Dumbing of Age Book Eleven

Dumbing of Age

A college webcomic by David Willis
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September 20, 2023

Translator

by David M Willis on December 19, 2013 at 12:01 am
  • 01 - The Only Dope For Me Is You

└ Tags: amber, blaine, ethan

Discussion (309) ¬

[ Comments RSS ]
  1. Doctor_Who
    Doctor_Who
    December 19, 2013 at 12:01 am | #

    Wow, Ethan looks weird as a kid.

    • PureFedora
      PureFedora
      December 19, 2013 at 12:02 am | #

      Kinda cute. I kinda love seeing them as childhood friends.

      • Yotomoe
        Yotomoe
        December 19, 2013 at 12:08 am | #

        Too bad he grows up to be a giant dick.

        • timemonkey
          timemonkey
          December 19, 2013 at 12:21 am | #

          You are what you eat.

          • asmcint
            asmcint
            December 19, 2013 at 12:25 am | #

            YOU WIN THE INTERNET!!!

            *throws all the browser logos at face*

          • newllend
            newllend
            December 19, 2013 at 12:26 am | #

            Nice one

          • Arkantos
            Arkantos
            December 19, 2013 at 1:32 am | #

            All the thumbs up have been granted to you.

          • Alex Stritar
            Alex Stritar
            December 19, 2013 at 3:11 am | #

            Come to think of it, has Ethan even tried dating a guy yet in this universe?

            • Elva Rodríguez
              Elva Rodríguez
              December 19, 2013 at 4:27 am | #

              No :I

          • E.R.
            E.R.
            December 19, 2013 at 6:29 am | #

            Wouldn’t that fix his problem though?

          • AK
            AK
            December 21, 2013 at 12:40 am | #

            I’m really hoping you didn’t mean that to be as homophobic as it sounded. :/ Equating homosexuality and guys giving blowjobs to those guys becoming dicks/jerks is just… no.

            • Colin
              Colin
              April 8, 2014 at 11:28 pm | #

              Pretty sure it was just a play on words. I’ve not observed any correlation between assholitude and sexual orientation.

        • Memyself
          Memyself
          December 19, 2013 at 9:47 am | #

          Yeah, too bad he doesn’t grow up to live his life exactly however Amber demands.

          • Matdredalia
            Matdredalia
            December 19, 2013 at 6:28 pm | #

            It’s not about living how Amber demands. It’s about him living as who he is instead of trying to be something he isn’t.

            Eventually Joyce is going to want to get married, have sex, etc. He is leading her on and screwing her over. And it’s bullshit. And he’s doing it because he can’t handle *himself*.

            He was all over her brother (Well, sister) for a reason.

    • Plasma Mongoose
      Plasma Mongoose
      December 19, 2013 at 12:04 am | #

      It might be cuse he has an adult head on a child’s body…?

    • LiaHansen
      LiaHansen
      December 19, 2013 at 12:05 am | #

      He just hasn’t grown into his nose yet!

    • Em
      Em
      December 19, 2013 at 12:17 am | #

      I think I remember Amber saying that he got attractive in High School?

    • Kernanator
      Kernanator
      December 19, 2013 at 12:35 am | #

      It’s middle school. Everyone looks weird in middle school.

    • Kathleen
      Kathleen
      December 19, 2013 at 1:33 am | #

      he’s one of those kids who had to “grow into their nose”

  2. PureFedora
    PureFedora
    December 19, 2013 at 12:02 am | #

    Moment of truth. Is Sal in fact the one that scarred Amber way back when?

    • SUGauthor
      SUGauthor
      December 19, 2013 at 12:09 am | #

      Either that or Willis picked an oddly specific time to do a flashback.

    • Jen Aside
      Jen Aside
      December 19, 2013 at 12:12 am | #

      SPOILER

      it was MR. WALKERTON

      • Alex Stritar
        Alex Stritar
        December 19, 2013 at 3:13 am | #

        “Sal, why did you rob that convenience store?”

        “I learned it from you, dad! I learned it from you!”

        • Jen Aside
          Jen Aside
          December 19, 2013 at 5:18 am | #

          man, no one ever quotes it accurately

          [/peeve]

          • Plasma Mongoose
            Plasma Mongoose
            December 19, 2013 at 5:19 pm | #

            So it’s a distortion of a quote, a bit like “Beam me up, Scotty” which was also never said in the show.

            • Jen Aside
              Jen Aside
              December 19, 2013 at 10:28 pm | #

              Yeah, but at least “Beam me up, Scotty” kinda stabilized. I NEVER hear “I learned it from you” the same way twice.

    • TMUnreal
      TMUnreal
      December 19, 2013 at 12:38 am | #

      I think this is more due to the parallel of seeing Danny with Sal and the (3?)DS and remembering her being in the car with her DS and Ethan.

      • TheAtomicBrainFart
        TheAtomicBrainFart
        December 19, 2013 at 11:59 am | #

        Yup, it was a 3DS. He was playing Amazi-girl in Mario Kart 7.

    • chatokun
      chatokun
      December 19, 2013 at 2:03 am | #

      Well, didn’t Sal hold up some convenience store or something?

      • ThatGuy
        ThatGuy
        December 19, 2013 at 2:23 am | #

        This. This is it.

        • Bill
          Bill
          December 19, 2013 at 3:14 am | #

          Agree with ThatGuy.  Now (hopefully) we find out what went down at The Great Filling Station Holdup.

      • OctopusGardener
        OctopusGardener
        December 19, 2013 at 2:45 am | #

        Two. I went back and checked.

        • Alex Stritar
          Alex Stritar
          December 19, 2013 at 3:14 am | #

          Now the real question is, is this her first time, or second?

          • John
            John
            December 19, 2013 at 7:02 pm | #

            My internets are on first. Because you get bonus superhero origin points if the cops are not effective in stopping the villain, and they strike again.

    • Undrave
      Undrave
      December 19, 2013 at 3:13 am | #

      That’s what I’m betting on myself!

  3. KingMabel
    KingMabel
    December 19, 2013 at 12:02 am | #

    EPIC FLASHBACK!

    • PureFedora
      PureFedora
      December 19, 2013 at 12:04 am | #

      Your avatar and comment combo just makes me think of when Joyce bugged Sarah for storytime

    • Aizat
      Aizat
      December 19, 2013 at 12:10 am | #

      Nah, Epic Flashbacks require some sort of war going on the background.

  4. Wonder Wig
    Wonder Wig
    December 19, 2013 at 12:02 am | #

    This wont be SUCH a terrible flashback, right? … Right?

    • Opus the Poet
      Opus the Poet
      December 19, 2013 at 12:05 am | #

      Yes, you just keep wishing that…

    • Ourorboros
      Ourorboros
      December 19, 2013 at 12:05 am | #

      Sure, Blaine is always good news.

      • Yotomoe
        Yotomoe
        December 19, 2013 at 12:10 am | #

        Father of the year.

        • Plasma Mongoose
          Plasma Mongoose
          December 19, 2013 at 12:16 am | #

          A prize only won by fathers such as Gendo Ikari.

          • Mr K
            Mr K
            December 19, 2013 at 12:24 am | #

            And Shou Tucker. And Peter Griffin.

            • Cragalanch
              Cragalanch
              December 19, 2013 at 12:42 am | #

              And the dad from Happy wheels, Anakin Skywalker, Hiroshi Sato, and Hercules. The original mythology version, not the Disney version

              • Wack'd
                Wack'd
                December 19, 2013 at 1:08 am | #

                And the dad from Squee!.

                • James
                  James
                  December 19, 2013 at 2:35 am | #

                  And Fire Lord Ozai.

                • dethtoll
                  dethtoll
                  December 19, 2013 at 2:59 am | #

                  And Ken Titus.

              • Alex Stritar
                Alex Stritar
                December 19, 2013 at 3:16 am | #

                What about Zues? He had so many chances to enter into the drawing, too.

                • E.R.
                  E.R.
                  December 19, 2013 at 6:33 am | #

                  I’m pretty sure he’s the one giving it out. Well, him and Cronos…

              • Bill M.
                Bill M.
                December 19, 2013 at 8:35 pm | #

                Don’t forget about Lot from the Bible. Townsfolk want to gangrape my visitors? Offer my daughters instead.

          • David
            David
            December 19, 2013 at 4:12 am | #

            Who cares about father of the year when we have mothers like Belle Gunness to choose from?

    • Doctor_Who
      Doctor_Who
      December 19, 2013 at 12:08 am | #

      You’ll see! They’ll get Twinkies and everything will be fine!

      In the comics, bad guys like Blaine are powerless against Hostess products. Well documented fact.

      • Opus the Poet
        Opus the Poet
        December 19, 2013 at 12:46 am | #

        I like the way you thnk.

      • Alex Stritar
        Alex Stritar
        December 19, 2013 at 3:18 am | #

        Man, glad Hostess products are back on the shelf. Do you remember all the chaos and evil winning that happened when they were off the market? It was like any given moment in a modern superhero comic.

    • Epic
      Epic
      December 19, 2013 at 1:30 am | #

      If the gas station doesn’t explode then I think it could have gone worse.

      • hexalm
        hexalm
        December 19, 2013 at 9:16 pm | #

        If there was an Outsider present, the explosion would be an improvement.

  5. Ourorboros
    Ourorboros
    December 19, 2013 at 12:02 am | #

    Guess she was there when Sal robbed a store.
    +1 theorists.

    • James
      James
      December 19, 2013 at 2:36 am | #

      It was Walky in drag.

      • Ourorboros
        Ourorboros
        December 19, 2013 at 10:55 pm | #

        Sal was set up! That’s why she’s so angry at Walky!

  6. ASD
    ASD
    December 19, 2013 at 12:02 am | #

    inb4 it was Sal

    • PureFedora
      PureFedora
      December 19, 2013 at 12:03 am | #

      Too late. Sorry.

    • timemonkey
      timemonkey
      December 19, 2013 at 12:04 am | #

      And two people said it before you posted that. XD

      • friendshipranger
        friendshipranger
        December 19, 2013 at 12:47 am | #

        I never heard this theory and it TERRIFIES ME.

        • Sir Robin
          Sir Robin
          December 19, 2013 at 5:53 am | #

          I only heard it yesterday, but it seems to be going that way

      • rowanmikaio
        rowanmikaio
        December 19, 2013 at 1:27 am | #

        And that’s not counting everyone who said it before today

        • Undrave
          Undrave
          December 19, 2013 at 3:14 am | #

          I’ve been sayin’ it for monthes.

    • Xerxes93
      Xerxes93
      December 19, 2013 at 12:36 am | #

      You’re at least a month too late for that. At least.

  7. Jen Aside
    Jen Aside
    December 19, 2013 at 12:02 am | #

    Rose-coloured glasses these are not =p

    • Plasma Mongoose
      Plasma Mongoose
      December 19, 2013 at 12:05 am | #

      More like blood-coloured glasses in this case.

      • Yotomoe
        Yotomoe
        December 19, 2013 at 12:11 am | #

        Rage-coloured glasses, you’d say.

        • Robin
          Robin
          December 19, 2013 at 6:28 am | #

          Wee-oo wee-oo wee-oo wee-oo dun DUN dun dun dun DUN!

    • Golbez the Awesome
      Golbez the Awesome
      December 19, 2013 at 8:47 am | #

      cyclops vision, perhaps?

  8. Kernanator
    Kernanator
    December 19, 2013 at 12:02 am | #

    Wait, why is this flashback in red, I thought that blue was this comic’s Official Flashback Color (TM).

    • PureFedora
      PureFedora
      December 19, 2013 at 12:03 am | #

      Really bad memories are in red.

    • Aizat
      Aizat
      December 19, 2013 at 12:04 am | #

      Amber is seeing red…what is not shown is her slaughtering everyone in a fit of rage..

    • Richard Oot
      Richard Oot
      December 19, 2013 at 12:08 am | #

      Amber’s flashbacks now come in the new Redrum Red (c) – enjoy your traumatic memories in bold badass bordeaux!

    • David Willis
      David M Willis
      December 19, 2013 at 12:47 am | #

      Red is the color of panic attack flashbacks.

      • Wack'd
        Wack'd
        December 19, 2013 at 1:10 am | #

        Red™! The Official Color of the Bloomington Panic Attack Flashbacks®!

        • The Candyman
          The Candyman
          December 19, 2013 at 4:43 pm | #

          RED has an official monopoly on panic attack flashbacks. It’s a niche market.

      • wilyjeff
        wilyjeff
        December 19, 2013 at 5:40 pm | #

        I’m hoping red skies means multiverse crossover potential with walkyverse vers. 1.0.

      • MindLink
        MindLink
        December 20, 2013 at 12:40 am | #

        That makes a lot of sense! I’ve sort of just felt it til now, as I suffer from anxiety and panic attacks myself, and I get the same uneasy feeling as when I can feel one sneaking on. Funny, I’ve always “seen” my attacks as more blindingly whitish, don’t know why.

  9. Kuviz
    Kuviz
    December 19, 2013 at 12:02 am | #

    Oh Lord, more red panels. Here we go…

  10. Aizat
    Aizat
    December 19, 2013 at 12:02 am | #

    Wow, they have wide eyes when they were kids.

    • Yotomoe
      Yotomoe
      December 19, 2013 at 12:15 am | #

      Wide-eyed kids.

      • Undrave
        Undrave
        December 19, 2013 at 5:38 am | #

        More eyes to see TRAUMA INDUCING THINGS WITH!

  11. shadowcell
    shadowcell
    December 19, 2013 at 12:02 am | #

    Amber is the Cyclops of Dumbing of Age. the floating butt will be here soon. mark my words.

    • Doctor_Who
      Doctor_Who
      December 19, 2013 at 12:03 am | #

      I think Blaine, metaphorically, IS the floating butt in this case.

      • Yotomoe
        Yotomoe
        December 19, 2013 at 12:16 am | #

        As long as it’s not literally.

        • Shadow12000
          Shadow12000
          December 19, 2013 at 4:28 am | #

          Well he is literally an ass.

          • Carlos
            Carlos
            December 19, 2013 at 5:56 am | #

            Congrats, you’ve just made this comment section’s 1 millionth clever pun! here’s your prize: The internet!!! [cheesy game show music]

    • Aizat
      Aizat
      December 19, 2013 at 12:06 am | #

      Dude, Cyclops is my favorite X-Men…and Amber is my favorite character…so…

      • Richard Oot
        Richard Oot
        December 19, 2013 at 12:15 am | #

        Should we suppose then that the floating butt is also your favorite butt?

    • James
      James
      December 19, 2013 at 2:37 am | #

      No see people still care for her.

  12. Gottawonder
    Gottawonder
    December 19, 2013 at 12:03 am | #

    If she doesn’t kill herself, there is always catatonia.

    • Opus the Poet
      Opus the Poet
      December 19, 2013 at 1:06 am | #

      But that’s out in the South Pacific ocean, way too far to get to from Indiana.

    • Ourorboros
      Ourorboros
      December 19, 2013 at 1:14 am | #

      Freaking out or fighting might end in arrest, expulsion, mandatory counseling, etc.
      Right now who is there to help put her back together? Can’t be Ethan, that would make it worse. Dina is still learning interaction. Danny thinks he found Amazi-Girl.
      Which leaves Mike, who isn’t warm and cuddly. He does have a significant part of Amber’s story though.
      Interesting to see if and how she gets it all together.
      Ruth? Also abusive background, perhaps good there.

      • EEWWW
        EEWWW
        December 19, 2013 at 1:53 am | #

        Are you shipping Amber and Ruth?

        • Curacaobill
          Curacaobill
          December 19, 2013 at 9:59 am | #

          We all are

    • Roborat
      Roborat
      December 20, 2013 at 2:47 pm | #

      No she is taken already, she is dating Rhoda.

  13. kagato23
    kagato23
    December 19, 2013 at 12:03 am | #

    Oh god… is this gonna culminate in her fighting Sal in modern times (who can probably hold her own) thus ending the day with Amber feeling she’s ruined everything forever?

    No way I’ll call it twice in a row, but clearly Willis has decided we are not getting off the Amber’s bad day train just yet.

    • Deathjavu
      Deathjavu
      December 19, 2013 at 12:40 am | #

      And then Danny makes it worse by being Danny.

      Because Danny.

    • Jack Finch
      Jack Finch
      December 19, 2013 at 8:09 am | #

      She just went off on Joyce for a whole lot less.

    • Mr K
      Mr K
      December 19, 2013 at 1:39 pm | #

      Amber will realize her hate-crush on Sal.

      • Plasma Mongoose
        Plasma Mongoose
        December 19, 2013 at 4:57 pm | #

        Then Joyce will realise the pointlessness of being with Ethan and run to her true love, Sal’s motorcycle.

    • xKiv
      xKiv
      December 19, 2013 at 4:43 pm | #

      Willis promised, 1 day ago, on tumblr, some ups and downs for Amber. Also that there will be more downs.

  14. Wolfe
    Wolfe
    December 19, 2013 at 12:04 am | #

    The thing that is killing me is Amber and Ethan want so badly to be friends again, but Ethan is being a closeted egghead, and Amber has her plethora of issues. This panel kills me because it’s when they were just happy being friends and things were simple :[

    • timemonkey
      timemonkey
      December 19, 2013 at 12:05 am | #

      I don’t think things were ever simple for Amber with a dad like that.

      • Wolfe
        Wolfe
        December 19, 2013 at 12:06 am | #

        True…but You know I meant between her and Ethan ;p

        • Yotomoe
          Yotomoe
          December 19, 2013 at 12:18 am | #

          You know what they say. You can pick your friends. And you can pick your nose. But you can’t bang your friend at the prom and make them discover they’re gay.

          • Wolfe
            Wolfe
            December 19, 2013 at 12:21 am | #

            glad I came out before prom cause that would have been hella awkward o-o Everytime I think about Ethan and Amber I’m so happy it never got to that point.

            • Yotomoe
              Yotomoe
              December 19, 2013 at 12:25 am | #

              I didn’t bang anyone after prom. Was I supposed to?

              • Wolfe
                Wolfe
                December 19, 2013 at 12:27 am | #

                side quests are always optional

              • Mr. Random
                Mr. Random
                December 19, 2013 at 1:41 am | #

                Based on actual statistical data that I don’t have the link for but ACTUALLY exist, somewhere. Only about ten percent of high schoolers have sex on Prom night.

                • Bearfuz
                  Bearfuz
                  December 19, 2013 at 3:08 am | #

                  That many!? I never would have guessed. But I was a late bloomer, and also pretty unaware of such things. And it was the ’70s. In New Hampshire.

    • Historyman68
      Historyman68
      December 19, 2013 at 12:17 am | #

      Like, he’s in the closet for being smart?

    • Ourorboros
      Ourorboros
      December 19, 2013 at 1:41 am | #

      Amber wanted to get over prom and summer before she would have wanted to be friends again. She never had a chance to get there before all this.
      We also see (never read other Willis comics) why Ethan means so much to Amber, why prom night was extra painful, and why she took on the world for him.

  15. LiaHansen
    LiaHansen
    December 19, 2013 at 12:04 am | #

    ojeez. Defending a friend from their parent. That’s no fun.

    • Doc Harleen
      Doc Harleen
      December 19, 2013 at 5:58 am | #

      Yeah, it’s not like Amber’s had to do that for Ethan. Oh wait… 😉

  16. Mr. Random
    Mr. Random
    December 19, 2013 at 12:05 am | #

    Go Extended Flashback!
    Use Origin of Anger!

  17. roberttheloser
    roberttheloser
    December 19, 2013 at 12:05 am | #

    “She says she wants twinkies”, I never thought I’d get this attached to a fictional character not from one of John Green’s novels.

  18. JessWitt
    JessWitt
    December 19, 2013 at 12:06 am | #

    I’m particularly intrigued to see some backstory for Amber (and Ethan, too). The anticipation’s killing me.

  19. Confuzor
    Confuzor
    December 19, 2013 at 12:07 am | #

    EEee! Amber’s old hairstyle!

    • hexalm
      hexalm
      December 19, 2013 at 9:22 pm | #

      Someone else liked that! I like how he combined the old style of drawing her with making her a kid.

  20. Aizat
    Aizat
    December 19, 2013 at 12:07 am | #

    Wow…Blaine seriously doesn’t want kids, does he?

    • Norj
      Norj
      December 19, 2013 at 12:12 am | #

      To be fair kids don’t want Blaine.

      • Yotomoe
        Yotomoe
        December 19, 2013 at 12:19 am | #

        To be fair, kids are jerks. Blaines are jerks too.

    • Wack'd
      Wack'd
      December 19, 2013 at 1:12 am | #

      Some nights he just sits around watching Amber’s birth on rewind.

      • David Willis
        David M Willis
        December 19, 2013 at 1:52 am | #

        looks just like me eating a burrito

        • Bearfuz
          Bearfuz
          December 19, 2013 at 3:09 am | #

          Thank you for THAT image. And also THAT image!!

        • Animal
          Animal
          December 19, 2013 at 8:43 am | #

          Not really. You eating a burrito is far messier, and just a little frightening.

    • Ourorboros
      Ourorboros
      December 19, 2013 at 2:05 am | #

      He’s an abuser, they dump on the people in their lives constantly. They berate and humiliate in public and always work on breaking their family (victims) down.
      Then in private they start hitting.

      So it isn’t wanting kids, it’s that having a kid provided another victim.

  21. Kutharos
    Kutharos
    December 19, 2013 at 12:07 am | #

    Man, now I want Twinkies.

    • EEWWW
      EEWWW
      December 19, 2013 at 1:56 am | #

      Man, now I want a burrito… thanks, Willis

      • Ourorboros
        Ourorboros
        December 19, 2013 at 2:05 am | #

        24 hour gas station.

    • Jack Finch
      Jack Finch
      December 19, 2013 at 9:27 pm | #

      Incidentally, Wonder Bread and Twinkie were to have been Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan’s Secret Service code names, had they won.

  22. joeyo
    joeyo
    December 19, 2013 at 12:08 am | #

    Extended flashback un-go. This is going to make me sad, I know it, especially since Blaine is involved.

    How many comics will this take? I’ll stay away and take it all in at once.

    • That Damn Rat
      That Damn Rat
      December 19, 2013 at 12:11 am | #

      Don’t it has to be taken slowly, like a drip feed. If you take it all at once the feels may be too strong for you.

  23. TrueVCU
    TrueVCU
    December 19, 2013 at 12:08 am | #

    Does anyone else feel old seeing Amber holding what looks like a DSlite while being in middle school?

    • Doctor_Who
      Doctor_Who
      December 19, 2013 at 12:16 am | #

      I had a Gameboy Advance in high school. So YES.

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

      Maybe it’s a Game Boy Advance??

    • Yotomoe
      Yotomoe
      December 19, 2013 at 12:20 am | #

      I had a DS lite in high school so HAH! And I’m talkin’ freshman year.
      And I got it LATE!

      • Aizat
        Aizat
        December 19, 2013 at 1:08 am | #

        Pfftt….I got my PSP this year…and the PS2 when the PS3 came out…and the PS1 when they stopped making games for it and finding the good games is near impossible that you had to download the game of the net and burn it on a disc.

    • Dewey
      Dewey
      December 19, 2013 at 1:58 am | #

      Kinda felt myself withering in quick time Indiana Jones style when I saw that.

      • TrueVCU
        TrueVCU
        December 19, 2013 at 11:36 am | #

        I had just finished undergrad when I got my DSLite AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH

    • brionl
      brionl
      December 19, 2013 at 11:54 am | #

      I bought my first GameBoy(Color) when I was in my 30s.

      Now get off my damn lawn!
      But give me your friend code first.

    • Yet_One_More_Idiot
      Yet_One_More_Idiot
      December 19, 2013 at 9:09 pm | #

      I had a Gameboy (no, not a Colour or an Advance, just an original Gameboy) when I was in secondary school. xD

      So HELL YEAH.

      Then again, my family’s first desktop computer was by Amstrad. And bragged in its model number about being a Colour Personal Computer. 😛

  24. Gil
    Gil
    December 19, 2013 at 12:09 am | #

    Man I forgot how old the DS is. They go back to 2004.

    • Yotomoe
      Yotomoe
      December 19, 2013 at 12:20 am | #

      Like…a decade ago almost.

      • Xerxes93
        Xerxes93
        December 19, 2013 at 12:30 am | #

        no! Lies! STOP MAKING ME FEEL OLDDDDDDD.

        • Valdrax
          Valdrax
          December 19, 2013 at 2:20 am | #

          If Willis had really wanted to make you feel old, he would have shown the gas prices.

  25. laila
    laila
    December 19, 2013 at 12:10 am | #

    The thing that really weirds me out about Amber and Blaine is that in this strip Blaine looks quite a bit like my father, while I looked rather like Amber at that age. The difference is that while my father has a short temper he has never been physically abusive and is otherwise nothing like Blaine and I have always had a very close relationship with him, while I… no, I was pretty much exactly like Amber personality-wise too, I just chose to vent by angrily ranting at textareas.

  26. Nym
    Nym
    December 19, 2013 at 12:11 am | #

    I see Blaine, and even before I can read anything, my reaction is just, “Hsssss.” Congratulations, I have been successfully conditioned.

    In other things, Ethan and Amber are adorable when they are tiny. Well, tiny-er. I am going to guess them at about pre-teen and just-teens here? I am sure they are adorable at early-childhood levels of being tiny, too.

    • Nym
      Nym
      December 19, 2013 at 12:14 am | #

      Oh, wait, looking back at the strip again, that is a gas station. We are totally going to see what happened at Sal’s robbery that Amber was present for, aren’t we? Oh, ack ack ack, suddenly the tension is increased by appr. one billion percent.

      (This is why I usually read this comic during the day, when I am usually awake enough to make connections the first time through.)

    • Wolfe
      Wolfe
      December 19, 2013 at 12:15 am | #

      oh gods now i want to see the whole cast as teens/kids. Willis do the thing.

      • Hoboturtle
        Hoboturtle
        December 19, 2013 at 1:50 am | #

        Dumbing of Babies coming to Nick jr

        • The Candyman
          The Candyman
          December 19, 2013 at 4:54 pm | #

          ENTIRE CAST IS BABIES

  27. caesaria82
    caesaria82
    December 19, 2013 at 12:11 am | #

    Oh my god, tiny bb Amber and tiny bb Ethan. My feels. All those feels.

  28. Thrair
    Thrair
    December 19, 2013 at 12:14 am | #

    Yah, Ambers a broken bird if ever there was one. Blaine and her mother (mostly Blaine) did a number on her. And then there was the fiasco with Ethan.

    It’s going to sound cold, but from my experience, it’s best to leave people like that be to sort themselves out. Be kind to them, yes. But don’t get close to them and try to “fix them”, because that’s just asking to get hurt yourself. Keep your distance, be generally kind, and hope they can get through their own issues, preferably with the help of a solid therapist.

    • Thrair
      Thrair
      December 19, 2013 at 12:16 am | #

      PS, doesn’t seem to be many healthy relationships in DoA atm, eh? Walky and Dorothy works, but time will tell if it Walky matures into it.

      And… I think that’s about it. Any others?

      • timemonkey
        timemonkey
        December 19, 2013 at 12:26 am | #

        Roz and Joe seemed fairly happy. Granted they’re not quite a couple, but they’ve banged a few times.

      • Ourorboros
        Ourorboros
        December 19, 2013 at 2:21 am | #

        Well healthy relationship and growth are different things.
        Joe and Roz have their mutual love of sex.

        But being young is the best time for screwed up relationships. You learn much about yourself and have time to work out the consequences.

        There is little drama in healthy relationships though, other than going through obstacles to get together.

  29. Baker
    Baker
    December 19, 2013 at 12:14 am | #

    I think the take away from this strip is that Danny is like a twinky. Sweet but about as smart.

    • Yotomoe
      Yotomoe
      December 19, 2013 at 12:23 am | #

      Does that mean he’s going to go away for a while and we think he’s dead but then he’ll be back within the same year?

      • TaintedSpud
        TaintedSpud
        December 19, 2013 at 12:42 am | #

        I doubt it, since people actually LIKE Twinkies and wanted them back.

        • Wack'd
          Wack'd
          December 19, 2013 at 1:13 am | #

          God knows why.

    • Ourorboros
      Ourorboros
      December 19, 2013 at 2:22 am | #

      Squishy, but of little nutritional value to mind flayers.

    • Jack Finch
      Jack Finch
      December 19, 2013 at 8:10 am | #

      Hey! Where’s the cream filling?!

  30. Astraea
    Astraea
    December 19, 2013 at 12:14 am | #

    If it does turn out Sal is what (negatively) inspired Amber to be Amazi-gal (which seems likely), I know Amber’s gonna feel like Danny getting close to Sal is horrible, horrible irony.
    But actually, it makes sense.
    Maybe Amber wanted to be like Sal so she could stop people like Sal, so *of course* Sal, who is more obviously like the hero she inspired, would be mistaken for her.
    Sad thing is Amber’s becoming like those she opposes, her dad *and* Sal. That’s gonna hurt, even if being like Sal isn’t nearly as bad. And it’s too bad this is setting them up to be enemies, because I feel like if the two of them talked, they’d be great friends. They both have explosive parent issues and live outside the law. Seriously, imagine if they teamed up?

    • Wolfe
      Wolfe
      December 19, 2013 at 12:17 am | #

      super-sal and amazi-girl

      • EEWWW
        EEWWW
        December 19, 2013 at 2:09 am | #

        “Amazi-girl” and “Wonderin’ if you lost a bet”, cause obviously Sal is super implied.

  31. etybolik
    etybolik
    December 19, 2013 at 12:16 am | #

    A raptor needs to appear and bite Blaine’s face off. Christ what a shitty person/father.

    • Thrair
      Thrair
      December 19, 2013 at 12:17 am | #

      I’ve met a few people like him. Thankfully very few. But I think you’d be hard-pressed to find a raptor that could tolerate the taste.

    • Wolfe
      Wolfe
      December 19, 2013 at 12:18 am | #

      Maybe in future panels Dina will chase him down with a fleet of raptors?? :3

      • Skellig
        Skellig
        December 19, 2013 at 5:16 am | #

        This needs to happen.

        • Thrair
          Thrair
          December 19, 2013 at 6:52 am | #

          Only if someone buys the Raptor a apology/thank you Steak afterward, as compensation for having to taste something so slimy.

          And not a crappy el’cheapo Steak, either. We’re talking prime cut, marinated, and medium-rare seared to perfection….

          Dammit, now I’m hungry.

  32. Salmo
    Salmo
    December 19, 2013 at 12:18 am | #

    See, Shortpacked flashbacks be all blue
    And Dumbing of Age flashbacks be all red

    • Yotomoe
      Yotomoe
      December 19, 2013 at 12:24 am | #

      DOAs are Red
      Shortpackes are Blue
      Amber wishes Blaine was dead.
      And Robin wishes her parents were too.

  33. RSLee
    RSLee
    December 19, 2013 at 12:19 am | #

    For the first time, I think that I’m actually relieved to see Blaine. I came here expecting to have to see Amber have a complete meltdown after last night’s strip. But instead, Flashback-Blaine has given us a temporary delay on Amber’s imminent psychotic breakdown.

    • EEWWW
      EEWWW
      December 19, 2013 at 2:11 am | #

      (waiting patiently)… “Stay on target… stay on target.”

  34. Gottawonder
    Gottawonder
    December 19, 2013 at 12:19 am | #

    So I posted number five and refreshed and read a couple posts. Come back to read comments and I’m at 33, interesting. Jumpy feed.

    I saw someone posted upstream they just may stay away for awhile and come back and see it all at once. And another answered, the feels would probably kill ya.

    I feel badly for her, she runs smack into Sal and Danny being all happy together over his DS, and she flashes back to Ethan when he was ‘protecting’ her from the world in general. She wants her friend, and she has no one. Makes me cry.

    Yeah, I expect to come back and find Amber sitting on the steps below Danny and Sal, sucking her thumb.

  35. newllend
    newllend
    December 19, 2013 at 12:24 am | #

    Flash back time! Go get her some twinkies bongo! OK so how many cald the long awaited fash back? Also if she suppose be 13 then why does she look like she 8? But I’m not questioning willises drawing skill just draw just saying

    • John
      John
      December 19, 2013 at 1:07 am | #

      Drawing kids is hard. Especially when your adults are proportioned like kids anyway. At least Willis’s don’t look like evil middle-aged gnomes, which is pretty common.

  36. Mr K
    Mr K
    December 19, 2013 at 12:24 am | #

    Amber has long hair as a kid. Why did she cut it?

    • Yotomoe
      Yotomoe
      December 19, 2013 at 12:25 am | #

      Long hair ain’t all it’s cracked up to be. Trust me.

      • newllend
        newllend
        December 19, 2013 at 12:28 am | #

        Ya I bet you used to have a flowing main that maid you look like Fabio

      • Jen Aside
        Jen Aside
        December 19, 2013 at 12:43 am | #

        I got asked by a black dude [read: someone who’s never had hair longer than maybe 1″] why I never wore my hair down at work. It’s a fucking mess and gets everywhere, that’s why |=(

      • Fuzzydaemon
        Fuzzydaemon
        December 19, 2013 at 12:51 am | #

        This. Fine, thick, curly hair breaks. Never looks smooth. Humidity and rain are disastrous. At best my long hair looked like Alice in Dilbert.

      • Ourorboros
        Ourorboros
        December 19, 2013 at 2:26 am | #

        I liked having long hair. I had a pony tail through my later extended college years.
        Of course, being Chinese, I had straight hair, which helped a lot. Coarse enough to be strong enough to not break.
        Combing in the morning and after showering wasn’t fun, but other than that it was pretty easy to take care of. Used huge amounts of shampoo.
        So opposite experience of Fuzzydaemon.

        Also probably the easiest time I had getting sex. A woman once told me “everybody wants to fuck long hair”.

        • Yotomoe
          Yotomoe
          December 19, 2013 at 12:43 pm | #

          Eh. It’s a prefference. I’m more of a short hair, kind of guy.

          • Ourorboros
            Ourorboros
            December 19, 2013 at 11:35 pm | #

            I agree that individually it is, but as a group things trend one way.
            Traditionally, it is the single women who wear their hair long. They cut their hair or tie it in a bun when married even though it was just as in the way when single.
            Every rock video babe has long hair, as do models. Most women in entertainment too, at least while establishing themselves. This is at a time when we have quality wigs and hair extensions.

        • saltchocolate
          saltchocolate
          December 19, 2013 at 4:56 pm | #

          There is a definite kernel of truth to that.

    • caesaria82
      caesaria82
      December 19, 2013 at 12:57 am | #

      Because people cut their hair…? That is not. Like. Weird? That is a thing that happens.

      • John
        John
        December 19, 2013 at 1:08 am | #

        It’s weird to me. Last time I got my hair cut, Reagan was President.

        • caesaria82
          caesaria82
          December 19, 2013 at 1:20 am | #

          So it just… grows? Are you Rapunzel?

          • John
            John
            December 19, 2013 at 2:21 am | #

            Nah, it stabilizes at the length where the rate of growth is roughly equal to the rate of breakage. It’s been down about to the bottom of my shoulderblades when it’s down for twenty-plus years now.

    • Fernando
      Fernando
      December 19, 2013 at 2:24 am | #

      Amber used to have long hair in Shortpacked, then got it cut, then let it grow again. Willis is having her be a “former-long-haired-gal” again here just so she can be like her alt-dimension self a little more.

  37. Jesse
    Jesse
    December 19, 2013 at 12:25 am | #

    There are not enough fists in the human population for that guy’s face.

    • Cragalanch
      Cragalanch
      December 19, 2013 at 1:03 am | #

      FAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAACE

  38. NoHeart
    NoHeart
    December 19, 2013 at 12:26 am | #

    I think I like Blaine more in shortpacked… where he’s dead

    • newllend
      newllend
      December 19, 2013 at 12:39 am | #

      Ya it was easier for amber to have a conversation with him and he was kind of nicer, but not that mutch

  39. Ryu Nagano
    Ryu Nagano
    December 19, 2013 at 12:28 am | #

    I wonder if this is one of the places Sal robbed?

    • Heavensrun
      Heavensrun
      December 19, 2013 at 12:49 am | #

      The place. There was only, to the best of our knowledge, one robbery.

      • Kernanator
        Kernanator
        December 19, 2013 at 12:55 am | #

        Sal held up 2 convenience stores.

        http://www.dumbingofage.com/2010/comic/book-1/02-uphill-from-here/news/

  40. Alex Stritar
    Alex Stritar
    December 19, 2013 at 12:31 am | #

    Maybe the fact that the flashback is red means that Amber is having an aneurysm. The blood has stained her memories.

    That or Thrax has worked his way into her brain. Either way, she probably doesn’t have too long left before she has to go to the hospital.

  41. madock345
    madock345
    December 19, 2013 at 12:33 am | #

    Ethan was a cute twink, when he was younger.

    This is going bad places. I’m so excited. I feel bad for being so excited. I’m sorry, Amber.

  42. Xerxes93
    Xerxes93
    December 19, 2013 at 12:38 am | #

    this arc is gonna give me a heart attack i s2g

  43. Hippoman
    Hippoman
    December 19, 2013 at 12:39 am | #

    Ah Blaine. Never change. By which I mean he’s an awful person who apparently only gets worse over time.

  44. Mo
    Mo
    December 19, 2013 at 12:45 am | #

    ARGHH
    NEED MORE STORY ARC
    HOW DO I HACKED BUFFER

    • Aizat
      Aizat
      December 19, 2013 at 1:09 am | #

      Get a time machine.

  45. Bilfred
    Bilfred
    December 19, 2013 at 12:47 am | #

    Frashbark tiem!

  46. ninja_jesus
    ninja_jesus
    December 19, 2013 at 12:49 am | #

    It’s happening!

  47. caesaria82
    caesaria82
    December 19, 2013 at 12:49 am | #

    I am so here for this flashback, though. After having seen it be alluded to for so long I am quite excited to find out what actually happened. I mean, I say excited. Terrified. But excited. EXCITIFIED.

    • Shanunu
      Shanunu
      December 19, 2013 at 12:52 am | #

      That still sounds like just regular excited with no terrified at all.

      • caesaria82
        caesaria82
        December 19, 2013 at 1:01 am | #

        I know. Those two words do not lend themselves to compunding. It saddens me. Scarecited? Ehhh. I get so upset when I can’t make words mesh lol.

        • Fernando
          Fernando
          December 19, 2013 at 2:27 am | #

          Terrifxcited?

        • Opus the Poet
          Opus the Poet
          December 19, 2013 at 2:34 am | #

          Terrorcited, it’s all in playing with the syllables until they mesh and make sense.

  48. Sammie1053
    Sammie1053
    December 19, 2013 at 12:50 am | #

    Oh, wow. Flashback time… This can’t be good.
    And Blaine has clearly ALWAYS been horrible… good to know some things never change.

  49. Shanunu
    Shanunu
    December 19, 2013 at 12:52 am | #

    Wow. Everyone was right about Sal. Goodness.

    • Shanunu
      Shanunu
      December 19, 2013 at 12:55 am | #

      On a side note, Ethan looks WAY MORE JEWISH when the rest of him is tiny.

      • caesaria82
        caesaria82
        December 19, 2013 at 1:03 am | #

        That… is a very weird thing to say. I would. Errr. Reconsider this comment.

  50. Ridureyu
    Ridureyu
    December 19, 2013 at 12:53 am | #

    Effin Blaine.

    Kill the bastard.

  51. Deathjavu
    Deathjavu
    December 19, 2013 at 12:57 am | #

    My god, between this and Shortpacked I don’t even know. Too many flashback feels.

    Apparently Willis didn’t plan the back to back flashbacks? I guess it’s just a coincidence. An evil, evil coincidence.

  52. Claire
    Claire
    December 19, 2013 at 1:05 am | #

    yay do we finally get to see the epic convenience store flashback?

  53. Wack'd
    Wack'd
    December 19, 2013 at 1:06 am | #

    Dammit, the panel cuts off the back of Ethan’s head so I can’t see if he’s got that flip in his hair!

  54. Arkantos
    Arkantos
    December 19, 2013 at 1:28 am | #

    Huh. This is probably the least douchey that Blaine’s been since his introduction.

    • Mr K
      Mr K
      December 19, 2013 at 1:54 pm | #

      That’s like saying, that’s the smartest Danny’s been. Or that’s the most mature Walky’s been. Or that the sweetest Mike’s been. Or that’s the most social Dina’s been.

      • Arkantos
        Arkantos
        December 19, 2013 at 11:12 pm | #

        I know, it’s just that I believe every character deserves to have their highest level of human decency highlighted.

    • Incubus
      Incubus
      December 19, 2013 at 9:38 pm | #

      A valid observation . . . and a perfect gravitar for it.

  55. Kathleen
    Kathleen
    December 19, 2013 at 1:35 am | #

    OH SHIT
    that one flashback where she’s huddling in terror? She’s sitting behind a rack of chips. D: D: D:

    ABORT ABORT ABANDON SHIP

  56. Triniking
    Triniking
    December 19, 2013 at 1:36 am | #

    And now… The Origin of Amazi-Girl

    i think.

  57. rachel
    rachel
    December 19, 2013 at 1:37 am | #

    SO RED

  58. Mr. Random
    Mr. Random
    December 19, 2013 at 1:42 am | #

    PARALLEL!
    Amber defended Ethan from his parents when they found out he had a trait that they didn’t like.
    Ethan defends Amber from her parent when he figured out she has a trait HE doesn’t like.

    • saltchocolate
      saltchocolate
      December 19, 2013 at 4:59 pm | #

      I noticed this too, last night, but fell asleep before I could comment on it! Ethan and Amber really have *got* to patch it up — they’ve got too much history in their friendship to just toss it all out the window.

  59. KingMabel
    KingMabel
    December 19, 2013 at 1:50 am | #

    Just realized that Amber is going to be in a middle of a mental breakdown after this flashback….

  60. Fuzzydaemon
    Fuzzydaemon
    December 19, 2013 at 1:56 am | #

    I think she is way over the middle right now.

  61. Jordan
    Jordan
    December 19, 2013 at 1:59 am | #

    Heroic Blue Screen of Death

    Error. Error. Please reboot after viewing traumatic memories.

    • Sam
      Sam
      December 19, 2013 at 2:56 am | #

      Error: There appears to be a problem with your graphics display card. Please restart the system if this is the first time that instead of seeing current events, you see reddish tinged flashbacks. If that does not work, the hardware or software may be damaged and may require a psychologist to repair.

  62. Baker
    Baker
    December 19, 2013 at 2:20 am | #

    Willis has already drawn the strip following the flashback. You knew that, but did you know part of it is already viewable in his deviant art? This is one of the upcoming panels following Amber’s mental breakdown.

    http://www.deviantart.com/art/It-s-Walky-Reunion-Limited-Print-317648501

    • saltchocolate
      saltchocolate
      December 19, 2013 at 5:01 pm | #

      Ha ha. (That really is a devastating print — but thank god it’s not what you say it is . . . )

  63. Archivist
    Archivist
    December 19, 2013 at 2:27 am | #

    Amber’s damn dad. Guy always hits way too close to home.

  64. Tacdud2
    Tacdud2
    December 19, 2013 at 2:35 am | #

    Thats a lot of red.

  65. Elliot-Chatham
    Elliot-Chatham
    December 19, 2013 at 2:40 am | #

    I have feeling the Sal that’s going to be committing the robbery isn’t going to be like the tough biker chick we’ve seen, but what ever happened after the robberies is what makes her like that.

    Also, anyone actually realize that Sal will be of similar age to Amber and Ethan at this point? That’s very young for a robbery if I’m guessing Amber and Ethan’s age in this flashback properly.

    • John
      John
      December 19, 2013 at 3:03 am | #

      Sal was 13-ish at the time of the robberies. It’s hard to judge ages in Willis’s style, but 13 seems plausible for Ethan and Amber here, too.

      • Opus the Poet
        Opus the Poet
        December 19, 2013 at 3:29 am | #

        Amber and Walky are a year younger than Sal so 11-12 here depending on how the birthdays work out.

        • David Willis
          David M Willis
          December 19, 2013 at 3:53 am | #

          Walky and Sal are twins, dude!

          • Azhrei Vep
            Azhrei Vep
            December 19, 2013 at 5:01 am | #

            Man, that was some hellacious labor. Their poor, poor mother…

            • Jen Aside
              Jen Aside
              December 19, 2013 at 5:15 am | #

              The record for delayed interval births for twins is 95 days…

          • Cybersnark
            Cybersnark
            December 19, 2013 at 9:16 am | #

            They could’ve been raised on different planets, like the Skywalker twins (IIRC Luke is a year older than Leia, since a Tatooine-year is different from an Alderaan-year).

        • John
          John
          December 19, 2013 at 10:44 am | #

          And, actually, the first time that flashback panel appeared, Amber explicitly said she was 13 when it happened.

          It was like five years ago that Sal was sent away, and the main cast is 18ish now, so, yeah, timing fits.

          • xKiv
            xKiv
            December 19, 2013 at 8:01 pm | #

            It’s a little known thing, but that catholic school has a time machine, and uses it to force students to spend 20% extra time in school. So in 5 years, Sal aged an extra year.

            • David Willis
              David M Willis
              December 19, 2013 at 8:30 pm | #

              Sal, Ethan, and Amber are the same age.

              I have no idea where the “they are younger” thing came from.

              • xKiv
                xKiv
                December 20, 2013 at 2:17 pm | #

                I don’t either, but I like taking it and running with it against the wall, and then to the ground.

            • John
              John
              December 19, 2013 at 10:44 pm | #

              Judging by the uniform, I’d find the reverse more plausible: That in five years, Sal aged only a year. And then stopped aging entirely.

              *pours out a Barq’s for Avalon*

    • Jen Aside
      Jen Aside
      December 19, 2013 at 3:26 am | #

      I have a feeling Amber is traumatized because Sal got the last Twinkie

  66. Zigzag
    Zigzag
    December 19, 2013 at 3:03 am | #

    This is so totally babies

    Literally

  67. CianM1301
    CianM1301
    December 19, 2013 at 4:19 am | #

    Oh God, it’s a flashback!
    A flashback of pain, and anguish!
    Those are the WORST kinds of flashbacks!

    • Azhrei Vep
      Azhrei Vep
      December 19, 2013 at 5:02 am | #

      You, uh … misspelled ‘BEST’ there, buddy.

  68. IndigoAK
    IndigoAK
    December 19, 2013 at 5:58 am | #

    I have to admit that this storyline is hitting pretty close to home.

    I have a step-father much like Amber’s. I was sixteen when it first came to blows and spent 6 days in country lockup and a few years later ended up spending 11 months in a psych ward after I almost killed him when he pushed me a little too far. Thankfully, I don’t have any contact with either of my parents anymore.

    While it’s incredibly difficult to do, sometimes cutting them out of your life entirely is the best option. Also, therapy. Amber needs therapy badly. I don’t know what kinds of options most universities have, but I do know my local one (UAF) has options for students who need therapy.

    • vlademir1
      vlademir1
      December 19, 2013 at 8:18 am | #

      Most universities in the US have some variety of university medical coverage for staff and students that is much less than that normally available, which usually includes both psychological and psychiatric care. Schools that have dental programs, medical programs and clinical psychology programs often have a preferred pricing, or other incentives, for getting care through those programs.

  69. Standard Mook
    Standard Mook
    December 19, 2013 at 6:06 am | #

    Young Amber looks like Daria.

    • chris73
      chris73
      December 19, 2013 at 12:47 pm | #

      Thats awesome

  70. Mynameis
    Mynameis
    December 19, 2013 at 6:52 am | #

    Everyone’s talking about Ethan….Am I the only one that thinks Amber looks super cute? I just wanna give her a big hug!

  71. Thrair
    Thrair
    December 19, 2013 at 6:55 am | #

    One question: Why isn’t Amber crying in panel one? She had tears streaming down her face at the end of the last page. Slight time-skip forward so they’ve had time to dry?

    • Random832
      Random832
      December 19, 2013 at 7:48 am | #

      This is her in the flashback – she’s wearing a different outfit, and the same as in the other flashback panels. Willis has made some weird artistic choices with how the panels are framed in these last couple strips.

      • John
        John
        December 19, 2013 at 10:49 am | #

        I suspect if this were a TV show, the last panel of yesterday’s strip and the first panel of today’s would have been a slow cross-fade with that flashback music playing. Maybe some wavy-image effect.

  72. Random832
    Random832
    December 19, 2013 at 7:50 am | #

    I feel old – they have a DS lite, at that age I had a gameboy color.

    • Animal
      Animal
      December 19, 2013 at 8:44 am | #

      When I was that age, I had rocks and sticks.

      Of course, the shortage of technology was made up for the fun fact that my Dad kept a case of dynamite in the shed. Amazing how much fun you can have with explosives.

      • LordHaw
        LordHaw
        December 19, 2013 at 9:37 am | #

        Same here! No portable game systems when I was 12 or 13. The original gameboy (black and white one) didn’t come out until I was done highschool. The C64 and NES was where it was at in those days.

        • Animal
          Animal
          December 19, 2013 at 10:04 am | #

          12 or 13? I was 13 in 1974, so…

          • John
            John
            December 19, 2013 at 11:03 am | #

            Thank you for making me feel a little less ancient around all these college kids, Animal. I was born in 1974.

            We didn’t get our first computer until 1977. An Exidy Sorcerer, 4MHz and 48kB of screaming Z-80 power…

            • Animal
              Animal
              December 19, 2013 at 11:42 am | #

              We got electricity in 1977.

            • Bill
              Bill
              December 19, 2013 at 2:02 pm | #

              And I was born exactly 20 years before you were, John.  Seems to be a fair amount of old-timers following this comic.

            • Plasma Mongoose
              Plasma Mongoose
              December 19, 2013 at 5:15 pm | #

              I’m also about Animal’s age and the first computer I owned was a computer-watch (The UC-2000) back in 1986, it had an amazing 2Kb of storage memory which is enough to store slightly over 7 tweets worth of text.

              • chris73
                chris73
                December 19, 2013 at 7:05 pm | #

                Born in 73 and I felt incredibly lucky when we got an atari 2600

                • Roborat
                  Roborat
                  December 20, 2013 at 2:54 pm | #

                  Born in ’61. First people in the province (and maybe the country) to have a pong game. We were really popular for a while, and ruined two tvs with burn in.

  73. hof1991
    hof1991
    December 19, 2013 at 8:01 am | #

    PTSD like symptoms are very common in abused children. Comes with being hyper vigilant trying to avoid danger and failing. So, yes, therapy. It does not need to include a single traumatic event, but in the nature of both situations, it often does.

    Also, Ethan is being a good and brave friend here. Most kids would stay miles away from Blaine. Naomi’s no prize, but Ethan could be riding the bus with the other kids and chose this.

  74. Rthered
    Rthered
    December 19, 2013 at 8:05 am | #

    So Blaine will order Amber to steal the twinkie, Sal sees it and stops it, gets accused instead of Amber.

    • Random832
      Random832
      December 19, 2013 at 1:07 pm | #

      That’d be a clever twist, but shoplifting and robbery are not the same thing, and I’m having trouble figuring out how that leads to Amazi-girl.

      • Rthered
        Rthered
        December 19, 2013 at 3:29 pm | #

        Impressed by Sal and driven by guilt Amber becomes Amazigirl.

  75. turbanous
    turbanous
    December 19, 2013 at 9:26 am | #

    Is Amber’s clothing change in first panel symbolic of her mental state returning to red-washed flashback Amber?

  76. arglebargle
    arglebargle
    December 19, 2013 at 9:51 am | #

    Dumbing of Age and kids? Oh boy this can only go well.

  77. turbanous
    turbanous
    December 19, 2013 at 9:56 am | #

    I bet we will find out that Marcie was the mastermind or the person holding up the store and that Sal was there to voice Marcie’s demands.
    If it turns out that Sal was something of an unwilling participant it could explain some of her distrust of the police.

  78. Nena
    Nena
    December 19, 2013 at 10:06 am | #

    I had a dad like that. I know how it can warp everything in your life when you are young and just off to college.

  79. Jarawara
    Jarawara
    December 19, 2013 at 10:06 am | #

    Aha! I see where this is leading.

    Sal never robbed that convenience store. Amber’s father did. Sal tried to stop him, disarmed him, but then was blamed for the robbery as the police burst in, while father browbeat Amber into keeping quiet about it.

    So Amber knows that her silence is the reason Sal got punished, and that’s why she was reacting the way she did upon seeing her again.

    • Zigzag
      Zigzag
      December 20, 2013 at 3:23 am | #

      That’s actually what I thought, too. Or at least something along those lines.

  80. CC
    CC
    December 19, 2013 at 10:15 am | #

    Damn. I just realized seeing a past bad guy in a diffused (albeit hurtful for reasons Sal can’t possibly understand or be held responsible for) setting means Amber will have to confront the fact bad guys are people too – people who make stupid decisions, but people nonetheless. Making them a convenient outlet for your anger is how bad cops are made, after all.

  81. Mr K
    Mr K
    December 19, 2013 at 10:30 am | #

    When the flashback ends, Amber will be on pile of bodies. She’ll be sent to prison, and Malaya will be her roommate.

  82. Charles RB
    Charles RB
    December 19, 2013 at 10:42 am | #

    Between this and Shortpacked, there’s no respite – we’re all going to Hell together.

  83. Regalli
    Regalli
    December 19, 2013 at 11:03 am | #

    Congratulations, Blaine. You officially win another punch in the face. By Optimus Prime. FUCK YOU, ASSHOLE.

  84. OmegaDez
    OmegaDez
    December 19, 2013 at 11:20 am | #

    They already had DS Lites when they were kids?
    I feel so old now.

    • Sir Robin
      Sir Robin
      December 19, 2013 at 5:21 pm | #

      How many years ago is this flashback? Shouldn’t they be the old regular DS maybe?

      • LiaHansen
        LiaHansen
        December 19, 2013 at 11:49 pm | #

        DS lite was launched in 2006. If they’re 19 now (I’m not actually sure how old they are, but let’s say 19), that would make them 12 in the flashback. Which, without checking if any of that’s true, seems about right to me. It is weird, though. In a couple years, I’m going to be surpassing in age characters that have been older than me since before I was born. o_O

    • Mo
      Mo
      December 20, 2013 at 10:20 am | #

      THIS. I came back to post this. My band road trips were lucky to be accompanied by the original green-screen Game Boy. We also had a cassette boombox and read aloud from Dave Barry columns. I AM OLD

  85. What was the question again?
    What was the question again?
    December 19, 2013 at 11:58 am | #

    I WANT TO GET OUT!

  86. Jack Finch
    Jack Finch
    December 19, 2013 at 2:31 pm | #

    What I appreciate most right now are the drawings on Willis’ tumblrs showing Sal and Amber as they appear in strips weeks from now. Neither appear to be scarred, to be missing an eye, or to have their jaws wired shut. No major bones appear broken, nor are there signs of bruising or swelling on either of their faces.

  87. Zigzag
    Zigzag
    December 19, 2013 at 3:56 pm | #

    Amazi-Girl Begins has started! Following this will be The Campus Crusader, and the trilogy will end with The Campus Crusader Rises.

    • Heavensrun
      Heavensrun
      December 19, 2013 at 8:52 pm | #

      And campus security will chase her. Because she can take it. Because she’s the hero this school deserves, but not the one it needs right now.

  88. Avehand1
    Avehand1
    December 19, 2013 at 4:11 pm | #

    So im guess thing David Willis does these things daily?
    Sweet.

  89. ADHadh
    ADHadh
    December 19, 2013 at 4:17 pm | #

    I’m having a flashback myself.
    Flashback of seeing what would episode 6 of Attack on Titan be about.
    Dropped that immediately, but I still sometimes wake up shuddering.

  90. Nebulious
    Nebulious
    December 19, 2013 at 5:37 pm | #

    You’re breaking my heart, Willis!

  91. chris73
    chris73
    December 19, 2013 at 7:10 pm | #

    Hopefully Ethan can get back to that part of himself (standing up for Amber) and quit being the douche he is at the moment

  92. man in black
    man in black
    December 19, 2013 at 9:21 pm | #

    Great page

    • LiaHansen
      LiaHansen
      December 19, 2013 at 11:42 pm | #

      WHAT?! How??

  93. lividjellyfish
    lividjellyfish
    December 19, 2013 at 11:53 pm | #

    Damn you willis. Damn you to hell.

  94. Kama621
    Kama621
    December 20, 2013 at 12:11 pm | #

    Nice use of red for the flashback, though I can’t help but hear this little tune while I’m reading.

  95. Roborat
    Roborat
    December 20, 2013 at 2:49 pm | #

    Is that the same DS that she has now? And why isn’t Ethan wearing a seat belt?

    • Darkflame
      Darkflame
      December 21, 2013 at 4:17 am | #

      Its a DS lite, you can tell by the square pattern on it.

    • taekwondogirl
      taekwondogirl
      December 23, 2013 at 2:34 am | #

      Because they’re parked at a gas station. I’m assuming he took it off as soon as he could.

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