imported>Citation bot: Removed URL that duplicated identifier. | Use this bot. Report bugs. | #UCB_CommandLine

2025-07-18T14:30:58Z

Removed URL that duplicated identifier. | Use this bot. Report bugs. | #UCB_CommandLine

← Previous revision		Revision as of 14:30, 18 July 2025
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	Jacques makes his living from ''QC'' merchandising, advertising and donations. By 2004, Jacques could support himself and his then-partner based on income from merchandise and advertising sales.<ref name="latimes">{{cite web \|last=Villarreal \|first=Yvonne \|date=May 22, 2009 \|title=Comic strip artists feeling the squeeze \|url=http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/la-et-comic-strips22-2009may22,0,1154522.story \|url-access=subscription \|access-date=May 22, 2009 \|work=[[Los Angeles Times]]}}</ref> Merchandise has included designing T-shirts for the characters in the comic to wear, then selling real T-shirts of the same design.<ref>{{Cite journal\|last=Plamondon\|first=Raphaël\|date=Winter 2018\|title=The Sustainability of Free Content: Learning from Webcomics\|url=https://ojs.scholarsportal.info/ottawa-school/index.php/PA/article/view/114\|journal=Moving Through the Grey: Publishing in Action\|volume=1\|pages=120}}</ref> The comic is also supported by donors through [[Patreon]].<ref name=":3" />		Jacques makes his living from ''QC'' merchandising, advertising and donations. By 2004, Jacques could support himself and his then-partner based on income from merchandise and advertising sales.<ref name="latimes">{{cite web \|last=Villarreal \|first=Yvonne \|date=May 22, 2009 \|title=Comic strip artists feeling the squeeze \|url=http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/la-et-comic-strips22-2009may22,0,1154522.story \|url-access=subscription \|access-date=May 22, 2009 \|work=[[Los Angeles Times]]}}</ref> Merchandise has included designing T-shirts for the characters in the comic to wear, then selling real T-shirts of the same design.<ref>{{Cite journal\|last=Plamondon\|first=Raphaël\|date=Winter 2018\|title=The Sustainability of Free Content: Learning from Webcomics\|url=https://ojs.scholarsportal.info/ottawa-school/index.php/PA/article/view/114\|journal=Moving Through the Grey: Publishing in Action\|volume=1\|pages=120}}</ref> The comic is also supported by donors through [[Patreon]].<ref name=":3" />

	Jacques promoted the comic in a number of ways including joining the webcomic collective Dayfree Press for some time, and starting a fake feud with Sam Logan, the creator of ''Sam and Fuzzy'', trading insults while linking to each other's comic.<ref name=":2">{{Cite journal \|last=Misemer \|first=Leah \|date=2019-06-07 \|title=A Historical Approach to Webcomics: Digital Authorship in the Early 2000s \|journal=The Comics Grid: Journal of Comics Scholarship \|language=en \|volume=9 \|issue=1 \|pages=10 \|doi=10.16995/cg.162 \|issn=2048-0792 \|doi-access=free}}</ref> ''QC'' has also featured [[~~Guest~~ comic~~\|guest comics~~]], often in exchange for Jacques writing a guest comic for the creator or for cross-promotion.<ref name=":2" />		Jacques promoted the comic in a number of ways including joining the webcomic collective Dayfree Press for some time, and starting a fake feud with Sam Logan, the creator of ''Sam and Fuzzy'', trading insults while linking to each other's comic.<ref name=":2">{{Cite journal \|last=Misemer \|first=Leah \|date=2019-06-07 \|title=A Historical Approach to Webcomics: Digital Authorship in the Early 2000s \|journal=The Comics Grid: Journal of Comics Scholarship \|language=en \|volume=9 \|issue=1 \|pages=10 \|doi=10.16995/cg.162 \|issn=2048-0792 \|doi-access=free}}</ref> ''QC'' has also featured [[guest comic]]s, often in exchange for Jacques writing a guest comic for the creator or for cross-promotion.<ref name=":2" />

	==Publication==		==Publication==
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	Jacques spoke on the evolution of his art in an interview at ComixTalk in March 2006:		Jacques spoke on the evolution of his art in an interview at ComixTalk in March 2006:
	{{~~quote~~\|The art is constantly changing, as anybody who reads the comic for more than two weeks could probably tell you. I'm always trying different things with the artwork — it's been a goal from day one to continually improve my drawing ability, and I think it's finally beginning to get to the point where I'm halfway decent at it. It's basically survival of the fittest — changes that I think fit in with the overall look I'm going for stick around and get refined, and changes that do not fit in get phased out, sometimes in the course of three or four strips, sometimes over a much longer span of time. I'm trying to get better at using different "camera angles" in each panel and doing more involved backgrounds, both of which are really just a matter of being patient and taking my time with the artwork. There's still tons of room for improvement, and always will be, but I think I'm at least making progress.\|sign=Jeph Jacques\|source=''ComixTalk''<ref name="comixinterview">{{cite web \|url=http://comixtalk.com/index.php?q=node/7276 \|url-status=deviated \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110708180928/http://comixtalk.com/index.php?q=node/7276 \|archive-date=July 8, 2011 \|title=Questionable Creator: George Curtis Interviews Jeph Jacques \|work=ComixTalk.com \|first=George \|last=Curtis \|date=March 2006\|access-date=July 31, 2008}}{{cbignore}}</ref>}}		{{blockquote\|The art is constantly changing, as anybody who reads the comic for more than two weeks could probably tell you. I'm always trying different things with the artwork — it's been a goal from day one to continually improve my drawing ability, and I think it's finally beginning to get to the point where I'm halfway decent at it. It's basically survival of the fittest — changes that I think fit in with the overall look I'm going for stick around and get refined, and changes that do not fit in get phased out, sometimes in the course of three or four strips, sometimes over a much longer span of time. I'm trying to get better at using different "camera angles" in each panel and doing more involved backgrounds, both of which are really just a matter of being patient and taking my time with the artwork. There's still tons of room for improvement, and always will be, but I think I'm at least making progress.\|sign=Jeph Jacques\|source=''ComixTalk''<ref name="comixinterview">{{cite web \|url=http://comixtalk.com/index.php?q=node/7276 \|url-status=deviated \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110708180928/http://comixtalk.com/index.php?q=node/7276 \|archive-date=July 8, 2011 \|title=Questionable Creator: George Curtis Interviews Jeph Jacques \|work=ComixTalk.com \|first=George \|last=Curtis \|date=March 2006\|access-date=July 31, 2008}}{{cbignore}}</ref>}}

	In strip #1040 in 2007, Jacques said that he used a [[Wacom (company)#Cintiq\|Wacom Cintiq]] [[graphics tablet]]<ref name="qc1040">{{cite web\|url=http://www.questionablecontent.net/view.php?comic=1040\|first=Jeph \|last=Jacques\|title=Over The Bodies Of The Fallen}}</ref> to draw his strips. In 2021, he tweeted that his software had been mainly [[Clip Studio Paint]] "for years now," and that he only used [[Photoshop]] for final layout and some image editing<ref>{{Cite web \|last=Jacques \|first=Jeph \|date=2021-03-02 \|title=It's all I've used to make comics for years now! I only use photoshop for final layout and occasional other image editing. But I think it might be time to drop it entirely. \|url=https://twitter.com/jephjacques/status/1366460919589576704 \|url-status=dead \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211222210928/https://twitter.com/jephjacques/status/1366460919589576704 \|archive-date=December 22, 2021 \|access-date=2021-04-27 \|website=Twitter \|language=en}}</ref> In 2007, he cited [[Bill Watterson]] (''[[Calvin and Hobbes]]'') and the webcomic ''[[Scary Go Round]]'' as his main influences.<ref name="collegian">{{cite news \|last=O'Rourke \|first=Matt \|date=March 16, 2007 \|title=Pioneer Valley comic artist uses the web to reach readers \|work=The Daily Collegian \|url=http://media.www.dailycollegian.com/media/storage/paper874/news/2005/01/25/ArtsLiving/Pioneer.Valley.Comic.Artist.Uses.The.Web.To.Reach.Readers-1557946.shtml \|url-status=dead \|access-date=July 31, 2008 \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080411060255/http://media.www.dailycollegian.com/media/storage/paper874/news/2005/01/25/ArtsLiving/Pioneer.Valley.Comic.Artist.Uses.The.Web.To.Reach.Readers-1557946.shtml \|archive-date=April 11, 2008 \|df=mdy-all}}</ref>		In strip #1040 in 2007, Jacques said that he used a [[Wacom (company)#Cintiq\|Wacom Cintiq]] [[graphics tablet]]<ref name="qc1040">{{cite web\|url=http://www.questionablecontent.net/view.php?comic=1040\|first=Jeph \|last=Jacques\|title=Over The Bodies Of The Fallen}}</ref> to draw his strips. In 2021, he tweeted that his software had been mainly [[Clip Studio Paint]] "for years now," and that he only used [[Photoshop]] for final layout and some image editing<ref>{{Cite web \|last=Jacques \|first=Jeph \|date=2021-03-02 \|title=It's all I've used to make comics for years now! I only use photoshop for final layout and occasional other image editing. But I think it might be time to drop it entirely. \|url=https://twitter.com/jephjacques/status/1366460919589576704 \|url-status=dead \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211222210928/https://twitter.com/jephjacques/status/1366460919589576704 \|archive-date=December 22, 2021 \|access-date=2021-04-27 \|website=Twitter \|language=en}}</ref> In 2007, he cited [[Bill Watterson]] (''[[Calvin and Hobbes]]'') and the webcomic ''[[Scary Go Round]]'' as his main influences.<ref name="collegian">{{cite news \|last=O'Rourke \|first=Matt \|date=March 16, 2007 \|title=Pioneer Valley comic artist uses the web to reach readers \|work=The Daily Collegian \|url=http://media.www.dailycollegian.com/media/storage/paper874/news/2005/01/25/ArtsLiving/Pioneer.Valley.Comic.Artist.Uses.The.Web.To.Reach.Readers-1557946.shtml \|url-status=dead \|access-date=July 31, 2008 \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080411060255/http://media.www.dailycollegian.com/media/storage/paper874/news/2005/01/25/ArtsLiving/Pioneer.Valley.Comic.Artist.Uses.The.Web.To.Reach.Readers-1557946.shtml \|archive-date=April 11, 2008 \|df=mdy-all}}</ref>
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	===Setting===		===Setting===
	''Questionable Content'' setting is split between [[Northampton, Massachusetts]],and 'Cubetown,' a fictional research institute off the coast of Nova Scotia where one of the characters works. Frequent settings include an apartment shared by Marten, Faye and Pintsize; Coffee of Doom, Dora's [[coffeehouse\|coffee shop]], where Hannelore, Penelope, Cosette, Emily, and Dale work; and Smif College's Williston Library<ref name="qc691" group="#">{{cite web\|first=Jeph \|last=Jacques\|url=http://www.questionablecontent.net/view.php?comic=691\|title=That One Never Gets Old\|work=QuestionableContent.net}}</ref> where Marten was previously employed along with Tai and Claire. (The real Williston Library is at [[Mount Holyoke College]]; the public library in Easthampton, Jacques's former residence, is also called the Williston Library.) The comic is mostly realistic with occasional bouts of absurdity, and action primarily focuses on banter between the characters, with slowly progressing plot developments. Due to the emphasis on inter-character dialogue, Jacques rarely uses [[Speech balloon#Thought bubbles\|thought bubbles]] in the comic.		''Questionable Content'' setting is split between [[Northampton, Massachusetts]], and 'Cubetown,' a fictional research institute off the coast of Nova Scotia where one of the characters works. Frequent settings include an apartment shared by Marten, Faye and Pintsize; Coffee of Doom, Dora's [[coffeehouse\|coffee shop]], where Hannelore, Penelope, Cosette, Emily, and Dale work; and Smif College's Williston Library<ref name="qc691" group="#">{{cite web\|first=Jeph \|last=Jacques\|url=http://www.questionablecontent.net/view.php?comic=691\|title=That One Never Gets Old\|work=QuestionableContent.net}}</ref> where Marten was previously employed along with Tai and Claire. (The real Williston Library is at [[Mount Holyoke College]]; the public library in Easthampton, Jacques's former residence, is also called the Williston Library.) The comic is mostly realistic with occasional bouts of absurdity, and action primarily focuses on banter between the characters, with slowly progressing plot developments. Due to the emphasis on inter-character dialogue, Jacques rarely uses [[Speech balloon#Thought bubbles\|thought bubbles]] in the comic.

	Early in the comic's run, the main drama arose from tension between Faye and Marten. The two were roommates and Marten was romantically interested in Faye, but barriers would keep the relationship from happening.<ref name=":2" />		Early in the comic's run, the main drama arose from tension between Faye and Marten. The two were roommates and Marten was romantically interested in Faye, but barriers would keep the relationship from happening.<ref name=":2" />

	The comic appears to be set in a reality similar to our own, but with a futuristic twist. For instance, references to music and bands in various strips are current and relevant at the time of publication. On the other hand, the setting is filled with sentient, emotive artificial intelligences with individual personalities (referred to as "AnthroPCs" or "AIs"),<ref name=":0" /><ref name="qc428" group="#">{{cite web\|first=Jeph \|last=Jacques\|url=http://www.questionablecontent.net/view.php?comic=428\|title=Accostation\|work=QuestionableContent.net}}</ref> which frequently interact with human characters as though they have been doing so for a significant amount of time. According to academic Rebecca Gibson, "the differences between robots and humans in QC are treated in ways that minimalize conflict, maximize attempts at understanding, and address people as people, regardless of their organo-metallic content... While some have jobs, those jobs are either voluntarily done to maintain independence, or done to earn money for their own benefit. They have choice and autonomy and sentience, and while they are not treated as complete equals—there are plotlines about body purchases and upgrades, and what is wanted versus what can be afforded, as well as comments about personalities—they are, by and large, treated well." AIs can choose companionship and even sex. AIs can be just as good or as unpleasant as humans.<ref name=":0">{{Cite book\|last=Gibson\|first=Rebecca~~\|url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/1114506227~~\|title=Desire in the age of robots and AI : investigations in science fiction and fact\|date=2020\|publisher=Palgrave Macmillan\|isbn=978-3-030-24017-2\|location=Cham\|pages=114–119\|oclc=1114506227}}</ref> Almost all bots have artificial skin color, such as blue, purple, and pink.<ref name=":0" /> Jacques remarked of the setting as far back as 2005:<ref>{{Cite web\|url=http://www.questionablecontent.net/view.php?comic=399\|title=Questionable Content\|website=www.questionablecontent.net\|access-date=2017-01-18}}</ref>		The comic appears to be set in a reality similar to our own, but with a futuristic twist. For instance, references to music and bands in various strips are current and relevant at the time of publication. On the other hand, the setting is filled with sentient, emotive artificial intelligences with individual personalities (referred to as "AnthroPCs" or "AIs"),<ref name=":0" /><ref name="qc428" group="#">{{cite web\|first=Jeph \|last=Jacques\|url=http://www.questionablecontent.net/view.php?comic=428\|title=Accostation\|work=QuestionableContent.net}}</ref> which frequently interact with human characters as though they have been doing so for a significant amount of time. According to academic Rebecca Gibson, "the differences between robots and humans in QC are treated in ways that minimalize conflict, maximize attempts at understanding, and address people as people, regardless of their organo-metallic content... While some have jobs, those jobs are either voluntarily done to maintain independence, or done to earn money for their own benefit. They have choice and autonomy and sentience, and while they are not treated as complete equals—there are plotlines about body purchases and upgrades, and what is wanted versus what can be afforded, as well as comments about personalities—they are, by and large, treated well." AIs can choose companionship and even sex. AIs can be just as good or as unpleasant as humans.<ref name=":0">{{Cite book\|last=Gibson\|first=Rebecca\|title=Desire in the age of robots and AI : investigations in science fiction and fact\|date=2020\|publisher=Palgrave Macmillan\|isbn=978-3-030-24017-2\|location=Cham\|pages=114–119\|oclc=1114506227}}</ref> Almost all bots have artificial skin color, such as blue, purple, and pink.<ref name=":0" /> Jacques remarked of the setting as far back as 2005:<ref>{{Cite web\|url=http://www.questionablecontent.net/view.php?comic=399\|title=Questionable Content\|website=www.questionablecontent.net\|access-date=2017-01-18}}</ref>
	{{~~quote~~\|sign=\|source=\|Something people do not often realize is that the world in which ''QC'' takes place is considerably stranger than our own. You'd think that with all the ''little talking robots running around everywhere'' that this would be obvious, but I am consistently surprised at how often people take it for granted.}}		{{blockquote\|sign=\|source=\|Something people do not often realize is that the world in which ''QC'' takes place is considerably stranger than our own. You'd think that with all the ''little talking robots running around everywhere'' that this would be obvious, but I am consistently surprised at how often people take it for granted.}}

	AnthroPCs are the only consistent signs of advanced technology in the series; when other technological advances are referenced, they rarely get developed beyond one or two strips. For instance, some of the notable technological creations in ''QC'' are the Deathbot 9000;<ref name="qc642">{{cite web\|url=http://www.questionablecontent.net/view.php?comic=642\|title=A Very Literal Flame-War\|last=Jacques\|first=Jeph\|work=QuestionableContent.net\|access-date=February 14, 2009}}</ref> a [[Vespa]] scooter that transforms into a battle droid;<ref name="qc745" group="#">{{cite web\|url=http://www.questionablecontent.net/view.php?comic=745\|title=Custom Package\|last=Jacques\|first=Jeph\|work=QuestionableContent.net\|access-date=February 14, 2009}}</ref> humans living permanently in space, [[single-stage-to-orbit]] [[ramjet]]-powered [[spaceplane]]s, orbital [[military satellite\|defense satellite]]s capable of conversation.<ref name="qc665" group="#">{{cite web\|url=http://www.questionablecontent.net/view.php?comic=665\|title=Made from Cows?\|last=Jacques\|first=Jeph\|work=QuestionableContent.net\|access-date=February 14, 2009}}</ref> The permanent human presence in space was elaborated on in a story arc set aboard the space station where Hannelore grew up.		AnthroPCs are the only consistent signs of advanced technology in the series; when other technological advances are referenced, they rarely get developed beyond one or two strips. For instance, some of the notable technological creations in ''QC'' are the Deathbot 9000;<ref name="qc642">{{cite web\|url=http://www.questionablecontent.net/view.php?comic=642\|title=A Very Literal Flame-War\|last=Jacques\|first=Jeph\|work=QuestionableContent.net\|access-date=February 14, 2009}}</ref> a [[Vespa]] scooter that transforms into a battle droid;<ref name="qc745" group="#">{{cite web\|url=http://www.questionablecontent.net/view.php?comic=745\|title=Custom Package\|last=Jacques\|first=Jeph\|work=QuestionableContent.net\|access-date=February 14, 2009}}</ref> humans living permanently in space, [[single-stage-to-orbit]] [[ramjet]]-powered [[spaceplane]]s, orbital [[military satellite\|defense satellite]]s capable of conversation.<ref name="qc665" group="#">{{cite web\|url=http://www.questionablecontent.net/view.php?comic=665\|title=Made from Cows?\|last=Jacques\|first=Jeph\|work=QuestionableContent.net\|access-date=February 14, 2009}}</ref> The permanent human presence in space was elaborated on in a story arc set aboard the space station where Hannelore grew up.
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	===Story notes===		===Story notes===
	{{Reflist\|30em\|group="#"}}		{{Reflist\|30em\|group="#"}}


	==External links==		==External links==

imported>EdgierEdgar: /* Background */

2025-06-10T20:02:24Z

Background

← Previous revision		Revision as of 20:02, 10 June 2025
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	Jacques makes his living from ''QC'' merchandising, advertising and donations. By 2004, Jacques could support himself and his then-partner based on income from merchandise and advertising sales.<ref name="latimes">{{cite web \|last=Villarreal \|first=Yvonne \|date=May 22, 2009 \|title=Comic strip artists feeling the squeeze \|url=http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/la-et-comic-strips22-2009may22,0,1154522.story \|url-access=subscription \|access-date=May 22, 2009 \|work=[[Los Angeles Times]]}}</ref> Merchandise has included designing T-shirts for the characters in the comic to wear, then selling real T-shirts of the same design.<ref>{{Cite journal\|last=Plamondon\|first=Raphaël\|date=Winter 2018\|title=The Sustainability of Free Content: Learning from Webcomics\|url=https://ojs.scholarsportal.info/ottawa-school/index.php/PA/article/view/114\|journal=Moving Through the Grey: Publishing in Action\|volume=1\|pages=120}}</ref> The comic is also supported by donors through [[Patreon]].<ref name=":3" />		Jacques makes his living from ''QC'' merchandising, advertising and donations. By 2004, Jacques could support himself and his then-partner based on income from merchandise and advertising sales.<ref name="latimes">{{cite web \|last=Villarreal \|first=Yvonne \|date=May 22, 2009 \|title=Comic strip artists feeling the squeeze \|url=http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/la-et-comic-strips22-2009may22,0,1154522.story \|url-access=subscription \|access-date=May 22, 2009 \|work=[[Los Angeles Times]]}}</ref> Merchandise has included designing T-shirts for the characters in the comic to wear, then selling real T-shirts of the same design.<ref>{{Cite journal\|last=Plamondon\|first=Raphaël\|date=Winter 2018\|title=The Sustainability of Free Content: Learning from Webcomics\|url=https://ojs.scholarsportal.info/ottawa-school/index.php/PA/article/view/114\|journal=Moving Through the Grey: Publishing in Action\|volume=1\|pages=120}}</ref> The comic is also supported by donors through [[Patreon]].<ref name=":3" />

	Jacques promoted the comic in a number of ways including joining Dayfree Press for some time, and starting a fake feud with Sam Logan, the creator of ''Sam and Fuzzy'', trading insults while linking to each other's comic.<ref name=":2">{{Cite journal \|last=Misemer \|first=Leah \|date=2019-06-07 \|title=A Historical Approach to Webcomics: Digital Authorship in the Early 2000s \|journal=The Comics Grid: Journal of Comics Scholarship \|language=en \|volume=9 \|issue=1 \|pages=10 \|doi=10.16995/cg.162 \|issn=2048-0792 \|doi-access=free}}</ref> ''QC'' has also featured [[Guest comic\|guest comics]], often in exchange for Jacques writing a guest comic for the creator or for cross-promotion.<ref name=":2" />		Jacques promoted the comic in a number of ways including joining the webcomic collective Dayfree Press for some time, and starting a fake feud with Sam Logan, the creator of ''Sam and Fuzzy'', trading insults while linking to each other's comic.<ref name=":2">{{Cite journal \|last=Misemer \|first=Leah \|date=2019-06-07 \|title=A Historical Approach to Webcomics: Digital Authorship in the Early 2000s \|journal=The Comics Grid: Journal of Comics Scholarship \|language=en \|volume=9 \|issue=1 \|pages=10 \|doi=10.16995/cg.162 \|issn=2048-0792 \|doi-access=free}}</ref> ''QC'' has also featured [[Guest comic\|guest comics]], often in exchange for Jacques writing a guest comic for the creator or for cross-promotion.<ref name=":2" />

	==Publication==		==Publication==

imported>Just plain Bill: /* Setting */ off the coast of Nova Scotia (see comic 4848)

2025-04-28T02:12:48Z

Setting: off the coast of Nova Scotia (see comic 4848)

Show changes

Questionable Content - Revision history

imported>Citation bot: Removed URL that duplicated identifier. | Use this bot. Report bugs. | #UCB_CommandLine

imported>EdgierEdgar: /* Background */

imported>Just plain Bill: /* Setting */ off the coast of Nova Scotia (see comic 4848)