Practicalities And Eventualities

Between his conversations with Claire and his experiences in his new body, he's had a lot to think about in terms of how he behaves.

Diptych

Hey PZ. I used to be a huge fan of Ed Brayton and haven't been around any of the same places as you since he sadly passed away. Great to see you in this forum.

David Durant

Agreed. Also, I’ve been a fan of yours for years. I was not expecting to see a name I recognized in the QC comments section.

BioGeek42

that last panel: when did Pintsize mature like that?? must be the influence of the new body.

Wild Card

I never said it was her job *or* her responsibility to help people. But it's in her nature. She may not always enjoy it, but I think she'd be *very* good at it.

awgiedawgie

It's not Claire's (potential) job and it's *definitely* not her responsibility to look after anyone at Cubetown or anywhere else. I find it concerning that some folks think that it has become her moral responsibility to fix things there - or that she'd necessarily be any good at it or enjoy doing so.

David Durant

Thanks Nicholas, that's one of the best comments I've read in here in a while.

David Durant

But…but…if Marten acquires focus & direction I won't have anyone to identify with in the comic!

PZ Myers

Relax, kid. You don't know it yet, but Marten has a purpose in Cubetown. Marten finds the people who need help - or rather, they are drawn to him by his chill demeanor - and then he brings them to Claire for guidance. Liz is just the first of many.

awgiedawgie

I hope Cube Town becomes a spin off series. ^~^

Martin may become the Yoda of Cubetown.

Chris Heg

Ok but like Pintsize's derp face in panel 2 is giving me great joy.

Julia Allen-Hesse

I think everyone has some good points here questioning whether Marten truly is "directionless" and pointing out that it's perfectly fine for Marten to focus his energies on things other than his job. However, Marten himself has expressed some frustration with his own directionlessness in the past, so it does beg the question of whether he still feels that way. I agree with folks that that feels outdated and mostly he seems happy to be forging a path forward with Clare, but we haven't heard him speak to the issue in a while, so....will be interesting to see where this goes.

Chelsea

I need Pintsize's son on a shirt: https://questionablecontent.net/view.php?comic=3769

Chelsea

Direction isn't all its cracked up to be. Are they worried about him or the him he could be?

I need Pint Size's shirt for my son :)

Yeah! Not everybody needs A Purpose or Something With Capital Letters. Marten is there for his friends and doesn't harm anyone.

There was the time he had food poisoning/allergy he just discovered that he got upset.

Opus the Poet

The whole nature of being the least seen person is that you underestimate their impact and development. This can either be a detriment (missed promotions, walked on, etc) or an advantage (unexpected preparedness, come from behind victor, etc). Lets see how Martin handles it, and also realize he's capable of pursuing his own happiness his way. So far we've not been given any clues by Jeph of him being upset or neglected. In the background people are worried about him, and possibly with the wrong perceptions. but those can be character development for them. They may see he's happy, and also see what is missing in the background when he's gone. I felt the same way when Hannelore left. Something was missing and her perspective was needed at times. Now she's very different now, but life does that to you. I think Jeph has done a pretty amazing job of orchestrating a series of friends and acquaintances that have a beautiful symphony of a reflection of real life. It's not perfect, but neither is a piccolo trying to sound like a song bird. It's the evocation and the emotion felt that is the art. Butts

Nicholas Sturm

Honestly, I'm kind of frustrated that none of Marten's friends seem to respect him very much, or realize that his apparent directionlessness isn't really a problem. Like I pointed out before, he has catalyzed so much good in his friends' lives. Why does he need to change?

Hugh Eckert

I feel that Pintsize would want his last moments on this mortal coil to be ones where he is compressed into a point by a muscular lady R. Crumbot.

Douglas E. Smith

You know I was worried about Pintsize getting a body, but you’re right Jeph, he IS a chaos twink.

chili sunrise