Part of the humor comes from subverting the expectations. You might expect this kind of conflict- that one wants kids the other doesn’t, that one wants to change their gender expression into something the other doesn’t like- to cause conflict. Fighting. Anger.
Instead they just fully support each other.
Further, it subverts the mainstream possessiveness of partners. It’s very typical for people to be like “don’t be interested in my partner!” Or to be very uncomfortable with their ex seeing other people. Instead, this person is being very supportive of their person.
A lot of behavior in typical monogamous relationships is really shitty and selfish.
It’s not the funniest thing ever, but that’s how I see the mechanics of it working. Subverting some relationship expectations.
The driver saying they don’t line up with the passenger’s preference is the driver thinking things should end for the benefit of the passenger. I’m pretty sure the driver is still into the passenger, so breaking up is for the benefit of the passenger.
The passenger wants kids and the driver doesn’t. Breaking up is for the benefit of the passenger, not the driver.
So the driver is supportive of the passenger, but it is not reciprocated within this comic, including the extra panels.
It is still a positive outcome that is most likely a reflection of past support for each other that would add context, but if someone has only seen this one comic then it just looks like an amicable divorce with the driver hyping up their wife because the driver no longer align with their wife’s wants and needs.
Part of the humor comes from subverting the expectations. You might expect this kind of conflict- that one wants kids the other doesn’t, that one wants to change their gender expression into something the other doesn’t like- to cause conflict. Fighting. Anger.
Instead they just fully support each other.
Further, it subverts the mainstream possessiveness of partners. It’s very typical for people to be like “don’t be interested in my partner!” Or to be very uncomfortable with their ex seeing other people. Instead, this person is being very supportive of their person.
A lot of behavior in typical monogamous relationships is really shitty and selfish.
It’s not the funniest thing ever, but that’s how I see the mechanics of it working. Subverting some relationship expectations.
The driver saying they don’t line up with the passenger’s preference is the driver thinking things should end for the benefit of the passenger. I’m pretty sure the driver is still into the passenger, so breaking up is for the benefit of the passenger.
The passenger wants kids and the driver doesn’t. Breaking up is for the benefit of the passenger, not the driver.
So the driver is supportive of the passenger, but it is not reciprocated within this comic, including the extra panels.
It is still a positive outcome that is most likely a reflection of past support for each other that would add context, but if someone has only seen this one comic then it just looks like an amicable divorce with the driver hyping up their wife because the driver no longer align with their wife’s wants and needs.
I expected a comic strip to have a decent punch line and actually try to make the reader chuckle.
Boy, were my expectations subverted.