Art says:

I'd like to point out, having read all of the comments to when we set this up that none of you guessed this.

Aust says:

KEVIN? SERIOUSLY??? Dude, part of me wants to think that this is all one big misunderstanding, and that the kid is actually Jack's, and that their hair colors just, I dunno, mixed or something... but at the same time, it kinda makes sense. Hopefully Jack doesn't go berserk and do something he'll regret later.

Or, at least, do something he'll end up in jail for later.

Taren says:

...hellfire and damnation. That is really clever.

Geeze, Jack's either going to do something he'll regret later, or he'll end up a broken shell of a man.

Poor guy.

Aja says:

OH SNAP, indeed.

I'd been expecting Jill to have Jack's kid, whom she would love slightly more than Jack (and I suppose it might still be his) -- but this is a rather more interesting development!

Great implementation of the "unexpected yet inevitable" reveal. :D

j0bi says:

YES!

Tsai is way hotter anyway. Unless. .. she doesn't get to keep that body.

*note: wouldn't the writing under the pagoda be vertical instead of horizontal?

Taran Alvein says:

You know, Jack does have red hair as well, and there are varying shades of that. I think it's a little too soon to be assuming that it's Kevin's child she's holding. Though, it certainly does seem like it may be. All things being equal, I'm personally going to be taking a wait-and-see attitude on this one.

taltamir says:

tsai is as hot as she wants to be... she is a single girl harem.
She can take cosplay and turn it up to 11.

Pizzasgood says:

It's definitely Kevin's kid. But it isn't Jill's. She's babysitting. As for Kevin's name change, that's easy: Mr. Kepler adopted him. Jack is now a foster uncle in law.

Moudly says:

@ taltamir, amen to that brother!
@ comic aka Art, how could Jack NOT see this coming? freakin pwned much

Symbiant says:

As for the prophecy, I am sure the baby is the one it is referring to. As for whether it is jacks, no clue.

P.S. It seems like some people above forget when tsai was a guy. I guess if your into that sort of thing.

<3 Rebecca says:

dude.... o m g.

I just don't believe Jill would give Jack up after 3 months. i'm very disappointed in her.

Boomer says:

o000o Can't wait to see how this all pans out!

@taltamir: Lulz for the Spinal Tap reference.

Rico says:

Come on, you only want to lead us astray. Jack and we shall only think Jill is with Kevin now. Its still only about Jack and Jills Kid.
IF NOT WE ALL COME TO YOU AND BEAT YOU UP.

Rico says:

OK I thought about it while I was in the bath room.

Prophecy 1: Tsai will kill Jills descendants
Propehcy 2: Jill will love someone more than Jack
Penguin God said: One of those prophecies will come true, and Tsai decides which one.

Conclusions:
1. Jills must have at least 1 child, though its not said who is the father
2. She will love that child more than anyone else, but Jack is still her #2
3. The child will come into a dangerous situation, and Tsais actions will decide what happens to the child

So far so good, but I noticed something else too.

To make it short, Jill actually loves Kevin more than Jack.
Do you know why?

KEVIN IS THE CHILD OF JACK AND JILL!!!
Yes! He traveled back from the future! Yes! I am sure! Evidence is clear.
This explains everything about him.

His hair is a mix of Jills and Jacks hair in both color and style.
He knows what Jills likes although he just met her.
And that guy who said Jill and Kevin are a perfect match? Well he always says incest is a perfect match, right? He wanted Jack to be with his sister, and I guess he said Jacks aprents are a perfect match too because they are related.

Sorry comic creators I destroy your punchline, I can understand you hate me now. But it was you who made me look on small details.

Rico says:

Oh, and dont get me wrong but its perfectly OK for us, if you show us a sex scene with Kevin and Jill... or Jack and Rebecca... or anything lesbian....
:-P

Zimbo-lazam. That is all. says:

I was about to type up a big ol' theory but then Rico stole my glory. Way to go.

Although, I was thinking more along the lines that Kevin is the name of the child, and it goes like:

The old Kevin died in a lab accident, and so Jill named the baby after him because he was a family friend. It says Kevin Kepler because for some reason they're letting a baby help in the lab, or they just want it to look cute.

But jeez... Rico's theory is MUCH better...

Zimbo, back again. says:

Rebecca, those plaques say Q2 and such, which means Quarter 2. That translates into each plaque being for three whole months. Which means that Kevin Kepler came into existence 9 months ago which makes PERFECT SENSE.

But once again, I'm supporting that Jill did not sleep with/marry Kevin.

Guest says:

I hardly think Jill would breastfeed a child that she was babysitting. Sorry, Pizzasgood.

Much as I hat to say it I hope that Jack just says goodbye.

Guest says:

It just hit me that it will take a week for the next episode. And I did a little digging. Currently the longest period of time that someone can be missing and be declared dead is seven years in the United States(which is my legal standard), and the shortest (set up by several states) is less than four years but still close enough for the less than point to be four years. Going by the Penguins Jack and Tsai were gone for about a year. Jill moved on pretty quick. From when Kevin became the lab assistant to where he became a Kepler is very short. Looks like Jack and Jill wouldn't have lasted. Now I know that this world has different legal standards but come on. There were scientists and a GOD on board that ship. Now if you want to try and say that the trips back took too much time blah blah blah those awards are quite few. Q3 of 611 is right below Q4. So the only question is did they leave in 610?

Guest says:

One more thing... what if both prophecies are still in play? Kevin was introduced AFTER Tsai lost her body and she spent a long time gathering all those species. According to them the doppleganger CAN look like anyone... What if the Kevin that Jill apparently got married to is the doppleganger doing some nefarious plan the entire time, replacing Kevin at some point? Tsai may have to kill Jill's new husband AND her kid(s).

Gil says:

OH FUCK NO!! AHHHHHH!!! :'(
I had almost the EXACT SAME THING happen to me, I feel his pain, and his rage..

I'm not normally one to quote from nuklearpower.com's 8-bit comic, but It's murdering time!

someone says:

Doesn't red and yellow make orange?

And @rico and @zimbo, that child looks more like a girl to me.

bad easy says:

!!!! as soon as I saw the "perfect match" flashback, I felt like an idiot...should have known that'd come into play later. loving the doppleganger idea, too. I think this situation is hardly cut and dried, though...can't wait to see how it wraps up! never thought I'd be looking forward to a Monday!

Zero says:

Mind = Blown

RoguePenguin says:

Seriously wtf

Pizzasgood says:

@Guest: Regarding the feeding, now you point it out, it does look like that's what she's doing. I could argue that maybe her own kid died and Kevin's wife is a deadbeat, so she's just doing what she can to help. But that's a bit of a stretch.

I like Rico's theory.

Also, Kevin's authenticity is not the only one in question - the rogue doppelganger could be instead be impersonating Jill. Tsai did acquire her DNA after all.

Ocho says:

Im ocho. I havnt posted months. I picked an AWESOME time to come back.

Guest says:

Ah, yes. The Jill's DNA also occured to me. But Tsai got MORE than just the DNA She also got the experience of the person with the dna (and their clothes). So that could very well be how Kevin knew what would be perfect gifts for her etc.

Guest says:

But a hint that reveals nothing exists...

What's with the ballon?

Dualsaber says:

Man, you guys are awesome at pulling these kinds of things right when I'm least expecting it. This is, what, the third time you've pulled a major reveal with no one guessing it?

cwDeici says:

C'mon Art, I'm not gonna fall for that. :D
The one who loves Kevin most in the world is Jill's father who adopted him and the baby probably belongs to his sister and Jill's brother.

S1d3w4yZ says:

Honestly, I think temporary insanity and a shotgun would work quite well here, but then again, that's my answer to everything.

cwDeici says:

Of course I wish I had foreseen the 'Jack's sister and Ben' baby, even though I hadn't seen it yet. Clever twist that, showing a baby who appears to look different, but genetically its hair is most likely to mix orange from blonde and red rather than blonde and orange.

I might be wrong, but I'm definitely sticking with my 'loves baby' prediction, only it's either her beloved nephew whom she takes care off a lot of the time or her own baby lying in the nursery and the broodling is married to Jack's sister and Ben who has also become somewhat irresponsible.

Necro Ray (R.H.D) says:

The child is Kevin's kid! There is no such thing as mixed hair kid (red + yellow not equal to orange)! This is not also kevin! The child is she! Jill is breast feeding her!
Put a revolver in the head with a head band! Pull the trigger! MIKEY!!!NOOO!!!! (BANG)!
P.S- I was hoping it to be in Industrial Revolutionary Universe!

Fodali says:

At least the cheatoing was not with Marbles...

Boomer says:

i'm going with Rico on that.

cwDeici says:

Huh, their future son... that also makes sense, but he's not a proper adventurer.

Or is he?

Well, it's a good theory, but I'm sticking with mine.

Guest says:

Face it guys, Penguin God is a dick and Jill... unless this IS Doppleganger Kevin somehow finding out that they arrived back and pulling a trick to fool Jack and continue some nefarious plot then Jill is bad. Seriously. 1 quarter our time is three months. There is 1 quarter between Kevin being a lab assistant and then a Kepler. Being declared legally dead takes a long time but what, he was gone two days longer than she should have been and they started dating? Two weeks without Jack + maybe two more weeks return trip = 1 month. So... yeah. She marries Kevin right when jack is SUPPOSED to return unless that last quarter prekepler is part of a continued line. Even then, kids take 9 months. Not enough time there in my opinion. Lastly, anyone notice the kids skin is almost the exact shade of Kevin?

Pizzasgood says:

Reading these comments reminds me of a song:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6OlNY6-3_xY

Necro Ray (R.H.D) says:

Who should we blame? Jack's ignorance? Jill's infidelity? Kevin's stealing? Jack's parent's matchmaker? Or the idea of the jack of all blades artists?
I thought They would be in ird universe where they save the burried jill and the elf guy!
NICKY (Christopher walken) NOOO!!! (BANG)
source: the deer hunter

Necro Ray (R.H.D) says:

Now, we have to find IF ben is not a vigin and married Rebecca or others!

bad easy says:

yeah...what IS that balloon doing there?

my theory is: either Jill's dad is still jazzed about the fact that he discovered helium in <a href="http://jackofallblades.com/index.php?p=225#comic">this strip</a>, or it's for the kid's first birthday. which means, even if Jill's a complete slut and held her vows in total disregard, that this is not Jill and Kevin's kid.

LockeZ says:

Why in the world are you guys saying it's only been three months? It's been a year. They just SAID it's been a year like four pages ago, it was a huge epic plot twist and everything since then has been about that fact. And just in case you think the penguin god was lying or wrong, the plaques on the wall also clearly show that it's been between 12 and 18 months since Kevin was hired, and that Kevin changed his name between 6 and 12 months ago.

Draconi says:

@ LockeZ

the arent saying its been three months, the are saying Jill gave on jacks return after 3 months. this is becuse i takes nine months for a baby to be born. so three months pass, Jill marrys Keven, nine months later, they have a kid.

taltamir says:

Quote:
@taltamir: Lulz for the Spinal Tap reference.

Quote:
It's definitely Kevin's kid. But it isn't Jill's. She's babysitting. As for Kevin's name change, that's easy: Mr. Kepler adopted him. Jack is now a foster uncle in law.

Taran Alvein says:

You know, NecroRay, orange isn't a hair color. It's a shade of red. This thing's still up in the air. I'm not yet ready to declare the child definitely Kevin's yet. The evidence is still too sparse. It's too soon for the child to be Jill's, unless she never loved Jack in the first place or was secretly cheating on him ever since Kevin appeared. I say let's wait and see.

And for the record, I think Rico's time-travel theory makes the most sense thus far.

Guest says:

She is not baby-sitting. She is breast feeding. So if that isn't her kid... ew. That's supposed to be some sort of bonding thing between mother and child.

The shade of skin and the hair color match Kevin's.

They really set this up. They even said that they set this up. Maybe it is actually Jack's kid and there is something but no. She isn't babysitting.

I still say Kevin is the rogue doppleganger. The child is some evil doppleganger spawn that will have to be killed so it doesn't take over the world. Tough break Jill. Now, let this be a lesson to you all. Heed the advice of Guest. Keep Gods out of things. They just muck things up. If it weren't for the Penguin God none of this would have happened.

Draconi says:

@ Guest .... very plausible... i like it!

<3 Rebecca says:

Ew? Huh? Never heard of a wet nurse? Seriously. (but Jill would still have to have been pregnant).

I agree, too little data. On a second read the re balloon sticks out, red herring? (it is right above the plaques) Or maybe the balloon is just celebrating a kid's birthday?

Guest says:

Another possible plot development. Kevin goes mad scientist and brainwashes people to get the perfect life he wants. Jill loves him more artificially because he's made her.

Hmmm. I know. Hey, Spoilers, why do they call yo Spoilers?

Art says:

First of all I'm greatly enjoying you guy's predictions so keep up the good work, but on another note I wanted to mention if there is interest, Joe and I are considering doing a end of comic UStream party on the Sunday before the final update (March 21st apparently). We'll probably have a small chat at the beginning, then put up the last JaB and hopefully a couple JaB 2's, and from there probably a little post comic wrap up. Talk about things we liked about the comic, what we didn't like, humorous things that we had planned that changed, and of course chat with some of you guys over Skype/text chat if there is any interest.

Pizzasgood says:

Oh wow. I didn't realize we were quite that close to the end already. Only four left then.

The baby is neither Kevin's, Jack's, nor Jill's. It's Marbles's and Rebbecca's. Jill was poking fun at Rebbecca one day though, so she tricked Jill into saying something odd while Marbles was within earshot, which long story short resulted in Jill being able to be Marbles El Segundo's wet nurse ("Marbles El Segundo" is the baby's name). Which was fortunate because Rebbecca wasn't really into the whole mother thing, and was willing to pay Jill good money to deal with it for her.

Marbles El Segundo is a very dangerous child, by the way. People keep asking him things like, "Who's a little sweetie-pie?", which inevitably results in their being turned into various types of pie. Jill and Kevin have generally been able to step in and at least prevent those people from being eaten, but there was one time when Rebbecca was "watching" him and he ate like three of her servants. The kid's stomach is a black hole or something.

Joe says:

Comic can't end on the 28th. I'm at PAX East.
Let's just end it here.

Art says:

Comic's over! Everyone get off my lawn! >_<

<3 Rebecca says:

btb, is the hole in the neighbor's roof (half-covered with plastic tarp and rocks... classic) a projectile incident gone awry? #220?

taltamir says:

i am not convinced that she is breastfeeding, she could just be hugging him, or burping him, etc.

Guest says:

@taltamir

I'd give you the if her shoulder strap was just hanging off her shoulder but it's all the way off her arm. She's breast feeding.

Another thing is... I've read Industrial Revolutionary and even looked through it again. They say that comic takes place a few years AFTER JAB and in that comic Jill is a delegate of Roam. Considering that the entire Ministery of Science thing with her family was so that their son wouldn't marry a commoner and how Jack's parents weren't all that approving of the marriage in the first place would they let her keep her position? Perhaps that is why she is still with her parents or the balloon is some party they are having and the reason Jill is there (visiting). Jack's parents are definitely NOT that compassionate or possessing enough foresight to see benefit from the Kepler's attachment to the government to let her keep that position so going with ID is NOT some alternate universe and IS a few years from "now" as they said...

Well it at least gives credence to Jack and Jill making amends. The question is, are Jack's parents THAT apathetic to just not care enough to fire Jill's dad?

Pizzasgood says:

It isn't their decision. Jack disappeared, placing Rebbecca next in line for the throne. Then when she and Marbles got married, they decided they'd had enough and retired. So the decision is up to King Marbles and Queen Rebbecca, who are more than fine with it (it was part of the deal Jill made when she decided to become Prince Marbles El Segundo's wet-nurse). This way Jack doesn't have to screw around with all that royalty business, and Marbles gets to be King, and Mr. Kepler can keep Kevin. Only loose end is Ben, who after his encounter with Human God and the time he spent with Rebbecca has renounced his paladin lifestyle to become a vampire. Now he strives to create a vampire uprising to overthrow the Roamans and get vengeance on Marbles for stealing Rebbecca from him. He's also trying to track down Candy Apple Man to join forces, but that must be done carefully, as Candy Apple Man has a prejudice against vampires. Oh, and what about Tsai? She hooks up with Kevin because she wants to help him build a new improv deck, and he wants to study her.

Ocho says:

You can nurse someone elses baby. I dont think it is someone elses baby, but you can do that.
Used to be a fairly common practice.

iltherdion says:

O.o this has to be the most commenting ever... so well done!

Carlos Spicyweiner III says:

TIME WARP! I hope...maybe...please?...(sadness and anxiety lead to depression,insanity and rage, and all the gumdrop fairies lead a revolt, killing everyone in the area and letting loose a giant penguin to take over the writing of the comic)

Guest says:

Ok, I am not saying that wet nurses NEVER existed. But given certain correlations culturally between reality and this comic world I believe that like in our world the profession of wet nurse is no longer listed in the yellow pages or looked for int he want ads.

And back to ID, I don't give the Rebbecca marbles thing any credence as I am sure that I am not meant to but Rebbecca is a bitch. She would fire Jill just to rehire her and fire her again. The only way I can imagine Rebbecca keeping Jill on as some delegate is to piss off her parents who would no longer care and then seeing that she didn't get the response that she wants would fire her in a temper tantrum.

Some more questions... Where did Penguin God steal the ship from? Why was it flawed? Did he in fact make some deal with Kevin or hire Jill's Dad and his assistant to build it giving Kevin the opportunity to rig it to fail hard?

Gil says:

NOOOO YOU CAN'T DO THIS!!!!!! THEY WERE MEANT TO BE TOGETHER!!!!!!
DON'T TEAR THEM APART, PLEASE!!!! DON'T DO TO JACK WHAT SARAH DID TO ME!!! I BEG OF YOU!!!!!

Rogue says:

Or the child's name is Kevin and they decided it'd be funny to make him employee of the quarter whilst in the womb

Guest says:

Ok, Rogue there does give a somewhat plausible situation when combined with the "time paradox" theory. In order to ensure that his parents remained together upon Jack's return Kevin went back to interfere. Now the question that has been put forth in many science fiction is what happens to a time traveler who travels to a point and remains there until he is born? The webcomic Melonpool actually addressed this in a somewhat satisfactory manner. The time displaced version disappears and the person is born normally and lives his life unaware of the paradox. I cannot remember clearly if at some point in the future when the traveler has "caught up" with the paradox if he will remember it or not. For this Jack leaves, Jill gives birth to Kevin, after wondering if she should move on Kevin tells her Jack is fine, there was a problem with the relativistic drive, and it is taking longer to get back. Thus at the point when he would vanish, let's call it the paradox threshold, he does and Jill knows she just has to wait a little longer. Thus cementing his hold on best lab assistant until he returns. Also opening the door to the joke that he "helps" by kicking at certain times.

I still think the best theory regarding Jack and Jill's reconciliation is the Kevin is the doppleganger one though.

Joe says:

Quote:
Where did Penguin God steal the ship from? Why was it flawed?

My favorite question yet.

<3 Rebecca says:

Well... the Penguin God and crew *are* still watching via Jack's borrowed goggles. . . maybe?

seriously says:

Nobody's said anything about the glaring spelling error repeated constantly throughout the comic? I mean, you could (IF you were really desperate) use the misspelling of "perfect" as a springboard for an alternate dimension theory or something. Me, I just think it's a silly mistake. Oh well!

Art says:

Dammit all.

Joe says:

Typo fixed!

Art says:

What typo? I don't see a typo..... anymore.

Conspiracy says:

For those of us interested in pefect artistic integrity Google Cache still has the pefection.

(i think it adds to it)

taltamir says:

Quote:
You can nurse someone elses baby. I dont think it is someone elses baby, but you can do that.
Used to be a fairly common practice.

thatonedude says:

one maby since shes a druid she gave herself milk giving power... and two maby this is all a dream and hes knock out when the ship went under water and he did not get air quick enough

Rico says:

Hm, you know, I suddenly think Kevins is gay and married to Jills uncle...

thatonedude says:

wow rico thats a good guess but its so far fetched. Jills brother is more likly to turn gay

thatonedude says:

not jills uncle