It's astounding
Time is fleeting
Madness takes control.
Madness takes control.I do?
Madness takes control.I do?
Madness takes control.I do?
The guy was at least decent enough to let him take off his snazzy new glasses—as both the frames and lens appear in tact when he calls Claire.
So, the glasses may be an improvement, the hair will grow back, and Clinton probably has plenty of Emergency Bowties waiting back at the dorm, but that tattoo of his is going to be much harder to get rid of, and I'm still of the opinion that, regardless of the fuck-it high he's on now, he's going to regret it later. Hell, the look on his face (http://www.questionablecontent.net/view.php?comic=2935) as he was getting it made it clear that he was already full of regret. It might be a cool design, but it definitely doesn't reflect Clinton's attitude about his prosthetic hand, and I worry that we're going to end the night with Clinton going "well, my new girlfriend is impressed with it, so everything's cool!"
His reaction when Claire called him seems to indicate that he's definitely not pleased about the events of the date, but there's always the possibility that it's a fake-out, and one smooch on the cheek from Emily will magically make everything better. Please, no. Clinton has clearly been embarrassed and humiliated (largely by his own doing), and that needs to be acknowledged as valid, not swept under the rug and treated as a bunch of comic mishaps. Otherwise, he'll never be anything more than the resident butt monkey (http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/ButtMonkey). (Warning: TV Tropes link)
I'm still hoping that the end result is that someone starts in with the "I'm sorry your date was a disaster" line, and he replies with "Are you Kidding me?! That's the most fun i've had in my entire life!" You'll note that once he started to just say "Fuck it" to everything he seems to actually be having a good time. You don't see him have nearly so much fun at the lake house party.
I've never experienced the traumatic loss of a hand, but if I did, and if I was able to replace it with a prosthetic hand on the technological level of the QC-verse, then I might actually consider poking mild fun at myself and my condition with a somewhat-lighthearted tattoo showing off that I was a "cyborg." Maybe. Obviously I can't really know for sure, but I can guess. But Clinton isn't as casually easygoing as I imagine myself to be. Sure, he's not ashamed of his injury, and he's definitely not shy about displaying his cybernetic replacement, but one thing Clinton is definitely NOT, is casually-lighthearted about it. He's proud of his hand and somewhat confrontational about it (as demonstrated by his refusal to wear a flesh covering), but a jokey tattoo completely destroys that image. He is going to regret this for a long, long time.
I'm still hoping that the end result is that someone starts in with the "I'm sorry your date was a disaster" line, and he replies with "Are you Kidding me?! That's the most fun i've had in my entire life!" You'll note that once he started to just say "Fuck it" to everything he seems to actually be having a good time. You don't see him have nearly so much fun at the lake house party.
For some reason, I think Clinton won't get a black eye from the big guy but somewhere else...but if he does? The guy was at least decent enough to let him take off his snazzy new glasses—as both the frames and lens appear in tact when he calls Claire.
You keep bringing up Emily "climbing the flagpole." Is that a sex thing? It sounds like a sex thing.
Well, I guess I'll be the first one to post it.He worked at the Secret Bakery. He's either moonlighting as a bouncer now, or he's quit at the Secret Bakery.
I have completely forgotten who Eliot is. :psyduck:
So does this explain the black eye? Because to me it looked like Big Guy punched Clinton in the nose.
Why did the robot hand switch sides?
I really enjoy Elliot's character! I hope he becomes a bit more regular!
Waitaminute...
...aren't Clinnnntonnn's hands mixed on frame 2? I'm trying to figure how his left hand is briefly his right hand.
Well, I guess I'll be the first one to post it.He worked at the Secret Bakery. He's either moonlighting as a bouncer now, or he's quit at the Secret Bakery.
I have completely forgotten who Eliot is. :psyduck:
Why do I think that Elliott's method of "educating" such a person would be making him sit down and listen to a lecture about proper behaviour until he *wished* to just get beaten-up?
He worked at the Secret Bakery. He's either moonlighting as a bouncer now, or he's quit at the Secret Bakery.I don't see why it has to be one or the other. He could easily still be working at the Secret Bakery and is just at that bar having a beer after work.
Any bets on Emily falling for Elliott, the Interpersonal Behavior Explainer?
http://questionablecontent.net/view.php?comic=1883
He's been moonlighting as a bouncer for a while, because that's before Padma moved away (or even Marten started dating her).
I don't see why it has to be one or the other. He could easily still be working at the Secret Bakery and is just at that bar having a beer after work.
Any bets on Emily falling for Elliott, the Interpersonal Behavior Explainer?
Well, I guess I'll be the first one to post it.He worked at the Secret Bakery. He's either moonlighting as a bouncer now, or he's quit at the Secret Bakery.
I have completely forgotten who Eliot is. :psyduck:
Elliot has been working as a bouncer at The Horrible Revelation for some time.
http://questionablecontent.net/view.php?comic=1883
Meh too slow
Re: tattoo, I'm hoping that he commits (even begrudgingly, but hopefully in a 'well that was weird, but cool, tattoo!' way), and goes for touch ups in a while, and they make it look really neat and he'll geek out and like it like it.
Waitaminute...
...aren't Clinnnntonnn's hands mixed on frame 2? I'm trying to figure how his left hand is briefly his right hand.
Waaaaait, his robot hand didn't switch sides.... The guy punched him so hard he grew 2 right hands!
Maybe add a power cord coming from his hand that is plugged into one of the sockets, that'd be cool(er than the simple line drawing that he has now)
Anyone hearing Elliott speak in James Earl Jones' voice at that moment
And that guy was actually going to punch Emily??!!!
I like that Emily admonishes bad behaviour from people like most would for a dog. The stain on Clinton's shirt being blood and beer caught me off-guard.
I'm really surprised they ran into an honest-to-goodness, big, overreacting, woman-punching bully. He seemed shitty enough when he punched someone half his size mid-apology, but trying to hit Emily makes him the most straightforward, reprehensible character I can remember seeing in QC. Seems like a guaranteed heel-face turn in the making, unless Clinton does something really abhorrent.
Elliot's so helpful, offering free interpersonal behavior lessons like that.
Please don't tell me that Emily leaves Clinton there, and wanders off with Elliot.
Elliot's always been good at looming.His code-name is "Weaver".
What the Australian in me says is that this sort of guy is far, far too common at about 11pm or so.Yeah... Or at lunchtime on a Friday...
Please don't tell me that Emily leaves Clinton there, and wanders off with Elliot.
I don't think that it's likely. It's more likely that Emily invites Elliot to join them and Clinton, feeling like a third wheel, storms off.
NOTE: I don't think that is particularly likely either.
Oh my, Elliott is a bit more broad-shouldered than I remember. Also, taller. Half a head taller than Punching Guy, who is half a head taller than Emily, who is also tall...it's a shame we don't have any of the regular characters in this strip, for height comparison. Still, Elliott's bigger than I remember him. Wouldn't've even recognized him if Jeph hadn't specifically identified him.
Emily could deal with some survival skills herself, though- BAD idea to hit a man that much bigger than you, especially when he's in a mood. I've seen girls make that mistake before, and generally speaking, someone else has to intervene FAST.
Well, I guess I'll be the first one to post it.He worked at the Secret Bakery. He's either moonlighting as a bouncer now, or he's quit at the Secret Bakery.
I have completely forgotten who Eliot is. :psyduck:
Well, it was established that the Horrible Revelation had a bouncer named Elliot, but until now it hadn't been explicitly confirmed it was the same person.
I think it's kind of nice that Clinton changed a lot of things about himself so far, but he hasn't once tried to change a thing about Emily.
The only thing left that needs to happen is for Clinton to get a black eye.
Wow- that's one douchebag of a dude. Who hits a guy just for THAT? Then raises his fist to a WOMAN?
Elliot is awesome. He's the chillest and best-adjusted character of the whole cast (with possible competition from Maurice).Why do I think that Elliott's method of "educating" such a person would be making him sit down and listen to a lecture about proper behaviour until he *wished* to just get beaten-up?Exactly what I was thinking. From anyone else that'd be a threat; Elliott probably meant it quite literally.
You mean "You ought to expect better of people. It encourages you to be a better person yourself." (http://www.questionablecontent.net/view.php?comic=2081) for example? It fits so well my current mental state and aspirations that I immediately thought of it when Elliot reappeared in today's comic. I think I'll put it in my sig.Elliot's so helpful, offering free interpersonal behavior lessons like that.
He and Momo could open a charm school.
He had some good advice for Marten once, come to think of it.
I don't think it's the Horrible Revelation. I mean it could be, we haven't seen a lot of the inside of the bar. It just seems that Punchy Bro wouldn't be the sort who would hang out there. I could see Clinton going, maybe. Elliott could have changed bars, or works part time in a couple of them. If it is indeed the same Elliott. And really, I could totally see him working at the Revelation... And defusing fights by giving people a stern talking to.
I can't imagine Emily doing that AT ALL. But she does have a tendency to surprise...
Huzzah for Elliott! :-DI wish this would happen too. But hope deferred maketh the heart sick . . .
(Hmmm....I wonder if this is sneaky foreshadowing for Padma making a brief return appearance,
hope deferred maketh the heart sick . . .
Elliot's always been good at looming.
By the way, I'm still shipping Elliot and Lt. Potter.
Wow- that's one douchebag of a dude. Who hits a guy just for THAT? Then raises his fist to a WOMAN?
Okay, let's be real, Clinton is much smaller and weaker than Emily.
Huzzah for Elliott! :-DI wish this would happen too. But hope deferred maketh the heart sick . . .
(Hmmm....I wonder if this is sneaky foreshadowing for Padma making a brief return appearance,
I don't think it's the Horrible Revelation. I mean it could be, we haven't seen a lot of the inside of the bar.We have enough interior shots of the Horrible Revelation to establish they aren't there, unless they demolished the next door building to put in a window and did some redecorating:
Wow- that's one douchebag of a dude. Who hits a guy just for THAT? Then raises his fist to a WOMAN?
Okay, let's be real, Clinton is much smaller and weaker than Emily.
I dunno metal hands could make getting hit worse than it might otherwise be. I mean he has built in metal knuckles
Ell-iott is almost as fun to pronounce weird as Clin-tonn is
Plus I *think* he's the only character taller than Emily. I think his height is defined as "tall enough to loom awkwardly over any other characters in the frame"
Elliott and Ira Gamagori should hang out.
Wow, an actual conversation between Clinton and Emily instead of a Shame Montage. Although the jury's still out on that black eye and the boots, so don't get too complacent.
(Also, friendly reminder that he's going to regret that tattoo. But I suspect I'm the only one here who thinks so...)
Hey, he's feeling well enough to joke about it. That's a good sign. Or a sign that he's drunk as hell. And he doesn't appear to be particularly drunk.Well, remember that he blew up his hand with fireworks. Pain is relative.
Not so sure Tycho Brahe would be so much into that whole scene. I mean, if they made them in silver, then totally.
If he stays as relaxed as he is in this frame, I think the night isn't going to end up that badly (or at least will end up turning out better than he thinks given all that's gone down). I could see him being glum and dejected and being completely surprised when Emily asks if/when they're going out again.
After seeing the last week + of the date I'm kinda thinking that after Clinton sends Claire a pic he will say he had the most awesome night ever. Or something to that effect. Because it seems to me the more of the "awful" things that happen to him the more he seems to be able to loosen up and actually enjoy the date.
Not so sure Tycho Brahe would be so much into that whole scene. I mean, if they made them in silver, then totally.
Silver? How tacky. I believe you're looking for *gold*.
Still no title on the last strip.
In the archive list the title is "Clinton's Bizarre Adventure" (http://questionablecontent.net/archive.php)
And he has two Cyborg Hands by that stage?
But but but the tattooooooooo.
He's going to haaaaaate iiiiiiiiit.
*huff*
Fine, I'll let myself out.
Hah- well possibly, though Emily's still skinny as a beanpole, and would blow over in a stiff breeze- she's the exact same width Clinton is in the most-recent strip. Neither of them is built for fighting- also she's practically sticking her chin out and asking to be hit in that last panel- not the proper stance of a fighter. If the guy actually followed through with his punch, she'd be in trouble (especially if he doesn't stop at the one).Wow- that's one douchebag of a dude. Who hits a guy just for THAT? Then raises his fist to a WOMAN?
Okay, let's be real, Clinton is much smaller and weaker than Emily.
I don't think it's the Horrible Revelation. I mean it could be, we haven't seen a lot of the inside of the bar. It just seems that Punchy Bro wouldn't be the sort who would hang out there. I could see Clinton going, maybe. Elliott could have changed bars, or works part time in a couple of them. If it is indeed the same Elliott. And really, I could totally see him working at the Revelation... And defusing fights by giving people a stern talking to.
We have enough interior shots of the Horrible Revelation to establish they aren't there, unless they demolished the next door building to put in a window and did some redecorating:
http://www.questionablecontent.net/view.php?comic=1650 (http://www.questionablecontent.net/view.php?comic=1650)
http://www.questionablecontent.net/view.php?comic=1464 (http://www.questionablecontent.net/view.php?comic=1464)
Though it does have a pool table that comes and goes:
http://www.questionablecontent.net/view.php?comic=1429 (http://www.questionablecontent.net/view.php?comic=1429)
I wonder if the Date Bar could be the other end of the bar from http://www.questionablecontent.net/view.php?comic=1182 (http://www.questionablecontent.net/view.php?comic=1182), which is a closer match, except for the ceiling. Either way I think Elliot is off duty and he's bouncing pro bono to help out Clinton, who is clearly of Elliot's tribe in the romance department and flailing in every sense of the term.
Fake Edit: Not sure if this phenomenon exists in NoHo, but in my college town if students wander into a townie bar they could pretty easily get a swat or thrown out for a fairly minor bar foul.
I dunno, it still feels out of character for Clinton and contrary to how he views his prosthetic. He takes great pride in having a cybernetic limb, and a power outlet tattoo seems much too jokey/irreverent, and I hate to think that one date with a pretty girl is going to change that about him.I actually see him as likely to go in for a "touch-up" at a later date and modifying it such that he comes back out of the tattoo parlor with a proud mechanical-themed sleeve, with the outlet edited to the extent that it's no longer recognizable as such, but rather is split into being one mechanical component here, another mechanical component there.
Still, there's been so much back-and-forth between ordinary date stuff and Big Mistakes that I'm getting whiplash, and despite the last panel of #2931 it's hard to tell just how this date is going to end, or how Clinton will feel about it when it does. I just feel like erasing all of Clinton's mistakes with one peck on the cheek will completely cheapen the experience. But maybe I'm being too cynical about all this.
(And I'm going to stomp my little feet until someone agrees with me on this.)
You've got to love a comic that throws in a Tyco Brahe reference. I'm sure Clinton knows all about him. :claireface:Well if we're going to go for historical references to prosthetic noses, we may as well have jokes almost as old.
After seeing the last week + of the date I'm kinda thinking that after Clinton sends Claire a pic he will say he had the most awesome night ever. Or something to that effect. Because it seems to me the more of the "awful" things that happen to him the more he seems to be able to loosen up and actually enjoy the date.
How did the date go? Admittedly, Clinton looked rather disappointed, but that may be due to misinterpreting Emily's strange ways. Emily's idea of a goodbye is a quick smooch, and then running away.Or perhaps after all that's happened, Emily decides she doesn't want a second date, because Clinton is too weird. :psyduck:
That aside, I'm calling it now that this arc will continue into next week in order to explain the boots and black eye. I'm thinking we'll see the rest of Claire's call to Clinton on Wednesday next week.
Emily is fascinated with robotics and AI in general, which bodes well for a potential relationship with Clinton. However, there are still a few things from last week's revelation that need explaining:I think there is still hope, but we need to be patient a few days more.
- The black eye
- Clinton's boots
- Where is Emily?
- How did the date go? Admittedly, Clinton looked rather disappointed, but that may be due to misinterpreting Emily's strange ways. Emily's idea of a goodbye is a quick smooch, and then running away.
The boots are definitely different, though.
WRT the pants and boots, why would you change those but keep the stained shirt? I'm voting for rolling up the hems of the same pants, boots were always there.
If there's no other brawling to be done, why are the suspenders off the shoulders in the cell phone pic? Also, why did Clinton remove the bandage from his new tattoo?
Well. now, hold the phone. A series of tweets from Jeph on Tuesday, just before noon Eastern time, seem to indicate that he may have simply forgotten to give Clinton a black eye after the bar incident.
Okay, back in the TARDIS, we're gonna set things right.
I'll take the DeLorean.
I'll take the DeLorean.
I'd challenge you to a race, but I'm not sure Bessie can do 88 MPH...
I'll take the DeLorean.
I'd challenge you to a race, but I'm not sure Bessie can do 88 MPH...
It occurs to me that 'Miles per hour' is a pretty useless term when you're talking about straight up changing the shape of an hour...
since the Delorean, Phone Booth, and Blue Police Box have been taken, I'll have to settle for getting smacked upside the head with a crowbar by some guy nicknamed "Hercules"... Hope I land in the right era, Merlin is a dick.
I'll take a vortex manipulator.
I knew it. A kiss on the cheek, and The Power Of Love wins the day and cancels out anything bad that happened.
Goddamnit, it's a Steven Moffat ending.
Who says it's over yet? Clin-ton may have second thoughts once away from the pretty girl in the sundress so that Fuck It Mode ends.
I'll take the DeLorean.
I'd challenge you to a race, but I'm not sure Bessie can do 88 MPH...
It occurs to me that 'Miles per hour' is a pretty useless term when you're talking about straight up changing the shape of an hour...
Has more to do with velocity...
And since the Delorean, Phone Booth, and Blue Police Box have been taken, I'll have to settle for getting smacked upside the head with a crowbar by some guy nicknamed "Hercules"... Hope I land in the right era, Merlin is a dick.
you could have used the hot tub instead of the tattoo.
Pimpmobile!you could have used the hot tub instead of the tattoo.
Why you... bite my shiny metal... daffodil.
What was so bad that happened to Clinton?
[...]
Plus, in his dorm he just went from being the weird guy with the artificial hand to the cool guy with the tattoo and artificial hand.
it's not dark yet.
It's dark. (http://www.questionablecontent.net/view.php?comic=2938)
it's not dark yet.
It's dark. (http://www.questionablecontent.net/view.php?comic=2938)
it's not dark yet.
It's dark. (http://www.questionablecontent.net/view.php?comic=2938)
But Clinton himself isn't in shadow. In the cellphone frame here (http://www.questionablecontent.net/view.php?comic=2931), he's shaded darker, not shown in his normal day-glo flesh tones. I think there's something still going to happen.
It's dark. (http://www.questionablecontent.net/view.php?comic=2938)
You are standing in an open field west of a white house, with a boarded front door. There is a small mailbox here.It's dark. (http://www.questionablecontent.net/view.php?comic=2938)
You are likely to be eaten by a grue.
If it's all the same to you guys, I'll take my time tunnel and meet you there. I might stop by the nudists on North Pine Island Road first, for some cookies and a quick hand of cards, though.since the Delorean, Phone Booth, and Blue Police Box have been taken, I'll have to settle for getting smacked upside the head with a crowbar by some guy nicknamed "Hercules"... Hope I land in the right era, Merlin is a dick.
Lol and I'm over here like
(http://i843.photobucket.com/albums/zz352/loaloauk/dlp%20encounter/New%20album%2045/rod-taylor-time-machine.jpeg~original) (http://s843.photobucket.com/user/loaloauk/media/dlp%20encounter/New%20album%2045/rod-taylor-time-machine.jpeg.html)
Additionally, there was something about Clinton's dishevelled state when Claire called that makes me think that he has one remaining misadventure awaiting him.
Incoming fabulous Clinton poses!?Fabulous Clinton poses.
If it's all the same to you guys, I'll take my time tunnel and meet you there. I might stop by the nudists on North Pine Island Road first, for some cookies and a quick hand of cards, though.since the Delorean, Phone Booth, and Blue Police Box have been taken, I'll have to settle for getting smacked upside the head with a crowbar by some guy nicknamed "Hercules"... Hope I land in the right era, Merlin is a dick.
Lol and I'm over here like
(http://i843.photobucket.com/albums/zz352/loaloauk/dlp%20encounter/New%20album%2045/rod-taylor-time-machine.jpeg~original) (http://s843.photobucket.com/user/loaloauk/media/dlp%20encounter/New%20album%2045/rod-taylor-time-machine.jpeg.html)
(https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8710/16531851164_12da72709d_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/rbS4oC)
Everyone keeps forgetting this comic (http://www.questionablecontent.net/view.php?comic=2935). Despite the Fuckitall-induced 180 he pulled afterward, he's clearly not happy with his decision, and in a few minutes he's going to come crashing down from his high and realize he made a giant mistake. I know it's nice to think that Clinton will be happy he did a bunch of cool things and impressed a girl, but for him to make it through the entire evening regret-free just feels completely cheap and unrealistic. Whoo-hoo, Clinton leveled up! No. Doesn't work like that, and I think I would lose a bit of respect for Jeph if he went that route and didn't give Clinton a chance to acknowledge his mistakes, actually feel some regret and/or embarrassment, face the insecurities that caused him to be "so spontaneous" around Emily, and maybe, just maybe, grow as a character.
If it's all the same to you guys, I'll take my time tunnel and meet you there. I might stop by the nudists on North Pine Island Road first, for some cookies and a quick hand of cards, though.
(https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8710/16531851164_12da72709d_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/rbS4oC)
Clinton's tattoo is not unique, btw:"What do you mean I'm not unique?"
(https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/236x/d9/61/46/d96146e4828fb6f0051cf50200194414.jpg)
EMILY: "Good monring Clinnn-tonnn!" ((Smooch))YES! Please, let it happen! (Which is why it is not going to happen.)
CLAIRE: "Why did you just kiss my brother?"
EMILY: "Shouldn't I kiss my boyfriend?"
The boots are definitely different, though.
Are they? He didn't just roll up his hems?
I really don't get what's happening in the last frame at all.
I'm guessing Clinton's evening isn't over yet. Pants need to be rolled up, bandage needs to come off, and it's not dark yet. Still, so far, it's gone much better than I expected. Turns out Emily's good for Clinton (as in, being around her has made him a better person). Woo hoo.
Will they become a thing? Will she end up loving him the way he is? (http://questionablecontent.net/view.php?comic=2858) (Apparently not, but she may end up loving him after adjustments.)
I really don't get what's happening in the last frame at all.
Jeph's been watching anime.
Fabulous anime.(click to show/hide)
Y'know, thinking about it, I'm wondering if Emily consciously exaggerates her cluelessness? space-cadet status? on purpose. Like, she's purposefully strange.
Not likely, but it's a thought that just occurred to me considering her 'lucid' and coherent conversation with Clinton towards the end.
Sounds like communist talk there Claire.
Maybe not that unlikely, though. I mean, I'm sure she's at least a bit odd. But I've noticed that some people in my own life amp up their oddity as a defense or coping mechanism (I've known people who've found social interaction easier when they played a version of themselves, but would be much different around people they trusted and were comfortable with). It's possible that in Clinton, Emily recognizes a kindred spirit; after all, their interactions toward the latter half of the date are a lot different -- and read as being a bit more real/honest -- than the earlier part of it.That makes total sense. If Emily was a bit weird to begin with, and then got stereotyped and mocked as "the weird girl," she may have decided to go ahead and play the role of weird girl to the extreme because it's safer than just being a little bit weird. When someone is a little bit weird and not totally comfortable with it, mean people will snigger and tell them they're being weird. When you're blatantly, wildly weird, mean people are less likely to bother with that because you don't gain any power over someone by stating something that (a) is totally obvious and (b) doesn't seem to worry them in the slightest.
Not sure if that makes sense to anyone but me, but there ya go.
That totally makes sense. Especially from Clinton's side, he needed to break the ice before he could start being himself.Y'know, thinking about it, I'm wondering if Emily consciously exaggerates her cluelessness? space-cadet status? on purpose. Like, she's purposefully strange.
Not likely, but it's a thought that just occurred to me considering her 'lucid' and coherent conversation with Clinton towards the end.
Maybe not that unlikely, though. I mean, I'm sure she's at least a bit odd. But I've noticed that some people in my own life amp up their oddity as a defense or coping mechanism (I've known people who've found social interaction easier when they played a version of themselves, but would be much different around people they trusted and were comfortable with). It's possible that in Clinton, Emily recognizes a kindred spirit; after all, their interactions toward the latter half of the date are a lot different -- and read as being a bit more real/honest -- than the earlier part of it.
Not sure if that makes sense to anyone but me, but there ya go.
Comic, and...
IN YOUR FACE, EVERYONE.
Ok, i'm going to make an early prediction. Once we're done with the date flashback, we're going to see the wrap up with Clinton talking to Claire, and or Marten,Check.
and it's going to be pointed out how well the date actually went,Check.
Clare tells him how the hair cut really works for him,Miss.
Martin explains that a tattoo should be a reflection of the person getting it, and that he made the perfect choice.Not exactly what happened, but close enough that i'm giving it a check.
[...]Not exactly what happened, but close enough that i'm giving it a check.
Martin explains that a tattoo should be a reflection of the person getting it, and that he made the perfect choice.
Considering how accurate i've been so far, i'll take the Vagas odds on him coming to like the tattoo, and keeping it.
"dear"???
"Dear"?????
wtf! Marten!!!
I'm guessing Clinton's evening isn't over yet. Pants need to be rolled up, bandage needs to come off, and it's not dark yet. Still, so far, it's gone much better than I expected. Turns out Emily's good for Clinton (as in, being around her has made him a better person). Woo hoo.
Will they become a thing? Will she end up loving him the way he is? (http://questionablecontent.net/view.php?comic=2858) (Apparently not, but she may end up loving him after adjustments.)
Y'know, thinking about it, I'm wondering if Emily consciously exaggerates her cluelessness? space-cadet status? on purpose. Like, she's purposefully strange.
Not likely, but it's a thought that just occurred to me considering her 'lucid' and coherent conversation with Clinton towards the end.
Maybe not that unlikely, though. I mean, I'm sure she's at least a bit odd. But I've noticed that some people in my own life amp up their oddity as a defense or coping mechanism (I've known people who've found social interaction easier when they played a version of themselves, but would be much different around people they trusted and were comfortable with). It's possible that in Clinton, Emily recognizes a kindred spirit; after all, their interactions toward the latter half of the date are a lot different -- and read as being a bit more real/honest -- than the earlier part of it.
Not sure if that makes sense to anyone but me, but there ya go.
@Smallest,
Regarding strip 2305, note Emily's reaction to Claire's off-colour 'joke' in panel 4: Could that have been where it began?
Calling for attention to another previous interaction between Emily and Clinton: #2428 (http://questionablecontent.net/view.php?comic=2428).
I never did understand this one. Also, Jeph had a comment: "And in an instant, Emily's life was changed forever." Any ideas?
Registered just to say:A BEAR A BEAR WHO MADE A BEAR SHOO SHOO MAKE THE BEAR GO AWAY !!!
Land-locked salmon are a thing, and if Hannelore doesn't burst in to correct them of this I'll be a sad panda.
Calling for attention to another previous interaction between Emily and Clinton: #2428 (http://questionablecontent.net/view.php?comic=2428).
I am sure it has been mentioned before, but there is a glaring inconsistency in #2853 (http://www.questionablecontent.net/view.php?comic=2853), because Emily and Clinton met previously at the lakehouse, and later, in the library. Should we forget the previous interactions, and assume they first met "for real" when Marten and Claire set them up?
He's just channeling Clairemom, eat your pancakes dear.Just so. It's a common enough phrasing to express an ironically "Mum"-ish admonishment.
How to top that date? Perhaps something that will mobilise the NRO again.I am sure they will be considered a security threat by Station, and denied access. When Hanners invited Marigold and Marten to the Station, she already had done some pre-screening (#1607 (http://www.questionablecontent.net/view.php?comic=1607) and #2104 (http://www.questionablecontent.net/view.php?comic=2104)). Apparently, Station considers secret robots a threat.
I can just imagine the two of them getting an invite from Station. That would be truly cool.
I don't know if I'd call that date "epic." Maybe if the guy that hit him was taller, had scales, and breathed fire...
I don't know if I'd call that date "epic." Maybe if the guy that hit him was taller, had scales, and breathed fire...
I'm trying to read Claire's expressions in this strip. Her eyes in particular. Somehow I get the vibe that in the first panel she is siding with her brother, may be "eew", may be silently thinking that Marten can't be serious. But in the second and the third panels she is gradually warming up to the task of running with the joke.
Jeph has, of course, a lot of experience expressing things with the directions of the gaze alone. For example the dinner MartyMom, Marten and Faye shared about 2500 strips ago was epic in that regard.
Not ruling out the possibility that I am reading too much into all this.
Exactly! Does his hand actually HAVE either of the two powers? Why else would he have to ask?
Exactly! Does his hand actually HAVE either of the two powers? Why else would he have to ask?
I read it as a nerd thing. Certain people, in certain moods, feel compelled to remove all ambiguity from a question before answering it.
Jeph just forgot about the boots while writing the date and only just remembered to add them now.
*AOOGA* *AOOGA* WARNING WARNING RETCON IN PROGRESS PLEASE STAND CLEAR *AOOGA*
That said, we may see Claire experiment with other looks as her self-confidence grows.
Okay, Marten, we get it, you like Claire.Apparently she has a certain sneaking fondness for him too. Just quietly.
(Although he's right, the dorky look *does* work for her.)
Marten see!s to be turning into a yes-man.
Marten see!s to be turning into a yes-man.
...So... he agrees his girlfriend looks good, making him a yes-man?
Yeah, I think you need a nap, Omega
Moreso that he's reduced to a simple 'Yeah!' rather than 'She does have a point'. I'm all for brevity, but combined with the expression on his face, it's just... I dunno what it is about it that bothers me so much.
On Claire and the brother-sister dynamic, it seems like she does nothing -but- snark on him. It just gets old after a while, I guess.
Getting the tattoo will become something Clinton and Emily do on all their dates. After every date Clinton gets it removed, and on the next one he winds up getting it again.
Marten see!s to be turning into a yes-man.
...So... he agrees his girlfriend looks good, making him a yes-man?
Yeah, I think you need a nap, Omega
But is Emily as inexperienced as Claire? All I remember is she wasn't sure Clinnn-tonnn was her type. She very well might have been on many dates in the past.
I suspect it may have its roots in Claires Transition.
Maybe back in the early days Clinton was confused over what his then brother was doing/going through and wasn't as supportive as he is now (what happened to his hand may figure into that as well).
They may have somewhat sorted things out between them now, but there may still be some remaining, minor confusion and resentment on both parts from that period.
gah. i like Marten, I like Claire. I even like the idea of them together.
but I am so sick of it. Show us something else. Anything else. Fuck, give us 20 strips of Steves moving story eating a bowl of cereal.
I don't know what it is, Marten and Dora didn't make me feel like this, but I don't think that Marten and Dora are better suited than Marten and Claire. I just went back and reread a bunch of those strips.. and i can't put my finger on it. The overall energy is different, in a more appealing way. Maybe its because the story jumps between a lot more plotlines much more quickly.
2015. Special Order for dress in new Dr. Manhattan spin-off fabric. Viscous fluids between two layers latex, heat and pressure sensitive. Customer young girl, Italian name. Never collected order. Said shirt looked ugly. Wrong. Not ugly at all. Beer and blood. Moving. Changing shape… but not mixing.
gah. i like Marten, I like Claire. I even like the idea of them together.
but I am so sick of it. Show us something else. Anything else. Fuck, give us 20 strips of Steves moving story eating a bowl of cereal.
I don't know what it is, Marten and Dora didn't make me feel like this, but I don't think that Marten and Dora are better suited than Marten and Claire. I just went back and reread a bunch of those strips.. and i can't put my finger on it. The overall energy is different, in a more appealing way. Maybe its because the story jumps between a lot more plotlines much more quickly.
I think there's something to that. They're a cute couple, but for a while now Jeph's been doing more sustained story arcs instead of jumping among stories or breaking it up with one-off joke strips. On one hand, it allows for a bit more depth in the story that might be harder to pull off with the jumps, but on the other, it means long doses of certain characters and some others (like Dora, Marigold, and Dale) who we've seen very little. I think if the earlier strips had been "edited" differently -- the same stories, but different pacing and less alternation -- you'd probably get much the same effect.
I don't know what it is, Marten and Dora didn't make me feel like this, but I don't think that Marten and Dora are better suited than Marten and Claire. I just went back and reread a bunch of those strips.. and i can't put my finger on it. The overall energy is different, in a more appealing way. Maybe its because the story jumps between a lot more plotlines much more quickly.
It is, however, not uncommon for couples in the early stages of a relationship be "joined at the hip". At least in my experience, it takes a while for both people to get tired of the other's company, and need their own space.