So this is technically July 17th’s comic (last friday). 3 more for this week. I can do it!
I think I can, I think I can, I think I can. *holding thumbs*
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July 23rd, 2009 at 2:03 am
OMG! Bjorn set Maria up! I’ll bet he knew she wouldn’t get in with that painting after he messed with it. She’d have to come back and take care of him like a good little housewife. What a jerk!
July 23rd, 2009 at 2:10 am
Aww this is awesome! I really love this strip. The TV light reflected on their cheeks is perfect. Nicely done!!
July 23rd, 2009 at 2:12 am
I think you can!
July 23rd, 2009 at 3:13 am
E.A.,
I don’t think that’s the case. Maria had purposefully punched her painting once she found out the praise her professor had given her, was based on his wanting to get in her pants, NOT because of her talent.
Bjorn didn’t set her up, but instead fixed the painting (painted over the punched in hole) and sent it to the university for her, simply because he thought Maria had the talent attend and be amazing! Maria had no intention of entering the university once all the hoopla with the professor was uncovered…
July 23rd, 2009 at 3:23 am
Bjorn is not a jerk! I think he really was doing her a favor. She was saying for a long time how she really wants in; he’s just doing what he believes is best!
July 23rd, 2009 at 3:45 am
Uhh. He sent it in to try and get her a life away from the north. If he messed it up without her knowing I might see your point.
Any student worth his lying, thieving beans told a little white lie to get into university, anyways
July 23rd, 2009 at 4:03 am
The depth of this story continues to impress me on several levels. So many actions taken by so many characters with unintentional long-term consequences. It’s like you started with rope and unravelling it to each and every thread.
July 23rd, 2009 at 4:22 am
Johan is not pleased!!
July 23rd, 2009 at 5:15 am
i don’t think he set her up…she wasn’t even gonna apply, right?
July 23rd, 2009 at 5:15 am
ps what does ko mean?
July 23rd, 2009 at 5:19 am
Karmic Ovaries
I mean, Knock Out
July 23rd, 2009 at 5:22 am
My question is who K.O.’d who?
July 23rd, 2009 at 5:50 am
That’s totally street fighter 2 they’re playing. You can see M. Bison (or Vega as he’s called outside the U.S) on the ken masters stage.
July 23rd, 2009 at 6:07 am
Oh, poor Bjorn and Maria. Bjorn was just trying to help.. he was so upset over what that ass of an art teacher did to Maria and her self-esteem that he took it upon himself to make sure she at least tried to live her dream…
PS. I have been reading this comic for a while now, and I absolutely love it. Yes, it would be awesome it if it updated every other day (or more!), but I am just so happy that you are sharing this story with us (not to mention the art!) for free that I would wait weeks between updates. Thank you for doing this!
July 23rd, 2009 at 7:16 am
I don’t think he was setting her up.
I think the comment was more a reflection of how he truly feels that she’s talented and deserves something better then the small town thing with him and a baby.
July 23rd, 2009 at 7:39 am
OMG!!!
They’re playing Street Fighter 2! Thought Bjorn would be more of a Guile-guy though.
July 23rd, 2009 at 7:52 am
They’re playing Street Fighter!
BISON!
July 23rd, 2009 at 8:01 am
I want to say don’t overexert yourself Renee… but some selfish part of me loves the thought of three more comics this week…
July 23rd, 2009 at 8:50 am
I agree with Rei, I really don’t think he set her up. I think Bjorn’s actions have been totally made from love, and I think it is important to remember how much older than her he is, and that he has a better perspective on what having a child would actually mean to Maria’s future.
But Johan is gonna go do something, he has that look.
July 23rd, 2009 at 9:49 am
You know, I still haven’t quite made up my mind about Bjorn. He is half good person, and half sleazebag. It’s illustrated here by the fact that when Maria decides (as Bjorn knows she inevitably will) to attend Konstfack, it will both benefit Maria (furthering her artistic talent and desires), and himself (she will leave, and presumably, abort the baby, allowing him to skirt any responsibility.)
This bit of complex motivation simply underlines the fact that this webcomic is one of the most thought-out, engaging, and heartfelt creations I’ve ever had the pleasure to encounter on the internet. Thank you, Ms. Engstrom.
July 23rd, 2009 at 10:21 am
Spinning Bird Kick!!
Awesome comic as per usual. I just love Johan’s expression in the first frame. Can’t wait for the rest this week.
July 23rd, 2009 at 1:47 pm
I reckon he did it on purpose, after he found out she was pregnant. Call me a pessimist but I don’t think he wants to look after the baby and have to provide for maria. He says later on when maria is grown up and having baby no2 that “This is a second chance for us” so I think he didn’t want the first one and later regretted it.
July 23rd, 2009 at 2:46 pm
I not a particular fan of Bjorn.
This comic is called “Anders Loves Maria”, not “Bjorn blew his chances with Maria, but wants another go”.
In a weird twist, I am quite fond of Johan.
July 23rd, 2009 at 3:22 pm
Now I can certainly understand Bjorn playing M. bison, but I never pictured Johan as a chun-li sort of guy.
July 23rd, 2009 at 3:56 pm
Now, what strikes me about the situation with Maria having been seen by the Sperminator aka Anders in last strip and the hostile phone conversation with Bjorn… Remember, she told Anders that drunken cheating could conceivably happen…
Is this a foreshadowing about her ending up in bed with Anders before she’s broken up with Bjorn? Was that what she was talking about and Anders misunderstood completely?
And will she have an abortion or a miscarriage?
July 23rd, 2009 at 5:25 pm
This story just keeps getting deeper and deeper! Ah I feel like an old housewife watching my soaps.
July 23rd, 2009 at 5:44 pm
@greensis that is an excellent observation. I’ve racked my brain trying to figure out what Maria was referring to when she told Anders that drunken cheating is sort understandable.
July 23rd, 2009 at 6:45 pm
I don’t quite agree with everyone for thinking Bjorn is beig an asshole to the point of being worse than Anders… Especially since Anders mistakes are being made in the present, and don’t seem to be letting up anytime soon.
July 23rd, 2009 at 7:23 pm
Does holding your thumbs equate to crossing your fingers?
Wheee, exciting cultural nuances!
July 23rd, 2009 at 7:44 pm
Kileycakes – A big part of me is hoping that this comic is named “Anders Loves Maria” and not “Maria Loves Anders” or “Anders and Maria Love Eachother” for a reason.
Bjorn is the best. <3
July 23rd, 2009 at 8:30 pm
About a week ago I spent a whole afternoon just reading every single AndersLovesMaria (yes, it is summer and I am bored…). I like to write, and I was taken aback at how complex and well thought out the whole story line is. AndersLovesMaria truly captures the essence of real people, and multi-dimensional characters. Plus the art work’s pretty.
I admire Rene for all the time she puts into this wonderful drama. Thanks!
July 23rd, 2009 at 9:39 pm
Johan is the man. Loving the subtle moments, Rene; keep it up!
July 23rd, 2009 at 10:10 pm
I have to say, after reading this bit of the back story I’m liking Bjorn more and more. He obviously cares for Maria deeply and always has. That’s more than I can say for Anders.
July 24th, 2009 at 3:46 am
@greensis This is a good point, but Maria knows she’s pregnant here…. she wouldn’t drink enough for drunken cheating to occur? At least I wouldn’t think? I mean remember the “flipper baby” anxiety she had way back at the beginning of the comic.
July 24th, 2009 at 3:58 am
He didn’t set her up, but it does kind of seem like he may have been trying to get rid of her. The last line is him saying that her future is in Stockholm at Konstfack (i.e. not out in the boonies with him).
July 24th, 2009 at 7:20 am
I’m pretty sure that Bjorn is being frustrated and sarcastic. If he didn’t want her to go, he would not have sent in her application, he would not have given her the letter about the interview, and he would not have encouraged her to go to the interview.
He’s frustrated that she is giving up going through with her dream and a possible way out of, let’s remind ourselves, a shithole of a town. It’s possible (and likely) that the fact that he does not want to have a child plays into this, but I suspect the other two factors are stronger.
July 24th, 2009 at 8:13 am
@Miss Holly: Well, she could make a mistake, (she’s young and from an alcohol-prone background) have a “flipper baby”-miscarriage and blame it on the alcohol. Which would explain her worry over Anders’ baby in the beginning of ALM.
But I’m just speculating wildly, here ;D
@Charlie: Yep, “holding your thumbs” (think protecting them in your fist) for luck is like “keeping your fingers crossed.”
July 24th, 2009 at 8:53 am
@ Greensis- I was just about to remark on the Flipper Baby anxiety, and here you already did! You are super keen and observant! I remember reading Maria’s statement about drunken cheating and thinking perhaps she was making an excuse for him because sometimes, when faced with being alone and losing that person you truly love, it is easier to make up excuses and avoid the issue- but your vision makes a lot more sense! Maria is too confrontational and strong-willed to do what I assumed she was doing
July 24th, 2009 at 6:11 pm
they don’t actually say k.o. when you win a round in Streetfigther II but eh. I just caught up with the whole strip in the last 4 hours and I am a fan for life. ms. engstrom you are one of the great narrative magicians of web comics and i praise you.
July 24th, 2009 at 11:31 pm
I genuinely didn’t recognize Bjorn just then. Because he’s fully clothed, probably!