Ironic hipster. (And yeah, “ironic hipster” is probably an oxymoron.)
Or, possibly, a tautology.
Because it makes a statement about him that he likes. It’s funny but it"s also kind of sad. The strip is unrelenting ironic hipsterness, but this is the first time I’ve really been kind of uncomfortable with the level of humiliating pussdom he wants Marten to own . I know it’s not directly related to his just completed sub-dom workout with Dora, but I can’t help feeling Dora should be abusing his little Hello Kitty ass with a strap on pretty much every night at this point.
Marten really isn’t even a man anymore, he’s kind of a Peter Pan character.
Huh. To me it says, “I’m confident enough in my masculinity (or my masculinity is defined differently enough) that I can wear something that’s silly and little-girl-ish and not have that masculinity impinged thereby.”
It’s been well established that Marten can hardly walk down a street without beautiful women throwing themselves at him. So I don’t think he needs to assert his masculinity by conventional means.
I think you’re thinking of Sven. Marten just gets hit on (and doesn’t notice) at Smif (all girls) college library.
Also, Hello Kitty is really in right now in general. I think I saw more Hello Kitty “smoking accessories” and products at the Seattle Hempfest than I did any other character.
I’ve used Hello Kitty as a message board icon on some technical boards, and i will wear some unusual stuff, but actually accessorizing my IRL clothing with Hello Kitty belts etc. for casual wear? That’s just too cool for me. Far too cool.
I wish I was more hemptastic.
Look at his face. Playing it perfectly straight when Faye is looking at him, then ‘giggling madly inside’ when she realizes he’s wearing it.
It’s fun. And it screws with people’s heads. Why not? It’s the exact opposite of pussdom.
I’m reading it as hopeful anticipation she’ll let him have it, and giving her an “I can totally pull this off, right?” look.
New one is up. Apparently Sven was shanghaied into this, and is not happy about it.
That made me LOL! Oh, Sven, don’t ever change.
I think that’s the problem – Sven did change, and his sister is operating on old information, as seen here, hence Sven’s reluctance to play slut-hunter in Dora’s employee training.
Well, I was talking more about his sense of humor. 
I agree that it’s pretty clear that he’s no longer the thoughtless Don Juan of the past.
I think Sven saw the opening and couldn’t resist it.
I know. Sven looks so… broken. 
Wouldn’t you love to know someone like Hanners? Even for a comic strip I go into big brother mode and want to protect her. 
Remind me; who’s the other woman being trained for the coffee job?
Steve’s new girlfriend.