Dumbing of Age Book Eleven

Dumbing of Age

A college webcomic by David Willis
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how 'bout your other brothers?  are they single?  any of 'em like dudes??  DO THEY HAVE GIANT BLUE EYES AND ADORABLE GLASSES????
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BUFFER WATCH Comics are currently drawn and uploaded through:

September 20, 2023

Nope

by David M Willis on October 12, 2013 at 12:01 am
  • 04 - Just Hangin' Out With My Family

└ Tags: ethan, jocelyne

Discussion (770) ¬

[ Comments RSS ]
  1. vsophi
    vsophi
    October 12, 2013 at 12:01 am | #

    I AM DYING INSIDE

    • Yotomoe
      Yotomoe
      October 12, 2013 at 12:02 am | #

      I warrrrrned you!!!

      • Hoboturtle
        Hoboturtle
        October 12, 2013 at 1:59 am | #

        I warned you about the stairs bro!

        • Shadow12000
          Shadow12000
          October 12, 2013 at 4:19 am | #

          IT KEEPS HAPPENING!

          • Shadow12000
            Shadow12000
            October 12, 2013 at 4:21 am | #

            No really my gravatar changed again! And it’s Sal again! But it’s a different Sal! AHHHHHHHHHH!

            • Curacaobill
              Curacaobill
              October 12, 2013 at 12:15 pm | #

              Them avatar shuffles man

          • Jackson
            Jackson
            October 12, 2013 at 6:25 am | #

            AGAIN with the shipping what IS it even with you and SHIPPING MAN

            • Wixvhen
              Wixvhen
              October 12, 2013 at 11:21 am | #

              Apparently he makes good boats.

        • Kyrros
          Kyrros
          October 13, 2013 at 3:36 am | #

          I love how he’s looking straight through the 4th wall when he announces it in panel two.
          It’s like the artist knows he’s trolling or something :-p

    • vsophi
      vsophi
      October 12, 2013 at 12:02 am | #

      HERE IS THE FRUIT OF MY SHATTERED DREAMS

      /SOBS LOUDLY

      • Plasma Mongoose
        Plasma Mongoose
        October 12, 2013 at 12:03 am | #

        I approve of your pic-fiction! 😀

      • Anderhail
        Anderhail
        October 12, 2013 at 12:03 am | #

        Awesomely done!

      • Pier
        Pier
        October 12, 2013 at 12:06 am | #

        Wow! You have my approval as well

      • vsophi
        vsophi
        October 12, 2013 at 12:06 am | #

        thanks ya’ll ; ~ ;

        (by the by, here’s the shirt joyce is wearing: http://www.zazzle.com/team_jesus_red_unisex_shirt_more_styles-235901143880908564)

      • caesaria82
        caesaria82
        October 12, 2013 at 12:18 am | #

        That is amazing!

      • Valdrax
        Valdrax
        October 12, 2013 at 12:23 am | #

        Oh, the tears of unfathomable shipper sadness! Mmm… yummy!
        </cartman>

      • Passerby
        Passerby
        October 12, 2013 at 12:42 am | #

        an act of sobomy.

      • Undrave
        Undrave
        October 12, 2013 at 12:43 am | #

        You’re version is clearly superior.

        • E.R.
          E.R.
          October 12, 2013 at 1:26 am | #

          I second this motion. Clearly Joyce/Dorothy is the appropriate ship.

          • Thasvaddef
            Thasvaddef
            October 12, 2013 at 7:29 am | #

            Doyce or Jorothy?

          • SplashOfBrown
            SplashOfBrown
            October 12, 2013 at 2:44 pm | #

            Agreed.

      • PureFedora
        PureFedora
        October 12, 2013 at 1:16 am | #

        I want you to know that someone loves your picture and will save it to his computer and treasure it forever.

        • vsophi
          vsophi
          October 12, 2013 at 3:34 am | #

          I’m honored. ; w ;

          (this almost makes up for the worst shipwreck to date in the dumbiverse)

          • Anime fan
            Anime fan
            October 12, 2013 at 9:20 am | #

            This is my favorite shipwreck ever. 🙂

        • Leorale
          Leorale
          October 12, 2013 at 9:29 am | #

          At least two people! T.T

          • Leorale
            Leorale
            October 12, 2013 at 8:25 pm | #

            (heh my new Ethan avvy likes it too)

      • Arkadi
        Arkadi
        October 12, 2013 at 4:43 am | #

        What should have been TwT

      • Terabiel
        Terabiel
        October 12, 2013 at 6:17 am | #

        Awww, confused proto-les kisses!

      • saltchocolate
        saltchocolate
        October 12, 2013 at 8:09 am | #

        That is the cutest thing, vsophi! I feel your feels.

      • ocbrad1
        ocbrad1
        October 12, 2013 at 1:20 pm | #

        Wonderful job with what should have been. Damn you, Willis!!! 🙂

      • SplashOfBrown
        SplashOfBrown
        October 12, 2013 at 2:43 pm | #

        This is glorious :O

      • Rodrigo
        Rodrigo
        October 12, 2013 at 5:35 pm | #

        Cool pic-fiction

    • caesaria82
      caesaria82
      October 12, 2013 at 12:07 am | #

      Same.

    • Jetstream
      Jetstream
      October 12, 2013 at 1:15 am | #

      ~\o

      I’m in the dance band on the Titanic
      Sing “Nearer, my God, to Thee”
      The iceberg’s on the starboard bow
      Won’t you dance with me

      o/~

      • Terabiel
        Terabiel
        October 12, 2013 at 6:17 am | #

        Love that song. And yupyup.

        • Jetstream
          Jetstream
          October 13, 2013 at 12:14 am | #

          Harry Chapin was a badass.

    • Kyrros
      Kyrros
      October 13, 2013 at 3:35 am | #

      I love how he’s looking straight through the 4th wall when he announces it in panel two.
      It’s like the artist knows he’s trolling or something :-p

      • Kyrros
        Kyrros
        October 13, 2013 at 3:37 am | #

        Oops, sorry about the 2x post :-\

  2. Yotomoe
    Yotomoe
    October 12, 2013 at 12:01 am | #

    CALLED IT!!!!!
    *DANCES THE YOTOMOE VICTORY DANCE*

    • Kernanator
      Kernanator
      October 12, 2013 at 12:02 am | #

      Well shit, looks like I owe you money.

      • Plasma Mongoose
        Plasma Mongoose
        October 12, 2013 at 12:04 am | #

        Betting is a fools game… unless you’re already know the outcome that is.

        • Spack
          Spack
          October 12, 2013 at 1:08 am | #

          No “unless” needed. It’s still a fool’s game, but in that scenario you are not the one who’s a fool

        • Mr. Morningstar
          Mr. Morningstar
          October 12, 2013 at 1:50 am | #

          Then Willis should have put money on this.

          • Thasvaddef
            Thasvaddef
            October 12, 2013 at 7:19 am | #

            That’s insider trading!

            • Kelly
              Kelly
              October 12, 2013 at 5:57 pm | #

              He just needs to get elected to Congress, then it isn’t a problem!

    • Gosei
      Gosei
      October 12, 2013 at 12:03 am | #

      You are a modern prophet.

      • The Candyman
        The Candyman
        October 12, 2013 at 12:06 am | #

        Nah, Yotomoe is a fortune cookie: he gives advice that no one listens to.

        • Gosei
          Gosei
          October 12, 2013 at 12:08 am | #

          In that case, what are my lucky numbers?

          • Yotomoe
            Yotomoe
            October 12, 2013 at 12:13 am | #

            4, 97, Q

            • Gosei
              Gosei
              October 12, 2013 at 12:15 am | #

              Thank you, oh wise one. You truly are the most intelligent and handsome of all.

            • Pyr05
              Pyr05
              October 12, 2013 at 12:19 am | #

              Hike hike hike!

              • saltchocolate
                saltchocolate
                October 12, 2013 at 1:00 pm | #

                I see what you did there, Pyr05.

            • Tenn
              Tenn
              October 12, 2013 at 6:17 am | #

              Q is the luckiest number for everyone, except Hongou and Kubota.

              • Oxyvolt
                Oxyvolt
                October 12, 2013 at 7:41 am | #

                I love you for that reference.

                • Tenn
                  Tenn
                  October 13, 2013 at 1:11 pm | #

                  I love you for getting it.

                • Narf
                  Narf
                  October 13, 2013 at 8:01 pm | #

                  Now Kiss!

              • Blue
                Blue
                October 12, 2013 at 1:46 pm | #

                Also Captain Picard.

              • anonymous
                anonymous
                October 15, 2014 at 12:40 am | #

                qqq spoilers

        • saltchocolate
          saltchocolate
          October 12, 2013 at 8:12 am | #

          Yotomoe, AKA Cassandra.

    • Aizat
      Aizat
      October 12, 2013 at 12:25 am | #

      You have a victory dance?

      • Yotomoe
        Yotomoe
        October 12, 2013 at 12:29 am | #

        Doesn’t everybody?

        • NightmareWarden
          NightmareWarden
          October 12, 2013 at 12:49 am | #

          What is your victory song? You must have a song that you play while dancing the dance of victory! It’s a rule.

          • Yotomoe
            Yotomoe
            October 12, 2013 at 1:37 am | #

            http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8m4oeEUwADw

            • Narf
              Narf
              October 13, 2013 at 8:02 pm | #

              Sexiest victory song ever!

              Yeah, I said it.

        • Hoboturtle
          Hoboturtle
          October 12, 2013 at 2:01 am | #

          Yah, but I reserve mine for when I kill something or sometimes when someone joins my party.

        • Terabiel
          Terabiel
          October 12, 2013 at 6:23 am | #

          Yes. Mine is http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p3G5IXn0K7A

          • DEG1377
            DEG1377
            October 12, 2013 at 12:18 pm | #

            I now hate you. That will be in my head all week.

          • MIB4u
            MIB4u
            October 12, 2013 at 5:34 pm | #

            Ouch.
            You do realize what song this is based on, right?
            http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PKYEKhxWy6o

            • Kelly
              Kelly
              October 12, 2013 at 6:03 pm | #

              WTF? Hampsterdance is based on a song from Disney’s Robin Hood? That is so bizarre!

        • Aizat
          Aizat
          October 12, 2013 at 11:07 am | #

          Well, my victory dance is that I.R Baboon’s victory dance then followed up with a Cossack dance.

    • Tahkuya
      Tahkuya
      October 12, 2013 at 2:18 am | #

      same here, INTERNET HIGH FIVE

    • Gamma Ray
      Gamma Ray
      October 12, 2013 at 8:42 am | #

      Well, guessing that Joshua was just stuck on a default happy-friendly-slightly awkward setting like Joyce was right. Even so, I liked that ship. It was an adorable ship. And now Godzillis has punted it clear across the Pacific rim.

      Also, is this the first strip where the title isn’t a word in the strip?

      • vsophi
        vsophi
        October 12, 2013 at 7:48 pm | #

        naw, there’s been others

  3. TheOthin
    TheOthin
    October 12, 2013 at 12:01 am | #

    REJECTED

    • Thor
      Thor
      October 12, 2013 at 12:08 am | #

      BRO-ZONED

      • Aizat
        Aizat
        October 12, 2013 at 12:27 am | #

        BRO-IN-LAW-ZONED!

        • Spliced
          Spliced
          October 12, 2013 at 12:53 am | #

          I got here late and OMG HE’S NOT GAY!!!!!

          and omg he’s gonna KILL Ethan…

          Also? Ethan? He’s serious about that bro-in-law thing… You probably don’t wanna say a comment that’s pretty much hitting-on-him territory at a time like this

          • DudeMyDadOwnsADealership
            DudeMyDadOwnsADealership
            October 12, 2013 at 4:16 pm | #

            It IS Ethan, after all. Even if Joshua did play for the same team, it wouldn’t make him any less out of Ethan’s benchwarming league…

  4. KingMabel
    KingMabel
    October 12, 2013 at 12:01 am | #

    AAAAAAAANNNNNNNNNNNDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD ITS GONE!!!!

  5. Herohatch
    Herohatch
    October 12, 2013 at 12:01 am | #

    Nothing like clearing the air.

    • KingMabel
      KingMabel
      October 12, 2013 at 12:03 am | #

      More like clearing the comments section…

    • Historyman68
      Historyman68
      October 12, 2013 at 1:09 am | #

      Or the bowels.

      • pudge
        pudge
        October 12, 2013 at 9:18 am | #

        they’re pretty much the same aren’t they?

  6. Shaggy-Donahugh
    Shaggy-Donahugh
    October 12, 2013 at 12:02 am | #

    I figured this is now called for.
    DAMN YOU WILLIS!

    • That Damn Rat
      That Damn Rat
      October 12, 2013 at 1:44 am | #

      I second this motion, as you’ve doomed us all.

  7. Gottawonder
    Gottawonder
    October 12, 2013 at 12:02 am | #

    I thought that was so. Dances with Yotomoe.
    Please excuse me, I got carried away. 🙂

    • Yotomoe
      Yotomoe
      October 12, 2013 at 12:04 am | #

      It’s taking all I have in me to not fill every comment with me bragging.

      • Luzahn
        Luzahn
        October 12, 2013 at 12:09 am | #

        I am fully in support of this.

        Although now I just wonder what Joshua is actually concerned about. Go Yotomoe, whatever random thing you guess will probably be right. =P

        • Makkabee
          Makkabee
          October 12, 2013 at 12:47 am | #

          He’s a closeted secular humanist, maybe?

        • xKiv
          xKiv
          October 12, 2013 at 6:28 pm | #

          He *thought* ha was gay, so he dated a boy, but he turned out to not be gay.
          (for both values of “he”)

          • vsophi
            vsophi
            October 12, 2013 at 7:49 pm | #

            This seems like a very real possibility to me.

  8. Gosei
    Gosei
    October 12, 2013 at 12:02 am | #

    I knew it.

  9. Pier
    Pier
    October 12, 2013 at 12:02 am | #

    I AM EXTREMELY DISAPPOINT!

  10. rachel
    rachel
    October 12, 2013 at 12:02 am | #

    “… Oh.”

    That, my friends, was the sound of my heart BREAKING IN TWO

    • Plasma Mongoose
      Plasma Mongoose
      October 12, 2013 at 12:14 am | #

      I can hear the sound of a ship been torn open by by an iceburg.

      • Core279
        Core279
        October 12, 2013 at 12:47 am | #

        And that Iceberg is Willis. >.>

      • Historyman68
        Historyman68
        October 12, 2013 at 1:09 am | #

        Willis is the Titanic and the Iceberg.

        • Mr. Morningstar
          Mr. Morningstar
          October 12, 2013 at 1:51 am | #

          He might as well be the freezing ocean that kills one of the lovers at the end.

          • AckackAck
            AckackAck
            October 12, 2013 at 7:36 pm | #

            Plot twist: Ethan snapped, killed Joshua and freeze him in the fridge.

  11. Kernanator
    Kernanator
    October 12, 2013 at 12:02 am | #

    Oh damn, we got PLAYED.

    DAMN YOU WILLIS.

  12. Bek359
    Bek359
    October 12, 2013 at 12:03 am | #

    Thank you, Joshua. The sooner Ethan realizes that this sham of a relationship is NOT EVER going to work out, the better.

    • Yotomoe
      Yotomoe
      October 12, 2013 at 12:05 am | #

      True Shit.

    • Thor
      Thor
      October 12, 2013 at 12:11 am | #

      It’s not Joshua’s call. It’s Ethan and Joyce’s.

      • Historyman68
        Historyman68
        October 12, 2013 at 1:10 am | #

        Yeah, but sometimes people need feedback to realize how dumb they’re being.

        • garaden
          garaden
          October 12, 2013 at 1:34 am | #

          Yeah, it’s pretty clear that Ethan is one stern look away from dropping the charade.

          …or at least I hope so. 🙁

          • Heavensrun
            Heavensrun
            October 12, 2013 at 6:32 am | #

            Obviously not, since Ethan already got a seriously stern look, and talking to, from Amber. I’m starting to feel like this isn’t going to go away until he’s macking with another guy and Joyce is crying.

            And godsdamn, I’m really starting to hate him for it.

            • vsophi
              vsophi
              October 12, 2013 at 7:37 am | #

              Actually, I think Joyce will be the one to break it off. She’s been showing loads of potential for growth in just the first month of college. I mean, hell, standing up for her atheist friend in front of her fundie, bigoted parents? Wow. Ethan, on the other hand, is still as fucked up as ever. He’ll get dumped and realize with the way things are now, all he can ever be is alone.

              Joshua could have been out. He might’ve been the one thing that could snap Ethan out of it. But with this blatant rejection, all Ethan’s gonna feel is hopeless.

              …And so ends my incredibly depressing take on Ethan’s life. Come to think of it, I think this is why I sympathize with Ethan more than anyone else on the cast. As least the others have people. Even Sal has Marcie, and to some extent, Jason. Mike is an awful friend, and Amber certainly can’t be there for him with everything that’s going on with her now.

              …Come to think of it, Amber’s pretty alone in this too. Damn, why do all the SP! people have to be so goddamned miserable?

              • vsophi
                vsophi
                October 12, 2013 at 7:53 am | #

                an* out, soz

              • Jack Finch
                Jack Finch
                October 12, 2013 at 9:31 am | #

                And those dreams (ok it was a nightmare) and associated feels are only gonna build, not go away.

              • The E-man
                The E-man
                October 12, 2013 at 3:19 pm | #

                I s2g vsophi why are you trying to make everyone even more miserable.

                • vsophi
                  vsophi
                  October 12, 2013 at 7:51 pm | #

                  because clearly overanalyzing recklessly feels-inducing webcomics is my special interest

              • Jack Finch
                Jack Finch
                October 12, 2013 at 9:30 pm | #

                My new prediction for a future storyline…some of them get into group therapy together. Results are…um…mixed.

            • Galatine
              Galatine
              October 12, 2013 at 10:47 am | #

              Also, when the entire thing first started, Mike gave as clear an indication of his disapproval as he ever does. When you’ve shocked Mike, you should probably reevaluate your life.

    • Dicrel Seijin
      Dicrel Seijin
      October 12, 2013 at 1:28 am | #

      Sometimes it takes someone from the outside looking in to show how dysfunctional things have gotten. I really hope Ethan and Joyce break up, this relationship is doing neither of them any good, at all.

    • AckackAck
      AckackAck
      October 12, 2013 at 7:35 pm | #

      Joshua is in, shit just got real.

  13. Ragnal
    Ragnal
    October 12, 2013 at 12:03 am | #

    Wh-no?

    WHATTYA MEAN NO?! It-I-abhjg-

    …It seemed so…

    …I feel like nothing I say will keep me from developping foot in mouth disease, but man…

    • Yotomoe
      Yotomoe
      October 12, 2013 at 12:05 am | #

      Foots disease, the cousin of Butts disease.

      • AgentKeen
        AgentKeen
        October 12, 2013 at 11:30 pm | #

        Also closely related to ‘Red Foreman Disease’, also known as a foot up your ass.

    • Undrave
      Undrave
      October 12, 2013 at 12:48 am | #

      Maybe those friends of his are a gay couple though. Would explain a thing or two I guess.

      • Pier
        Pier
        October 12, 2013 at 4:26 am | #

        Drew and Manny gay couple as Joshua’s guy friends. Oh the twist.

  14. Sammie1053
    Sammie1053
    October 12, 2013 at 12:03 am | #

    *Plays taps*
    In honor of the lives lost in the sinking of the USS Joshuthan. Never forget.

    • KingMabel
      KingMabel
      October 12, 2013 at 12:05 am | #

      May I speak?

      This ship fueled many comments and fanfics, and lived in the hearts of many. BUT I TOLD YOU! I TOLD YOU ALL!

      R.I.P.

    • Yotomoe
      Yotomoe
      October 12, 2013 at 12:06 am | #

      We shall bury them next to the FazxDina ship victims…
      They never made it out of the harbor.

      • Sammie1053
        Sammie1053
        October 12, 2013 at 12:15 am | #

        Some say you can still see the FazxDina sailing along the horizon at twilight, stern emblazoned with charts and grappling hooks for rigging.
        But most people accept that it burnt to the ground while still in the drydock.

        • Passerby
          Passerby
          October 12, 2013 at 12:44 am | #

          It did not burn. It was destroyed by a host of triceratops.

          • NightmareWarden
            NightmareWarden
            October 12, 2013 at 12:53 am | #

            Plesiosaurs patrol the remains underwater lest zombie pirates resurrect it and sail it on the seas against the wishes of all.

            • The Phantom's Belch
              The Phantom's Belch
              October 12, 2013 at 9:32 am | #

              FazxDina was destroyed in drydock but not burned to the ground. We have the tools, we have the technology. We can make it stronger, faster, better…. FAZXDINA WILL BE THE MODERN MEGALODON!

              Ah, who’m I kidding?

              • AckackAck
                AckackAck
                October 12, 2013 at 7:32 pm | #

                Even when we rebuild it it will have self destruct button installed.

      • Rani
        Rani
        October 12, 2013 at 12:41 am | #

        Yotomoe, what’s this “we” all about? If Willis sank the Joshuthan, you were the dick on the UBoat who kept machine gunning the survivors and laughing maniacally.

        • Yotomoe
          Yotomoe
          October 12, 2013 at 8:37 am | #

          I’m more like the guy who kept warning people not to get so cocky when they built the Titanic. And they just refused to listen to me.

          • insomniac
            insomniac
            October 12, 2013 at 10:35 am | #

            THEY! DIDN’T! LISTEN!

            • The Candyman
              The Candyman
              October 12, 2013 at 10:45 am | #

              But no one wanted to believe…believe Joshua could ever be straight. And when the truth finally dawns, it dawns in fire!

      • Sam
        Sam
        October 12, 2013 at 9:46 am | #

        Everyone knows that ship never existed, no matter how hard delusional people insist on it.

    • caesaria82
      caesaria82
      October 12, 2013 at 12:08 am | #

      Pfffft. Non-canonical ships are the best ships. This ship lives. In the heards and minds of the people, it will always live.

      • Historyman68
        Historyman68
        October 12, 2013 at 1:11 am | #

        Airships.

      • stevecharb
        stevecharb
        October 12, 2013 at 9:51 am | #

        The pairing goes on, the slash endures, the hoe-yay still lives, and the ship will never die.

  15. Wonder Wig
    Wonder Wig
    October 12, 2013 at 12:03 am | #

    So if Joshua isn’t gay does this mean…. he’s Amazi-Girl!?

    • Totz the Plaid
      Totz the Plaid
      October 12, 2013 at 12:08 am | #

      No…

      Clearly Amber’s Amazi-Girl.

      I know, I know, it sounds impossible, but I believe in my heart that it’s true.

      • Gosei
        Gosei
        October 12, 2013 at 12:09 am | #

        By that logic… Danny’s gay?

        • vsophi
          vsophi
          October 12, 2013 at 12:15 am | #

          everyone is gay

          • Gosei
            Gosei
            October 12, 2013 at 12:17 am | #

            Except Joshua.

            • Chubsius
              Chubsius
              October 12, 2013 at 12:24 pm | #

              Someone’s gotta be bi.

          • Vex Godglove
            Vex Godglove
            October 12, 2013 at 12:17 am | #

            Except Joshua.

            • Gosei
              Gosei
              October 12, 2013 at 1:39 am | #

              Ha, beat ya to it.

              • Vex Godglove
                Vex Godglove
                October 12, 2013 at 10:43 am | #

                Well played.

          • Wonder Wig
            Wonder Wig
            October 12, 2013 at 12:19 am | #

            Everyone can be gay! And when everyone’s gay muahahahaha… No one will be.

            • Pier
              Pier
              October 12, 2013 at 12:31 am | #

              Love the syndrome reference

      • Rani
        Rani
        October 12, 2013 at 12:39 am | #

        No, that means he’s Amber, stupid. Haven’t you read anything? 🙂

  16. March
    March
    October 12, 2013 at 12:03 am | #

    And the big brother comes out swinging! Though I’m not sure how much protection Joyce actually needs. Maybe some more exposure to the world at large.

    • Bill
      Bill
      October 12, 2013 at 12:10 am | #

      I should have done more of this for my little sister.

      • Historyman68
        Historyman68
        October 12, 2013 at 1:12 am | #

        Were there a lot of gay dudes dating your sister?

        • Megatron
          Megatron
          October 12, 2013 at 2:37 am | #

          That was my question.

        • Bill
          Bill
          October 12, 2013 at 5:13 am | #

          No, but for some reason she seemed to be a magnet for losers.  Even ended up marrying one of ’em.  Didn’t last, fortunately; otherwise it wouldn’t have been “Goodbye, Earl” for real.

    • Drakey
      Drakey
      October 12, 2013 at 1:31 am | #

      I’m pretty sure what the big brother just did was not to “come out” swinging, given the context. We must avoid euphamistic confusion.

      He arrived swinging.

      Now we just need for him to tell his parents about his harem of sexbots that are the only thing he’s attracted to.

      • nick
        nick
        October 12, 2013 at 3:32 am | #

        So wait – Joshua is Malaya?

        • Crimson Doom
          Crimson Doom
          October 12, 2013 at 8:56 am | #

          Uncertain Joyce is the best gravatar for that comment. ^.^

    • ocbrad1
      ocbrad1
      October 12, 2013 at 1:26 pm | #

      “Big brother comes out swinging.” I see what I wanted you to do there, lol!

  17. Yotomoe
    Yotomoe
    October 12, 2013 at 12:03 am | #

    Haha, Ethan. Now the guy you like knows you’re a dick. And you don’t even get to make out with him.l

  18. J42
    J42
    October 12, 2013 at 12:03 am | #

    I swear to you, at this very moment I was just drawing fan art of them about to make out. Now I must destroy it.

    • vsophi
      vsophi
      October 12, 2013 at 12:05 am | #

      at least you didn’t already draw and it and were waiting for the perfect moment to unleash it upon the world EXCEPT THAT MOMENT NEVER CAME AND NOW I THINK I HAVE RESTLESS LEG SYNDROME I CAN’T STOP SHAKING FROM THE RESIDUAL EXCITEMENT AND SUBSEQUENT DISAPPOINTMENT

      • Yotomoe
        Yotomoe
        October 12, 2013 at 12:06 am | #

        I WARNED YOUUUUU

        • vsophi
          vsophi
          October 12, 2013 at 12:08 am | #

          DAMMIT YOTOMOE

          • KingMabel
            KingMabel
            October 12, 2013 at 12:18 am | #

            For the record I love how your gravatar works so well for the entirety of this page

      • vsophi
        vsophi
        October 12, 2013 at 12:07 am | #

        can you tell I have a bad case of the nerves

      • J42
        J42
        October 12, 2013 at 12:10 am | #

        I know that feel, fellow marooned ship-sailor.

      • caesaria82
        caesaria82
        October 12, 2013 at 12:11 am | #

        Are you ok? I feel like you need a hug. Or to punch something. Go punch something. It helps!

        I feel you though. I feel you. *hugs*

      • Makkabee
        Makkabee
        October 12, 2013 at 12:51 am | #

        Could be worse. Could be transient pedal parasthesia.

      • Historyman68
        Historyman68
        October 12, 2013 at 1:12 am | #

        Hey man, it could happen. Probably won’t, in all likelihood it won’t… but it *could*!

      • Arkadi
        Arkadi
        October 12, 2013 at 4:48 am | #

        Don’t be like that. The ship will live on in our hearts!

    • Kernanator
      Kernanator
      October 12, 2013 at 12:06 am | #

      No no, continue. I mean, since when has ship-feasibility ever stopped us from drawing fanarts before?

      • Yotomoe
        Yotomoe
        October 12, 2013 at 12:07 am | #

        I’m pretty sure I drew Faz X Dina… like 2 or 3 times.

        • Aizat
          Aizat
          October 12, 2013 at 12:15 am | #

          And some of us is still looking for a proper brain bleach for that.

          • Curacaobill
            Curacaobill
            October 12, 2013 at 12:29 pm | #

            I just used brain wash. It cleans out the bad memories good and doesn’t stain clothes

      • J42
        J42
        October 12, 2013 at 12:08 am | #

        It’s very rare that one member of the pairing explicitly states to the other that he’s not gay. Our ship’s taken a canonball.

        • Kernanator
          Kernanator
          October 12, 2013 at 12:15 am | #

          Bah! Less sturdy ships have sailed the seas before!

        • Passerby
          Passerby
          October 12, 2013 at 12:46 am | #

          If Willis wants to pull the double-reverse, Joshua is an ex-gay. Or bisexual. Truthful answer from his perspective either way.

          (I am not, repeat not, saying that will happen)

          • The Phantom's Belch
            The Phantom's Belch
            October 12, 2013 at 9:36 am | #

            I wholeheartedly endorse the bisexual bit. We need more male bis to come out.

            I need the company.

        • Curacaobill
          Curacaobill
          October 12, 2013 at 12:30 pm | #

          He could be in the closet REAL hard

    • Keroshino
      Keroshino
      October 12, 2013 at 3:35 am | #

      Don’t do it…please continue to draw in defiance of the current situation!

  19. mechaqua
    mechaqua
    October 12, 2013 at 12:03 am | #

    That ship sunk pretty f%%&&*g quickly! Rage torpedo’s away!

  20. Keroshino
    Keroshino
    October 12, 2013 at 12:04 am | #

    And the answer: HE’S NOT GAY!

    Audience: Nooooooooooooooo!

    • Yotomoe
      Yotomoe
      October 12, 2013 at 12:07 am | #

      Except Yotomoe who is dancing around like an ass.

      • Plasma Mongoose
        Plasma Mongoose
        October 12, 2013 at 12:17 am | #

        Twerk that ass! (_._)

        • Pyr05
          Pyr05
          October 12, 2013 at 12:23 am | #

          Very disturbed by this comment and grav. Way to go Plasma

          • Plasma Mongoose
            Plasma Mongoose
            October 12, 2013 at 12:26 am | #

            You’re welcome! ^_^

        • ocbrad1
          ocbrad1
          October 12, 2013 at 1:29 pm | #

          Unlike Pyr, I find your Grav perfectly suited to the comment. The image of Yotomoe twerking, well, can’t be much worse than Miley’s VMA gig.

    • Casey
      Casey
      October 12, 2013 at 12:30 am | #

      *frank n furter voice* not gay? I think we can do better than that

      • Kiggy
        Kiggy
        October 12, 2013 at 9:13 am | #

        Kudos for that shout out.

    • Jack Finch
      Jack Finch
      October 12, 2013 at 9:39 am | #

      Correction: He’s not “actually” gay. That word use is bugging me. Either it’s just overly casual usage, or it means “in spite of the evidence”.

      • Leorale
        Leorale
        October 12, 2013 at 8:37 pm | #

        I figured it meant he’s been asked more than once before, and has had people surprised that he’s straight. I’d’ve probably asked too if I was a gay-or-bi dude at his college.

    • Ourorboros
      Ourorboros
      October 12, 2013 at 6:10 pm | #

      Interesting use of the word ‘actually’.
      So does Joshua mean he knows he seems that way?
      Or that he is bi? Has experimented? Seems kind of effeminate?

  21. Gottawonder
    Gottawonder
    October 12, 2013 at 12:04 am | #

    And so then what is it> ‘her parents’. Or is he transsexual?
    Gottawonder.

    • Shaggy-Donahugh
      Shaggy-Donahugh
      October 12, 2013 at 12:06 am | #

      Is he athiest? A man who has sinned by knowing another woman outside of marriage? Did he use God’s-name-in-vain-that-one-time? IS HE COMPLETELY NORMAL!
      Who friggin knows anymore.

      • Yotomoe
        Yotomoe
        October 12, 2013 at 12:08 am | #

        Maybe he’s just a teenager so he’s like “THEY JUST DON’T UNDERSTAND ME” while he shops at Hot Topic.

        • The Candyman
          The Candyman
          October 12, 2013 at 12:13 am | #

          Seeing things so far, this’ll probably be what happens.

        • Plasma Mongoose
          Plasma Mongoose
          October 12, 2013 at 12:19 am | #

          Maybe he doesn’t want to tell them that he’s from a mirror universe and that he killed the real Josh and took his place.

          • Aizat
            Aizat
            October 12, 2013 at 12:24 am | #

            Or he’s an alien who killed Josh and is currently inhabiting his dead body.

      • He'Stan
        He'Stan
        October 12, 2013 at 12:09 am | #

        He held a girl’s hand in 1st grade. He knows this cannot be forgiven.

        • Plasma Mongoose
          Plasma Mongoose
          October 12, 2013 at 12:27 am | #

          I wonder if he wants some sugar-water.

          • Glynvel
            Glynvel
            October 12, 2013 at 3:31 am | #

            And then Rip Torn could hire us to hunt him down!

    • Doctor_Who
      Doctor_Who
      October 12, 2013 at 12:08 am | #

      Transsexual would be a new one.

      Or hell, maybe he just doesn’t see eye to eye with his parents. God knows I wouldn’t.

      • EvergreenFir
        EvergreenFir
        October 12, 2013 at 12:10 am | #

        I’m going for this one… transgender or some other queer identity

        • Bill
          Bill
          October 12, 2013 at 12:17 am | #

          Does everybody (except for maybe Joyce) in this strip have to be something other that plain vanilla?  Even the LGBTQs themselves cite figures that say maybe 10% of the general population is something other than straight.  Push the envelope a little bit, sure, but let’s not skew the stats way out of all proportion!!

          • vsophi
            vsophi
            October 12, 2013 at 12:22 am | #

            Diversity is interesting. It’d be cool to see how Willis writes a trans character, or a bi male character (who isn’t an asshole).

          • He'Stan
            He'Stan
            October 12, 2013 at 12:29 am | #

            Yeah, but this is a fictional universe. It could be that everyone is assumed to be trans until proven otherwise.

          • garaden
            garaden
            October 12, 2013 at 1:48 am | #

            Whuh? The density isn’t *that* high. Danny, Dorothy, Walky, Joe, Roz, Sal, Penny, Jason, (presumably) Dina, (presumably) Sarah, are all straight. Billie’s bi, Ethan’s gay, Ruth’s most likely lesbian, Amber has a thing for super suits and Mike lusts for human suffering and/or your mom. So there’s a lot of unusual stuff but Joyce isn’t the only straight person!

            • vsophi
              vsophi
              October 12, 2013 at 1:54 am | #

              Ruth’s pretty much not a lesbian.

              • EvergreenFir
                EvergreenFir
                October 12, 2013 at 2:07 am | #

                She’s attracted to some women.

                • vsophi
                  vsophi
                  October 12, 2013 at 2:35 am | #

                  Yes, but Willis himself said she was not.

                  She still does fall under the LGBTQ spectrum though. /nitpicking for a second there

              • ocbrad1
                ocbrad1
                October 12, 2013 at 1:31 pm | #

                Ruth did tell Howard that she was into girls, so at least bi if not a lesbian waiting for full realization.

          • Araceli
            Araceli
            October 12, 2013 at 1:25 pm | #

            How would it be unrealistic? It’s a small group of people–the cast isn’t going to represent global trends right down to the percent, y’know?

            Even if there were fifteen trans* characters in this comic, it still wouldn’t be weird because that’s only /fifteen/ people out of /seven billion/ worldwide and, like, 6.5 million in Indiana. Not exactly a huge sample, dig?

          • xKiv
            xKiv
            October 12, 2013 at 6:42 pm | #

            Oh! He’s an 11-percenter! He sold his soul!

      • EvergreenFir
        EvergreenFir
        October 12, 2013 at 12:47 am | #

        I’ll also put $2 on “furry”. Another $2 on “otter” as his fursona

        • vsophi
          vsophi
          October 12, 2013 at 7:29 am | #

          I’m guessing ‘cuz otters are adorable? And otters with glasses are even more adorable?

          …’k, adorabling myself into the ground here

          • Doctor_Who
            Doctor_Who
            October 12, 2013 at 12:15 pm | #

            An otter with glasses would indeed measure about 600 milliDinas on the adorability scale.

        • xKiv
          xKiv
          October 12, 2013 at 7:04 pm | #

          harry otter?

      • Cass
        Cass
        October 12, 2013 at 4:29 pm | #

        That’s what the “actually” was making me think too, it’s such an odd way to put it that I could see it being that either Joshua likes guys but is actually a straight woman born in the wrong body, or Joshua is a transvestite (and presumably Joyce has caught him in drag once or twice, and he assumes she told Ethan for him to be asking this) and the “actually” means “liking to dress in drag does not always equal gay, watch Eddie Izzard Dressed to Kill sometime Ethan, he does a whole bit about that”.

        • fit-to-freak
          fit-to-freak
          October 13, 2013 at 2:02 pm | #

          Just a heads up, but generally the terminology of ‘born in the wrong body’ is not preferred and pretty much never use the word tr*ns*xual unless someone specifically identifies that way.

      • Roborat
        Roborat
        October 16, 2013 at 2:21 pm | #

        I don’t think even God would.

    • TheOthin
      TheOthin
      October 12, 2013 at 12:10 am | #

      “Not ACTUALLY gay”. He knows people would assume it – probably used to it. And he was looking away. He’s got something he’s not sharing.

      • Luzahn
        Luzahn
        October 12, 2013 at 12:11 am | #

        This was my first thought, but I’m actually worried that he’s hiding something on the other edge of what his parents would disapprove of. Some sort of…super-fundamentalist, I dunno.

        • Jack Finch
          Jack Finch
          October 12, 2013 at 9:42 am | #

          Look at him. He’s a Mormon.

      • Raen
        Raen
        October 12, 2013 at 12:12 am | #

        Well… we all assumed it, didn’t we?

        • Raen
          Raen
          October 12, 2013 at 12:12 am | #

          (Except Yotomoe, that it.)

          • Raen
            Raen
            October 12, 2013 at 12:13 am | #

            …

            *is.

      • Pier
        Pier
        October 12, 2013 at 12:14 am | #

        Make him Bi 🙁

        • vsophi
          vsophi
          October 12, 2013 at 12:20 am | #

          let it go pier
          let it go

          • Pier
            Pier
            October 12, 2013 at 12:33 am | #

            /sob. At least make Drew happen.

            • vsophi
              vsophi
              October 12, 2013 at 1:06 am | #

              why would you want drew to happen again
              ethan’s already broken enough

      • saltchocolate
        saltchocolate
        October 12, 2013 at 8:25 am | #

        This word does seem important, doesn’t it?! “Actually.” “Not *actually.*”

      • Kitkewl
        Kitkewl
        October 12, 2013 at 11:28 am | #

        Actually, to me it looks like Joshua is looking at the fourth wall… right at us. It’s Willis’s way of mocking us.

    • Raen
      Raen
      October 12, 2013 at 12:10 am | #

      He’s converted to Islam / Baha’i / Wicca?

      (…that is, one of those three, not some kind of syncre… hmm… *I put on my robe and prophet hat*)

  22. The Candyman
    The Candyman
    October 12, 2013 at 12:04 am | #

    I do believe that both Willis and Yotomoe deserve the highest of fives right now.

    • vsophi
      vsophi
      October 12, 2013 at 12:09 am | #

      all willis deserves is a DAMN YOU WILLIS

      • Luzahn
        Luzahn
        October 12, 2013 at 12:12 am | #

        I’m pretty sure he always deserves that though.

        • Tenn
          Tenn
          October 12, 2013 at 6:23 am | #

          He has “DAMN YOU WILLIS” painted in the ceiling above his bed so he sees it at least twice a day, in case no one remembers to say it.

  23. caesaria82
    caesaria82
    October 12, 2013 at 12:04 am | #

    This was inevitable, wasn’t it? I am sad.

    ~ I will go down with this ship
    I won’t put my hands up and surrender
    There will be no white flag above my door
    I’m in love and always will beeeee~

  24. Nocxbot
    Nocxbot
    October 12, 2013 at 12:04 am | #

    Ethan looks like a very disheartened mime in that last panel.

  25. ShadowWing Tronix
    ShadowWing Tronix
    October 12, 2013 at 12:05 am | #

    Someday we’ll be expecting the twist that will never come. And Willis will sit back on his Taco Bell throne and laugh maniacally.

  26. someguywithakatana
    someguywithakatana
    October 12, 2013 at 12:05 am | #

    Called it. Caaaaaaaaalled it.

    Also, quick question. How can everyone tell Ethan is gay like… right away…? Is he really effeminate or something? Because this is apparently really obvious to everyone around him.

    • Plasma Mongoose
      Plasma Mongoose
      October 12, 2013 at 12:08 am | #

      Ethan emits enough gaydiation to set off some people’s gaydar.

      • Yotomoe
        Yotomoe
        October 12, 2013 at 12:10 am | #

        Joyce’s Gaydar is broken.

        • Astraea
          Astraea
          October 12, 2013 at 12:37 am | #

          No, no, Joyce’s gaydar can’t be broken if it was never developed. I say this from experience because, up until 3/4s through high school, neither was mine (and it still isn’t great…)

          • Curacaobill
            Curacaobill
            October 12, 2013 at 12:40 pm | #

            My gaydar only seems to detect lesbians.

            • Leorale
              Leorale
              October 12, 2013 at 8:41 pm | #

              Could I borrow it, then?

      • someguywithakatana
        someguywithakatana
        October 12, 2013 at 12:11 am | #

        Why though!?! I mean his shirt and his weird blush make him look like a mime, but that isn’t gay. It’s just French-

        Oh yeah, okay. That makes sense.

        • Plasma Mongoose
          Plasma Mongoose
          October 12, 2013 at 12:22 am | #

          As someone of Norman decent, I am obligated to protest this French = effeminate idea.

          • someguywithakatana
            someguywithakatana
            October 12, 2013 at 12:30 am | #

            I know, I know. But as an uneducated American, I was obligated to make it.

            • garaden
              garaden
              October 12, 2013 at 1:56 am | #

              I feel like if you see a dude in America and they’re wearing clothing that can be described as “flattering”, there’s a stronger chance they’re either gay or European (or Dorothy’s boyfriend).

              But seriously, I work for a British company, and some of our managers…if I just saw them on the street and didn’t hear their accents they’d throw my gaydar *way* off.

    • vsophi
      vsophi
      October 12, 2013 at 12:09 am | #

      He’s defs not effeminate (least not as far as I can tell), but he was flirting pretty hard with Josh back when they first me.

      • vsophi
        vsophi
        October 12, 2013 at 12:29 am | #

        met*

    • Sammie1053
      Sammie1053
      October 12, 2013 at 12:11 am | #

      Willis doesn’t write the dialogue that way but if you meet him in person Ethsn has a super-thick lisp.

      • vsophi
        vsophi
        October 12, 2013 at 12:17 am | #

        I DIED

      • Salmo
        Salmo
        October 12, 2013 at 12:45 am | #

        His name is actually Esan.

      • fit-to-freak
        fit-to-freak
        October 13, 2013 at 1:58 pm | #

        Can people like, stop? I know you’re just trying to be funny but it’s kinda fucked up. This goes for all the ‘effeminate’ jokes people were making too… It’s kinda gross and it makes me uncomfortable.

    • caesaria82
      caesaria82
      October 12, 2013 at 12:21 am | #

      Some people just have really good gaydar? It’s a bit of an offensive and generalizing concept, really, on the whole, but hasn’t that ever happened to you that you thought someone was gay and you turned out to be right? It happens. All the time.

      • vsophi
        vsophi
        October 12, 2013 at 12:30 am | #

        Confirmation bias is a thing, though.

        • caesaria82
          caesaria82
          October 12, 2013 at 12:39 am | #

          Absolutely! I’m just saying, it happens. It happens to me a lot. I’m quite good at this with girls, especially. Idk. Sure, you make assumptions, but that’s not even what I mean. It’s just a feeling, to me anyways. Nothing specific.

          • Drakey
            Drakey
            October 12, 2013 at 1:39 am | #

            Man, I live a stone’s throw away from Portland Oregon. Statistically, I’m pretty sure everyone is either gay, vegan, or high.

            I’m okay with this, as it means that there’s gay people, and that they skew supply and demand in favor of cheaper cheeseburgers for when I get the munchies.

          • garaden
            garaden
            October 12, 2013 at 1:58 am | #

            I’m much better at that with guys than girls. I had a bit of a crush on a girl at my youth group who turned out to be a lesbian. …*pretty* sure she’s not a Catholic anymore.

    • Touchfuzzy
      Touchfuzzy
      October 12, 2013 at 2:08 am | #

      If it detects gaydiation… wouldn’t it be more of a gayger counter than a gaydar?

      • vsophi
        vsophi
        October 12, 2013 at 3:37 am | #

        +1

      • Glynvel
        Glynvel
        October 12, 2013 at 3:40 am | #

        +1

      • Pier
        Pier
        October 12, 2013 at 4:21 am | #

        haha +1 for you

      • Curacaobill
        Curacaobill
        October 12, 2013 at 12:41 pm | #

        The +1’s just won’t stop!

    • Heavensrun
      Heavensrun
      October 12, 2013 at 6:21 am | #

      I believe it mostly has to do with the fact that the instant he meets a cute guy, he straigtens up, locks into “engage flirting” mode, and immediately starts broadcasting “I FIND YOU PHYSICALLY ATTRACTIVE” signals.

      Body language is a thing.

      • Kernanator
        Kernanator
        October 12, 2013 at 2:11 pm | #

        What, no it’s not, you’re a liar.

        • Heavensrun
          Heavensrun
          October 12, 2013 at 10:26 pm | #

          Maybe. But how will you tell if my words don’t give it away?
          MWAHAHAAHAHHAHAA!

    • ConstantComment
      ConstantComment
      October 12, 2013 at 11:40 am | #

      SP! Ethan was never very subtle about checking guys out or flirting with them. I think he’s a pretty easy person to read when it comes to telling who he is attracted to no matter what his gender performance might be.

      • vsophi
        vsophi
        October 12, 2013 at 8:01 pm | #

        What? When was Ethan like this at all in SP!…? He didn’t do it for Thad, Drew, or Manny… Like, I mean, I guess he sorta did it with Mike, but only Mike. Ethan has never been particularly interested in romance/sex.

    • DavidMcG
      DavidMcG
      October 13, 2013 at 12:24 am | #

      His haircut.

  27. HMRC4EVR
    HMRC4EVR
    October 12, 2013 at 12:05 am | #

    Oh no….THE TWIST!

    Eh…I was fine either way. Now I have to wonder what other issue(s) might Joshua might have that would make his parents go apecrazy?

    • Rosie
      Rosie
      October 12, 2013 at 12:42 am | #

      What a twist! /shymalan

    • hoop
      hoop
      October 12, 2013 at 10:10 am | #

      He’s an atheist.

      • Vim-Hogar
        Vim-Hogar
        October 13, 2013 at 12:03 am | #

        Or maybe he’s a god!

  28. Plasma Mongoose
    Plasma Mongoose
    October 12, 2013 at 12:05 am | #

    If he’s not gay, is he secretly an atheist or an otaku instead?

    • Sporky
      Sporky
      October 12, 2013 at 12:07 am | #

      I’m gonna guess the former.

    • Doctor_Who
      Doctor_Who
      October 12, 2013 at 12:07 am | #

      He’s a brony.

      • Plasma Mongoose
        Plasma Mongoose
        October 12, 2013 at 12:10 am | #

        An atheist brony who doesn’t believe that friendship is magic because none of that supernatural nonsense exists. 😛

        • Yotomoe
          Yotomoe
          October 12, 2013 at 12:11 am | #

          He watches MLP but he’s super annoying cuz everytime something magical happens he’s like “YEAH RIGHT! Like hell that happens.”

          • Doctor_Who
            Doctor_Who
            October 12, 2013 at 12:49 am | #

            He’s currently working on a fan remake that will be more realistic, as well as darker and edgier. That’s why he came along to visit Joyce. It will give him a chance to meet his online writing partner in person, who also goes to this school; Buckets O’ Blood Guy!

            Or it could be Mike. Pinkie Pie’s his favorite.

            • Heavensrun
              Heavensrun
              October 12, 2013 at 6:17 am | #

              In Josh’s fanfic, Pinkie lives with him in his mom’s basement and helps him with his problems like telling him it’s okay if he doesn’t want to get a regular job right now.

              • vsophi
                vsophi
                October 12, 2013 at 8:02 pm | #

                joshua’s an mra

                • The Candyman
                  The Candyman
                  October 12, 2013 at 11:16 pm | #

                  Nah, his parents would probably approve of that.

        • IndigoRei
          IndigoRei
          October 12, 2013 at 12:57 am | #

          None of the paranormal stuff I have experienced has lead to believe in a god or gods. And I know christians who don’t beleive in the supernatural. It may seem paradoxical but religion and the supernatural really don’t have much to do with each other.

    • Aizat
      Aizat
      October 12, 2013 at 12:19 am | #

      Or that he’s a cyborg ninja.

      • Keroshino
        Keroshino
        October 12, 2013 at 3:14 am | #

        So your saying he’s secretly…Grey Fox!?

        • Aizat
          Aizat
          October 12, 2013 at 4:04 am | #

          Well either he’s Grey Fox or Olga Gurlukovich…or Raiden.

  29. Anderhail
    Anderhail
    October 12, 2013 at 12:06 am | #

    (╯°□°)╯︵ ┻━┻

    • Bill
      Bill
      October 12, 2013 at 12:21 am | #

      AGAIN with the tables?
      ┬─┬ノ( º _ ºノ)

      • Aizat
        Aizat
        October 12, 2013 at 12:55 am | #

        THROW THE CHEESE!

        • AckackAck
          AckackAck
          October 12, 2013 at 7:27 pm | #

          No! cheese is for eating!

      • vsophi
        vsophi
        October 12, 2013 at 8:03 pm | #

        (╯°Д°)╯︵/(.□ . \)

  30. Totz the Plaid
    Totz the Plaid
    October 12, 2013 at 12:06 am | #

    Bi is still a possibility.

    Probably not, but possible.

    Also, pansexual.

    Still, I doubted that Joshua and Ethan would get it on because we’ve already got a ton of regulars, and having him move to the area felt unlikely.

    • Yotomoe
      Yotomoe
      October 12, 2013 at 12:11 am | #

      And also Ethan’s kind of dick moving it here.

      • Heavensrun
        Heavensrun
        October 12, 2013 at 6:10 am | #

        NO JOKE. “Man, I sure would like to be straight so I can flee my own emotional needs and the inconvenience of my situation. I know, I’ll become the boyfriend of a naive homeschooled fundie christian girl and pretend she can convert me! Then the -instant- her cute brother shows up, I’ll make a pass at him. Oooh! Then later that evening, when she’s risking her entire familial relationship, when she could use the moral support of at -least- a friend, if not her ‘boyfriend’, I’ll slip away so I can hit on her brother some more!”

    • vsophi
      vsophi
      October 12, 2013 at 12:13 am | #

      I doubt he’d say it like that if he was bi. It’d prolly go a little something like this if that was the case:

      Ethan: Is it… Is it because you’re gay?
      Joshua: Not exactly… [blushy face] I’m… well, the possibilities are endless, you know?
      Ethan: Wait, so you’re…
      Joshua: Bisexual.
      Ethan: Oh. [intense feelings of deja vu from the last time a cute, blonde-haired, blue-eyed guy told him he was bi]

      Then, makeouts.

      • Sammie1053
        Sammie1053
        October 12, 2013 at 12:20 am | #

        Buh-
        Wh-
        WHY WOULD YOU COMMENT THIS?!
        It’s what we were all hoping for but didn’t get! (Well, all except Yotomoe)
        You just evoked all of my feels.

        • vsophi
          vsophi
          October 12, 2013 at 12:32 am | #

          epic fanfic that maps to every strip proceeding, only it’s set in a world where this happened

        • Pier
          Pier
          October 12, 2013 at 12:27 pm | #

          *loud sobbing*

      • Xerxes93
        Xerxes93
        October 12, 2013 at 12:31 am | #

        Actually, as a bisexual “not actually a lesbian” is generally exactly how I put it. I just end the statement with “I’m bi” afterwards.

        • saltchocolate
          saltchocolate
          October 12, 2013 at 8:33 am | #

          This is my thought.

      • NF
        NF
        October 12, 2013 at 1:35 am | #

        Ethan/Mike?

        • vsophi
          vsophi
          October 12, 2013 at 9:11 am | #

          nawp, this guy right here.

          he’s a lot cuter (and douchier) later

      • Totz the Plaid
        Totz the Plaid
        October 12, 2013 at 1:50 am | #

        “The possibilities are endless” would fall more under pansexual or polysexual, really.

        Pansexual is loving someone for their personality.

        Polysexual is understanding the concept that gender isn’t necessarily binary and having an attraction to the whole spectrum.

        • vsophi
          vsophi
          October 12, 2013 at 1:57 am | #

          Not everyone knows that pan is a thing.

          In fact, it’s likely the vast majority of people here wouldn’t have even heard of it if not for the internet.

          Also, your definitions confuse me. I’m pretty sure the ways you’re using pansexual and polysexual are interchangeable.

          • Miss Lejion
            Miss Lejion
            October 12, 2013 at 7:42 am | #

            No his definitions are correct.

            Pan-sexuality requires some form of courtship/getting to know you period. And then maybe they can fuck. A key example of this would be the Doctor as he tends to push away everyone physically until they know each other much better.

            Poly-sexuality allows for raw lustfully feelings off the bat. Like say, Captain Jack Harkness who would make woopie with literally anything if it was attractive enough

            And I am saying Joshua is either asexual or transgender.

            • vsophi
              vsophi
              October 12, 2013 at 12:16 pm | #

              Uh, no. Your definition of pan sounds a bit closer to panromantic demisexual. Pansexuality is just loving/being attracted to someone regardless of gender. The way you’re using “polysexual” is the same thing.

          • JustDucky
            JustDucky
            October 12, 2013 at 11:13 am | #

            Seconded.

            As I understand it, pansexual is “sexually attracted to all genders,” polysexual is “sexually attracted to more than one gender” (so for example someone who is polysexual might be attracted to cis men and trans women but not to trans men or cis women), and polyamory is “in love with more than one person at a time.”

            I’ve also heard the term “biromantic” used to mean “able to fall in love with both men and women” and that seems like a relevant distinction to me. There are bisexual people who are not biromantic.

            • JustDucky
              JustDucky
              October 12, 2013 at 11:13 am | #

              Damn it, I got Ethan. >.<'

            • vsophi
              vsophi
              October 12, 2013 at 12:18 pm | #

              Haven’t heard that definition of polysexual before. Actually, tbh, I’ve never heard anyone use the term in normal conversation before either. Pansexuality, as far as I can tell, seems to cover it. However, people may identify as they wish.

              (polyamory isn’t necessarily being in love with multiple people at once – it just communicates a willingness or desire to be with multiple people, even if the person in question is not interested in anyone at the time)

              • Azaph
                Azaph
                October 13, 2013 at 10:58 am | #

                Yeah, you DO need poly for people who’re attracted to more than two genders, but less than all of them (this is quite a large range to hit, y’know?).
                Every -sexual orientation also has a -romantic counterpart. Biromantic, polyromantic, homoromantic, aromantic (NTBCW aromatic)…

  31. He'Stan
    He'Stan
    October 12, 2013 at 12:07 am | #

    Dammit Willis, this is Kubo-level trolling.

    • tyren22
      tyren22
      October 12, 2013 at 1:07 am | #

      Damn, that’s harsh.

  32. Paul
    Paul
    October 12, 2013 at 12:08 am | #

    Fandom=Trolled.

  33. norj
    norj
    October 12, 2013 at 12:08 am | #

    Joshua not gay? But that does not compute.

    • Yotomoe
      Yotomoe
      October 12, 2013 at 12:12 am | #

      My processor Computed it!

      • Pyr05
        Pyr05
        October 12, 2013 at 12:30 am | #

        You’re at a processing level that exceeds this current space/time continuum. You must be destroyed to preserve the future of hope.

    • JK9000
      JK9000
      October 12, 2013 at 12:25 am | #

      When enough signs point to a particular conclusion, that’s often a hint that it’s the wrong conclusion.

      In fiction, anyway.

      • Yotomoe
        Yotomoe
        October 12, 2013 at 12:31 am | #

        When you assume, you make an ass outta Uma Thurman.

        • Tenn
          Tenn
          October 12, 2013 at 6:35 am | #

          Or make out with Uma Thurman’s ass.

        • ocbrad1
          ocbrad1
          October 12, 2013 at 1:38 pm | #

          I approve highly of Uma Thurman’s ass, and making out with it!

  34. EvergreenFir
    EvergreenFir
    October 12, 2013 at 12:08 am | #

    What an odd thing to say… “I’m not actually gay”… but it hasn’t been established that people in the universe think he is

    • norj
      norj
      October 12, 2013 at 12:15 am | #

      He secretly writes for a gay porn magazine?

      • Bill
        Bill
        October 12, 2013 at 12:22 am | #

        I called porn yesterday.

        • Yotomoe
          Yotomoe
          October 12, 2013 at 12:31 am | #

          Acceptable answer.

    • vsophi
      vsophi
      October 12, 2013 at 12:33 am | #

      HE’S AN MSM

  35. EvergreenFir
    EvergreenFir
    October 12, 2013 at 12:09 am | #

    Also… it was National Coming Out Day yesterday… you couldn’t have given us that one thing?

    • Pier
      Pier
      October 12, 2013 at 12:11 am | #

      /Sobbing

      • Keroshino
        Keroshino
        October 12, 2013 at 3:20 am | #

        I know how you feel…let it out…let the tears flow! 🙁

    • caesaria82
      caesaria82
      October 12, 2013 at 12:26 am | #

      Wound, meet salt.

      • Sammie1053
        Sammie1053
        October 12, 2013 at 12:35 am | #

        The WoundxSalt ship is too obvious, Willis will sink that one too tomorrow.

        • vsophi
          vsophi
          October 12, 2013 at 1:09 am | #

          too many +1s

    • AckackAck
      AckackAck
      October 12, 2013 at 7:25 pm | #

      Well, Ethan coming out to Joshua….

  36. derick
    derick
    October 12, 2013 at 12:10 am | #

    I’m stuck between “Hah, I knew he wasn’t gay” and “Dammit Willis, I was shipping those two!”

  37. skies
    skies
    October 12, 2013 at 12:10 am | #

    This may not be the case, but there’s absolutely nothing in this strip that says he’s not bisexual.

    • Raen
      Raen
      October 12, 2013 at 12:15 am | #

      I’m not sure his response makes sense that way. I get a “you’re on the wrong track” vibe here, not “close but no cigar.”

      • Lanval
        Lanval
        October 12, 2013 at 12:32 am | #

        I dunno, if Josh is Bi, he might have assumed Ethan was also Bi [which would explain why he’s dating his sister]. This would be pretty much exactly what Ethan did when they assumed Josh was Gay [as well as many in the Audience who were seeing it from Ethan’s perspective].

        So now they’re having a wonderful moment of;
        “You’re not Gay?”
        “You’re not Bi? Why are you dating a girl?”

        Granted there are a tonne of other possibilities and I’m interested to see where this goes.

        • vsophi
          vsophi
          October 12, 2013 at 1:10 am | #

          This actually sounds totally plausible, thinking on it.

          I hope to Cheese you’re right.

        • saltchocolate
          saltchocolate
          October 12, 2013 at 8:46 am | #

          Agreed. I think part of what makes it hard to know where Joshua’s coming from is that he may be more concerned about his sister than his own sexuality, right now. I mean, even if he was gay, wouldn’t it be an asshole move to date (or even flirt with) his *sister’s boyfriend*? He has brought up Joyce in the last two strips, and it’s clear he’s thinking that Ethan should gave been the one doing that…

      • Tofusmith
        Tofusmith
        October 12, 2013 at 8:41 am | #

        Or maybe he’s bi, but not *single*?

      • Jesse
        Jesse
        October 12, 2013 at 11:52 am | #

        SHUT UP HE’S BISEXUAL DAMMIT!

        • Raen
          Raen
          October 12, 2013 at 9:38 pm | #

          Catchphrase of fangirls everywhere since March 6, 2000.

  38. BayoWolf
    BayoWolf
    October 12, 2013 at 12:10 am | #

    Well, that’s one hell of a slap in the face for Ethan and readers alike. So I guess Joshua just has a generic sort of artist’s inner turmoil?

    • hoop
      hoop
      October 12, 2013 at 10:10 am | #

      aaaaatheist.

  39. Aizat
    Aizat
    October 12, 2013 at 12:10 am | #

    And Willis just drop the iceberg on the ship. Is it too late to call Willis Master of Swerves?

    • Shaggy-Donahugh
      Shaggy-Donahugh
      October 12, 2013 at 12:15 am | #

      Swerve what? HE DROPPED A DAMNED ICEBERG ON THE SHIP!
      “Oh Captain, look at that iceberg.”
      “Hm, yes Corporal Jefferies, maybe we should-”
      SPLOOOSH
      And the band just keeps right on playing.

      • Casey
        Casey
        October 12, 2013 at 12:43 am | #

        Are… Are the fans the band in this analogy as we grasp onto the word “actually” and the small window of hope it has left us, despite our ship sinking about us?

    • Rani
      Rani
      October 12, 2013 at 12:45 am | #

      Master of Fucks, Giver of None.

    • Ragnal
      Ragnal
      October 12, 2013 at 4:50 pm | #

      Good swerves, maybe.

      Vince Russo still holds the crown for bad ones, tho.

      • Rani
        Rani
        October 13, 2013 at 12:20 am | #

        Nice to see a fellow member of the WWF/E/Dumbing of Age crossover demographic.

  40. Tyler
    Tyler
    October 12, 2013 at 12:13 am | #

    Fear not! He hasn’t said that he’s straight, only that he isn’t gay. Bi is still technically on the table.

    • Aizat
      Aizat
      October 12, 2013 at 12:16 am | #

      Or he could be asexual.

      • Yotomoe
        Yotomoe
        October 12, 2013 at 12:25 am | #

        Or he could be pansexual.
        I never understood what people see in pans, but whatever.

        • Aizat
          Aizat
          October 12, 2013 at 12:31 am | #

          Dude, I’ve heard stories of folks having sexual intercourse with a damn table….in public. Doing a pan is the least weird thing I’ve heard.

          • Yotomoe
            Yotomoe
            October 12, 2013 at 1:01 am | #

            Ouch! Splinters!

        • xKiv
          xKiv
          October 12, 2013 at 7:57 pm | #

          I hear this Pan dude was actually pretty good with the ladies.

  41. Pyr05
    Pyr05
    October 12, 2013 at 12:14 am | #

    He’s not actually gay, he just likes the look of a good shaft. He’s not actually gay, he just loves everyone’s butts, especially those on dudes.

    • Batfangirl!
      Batfangirl!
      October 12, 2013 at 1:09 am | #

      I just had to drop in to say that this quote wins the internet.

  42. caesaria82
    caesaria82
    October 12, 2013 at 12:16 am | #

    Guys, this ship is so not dead. That’s the whole point of ships. They survive stuff like this. They’re fantasy and wish-fulfillment. Like, I have shipped things where one person DIED and I still ship it. This? This is nothing. I laugh in the face of a little non-gay-ness.

    • David
      David
      October 12, 2013 at 4:33 pm | #

      Like, I have shipped things where one person DIED and I still ship it.
      “Seemannstreue” by Joachim Ringelnatz (the link got one word wrong). There is even an animated Youtube video, but it’s lacking the grossiosity of the poem. A literal translation would be “Sailor’s faithfulness”, a fitting paraphrase “The sailor always rings twice”. Google translate would probably deliver something not half as awful as the original.

      • David
        David
        October 12, 2013 at 4:34 pm | #

        Make that “the sailor always ships twice”. Drats.

  43. vsophi
    vsophi
    October 12, 2013 at 12:19 am | #

    Okay, so everyone’s commenting on how weirdly he worded his confession (???)…

    …The thing is though, that line is totally consistent with Joshua knowingly leading Ethan on earlier. wtf

    • Aizat
      Aizat
      October 12, 2013 at 12:23 am | #

      Maybe he wanted to know what kind of person Ethan really is. That or the leading on part was unintentional.

    • Sammie1053
      Sammie1053
      October 12, 2013 at 12:26 am | #

      Maybe he was leading him on to test his theory that Ethan was gay in order to try and protect his little sister.
      Damm, i just used a watertight argument to sink one of my favorite ships even further.

      • Lanval
        Lanval
        October 12, 2013 at 1:07 am | #

        It’s fun for drama but I wouldn’t call it a water tight argument; trying to prove your sibling’s SO is gay by leading them on is pretty disfunctional.

        Not to claim the Browns as bastions of functionality but I’m going to split my bet between Bi-Sexual and Terminator from the Heteronormative Future sent to the past in order to destroy Ethan and thus crush the LGTBQ resistance before it begins.

        • Zach
          Zach
          October 12, 2013 at 1:46 am | #

          Then thank Cheese that the dissolution of hetero-normativity is self perpetuating. Viva la resistance!

      • vsophi
        vsophi
        October 12, 2013 at 1:12 am | #

        But what reason would he have to suspect Etham was gay?

        New theory, though: Josh is an MSM.

        • vsophi
          vsophi
          October 12, 2013 at 1:13 am | #

          tfw you see your typo as it’s posting but you can do absolutely nothing to correct it

        • Lanval
          Lanval
          October 12, 2013 at 1:31 am | #

          Ethan gives off the vibe in the comic, especially when he’s around Joyce.

          Sara put the pieces together in all but three seconds. I sort of assumed it was a running joke in this verse that pretty much everyone but Joyce [and her parents] realized it within a minute of meeting him because he was so awkward.

        • Jonathan S.
          Jonathan S.
          October 12, 2013 at 1:32 am | #

          MSM?

          He’s a Magnetic Shape Memory?

          Methysulfonylmethane?

          A Master-Slave Manipulator?

          He has a Master of Science in Management? Possibly from the Mercator School of Management?

          He speaks Modern Standard Mandarin while playing with the Miami Sound Machine on Mont Saint-Michel?

          • vsophi
            vsophi
            October 12, 2013 at 1:35 am | #

            Men who have sex with men. A lot of them identify as straight, they’re just hot for other dudes.

            • Yotomoe
              Yotomoe
              October 12, 2013 at 1:41 am | #

              …
              I know I should respect people’s sexuality and all that jazz but…
              seriously?
              I’m sorry but no. I just sounds like DENIAL.

              It’s basically the sexual version of “I’M NOT FAT, I’M BIG BONED”

              • Lanval
                Lanval
                October 12, 2013 at 1:47 am | #

                Have you looked at the rest of this family?

                His Sister is dating someone who’s outright told her he’s gay.
                His Dad thinks hanging out with Atheists is basically morally equivalent to hanging out with Prostitutes and that Hitler was Probably Part Jewish.
                And, well, general concensus is that his Mom is the worst of the pack.

                Denial seems pretty realistic here.

                My money is still on either Bi or “Heavens, no. I’m not gay, I prayed it away in summer camp years ago”.

                • Zach
                  Zach
                  October 12, 2013 at 1:55 am | #

                  S&M! It need not even necessarily be sexual. I can get behind MSM to some extent. Romantic and sexual attractions can be separate, and are for most people. Does having good manners turn you on or do you find it charming?

                • Heavensrun
                  Heavensrun
                  October 12, 2013 at 6:03 am | #

                  I think Yoto’s talking about MSM, not Joshua in particular.

              • vsophi
                vsophi
                October 12, 2013 at 2:00 am | #

                It’s probably exceedingly rare, but there’s likely at least one heteroromantic homosexual out there.

              • Anonymous man
                Anonymous man
                October 12, 2013 at 4:01 am | #

                Male sexuality can be complicated. Imagine a man who is not attracted to body hair or male curves, but who enjoys being penetrated in various ways. Such a man might have sex with men for the physical feeling, without being visually attracted to men enough to consider himself gay.

                So? Who says he has to be “gay” or “straight” or whatever your label scheme suggests?

            • Ragnal
              Ragnal
              October 12, 2013 at 4:54 pm | #

              I usually refer to that as “heteroflexible”, but that works I guess.

            • AckackAck
              AckackAck
              October 12, 2013 at 7:23 pm | #

              sophi calm down, it seems like you getting a bit too attached on this ship.

              • vsophi
                vsophi
                October 12, 2013 at 8:08 pm | #

                why does everyone seem to think this

                I am literally just throwing out every half-baked idea/theory in my head for funsies.

              • Pier
                Pier
                October 12, 2013 at 8:10 pm | #

                Cease the non-believer!! Burn the witch!!

                Haha. Just messing with ‘ya.

        • Heavensrun
          Heavensrun
          October 12, 2013 at 6:01 am | #

          The fact that Ethan started putting the moves on him the instant they met?

    • Heavensrun
      Heavensrun
      October 12, 2013 at 6:04 am | #

      He didn’t lead Ethan on. He was conversing with him, and you can pretty much see the moment he caught on to what was going on, at which point he left immediately.

      • saltchocolate
        saltchocolate
        October 12, 2013 at 8:55 am | #

        +1

  44. PureLionHeart
    PureLionHeart
    October 12, 2013 at 12:22 am | #

    HA!

  45. Yotomoe
    Yotomoe
    October 12, 2013 at 12:22 am | #

    BADABABADABUP!

    • Lanval
      Lanval
      October 12, 2013 at 12:26 am | #

      Is this to imply that you give a Fux?

      • Yotomoe
        Yotomoe
        October 12, 2013 at 1:01 am | #

        Naw, I actually own this shirt.

    • norj
      norj
      October 12, 2013 at 12:32 am | #

      You’re enjoying this way too much Yotomoe.

    • AckackAck
      AckackAck
      October 12, 2013 at 7:21 pm | #

      Dancing on the wreckage of the ship!

  46. mai876
    mai876
    October 12, 2013 at 12:24 am | #

    Well if Joshua’s not gay then what is it that his parents don’t know about him?

    • TaintedSpud
      TaintedSpud
      October 12, 2013 at 1:27 am | #

      Answers pretty obvious.

      Serial killer.

      • Mr. Morningstar
        Mr. Morningstar
        October 12, 2013 at 1:58 am | #

        Satanist?

        • Aizat
          Aizat
          October 12, 2013 at 4:19 am | #

          Cthuluist?

          • The Candyman
            The Candyman
            October 12, 2013 at 9:25 am | #

            Rastafarian?

            • Jonathan S.
              Jonathan S.
              October 12, 2013 at 4:14 pm | #

              Pastafarian?

              • AckackAck
                AckackAck
                October 12, 2013 at 7:20 pm | #

                Dadaistfarian?

                • xKiv
                  xKiv
                  October 12, 2013 at 8:27 pm | #

                  A doctor.

                • AgentKeen
                  AgentKeen
                  October 12, 2013 at 11:32 pm | #

                  The Doctor?

                • John
                  John
                  October 13, 2013 at 5:19 pm | #

                  Webcartoonist.

    • Jack Finch
      Jack Finch
      October 12, 2013 at 9:26 am | #

      In this verse he, not Jacob, is the sex addict.

  47. Lanval
    Lanval
    October 12, 2013 at 12:26 am | #

    Who exactly response that sort of question in this sort of context with “I’m not ACTUALLY Gay”?

    As much as I love to pour gasoline on ships and laugh at the ensuing chaos, this implies to me he’s either Bi, uncover as a Gay person for a Christian Newspaper or else maybe is Gay but thinks Praying cured him?

    There are so many wonderful possibilities. I’m hoping for one of the left fielders because otherwise the Brown Family situation has been smoothed over too easily.

    • timemonkey
      timemonkey
      October 12, 2013 at 12:32 am | #

      Or he got vibes off Ethan and was faking it to see if Ethan would respond.

      • Lanval
        Lanval
        October 12, 2013 at 1:01 am | #

        Oooh, to draw out a confession of why he’s dating Joyce? I like it.

      • Heavensrun
        Heavensrun
        October 12, 2013 at 5:59 am | #

        He may not have been “faking” anything. His body language seemed a -little- flirty, but that could just be his typical demeanor. However, I -do- think he picked up on Ethan’s “Hello there, little filly” and was biding his time waiting for the question.

    • Logician
      Logician
      October 12, 2013 at 7:45 am | #

      My guess was he’s been asked a lot. Some straight people just confuse everyone’s gaydar, and eventually either get used to it or grow a beard.

      • saltchocolate
        saltchocolate
        October 12, 2013 at 8:58 am | #

        A beard (of any sort) won’t stop this.

    • David
      David
      October 12, 2013 at 4:05 pm | #

      Who exactly response that sort of question in this sort of context with “I’m not ACTUALLY Gay”?

      Well, I have a drag act. Try doing folksy music with an alto voice in straight garb, and at some point of time you’ll go tired of answering the “why are you singing like a woman” questions with “was there anything wrong with it?” or “because I can!”. Do it in drag, and you get no questions, no talkback, just a satisfied audience. Even though this is a rather straight act, no husky-voice jokes and whatever. Just multinational folklore, self-accompanied on accordion and tied together with appropriate moderation.

      Then from back at a time when I practised with a gay show choir (thought I could use it for my act until I got ousted, but more due to the established tenor primadonna conspiring against the vocal usurpator than my untypical sexual orientation) I had a male dancing partner I practised occasionally with (quite fun). I actually went to a gay workshop with him where I chose, uh, not to come in? How do you call it if you try keeping your heterosexuality discretely unmentioned?

      So I have my own share of situations where my personal sexual leanings are entirely disappointingly straight. If I don’t want to feel left out, I claim that I am a transsexual lesbian since I’m comfortable being male even though I’m into women.

  48. Rheinman
    Rheinman
    October 12, 2013 at 12:26 am | #

    Well that ship got Pearl Harbored. I did not expect that.

    Ethan’s dad is still totally gay, though.

    I think Joshua has converted to Judiasm and will whip out a bad ass yarmulke and jump up on the fountain ledge to sing from “Fiddler on the Roof”

    L’chaim!

  49. AgentKeen
    AgentKeen
    October 12, 2013 at 12:26 am | #

    “I’m not actually gay, I’m bisexual.”

    …What? I have to give the shippers some hope.

    • Casey
      Casey
      October 12, 2013 at 12:28 am | #

      My first thought also.

      • Dara
        Dara
        October 12, 2013 at 1:33 am | #

        There’s also the possibility of his being asexual and biromantic or homoromantic.

        • AgentKeen
          AgentKeen
          October 12, 2013 at 8:05 am | #

          I love seeing Joyce avatars commenting on Joshua’s orientation and shipping.

    • Mr. Morningstar
      Mr. Morningstar
      October 12, 2013 at 1:55 am | #

      To be honest, unless the breakup between Joyce and Ethan is completely mutual I don’t see Joshua hooking up with Ethan.

      That would be considered a dick move on Joshua’s part to hook up with his sisters boyfriend.

      • AgentKeen
        AgentKeen
        October 12, 2013 at 8:04 am | #

        Yeah, I totally agree with you there. I was kind of happy to see Joshua start to get protective of Joyce in the last couple of panels today.

  50. Casey
    Casey
    October 12, 2013 at 12:27 am | #

    Oh my aching shipper’s heart.
    and yet its probably for the best that Joshuthan can’t happen. Because poor Joyce if that ended up happening. Its one thing to have a gay boyfriend, its entirely different to have a gay boyfriend who’s secretly in love with your brother.

  51. Oishi1117
    Oishi1117
    October 12, 2013 at 12:29 am | #

    Noooooooo that make’s me so so very sad. ;(

  52. Lee
    Lee
    October 12, 2013 at 12:30 am | #

    ALL I WANTED WAS ONE M/M SHIP I SWEAR TO GOD

    • vsophi
      vsophi
      October 12, 2013 at 1:15 am | #

      iktf

    • Pier
      Pier
      October 12, 2013 at 1:46 am | #

      /sob Please don’t invoke the feels.

      • Keroshino
        Keroshino
        October 12, 2013 at 3:23 am | #

        To late…they are already here!

    • Heavensrun
      Heavensrun
      October 12, 2013 at 5:56 am | #

      (shrug) You can always keep shipping them. One or more of the participants being straight hasn’t stopped me from shipping Joyrothy.

  53. Fuzzydaemon
    Fuzzydaemon
    October 12, 2013 at 12:30 am | #

    I will bet Joshua gets hit on a lot by gay men, so that might account for the “actually.” Often gay men think short goodlooking men are gay.

    I already guessed he is an atheist and agreed with Yotomoe that he is not gay. Maybe Joshua is a bi crossdresser who belongs to a free love commune.

    • Jonathan S.
      Jonathan S.
      October 12, 2013 at 1:33 am | #

      I had a neighbor once who assumed everyone was gay. I almost had to physically assault him to get him to keep his hands off me. (I’m on the autism spectrum, and don’t take well to being touched without my permission.)

      • vsophi
        vsophi
        October 12, 2013 at 2:03 am | #

        I am gay (or something) and I would have all kinds of problems with that scenario.

        (asd person here as well)

        • Pier
          Pier
          October 12, 2013 at 4:13 am | #

          I may be stereotyping here, but that explains the flair appeal on our fanarts. (hint hint on the word “our”)

    • Heavensrun
      Heavensrun
      October 12, 2013 at 5:54 am | #

      As I suggested somewhere below this, I think the “actually” is because he picked up on Ethan’s signals (or loudspeaker shouts, if you prefer) and has been waiting for the question.

  54. Jay Eff
    Jay Eff
    October 12, 2013 at 12:34 am | #

    So! Joshua isn’t gay—-

    he’s just happy

  55. Rani
    Rani
    October 12, 2013 at 12:37 am | #

    “Heh, no, I’m not actually gay. I’m just that much of a crazy whore.”
    #OwnIt

    • Zach
      Zach
      October 12, 2013 at 2:01 am | #

      How did I not think of this? I mean, how else could a writer really support himself?

  56. LiamAldam
    LiamAldam
    October 12, 2013 at 12:38 am | #

    I had a weird vibe this was gonna happen.

    • Mr. Morningstar
      Mr. Morningstar
      October 12, 2013 at 1:53 am | #

      Everyone felt it. But we all hopes Willis wouldn’t do it.

      We never learn our lesson.

      I don’t anyway…

  57. DiDi
    DiDi
    October 12, 2013 at 12:40 am | #

    Abandon ship! Abandon ship! It’s going down!

    Every man/woman for himself/herself!!!

    • Jonathan S.
      Jonathan S.
      October 12, 2013 at 1:34 am | #

      If it were “going down”, there wouldn’t be so many broken shipper hearts… 😉

      • Heavensrun
        Heavensrun
        October 12, 2013 at 5:51 am | #

        (rimshot)

    • sumolegend
      sumolegend
      October 12, 2013 at 2:26 pm | #

      WEEOOOWEEEOOO

  58. Doom Shepherd
    Doom Shepherd
    October 12, 2013 at 12:43 am | #

    In Willis’s diary, the entry for the day this strip was written states simply:

    “Sighted Ship. Sank Same.”

    • Drakey
      Drakey
      October 12, 2013 at 1:50 am | #

      You are a beautiful person, and I think I hate you a little for it.

    • saltchocolate
      saltchocolate
      October 12, 2013 at 9:03 am | #

      Your grav makes that comment even more painful. Billie’s smirk…

      • Curacaobill
        Curacaobill
        October 12, 2013 at 6:42 pm | #

        I think my gravatar would have been better.

        • saltchocolate
          saltchocolate
          October 12, 2013 at 7:42 pm | #

          Hmmm… possibly so!

  59. Romanticide
    Romanticide
    October 12, 2013 at 12:43 am | #

    Sad trombone. XD XD

    • Aizat
      Aizat
      October 12, 2013 at 12:51 am | #

      http://www.sadtrombone.com/
      Enjoy.

      • Romanticide
        Romanticide
        October 13, 2013 at 1:57 pm | #

        thanks 😀

  60. EvergreenFir
    EvergreenFir
    October 12, 2013 at 12:48 am | #

    Is he… a … socialist? (cue violin screech)

  61. Kitsuner
    Kitsuner
    October 12, 2013 at 12:50 am | #

    “I’m not actually gay. I’m actually Ronald Reagan reincarnated.”

    • Spliced
      Spliced
      October 12, 2013 at 12:51 am | #

      LOVE it

      • Aizat
        Aizat
        October 12, 2013 at 12:56 am | #

        Or he could be FDR.

        • The Candyman
          The Candyman
          October 12, 2013 at 9:30 am | #

          Nah, Joshua is actually the Second Coming of Christ. Turns out the Mormons were right.

          • David
            David
            October 12, 2013 at 3:45 pm | #

            Who was the First Coming of Christ if Joshua was Second?

            • vsophi
              vsophi
              October 12, 2013 at 8:12 pm | #

              The New Testament.

              • David
                David
                October 13, 2013 at 5:37 am | #

                So Joshua is a Testament? Could have sworn he was a prophet.

    • Heavensrun
      Heavensrun
      October 12, 2013 at 5:51 am | #

      Don’t be silly. His parents would rejoice at that. Even if it -would- promote eastern religion.

      • AckackAck
        AckackAck
        October 12, 2013 at 7:15 pm | #

        Isn’t that Christianity is also part of Eastern religions?

        • The Candyman
          The Candyman
          October 12, 2013 at 11:07 pm | #

          If you want to get technical, Christianity only really started off as a distinct religion in Rome.

          • Heavensrun
            Heavensrun
            October 13, 2013 at 11:51 am | #

            It also depends on what you mean by the term. Everyplace is east of somewhere. (actually, technically, everyplace is east of everywhere, but that’s aside the point.)

  62. Emoroffle
    Emoroffle
    October 12, 2013 at 12:52 am | #

    When the hell did Willis get U-boats?

    • Aizat
      Aizat
      October 12, 2013 at 12:54 am | #

      He have them from the very beginning. We just didn’t see it yet.

    • Jack Finch
      Jack Finch
      October 12, 2013 at 9:19 am | #

      +2 internets

  63. newllend
    newllend
    October 12, 2013 at 12:59 am | #

    And now he looked like a dick, guess we where wrong, but it only looked bad on Ethan, really really bad

  64. NightmareWarden
    NightmareWarden
    October 12, 2013 at 1:01 am | #

    What if Joshua secretly writes erotica novels? He is a “feelance writer”, he harbors shame or shyness about something, and he has intentionally kept that information away from his parents (and seemingly from his siblings). I place my money on “Joshua the Sexnerd”.

    • Aizat
      Aizat
      October 12, 2013 at 1:09 am | #

      Or Joshua the Pornomancer.

      • Mr. Morningstar
        Mr. Morningstar
        October 12, 2013 at 1:48 am | #

        I am now going to use pornomancer in everyday sentences. Thank you Aizat.

        • Aizat
          Aizat
          October 12, 2013 at 1:51 am | #

          Glad I could help.

    • Logician
      Logician
      October 12, 2013 at 7:50 am | #

      Satanic S&M porn, for maximum effect.

    • Jonathan S.
      Jonathan S.
      October 12, 2013 at 4:18 pm | #

      He’s not “actually” gay, he just writes gay porn…

  65. Synnerman
    Synnerman
    October 12, 2013 at 1:04 am | #

    *Ship explodes in my face*

    Aggh! The Drama! It burns! It burnnnns!

  66. Baker
    Baker
    October 12, 2013 at 1:04 am | #

    So this still begs the question, what IS/ARE Joshua’s dark secrets. Is he atheist or agnostic? What the heck could he be hiding that is so huge that he gave off the vibe that his parents would hate him if they knew more about him.

    • Derek
      Derek
      October 12, 2013 at 1:12 am | #

      He wrote “50 Shades of Grey”. Embarrassment all around!

      • Pier
        Pier
        October 12, 2013 at 4:22 am | #

        And his own “50 Shades of Gay”. Not bad for 2 bestseller series.

    • Baker
      Baker
      October 12, 2013 at 1:14 am | #

      I bet if it isn’t to do with religion, it has to do with his politics. His parents are probably extremely conservative, and perhaps he is extremely liberal. That would make a lot of sense regarding his comments about his writing and being unable to be himself normally.

  67. vlademir1
    vlademir1
    October 12, 2013 at 1:05 am | #

    “That’s rough, buddy” — Prince Zuko

    • Aizat
      Aizat
      October 12, 2013 at 1:11 am | #

      Understatement of the year.

  68. Bill
    Bill
    October 12, 2013 at 1:16 am | #

    You know, I like this strip as much as I did “Omaha”.  They both told a great story, and the reader actually gave a damn about the characters.

    And I didn’t have to wait until one of the creators was dead before finding out about it.

  69. Jetstream
    Jetstream
    October 12, 2013 at 1:18 am | #

    Hey is it just me or does Ethan look kinda… weird today? Like… rounder face?

    • Jetstream
      Jetstream
      October 12, 2013 at 1:19 am | #

      Wait no, that’s stupid… it’s angular… I can’t even describe what I”m seeing, he just looks off.

      • vsophi
        vsophi
        October 12, 2013 at 1:23 am | #

        Willis is not always consistent with his Ethans. Yesterday’s Ethan is personally my favorite.

        • Ancestral Hamster
          Ancestral Hamster
          October 12, 2013 at 1:40 am | #

          Today’s Ethan looks like a mime.

          • Kernanator
            Kernanator
            October 12, 2013 at 2:12 am | #

            “I’M A MIME!”

  70. vsophi
    vsophi
    October 12, 2013 at 1:21 am | #

    Something to consider: the emphasis is on the word “not”, not “actually”.

    As in, “I’m not actually gay, I was just fucking with you because I might actually turn out to be a huge asshole”.

    /sigh. I’m actually really worried I’ll start disliking Joshua. There are a few troubling signs (and no, not because he bombed the ship I liked by being not-gay).

    • Lanval
      Lanval
      October 12, 2013 at 1:42 am | #

      I dunno, I can’t imagine someone being raised in that strict a Christian household [to the point that they won’t talk to Atheists] getting his kicks by leading on gay guys in front of his parents.

      I mean maybe if he was the rebel in the family but he’s clearly not. He also seems pretty sincere in his interactions with Ethan really; if he was doing this to be a really be a jerk, he could have gone further. Or he would have wanted to humiliate him sooner since there’s always the possibility that he’d not see him again during the trip.

      Generally, I suspect the only way that it could be a deliberate fake out would be if he was trying to bait Ethan to confess to protect Joyce, but I suspect this isn’t the case as it would invovle cunning and a lot of manipulation which would be a wierd and sudden twist of character.

      • vsophi
        vsophi
        October 12, 2013 at 2:06 am | #

        Well honestly, I don’t know how else to make sense of the way he said it.

        I wanna keep hoping, but I just don’t know…

        • gpoy
          gpoy
          October 12, 2013 at 2:58 pm | #

          It could just be that he gets this a lot, so he’s not surprised Ethan assumed he was gay because a lot of people do.

    • AckackAck
      AckackAck
      October 12, 2013 at 7:12 pm | #

      vshophi, from the comments you posted today it seems like you just angry because your ship failed to sail properly….

      • vsophi
        vsophi
        October 12, 2013 at 8:20 pm | #

        Here is a timeline of my emotions last night through today:

        – first comment, incredibly excited, and not even disappointed, strangely enough
        – posting for a while, finally feeling the disappointment
        – later on, things start to mellow out, my attention is brought to the oddity of the way he replied to Ethan
        – I start thinking about it
        – I stay on the comment section all night because it’s really easy to tab back and forth when I come up with new conclusions after thinking so hard about it
        – I stay disappointed for a while until this post happens, after which, I have started to be suspicious of Joshua and resent the ship
        – resentment of ship continues throughout the night
        – everything I post up ’til the time I go to bed aren’t super serious (though I was really excited about the relief theory I posted further down the page)
        – go to bed, resentin’ (and drawing new fanart with three all new ships)
        – wake up, get back on computer
        – reach this comment, still kind of “hmngh” about the whole thing, and now kinda just worried about Ethan

        I guess it’s because normal people don’t get this obsessive about things? I really just like analyzing fiction, that’s all, and Willis comics are perfect for it.

        • AckackAck
          AckackAck
          October 13, 2013 at 1:21 am | #

          Hahaha that’s fine. At least you don’t like those Digimon anime fans…..

  71. TaintedSpud
    TaintedSpud
    October 12, 2013 at 1:26 am | #

    BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAAA I SO KNEW IT!

    *collects shipper tears for his tea*

    Willis you evil bastard, I freaking love you in a totally straight way.

    • vsophi
      vsophi
      October 12, 2013 at 1:33 am | #

      You mean in a not actually gay way?

  72. NF
    NF
    October 12, 2013 at 1:30 am | #

    So by not actually gay, does that still leave the possibility he is bi? As a bi reader, I may be harboring perverse sexual lust.

    • Jake
      Jake
      October 12, 2013 at 1:40 am | #

      ^Not sure if that is a highly appropriate gravitar, or a hilariously appropriate one.

      • Zach
        Zach
        October 12, 2013 at 2:09 am | #

        Joe WOULD find it to be perverse.
        On the plus side he’s into that.

  73. Fezzam
    Fezzam
    October 12, 2013 at 1:41 am | #

    Hah! In your faces! Called it!

  74. andyy
    andyy
    October 12, 2013 at 1:41 am | #

    well FUCK.

  75. SDGlyph
    SDGlyph
    October 12, 2013 at 1:42 am | #

    Oh man, panel 2… He says it directly to camera and everything.

    I can’t decide which is the best bit:
    1) Willis drew this strip and committed it to the buffer long before seeing the fan reaction to Josh. Man knows his readers.
    2) This conversation was scheduled to happen right on National Coming Out Day IRL.
    3) Josh turns to camera and looks directly at the shippers just as he drops the bombshell. See point 1.
    4) Josh not being gay is a bigger bombshell than him coming out.

    *slow clap*
    Well played, Willis. Well played.

    • theKOT
      theKOT
      October 12, 2013 at 2:05 am | #

      He’s even looking down a bit, as if at the comments XD

      • Pier
        Pier
        October 12, 2013 at 4:39 am | #

        It seems intentional. Even Ethan is doing it at Panel 1, like some sort of PSA.

        • xKiv
          xKiv
          October 12, 2013 at 8:42 pm | #

          Perverse sexual announcement?

      • vsophi
        vsophi
        October 12, 2013 at 4:51 am | #

        This is a totally legit interpretation, and probably more likely than the one I posted down there.

        However, if he’s not addressing the fourth wall here, mine is like, totes the right one, yo.

    • vsophi
      vsophi
      October 12, 2013 at 2:12 am | #

      Willis is kind of a (accidental?) genius.

  76. Mr. Morningstar
    Mr. Morningstar
    October 12, 2013 at 1:46 am | #

    HANG ON GUYS HE MAY BE BI THE SHIP MAY YET SET SAIL

    Then again even if he was I doubt he’d go with ethan due to the fact that it would likely break joyces heart.

    Nevermind ship still sunk…

    • Keroshino
      Keroshino
      October 12, 2013 at 3:26 am | #

      All aboard the lifeboats…passengers must still survive!

      • Aizat
        Aizat
        October 12, 2013 at 4:05 am | #

        Meanwhile, in the Shipsinker…..

  77. somanycolors
    somanycolors
    October 12, 2013 at 1:48 am | #

    Goddammit Ethan.

  78. SDGlyph
    SDGlyph
    October 12, 2013 at 1:52 am | #

    Point to note, that Josh is completely unfazed by the fact of Ethan’s orientation and jumps straight to “OK, so what’s going on?”, clearly having more experience of life outside the bubble than his parents / Joyce. Makes me wonder what battle he’s choosing to avoid, if it’s not his own orientation (assuming Willis isn’t also making a point about “straight” and “gay” not being the only available options).

    • SDGlyph
      SDGlyph
      October 12, 2013 at 2:04 am | #

      Also huh, I’m Mary now? Well, this is awkward.

    • ankhtahr
      ankhtahr
      October 12, 2013 at 3:36 am | #

      Also note his choice of words. I don’t think somebody as fundamentally christian as his parnts would say ”Why the hell”.

      • vsophi
        vsophi
        October 12, 2013 at 6:23 am | #

        I’m glad someone brought this up.

  79. Ridureyu
    Ridureyu
    October 12, 2013 at 1:53 am | #

    Nope! Not true at all! He is definitely gay! Ethan needs to rip his clothes off right now and make him have a moment of self-realization!

    • vsophi
      vsophi
      October 12, 2013 at 2:07 am | #

      That sounds like it could get unpleasant fast.

    • Pier
      Pier
      October 12, 2013 at 4:14 am | #

      Now that what I call “Pray the gay to stay”. 😀

    • Curacaobill
      Curacaobill
      October 12, 2013 at 6:50 pm | #

      That would be awkward considering the members of the group on the opposite side of the fountain

  80. Drakey
    Drakey
    October 12, 2013 at 1:54 am | #

    Ethan walks away, and the entire rest of DoA’s run is just him drinking to forget.

    • AckackAck
      AckackAck
      October 12, 2013 at 7:02 pm | #

      DoA: Drinking of Aethan.

  81. Rhy
    Rhy
    October 12, 2013 at 2:01 am | #

    He could be lying.

  82. Milae
    Milae
    October 12, 2013 at 2:04 am | #

    Joshua is secretly a writer of M/M stories for a Gay male magazine. It’s why he gay-darred Ethan because of the ‘research’ he had to do when he first started writing for it.

    Anyway, now that Willis just sunk that ship without warning, I say we all move on to another ship that this series has recently made possible.

    Give me Dorothy and Joyce fun Willis, even if you must add Walky as the chocolate cream filling.

    It’s not too much to ask… you have teased your readers for ages with possibilities of lesbian relationships but every time it looks possible you cut off from them and never bring them up again as happened with the gender studies teacher and Roz’s sister or the school paper editor, or in Ruth and Billie’s case switched it off after just one kiss and turned them into AA co-coaches.

    Let me hear it shippers… JOYCExDOTTY will prevail against the odds and Willis’ mighty ship torpedo attacks where other ships flounder!

    • vsophi
      vsophi
      October 12, 2013 at 2:11 am | #

      1) Billie/Ruth is a given.
      2) Robin/Leslie is pretty much a given, though I don’t think all that much screen time will be devoted to it.
      3) Daisy is not a main character, and likely never will be.
      4) You forgot about Mandy and Grace.
      5) All the gay in this comic has been of the lesbian variety, though that’s to be expected, as most of the cast is female.
      6) Look, we just want another gay/bi/etc. guy on the cast, all right? IS THAT TOO MUCH TO ASK, WILLIS?
      7) Lesbians are pretty neato though, I approve.

      • Heavensrun
        Heavensrun
        October 12, 2013 at 5:43 am | #

        I don’t know that Robin/Les is a given, considering that they’re already a couple in the other continuity and Willis seems keen on exploring different areas. Also Les is in pretty much a solid mentor-type position, and you don’t usually have much cause to dig into that role’s personal life.

        • vsophi
          vsophi
          October 12, 2013 at 6:23 am | #

          Regardless, they have chemistry. Also, I agree that Leslie and Robin won’t be developed as much. They exist as functions of the other chars – no more, no less.

          Funnily enough, they’ve both been used to further Roz’s character development in large part.

        • John
          John
          October 13, 2013 at 5:48 pm | #

          I’ll agree that it’s not a given (though I’m hoping; nothing can be right in the ‘verse if Robin doesn’t have her lesbian), but Robin is coming from a sufficiently different place in this universe that just because it ends with Robin and Leslie getting down licky-style doesn’t mean it would be a rehash of Shortpacked.

          From what unfortunately little we’ve seen of that plot thread, it looks like it’s not so much about Robin’s sexuality (Roz seems pretty sure that Leslie/Robin is something she can make happen, and while stupid overconfidence is in-character for Roz, she’s probably got reasons for believing it… this is her sister, after all), which is been there, done that, but an exploration of hypocrisy and honesty, of standing up for what you believe rather than for what you want to get.

    • Zach
      Zach
      October 12, 2013 at 2:16 am | #

      Chocolate? Mocha, caramel, honey, maybe carob. But NOT chocolate or vanilla.

  83. Bilfred
    Bilfred
    October 12, 2013 at 2:07 am | #

    Ethan in that last panel is being pretty honest, methinks.

  84. azukar
    azukar
    October 12, 2013 at 2:14 am | #

    Whadda Tweest!

  85. Tahkuya
    Tahkuya
    October 12, 2013 at 2:16 am | #

    And yet another sunken ship, thanks Willis

  86. SplashBoogie
    SplashBoogie
    October 12, 2013 at 2:21 am | #

    I’m just gonna start shipping Ethan/Dina because at least I won’t get my hopes up

    • Tahkuya
      Tahkuya
      October 12, 2013 at 2:25 am | #

      you shouldn’t say it out loud or that might get sunk also

    • Bilfred
      Bilfred
      October 12, 2013 at 2:28 am | #

      Faz/Billie. There’s one that will never happen.

      • Heavensrun
        Heavensrun
        October 12, 2013 at 5:45 am | #

        Do not court the whims of the author like that.

      • AckackAck
        AckackAck
        October 12, 2013 at 7:00 pm | #

        Fay/any people from DoAverse will end up with tears and dreadnaught ship.

        • AckackAck
          AckackAck
          October 12, 2013 at 7:01 pm | #

          Faz, not Fay, damn typo.

  87. guy
    guy
    October 12, 2013 at 2:24 am | #

    I’m starting to get the suspicion that Ethan isn’t very good at being gay.

    • vsophi
      vsophi
      October 12, 2013 at 2:31 am | #

      2008 Robin agrees with you.

    • AckackAck
      AckackAck
      October 12, 2013 at 6:52 pm | #

      Ethan in early Shortpacked is also a mess. He walked away from the toy store shows him finally reach maturity.

  88. vsophi
    vsophi
    October 12, 2013 at 2:26 am | #

    You know, guys, it occurred to me that Joshua’s expression in panel 2 is kind of a mirror of Ethan’s in panel 1.

    …jus’ sayin’.

    • ankhtahr
      ankhtahr
      October 12, 2013 at 3:32 am | #

      You’re trying anything to make this happen, don’t you?

      • vsophi
        vsophi
        October 12, 2013 at 3:45 am | #

        More like I’m constantly going back and analyzing what’s happening in the strip, making observations as I go along.

        The only conclusion I’ve really come to thus far is that Joshua reacted to that weirdly. I don’t know what it means, or if it even means anything, but there it is.

  89. scorpio1644
    scorpio1644
    October 12, 2013 at 2:28 am | #

    Just when I thought it was about to get predictable, you throw in one hell of a twist. Well played.

  90. Milae
    Milae
    October 12, 2013 at 2:31 am | #

    Top 10 Reasons Why Joyce/Dorothy Need to Be Shipped:

    10) They actually wore matching sweater vests and under blouses for their first ‘date’.
    09) They have been thrown at each other time and again across the various universes so obviously something is begging for new context.
    08) Becoming a lesbian is so much better than dating a gay guy as a shim and will lead to a lot less heartache in the long run for everyone.
    07) It will finally take the pressure off of poor Joshua and he can finally man up to whatever it is he feels his parents would hate about him.
    06) Everyone who hates her says that Joyce needs to grow up, Dorothy made _Walky_ seem mature after getting it on with him.
    05) Joyce can remain a technical virgin before marriage as her parents / the Bible demands it (sex with another girl doesn’t require penetration – that’s just more fun).
    04) Considerring voter’s opinions of atheists in America, Joyce’s upbringing would actually benefit Dorothy’s electorial bids.
    03) Sarah’s face when she finds out that Joyce is now into girls will be hilarious if her face when she overheard a convo from a few strips back is anything to go by.
    02) Yotomoe will cry when Joyce/Dorothy ship sails instead of the Faz/Dina ship.
    01) Willis’ book cover says it all… https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BWORFi4CEAAWo-0.jpg

    • Heavensrun
      Heavensrun
      October 12, 2013 at 5:39 am | #

      That’s ridiculous.

      Yoto isn’t going to cry just because a ship unrelated to his crack pairing sailed.

      Also Walky and Dotty haven’t actually got it on yet.

      Finally you neglected to mention the fact that Dotty and Joyce are totes adorkable together.

    • John
      John
      October 13, 2013 at 5:51 pm | #

      Joyce would make an excellent First Lady.

  91. Anywhere
    Anywhere
    October 12, 2013 at 2:32 am | #

    NOOO YOU SANK MY [BATTLE]FANDOMSHIP.

    DAMN YOU WILLIS!!!

  92. Beachfox
    Beachfox
    October 12, 2013 at 2:34 am | #

    DAAAAAAAAAMN
    YOUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU
    WIIIILLIIIIIIIIIIIISSSSSSSSSSSSSSS

  93. ninja_jesus
    ninja_jesus
    October 12, 2013 at 2:36 am | #

    If Joshua is an atheist, and his parents find that out, he may well wish he were gay. At least with homosexuality there is the possibility of still believing in a god, but an outright refusal/rejection of God/Jesus Christ guarantees 0 tolerance or acceptance from any fundamentalist Christian community. As an atheist myself, I hope the best for Joshua.

    • David
      David
      October 12, 2013 at 5:15 am | #

      At least with homosexuality there is the possibility of still believing in a god,
      When we are talking about fundamental Christians, that’s about par with “At least with murder there is the possibility of still believing in capital punishment”. The Old Testament (which is the main source for cherry-picking fundamental beliefs) is pretty clear in its directions of putting the offender out of his misery. I don’t quite remember whether it was just the top, though. But with regard to actual sodomy (namely involving livestock) I pretty clearly remember that both human and animal were supposed to be punished, so it’s likely the same with “lying with a man as though he were a woman”.

      Note that fundamentals tend to skip over the laws that would require them to stone gynecologists, or to lock their wives in a bathhouse at the time of their uncleanliness or whatever else.

      • Henry
        Henry
        October 12, 2013 at 11:11 am | #

        I think what NJ was going for (please, correct me if I’m wrong) was that Joyce’s parents, although they would certainly be something like horrified if it turned out that Joshua was gay, would probably still be what they think of as supportive (even if that means doing some “pray the gay away” type-crap), because they might recognize it either as simply a sin (according to the school of thought where homosexuality is viewed as a choice), or, and this is rather unlikely, they recognize it as not being a choice. Either way, I could see the Browns as still being “we’re disappointed in you, but we love you, and we’ll help you get through this.” Not a great attitude, but still.

        Contrast this with being atheist, which there is no way they will see it as anything OTHER than a choice, as Joshua willingly rejecting everything they raised him by, and, as one of them put it, meaning he “has no moral foundation.” Contrasted with the loving, but intolerant attitude that seems likely if Joshua were to come out as gay, they would probably go nuclear if Joshua informed them that he was an atheist, given their reaction (especially Carol’s) to Joyce even associating with an atheist.

        • ninja_jesus
          ninja_jesus
          October 12, 2013 at 12:04 pm | #

          Exactly my point, thank you.

  94. Megatron
    Megatron
    October 12, 2013 at 2:38 am | #

    Please be bisexual.

  95. Tarnagh
    Tarnagh
    October 12, 2013 at 2:46 am | #

    Well, that’s disappointing. He’s not “actually” gay.

    Screw it. He’s secretly a Dom, has a dungeon in his parents basement. All those people coming over for “Bible Study” … yeah, not so much.

    • AckackAck
      AckackAck
      October 12, 2013 at 6:48 pm | #

      Or he start showing up with Sonic costume and fans start to avoid him…..

  96. owltawny
    owltawny
    October 12, 2013 at 2:50 am | #

    DAMB YOU WILLIS!!!!

  97. Phil
    Phil
    October 12, 2013 at 3:02 am | #

    Lovin’ the evening color scheme from these last few strips.

  98. Kevin
    Kevin
    October 12, 2013 at 3:18 am | #

    I am soooo glad that he isnt gay.

    • vsophi
      vsophi
      October 12, 2013 at 3:46 am | #

      Why?

      • Aizat
        Aizat
        October 12, 2013 at 4:07 am | #

        Because…..cheese.

      • Heavensrun
        Heavensrun
        October 12, 2013 at 5:31 am | #

        Because he wants Ethan for himself, obv.

        • vsophi
          vsophi
          October 12, 2013 at 5:44 am | #

          Sexy interpretation. I like it.

      • Crumplepunch
        Crumplepunch
        October 12, 2013 at 6:36 am | #

        I’m glad because it rules out a cheating-on-Joyce-with-her-brother subplot.

  99. Anonymous
    Anonymous
    October 12, 2013 at 3:25 am | #

    Oh snap!

    A hilarious(/unfortunate?) contextual red herring.

    Yes… especially given what’s just been revealed about his relationship with his parents, his previously-given reasons for being a writer are still wholly applicable…

    This should be interesting. (!)

  100. JoeMerl
    JoeMerl
    October 12, 2013 at 3:34 am | #

    See, I was thinking, him being gay? Too easy/obvious. Joshua’s deal is that he’s actually, like, a slightly different brand of Christian than the rest of the family. Or maybe he just went all-out and became a Satanist. Whatever.

    • Pier
      Pier
      October 12, 2013 at 4:03 am | #

      Why not make him hard to get if Joshua being gay is “too easy” for the fan’s taste? Kinda like Billie-Ruth.

    • Bill
      Bill
      October 12, 2013 at 2:58 pm | #

      Slightly different brand of Christian?
      You mean … like maybe Roman Catholic??

      • Jonathan S.
        Jonathan S.
        October 12, 2013 at 4:25 pm | #

        I’ve known a couple of fundies. Being Roman Catholic is the next best thing to being Satanist, as far as they’re concerned.

        (They’re also not really good at the whole Bible-reading thing. They get especially annoyed when I cut off their public recitation of elaborate prayers by saying, “Matthew 6:5.”)

  101. AckackAck
    AckackAck
    October 12, 2013 at 3:53 am | #

    Pretty interesting. I know this is a possible plot line but it seems that a lot of people felt heartbroken when Joshua is not gay. Sinking ship by the iceberg named Willis.

    But I want to see what with Joshua’s deal. Is he an atheist? Or is he joining other branch of Christianity? Or is he fell in love with a woman with different believe? Or he convert to different religion to become Buddhist or Moslem? Don’t tell me he’s in relationship with Asma!

    • Aizat
      Aizat
      October 12, 2013 at 4:08 am | #

      Now, I’m interested on that last part.

    • David
      David
      October 12, 2013 at 4:59 am | #

      In spite of what the government wants to make you believe, there are actually more justifications for privacy than being a terrorist. Perhaps he’s just not into the “ordinary children have nothing to fear” rap.

      • David
        David
        October 12, 2013 at 5:01 am | #

        Hey, I got Sarah back. Cool! Do gravatars actually gravitate towards matching personalities?

        • vsophi
          vsophi
          October 12, 2013 at 5:26 am | #

          Mine is Amber, so… no.

          Wait… yes? Actually, I don’t even know. I don’t think I’m adorable enough to be Amber though.

        • AckackAck
          AckackAck
          October 12, 2013 at 6:42 pm | #

          I used to have Dotty as gravatar. But I’m very okay with this change.4

      • AckackAck
        AckackAck
        October 12, 2013 at 6:40 pm | #

        Uh…. why suddenly you mention terrorism? just because I mention Moslem?

    • Heavensrun
      Heavensrun
      October 12, 2013 at 5:31 am | #

      I’d bet he’s an atheist. It’d explain why he really strongly wanted to bolt when his parents were getting on Joyce about consorting with a nonbeliever.

      • AckackAck
        AckackAck
        October 12, 2013 at 6:44 pm | #

        Atheist is a possibility. But it’s a bit too obvious. I mean “Strict Christian parents made their children turn Atheist” is a pretty typical plot in many stories. We need something new and fresh.

      • David
        David
        October 13, 2013 at 5:47 am | #

        “Atheist” does not even make sense since atheism is a conviction-based sibling to agnosticism. If you can’t make yourself believe in a god, that does not mean you are atheist. You are just a struggling theist. If you stop struggling, you are agnostic. If you tell others they are fools for struggling, you are an atheist. But Jordan is not telling others. That’s why everybody is still trying to puzzle him out.

        • John
          John
          October 13, 2013 at 5:57 pm | #

          I’ve got issues with your definitions of “atheist” and “agnostic”, but even accepting the dubious proposition that atheism requires evangelism… he’s not telling his family. That doesn’t mean he’s not telling anyone.

    • Ragnal
      Ragnal
      October 12, 2013 at 5:09 pm | #

      Thinking about it, we never really understood what Drew’s problem was with Ethan’s toy collecting and why he was such a jerk to him about it.

      My money’s on this being the same situation; we never find out what Joshua’s deal is.

      • AckackAck
        AckackAck
        October 12, 2013 at 6:45 pm | #

        I think with Drew it’s pretty clear. He want to see Ethan cut back on his hobbies because he felt overwhelmed with them. For Drew what he want for their future is different from what Ethan want for his future.

        Joshua…. yeah, we never know what the deal is.

  102. Tahkuya
    Tahkuya
    October 12, 2013 at 4:10 am | #

    Glad to see there’s a few others viewing the burning wreckage of the Fail Ship Ethan/Joshua from a distance laughing maniacally as the shippers drown in tears.

    • Aizat
      Aizat
      October 12, 2013 at 4:17 am | #

      While some of them drink from the tears of those shippers. BTW, what is the taste of tears?

      • Tahkuya
        Tahkuya
        October 12, 2013 at 4:29 am | #

        A good question my good man shippers tears are bitterly sweat and i must say are going excellent with my taco right now

    • AckackAck
      AckackAck
      October 12, 2013 at 6:35 pm | #

      I don’t see this much shippers crying except the ending of the Digimon anime.

      Tbh that ending was so sudden it’s like a saboteur snuck in to the ship and C4 the engine and the hulls and detonate it when it’s almost reaching its destination.

  103. vsophi
    vsophi
    October 12, 2013 at 4:22 am | #

    okokok I’m sorry I’ve made up like, a seventh of this entire comment section so far, but hear me out here:

    I’ve been mulling this revelation over in my mind for quite a bit now, and after saying it out loud several times in a variety of different ways, plus matching it with his body language, I’ve come to the conclusion that the feeling Joshua is currently expressing re: his sexuality is relief.

    When Ethan asks him if he’s gay, he does not react with disgust or irritation, as would be expected if he gets mistaken for gay often. He also does react with indifference, apathy, or confusion as would be expected if he was simply informing Ethan of his proclivities. No, he does that little laugh and self-satisfied smile to himself. He’s not even looking at Ethan while he says it. And with the emphasis on “not”, relief (or awe) is the only tone of voice that matches up with his expression.

    Maybe he was confused, maybe he’s an ex-gay, maybe he had an exception. It could be any, all, or none of these. However, this interpretation is the only one that really makes sense to me.

    • Tahkuya
      Tahkuya
      October 12, 2013 at 4:32 am | #

      The captain always goes down with the ship.

      • vsophi
        vsophi
        October 12, 2013 at 4:37 am | #

        Analyzing a character’s behavior and body language makes me a “captain”? I liked the pairing, but honestly, I almost want Ethan to stay away from him now, for his own sake.

        • Leonou
          Leonou
          October 12, 2013 at 9:21 am | #

          Being last on board.
          Suffering more deeply than any other crewman.
          And most importantly drawing an awesome fanart-flag for the Joshutan.
          This is what made you captain.

          …. honored to have served under your orders sir.

          • vsophi
            vsophi
            October 12, 2013 at 10:49 am | #

            …I am suddenly cool with this position.

        • Rutee
          Rutee
          October 13, 2013 at 1:08 am | #

          You’re shipping wrong if you consider the feelings of those involved! It’s all about you!

          This has been a humorous joke.

    • vsophi
      vsophi
      October 12, 2013 at 4:42 am | #

      does not* react with indifference

      whoopsie, that kinda changed the whole argument there for a sec

    • Heavensrun
      Heavensrun
      October 12, 2013 at 5:48 am | #

      Actually, I think that “not actually gay” is mostly to do with the fact that he knows that Ethan thinks he’s gay, and has been blatantly sending signals to him, and has consequently been waiting for Ethan to ask.

      • vsophi
        vsophi
        October 12, 2013 at 6:18 am | #

        I was originally inclined to agree, but there are two things that still seem off in that scenario:

        1) It makes Joshua look like kind of a dick. I mean, c’mon, he looks amused by the (alleged) mistake. Also, if he realized it early on, he shouldn’t have encouraged Ethan’s advances. All he had to do was cut it off after the introduction. One could argue he did just that (albeit a little late), but he clearly decided to bail for a different reason.

        2) It’s still pretty weird how he’s not making eye contact with Ethan. There are two ways to explain this: either he’s talking to the readers, or something’s being concealed. I concede the former is more likely, but I think it’d be pretty interesting if it was indeed the latter.

        • Heavensrun
          Heavensrun
          October 12, 2013 at 6:44 am | #

          1) I disagree. If you reread the previous scene, he’s initially just answering Ethan’s questions and conversing normally. You can pretty much see the point at which he realized what was happening, at which point he immediately stopped chatting and left. And throughout the whole thing, the instant he was -sure- Ethan was gay, he immediately went the “what are you doing to my little sister??” direction.

          2) I seriously doubt anybody is “talking to the readers”. Ethan’s avoiding eye contact either because he’s checking to see if anybody’s looking their way, or just because he’s putting himself out there and is intimidated by the prospect. Joshua’s glance away indicates that he’s thinking about something else when he says it. It could be he’s lying, because “WTF I’m not going to sit here while my sister’s boyfriend hits on me, what’s wrong with you???”, or it could be because he’s thinking about what he’s -actually- hiding from his parents. (Hell, it might even be an “If only…” kind of expression. If he’s an atheist, as I suspect, he might well be thinking about how much easier it’d be to come out to his parents if he was gay instead.)

          • Pier
            Pier
            October 12, 2013 at 7:00 am | #

            2) I came up with the PSA conclusion because this has happened before. A lot of fans were asking for confirmation on Ethan’s sexuality, so much that he has made a separate post about it. This post with the characters staring at the audience, maybe, is his way of saying Joshua’s not gay.

          • vsophi
            vsophi
            October 12, 2013 at 7:12 am | #

            1) How exactly did you come to that conclusion? His mind is clearly elsewhere when he’s talking to Ethan there. I’m not sure how you can dispute this, especially since he himself doubts his ability to show restraint about this kind of thing in the last strip: “Might say some stuff I can’t ever take back.”

            2) a. Haven’t you ever heard of Aside Glances? Mindfully employing tropes is certainly not beyond Willis.

            b. Ethan’s obviously doing that sort of awkward, casual, aloof thing when you’re trying to act like you aren’t particularly interested in the answer, but you secretly are. You do have a point about Joshua; he could be thinking of his actual secret there. However, it still does not fit the way he responded to Ethan’s question. Try saying it out loud a few times: there are only a couple ways it really sounds natural with the word “not” stressed here.

            If things had played out differently, we would probably be of the same opinion. However, given the sequence of events being what they are, his reaction to Ethan’s advances just does not seem realistic.

            • Heavensrun
              Heavensrun
              October 12, 2013 at 5:54 pm | #

              1) I don’t see what that has to do with the claim that Ethan led Joshua on, which is what I was talking about there. In the first scene, I think he was just being friendly, until panal 5 of this comic:

              http://www.dumbingofage.com/2013/comic/book-3/04-just-hangin-out-with-my-family/freelance/

              At which point he immediately excused himself, and was guarded and slightly accusatory when Ethan approached him here:

              http://www.dumbingofage.com/2013/comic/book-3/04-just-hangin-out-with-my-family/heated/

              The line you’re quoting is about not wanting to get involved in the argument between his parents and his sister, because -whatever- his secret is, he’s afraid he’ll give it out if he confronts them. (which is part of what makes me think it relates to belief, rather than sexuality)

              2) I have heard of aside glances. But the whole joke on an aside glance is that it’s an obvious breach of the 4th wall, and that isn’t so obvious here. Also, there are perfectly reasonable in-universe reasons for them to be avoiding eye contact, namely that Ethan is risking outing himself, and Joshua is aware of Ethan’s interest and the problems that it represents. If they were -both- eyeing the content section, or if they both paused to look at the camera, I might be more inclined to believe that’s what’s going on, but Ethan’s looking off to the left(presumably the direction of Joyce and the ‘rents…) and Joshua is looking down and away from Ethan. (avoiding eye contact in an awkward situation)

              As far as the line, I think it works perfectly well if he knows that Ethan -thinks- he’s gay, and I honestly don’t see -any- reactions to Ethan’s advances. He answered some questions about what he does and why, realized something was amiss, left, came back later, was cagey and evasive until Ethan -asked- if he was gay, and in so asking outed himself. At which point Joshua confronted him. That makes complete sense to me in the context we’ve been given.

              • vsophi
                vsophi
                October 12, 2013 at 8:32 pm | #

                1) I was responding to the claim that Joshua left, “the point at which he realized what was happening”. When he leaves, he is clearly not thinking about Ethan. He is “cagey and guarded” because he’s trying to avoid his parents.

                2) Here’s the thing: it’s weird that Joshua’s apparently “cagey and guarded” in his first interactions, then spontaneously pleasant/satisfied. If I were in his situation, after realizing Ethan is gay (and dating my sister), I’d respond in decidedly more unpleasant way (with irritation, most likely). It makes more sense that after Ethan makes his inquiry, he connects the dots somewhere between panel 2 and panel 4, which leads to his negative mood.

                • Heavensrun
                  Heavensrun
                  October 12, 2013 at 11:08 pm | #

                  Man. I feel like we read completely different comics.

                • vsophi
                  vsophi
                  October 12, 2013 at 11:33 pm | #

                  So you’re through discussing it? I:

    • nick
      nick
      October 12, 2013 at 9:45 am | #

      I would guess confused. He did have that moment of doubt here (http://www.dumbingofage.com/2013/comic/book-3/04-just-hangin-out-with-my-family/freelance/), and seeing more of the Browns being dicks adds more meaning to his other scentences in that strip

      • nick
        nick
        October 12, 2013 at 9:49 am | #

        I forgot to add that he may just be protecting Joyce’s relationship; Joshua doesn’t want to hurt Joyce by dating her ex-boyfriend.

    • Alex Stritar
      Alex Stritar
      October 12, 2013 at 5:10 pm | #

      Maybe he just gets it a lot.

      • vsophi
        vsophi
        October 12, 2013 at 8:32 pm | #

        People don’t tend to respond so genially to something they hear a lot.

  104. Pier
    Pier
    October 12, 2013 at 4:37 am | #

    What I hate the most is that Panels 1 and 2 feel like they are actually facing the audience while delivering their lines like some PSA to rub it in our face.

  105. nalem
    nalem
    October 12, 2013 at 4:40 am | #

    OH SHIT

    THE JIG IS UP

    RUN, JOSHUA, RUN

    • Heavensrun
      Heavensrun
      October 12, 2013 at 6:45 am | #

      Joshua? Ethan’s the one in trouble here.

  106. Martin Smith
    Martin Smith
    October 12, 2013 at 5:29 am | #

    So if he’s not gay, what’s his big secret? Is he a Satanist on the sly?

    • Alex Stritar
      Alex Stritar
      October 12, 2013 at 1:18 pm | #

      Well, he said not exactly gay, so he could be bi, pan or trans.

  107. Aj Hedgehog
    Aj Hedgehog
    October 12, 2013 at 5:46 am | #

    I think what is important to take away from this is that Joshua just blasphemed, this is truly why he is the black sheep of the family

    • Kernanator
      Kernanator
      October 12, 2013 at 2:26 pm | #

      What, no, Joshua’s the favorite (because they know the least about him). Jordan’s the most likely black sheep of the family.

  108. vsophi
    vsophi
    October 12, 2013 at 5:48 am | #

    oh god guys, you know what
    ethan danned it
    he danned it good

    • Kernanator
      Kernanator
      October 12, 2013 at 2:27 pm | #

      Oh wow, you’re right.

  109. TheReen
    TheReen
    October 12, 2013 at 5:50 am | #

    Maybe he’s a sex addict? That might explain the ‘not actually gay’ comment.

  110. SHAZAM
    SHAZAM
    October 12, 2013 at 6:05 am | #

    DAMN YOU WILLIS

    • Leonou
      Leonou
      October 12, 2013 at 9:25 am | #

      Damn! Damn! Damn! Curse you until the thirteenth generation

  111. ATN
    ATN
    October 12, 2013 at 6:26 am | #

    SWERVE!

  112. Tenn
    Tenn
    October 12, 2013 at 6:51 am | #

    Congratulations to those who called it, and my condolences to those who are disappointed.

  113. Nameless
    Nameless
    October 12, 2013 at 7:01 am | #

    Damn you, Willis!

  114. ProfNekko
    ProfNekko
    October 12, 2013 at 7:21 am | #

    torpedo to the starboard bow, and this ship is sunk

  115. Jason
    Jason
    October 12, 2013 at 7:59 am | #

    I’m thinking atheist

    • David
      David
      October 12, 2013 at 3:39 pm | #

      Catholic altar boy would probably be more horrifying to his parents.

    • AckackAck
      AckackAck
      October 12, 2013 at 6:30 pm | #

      Too obvious, need a more interesting twist.

  116. hof1991
    hof1991
    October 12, 2013 at 8:03 am | #

    At the end of today, Joshua is headed back to his adult life and Ethan is still a confused 18 year old. It may take decades for us to even see Joshua again. It’s not like older brothers drop in on their younger siblings all the time and parent’s day has lasted for months. He is a plot device fully installed and waiting to be used later. And ‘not actually gay’ is sufficiently ambiguous to mean all kinds of things, ex-gay included.

    But Joshua is being the adult in the area and making it clear that dating his sister while gay is not OK and can only end badly.

    Still waiting for Naomi to notice this little private conversation.

    • vsophi
      vsophi
      October 12, 2013 at 9:03 am | #

      imagine naomi seeing them together and making a big stink about it, accusing joshua of trying to seduce her son in earshot of just about everybody

  117. LordHaw
    LordHaw
    October 12, 2013 at 8:14 am | #

    I can see why so many shipped this one. It does almost seem like Joshua was playing Ethan a bit. But one does wonder what Joshua’s secrets are.

    I kind of like some people shipping Joyce/Dorothy…but can you imagine the freaking out Joyce would do realizing she was into girls?? She’d be a wreck!

    • vsophi
      vsophi
      October 12, 2013 at 8:29 am | #

      The DoA fandom lives for wrecks. How else could we stand the unbearable torment that is the very foundation upon which rests a Willis™ brand creation?

      • LordHaw
        LordHaw
        October 12, 2013 at 10:55 am | #

        I am starting to realize this 🙂 I’m fairly new to DoA and the rest of the Willisverse. I must say though seeing Joyce dealing with THAT revelation about herself would be entertaining.

  118. clodia
    clodia
    October 12, 2013 at 9:06 am | #

    HA

  119. Alexis
    Alexis
    October 12, 2013 at 9:23 am | #

    “I’m bisexual!”
    We all know how to hide secrets by being TECHNICAL, JOSHUA, you’re not the FIRST to pull this trick on everyone.
    Nobody ever asks if you’re bi.

    • vsophi
      vsophi
      October 12, 2013 at 10:48 am | #

      Come to think of it, the way he phrased it (and presumably “toned” it), could indicate that people tend to think he’s gay because he’s bi (checks out dudes, may be dating one, etc.).

      • Foxhack
        Foxhack
        October 12, 2013 at 11:56 am | #

        I used to get asked if I was gay all the time. Despite having a girlfriend.

        I just say “I like girls way too much to be gay.” If people are too dense to understand what I mean by that then eh.

    • ConstantComment
      ConstantComment
      October 12, 2013 at 11:45 am | #

      Joshua seems like a decent guy who can totally read the situation with Ethan. I think he wants to shut that crush down in a kind, but firm way. So if he is dating a guy, he would probably just clear that up.

  120. Kiggy
    Kiggy
    October 12, 2013 at 9:23 am | #

    Nice curve ball Willis

  121. Leonou
    Leonou
    October 12, 2013 at 9:27 am | #

    And yes, all the Browns children have giant blue eyes. It HAS to be a dominant trait.
    not so sure about the glasses though.

    • AckackAck
      AckackAck
      October 12, 2013 at 6:25 pm | #

      But the triangle smile is exclusively Joyce?

  122. PokeyPuppy
    PokeyPuppy
    October 12, 2013 at 9:33 am | #

    A MILLION times better than a ship for these two. I friggin’ love this comic so much.

  123. The Candyman
    The Candyman
    October 12, 2013 at 9:42 am | #

    I want to damn Willis, but my desire to high five him is much too great.

    This is how the master does it, people.

    • saltchocolate
      saltchocolate
      October 12, 2013 at 9:59 am | #

      Not mutually exclusive desires. Watch:

      DAMN YOU, WILLIS!
      :::sigh:::
      High five, dude.

      • Leonou
        Leonou
        October 12, 2013 at 10:05 am | #

        High DAMN-FVE, you WILLIS-DUDE !

        • saltchocolate
          saltchocolate
          October 12, 2013 at 1:09 pm | #

          Nachitos for you, Leonou!

  124. Lel
    Lel
    October 12, 2013 at 9:46 am | #

    After this concludes, and Ethan walks away with his opinion on his relationship changed, Joshua pulls off his mask.
    He was Mike all along.

    • The Candyman
      The Candyman
      October 12, 2013 at 10:21 am | #

      “Mike? What the hell did you do with Joshua?”
      “There is no Joshua, dilweed. I’ve been riding this out for over 20 years.”

      • Whittier
        Whittier
        October 12, 2013 at 10:43 am | #

        You win the internet.

      • AckackAck
        AckackAck
        October 12, 2013 at 6:24 pm | #

        We really need to create a new trope called Mike Gambit.

        • vsophi
          vsophi
          October 12, 2013 at 8:35 pm | #

          Someone who goes RIDICULOUSLY far out of their way to make people suffer?

          Sounds like a trope if I’ve ever heard one!

  125. Philip Petrunak
    Philip Petrunak
    October 12, 2013 at 10:01 am | #

    So… why is everything tinted purple? Is it because of the sunset?

    • Kernanator
      Kernanator
      October 12, 2013 at 2:28 pm | #

      Yes.

    • AckackAck
      AckackAck
      October 12, 2013 at 6:21 pm | #

      In that universe there’s microbes in the stratosphere that will change the colour of sunrays randomly.

  126. fintikisniko
    fintikisniko
    October 12, 2013 at 10:02 am | #

    Do u think David reads the comments just to pick the outcome that will upset the most people

    • vsophi
      vsophi
      October 12, 2013 at 10:46 am | #

      He can’t: buffer.

      • The Candyman
        The Candyman
        October 12, 2013 at 12:31 pm | #

        The way he predicted all this would happen months before has led me to believe that Willis is actually a prophet. Who of course uses his powers to troll people with comics.

        • saltchocolate
          saltchocolate
          October 12, 2013 at 1:13 pm | #

          Not a prophet — a fabulous storyteller. We are just picking up on the clues he leaves us in the strip. Some turn out to be foreshadowing, and some — DAMN YOU, WILLIS! — turn out to be nothing but teasers. Either way, he is a puppetmaster, pulling our little strings with his mighty pen (or computer graphics program, or whatever).

  127. Mort
    Mort
    October 12, 2013 at 10:05 am | #

    woah, That’s a bit unexpected

  128. TsunamiJane
    TsunamiJane
    October 12, 2013 at 10:05 am | #

    I like how Joshua is not surprised or offended by Ethan’s assumption he was gay. He must get that a lot.

  129. AHR
    AHR
    October 12, 2013 at 10:35 am | #

    He could be bisexual. Or pansexual. Or demisexual. Or asexual. THERE ARE POSSIBILITIES DAGNABBIT.

    • xKiv
      xKiv
      October 12, 2013 at 9:03 pm | #

      He could be sexualhandgranat.

  130. Whittier
    Whittier
    October 12, 2013 at 10:42 am | #

    Bah. Well, then, his big secret is either that he’s bisexual or he’s an atheist.

    • vsophi
      vsophi
      October 12, 2013 at 10:55 am | #

      Or he’s some other heathen religion. Or he does porn. Premarital hanky panky. Polyamory. Democrat and/or liberal. Communist. Libertarian. Serial killer. Furry. Otherkin. Trans. Alcoholic. Stoner. Sex addict*. Interracial dating. Man-child. Drag queen and/or transvestite. Genderqueer.

      There are a bunch of things out there that bigots like the Browns would disapprove of.

      *i am slightly on-board with shipping jacob and joshua

      • LordHaw
        LordHaw
        October 12, 2013 at 10:58 am | #

        I love that phrase: “Premarital hanky panky”! Ever since Joyce first said it, I’ve loved it!

      • The Candyman
        The Candyman
        October 12, 2013 at 12:33 pm | #

        Due to a lack of evidence otherwise, I am forced to assume Joshua is all of these at once.

        • Sam
          Sam
          October 12, 2013 at 1:49 pm | #

          That’s not how evidence works yet it is hilarious.

          YOU HAVE GIVEN ME COGNITIVE DISSONANCE. HOW DARE YOU CANDYMAN. NEXT YOU’LL TELL ME CHOCOLATE IS MADE OF SQUIRRELS.

          • David
            David
            October 12, 2013 at 3:30 pm | #

            Only nut chocolate.

      • ender1200
        ender1200
        October 13, 2013 at 9:51 am | #

        D&D player.

    • AckackAck
      AckackAck
      October 12, 2013 at 6:19 pm | #

      Probably, but being atheist is a tad bit too typical in many stories and webcomics. I wish Willis to surprise us with something more creative. Interesting list vsophi made there.

  131. Nym
    Nym
    October 12, 2013 at 10:53 am | #

    Hahaha, second panel Joshua is staring right through the fourth wall at all of us.

  132. Henry
    Henry
    October 12, 2013 at 10:54 am | #

    Buuuustedd!

  133. Galatine
    Galatine
    October 12, 2013 at 10:56 am | #

    Joshua’s big secret is probably that he’s a liberal.

    • LordHaw
      LordHaw
      October 12, 2013 at 11:03 am | #

      perhaps it’s because I’m Canadian, that phrase doesn’t register much “OMG!” value with me. Despite my parents being fairly religious, their politics were left wing.

    • xKiv
      xKiv
      October 12, 2013 at 9:09 pm | #

      Joshua has big secret allright – just not for Ethan!

  134. Henry
    Henry
    October 12, 2013 at 11:31 am | #

    Also, we now have proof that Joshua’s gaydar is likely the most effective in the family, since Joyce didn’t know Ethan was until he told her, and her parents don’t seem to have picked up on it.

    Also, after somebody pointed out that Joshua being gay was way too obvious in the comments for the previous strip, I would have been more surprised if he’d turned out to be gay.

    • David
      David
      October 12, 2013 at 3:28 pm | #

      Well, regarding possible plot twists, you are all aware that
      a) David Willis reads the comments
      b) Jeph Jacques links to “Dumbing of Age” under a different name.
      He can just play this like reverse cheated Battleships, placing his bombs wherever there is place between the multitude of ships.

      • David Willis
        David M Willis
        October 12, 2013 at 6:03 pm | #

        I read the comments on strips I finished nine weeks ago.

        • David
          David
          October 13, 2013 at 5:55 am | #

          But the shipyards have been around for longer than nine weeks. Bouncing bombs took much longer to develop than the actual attacks lasted.

      • fudo81
        fudo81
        October 13, 2013 at 4:01 am | #

        Come on people, seriously? Willis even posts sneak peeks of newer strips on tumblr, what else should he do to convince you that comments are irrelevant to current storylines?

        • fudo81
          fudo81
          October 13, 2013 at 4:06 am | #

          *future strips

  135. Foxhack
    Foxhack
    October 12, 2013 at 11:54 am | #

    You know, he could be bisexual. 😛

  136. Trolldrool
    Trolldrool
    October 12, 2013 at 12:10 pm | #

    Maybe he’s a sperm donor. I doubt his parents would be very happy to learn that.

  137. ninja_jesus
    ninja_jesus
    October 12, 2013 at 12:18 pm | #

    David Willis set you all up. He gave you the materials you needed to build your ships just so he can sink it. You’ve been had, shippers. Gloriously, gloriously had.

    All praise Willis.

    • David
      David
      October 12, 2013 at 3:21 pm | #

      Can a story have millihelens? Oh, for those unaccustomed to the unit: a millihelen is the amount of beauty required to launch one ship.

      • saltchocolate
        saltchocolate
        October 12, 2013 at 7:53 pm | #

        Thank you for this. I’ve needed this word all my life, though I didn’t know it.

      • Blue
        Blue
        October 14, 2013 at 3:20 am | #

        What is the millihelen from? It sounds familiar but I can’t place it. (I want to say Uglies series though…)

  138. Jason
    Jason
    October 12, 2013 at 12:24 pm | #

    I still think Joshua may be gay or bi- he and Ethan really did seem to have chemistry when they met- but that he’s steering way clear out of concern for Joyce.
    But we will see!

  139. The Candyman
    The Candyman
    October 12, 2013 at 12:51 pm | #

    I can now declare this the biggest shipwreck since Luke/Leia.

    • AckackAck
      AckackAck
      October 12, 2013 at 6:15 pm | #

      Luke/Leia is not a shipwreck. It’s simply a lot of people jumped out from the ship because “ew ew gross gross!” and only a few people stay aboard….

      • norj
        norj
        October 12, 2013 at 7:47 pm | #

        If the amount of Star Wars incest porn I unfortunately keep on stumbling across is any indication its more than a few.

      • Bill
        Bill
        October 13, 2013 at 5:50 am | #

        Not saying that I approve of it (the Star Wars porn, that is), but there was a fair amount of time that passed between Luke first seeing her hologram in Episode IV and when he first learns of his sister in Episode V — so there was ample opportunity for such hanky-panky while the two were still blithely ignorant of their relationship.

  140. No_One
    No_One
    October 12, 2013 at 1:17 pm | #

    Why does everyone ignore the fact he could still be bi. Bi people exist you know…

  141. Stifyn Baker
    Stifyn Baker
    October 12, 2013 at 1:25 pm | #

    I really feel for Ethan in this one; his experience is much like my own (except he’s having a slightly easier ride). College is a confusing time, especially if you’ve been brought up in a ‘gay = evil’ culture. Consequently, my response to Joshua’s question would have been (and often was) deny, deny, deny. I’m much happier in my own skin now.

    • Oxyvolt
      Oxyvolt
      October 12, 2013 at 1:39 pm | #

      My way of denying my homosexuality was thinking that I was bisexual, but once I stopped lying to myself, I did feel much better in general. But coming out to other people IRL is still nearly impossible, except my mom (with which I’m very close),