Post "*Flamenco Music Intensifies*" by "jephjacques"

Colleen Dewis

Me literally thinking of "Jimbo the Drag queen" and being incredibly confused for a minute.

Jonathan Bushee

I miss Jimbo. He was a trip.

Ursus Ridens

He's a distant cousin of Pedro Cerrano, so we can all understand the ladies' reactions.

ValdVin

I had to Google "Ass Swordsman Tetsuo" to find out, and then the nice old woman kicked me off the library computer.

Melissa Wilson

Fascinating, Clifton! DID they forget about it? Or was it a test to see whether you were flattered or offended by their nonchalance?

Call me Ishmael.

Jimbo lives inside of all of us.

Todd Ellner

Huh. I first heard it during the singing around the keg after a rugby game

Call me Ishmael.

Waddaya mean? He's been snoozing right there at the end of the bar the whole time!

Call me Ishmael.

Oh, but I so wanted it to be!

Call me Ishmael.

It has been established somewhere (help me, Bookbeard!) that AIs don't experience time like that. I would suspect that Bubbles just scanned the section headings of the Wikipedia article, except that I don't believe Bubbles has ever lied (except about Faye's body odor).

ValdVin

There are, but who else will give us a book that is "Trashy, poorly-written, incredibly sexist towards BOTH genders, and the most entertaining thing I've read all year"? https://questionablecontent.net/view.php?comic=768

ValdVin

This entry is the dream of every reader at Smart Bitches Trashy Books.

Stephen Wells

She's going to suggest they read Sex Guy together later :)

Joshua

Please please please make this a jumbo book and bring him in. One of my favorite characters

Sparky

The three need to update: the 1925 silent film "Don Q, Son of Zorro" is considered to be in the public domain … It’s ready to be gender neutral.

YoPaulie!

It took my three reads to realize that she says "defies" in panel 2, not "defiles."

Tim Starliper

Opportunity missed....or new quest unlocked?

Tim Starliper

Certainly nobody in the comments section here,

Tim Starliper

Not just me then. *phew* was worried there for a moment.

Tim Starliper

Is it a bad sign that I could *hear* that guitar in my head as I read the comic?

Stephen Wells

The anime wiki entry for ahoge specifically warns against confusing it with either ahegao or eroge :)

Stephen Wells

Rodrigo, El Hombre De Fuego :)

Stephen Wells

Cheese pun not ready yet, need to rennet through the process another couple of times.

Duncan

Faye looking up at Bubbles is adorable :3

Hugh Eckert

I keep reading "ahoge" as "ahegao".

Hugh Eckert

One of my faves... I think I first ran across it in "Masks of the Illuminati".

Hugh Eckert

"King Hereafter" is just so good. Thorfinn = Macbeth is part of my headcanon now...

BookBeard

They are all extensions of the same being. Rodrigo exists simultaneously across all possible universes.

Ailadi

@Call me Ishmael & @enchantedsleeper. Blargh, one of us wrote a decent response to this question on a different comic and now we can’t find it 😓. Simply put, as a multiple system, we can relate to Yay (minus the extra bodies, lol). We can have a group reaction (Hercules!) or individual responses (shut oneself in a ‘room’). It’s complicated, but we wouldn’t have it any other way.

Courtney Welch

Dorothy Dunnett has a similar effect on many.

prettydragoon

There certainly is more than one historical romance protagonist named Rodrigo, from El Cid Campeador himself (Rodrigo Díaz de Vivar) on down. But none of them can compare to Rodrigo Ernesto Ortega Serrano. And I should know, I have had crushes on more than one fictional Serrano. (Oh, Heris! *swoon*)

Leonard Volk

I've feel the same after reading Michael G. Manning's books. I just can't get into any other series with magic, although I'm pushing myself to get through the Dresden Files since the writing style is similar.

Ray S, 2nd nickname

Dangit. Beaten to a 'Reos' joke by.... {checks clock, does math} ...no more than 2 hours.

awgiedawgie

Well, yeah... but the rest of them just write boring crap.

Populuxe

No, but the last appearance by Jimbo in 2014 was.

YsabetJustYsabet

You know what's horrible? I have an extremely redneck cousin named Jimbo (legal name, y'all, I swear, I have seen his Driver's license) who I haven't seen in about 20 years, and *guess* how he's evolved in my head by now; just GUESS. Gods.....

Frank Wales

2009 wasn't 11 years ago...

Frank Wales

I read that as Joe-80, and wondered if he was some experimental predecessor to Joe 90

Frank Wales

Was Rodrigo a fireman?

Frank Wales

By extended fanon logic, that means Jimbo is Thanos

Frank Wales

'Prolapse Monthly' gives the book two fists up

Michael Steamweed

Plenty (most?) of AO3 Rodrigo fic is about that very thing.

Doc Gumby

Something about rennet, I haven't had my coffee yet.

Doc Gumby

There HAVE to be more authors in the QC universe than just Jimbo!

Joseph Bonnar

Oh yeah? The DEAD PARROT expected them.

Pejo

JIMBO 😭

Stray

this is the kind of guy who's sentences are punctuated with Spanish guitar

Magic Chopstick Games

Honestly tho, not really, no

legobil

Plot twist: Bubbles just downloaded the e-book and read through it in an instant never having read it before.

Phil_M

After the first panel I was going to say that Bubbles was jumping to conclusions a bit, because there must surely be more than one historical romance protagonist named Rodrigo. But clearly, Rodrigo is unique.

Mark

I first read Bubbles' 2nd speech box as 'The scene where he defiles Bishop Castillo!" which would be from a rather different genre.

Opus the Poet

Bembo belongs at the far end of that genealogy.

Opus the Poet

😃

Stephen Wells

Faye has just realised why Bubbles calls their favourite sex toy "Rodrigo".

David Paul

Sex Guy is Rodrigo Ernesto Ortega Serrano's unimaginative third cousin once removed.

Stephen Wells

Anh, and Anh's ahoge. Anhoge, if you will.

David Paul

Yeah. I mean, who could and would ever become absolutely smitten with a fictional character like that...

legobil

I’m genuinely flabbergasted that Bubbles and Anh share this. I’m also 💯 here for it.

Stephen Wells

This didn't go even slightly how I expected and I'm delighted :)

SilverbackRon

I had to Google "Magical Love Gentlemen" back in the day to see if it was a real anime/manga.

enchantedsleeper

I expect that this was a mistake/resolve on Jeph's part to have Yay use the same bubbles as the other AIs. If they had switched back and forth with clear delineation as to contexts (e.g. talking to humans vs talking to AIs), I would buy that it's Yay doing it and not The Creator.

Mark Eichin

It needs its own entry on the cast page...

enchantedsleeper

@Call me Ishmael. I sort of agree - I don't necessarily subscribe to the idea that one of Yay's selves would break away or be independent from the other Yays, or that they would develop a different set of goals. However, I think that they are located in different places geographically and so it makes sense for one Yay (maybe two) to be the one based in Northampton, unless Yay's selves are regularly travelling from wherever their central apartment is to swap out. They *are* one person, but they can have varying reactions to things - see for example when Yay met Aurelia, they described one of their selves as having shut itself in the bedroom to play loud music. Just one had that reaction. I would view the selves as more like different sides to Yay, who might have emphasis on different things, but with the same base interests and motivations. Just a thought, anyway.

enchantedsleeper

This is why I subscribe to a vibes-based approach to the comic's timeline xD It's totally been more than four years, whether you can find a rational explanation for it or not.

panpolypuff

Rodrigo x Drusilla fic when?

Granite

It's been almost 3k chapters since we've seen Jimbo...

Granite

+1 ‐ Let it be written by Jimbo

Ray S, 2nd nickname

Mr. Depp was interested, allegedly, but after becoming insistent on using some of his leftover headgear from "The Lone Ranger"...

Ray Cornwall

I had to Google the name to see if this was a real person.

Call me Ishmael.

You're right! And that *was* "defiled"!

Michael Steamweed

Hm, yes, I can see him in that role. Good call!

Bagge

Oh, Mr Rodrigo...

Call me Ishmael.

@enchantedsleeper, I think all instances of Yay are equal and identical, continually synced. Despite their choice of pronouns, they are one person. Think of their response to meeting Hercules.

BookBeard

Jimbo, son of JoeBo, son of Jembo, son of Bembo, son of Crembo, son of Blebmbo...

BookBeard

Jimbo is inevitable.

Clifton Royston

@Melissa Wilson ... or put your filthiest smut out on special display when you know somebody respectable will be coming to visit, depending. I was slightly surprised when having dinner with some potential friends and they had 'Lost Girls' out on one of the end tables, but I think they just forgot about it.

KiTA

It's ghostwritten by Pintsize.

Elf Sternberg

But now the "S" stands for "Speedwagon."

Call me Ishmael.

Maybe he got sober. I want to see him and Faye meet at an AA meeting.

Elf Sternberg

Pedro Pascal is RIGHT THERE.

AlexKorobeiniki

Please please please let it be by Jimbo, lol

Diptych

People think the things I said about cheese were insincere, but Emmental of it.

Halloween Jack

You mark my words, this will eventually result in the two of them doing "Alejandro" in karaoke.

Miyaa

I have traveled a lot in my quest to find a good place to settle down.

Miyaa

That was pretty Gouda, @Diptych

Magic Chopstick Games

Truly the best historical fiction sci-fi bodice ripper book series ever written

Michael Steamweed

If Jeph doesn't get on this fast, we're gonna develop the next 2 weeks of QC episodes as Anh, Bubbles, Hanners, and Momo all discuss Rodrigo.

Magic Chopstick Games

Whey outta line, BookBeard

Michael Steamweed

Would make a wonderful Dread Pirate Roberts.

Michael Steamweed

And handsome EMTs.

Michael Steamweed

The wonderful Murderbot!

Michael Steamweed

Claire De Tamble understands, though she disagrees (being partial to her own husband).

Michael Steamweed

Please be careful if you meet any Juanitas any time soon!

Michael Steamweed

Headfanon is now accepted.

Michael Steamweed

Man, that was 11 years ago. Assuredly Jimbo has been a successful literary phenom ever since! Maybe he will be the Guest of Honor at RodrigoCon 2025!

BookBeard

Wow, that cheese pun would never have a curd to me.

Michael Steamweed

NO ONE EXPECTS THE SPANISH INQUI...er, hero.

Bex

JIMBO WILL ALWAYS RETURN

Michael Steamweed

Might maybe possibly be him. Though he was working on a steampunk epic back then. Maybe he got the Zorro inspiration after that.

Michael Steamweed

Now I'm wondering if Hanners has ever read the book.

Michael Steamweed

Such a cheesy response.

Michael Steamweed

I heard that they wanted either Antonio Banderas or Johnny Depp to star as Rodrigo, but neither was available, so the project fell through.

Vilinda

Live for both of us!

Diptych

You're far too kind! I think I need to reinforce the mnemonic by making the letters and their order part of the rhyme.

Ailadi

Thank you! We must have read it somewhat recently, then couldn’t place it in the correct timeline. Also, glad that wasn’t a dream lolol.

William Cole

That's a very…extensive…headcanon!

William Cole

My god, has it really been that long?

BookBeard

Yep, that definitely happened. Just not recently. https://www.questionablecontent.net/view.php?comic=1526

Sean Kinlin

🤣🤣

Yelling Bird

WHY WON'T YOU LOVE ME RODRIGO?

jonesnori

Keep it up! I think you're making a difference, and the verses are fun.

Ailadi

We’re with Diptych on this. Yay did have round bubbles for a long time (which kept us all scratching our heads), but has been transitioned to the square “AI” version.

jonesnori

That was at the convention at Smif, wasn't it? That was pretty far back - Marten was still dating Dora.

Ailadi

Well apparently we’d dreamed a scene where Marten ran into Jimbo recently, who shared he’d moved into a new genre (young adult werewolf fantasy) and was giving Marten a run down of his new book. Perhaps we shouldn’t read QC just before sleep?? 😆

Ailadi

Marten asked Bubbles the same question, early on. She liked it for the physical and performative aspects (and she’s definitely “performing” here) 😂

Diptych

¡Queso, Rodrigo!

Sean Kinlin

Bubbles in panel 2 has big Wallace energy.

Melissa Wilson

Thank you, Todd! That was delightful.

Sean Kinlin

And while he dies in that book, in the next one there is a strangely familiar AI named R.E.O.S.

Melissa Wilson

It may be amongst the most perfect names to be chanted by a devoted crowd!

Glenn

Aaaaand there we are! The common interest that will serve as the turning point in this dynamic! New begrudging friendship is imminent!

Melissa Wilson

“Relaxing” is not always an appropriate term; this depends heavily upon whether the dramatis personae includes handsome firemen.🔥

Doc Gumby

Same.

Darnel D Cooper

Hmph. Too bad the guys imaginary. I'd like to see the sort that could get bubbles attention,.....(Wondering for a friend).

Fart Captor

lmao, dorks

BookBeard

Quite a while. Pretty sure he hasn't even got a mention since his last appearance in 2014. https://www.questionablecontent.net/view.php?comic=2667

Miyaa

Tomorrow: Steve and Cleo meet up at Jimbo’s palatial estate which is at the end of a multibillion dollar RV park and Margaritaville-like retirement complex off of Cudjoe Key in a man made island structure which Jimbo claims is where his father Joe-Bo is buried. Which is a joke because Joe-Bo is actually buried behind the Wall Drug Store in Wall, South Dakota along with his 16-wheeler.

alphanor

Doesn't sound nearly florid enough for early Jimbo, imho.

mshenna

Me too

Darren Franzen

Live, Juanita!!!

mshenna

I read it the same way, though minus the limerick

BookBeard

Momo enjoys reading physical books. She finds it relaxing (sometimes). https://www.questionablecontent.net/view.php?comic=2958

Lorelei

Just when you thought you'd seen the last of old Jimbo

BookBeard

Hmmm... it *could* be Jimbo, barely. Anh said she read this novel four years ago, and best estimate is it's been 3.5-4 years in-universe since the comic began. And Jimbo didnt even get published until at least a few months in. Not impossible, but it would have to be one of his earliest works.

Edward Engle

Sooo. Anh and Jimbo are running off together?

Shey

Glad to know I'm not the only one

Graydon Armstrong

R O D R I GO Tells the church where it can go, Bathing in the mountain stream, He is Anh and Bubbles' dream.

Diptych

I figure square speech bubbles just denote that it's an AI speaking, and don't tell us anything about how that specific AI sounds.

Todd Ellner

Read it as Defiles. From a cell in the Church of St. Giles. Came a scream that was heard round for miles. Said one Friar "Goodness Gracious, our Brother Ignatius has discovered the Bishop has piles "

Jen Edwards

Not gonna lie, I read "defies" as "defiles" and was like hmmm, I'd read that.

Joseph Bonnar

Dunno what I was expecting here, but certainly not this.

Diptych

Ms Beam had her first son, Jimbo, young. He had a troubled life and became a barfly, but eventually found his calling as an author of speculative fiction. Her second son, after her marriage to Mr Bean, never knew of the half-brother who shared his name. He went into the baking business, selling coffee and pastries to the swell set.

Bill Silvia

IIRC, Yay can choose between rectangular and round (unless it was a graphical mistake).

enchantedsleeper

@Bill but Yay also has square speech bubbles? So does Moray, for that matter (I referenced the "Danger Very Close" strip to check) and I'm not sure how likely it is that she has a voicebox floating in there.

Populuxe

Holy crap. When was the last time we got a Jimbo shout out?

SilverbackRon

Her wayward lock of hair just cracks me up.

Gamera

Ayy more bubbles characterization

Melissa Wilson

I feel like reading versus downloading would be a matter of personal preference. You know, like buying pornography in print. Somehow it feels more real (& more delightfully dirty), when it doesn’t just disappear, when you close the browser window & it needs a clandestine storage location, when someone respectable comes to visit.

enchantedsleeper

Actually, they're brothers - their parents weren't very imaginative with names.

Diptych

Yeah, I'd believe that. We've seen AI faces that range from a simple image on a screen (like Winslow's old body) to a mouth part that is used for speaking but is clearly not human standard (like Pintsize's old body) to human standard (like Bubbles' appears to be).

Bill Silvia

I believe Yay is the only AI with lifelike speech capabilities.

enchantedsleeper

I also assumed that. Though we know that May had issues speaking when her voicebox corroded - but you could posit that only cheaper bodies work that way. Maybe more elaborate bodies have lifelike speech capabilities.

Diptych

I half-seriously believe that Jimbo cleaned himself up a bit and got a conventional job. He runs a bakery now, and just goes by 'Jim'.

Nicolas Demers

We've seen Momo enjoying books, so it looks like they read the same as us. Maybe marginally faster, but most of the human-style ones aren't build to think any faster than us. They can text and surf in their heads, but I'm guessing they consume that stuff the same way

enchantedsleeper

Which of the Yays do we think is most into romance novels 🤔 (Probably the one who's spent most time around Roko)

Ben R

Are you familiar with Murderbot?

enchantedsleeper

You don't need to do anything! Simply be.... RODRIGO.

enchantedsleeper

He has referenced using the wiki to remind himself of stuff xD (But I highly doubt he has time, or indeed the desire, to update it)

Doc Gumby

This side of Bubbles, I find it... intriguing!

Diptych

D'you know, all along, I've been assuming that AIs with human-style mouths have been speaking in a human-style way using their artificial lips and tongues!

Chauncey

I forgot about Jimbo. Kinda makes me wonder how does Jeph keep up with all the characters throughout the years. Like, does he have a spreadsheet? Or, is he active in the wiki? I imagine he has character sheets in a folder somewhere. I’d love to see that

Melissa Wilson

And thusly it shall be headcanon!

Opus the Poet

She does but it's not required for speaking, she can roll her r's inside her voice box. She saves her tongue for sexy times with Faye.

Rodrigo Ourcilleon

I’ve been doing so-so the last couple of months but this new-found respect for my name made me chuckle. I needed that. But now I feel like I need to live up to it. D:

Gargleblarg

I also read it as "deifies"!

Melissa Wilson

Call it an unpopular opinion, if you must, but it just doesn’t get any better than Outlander’s James Alexander Malcolm MacKenzie Fraser (pardon me whilst I swoon & sigh lustily). I’m just having such a hard time believing that any self-respecting historical romance fan girl could assert otherwise.

Bill Silvia

At least, I assume the rectangular box means any tongue that exists is purely for recreational purposes.

Logan Nix

this is DELIGHTFUL im cackling

Opus the Poet

When AIs consume text, do they read it or download it? I mean AIs other than Yay Newfriend. Obviously they download straight into their brain.

Logan Nix

she's endeared herself to Bubbles, there's no going back from this 😂

Tudza

But...Inigo Montoya

Aditya Rameshan

I also read it as defiles, and I had to read it 3 more times to register the right word. I feel like defiles is funnier than defies 🤣

Aditya Rameshan

Didn't see THAT plot twist happening 😂

Paul Josef Veselovsky

The name definitely sounds like one Jimbo would pick! I want it to be Jimbo so much; I miss Jimbo!

Diptych

🎵 Anh, Anh, how are you spelled? There's a way to do it and do it well! A comes first, that's plain to see N is the very next entry! H can wait until the end That's how we spell our brand new friend! 🎵

djellafine

Wait, does Bubbles not have a tongue?

ValdVin

Faye, you could have been bonding with your girlfriend over Rodrigo Ernesto Ortega Serrano rather than reading Sex Guy. Opportunity missed.

Diptych

I misread it as 'deifies', and thought that's one hell of a promotion for a bishop!

enchantedsleeper

Okay, cutest possible continuation ever xD

Cas Wanden

Oh there's no getting rid of Ahn now

Opus the Poet

Bubbles rocks!

Green

Love this, Love this, LOVE THIS for Bubbles and Anh. Absolutely not how I was expecting their friendship to begin. Also, yes, please, make it canon that Jimbo wrote this. Please.