Q&A time!

Do'h. Too slow.

Jp

How are liking Canada? Will we see more poutine in the comic?

Jp

Whew ok I'm gonna call this Q&A here! Thanks so much for all your good questions!!!

Jeph Jacques

no she is a stegosaurus rancher now

Jeph Jacques

best dog 15/10

Jeph Jacques

I switched from using a wacom tablet to a cintiq display, and then from photoshop to clip studio, and the tech is loads better now than when I started. I can't wait for an iPad with an actual pro-level operating system that I can draw on. The MobileStudio Pros are the closest we've come so far and I love mine.

Jeph Jacques

Was Gabby eaten by the same Allosaur which ate Sara?

Brendan Jones

Office gopher was my first and only "real" job after school. Everything else I just research online or ask people I know!

Jeph Jacques

45 minutes

Jeph Jacques

45 minutes

Jeph Jacques

"My Butt Fell Off And My Wife Left Me For My Deattached Butt"

Jeph Jacques

If I got invited!

Jeph Jacques

Amp modeling! Amp modeling amp modeling amp modeling! It's so good! Tube amps are expensive and too loud and heavy and break all the time, fuck that!

Jeph Jacques

Just wanted to move things along. I'll probably do it again the next time it makes sense narratively.

Jeph Jacques

Brun and Bubbles :3

Jeph Jacques

SECRETS

Jeph Jacques

It just sort of happened organically, I'm sure my interest will shift elsewhere eventually.

Jeph Jacques

I just don't worry about it.

Jeph Jacques

Not really. I used to worry about that sort of thing but it's never happened in 14 years so I don't think about it anymore!

Jeph Jacques

It's all Superior Drummer samples sequenced in Logic, with my own special blend of EQ, compression, and reverb to make 'em sound good.

Jeph Jacques

I'd like to do more Marigold stuff

Jeph Jacques

I'd get along with Dale. Dale is chill.

Jeph Jacques

it is a gradual change, it just doesn't seem like it if you're reading all at once

Jeph Jacques

No, it's not the same universe as Alice Grove

Jeph Jacques

they will throw whatever kind of beans they want at you

Jeph Jacques

She threw a dart at a map

Jeph Jacques

someday!

Jeph Jacques

Basically anything with Emily being a weirdo

Jeph Jacques

I dunno if the next CHAPTER will be the end but it's coming relatively soon. After that, who knows. I Have lots of ideas.

Jeph Jacques

Best: I get to live with my fiancee! Worst: immigration beurocracy is terrible

Jeph Jacques

cheeribros

Jeph Jacques

probably not

Jeph Jacques

Is Shelby a good dog??

Minzoku Bokumetsu

How has your workflow changed over the years? How has the tech changed the way you sketch and draw? Are there any newer devices you're looking forward to trying to see if they help?

Maurice Kessler

Have you worked in any of the jobs your characters work? (Office gopher, coffee shop, bar, romance novel writing, space station...) If not, what's your research like?

How long have Claire and Marten been dating in QC time?

Scarlett B

How much time has (roughly) passed since QC began in-universe?

Peter McDevitt

band is on hiatus until I feel like drawing drumsets again, and maybe!

Jeph Jacques

yup, that was a doodle I did for something, I forget what

Jeph Jacques

How's Marten's band doing? ALSO: Any chance we can get a tag system set up at some point?

Seth Aaron Hershman has they she pronouns

I second this question. Further, what sort of cognitive abilities and knowledge does an AI have when it is "born"? Does AI consciousness emerge fully developed and full of knowledge, ready to participate in the world at an "adult" level? If instead, they emerge immature and empty of knowledge, what is the development process like, and how long does it take?

Joseph Erhard-Hudson

I found a picture of your characters with real guns. Claire (my favorite) had a PS90. Did you draw that? Did you draw any armed QC characters?

Any chance we'll get more of Sven's country songs?

I'm one of your very few Italian fans. Will you ever come to one of our billions comic meetings? LuccaComics, Napolicon, Milantoon?

giacomo vaghi

How/why are new AIs made? Given that they clearly get to choose what they want to do as a career, you obviously can't be a manufacturer and say "okay we're going to make six AI-controlled helicopters" because you need to effectively hire six AIs to be pilots. So who's creating these new AIs? Are AIs actually breeding (we know they have at least some idea of a sex drive, even if Pintsize's seems to be more of a set of horrible bugs than anything seriously reproductive) or are humans churning them out, feeding them basic knowledge and then hoping they're going to decide to do something useful?

mathw

What do you think about how guitar technology has evolved over the years? Do you have some favorite innovations, and/or areas where you wish they stuck less with tradition and moved things forward more?

P

Yes, no, same time.

The fast forward after Faye got the robot job worked great IMO. Any insights into how/why you came up with it? Would you try it again?

Is there an origin story for how AI came into being in QC-world? Is AG set in QC's future? Roughly speaking, how far in the future is QC, or is it just a completely different timeline from here?

Jon Spriggs

which character is the most fun to draw?

PBManning

Seconded!

Caspar Gray

When Alice is done, are you considering another new comic, or will you give yourself some time?

Matt

Do you post your schedule for conventions anywhere? I'd love to say hi in person if you're ever in my area.

Michael Charboneau

Dora has a cat.

Bitey

I'm pretty curious whether the move of QC towards having more significant AI-related plots reflects a change in your own interests -- presumably also reflected in the creation of Alice Grove? As a person with AI-related interests myself, who has been reading QC since before that shift, I'm curious what got you more interested in AI!

With the further development of AI in QC towards fully conscious beings, do you try to justify the abuse of Pintsize (his casual disassembly, throwing him at the wall, not worrying about needing a backup to restore his memories, etc )in early comics, or do you just admit you hadn't gone in that direction yet and ignore those when writing new material?

Liubo

Maybe I am forgetting...but do any of the characters have any animal pets? If not, why? Seems like out of a group that large SOMEONE would have a critter :)

have there ever been any story arcs you wanted to do, but if you did them it would make it where other story arcs wouldn't be possible? (conflicting story arcs)

Can you talk a little bit about how you do (make/play/record/etc) the drums/percussion for your music?

Alex Van Gils

Are there any characters you really want to do something with, but can't think of a plot line for them?

Patrick Liston

If you had the chance to hang out with a QC character for real, which one would you pick? That is, I'm not talking about which one's your favorite, but which one you'd enjoy hanging with the most.

Rob McBobson

Your art has made several style jumps over the years. Why do they seem to end up happening all at once? Rather than a gradual change?

Have we already met our first Praeses (Praesus? What's the singular?) in QC?

RoofPig

Does Coffee of Doom offee cuppings and tastings? And does it focus on Eastern or Western Hemisphere beans?

What made Hanners decide to move to North Hampton specifically?

Back when he was drawing the day of publishing (usually the hour before publishing), he would live-stream the drawing of the comic then post it immediately. Now that he's got a buffer, it would be spoilery.

Buck Caldwell

Is there any old QC strip/moment/joke that you're particularly pleased with? Like, you think back on it and go "That was a really good one"?

Rob McBobson

Might you come to a con in the UK at some point?

Chris Wicks

Ooh, this is what to do after Alice Grove!

Chris Wicks

You mentioned that the next chapter of Alice Grove will be the last. What's next?

Chris Wicks

Starting with: I've been reading for years! Thank you for all you've done and for sharing it with us <3 Question: What are the best and worst parts about moving to Canada?

What is Steve's favorite brand of cereal?

JD

Will Angus show back up?

Bitey

Have you ever done a behind-the-scenes/how-the-comic-is-written-and-drawn article or video? If not, might you be persuaded?

Ted Hobgood

One thing I've always been curious to know more about is the AI "Singularity".. Any thoughts on giving more of an origin story to MoMo/Pintsize/Bubbles/etc ?

Zach Elwyn

probably not :\

Jeph Jacques

It's mostly Iain M. Banks and China Mieville

Jeph Jacques

The main reason I joined Twitter in the first place was to follow the conversation between all the QC characters. I guess that's not coming back?

I have loved QC for a long time, but wow... I couldn't have guessed that Alice would be so, so good. And different. What are a couple of inspirations for where that universe came from in your mind? Did writing 'sci-fi' for QC start you on the path, or did the idea exist before that to you?

Ronald Stimbert

Dumbing of Age, Sam & Fuzzy, basically everything I link to on the main site.

Jeph Jacques

I will always love Marigold but she hasn't been on my mind much lately.

Jeph Jacques

It's 99.5% fictional.

Jeph Jacques

Not very well, I think! I just go with whatever I'm currently having ideas about.

Jeph Jacques

It happens all sorts of ways, most of the time I just think about what they would say in a given situation and try to make it funny.

Jeph Jacques

I can't really think of one! They mostly just wander in from my sketchbook.

Jeph Jacques

probably not, at this point

Jeph Jacques

Someday, probably, but I'm not sure when and I probably wouldn't tell anyone anyway

Jeph Jacques

What web comics are you addicted to? (As much as you hooked all of us on QC, something must have caught your attention too :) )

they bonk USB ports together and go "this is definitely sex"

Jeph Jacques

She certainly seems to display many traits commonly associated with ASD

Jeph Jacques

Everyone is trying to be mostly nice to each other

Jeph Jacques

penguin colony

Jeph Jacques

they go in a big dumpster out back

Jeph Jacques

sometimes

Jeph Jacques

I used to do it but when they started cracking down on streaming music you don't own the copyright to, it took all the fun out for me so I don't do it anymore. :(

Jeph Jacques

There are some characters I feel like I'm basically done with but I hesitate to say anyone other than Sarah is gone forever.

Jeph Jacques

the horrible art

Jeph Jacques

It's all practice. I'd say draw every day if you can, take some life drawing classes if possible, copy work that you like to figure out how it's put together.

Jeph Jacques

that seems to be where my interest lies these days!

Jeph Jacques

God no, I have no idea what to do with instruments that aren't guitars, bass, drums, or synths

Jeph Jacques

Tie between Brun and Renee at the moment. Much poofiness.

Jeph Jacques

If I want criticism, I have friends whose opinions I trust. If I listened to every random person's critiques I would never get anything done.

Jeph Jacques

Are the worlds of QC and Alice Grove connected in any way?

Bear

There will be a lot of clues but you will probably have to draw your own conclusions about many things.

Jeph Jacques

Very very few of them. I try to keep QC as fictional as possible.

Jeph Jacques

I'm not! NEVER DONE, ALWAYS TRY TO IMPROVE

Jeph Jacques

Canada rules

Jeph Jacques

Nope, it was a gradual thing, I had almost no interest in the robot stuff for several years. It seems to be a more recent development.

Jeph Jacques

I have a few ideas about how I could end QC. I don't see myself doing it forever but I'm not sure when/if it will end.

Jeph Jacques

I have no idea! Mostly it just sits in my head until I need it, occasionally I'll check the QC wiki to make sure I'm not contradicting myself.

Jeph Jacques

Or Dr. Pepper?

Bear

Who's your favorite character from the non-current cast and will you bring him/her back?

This sounds like a community project. Maybe "Story arcs" with link and description could be added to the QC record on Wikipedia.

Øyunn Hagland

What is your inspiration for the comics? Do you pull from real life events or do you imagine everything, how much of your personal life do you find yourself writing into the stories? Like, are any of your characters based on real life friends or acquaintances?

John M Davis

You have a very high number of amazing characters. How you do manage (or attempt to manage) giving every character screen (or I guess panel) time?

JD

how are characters created in your mind? do you make scenarios for characters, or make characters for scenarios? also i love u

Echoing this. We've (semi-jokingly) gotten into the habit of saying please and thank you to our Google Home. We figure we'd better get in the habit of treating them decently now lest we treat them like slaves when they become self-aware... you know, forestall the robot uprising... :)

Andy Affleck

What's the most interesting character origin story? Not within the story, but how you came up with them.

Bump

Andy Affleck

When Padma left, you said she'd come back. Is that still the plan?

James Mahaney

I've been reading since 2004. QC is the second webcomic I started reading and the only webcomic I still read with any consistency. Is there any plan to close up shop? If so, when? If not, what's the five year plan?

James Mahaney

Robosexuality question: You've introduced the idea that robots and androids have libido and implied that there is "hot robot sex" (Seven and Jeremy) and that there are sexual interactions between humans and robots (pretty much all of May's implied internal dialogue). Can you expand on the gory details of this in the QC universe. Yes, in my heart I am a Faybles shipper.

Gary Walker

Is Brun intended to be on the autism spectrum? She is now my favorite character (with Hanners and Marigold as close seconds) since I identify with her social awkwardness and personality.

Heather Brooks

How far into the future do you have planned?

Gino Arizmendi

I had never heard of the concept of instrumental Heavy Metal, until I found out about your music. And as soon as I heard what you had done, your stuff instantly jumped to the top of my list of favorites. Don't get me wrong, I still love AC/DC, Black Sabbath, and all the other greats, but I love your music more. I don't want to take you away from QC, but I would love to hear more of your music, and I'd be happy to pay for that through Patreon, Kickstarter, or however you'd like to make that happen!

Brad Knowles

Inasmuch as know we have AI criminals (CW, May) can we also assume that we have AI 'rebels/insurrectionists'. Is it the rebels or the elite that are pushing for the robot overthrow of humanity?

jeff fearnow

If you were a ghost and could haunt anywhere in the world, where would you haunt?

You've shown us in the comic that there are new chassis shops for AI. In general, how do AI treat their old bodies? Are old/used AI chassis essentially treated like we treat our old cars?

Also, have you considered at all reviving the music column?

Ian DeVotie

Cump?

BobC

As a follow up to Sam's question, I am curious how much research you've done in regards to trans issues and your source of inspiration for her life experiences and personality. I have a couple of trans friends and want to learn more about their life experiences to broaden my own. I am wondering if there is some glimmer of reality in Claire's adventures that I could also include in my world view.

Live streaming seems to be popular these days. Have you ever considered (or have you already done) a live comic drawing stream? Is that something you find interesting, or would having immediate feedback while working be annoying?

Matt Lee

Have you considered bringing back any of the old QC characters that have kinda departed the series by now? I guess the real question is when is Pizza Girl coming back?

Ian DeVotie

If you could go back and change something from the early days of the comic, what would you change? (sorry if you've been asked this a million times!)

Morgan Bauman

I love to see the evolution of your Art over time. Did you follow drawing courses over time or is that mostly from practice? What are your recommendations for someone that just started drawing and would like to improve? Thanks! Love your work :D

mooviies

I've really enjoyed the inclusion of AI as prominent characters. Do you have plans to include more AI as secondary/tertiary characters?

Shannon Traska

Have you ever composed anything for larger ensembles like concert/symphonic band, orchestra, or jazz big band? Would you ever consider it?

FunkyTuba

Have you considered writing more about your views on AI and ethics? seems like you have a lot to say. particularly loved the bubbles spookybot arc.

Eugene Dobry

Hi, Jeph! Thanks for this! Claire is one of my favorite characters, and I identify with her a lot. I was wondering what your inspiration was for her, and how you go about developing a plan for future story arcs in general?

Sam Thacker

Whose hairstyle is your favorite to draw?

I love reading old QC, is there a way to create an story outline where you could link and jump to "timetravel" through the old stories

Timmy

Are there ever circumstances where you look for criticism from people online? I ask not because I have any to offer, nor because I think that you should or shouldn't, but because you often seem to bristle at it in your Tweets. Is it just... exhausting from having so many people who are invested and want their views heard/recognized?

Will the end of Alice Grove fully explain why Alice and other have others have powers? I have only seen hints.

Mark Landes

To follow up on Jonathan Ellis' question, do many of your story lines and/or characters come from your personal life? and if so, how has the comic and the stories within it changed those relationships if those family/friends see themselves in part in the characters?

Emerson

Your style and, more apparently, depictions of the characters has evolved over time. How did you decide when you were done refining your style?

Michael Minea

How's life going in the eastern half of Canada? I'm always interested in how people who have moved to Canada are faring. Hope things are going well.

Did you know from the start of QC that you wanted to focus on the robot side and develop the place of AIs in this world ? Or did that idea come later in the life of the comic and, if so, when ?

I know you have already planned out how Alice Grove ends, have you done something similar with QC? Not that I want either to end but I am curious how long you plan on doing QC.

Lauren

Your characters are wonderfully complex - how do you map/remember all of their histories and past storylines?

Pepsi or Coke?