By Iris Harris
An online comic strip-what an idea! Many of the comic-savvy readers out there may be thinking, “Whatever, I already read 20 online comic strips daily. What’s the big deal?” Well, dear readers, the big deal is that not many people have their favorite strips bookmarked on Firefox, or, for that matter, any favorite comic strips at all.
Sure, the major franchise movies like “X-Men,” “Spiderman” and almost all of the “Batman” movies have done pretty well. And yes, it is a little cool-because-it’s-not-cool to like comic books nowadays (no judgment). But there is still a large population of readers out there with very little faith in the scripted-and-drawn literature world. That is why it is highly favorable for everyone to start reading “Questionable Content.”
Anyone who is a fan of indie music, exploiting stereotypes (in the good way) and unrelenting wit will love “Questionable Content.” Writer/author Jeph Jacques combines his knowledge of the 20-something hipster scene with fantastic, brightly colored drawings to give readers an experience that can only be described as an aesthetic verbal orgasm.
The strip centers around four main characters: Martin, Faye, Dora and Hannelore. Martin is an intellectual Willy Loman of his generation, sporting black hair to complement his pale skin and sarcastic-but-sweet demeanor.
Faye, the classic indie looker with “emo” glasses and (somewhat) unwarranted trust issues, befriends Martin in the second strip. A bit later in the comic, Faye introduces him to Dora, her employer at Coffee of Doom (a fitting name for a coffee shop owned by an ex-goth woman in her late 20s).
The three characters, when they are not consumed by their own love triangle, manage to make friends with an obsessive-compulsive youngster named Hannelore, an all-around awkward girl and one of the most endearing characters to be found in any story in a long time.
Together, the foursome deal with “everyday issues” while simultaneously making an inordinate number of pop-culture references.
There are about 1,100 strips at present, so it may take time for new readers to catch up. However, it is well worth the effort.
And even though “Questionable Content” starts out to be more of a forum for hipster elitists than a strip for everyone to enjoy, the characters, as well as the artistic quality, do evolve beyond that.
Over time, the kids begin to step away from their post-college, drop-as-many-indie-buzzwords-as-possible personas and start to, well, grow up. Eventually the alternative chatter turns to sardonic social commentary that does not feel forced or unnecessary, as fans watch what happens when the emo/goth/nerdy kids get out of secondary school (where image seems so important and everyone is trying to “find their edge”) and actually begin living in the real world.
(Note: the URL for the site is www.QuestionableContent.net, if “.com” is added instead of “.net”, the content will be different. It will most definitely be questionable).
‘Questionable Content,’ a new online comic strip chronicles the lives of post-grad hipsters in an attempt to draw attention to the genre. (questionablecontent.net)