My gaming group used to joke about NPC townsfolk realizing that they’re suddenly in COLOR, which means that player characters are somewhere around, and reacting with appropriate fear/panic.
If you don’t watch it already, I recommend Epic NPC Man on Youtube (it’s been out for ages, now, so there’s a pretty good backlog). Most of it is exactly this sort of humor–the NPCs in a videogame dealing with the weirdness that comes from being NPCs in a videogame.
Everyone is the hero of their own story. Except for me. I can’t confirm it, but I am pretty sure that I am just the muggle character that occasionally shows up as the comedic relief between key plot points in my friend’s secret magical adventures.
Here’s my prediction: Asma does ultimately end up with Alice because Jennifer isn’t romantically interested in Alice, and this results in a split between Jennifer and Alice that results in Billie getting back together with Ruth who unceremoniously dumps whats-his-face.
I have no bias here due to being a Billie/Ruth fan I swear
More likely referring to emotional turmoil over biological, probably distress over Alice not showing and thus prompting Asma to realize “Oh fuck I’ve caught feelings.”
External problems: Cops, genocide, politics in general, trying to live
Internal problems: Feeling like she made a fool of herself trying to ‘casually’ connect with Alice. Possibly also anxiety over her sexuality, depending whether that’s a thing she already knew about and is comfortable with, which is unclear at this time.
I’m betting “knew about”–we’ve seen enough of her thoughts to know she knows she is interested in Alice.
“Is comfortable with” is harder to say, even before considering the possible religious aspect. American Muslims actually poll pretty close to American Christians on the issue of gay rights, broadly speaking, but that’s “all American Muslims”, and strict hijab wearers may be likely to be more conservative on the subject, or at least from more conservative families. Strict hijab wearers account for only about 40% of Muslim women (many more probably wear it only for Mosque attendance or other religious or family events).
Oh so is Asma in denial about being attracted women? With all the gay characters in the comic I sometimes forget heteronormativity is still supposed to be the standard like it is in the real world.
Trying to set up a bowling date with a girl makes me think she’s probably aware of it, but it seems very likely that she’s never actually dated anyone before.
I thought she meant anxiety or something like that. But if it’s an Egyptian River situation, it could add a new dimension to her saying that it’s “all been a mistake”.
And if *that* is her problem, she bloody well deserves someone better than Alice ^^u
I think she’s more just stressed and embarrassed, she set up a hang out with two people she don’t even like to get to know a new crush who’s name she doesn’t have. They didn’t work out, there was a misunderstanding, and I think she realized what a bad idea the scenario is and it’s feeling some type of way about it. Imma need some more concrete evidence before I believe the “Asma had internalized homophobia/is struggling with the sudden realization she’s gay” train
Yeah this feels like the actual thing. It’s not some sort of crippling identity crisis as much as it is “I did something with people I don’t like that much and it was a complete waste of time because I didn’t even see the cute girl I was hoping to talk to, and now I’m feeling utterly humiliated that I even tried.” Feels like since we’re getting the comic slowly people are just picking *the* most dramatic conclusion from today’s update.
Yeah, she clearly has been aware of her interest in women. She doesn’t seem to have any internalized homophobia (though she might have some envy of the white girls who seem to have less issue with being out that she might have–she’s a strict hijab wearer, putting her in the more conservative wing of Muslim women, and thus is likely from a more conservative Muslim family, at least. The notion that some of her family, in turn, follow the stricter interpretations of prohibitions on homosexuality is fairly likely though by no means certain.)
I am going to be honest, it feels strange to me that Asma is getting a character arc. She was always an ancilary character – one that was sometimes there but never really part of the larger story line or dynamic. Her suddenly getting an entire arc afte over 15 years in just seems off some how? It feels like if Filch suddenly become a POV character halfway through the Half-Blood Prince. I not complaining, as I am enjoying the story and its a treat to get more of her snarky humor and attitude, and I don’t belive it is breaking any narrative rules to include her more (even though the cast is already pretty full – we haven’t seen Ethan if forever). There is something about it that just feels off about it – I have no idea what.
I don’t see why that would be?
It’s a pretty well-trod path, with long-format stortelling, to give focus to a smaller character and investigate more about what’s going on with them in an arc.
Less so in a story that is a single book or movie, where the narrative needs to be tighter and more focused.
But in a daily comic strip still going after 10+ years, the writer is very likely going to become interested in stories and side characters that didn’t have the same attention at first.
yeah and im all for it
after all Dina was once just a side character
and who knows? Asma may also wind up being someones most favorite in the world :’)
I suspect it feels weird because it wasn’t really the plan. I think we’re still in territory where Asma strips are being inserted into the buffer after the chapter was mostly done, which isn’t ideal but it’d feel worse if after her role in the protests, she just disappeared back into the chorus making an appearance a year, especially since she’s the most prominent member of the cast representing the group most directly affected by the real world thing the protest was a stand-in for.
I both understand this impulse, and have issues with it, in turn. After all, this is the same comic that has an ancillary strip where we can watch just about the entire cast perform numerous sexual acts. Even in the main strip, we regularly see characters in their underwear, which would be a similar invasion of privacy if these were actual people we were spying on.
Treating Muslim characters differently than others would also feel a bit off to me, maybe even a bit patronizing. So long as her conduct is what would seem reasonable for a hijab-wearing Muslim, then the portrayal is fine, and any issues readers have with it is a result of our own baggage.
It would be nice if we knew more about Asma. We know she’s a Muslim and wears a hijab when not sleeping in her room, we know she was at the anti-genocide protest so she probably cares about that a lot, and we know she likes girls, specifically Alice. And apparently she assumed Joyce and Dorothy would know who Alice was by a kinda vague description of her that would also apply to other girls like Sal. I guess my point is that I’d like to see more of her backstory in the future so I can better figure out how I feel about her as a character.
I’ve got IBS and my first thought in the last panel was that all the stress had given Asma an upset stomach. I agree that it’s more likely emotional turmoil but if it turns out Asma has IBS I called it.
In case anybody was confused, a little birdie told me that Asma’s “internal problem” is diarrhea. She’s lactose intolerant and absentmindedly ate some dairy, and now her inside guts are being evil at her. It’s not anything to do with religion or gayness (two things very foreign to this comic), it’s mozzarella.
117 thoughts on “Problems”
NGPZ
no bowling and sad Asma on anotha lonely Valentines Day
waaaaaaaaaa TT~TT
Throwatron
oh shit thanks for reminding me to put stuff out for valentine’s
butting
I’m not expecting anyone to come down the chimney
but if you’re suggesting that I should put some chocolates out anyway, just in case…?
Throwatron
If you just start leaving flowers and chocolate around, who knows? You may find a lover. But you also may find ants.
clif
But we all know which is more likely.
the Lurker
What are you trapping? And what do you use for bait?
Sirksome
That’ll teach her to act selfishly!/s
Taffy
I choose to be normal and say Asma’s so valid for deciding to lay back down after that
StClair
On this, we fully agree.
clif
On the other hand, I’m not sure we’re prepared to deal with a normal Taffy. It just seems wrong somehow.
Reltzik
Taffy is so weird that even being normal manages to weird us out.
RassilonTDavros
The existential dread of realizing you’ve become plot-relevant.
apocryphascribe
The horror of it all.
StClair
My gaming group used to joke about NPC townsfolk realizing that they’re suddenly in COLOR, which means that player characters are somewhere around, and reacting with appropriate fear/panic.
km
At best, the PC’s loot all their chests, cupboards and barrels. And hopefully buy out the local tavern.
At worst, it means the demon king is going to destroy their town to motivate the PCs.
Steamweed
“I don’t WANT to be part of someone’s tragic backstory!” :O
deliverything
Relevant OOTS:
https://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0122.html
Freemage
If you don’t watch it already, I recommend Epic NPC Man on Youtube (it’s been out for ages, now, so there’s a pretty good backlog). Most of it is exactly this sort of humor–the NPCs in a videogame dealing with the weirdness that comes from being NPCs in a videogame.
TrueSurvivor
Everyone is the hero of their own story. Except for me. I can’t confirm it, but I am pretty sure that I am just the muggle character that occasionally shows up as the comedic relief between key plot points in my friend’s secret magical adventures.
Throwatron
it’s an underrated niche to occupy.
Searcher
Hey, plucky comic relief is good, you’ve got a solid 50-50 chance of making it to the end.
Jon
I’m the hero of my story, but the problem is it’s some dumb noir thing where even if the hero wins in the end, he still doesn’t get any reward.
IntangibleMatter
Here’s my prediction: Asma does ultimately end up with Alice because Jennifer isn’t romantically interested in Alice, and this results in a split between Jennifer and Alice that results in Billie getting back together with Ruth who unceremoniously dumps whats-his-face.
I have no bias here due to being a Billie/Ruth fan I swear
Shakes
I live to see whats-his-face dumped to make way for the return of Billie.
Victor Mortimer
Why? Ruth is bi, Billie/Jennifer is bi, no reason he can’t be involved too.
zee
Jason in the cuck chair
deliverything
No one actually told Jason to sit in the cuck chair; he just assumed that was his role.
ResRam
But I LIKE whatshisface!
He seems much better for Ruth, too. Dry, resigned toleration instead of drunken drama.
Cameron Stone
As someone who also has no bias i can confirm this theory as sound.
clif
I anxiously await the Ruth is cheating on Jason meltdown.
Andy
Can it be with Alice, Asma, or both? Would Jennifer then notice?
Sean Smith
I kind of like what’s his face.
Savail
(Can someone explain the last panel to me? Is this an “Aunt Flo came early” joke? Sorry, I am quite dense.)
Rebecca
More likely referring to emotional turmoil over biological, probably distress over Alice not showing and thus prompting Asma to realize “Oh fuck I’ve caught feelings.”
John Campbell
Asma appears to be lamenting having added romantic travails to the existing genocides and fascist raids and so on.
Tan
External problems: Cops, genocide, politics in general, trying to live
Internal problems: Feeling like she made a fool of herself trying to ‘casually’ connect with Alice. Possibly also anxiety over her sexuality, depending whether that’s a thing she already knew about and is comfortable with, which is unclear at this time.
Freemage
I’m betting “knew about”–we’ve seen enough of her thoughts to know she knows she is interested in Alice.
“Is comfortable with” is harder to say, even before considering the possible religious aspect. American Muslims actually poll pretty close to American Christians on the issue of gay rights, broadly speaking, but that’s “all American Muslims”, and strict hijab wearers may be likely to be more conservative on the subject, or at least from more conservative families. Strict hijab wearers account for only about 40% of Muslim women (many more probably wear it only for Mosque attendance or other religious or family events).
Tan
Relatable AF
ZombieKyrik
When are we going to get back to Carla? I miss her god-like arrogance, and beauty.
ZombieKyrik
Did I say god-like arrogance? I meant to say confidence, and charm. :P
clif
No, no. You had it right the first time.
Km
And the daughter of war profiteers! Cute war profiteers!
Suet
I got 99 problems
ㅤ
but I started one
ㅤ
I hereby declare cheese slices to be the food of single people… WHERE’S ROSE
NGPZ
don’t forget the crackers :9
and i don’t mean white people either i mean actual crackers XD
Needfuldoer
Especially if you’re planning a trip to the moon with your dog.
Cameron Stone
Oh so is Asma in denial about being attracted women? With all the gay characters in the comic I sometimes forget heteronormativity is still supposed to be the standard like it is in the real world.
Thag Simmons
Trying to set up a bowling date with a girl makes me think she’s probably aware of it, but it seems very likely that she’s never actually dated anyone before.
Arianod
I thought she meant anxiety or something like that. But if it’s an Egyptian River situation, it could add a new dimension to her saying that it’s “all been a mistake”.
And if *that* is her problem, she bloody well deserves someone better than Alice ^^u
zee
I think she’s more just stressed and embarrassed, she set up a hang out with two people she don’t even like to get to know a new crush who’s name she doesn’t have. They didn’t work out, there was a misunderstanding, and I think she realized what a bad idea the scenario is and it’s feeling some type of way about it. Imma need some more concrete evidence before I believe the “Asma had internalized homophobia/is struggling with the sudden realization she’s gay” train
DashWallkick
Yeah this feels like the actual thing. It’s not some sort of crippling identity crisis as much as it is “I did something with people I don’t like that much and it was a complete waste of time because I didn’t even see the cute girl I was hoping to talk to, and now I’m feeling utterly humiliated that I even tried.” Feels like since we’re getting the comic slowly people are just picking *the* most dramatic conclusion from today’s update.
Freemage
Yeah, she clearly has been aware of her interest in women. She doesn’t seem to have any internalized homophobia (though she might have some envy of the white girls who seem to have less issue with being out that she might have–she’s a strict hijab wearer, putting her in the more conservative wing of Muslim women, and thus is likely from a more conservative Muslim family, at least. The notion that some of her family, in turn, follow the stricter interpretations of prohibitions on homosexuality is fairly likely though by no means certain.)
TrueSurvivor
I am going to be honest, it feels strange to me that Asma is getting a character arc. She was always an ancilary character – one that was sometimes there but never really part of the larger story line or dynamic. Her suddenly getting an entire arc afte over 15 years in just seems off some how? It feels like if Filch suddenly become a POV character halfway through the Half-Blood Prince. I not complaining, as I am enjoying the story and its a treat to get more of her snarky humor and attitude, and I don’t belive it is breaking any narrative rules to include her more (even though the cast is already pretty full – we haven’t seen Ethan if forever). There is something about it that just feels off about it – I have no idea what.
Kim
I don’t see why that would be?
It’s a pretty well-trod path, with long-format stortelling, to give focus to a smaller character and investigate more about what’s going on with them in an arc.
Less so in a story that is a single book or movie, where the narrative needs to be tighter and more focused.
But in a daily comic strip still going after 10+ years, the writer is very likely going to become interested in stories and side characters that didn’t have the same attention at first.
NGPZ
yeah and im all for it
after all Dina was once just a side character
and who knows? Asma may also wind up being someones most favorite in the world :’)
Thag Simmons
I suspect it feels weird because it wasn’t really the plan. I think we’re still in territory where Asma strips are being inserted into the buffer after the chapter was mostly done, which isn’t ideal but it’d feel worse if after her role in the protests, she just disappeared back into the chorus making an appearance a year, especially since she’s the most prominent member of the cast representing the group most directly affected by the real world thing the protest was a stand-in for.
CT Phipps
Yep. Since Booster is now a main character that means ONE OF THE CHARACTERS MUST DIE.
Will it be Ruth? Rachel? Sarah?
*DUM DUM DUM*
RassilonTDavros
Penny died on the way back to her home planet.
Hayesan
She is one of my favorite lesser characters who now getting more Spotlight time
maneyan
This… feels weirdly intimate to see her without the hijab. For half a second, I almost wanted to look away.
Yotomoe
Does feel a bit like I’m intruding.
Freemage
I both understand this impulse, and have issues with it, in turn. After all, this is the same comic that has an ancillary strip where we can watch just about the entire cast perform numerous sexual acts. Even in the main strip, we regularly see characters in their underwear, which would be a similar invasion of privacy if these were actual people we were spying on.
Treating Muslim characters differently than others would also feel a bit off to me, maybe even a bit patronizing. So long as her conduct is what would seem reasonable for a hijab-wearing Muslim, then the portrayal is fine, and any issues readers have with it is a result of our own baggage.
CT Phipps
I wonder if this is implying Asma is having a queer awakening.
YourCousinJay
Given this whole interaction I feel like we’re a bit beyond that. Like she feels pretty solidly awake
CT Phipps
Maybe. But this is all related to Alice.
Thing 2
Ohhh, pink and purple *and* green. Where are we going with these colours?
I hear you, Asma, I do. But it’s OK.
Kyulen
It would be nice if we knew more about Asma. We know she’s a Muslim and wears a hijab when not sleeping in her room, we know she was at the anti-genocide protest so she probably cares about that a lot, and we know she likes girls, specifically Alice. And apparently she assumed Joyce and Dorothy would know who Alice was by a kinda vague description of her that would also apply to other girls like Sal. I guess my point is that I’d like to see more of her backstory in the future so I can better figure out how I feel about her as a character.
darkoneko
so t his week’s Valentine is about Asma after all
Noisy
I’ve got IBS and my first thought in the last panel was that all the stress had given Asma an upset stomach. I agree that it’s more likely emotional turmoil but if it turns out Asma has IBS I called it.
Taffy
In case anybody was confused, a little birdie told me that Asma’s “internal problem” is diarrhea. She’s lactose intolerant and absentmindedly ate some dairy, and now her inside guts are being evil at her. It’s not anything to do with religion or gayness (two things very foreign to this comic), it’s mozzarella.
Amara
Even the best laid plans of mice and men oft go awry, as someone once said. And truly, mozzarella is the most treacherous cheese.
Noisy