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[LeeC]

I am wondering if the last panel is foreshadowing the next strip or 2.

[jwhouk]

Dora's expression in 4B is exactly the same as Marten's from 5 strips ago ...

Bug or Feature?

FTFY, and you're kinda correct... Dora's got a more downward frown than Marty's straight-line.

[Mad Cat]

Pantsless Faye is my new hero.

And I'd kinda like to see what Marten would look like in Faye's short-legged, baggy-bottomed, Hello Kitty buckled ensemble.

[Kugai]

Hey!  Someone stole my avatar!

HAL is taking over.

[Carl-E]

Dora's expression in 4B is exactly the same as Marten's from 5 strips ago ...

Bug or Feature?

FTFY, and you're kinda correct... Dora's got a more downward frown than Marty's straight-line.

No.  Marten's expression is forlorn, with a bit of confusion. 

Dora's is scared, with a fair amount of shock.  Someone misread anger into it, but that's jst the spikey bangs.  if you look closely, you'll see the eyebrows - they curve up into a fairly high arc, very similar to the previous panel. 

Different emotions entirely!  Jeph, you're really shining here, both in story and art. 

[/fanboy]

[raoullefere]

No. A little more extreme than usual, though. I'm surprised she said either instead of neither, though—that's a given with those I know who speak like Faye does when they hit their stride.

It's possible that Jeph wanted her accent to show but preferred to stop short of making her sound like a bumpkin.  Nothing against bumpkins, of course.

It's amazing to discover the new standard of bumpkinry—terminal neither! I informed a few folks of this immediately, who were ecstatic:

Earl Burrell: "Ain't nobody ever tole me that. Hell, if I'da knowed that there word's the pro'lem, I could'a been talkin' like them goddam city-slickers for years."

You folks had best watch out for Earl—he's on to you now, and you'll never hear him coming, because he'll sound just like you. And yes, he is armed.

Seriously, when I run that speech of Faye's through my head, I hear 'neither' at the end, not 'either.' And no, I don't speak like that on a regular basis, even when I'm drunk (regrettably seldom, these days). But the 'could'na' indicates Faye probably does. If, of course, she were real.

[Tobimaro]

Now that is the Faye that we have come to love.  Now I'm wondering if she is going to get Dora an appointment with her shrink?   

[jwhouk]

No, she doesn't want to go see Dr. Corrine. That was established long ago.

"Oh, NOW I get it. You're all driving each other insane!"

(Irony: that strip came after Sven and Faye broke up.)
(DOUBLE Irony: it came about a week before Angus reappeared in the strip.)

[LeeC]

sven to the rescue?

[Is it cold in here?]

If he were less self-absorbed he might have some good insights into Dora.

[Sapnish]

D: No Hello Kitty belt? Jeph, I am disappoint.

Also, Sven, you have gotta get over Faye already. She may have epic titties, but there are more pressing matters right now, like your sister's crazy.

[Tergon]

I *dare* Marten to find someone who can give worse advice on how to deal with an angry lady.  I would go to Yelling Bird before I went to Sven.  I would go to the Shame Orb before I went to Sven.  Shelby's sole reaction to women is to punch them over the horizon, and I would take SHELBY'S advice over that of Sven.

That being said, it's also possible that Sven can shed some light on the situation.  Something has happened to Dora in the past to make her knee-jerk reaction as violent as it is.  Maybe he can at least give us a hint as to what.

[Moxie]

I'm really glad to see Marten has picked up on/is annoyed by Dora's double standard when it comes to interactions with women. I'm also really glad to know he's had just about enough of the arguments caused by her insecurities, and is tired of trying to convince her all the time that he's really happy for her.

Coming to these realizations, and voicing them out loud may be enough for him to really push Dora into actually getting some therapy. Because, as others have stated, Marten can really go on with Dora's behavior for so long until he's going to get completely worn down by it and snap, in one way or another.

Meanwhile...not certain I'm believing this Sven longing for Faye. He's never particularly seemed the sort to completely fall apart over a girl...but now that I think about it, if Faye's really the only one who ever dumped him, when he wasn't "done with her"/"ready to move on"/whatever it is he does, I suppose he would obsess over her. At least he's obviously not gone to the stalker-stage though, as he apparently doesn't know about Angus.

I really hope though, that his comment was just for the punch-line, since Jeph doesn't like not having them, and that in Monday's comic he does provide some insight about Dora. I think that, as self-absorbed as he his, he would know at least a little bit to give Marten some food for thought. (Maybe the treatment Dora got from those girls in high school was a lot crueler than we'd ever imagined...Dora's Sweet Sixteen birthday sleepover night with a game of truth or dare left Dora locked outside in nothing but undies while inside there was a Sven-orgie with all Dora's "friends"?)

[Tobimaro]

No, she doesn't want to go see Dr. Corrine. That was established long ago.

Point taken.  But maybe Dr. Corrine can offer up a referral to another specialist?  Methinks Dora really needs some help, if only for Marten's sake.

And do not let Pintsize search the net for a doctor.  He might find a doctor, but it will be more for sexual help (in amongst the piles of porn that he downloaded to help out the couple).

[HiFranc]

[...]

At least he's obviously not gone to the stalker-stage though, as he apparently doesn't know about Angus.

I agree that he doesn't know the latest developments but he is aware of Angus.

[Heliphyneau]

Ha!  LET THE MARTEN/SVEN OTP SLASH COMMENCE!  And yes, I know that was already in a guest comic.  It still amuses me.

D: No Hello Kitty belt? Jeph, I am disappoint.

It's still there, out of frame, but I wanted to see it too.    Randomly, I sort of want to see what kind of footwear Marten scrounged up for his walk.

I *dare* Marten to find someone who can give worse advice on how to deal with an angry lady.  I would go to Yelling Bird before I went to Sven.  I would go to the Shame Orb before I went to Sven.  Shelby's sole reaction to women is to punch them over the horizon, and I would take SHELBY'S advice over that of Sven.

Agreed.  Hell, he could have dragged Pintsize with him and gotten better advice.  Not GOOD advice, but better.  Ah well, at least Marten's venting.  We don't generally get to see thought bubbles in QC, so the inner dialog thing might not have worked.

I think that, as self-absorbed as he his, he would know at least a little bit to give Marten some food for thought.

Sven might have some insights, depending on whether he was paying attention, then and now.  If Marten's lucky, Sven will have more to say than "Yup, Dora's crazy, always has been -- now let's talk more about boobs."  Speculation may begin on whether someone else overhears Sven saying something "pithy" about Marten finally getting in Faye's pants and misinterprets (Angus directly? or Marigold?).

[TheHappyBerry]

Meanwhile...not certain I'm believing this Sven longing for Faye. He's never particularly seemed the sort to completely fall apart over a girl...but now that I think about it, if Faye's really the only one who ever dumped him, when he wasn't "done with her"/"ready to move on"/whatever it is he does, I suppose he would obsess over her. At least he's obviously not gone to the stalker-stage though, as he apparently doesn't know about Angus.

In this instance, I read that as less longing for Faye and much more longing for Faye's boobs.  That being said, Jeph has really been putting out some great strips in the last month or so, but the end of this one really left me laughing...and I still giggle whenever I think about it.  I view it as "classic QC."  Serious, serious, serious, BOOB JOKE!  

[Moxie]

[...]At least he's obviously not gone to the stalker-stage though, as he apparently doesn't know about Angus.

I agree that he doesn't know the latest developments but he is aware of Angus.

Ah, yeah, thanks for pointing that out.  I meant the latest developments but my terribly unclear wording certainly didn't make that obvious.

I think that, as self-absorbed as he his, he would know at least a little bit to give Marten some food for thought.

Sven might have some insights, depending on whether he was paying attention, then and now.  If Marten's lucky, Sven will have more to say than "Yup, Dora's crazy, always has been -- now let's talk more about boobs."  Speculation may begin on whether someone else overhears Sven saying something "pithy" about Marten finally getting in Faye's pants and misinterprets (Angus directly? or Marigold?).

Aw dang, I'll bet you're right about that pithy remark making it in. It'd fit well with the idea that Angus goes to CoD the next day to see Faye and only gets some Dora rages (especially if Marigold was the one who overheard and he didn't wanna believe her)...but now it seems like there might not be any Dora rages at work after all. Maybe though. If she still really wants to believe she's right, even after Faye's attempt to set her straight, she might rage about that.

Meanwhile...not certain I'm believing this Sven longing for Faye. He's never particularly seemed the sort to completely fall apart over a girl...but now that I think about it, if Faye's really the only one who ever dumped him, when he wasn't "done with her"/"ready to move on"/whatever it is he does, I suppose he would obsess over her. At least he's obviously not gone to the stalker-stage though, as he apparently doesn't know about Angus.

In this instance, I read that as less longing for Faye and much more longing for Faye's boobs.  That being said, Jeph has really been putting out some great strips in the last month or so, but the end of this one really left me laughing...and I still giggle whenever I think about it.  I view it as "classic QC."  Serious, serious, serious, BOOB JOKE!

Hahaha, you make an excellent point! And true, I definitely get that "classic QC" vibe as well It's like I said - I hope Jeph just wanted to joke and definitely got one that felt right, but we do see some insight from Sven later, 'cause I think he has some.

[Carl-E]

[sigh]

Same park bench, different universe...

[Akima]

And Sven demonstrates why he's been included in DQ*'s "Douche Of The Year" short-list for the last five years. I mean, with Marten "talking about the relationship" like that, Sven's probably mentally putting him in a dress, as well as not listening to him...

*Douchebag Quarterly, what else?

[Dr. ROFLPWN]

Hahahaha oh Sven, never change.

You know what'll be hilarious? Is if he actually honestly helps out Marten and maybe even talks to his sister and the whole thing is patched up and the Marty/Spookybutt paradigm returns to normal, yay Sven!

...then Sven's reward is "Oh by the way, Faye is totally banging that Angus dude now, even as we speak."

His face, it will be priceless.

[Fhqwhgads]

What I'm afraid of is Marten's reaction ending up something like Heather's.

[HiFranc]

I just had a thought:

What if the reason that Dora woke up was because her subconscious realised why Marten asked her about Toto?  She may not be consciously aware but just have a vague feeling that something is off.  When she saw Marten with Faye...

[Ryan23224]

Awesome Monty Python reference in the title today!

[jwhouk]

What I'm afraid of is Marten's reaction ending up something like Heather's.

I think Jeph would go crazy if he did that.

Something told me (and no, I didn't watch the live drawing feed tonight) that Sven was going to get involved somehow. Regardless of his "brain between his legs" situation, he's pretty much the only one who would even have an inkling on what is going on with his sister.

I still suspect a return home with Marten all ready to bawl Dora out and her apologizing profusely and him doing the "wait, what?" thing.

[Kugai]

Ahhhh Sven, so nice to have you put things in perspective.   

And the question is, why is Sven sitting on a Park Bench at 1am in the morning?  Or did Marten go to his apartment?







Or have they been chased out by The Knights Who Say Ni!

[Dr. ROFLPWN]

What I'm afraid of is Marten's reaction ending up something like Heather's.

I think Jeph has a higher writing standard than that (oh God I sound like an elitist prick but dang).

Besides, I've been waiting for Sven to show, cause I think that he may be the real source of drama this arc. Or at the very least he'll add one more cloud to the growing storm.

[sophle]

I don't think Sven's obsessing over Faye...he thinks she's hot and has great boobs.

[Is it cold in here?]

He admitted to having developed feelings and a conscience about her.

[raoullefere]

Of all the creeps, in all the streets, in all the town, Marten runs across this one. The Makeout Hobo could give better advice.

[reicreature]

Well, the answer to Martin's questions about why Dora's so crazy and insecure might just be sitting next to him right now.  I mean, how much would you trust romantic relationship if you grew up witnessing behavior like Sven's?  She's obviously had to deal with the fall-out from Sven messing around with her friends and it probably did send a message to her early on that Sven's behavior is what is typical of guys and makes her automatically suspicious. Then, if she's been cheated on in any of her past relationships that can only make that message and defensiveness run even deeper.

Though I do sort of hate to jump on the "Sven is a total cad" idea and there's only so much that a person can blame their own behavior onto someone else.

Also, man...Faye's tits do sound especially appealing.

[no one special]

No way, I was right. Either Marten or Dora would have been fine.  

I'll get you next time, Moxie!  Next tiiiiiiime...

[Tergon]

Meanwhile, back at the apartment, Dora calls Marten's phone, trying desperately to apologise.  But across the room, from his pants pocket, she hears it ring.

Slowly the realisation sinks in that he has no pants.  And is somehow not in the apartment.

Through the fear and guilt and shock she feels at everything that's happened, the nagging questions begin to form in her mind.  Questions that have no good answers.

[semi1o1]

Dora's expression in 4B is exactly the same as Marten's from 5 strips ago ...

Bug or Feature?

FTFY, and you're kinda correct... Dora's got a more downward frown than Marty's straight-line.

No.  Marten's expression is forlorn, with a bit of confusion. 

Dora's is scared, with a fair amount of shock.  Someone misread anger into it, but that's jst the spikey bangs.  if you look closely, you'll see the eyebrows - they curve up into a fairly high arc, very similar to the previous panel. 

Different emotions entirely!  Jeph, you're really shining here, both in story and art. 

[/fanboy]

I agree. Side by side its easy to see the difference.

The cheekbone may be adding to the similarities too.

Oh and I wouldn't mind paying and exorbitant amount for a poster of Sven's mental image of Faye as a 70's era playboy playmate. Its hard for me to fathom breasts so epic as to cause a philandering man whore like Sven to become obsessed.

[themacnut]

Well, the answer to Martin's questions about why Dora's so crazy and insecure might just be sitting next to him right now.  I mean, how much would you trust romantic relationship if you grew up witnessing behavior like Sven's?  She's obviously had to deal with the fall-out from Sven messing around with her friends and it probably did send a message to her early on that Sven's behavior is what is typical of guys and makes her automatically suspicious. Then, if she's been cheated on in any of her past relationships that can only make that message and defensiveness run even deeper.

All that would make her a difficult woman to be in a relationship with. Those issues would be almost as bad as Faye's-which is ironic since Faye seems to be finally getting over her issues, along with getting with someone else. Marten just missed the bus all around. Still, there is hope that this whole blowup will motivate Dora to finally confront and deal with her issues (even if not with Dr. Corrine) and become a better girlfriend, AND friend.

[Tergon]

All that would make her a difficult woman to be in a relationship with. Those issues would be almost as bad as Faye's-which is ironic since Faye seems to be finally getting over her issues, along with getting with someone else. Marten just missed the bus all around. Still, there is hope that this whole blowup will motivate Dora to finally confront and deal with her issues (even if not with Dr. Corrine) and become a better girlfriend, AND friend.

The Uncertainty Moth strikes again!

[Dr. ROFLPWN]

Of all the creeps, in all the streets, in all the town, Marten runs across this one. The Makeout Hobo could give better advice.

Man, I know Sven is a douche and all, but that is too harsh. Sven at least has developed emotions and a vestigial conscience. He's like, the halfway stage between fish and land reptile. The Makeout Hobo is what he is evolving from.

Sven is also less likely to steal a chick's wallet to buy meth. Or feed Marten any Night Train.

[raoullefere]

The Makeout Hobo would try to answer the question instead of asking about his ex's tits. To be fair, I don't know that the MH really has any exs—just happenings. But I heartily agree with reicreature—I'm just assuming everybody's tired of hearing me say it.*

[snip]
I agree. Side by side its easy to see the difference.

The cheekbone may be adding to the similarities too.

Now there's a nice couple's picture. Easy to see those two are just made for each other—or not really sure how the hell they got where they are, one of the two.

*An Edit, so placed to avoid useless tunneling.

[reicreature]

All that would make her a difficult woman to be in a relationship with.

Not any more difficult than any other woman I expect (or man for that matter).  It's my thought that just about everyone has at least ONE issue that can be a deal breaker to a relationship.  
This insecurity just happens to be Dora's issue.

[Blackjoker]

Meanwhile, back at the apartment, Dora calls Marten's phone, trying desperately to apologise.  But across the room, from his pants pocket, she hears it ring.

Slowly the realisation sinks in that he has no pants.  And is somehow not in the apartment.

Through the fear and guilt and shock she feels at everything that's happened, the nagging questions begin to form in her mind.  Questions that have no good answers.

Ok, the part of me that enjoys random ideas imagines her panicking, coming up with increasingly absurd ideas, Pintsize throwing random things in, and Faye being unsure if she should mention she loaned him pants or waiting to see how strange the ideas get.

[no one special]

Also, Sven, you have gotta get over Faye already. She may have epic titties, but there are more pressing matters right now, like your sister's crazy.

Whoa, whoa, whoa.

When we experience the epicness - something... changes... in our brains, in similar ways to one addicted to alcohol or opiates.  We are never the same, and those moments are seared into our minds forever. 
Life goes on, of course - we have new loves, build lives and families together with our partners - but as much as we truly love our girlfriends or wives... we never forget.   

If the QC forum learns anything about the male gender this day, let it be this:

Men NEVER get over epic titties.  We just... learn to live without.

[Dr. ROFLPWN]

I may be alone in this, but I hope this arc helps Sven out, too. I sigh whenever I see the dude pining for Faye, because remember how she treated you, Sven, even before you went and Done Fucked Up with the CMA chick? Yeah, that was Not Rad. It was in fact the diametric opposite of rad, it was Shitty, which is what you two were for each other. Angus is not, and she is actually growing, instead of pretending like she was back then.

Sven gots to get a new set of epic titties, even if he never forgets the Twin Wonders of the 70's, and maybe he can grow a little, too, get further redeemed. Helping his sister and Marty out would be a nice start. Especially since, even with all the damage his behavior might've caused, the Bianchi siblings do seem to care for one another.

[akronnick]

Whoa, whoa, whoa.

When we experience the epicness - something... changes... in our brains, in similar ways to one addicted to alcohol or opiates.  We are never the same, and those moments are seared into our minds forever. 
Life goes on, of course - we have new loves, build lives and families together with our partners - but as much as we truly love our girlfriends or wives... we never forget.   

If the QC forum learns anything about the male gender this day, let it be this:

Men NEVER get over epic titties.  We just... learn to live without.

Q.


F.


T.

[snubnose]

Meanwhile...not certain I'm believing this Sven longing for Faye. He's never particularly seemed the sort to completely fall apart over a girl...

IMHO he's lusting after her, not longing for her or falling apart for her.

[LeeC]

I don't think Sven's obsessing over Faye...he thinks she's hot and has great boobs.

i think because in every situation where Sven was caught with one of Dora's friends thats how he approached the situation "But Dora, Megan has epic titties!"  Not realizing that Marten is in a completley different situation.

As for being out so late, He was probably hanging out with Wil at the bar and was on his way home.

[Tergon]

Yeah, I sincerely doubt that where Sven's at counts as "obsessing".  He strikes me more as the kind of guy who covers the heavy topics with a joke as a defense thing.  The fact that he felt genuinely shitty about how things turned out with Faye isn't something he's used to; so, when confronted with the mental image of Faye not wearing very much, he knee-jerks into Flippant Jerk mode and tosses off a joke completely irrelevant to the serious things Marten is saying to him.  That stops him from thinking about a subject that's probably still a reasonably open wound for him.

And, yes, I'm sure the fact that both he and Marten agree that Faye has impressive Tracts Of Land is a factor in his choice of joke.  That doesn't make it any less of a mask he's putting on.

I imagine that once Marten gets genuinely annoyed, Sven will back down and take the conversation, and Marten's dillemma, seriously.  We may find out something about Dora, or about her relationship with Sven, or even her relationships with other less-than-trustworthy guys that have contributed to where her mind's at right now.  Either way, Jeph's too much of a storyteller to have a random meeting with Sven be completely spent on one joke.  It'll be interesting to see what happens when Sven seriouses up.

[Blayze]

Why is it that when any drama surfaces, the people here always seem to blame Sven for it.

"Oil crisis in the Middle East! That philandering scumbag must have been fucking all the oil barrels!"

[Schmorgluck]

Why is it that when any drama surfaces, the people here always seem to blame Sven for it.

I don't know what you are speaking about. On the matter at hand, we've had hints that he may have played a role.

[pwhodges]

Why is it that when any drama surfaces, the people here always seem to blame Sven for it.

Well, seeing that he even managed to upset Anders!

[Mojo]

You know, part of me thoroughly understands Dora's feelings here.  Let me explain.

I've had two serious relationships in my time.  The first, we'll call her Jane, cheated on me.  It was the first time I'd experienced that kind of betrayal, and it changed me.  I used to be completely trusting.  If she wanted a "girls' night out," I had no problem with it.  But that changed.  That ability to trust was forever damaged.

Thus, when I started seeing the second woman, we'll call her Doris, I couldn't help feeling an intense paranoid dread whenever she was away from me.  I knew it was irrational.  Doris wasn't Jane, there was no logical reason to expect Doris to betray me as Jane had done.  The heart, however, is an irrational organ.  No matter how much I knew I was being paranoid and jealous, I still felt the pain and desperation.  The difference was that I choked it down and kept it to myself.  That's what Dora has to learn to do.

Of course, Doris did eventually cheat on me too, going home with her ex after a "girls' night out," so maybe Dora has a leg to stand on...