Marco: "We could just sit here together... watch the sunset. We have all the time in the
"Ahem"
Billy Fore: "Sitting sure is neat and romantic, but you know what's even Smarmier?! Solving Puzzles!"
Marco & Marty
is a Furry Webcomic created by Billy Fore and originally published in the University of Illinois' student journal.
The Title Characters are Marco, a cat, and Marty, a dog, attending the University of Illinois. The two are best friends and sometimes boyfriends, trying to figure out life with varying degrees of success. Tends to follow relatable Slice of Life plots with a smattering of Breaking the Fourth Wall and a hefty dose of Genius Bonus.
The comic went on hiatus following Fore's graduation from university. It was picked up again on Tumblr in late 2015, and began following a daily posting schedule on January 1, 2017. The Time Skip In-Universe was about 4 years.
Tropes used by this webcomic:
- Actually Pretty Funny: Marco and Marty both have a habit of making puns, especially when checking books out of the library. The poor librarian eventually snaps and starts screaming "HA HA HA" as loudly and angrily as he can.
- Ambiguously Jewish: Marco. His last name ends with -witz and his mother is the embodiment of the Jewish Mother trope, but he himself doesn't give any indication as to his religious inclinations.
- Anguished Declarationof Love: In Boundaries.
''Marco: "We. Are. Adults! And one day I'll figure out how to sanely say, 'I need you,' but for now! Just... okay! Now! Yes! uh..."
- Artistic License – University Admissions: Marco's father won ten years of free tuition from a university dean in a game of Egyptian Rat Screw. He's been spending his time accumulating doctorates in random subjects.
- Bait-and-Switch: Marco can't sleep, so he wakes Marty up and pleads with him to do... something. Marty eventually agrees. Cut to the two of them... playing Trivial Pursuit.
- Burger Fool: "Blob Boy." Marty used to work as a cashier there, but got fired because a customer didn't take his blob in time, causing it to fuse to his hands.
- Breaking the Fourth Wall: At one point when the two are sitting around enjoying each other's company, Billy himself pops up to tell them to get their butts in gear and start solving puzzles. They respond by bricking the fourth wall back up.
- Cousin Oliver: Discussed in an author's introduction strip. The proposed edition was named Cousin Marliver, referencing this trope and keeping with the Theme Naming of the main characters. Thankfully, he only lasted one strip.
- Empathic Environment: Marco angrily accuses Marty of freezing him out for four years, and it immediately starts snowing.
- Fourth-Wall Observer: Puzzle Rat the Puzzle Fink. He appears out of nowhere to ask the audience to help Marco and Marty solve clues. Marco and Marty are extremely puzzled by his comments and wonder how he floats in midair in front of the clues.
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Genius Bonus: Frequent. The author loves obscure literary and cultural references, and a persistent subplot following the hiatus involves Marco and Marty hunting down clues to a treasure with increasingly complex riddles. - Innocent Innuendo:Marco: We could go to Mary Claire's, that greasy spoon with the- Oh! Oh! Marty! Spoon! Yes! SPOON!
Marty: Marco, we just had a very emotional moment, and we may need to explore that before we—
Marco: Dear. God. Marty. I meant the (Scavenger Hunt) clue! - Jewish Mother: Mrs. Marcowitz to a T.
Marco: Thanks for holding on to these, mom... His hoodie... that painting. The... blintzes and brisket, what the
Mrs. Marcowitz: You sounded thin!
- Splash of Color: Following the hiatus, each arc is introduced with a full-color strip.
