Ocean Swell
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Comments (82)
Whereas I'm convinced that Pintsize has already been permanently banned from the AI's island because of the sheer goblinry he's already committed! Just because he isn't in the narrative all the time doesn't mean he isn't doing simply *terrible* things offpanel.
If Claire gets this job, and they go out to off Nova Scotia, will they bring Pintsize? And has Pintsize done something in his, um, "adventurous" past which would prevent him from crossing the USA/CAN border?
I can't imagine any answer but 'yes', which doesn't mean he wouldn't actually come along.
I know our Jeph is special, but how many artists would treat Claire right. She is such a girl. A cute, womanly person that is finally able to be who she always was on the inside.
I mean, when you're drawing someone you aren't really limited by normal physical constraints that might add challenge. As far as the strip is concerned, Claire has -always- been a girl. It would have been far more challenging to have a character go through transition on the strip than just start off that way like Claire has.
🎶change and a haircut, two biiits 🎶 🔃💇 🤖🎩
Where can you still get a haircut for $0.25‽
Marten needs a haircut
I want to say his new stylist is a manga fan, but I really have no idea what I’m talking about…
This is fine
Claire is adorable here
Claire is always adorable
So THIS is the end-game! Jeph, realizing that he has created an ensemble cast of hundreds, slowly starts shifting them off to space, Canada, etc. The last hundred strips is just Pintsize on a rampage, Winslow trying to restrain him, and them both ending up on an alternative Morning Talk Show / Demolition Derby called "Morning Cup of OH NO!"
I know that putting them in a new location without everyone else is probably not what is gonna happen, but i want her to get the job so bad.
Prediction: Everyone mentally prepares for them to leave, then Claire doesn't actually get the job (which is entirely plausible, she's a strong candidate but I'm sure all the other interviewees are too!)
If they have spaceplanes like the one used to get to Station, the commute would be easy.
In panel 3, I love Claire's adoring eyes, big smile, and her little finger reaching for the zipper of Marten's hoodie. Marten is a very lucky guy who loves Claire, accepts her as she is, and is willing to flow with the opportunities presented to her. And Claire is very thankful for that.
This is what I meant by healthily codependent. They're simply better together than they would be apart.
Why would a Cubetown librarian even need to be in Cubetown? Any originally-physical books would have been digitized.
My first thought was why would they even need a librarian at all? you'd think they would just have a digital archive that everyone can download what they need from
Martin and Dora were never a cute couple. Well, never quite. But there's no doubt about it that these two are *cute.* And this installment is a great reminder of that.
I dunno, the black marker people roasting marshmallows on Dora’s flame tattoo was a pretty cute moment.
Bye bye Marty. It’s a long time since you are not the main character anyway. We love you
I don't think she'll end up with the job. It would move the longest running character out of normal interaction range with almost all the established characters. If she does and he goes too that might mean the comic was entering some final chapters to wrap things up before it ends.
Jeph has explicitly stated that the comic is not ending, now or anytime soon. If the status quo is changing, then that's all it is - a change. (Plus, in-universe, if there's one thing Marten needs, it's a change.)
If I'm not mistaken, it's actually well documented that zero-g sickness and seasickness are fairly independent. But I'd guess Marten hasn't read https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space_adaptation_syndrome
When they went to Station to visit with Hanners' dad, Marten had no problems with zero-G, on several occasions, in one case IIRC having had a few drinks. He may not be subject to SAS.
This is the beginning stage of Jeff writing out all the human characters so he can just write a robo-rom-com.
It wouldn't be the worst development. Especially if it was all-Iris, all the time.
Their parents are going to freak out!
As long as Veronica doesn't follow again.
That’s weird. I can write a comment but when I try to reply it forgets that I’m a patron. Anyone else having this problem. I can’t even reply to my own comment.
I did have that exact problem recently, but I guess the app update to the new interface fixed it 🤷 (iOS)
"So, you seem to be very qualified for the job. But we have a couple of other questions. For example, is that 'Marten' fellow the same one who knows Hannelore Ellicott-Chatham, Station, and Yay Newfriend? Because we might want to offer him a job, too."
A job doing what though? lol, what is Martin qualified to do?
Marten might end up marrying Claire
He might need to, I'm not sure how he plans to stay in Canada in the long-term otherwise as, bless him, he doesn't have much in the way of sort after skills or experience.
But adults don't know how to make new friends, Marten!
Truth.
A Nova Scotia nor'easter? Outer space is easier. It's not ACTIVELY trying to kill you.
Outer space sucks. Literally. Vacuum.
I think the biggest takeaway I've got here is that this is the first time I can recall where Marten has actually been thinking about his future on his own, without being prompted ahead of time- and decided that if it came to it, he wants his future to be with Claire. <3
the end is coming, I can feel it.
I never doubted Marten, but love hearing it so much ❤️
That second panel I love it! Seeing Martin so calm and ready for the next step of his life.
I want to note that when the old X-Men went to Krakoa, The Living Island, Professor X had to form the New X-Men to get them back.
Hmm... Lots of growth happening over these more recent steps. Marten and Claire forming a new life (let's be honest, the AIs would LOVE Marten given his Pintsize experience), Marigold looking at homebuying, Dora and Tai eventually marrying, Hanners serving a coach and sounding board, even relationships like Faye and Bubbs are demonstrating to resilience and stability.
that brings up a good point... does pintsize come with them? and will he be allowed on board :D
This is such beautiful growth to see from Marten.
I remember a time when QC was all about bad relationships and breakups. I think Jeph is in a much better headspace these past many years and the occupants of the QCverse have become much happier people because of their benevolent god.
And it seemed to coincide with it becoming much more queer :)
I initially wondered if the strip would follow Marten, since the strip has been about him from the start, or whether Marten might be leaving the strip. But based on other comments I guess it will all work out in the end!
Jeph recently denied that this would be the end or the beginning of the end of QC.
my bold prediction: Marten and Claire leave QC and Jeph starts a spinoff comic about their Canadian/Cubetown adventures. Marten starts off as the protagonist but is eventually displaced from that role by a bunch of cute angsty robots
No, I doubt it. Much more likely is EVERYONE moves to Canada!
Good Marten is good.
we're gonna cut to Steve eating cereal like any day now.
Your eternal hope is a balm to our souls.
I don’t recall when Marten would have been in zero-g? I don’t think he visited Hannelore’s dad’s space station did he? (And even did IIRC it had spin gravity…)
He did, for her dad's birthday party. He experienced zero-G on the shuttle to and from the station, and he played zero-G tennis with that military woman.
Zero-G without orbital velocity is terrifying!
You don't like high diving? Roller coasters? Skydiving? Defenestration? (Marten had orbital velocity at the time.)
Cubetown is mother. Cubetown is father. All hail Cubetown.
Does this feel like the beginning of the end to anyone else? Nearly everyone is in a stable and healthy relationship. Marten and Claire might be moving away. Seems like Dora and Tai’s wedding would be a good place to end the strip.
Jeph posted somewhere (Twitter?) that the upcoming story arc would look like the end of the comic but would not be.
I can't wait to see what new friends they adopt in Nova Scotia!
I can wait. I mean, I don't have that kind of anxiety disorder. But I am looking forward to it. :)
Seems like Marten has not been on boats. And he has also been not on boats.
Well if Steve ever got his drunk-bought boat, Marten could start practicing his sea legs (lake legs maybe).
Off the coast of Nova Scotia? What is this gig, curating a collection of Stan Rogers ship wreck songs?
Mentioned in earlier pages, its an artificial island.
GOALS
They're so precious!
And did anyone really doubt what his response would be?
Good Marten! Good boy!
Martin has grown so much!
Yes, Marten is familiar with Zero -G, isn't he?
Relationship goals 😊
I’ve been a stunt pilot and I’ve been a sailor and I can confirm that boats is worse than zero-g
Probably a giant sentient floating structure that keeps itself pretty stable. Just guessing.
Supportive Marten is nice. I like it.
Goals right there