Directember: Mr. Face
🕑 Added 2024-12-30 21:05:53 +0000 UTCThis strip ended up being one of the key moments in the Hannelore and Sven dynamic (as well as the Faye and Sven dynamic...) in that Hanners is apparently immune to Sven's charms. It's funny that the random comic button served me up this particular strip, since a big chunk of the Dora/Tai wedding arc was about how Hanners and Sven are actually pretty good for each other as friends!
If I'm doing my math right, this concludes DIRECTEMBER. Thank you so much for your support while I took this much-needed hiatus. That time off did me a lot of good, and I'm happy to be back to making comics again. Which you will see starting tomorrow!
Comments
Paul
I am rarely commenting on the things I read or watch online, but I wanted to take the opportunity to congratulate your decision for DIRECTEMBER. So great you decided to take a break, even though it was not a real one as we still got to hear from you daily. And I really enjoyed your commentary - it was amazing to read about your thoughts! Welcome back to making new comics, I am looking forward to them - and please feel free to take a break again, whenever you need it.
Benjamin
With the potential romance arc I sensed brewing this comic has perfect timing. Gotta bring up "the look" when the moment is right 😅
Mark Krepela
I don't usually post in here, but as someone who has been reading QC forever and who tries to make comics as well, good for you for taking the break. I'm amazed anyone can put out such a volume of artwork so consistently for so long, as usual. Happy New Year!
Michael Abbott
Like many people, I've really enjoyed these commentaries on past strips, and I think it's a good solution to giving us material while you take a break. I'm glad it's given you a chance to recharge!
Sean Kinlin
He's like Cyclops, that way.
Ursus Ridens
But doesn't breakfasting together mean that they....? ........................................................(nah).
Julia Allen-Hesse
slint lol .. hipster
Captain Button
Hannelore is immune to Sven's Come Hither Look because she was in Station when the Alien Space Bats seeded Earth with the delayed action Compliance Virus. Sven is a mutant so it activated his power.
SilverbackRon
I join the cacophony of voices who have enjoyed this interlude and think it served both you and your fans quite well. I do hope you do it again someday, mostly for your own physical and mental well-being.
Dave Stebbins
I agree with others, I hope this becomes an annual thing. And congratulations on successfully relaxing and recharging. That's not an easy feat for many of us.
David Warren
Loved Directember, and hope that it becomes an annual thing; you get some time off, and we get some additional insight. Love it!Happy New Year, Jeph
Yelling Bird
Loved the special-edition commentary Jeph!
Carl Cravens
I enjoyed the retrospective, thanks.
Brian
Hannelore and Sven are honestly my favorite duo in the entire strip. I’m glad they’re friends.
William Cole
Agreed! Annual tradition?
Miyaa
Tomorrow: Sven and Hanners orders a stack of five chocolate chip waffles with blueberry sauce at a remarkably clean diner. The person taking the order is Willow.
Thomas Halpin
I enjoyed the directorial commentary and the walk down memory lane! Feel free to do this sort of thing whenever you need a break. You don't always have to scramble for guest strips.
Brendan Luster
insert joke about massive celestial booties
Opus the Poet
Like gravitational lensing for flirting?
Brittany Huckey
I am so pleased that you have taken this time. It was a fun walk down memory lane. I've done it myself by rereading the comic. A number of times! But it was a joy to journey with you and hear your thoughts. I hope you make it a yearly thing. You deserve this kind of break
Mr. Ifrit
You should do this every December!
YsabetJustYsabet
This was a blast; thank you! I've been reading this for years and I really hope you enjoyed your break (now, back to work, you slacker!!! **WHIPCRACK** (JK))
Melissa Wilson
I do SO hope that there will be some bright future day when there are high quality firemen in her vicinity, about which she may both theorize & *ahem* practice upon. 😘
Ursus Ridens
So endeth Directember, in which I find that our author thinks some of the things which I found interesting, nay, charming are in his present view crummy ideas. [sigh]
Hedgebug
Yeah this was shockingly fun, I really enjoyed reading these random strips. Glad you had a good break, it's hard to do that as an artist
Jason Li
Also it’s been great to read your retrospective opinions on old strips! I’m glad you took some time off and I’ve really enjoyed reading these. Thank you for doing them.
Jason Li
Man, I really like Hanners and Sven together. Their friendship is great, and they’re a pairing I could see having a great queerplatonic relationship! However it goes I hope we see more of them together.
Jeff Costello
Thanks for these. When you first said you were doing this I thought it was going to be terrible. But I enjoyed it very much and would love to see more of these retrospectives. Maybe one a week? Every other week? Monthly? Thanks again Jeph, I hope you see this
JCfromNC
Clearly, the writers stole the idea for "the smoulder" from Jeph!
ValdVin
Sven's glasses are like a welder's mask turned backwards: Without them his bishie charm would just scatter everywhere. They're for our protection, really.
Doc Gumby
This was always a favorite strip; Faye gets charmed, oh noes!
jonesnori
I'm really glad the story didn't go that way. Sympathies, internet friend.
Kith penDragon
You're planning to make time off a regular thing now, right? (please take good care of yourself)
Zig Justice
This was fun. But it seemed short. *checks calendar* DECEMBER IS ALREADY OVER ALREADY?! Wtf
Chris Pulse
I enjoyed the Directember times and I would agree It would be a fun yearly thing
Cass
I'm so glad your vacation did you good. Don't wait another decade for the next one, ok?
Sorastro
This has been quite the lovely trip down memory lane.
Lawrence David Thompson
I LOVE the Jack T-shirt. That is from Jack's tagline from Mass Effect, yes?
tim1724
It should become an annual thing.
John C. Kirk
Looking at this strip now, I immediately thought of "the smoulder" from Tangled, although that wasn't released until 2010 (2 years later).
Carrie
The pitchforks can be used for comfort and security while checking dark and secret places in the search.
Ryan DeWeerd
Even if it's just an annual tradition going forward. Gives him a well deserved break and us some fun insight.
Anton
Jeph please take more vacations in the future, because I loved reading all your commentary on these! It was so fun to revisit little moments and think about them!
Dean Reilly
Sven's come-hither look went thither.
Sean
Directember is amazing, I hope you do it again whenever you need a break! ♥️
Halloween Jack
I'm amused by the "sheen!" sound effect, as it explains Charlie Sheen's inexplicable popularity and sudden downfall: he had it, and when he lost it, like the Picture of Dorian Grey, he lost it all at once and became the world's worst celebrity.
Rich Holmes
If you're looking for Yay, I agree torches might help illuminate some dark hiding places, but I can't see how pitchforks would be useful.
Bruce Alan Horn
I am glad you got a rest. It was really fun seeing comics I hadn’t thought about in ages. Makes me want to re-read the whole series from the beginning again.
Stephen Wells
She likes firemen in theory but not in practice.
Clarence the Liar
Patrons get the comic a day early. This will be posted to the QC site on the 31st.
Marion Kilgour
I enjoyed Directember, feel free to do it again any time. I’m glad you had a chance to rest up!
Paracog Steadham
Thanks for these. Such a smart move getting yourself the rest you needed while giving us something special at the same time. Loved these!
Clarence the Liar
This has been wonderful. I've been reading this comic since 2008 and I honestly can't think of a "storyline" I've enjoyed more. Please consider making this a yearly event, Jeph. You need to take care of yourself and conserve your creative juices. Otherwise they'll fall out of your butt
Monica Gaudio
I think you were off by one. Tomorrow is still December. :)
Michael Steamweed
Same here! I prefer the Directember over the Thanksgiving Turkeys, even.
Anna Raquel Serra
+ 1! Make it (and taking breaks!) at least an annual thing!
Michael Steamweed
If we don't learn soon, I know a place that sells pitchforks and torches.
Michael Steamweed
Looking forward to Mr. Jacques providing Director's Commentary on every single QC episode, _while_ also producing daily new QC episodes. :D
Nutjob
I wonder if she's immune to just Sven or immune in general to the whole... *gestures vaguely at the whole 'hairless apes with anxiety mating rituals' thing*
Ben R
Done so soon? I don't believe it. I could read this for another month or so. I know! You could do both!
Hope Power
I was waaay more worried about her with An. I literally had knots in my stomach because I got such SA vibes. Reliving some baaad stuff.
Patrick Harris
Happy this commentary/hiatus/whatever thing has been so restorative for you! ❤️
Mooster
Also, I hope we open the year with finding out where Yay is.
Mooster
I really really like Hannelore and Sven as friends, and I appreciate how you've written them. May they ever stay that way!
Hugh Eckert
I really like the Hannelore/Sven friendship. Glad you enjoyed the break; Directember was fun!
Seidmadr
Adding to this! I love seeing behind the curtain, so making December the commentary month sounds great to me!
Matthew Delahaye
I will also pipe in that Directember was lots of fun and I'd definitely love to see it become an annual tradition. Both in terms of enjoyment of the retrospective, as well as encouragement and support of you taking breaks.
BobC
Thanks, Jeph! Directember has been a real treat. Please continue to do them whenever the mood motivates, the brain bonks, or the hand hurts.
BookBeard
Don't forget to reset that 22 year countdown timer for your next vacation. I eagerly anticipate Directember 2046.
Wim Wepster
Came here to say the same. This was fun and breaks are good.
Myles Watkins
Directember was fun! You should totally do it every year!
Jason
110% agree. Build in the breaks each year. Refill your well so you can keep making the comic for years to come!
Rosilin
Thank you so much for Directember! It was a lot of fun! I was a teenager when I first started reading QC (sometime in its first year). I think I found it because of Scary Go Round? I remember being so excited when I recognized all the Northampton lore/easter eggs over the years, as I lived there as kid, and still had family there until about 15yrs ago. QC has been a staple in my life ever since I first started reading it, and I'm extremely grateful for you sharing it with us for so long. 💜 Happy new year, Jeph! And thank you again, for sharing QC (and Alice Grove) with us. 💜
Jon Wilson
Seconded
Studio Errilhl
Would it be possible to maybe include a few "creator commentaries" going forward as well? I've really enjoyed this random look back with added context
Erica Koch-Johnston
Now I'm remembering what a delight their pretend date was ☺️
Randall Norman Pick
That's the downside to taking your glasses off for it. Hard to aim.
Aerin Moriarty
I think Directember needs to be your annual vacation. Thank you so much for all you've made for us
Vilinda
I am still interested in Sven.
RavenQuote
Glad your break was helpful, loved the insights on the older strips and look forward to the new ones!
Chadkitt
I think this break worked out really well so if you need one every year you shouldn't be afraid to do it again. Happy New Year!
Spacey02111
Glad you enjoyed your break this has been a lot of fun! Maybe you could make this an annual tradition 😁
Brendan Luster
my theory is Hanners is a flirt refractor. the Sven flirts bend around her and are absorbed by Faye
Wynn Donivan
Directember was good, you should do it again sometime
Not that Patrick Foltz
Daddy needs a fix! 😉
Lorelei
I'm telling y'all, these two are platonic but Anhlore is endgame. As always I will not listen to reason and cannot be talked down.
Daan Wissing
I love the Hanners/Sven dynamic.