Another thing I enjoyed in today's strip was the effort Jeph put into body language, especially from the Augustus clan.
In panel one, Claire's body language is so revealing of how into Marten she's become. She's coy, slightly bashful and tense but, beyond all else, very, very happy to see her boyfriend. I may be reading too much into it but I also got the impression that she likes Marten's new improved dress sense. "Grrr! Want that!" seems to be a definite subtext. Then there is panel 2 where the fact that Claire is clearly inviting Marten to join her in teasing/tormenting Clinton practically leaps off the page thanks to her fake serious expression.
On the other hand, Clinton is perceptibly nervous. I think that, in between strips, Claire has scolded him for the "introduce to hot friend" crack. Now, here comes Marten and Clinton has suddenly been reminded that Marten is several years older and considerably larger than him. Will Claire complain to her boyfriend about her brother's attitude? This nervousness continues throughout the strip and, by the final panel, it is very clear that Clinton realises that he has left himself wide open to be trolled until Marten and Claire get tired of his suffering!
Overall, in technical terms, this is one of the best strips Jeph has done recently! He should pat himself on the back... if he can do that without throwing out his bad back, that is!
Clinton and Emily, huh? I doubt that'll turn out well.
I agree with the name "Disaster" being applied to this. It's gonna crash and burn so beautifully.
I'll say this much: Stranger things have happened in the Questionable Content universe. It could be that in this mad, crazy world of theirs, those two are the
only match for each other. I would submit that everything will depend on the attitude they bring to the introduction and something tells me that it isn't
Emily who would be the one likely to sabotage anything, by accident or design. She's too nice for that, even though I have concerns as to whether she has the emotional maturity to really understand what is being proposed.
And, of course, Emily is in on
The Secret. If there is one thing that she and Clinton share, it is that, in their own unique ways, they care for Claire and want the best for her.
Anyway, I think that this week's arc is going to answer a common fan question - Was Emily ever interested in Marten and is she
really completely up-to-speed on what is happening between Marten and Claire?