Kazom is a 3,000 year old genie. In order to conserve power and thereby extend his life, Kazom does as little magic as possible. He is bound in the form of the Clark family's cat and mostly just lays around Melvin's Room.
Red was a boy until a new genie tried to get Melvin a girlfriend. That's when the genie turned Red into a girl so Melvin could practice talking to girls, and forgot to turn her back before disappearing. Red is hopeful that her situation is only temporary.
Hopefully it is revealing more than that. You don’t need magic to see that Red is angry. Anyway, this was a promising little arc. I’m completely sold on the new versions of the characters and looking forward to seeing more.
(puts on google glass). Ok Glass. What is the temperature of the surface of the sun? What? It’s over 9000? There’s no way that can be right. Oh wait, FAHRENHEIT. It’s only 6000 in kelvin.
Yup, and being a supportive friend to Red will probably work out better for Melvin than leering worked out for BJ. Red is looking for sympathy here, not more BS.
Just what Red needs too. It would be nice to see Melvin rise about his own self interest for helping Red. That the true mark of what it means to be a friend to someone.
I would leave Red parents along with BJ serving primarily there own interest when it comes to Red.
You know, I think a reason why these kinds of transformations are so prevalent in comics is that some guys just don’t understand girls, so their ideal girl would be someone who thinks the way they do. And with the girl having already been a friend beforehand, the guy has an in and it’s way easier to end up with someone you already know.
Of course, it’s not like either one of them is thinking that way. At least right now. But it’ll probably get to the point where a pink-haired kid falls on them out of nowhere, or something like that.
I suspect that in addition, a lot of guys see the automatic social leverage that attractive girls have, and think they’d like some too. They’d get special treatment at stores, guys would hold doors for them, help them out with flat tires, fetch and carry, etc etc.
They do not consider the social and biological costs of that role–like, for instance, constantly having nerds panting after them, and guys expecting something in return for the favors they do.
Red’s modeling job, the audience for which will pretty much be gamers like Clarence was, is a strong example of what’s expected of pretty girls.
This is what I’m hoping for: Red learning what it’s really like to be a girl, good and bad, and what girls really want in a boyfriend. (NOT a worshipful doormat, nor even a “nice guy” friend).
Then I want Melvin to learn how to be the assertive leader that girls like Red so often fall for.
Red, I’m afraid, has had the hard part done for her: her social status has just taken a huge jump based primarily on her looks. Not that it will be easy for her to learn how to manage her new role, particularly considering she lacks the experience of growing up as a little girl, but for the next fifteen or twenty years, at least, her personality will be the least of how people see her.
Melvin has the far more daunting task: He must alter his personality. Kazom may be able to give him some guidance, from over three thousand years of observing and serving humanity, but the actual transformation is all on him.
If this transformation is behind the comic’s title, I’ll be well pleased.
Yes, Red is taller now–which, now that I think of it, is exactly right for a girl in the middle of middle school. Remember when suddenly the girls got taller and boobier? At least Jean was age-appropriate with her genderbending. It should be awhile before Red pops any buttons.
That was my thought early on–particularly in light of the statement in JB that they were in middle school, and the fact that Melvin could conveniently snuggle in under Jeanie’s boobs.
But in comments to an earlier strip, Bachmann said no, they’re in high school now.
I’m really having a hard time believing that now, though, for exactly the reason you give.
Fifteen year old, would put them in the 9th grade. Middle school is 7th and 8th grades. The ninth grade is usually considered to be the first year of High School. In many states the 9th grade is still grouped with the other two grades in middle school. But, they count 9th, 10th, 11th and 12th grades for the credit in High school diploma’s and for college entry certificates.
Melvin and friends are technically in High School, but may in middle school or a high school physically.
The female over male height difference peaks between the ages of 12 and 13, that is, seventh and eighth grade. And it’s only an inch or two.
Definitions of middle school are, apparently, all over the map, but 7th and 8th is pretty much always in there somewhere.
And I don’t remember Red being that much taller than her former cohorts in JB, either.
So, this is artistic license, JB is not entirely canon here, and we just roll with it.
Even so: most boys of that age are going to be more than a little daunted by a girl as tall as Red.
Personally, I think that to settle this, BACH-MANN needs to do one of those manga scenes where everybody stands around in their underwear to get measured in the school office. 🙂
Hm, what would work just as well as the measurements scenes would be Red with her same age classmates, male and female. Is she larger than average? Then likely her measurements are due to Jeanie, not normal growth.
OK first that’s adorable.
Second.. why in the world was Melvin glowing yellow?
Third.. poor Red.
And I noticed Red glowing a color as well.. so I assume Kazom did something…
Think of it as Kazom-vision.
Now I wonder what Kazom is seeing? magical energy? Auras?
Male and female personalities?
Magical power?
Whatever it is, he seems to stop seeing it after Melvin gives him the stinkeye…
Mood/emotion?
Hopefully it is revealing more than that. You don’t need magic to see that Red is angry. Anyway, this was a promising little arc. I’m completely sold on the new versions of the characters and looking forward to seeing more.
Maybe Melvin was about to go super saiyan!
But his power level is still under 9,000. 😉
Now now make sure your scouter isn’t on upside down.
Ah yes 6, never mind.
(puts on google glass). Ok Glass. What is the temperature of the surface of the sun? What? It’s over 9000? There’s no way that can be right. Oh wait, FAHRENHEIT. It’s only 6000 in kelvin.
Now this is what i like to see, friends acting like friends. All Red needed was some comfort and understanding.
This was a nice touching scene, excellent Job Luna and Bach-Mann!
Especially that last panel, it’s very heartwarming.
Yup, and being a supportive friend to Red will probably work out better for Melvin than leering worked out for BJ. Red is looking for sympathy here, not more BS.
And a good cry.
Yeah, sometimes it’s good to let it all out and not bottle it up.
So Kazom isn’t actively doing anything to Melvin, he’s just seeing some kind of aura on him?
Yes.
If she hugs him like that any harder, he’s gonna be in Marshmallow Hell…
Or accidentally choke him.
Or Both
It’s good to have real friends to support you through life changing events. Sometimes you just need to relax and let the defenses down.
Ok everyone, group hug! *^-^*
Just what Red needs too. It would be nice to see Melvin rise about his own self interest for helping Red. That the true mark of what it means to be a friend to someone.
I would leave Red parents along with BJ serving primarily there own interest when it comes to Red.
Friendship is better magic than genie-stuff. ^^
Red aura = pissed off ?
Yellow = worried?
Great comic guys.
Well by DC logic yellow is the color of fear….
Pretty much my guesses. I hope we get to see more Kazom-vision in other situations.
Melvin looks like he’s glowing in panel one after the cat glared. Did he do something magic to melvin?
They’ve mentioned in earlier comics that Kazom is looking at him magically, as seeing some kind of aura around him.
Comments. Not comics.
this comic is awesome…i now ship Red and Melvin, even though he his in to that Blood girl from school
Thank you for the compliment. There is plenty more to come, I assure you! 😉
You know, I think a reason why these kinds of transformations are so prevalent in comics is that some guys just don’t understand girls, so their ideal girl would be someone who thinks the way they do. And with the girl having already been a friend beforehand, the guy has an in and it’s way easier to end up with someone you already know.
Of course, it’s not like either one of them is thinking that way. At least right now. But it’ll probably get to the point where a pink-haired kid falls on them out of nowhere, or something like that.
Enhas, you are at least partially right.
I suspect that in addition, a lot of guys see the automatic social leverage that attractive girls have, and think they’d like some too. They’d get special treatment at stores, guys would hold doors for them, help them out with flat tires, fetch and carry, etc etc.
They do not consider the social and biological costs of that role–like, for instance, constantly having nerds panting after them, and guys expecting something in return for the favors they do.
Red’s modeling job, the audience for which will pretty much be gamers like Clarence was, is a strong example of what’s expected of pretty girls.
This is what I’m hoping for: Red learning what it’s really like to be a girl, good and bad, and what girls really want in a boyfriend. (NOT a worshipful doormat, nor even a “nice guy” friend).
Then I want Melvin to learn how to be the assertive leader that girls like Red so often fall for.
Red, I’m afraid, has had the hard part done for her: her social status has just taken a huge jump based primarily on her looks. Not that it will be easy for her to learn how to manage her new role, particularly considering she lacks the experience of growing up as a little girl, but for the next fifteen or twenty years, at least, her personality will be the least of how people see her.
Melvin has the far more daunting task: He must alter his personality. Kazom may be able to give him some guidance, from over three thousand years of observing and serving humanity, but the actual transformation is all on him.
If this transformation is behind the comic’s title, I’ll be well pleased.
Well, Red is at an all girls school. so her social status could actually be pretty low there, as she is ill-equipped to play the social games there.
To be blunt, I’m talking about Red and Melvin’s “sexual market value”–that is, what the opposite sex looks for.
Boys are primarily interested in a girl’s looks, something Red has in spades. That’s going to be difficult for her to learn to manage.
Girls, though, are primarily interested in a boy’s social status, his place in the pecking order of his peers.
Melvin’s place seems to be relatively low. (As Red’s neck-grab indicates.) He’s going to have work hard to change that.
He’s going to have to learn to be as much a leader as Red is gorgeous if they are to be more than friends.
So, Red, who is taller than Melvin, grabs him around the neck.
That’s not a hug; that’s a dominance move.
I wonder what the pecking order was before her transformation? I kinda have the impression that Melvin was not at the top.
Melvin, a pointer:
You didn’t have to apologize. Not your fault and not remotely under your control. Just say, “He’s kind of a jerk.”
Yes, Red is taller now–which, now that I think of it, is exactly right for a girl in the middle of middle school. Remember when suddenly the girls got taller and boobier? At least Jean was age-appropriate with her genderbending. It should be awhile before Red pops any buttons.
That was my thought early on–particularly in light of the statement in JB that they were in middle school, and the fact that Melvin could conveniently snuggle in under Jeanie’s boobs.
But in comments to an earlier strip, Bachmann said no, they’re in high school now.
I’m really having a hard time believing that now, though, for exactly the reason you give.
Fifteen year old, would put them in the 9th grade. Middle school is 7th and 8th grades. The ninth grade is usually considered to be the first year of High School. In many states the 9th grade is still grouped with the other two grades in middle school. But, they count 9th, 10th, 11th and 12th grades for the credit in High school diploma’s and for college entry certificates.
Melvin and friends are technically in High School, but may in middle school or a high school physically.
Or Possibly there in 10th grade even, because most people graduate from high school when there 18 year old or so.
So there either in 9th or 10th grade right now.
The female over male height difference peaks between the ages of 12 and 13, that is, seventh and eighth grade. And it’s only an inch or two.
Definitions of middle school are, apparently, all over the map, but 7th and 8th is pretty much always in there somewhere.
And I don’t remember Red being that much taller than her former cohorts in JB, either.
So, this is artistic license, JB is not entirely canon here, and we just roll with it.
Even so: most boys of that age are going to be more than a little daunted by a girl as tall as Red.
Personally, I think that to settle this, BACH-MANN needs to do one of those manga scenes where everybody stands around in their underwear to get measured in the school office. 🙂
“School nurse’s office.”
Hm, what would work just as well as the measurements scenes would be Red with her same age classmates, male and female. Is she larger than average? Then likely her measurements are due to Jeanie, not normal growth.
50’s, good to see you back. We missed you. 😀
I have this annoying habit of only posting if I have something to say. Sorry about that, I’ll try to be more random. 🙂
No apologies needed. I look forward to reading your comments. Please feel free!
So, uh, about school nurse offices? Uh, not that, you know, the, uh, underwear part need play any significant role.
Artist’s choice, though, always!
HAHAHA! (*wink*)