008, 09:21
@ mehmeh:

Holy crap! Did you just... respectfully disagree? Have I fallen into some sort of alternate interwebs, where people aren't uniformly terrible?

Point well made and all. I suppose I'm just worried that this is the beginning of a disturbing trend: more boobies and less cleverness. And, once again, I do think I liked the characters more when they were less "realistic." I mean, Faye was almost some kind of emotionally disturbed superhero, dominating most of the conversations she was in with her wonderfully cynical sense of humor...

Granted, she seems to have developed healing powers instead, as evidenced by her chest.
Title: Re: Risqué Art in *my* QC? How much is too much?
Post by: Border Reiver on 02 Aug 2008, 09:50
Nah, you're on the right internet.

Generally this site is reasonably polite and well mannered, much like the other forum I usually visit.  To be honest, if it was all really catty I'd probably leave, or just not get involved.

On topic, I don't think that we've seen anything risque on this site yet.  Blankets, hands, bras, or underwear have covered the naughty bits, and to be frank that's OK with me.  I don't need to see the "nudity" for titilation purposes in a comic.  I have my imagination if I really need to see that.
Title: Re: Risqué Art in *my* QC? How much is too much?
Post by: bunnyThor on 02 Aug 2008, 11:40
On topic, I don't think that we've seen anything risque on this site yet.  Blankets, hands, bras, or underwear have covered the naughty bits, and to be frank that's OK with me.  I don't need to see the "nudity" for titilation purposes in a comic.  I have my imagination if I really need to see that.

For some of us, the goal is not titillation, but verisimilitude.

It's as if Marten got shot in the leg while the gang was walking home from the bar, and we never see any blood. In fact we never see the wound at all, because it's conveniently hidden behind mailboxes, trees, interposing characters, and dialog balloons.

Then the next strip, we cut to the emergency room, where Marten is all stabilized, bandaged, and being released, and everyone says "Wow, that was something else!"

(And then of course, since this is QC, it gets talked about for the next 30 strips, with everyone trying to discern the meaning of it all and/or blaming other people for their own behavior during the crisis, intercut with a few strips featuring antics by Hanners, Pintsize, and Winslow.)

-----

The whole point is purely theoretical because Jeph has said on multiple occasions that he not drawing any of the "naughty bits" ever, but it's always fun to trot it out and have a good discussion on the subject.  8-)
Title: Re: Risqué Art in *my* QC? How much is too much?
Post by: Econoline on 02 Aug 2008, 12:20
On topic, I don't think that we've seen anything risque on this site yet.  Blankets, hands, bras, or underwear have covered the naughty bits, and to be frank that's OK with me.  I don't need to see the "nudity" for titilation purposes in a comic.  I have my imagination if I really need to see that.

You forgot the beer bottles (http://www.questionablecontent.net/view.php?comic=519).

Actually, that one was a pretty funny way of hiding things...and hiding Faye's nipples with Sven's hands was, arguably, a clever compromise between nudity and prudery. But the whole "covering-people-with-blankets-during-&-after-sex" cliché strikes me as stupid--or at least silly--and gets very old very fast. (In those instances Jeph might as well have drawn black "CENSORED" bars covering the naughty bits.)
Title: Re: Risqué Art in *my* QC? How much is too much?
Post by: dr. amy legit esq. on 03 Aug 2008, 01:31
in America views on sexuality are really polarized, either you adore it or you detest it*

*By which I mean depictions of sexuality as well as views on what is acceptable within sexuality**

**Because honestly, who isn't a slut in their own little fantasies?***

***I mean really, just think of the last thing you thought of while jacking it.****

****people can't even bend like that, dude. Come on.

See, that's why I love this most recent page--we're all sluts, deep down, and we know it...;P
Title: Re: Risqué Art in *my* QC? How much is too much?
Post by: MC on 03 Aug 2008, 08:54
I read the comic to read a story. i don't read the comic to watch cartoon porn. And I might be a little weird but if people are turned on by naked cartoon characters than I say that's pretty sick. Frankly I'm pissed that QC is getting a little bit explicit.
Title: Re: Risqué Art in *my* QC? How much is too much?
Post by: Border Reiver on 03 Aug 2008, 10:17
So I probably shouldn't mention that as an eight year old, I cheered for the hunter.  I like venison.
Title: Re: Risqué Art in *my* QC? How much is too much?
Post by: Border Reiver on 03 Aug 2008, 13:55
Just following A Modest Proposal.
Title: Re: Risqué Art in *my* QC? How much is too much?
Post by: Rygar on 04 Aug 2008, 00:56
@anyways:  Veal is great.


I support nudity for story support.  Superfluous nudity would come off as contrived.

New Orleans, USA
Title: Re: Risqué Art in *my* QC? How much is too much?
Post by: Switchblade on 04 Aug 2008, 09:13
All I can say for sure is that this is an awful lot of furor over boobs which we don't actually see a majority of.   :|

They'll be calling this the Partial Boob Uproar of '08.

Will there be T-shirts? maybe a commemorative tote bag?

Title: Re: Risqué Art in *my* QC? How much is too much?
Post by: bunnyThor on 04 Aug 2008, 19:42
All I can say for sure is that this is an awful lot of furor over boobs which we don't actually see a majority of.   :|

They'll be calling this the Partial Boob Uproar of '08.

Will there be T-shirts? maybe a commemorative tote bag?

There will be t-shirts, but if you ever take the t-shirt off, you will need someone behind you to cover your nipples with their hands.
Title: Re: Risqué Art in *my* QC? How much is too much?
Post by: Is it cold in here? on 04 Aug 2008, 21:55
Here's a bizarre, fucked-up reason for agreeing with the way Jeph has chosen to do things.

If we play the game of thinking of the characters as if they were real people, how would we treat them? Well, we probably wouldn't stare at them in the locker room.

Artfully concealing the R-rated bits is a way of preserving the dignity of non-existent people. And heaven knows their dignity is already compromised enough! Getting stuck in air shafts, flipping out on someone's lawyer, making a suicide joke to Faye ... these fictional people need every little bit of respect we can spare.
Title: Re: Risqué Art in *my* QC? How much is too much?
Post by: eronsynth on 07 Aug 2008, 14:08
Firstly: It's Jeph's comic, and as someone who runs a creative business as well I'm going to say about mine - if you want to start and manage something, build it from scratch and be the one making it grow and develop, THEN you can start making the Big Boy Decisions. Until then, shut your yap. And since I take that stance with my business, I'm going to avoid telling Jeph what he should and shouldn't do.

Personally, I'm not offended in the slightest by nudity. I don't think it has a place unless it's supported by the story. If his strip turned into the guest panel a few weeks back that was all about the boobies I personally probably wouldn't continue reading the strip BUT I'd still not be criticizing him or his right to draw whatever the hell he damn well pleases.

There's some comments that characters are "unrecognizable" from their original personas. From a literal standpoint that's semi-true (Jeph's artisitic ability has matured quite a bit and the characters now look MUCH different from the originals), and from the intended meaning of that statement I'd say it's very true.

Like real people, the characters in the strip have changed over time as a result of their experiences. At the strip's beginning, most of the characters barely knew each other and we've been seeing them get to know each other better. Some regulars have been pushed to the back burner, and some less-used characters have become prominent (most notably hanners) - Just like how things frequently happen in real life.

Just because simpsons, family guy and south park don't ever change (seriously, how long are those kids gonna be fourth graders?!?!?) doesn't mean that the QC characters shouldn't. I think I'd actually be more annoyed if they stayed static and you could tune out for a month at a time, come back and have them making the same indie band joke they made as you were leaving. Jeph's story evolves as its told and for the most part, that's a Good Thing. I *KINDA* wish the "cast" page got updated slightly more often just to keep it semi-current - but does it really matter? I visit to read the comic - the cast page just helps people adapt to it quicker.

Getting back to topic: So far, I can't understand why anyone would be offended at the amount of skin shown. Aside from the possibly offensive concept of sven's hands being the thing that's covering them up, there's no more skin shown than what's common on normally, socially acceptable TV - even in the comparatively puritan USA. As far as the sexual nature of things, it's still within PG-13 bounds (and possibly pg even) - and the name *IS* Questionable Content. Ultimately, if you don't like it, don't read it - that would make Jeph either change the style OR decide that he wants to continue doing it his way with a smaller reader base, but I have a feeling that it wouldn't shrink THAT much anyways... I for one am not going to stop reading it unless it just devolves into SexFest 2008 OR if the storylines get too boring and I'm just not interested anymore. And even if that happened and there was a mass exodus, there's a good chance other people who aren't interested in the current format would like the new one and it'd balance out anyways.

In short: Jeph can do what he wants. If you don't like it, find another comic that suits you... there's hundreds of them out there...
Title: Re: Risqué Art in *my* QC? How much is too much?
Post by: Rocketman on 07 Aug 2008, 18:49
BEEG AMERICAN TEE TEES
Title: Re: Risqué Art in *my* QC? How much is too much?
Post by: Switchblade on 08 Aug 2008, 03:01
No, Roman.. no. I have to go...  Roman, we went to the club last night.... Fine, we'll go look at some tee tees...
Title: Re: Risqué Art in *my* QC? How much is too much?
Post by: bunnyThor on 09 Aug 2008, 23:59
Firstly: It's Jeph's comic, and as someone who runs a creative business as well I'm going to say about mine - if you want to start and manage something, build it from scratch and be the one making it grow and develop, THEN you can start making the Big Boy Decisions. Until then, shut your yap. And since I take that stance with my business, I'm going to avoid telling Jeph what he should and shouldn't do.

[...]

In short: Jeph can do what he wants. If you don't like it, find another comic that suits you... there's hundreds of them out there...

Why does someone always trot this out and show it off like it's a brand new pony?

We know that we are not telling, and should not be telling, Jeph what to do. Really. We do.

What we are doing is discussing what our preferences would be for our own idealized QC. It's no different than any other daydreaming, like "If I won the lottery..." or "If I could have any superpower..." or anything along those lines. The only difference is that in this forum, daydreaming about QC is both sanctioned and on-topic.

We are having a QC discussion in a QC discussion forum. We are well within the Terms of Service. Unless you are a mod, stop telling us not to discuss it.
Title: Re: Risqué Art in *my* QC? How much is too much?
Post by: Man-Eating Eggplant on 10 Aug 2008, 00:29
Can I tell you not to discuss purple-coloured sticky notepads?
Title: Re: Risqué Art in *my* QC? How much is too much?
Post by: himynameisjulien on 11 Aug 2008, 23:35
To quote 18-year-old pro skateboarder whose name I forget, "titties are tight".
Title: Re: Risqué Art in *my* QC? How much is too much?
Post by: Nodaisho on 11 Aug 2008, 23:51
I was somewhat surprised when I saw the comic in question, just because it seems further than Jeph has gone before. There were beer bottles blocking them in the past, which cover even less, but that isn't someone touching them.

Oh, and I found something entertaining. Check the comment on the comic here: http://questionablecontent.net/view.php?comic=108

I would say it has gotten more risque. Not that Jeph can't change his mind, but it is just interesting to look back at what someone said years ago and see how much of it came true.
Title: Re: Risqué Art in *my* QC? How much is too much?
Post by: mustang6172 on 11 Aug 2008, 23:59
I'm content to keep reading no matter how much or how little nudity Jeph uses.  It's just the waiting that I can't stand.  If he would just come out and say, "this is where I will set the limit," that would be great.
Title: Re: Risqué Art in *my* QC? How much is too much?
Post by: ifoundmystar on 12 Aug 2008, 06:11
Here's a bizarre, fucked-up reason for agreeing with the way Jeph has chosen to do things.

If we play the game of thinking of the characters as if they were real people, how would we treat them? Well, we probably wouldn't stare at them in the locker room.

Artfully concealing the R-rated bits is a way of preserving the dignity of non-existent people. And heaven knows their dignity is already compromised enough! Getting stuck in air shafts, flipping out on someone's lawyer, making a suicide joke to Faye ... these fictional people need every little bit of respect we can spare.

I agree wholeheartedly. I like the covering up, because I feel like I can relate these characters to other people in my life. Like my brother. And if I ever had to see his wang, I'd vomit. And choke on said vomit. And maybe die. So, if nudity MUST be present, fine, I understand. But so far so good.
Title: Re: Risqué Art in *my* QC? How much is too much?
Post by: bunnyThor on 13 Aug 2008, 20:29
Here's a bizarre, fucked-up reason for agreeing with the way Jeph has chosen to do things.

If we play the game of thinking of the characters as if they were real people, how would we treat them? Well, we probably wouldn't stare at them in the locker room.

If they were real people, we probably wouldn't follow them around every day and watch their every interaction.

But they aren't, and we do, so your reasoning is highly suspect at best.  :|
Title: Re: Risqué Art in *my* QC? How much is too much?
Post by: Vendetagainst on 13 Aug 2008, 20:46
If they were real people, we probably wouldn't follow them around every day and watch their every interaction.

Obviously we have two very different ideas about what constitutes a healthy social life.
Title: Re: Risqué Art in *my* QC? How much is too much?
Post by: Sylens21 on 13 Aug 2008, 21:06
I agree with the hot chick.