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The Domesticity of Marten, Faye, Claire and Pintsize

8 (9.6%)

The Talk, Phase 2

10 (12%)

Faye meets Keeper Hannelore

6 (7.2%)

Sam: "Come on! I need your help!"

1 (1.2%)

Dora Does Guilt-Trip

24 (28.9%)

Tai has no boudaries about employees' personal lives

13 (15.7%)

Clinton and Emily's "date" (because that's still happening, AFAIK)

21 (25.3%)

Total Members Voted: 76

Voting closed: 18 Feb 2015, 08:09

[ysth]

Well looks like Yelling Bird is in his element.

Naw, too much wang for the win.

[Neko_Ali]

Happy and communicating Claire and Marten are cute Claire and Marten.

[Gladstone]

There we go.  This is much better than, say, a week of flashback strips of Marten processing his thoughts over diner pancakes.  Good talk, Marten.

Also, Claire's still wearing his shirt <3

[grez]

A lot of the conversation on these threads has been around the question of whether or not some of our society's less trans-friendly elements should be incorporated into the comic for the sake of realism. I just wanted to say that I really love the positive portrayal in these comics of Claire and Marten's relationship, and that setting a standard is just as important as recognizing reality.

[Kugai]

Well said Mister Reed, well said.

And Claire has taste.

[SomeCanadianWeirdo]

I wouldn't be surprised if we see Clinton in one of this week's strips.  It's going to be really interesting to see how he reacts.

[explicit]

It's too cute, throwin up rainbows now.

[Kugai]

And whether Claires mom has to go 'Frypan' on him.

[Gladstone]

I wouldn't be surprised if we see Clinton in one of this week's strips.  It's going to be really interesting to see how he reacts.

CLINTON: "Where the hell were you last night?"
CLAIRE: *GLOWS*
CLINTON: *Facemelts*

Also, it's too bad Jeph decided to keep yesterday's Yelling Bird strip up and numbered instead of just temporary filler.  That would've made this comic #2898 and saved #2900 (with whatever potential drama that entails) for Friday.

[DSL]

And whether Claires mom has to go 'Frypan' on him.

It's been too long since we've had some good pan violence in QC.

[TheEvilDog]

Yeah, but since that world wide shortage of monks began, it's been more difficult to find some good targets.

[Zalder]

Really like that they're talking, and that Marten sounds sincere at what he's saying.  It's good we have this happy story arc going on to counteract all the suck that has also been going on.

[wlewisiii]

I wouldn't be surprised if we see Clinton in one of this week's strips.  It's going to be really interesting to see how he reacts.

CLINTON: "Where the hell were you last night?"
CLAIRE: *GLOWS*
CLINTON: *Facemelts*

I wonder if he's aware of what she was dressed in when she went over there. If so, seeing her in his t-shirt would be enough for  *facemelt*

Of course, it could also be a test of if Mommy Augustus still thinks that "he seems like a nice boy..." 

[explicit]

Maybe they all just wanted Claire to get laid, you dunno

[Gladstone]

Of course, it could also be a test of if Mommy Augustus still thinks that "he seems like a nice boy..." 

CLAIREMOM: "You seem like a nice boy, Marten.  And Claire is 24 and knows what she's doing.  But if you hurt my daughter..."
She reaches into a drawer and pulls out an intimidating whip.  Marten's face goes pale.
CLAIREMOM: "I see I've made my point."
MARTEN: "That--that's from my mom's line..."

[SubaruStephen]

Maybe they all just wanted Claire to get laid, you dunno

Nah, If anyone that family NEEDS to get laid it's Clinton. You don't want a guy with a mechanical hand to go nuts because of sexual frustration, that's how super villains are created.


Also, today's strip: dawwwwwcutecouplewwwww

[Is it cold in here?]

Squeee.

My squee needs are fulfilled now. What's next?

[explicit]

Maybe they all just wanted Claire to get laid, you dunno

Nah, If anyone that family NEEDS to get laid it's Clinton. You don't want a guy with a mechanical hand to go nuts because of sexual frustration, that's how super villains are created.


Also, today's strip: dawwwwwcutecouplewwwww

Hey, just because he got that hand thing going on doesn't make him a supervillain. Stereotypes hurt everybody Stephen.

[Mr. Black Licorice]

Damn... why is he so smooth with Claire and so tongue tied with everyone else? Maybe it's because everyone else he's been with has always been more experienced. His mother is a dominatrix, after all... Maybe that has a psychological effect on his perception of women and sex in general. Being able to take the lead with someone who isn't sexually experienced or even experienced in relationships is probably a relief for him; he feels he doesn't have to live up to expectations, so he does whats natural (which would have exceeded expectations if he was comfortable enough in the first place).

Or... maybe I'm over analyzing. Damn it! I'm reading this forum too often...

[explicit]

Claire makes it really easy.

[Mr. Black Licorice]

Maybe they all just wanted Claire to get laid, you dunno

Nah, If anyone that family NEEDS to get laid it's Clinton. You don't want a guy with a mechanical hand to go nuts because of sexual frustration, that's how super villains are created.

Also, today's strip: dawwwwwcutecouplewwwww

Hey, just because he got that hand thing going on doesn't make him a supervillain. Stereotypes hurt everybody Stephen.

On another note, can you imagine Clinton and Emily sex? So weird it'll make Veronica squig out.

[hedgie]

Especially if his hand was set to "autonomous" mode.

[explicit]

Especially if his hand was set to "autonomous" mode.

See, I feel like girls would like that.

[Gladstone]

Damn... why is he so smooth with Claire and so tongue tied with everyone else?

That did bother me a little bit.  I mean, it wouldn't have hurt (here and in previous strips) if Marten had been a bit more awkward and fumbled his words a bit, while still saying the right thing in the end.  Just to give the audience the idea that yeah, this is new to him and he's okay with it, but, like he said in today's comic, he's still worried about messing up.  Not that I have a problem with him being smooth and assertive and able to say all the right things, but slightly-awkward Marten would seem a bit more natural.

[Mr. Black Licorice]

Especially if his hand was set to "autonomous" mode.

"Why is she shaking like that? You aren't even touching her! And why is fettuccine alfredo on the ceiling?"

Warning - while you were typing a new kink was invented. You may wish to rinse your pasta after boiling.

[SubaruStephen]

On another note, can you imagine Clinton and Emily sex? So weird it'll make Veronica squig out.

In this age of free, unlimited internet porn, that is something I'd pay to see, for the shear psychedelic trippyness.

Sadly they're both fictional, so I'll have to settle for a Bjork sex tape, that'll be pretty damn close.

Warning - while you were typing 3 new replies have been posted. You may wish to see a therapist about your browser history.

[explicit]

Still not as weird as Japan.

[Half Empty Coffee Cup]

I wouldn't be surprised if we see Clinton in one of this week's strips.  It's going to be really interesting to see how he reacts.

CLINTON: "Where the hell were you last night?"
CLAIRE: *GLOWS*
CLINTON: *Facemelts*

Also, it's too bad Jeph decided to keep yesterday's Yelling Bird strip up and numbered instead of just temporary filler.  That would've made this comic #2898 and saved #2900 (with whatever potential drama that entails) for Friday.

There's no need to go Raiders of the Lost Ark on Clinton, now...

[DSL]

On a tiny screen, I read that as:
"CLINTON: *facepalms*"
... and autonomous mode still would create problems.

[Vemocleus]

My squee needs shall never be fulfilled.  I require more sustenance!

[Neko_Ali]

How can Marten be so smooth now? The Sleeper has awoken. For he is the Squeesach Haderach!

Or maybe he just feels at ease with Claire, more than he ever did with anyone else. With Faye there was tension and intimidation. Dora aggressively pursued him. Before they flirted pretty easily, but once they started dating, it was Dora that was the more aggressive of the pair, and her trust issues didn't help. With Padma it was always hanging over them that she was leaving soon, and he passive-aggressively shot himself in the foot there. Delilah was a forced and awkward one night stand. With Claire, we have someone he got to know pretty well before attraction set in. It built up between them naturally, with no forced awkwardness because of lingering feelings for someone, or guilt. Both were throwing up the 'it is bad to date a co-worker' reason at times, but they've decided to go forward anyway, and keep it professional at work. How that will last remains to be seen.

So this would be Marten's first relationship we've seen that didn't have any baggage attached, and Claire's first relationship period. The only thing going that may trip them up is working together, and 'that trans thing', which Marten has shown repeatedly isn't an issue for him. So yeah. I don't see it that Marten has suddenly become super smooth because he's dating Claire. It's just that he's found someone he can be happy and comfortable with, without the baggage of his other relationships that we've seen.

[Gladstone]

And before anyone starts complaining that things are too perfect between them (I just had to check out the subreddit, didn't I?  Blech), don't worry, I'm sure Jeph will find a way to add some conflict to their relationship--he's just making it clear that Claire's trans* status won't be the cause of it.  They'll probably clash over their jobs and such.  Claire is pretty set on what she wants as a career, Marten...isn't.  He may be actively happy in his new relationship, but he's still goddamn passive over everything else. 

The only thing going that may trip them up is working together, and 'that trans thing', which Marten has shown repeatedly isn't an issue for him. So yeah.

Oh, right, you already point that out.  Way to read, Gladstone.

[Aziraphale]

I wouldn't be surprised if we see Clinton in one of this week's strips.  It's going to be really interesting to see how he reacts.

CLINTON: "Where the hell were you last night?"
CLAIRE: *GLOWS*
CLINTON: *Facemelts*

Also, it's too bad Jeph decided to keep yesterday's Yelling Bird strip up and numbered instead of just temporary filler.  That would've made this comic #2898 and saved #2900 (with whatever potential drama that entails) for Friday.

There's no need to go Raiders of the Lost Ark on Clinton, now...

[cesariojpn]

A lot of the conversation on these threads has been around the question of whether or not some of our society's less trans-friendly elements should be incorporated into the comic for the sake of realism. I just wanted to say that I really love the positive portrayal in these comics of Claire and Marten's relationship, and that setting a standard is just as important as recognizing reality.

I think there is a subtle hint here, just by looking at today's comic. Notice Claire is asking for validation from Marten about the relationship. It almost feels like she's trying to find one negative thing about the relationship from Marten.......and he's not giving it to her. Even the "Your Beautiful" strip had a pang of this; it's like Claire can't get over the fact that a male likes her for who she is cause the general scare for trans-folks is (insert click-baity buzzwords here).

I'm guessing there could be a few more of these queries before she accepts that Marten genuinely likes her.....till they find out that she's serious about her future prospects and Marten is a total slouch. Calling it.   

[ZoeB]

I thought my Squee supplies were exhausted.
Nope.
Yes, Marten is handsome. In every way.

[BenRG]

I think that the key phrase in Marten's little monologue is "I'm not so much passively cool with things, I'm actively happy with them". This is clearly a completely different relationship for Marten and that is why his behaviour is different. His personal stake and feelings are more intense this time around. This strip strikes me as Jeph trying to answer the criticisms on Marten's characterisation that have been levelled at him of late. However, it also fits well with Claire's anxiety issues, so doesn't feel forced.

So, Claire is daring! Going out in her boyfriend's shirt?

EMILY: " Why are you wearing Marten's shirt?"
CLAIRE: "What...? I... How did you...?"
EMILY: "It intensely smells of him! More than you do! Why do you smell like him? Have you been cuddling more than usual?"

Tai is going to love this!

Right now, I suspect that they're on the way to Casa Augusta for a change of clothes and a maternal interrogation. The next two strips may get awkward and funny in equal parts!

[Rghfrgl]

It kind of feels like 'We're not going to talk about it, but we're talking about it' again and it feels like that vagueness is making it hard to read.

I mean, I'm breaking the rules talking about it, but..they're talking about it in comic aren't they? So, I guess I'll spoil it for warning to anyone who doesn't want to read it. And if the post gets deleted I'll understand.

(click to show/hide)

So, Claire just asked the hardball question of (removed by moderator)? And Marten...kinda said yes? Dodged the question while reaffirming that he was happy with her in general? If Jeph doesn't want to bring up Claire's status that's cool and all, but this seems like it should be a off panel conversation if that's the case. Trying to do both I'm not sure what Claire's asking and I'm not sure what Marten's answer is(Though I do like the active rather than passive line).

Or is it a problem on my end and I'm reading more into it then there is?

[Indicible]

Awwww, that's so sweet. Now, where is my insulin.
Contrast with the relationship between Marten and Dora: Marten and Claire may well end up as a disgustingly cute couple.

[pwhodges]

Or is it a problem on my end and I'm reading more into it than there is?

Yes.  You need to practice not doing that.

As Jeph has told us.

[Endellion]

My guess for where they're going is pancakes 

Also squee

[BenRG]

@Rghfrgl,

I think that the point is that Marten is enjoying the whole Claire Augustus package: he likes the personality, the likes, dislikes and quirks. Yes, he also loves the body. However, he's fallen for the person, not the 'equipment'. Whatever the details, they're just not as important to Marten as the person that he's coming to love. That's just part of the character.

(FWIW - I agree with those who say that he is slightly bi; bodies aren't the issue rather he focusses on personalities.)

[cesariojpn]

Or is it a problem on my end and I'm reading more into it then there is?

Try not to look at it from a sexual standpoint, try and look at it from a relationship standpoint. Of course people are gonna wonder if Marten "likes being on the bottom" and other sexual things, but from this strip it appears that Claire is question the whole relationship. This is probably her first serious relationship, and of course she's having reservations about this whole deal. Is Marten really interested in her as a whole package, or is he just a "tranny chaser"  as some people would say.

[Genbuthesaint]

Wow, i am so glad we got this strip. I'm glad we got a look into Marten's head, i was wondering about his confident streak. I'm glad he said he still has worries and he didn't just become a different person. On another note, DAWWWWWW! I love Claire and Marten so much. They work better as a pair than Dora and Marten. Which, I'm glad to say has helped me get past their break up. Questionable Content is a hell of a drug, don't take too much too fast. 

[NilsO]

And before anyone starts complaining that things are too perfect between them (I just had to check out the subreddit, didn't I?  Blech), don't worry, I'm sure Jeph will find a way to add some conflict to their relationship--he's just making it clear that Claire's trans* status won't be the cause of it.

"Too perfect" may be a problem here. It is cute, of course, but sooner or later we get tired of that. Perfect couples are not very interesting if you want to tell a story. Therefore, I would guess Jeph has plans for serious Claireten conflicts sometime in the future. In the meantime, Claireten might fade away a little (same as MariDale), and the storyline focusing on other characters (Faye/Hanners/Sam/Dora/Sven?).

[Khazgar]

I have to say - why are people STILL trying to discuss Claire's body? How often has it been said that it is a). against the forum rules, and b). against the rules of polite and decent behaviour?

My wife is disabled (note that I am NOT comparing being trans to a disability, but both states are....is "non-standard" the right word?). The conversations between Marten and Claire after their first kiss, in the bedroom for the first time naked, the conversation from today's strip...I had the same conversations with my wife, and if I had said the wrong thing she would have run for the hills and I would never have seen her again. It's an incredibly private thing for someone whose body is a little unusual, and the fear of rejection is immense. My friends and family were decent enough not to bring up the topic, realising that it was between us...so why can't we just respect Claire and Marten (and through them, all other real-life trans/cis couples) and allow them their privacy?

And regarding Marten's "personality change"...

I can draw many parallels between Marten now and myself when I was his age. When I was in my mid-twenties I met my future wife (been together since 1998 now) and suddenly everything changed in my life. I was confident with her, I made the first move, I suddenly seemed to know what to say or do - everything seemed to come together. Before I was drifting, with her I found my purpose in life, made some serious life-decisions, started a career, etc. etc.

Thinking about it, everything was there before - I just needed a catalyst to get my ass out of the rut it was in and that was her. I know it sounds really corny, but she inspired me to be a better person and she still does today. I think Marten is going through a similar experience with Claire now, and I wouldn't be surprised if it all impacted on his career plans - although I am sure that Jeph wil surprise us, and as the previous poster said, there is potential for conflict with Claire here.

Marten is growing up (as are some of the other cast members), and QC has come a long way from the gag-a-day format - and I think that it is a much better comic for it. The storytelling is compelling and it's become my favourite web comic now. Go Jeph, keep on doing what you do and keep the awesome coming!

PS: First time poster

[hakko504]

<Wall of heartwarming text>

PS: First time poster

Welcome new person! And let me say that for a first post, this was one of the best I've read in a long time. I think you hit the nail head on when it comes to Marten and Claire's relation.

[NilsO]

PS: First time poster

Welcome, Khazgar! You are the voice of reason. I hope for many more posts from you.
Probably completely off-topic: I had to buy some stuff from http://www.banggood.com/, just because of their domain name 

[Is it cold in here?]

*Excellent* first post. Welcome!

Global Moderator Comment

OK, maybe if we explain it a new way. Part of the value of art is the chance to have new experiences. The experience of being around trans* people, if you are decent, includes respecting their physical privacy. The experience of learning by reading about Claire and talking about her should follow the same rule to get us the same benefit.

[explicit]

Very good post guy, stick around and don't mind some of the weirder people here. They know who they are.

[Khazgar]

Thank you *blush*.

I also have to say that I am, generally, very impressed by this forum. I don't agree with everything people post (and in particular the negativity and the search for drama regarding Marten and Claire), but that is my personal opinion and I support everyone's right to theirs, within the realms of decency of course!

People here are mostly very well-behaved, open and inquisitive and this place is a real contrast to seom cesspits I've seen.

The mods also do an excellent job. I've been lurking for a while and reading for longer - and am happy to be playing a more active role now.