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Dumbing of Age

A college webcomic by David Willis
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on the bright side now we know what he looks like from the chest down?
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BUFFER WATCH Comics are currently drawn and uploaded through:

September 28, 2023

Evilutionist

by David M Willis on August 4, 2015 at 12:01 am
  • 04 - Walking with Dina

└ Tags: bryan, dina, joyce, ross

Discussion (559) ¬

[ Comments RSS ]
  1. Jen Aside
    Jen Aside
    August 4, 2015 at 12:01 am | #

    Meet the Fockers?? Do not want =(

    WORST BIRTHDAY COMIC

    • MeghanTheWorldEater
      MeghanTheWorldEater
      August 4, 2015 at 12:03 am | #

      Happy birthday. Sorry toedad ruined it D:

    • Kris
      Kris
      August 4, 2015 at 12:05 am | #

      …Toe dad ruins birthdays now too?! That’s pretty awful.

    • nothri
      nothri
      August 4, 2015 at 12:07 am | #

      Oh, I’m sure we could find a worse gift for you….

      • Nono
        Nono
        August 4, 2015 at 12:50 am | #

        Toe jam, probably.

      • John
        John
        August 4, 2015 at 1:21 am | #

        Blaine and Ryan could be with him?

        • Disloyal Subject
          Disloyal Subject
          August 4, 2015 at 1:45 am | #

          No, that would be good; it would mean they could all be caught within light ordnance’s blast radius at once, conserving ammunition.

          • Disloyal Subject
            Disloyal Subject
            August 4, 2015 at 1:45 am | #

            Birthday fireworks, if you will.

          • K^2
            K^2
            August 4, 2015 at 3:57 am | #

            Shrapnel from the shell might hit some bystanders. I propose a controlled demolition with detcord instead.

            • Rex Vivat
              Rex Vivat
              August 4, 2015 at 10:29 am | #

              Acceptable losses.

              • Jon Rich
                Jon Rich
                August 4, 2015 at 8:38 pm | #

                What is that logo of?

                • Mr. Random
                  Mr. Random
                  August 5, 2015 at 12:11 am | #

                  reverse google search only shows the other comics he comments on. Also pulleys and car jacks.

        • WolfLann
          WolfLann
          August 4, 2015 at 10:50 am | #

          Faz could be there too. Dina likes him so much.

          • thejeff
            thejeff
            August 4, 2015 at 6:46 pm | #

            I was kind of envisaging the story going back to Joyce and Ethan & Danny for awhile, then ending with Dina bringing a nicely tied up ToeDad to Ruth – “This was delivered to Becky by mistake. Please return it.”

            But this is a Dina chapter and would miss all the drama. 🙁

        • Cephalo the Pod
          Cephalo the Pod
          August 4, 2015 at 12:31 pm | #

          I think We just figured out Dumbing of Age’s first Axis of Something.

          • Mattyos
            Mattyos
            August 4, 2015 at 1:02 pm | #

            “Axis of Assholes”

    • Tayo
      Tayo
      August 4, 2015 at 12:11 am | #

      happy birthday!

    • Morty
      Morty
      August 4, 2015 at 1:36 am | #

      Happy birthday! Sorry you don’t like your birthday comic

      • Opus the Poet
        Opus the Poet
        August 4, 2015 at 2:06 am | #

        +1

    • GlaceEx
      GlaceEx
      August 4, 2015 at 2:47 am | #

      Happy birthday!

    • Willoughby Chase
      Willoughby Chase
      August 4, 2015 at 6:56 am | #

      As the philosopher Jagger once said, “you don’t always get you want but sometimes you get what you need.”

      Happy Birthday!

    • -Sentinel-
      -Sentinel-
      August 4, 2015 at 9:28 am | #

      Happy birthday Jen!

      (And I think this is an AWESOME birthday comic. I’d like a drama bomb for my birthday, on Dec 21.)

      • Jen Aside
        Jen Aside
        August 4, 2015 at 6:45 pm | #

        You got this one tho!

        • Jen Aside
          Jen Aside
          August 4, 2015 at 6:55 pm | #

          OTOH I got this one

          • Jen Aside
            Jen Aside
            August 4, 2015 at 6:56 pm | #

            hahaha memories

    • Church
      Church
      August 4, 2015 at 8:34 pm | #

      WEll i mean for your birthday at least you get a lot more info on Dina’s Romanticism

    • Ples
      Ples
      August 5, 2015 at 12:32 am | #

      The Fockers?? I’m pretty sure that’s Becky’s dad? No?

    • Gordon Blvd
      Gordon Blvd
      August 14, 2015 at 4:18 pm | #

      I hope you are getting to see how AWESOME your birthday gift turned out to be 🙂

    • desai
      desai
      August 24, 2015 at 3:29 am | #

      Happy Birthday Jen Aside! Your comments are a surprisingly large part of why I love this comic so much! [I’m also catching up after a couple of weeks, and just realised I’m commenting long after your birthday. No matter, happy many days after your birthday as well.]

  2. AHR
    AHR
    August 4, 2015 at 12:01 am | #

    What a triangle shaped man

    • CC
      CC
      August 4, 2015 at 12:02 am | #

      literal dorito

      • Plasma Mongoose
        Plasma Mongoose
        August 4, 2015 at 12:02 am | #

        Dudito.

        • Robert
          Robert
          August 4, 2015 at 10:29 am | #

          Nacho Padre

          • Church
            Church
            August 4, 2015 at 8:35 pm | #

            Tri Guy

    • Doctor_Who
      Doctor_Who
      August 4, 2015 at 12:04 am | #

      Dude skipped leg day.

      He looks like the movie version of Starscream.

      • Athedia
        Athedia
        August 4, 2015 at 7:14 pm | #

        I was just thinking this. Remember guys, leg day can save the day. At least for your ego as we won’t giggle as much at you.

    • Cholma
      Cholma
      August 4, 2015 at 12:07 am | #

      I was going to suggest he meet Particle Man, but then I remembered that Triangle Man beats Particle Man. He also hates and beats Person Man. 🙁

      • John
        John
        August 4, 2015 at 1:24 am | #

        Only Universe Man can help us now.

    • Rycan
      Rycan
      August 4, 2015 at 2:21 am | #

      Looks menacingly powerful, but I also get the impression that he has to fight hard to not fall over all the time. Well, moreso than your typical human.

    • GlaceEx
      GlaceEx
      August 4, 2015 at 2:48 am | #

      You mean Bill Cipher? The Dream Dorito?

      • Shen Hibiki
        Shen Hibiki
        August 4, 2015 at 5:47 am | #

        Maybe Peridot, the Gem Dorito.

    • CianM1301
      CianM1301
      August 4, 2015 at 6:29 am | #

      He looks like a Popeye villain…

      • DudeMyDadOwnsADealership
        DudeMyDadOwnsADealership
        August 4, 2015 at 2:11 pm | #

        He also looks more like a militia anti-government conspiracy guy than an actual ‘fundie’ like Joyce’s parents. Anyone else surprised and also more curious about what Joyce’s family’s private circle under their pastor is really like, as opposed to the stereotypical whitebread ‘fundies’ with fear and control issues i.e. all like Mr. and Mrs Brown, at least a fraction of us were assuming? Even if I’m making (decent probability) prejudice assumptions based on the plain white t-shirt, camo pants, and ‘character’ build and body language….The seems like Joyce and Becky’s family’s church family isn’t as conformist as Ma & Pa Brown made them seem…Not all ‘fringe’ types are left-wing or even moderate, after all.

  3. Mr. Random
    Mr. Random
    August 4, 2015 at 12:01 am | #

    ARE THOSE THE PARENT?

    • Mr. Random
      Mr. Random
      August 4, 2015 at 12:02 am | #

      *IS

    • electromagneticDestroyosaur
      electromagneticDestroyosaur
      August 4, 2015 at 12:02 am | #

      That is a scary thought. I came here for emotional torment, not physical.

      • Plasma Mongoose
        Plasma Mongoose
        August 4, 2015 at 12:10 am | #

        *Willis takes a sip from his “I Drink My Readers Tears” mug.

        • gkheyf
          gkheyf
          August 4, 2015 at 12:16 am | #

          it’s a very unique patreon he set up

        • darkoneko
          darkoneko
          August 4, 2015 at 6:23 am | #

          oh, not yet, give it a few more pages.

    • Rycan
      Rycan
      August 4, 2015 at 2:21 am | #

      He certainly is big enough to qualify for two parents.

      • DudeMyDadOwnsADealership
        DudeMyDadOwnsADealership
        August 4, 2015 at 2:22 pm | #

        Really? He looks very short to me. Just burly…Possibly because he’s so short and squat. But yes, he does look very strong. The question is, how much self-control does he have when things get as bad for his side of things as they have?

  4. Benjy
    Benjy
    August 4, 2015 at 12:01 am | #

    I…No!

  5. Doc
    Doc
    August 4, 2015 at 12:02 am | #

    HOLY CHEESE LOOKIT HIS NECK

    • MeghanTheWorldEater
      MeghanTheWorldEater
      August 4, 2015 at 12:04 am | #

      What neck?

    • Doctor_Who
      Doctor_Who
      August 4, 2015 at 12:04 am | #

      Where?! Willis forgot to give him one!

    • Nono
      Nono
      August 4, 2015 at 12:04 am | #

      We should be really glad Becky (presumably) takes after her mother.

      • Dean
        Dean
        August 4, 2015 at 1:20 am | #

        When necks and legs were being handed out, Toedad was at the back of the queue.

        • Random832
          Random832
          August 4, 2015 at 1:32 am | #

          His legs seem fine, but his torso just sort of abruptly turns into them, with no evidence of any sort of waist/hips/crotch region.

        • Rycan
          Rycan
          August 4, 2015 at 2:23 am | #

          And he completely forgot to get some elbows & knees.

        • Agemegos
          Agemegos
          August 4, 2015 at 5:49 am | #

          Yeah. I was next to him.

      • John
        John
        August 4, 2015 at 1:27 am | #

        I’m not convinced that Becky is actually related to Ross.

        • Rycan
          Rycan
          August 4, 2015 at 2:23 am | #

          I think they’re of the same species, but Ross may actually be a gorilla in a human suit.

    • Mattyos
      Mattyos
      August 4, 2015 at 12:04 am | #

      What neck? Brock Lesnar has more of a neck than this guy!

    • Ex-Detective Boomwolf
      Ex-Detective Boomwolf
      August 4, 2015 at 12:06 am | #

      or lack thereof in this scenario

      • MeghanTheWorldEater
        MeghanTheWorldEater
        August 4, 2015 at 12:09 am | #

        How would you know whats lacking not as if you’re a detective 😛

    • David H
      David H
      August 4, 2015 at 12:10 am | #

      Huh, didn’t realize Dina’s father was brother to the Narrator from Rocky Horror Picture Show. To quote the classic callback line: “That man has no neck!”

      • evilmidnightlurker
        evilmidnightlurker
        August 4, 2015 at 12:46 am | #

        “Where’s your neck?”

        “Lost in time.”

        • Wack'd
          Wack'd
          August 4, 2015 at 12:50 am | #

          “Name a ’60s TV show!”

          • Opus the Poet
            Opus the Poet
            August 4, 2015 at 1:44 am | #

            It’s About Time

    • AgentKeen
      AgentKeen
      August 4, 2015 at 1:16 am | #

      Apparently neck is where the compassion should be?

  6. Khantalas
    Khantalas
    August 4, 2015 at 12:02 am | #

    Those bases confuse me a lot, too.

    • Reltzik
      Reltzik
      August 4, 2015 at 12:41 am | #

      xkcd cleared it all up here. https://xkcd.com/540/

      • Opus the Poet
        Opus the Poet
        August 4, 2015 at 1:22 am | #

        They left off “are belonging to us” from the one label…

      • TwinBladeWarrior
        TwinBladeWarrior
        August 4, 2015 at 12:00 pm | #

        Winston Rowntree has his own ideas about bases (don’t worry there’s not that many words in this one)
        http://www.viruscomix.com/abno40.html

        • Plasma Mongoose
          Plasma Mongoose
          August 4, 2015 at 6:30 pm | #

          That really is an abnormally small amount of words for a WR comic.

  7. toki
    toki
    August 4, 2015 at 12:02 am | #

    like an unattractive version of joe. ew

  8. otusasio451
    otusasio451
    August 4, 2015 at 12:02 am | #

    The Doasaurus lesbiensis is OH SHIT, THAT’S HER DAD.

    Crap. The surprise of the last panel just screwed up my scientific summary of the strip.

    • Someone
      Someone
      August 4, 2015 at 12:04 am | #

      Willis Science Daily sadly admits that…okay fuck this *grabs shotgun, tosses one to otusaio451* lets take out D. toedadias

      • MeghanTheWorldEater
        MeghanTheWorldEater
        August 4, 2015 at 12:06 am | #

        -grabs hunting rifle- I’m coming with ya.

      • otusasio451
        otusasio451
        August 4, 2015 at 12:11 am | #

        Well, actually, I DID manage to type a summary belo-ah, screw it. LOCK AND LOAD, we’re going hunting. Hold up, I’ll grab my assault rifle.

        • Ghostforge
          Ghostforge
          August 4, 2015 at 12:24 am | #

          lemme grab my P90’s so we can shoot the guy’s kneecaps off and throw him in the Maximum Fun Chamber for a week or so

          • dmaxx
            dmaxx
            August 4, 2015 at 12:52 am | #

            It chews trough ammo magazines quicker then then the targets hits the ground so i opt for the tactical combat knife instead(takes with me the PX4 STORM just in case)

            • Flipz
              Flipz
              August 4, 2015 at 1:24 am | #

              Guys guys guys, why don’t we just get four raptors and a motorcycle and just Chris Pratt it, I hear that totally works, right?

              • whatever
                whatever
                August 4, 2015 at 7:47 am | #

                Sure, until that dorito thing looks at them in the eyes, hisses a little and all the raptors go attacking the questioning meeting and evolutionists while screeching something that resembles “we’re just fictional animals, you have no proof we ever existed”.

                Dina is spared by the way.

              • Deanatay
                Deanatay
                August 4, 2015 at 9:05 am | #

                It really depends on .

              • Deanatay
                Deanatay
                August 4, 2015 at 9:06 am | #

                (whoops) what kind of raptors we’re talking about.
                http://thepunchlineismachismo.com/archives/comic/minibike-raptors-are-the-new-skateboard-budgies

        • Darkoneko
          Darkoneko
          August 4, 2015 at 7:29 am | #

          You bunch of genogical maniacs <_<;

      • Tacos
        Tacos
        August 4, 2015 at 12:16 am | #

        But I’m not certified to use a gun. I guess my axe and machete will have to do.

        • MeghanTheWorldEater
          MeghanTheWorldEater
          August 4, 2015 at 12:19 am | #

          -hands you a crossbow- technically it’s not a gun.

          • Zach
            Zach
            August 4, 2015 at 12:24 am | #

            Is ‘car’ an acceptable weapon for our purposes?
            It’s the best way to hung most large game (to extinction.)

            • Chinoy Industries, Ltd.
              Chinoy Industries, Ltd.
              August 4, 2015 at 12:29 am | #

              Oh please. Nothing makes grown men go *splat* like a good old fashioned diesel locomotive. Now where’s my cap and overalls?

            • Opus the Poet
              Opus the Poet
              August 4, 2015 at 1:23 am | #

              Meh. I survived it.

              • darkoneko
                darkoneko
                August 4, 2015 at 8:27 am | #

                Ditto.

          • Disloyal Subject
            Disloyal Subject
            August 4, 2015 at 1:49 am | #

            I like the way you think.

        • Someone
          Someone
          August 4, 2015 at 12:19 am | #

          Eh, shotgun isn’t personal enough. I’m going with the brass knuckles.

          • Just Here
            Just Here
            August 4, 2015 at 12:21 am | #

            Is this the point at which I break out the T. Rex rifle?

            • Shen Hibiki
              Shen Hibiki
              August 4, 2015 at 5:50 am | #

              Why did you make a rifle out of a T. Rex?

              • thejeff
                thejeff
                August 4, 2015 at 6:27 am | #

                No, you misunderstand.

                It’s not made out of a T. Rex. It fires T. Rexes.

                • Screwball
                  Screwball
                  August 4, 2015 at 7:06 pm | #

                  YES!! Someone make this a real thing XD!!

                  I’ll go transform into RC recon drone mode & keep track of him. Don’t wanna loose the prize now, do we…

          • Soundwave the Superior
            Soundwave the Superior
            August 4, 2015 at 12:21 am | #

            Laser musket, bongoes. Let’s go!

            • Soundwave the Superior
              Soundwave the Superior
              August 4, 2015 at 12:23 am | #

              Bongoes? Autocorrect wouldn’t let me put the b-word. Strange-ish.

              • MeghanTheWorldEater
                MeghanTheWorldEater
                August 4, 2015 at 12:24 am | #

                Oh every instance of the b word get replaced by bongo here, its a thing.

                • otusasio451
                  otusasio451
                  August 4, 2015 at 12:43 am | #

                  …bongo.

                  Well, blow me down.

              • brumagem
                brumagem
                August 4, 2015 at 1:27 am | #

                OUr Lord and Savior Willis installed that auto-replace after a certain strip with Roz saying something inflammatory and being called a female dog by about 3/4 of commentors.

            • MeghanTheWorldEater
              MeghanTheWorldEater
              August 4, 2015 at 12:23 am | #

              Lucky Lord Todd told me I had to wait till Nov 10th to get mine T.T

          • Opus the Poet
            Opus the Poet
            August 4, 2015 at 1:26 am | #

            Eff it, Claymore mine taped to his belly. And no, it doesn’t matter which way it is pointed as long as the wide end is on the belly. They are lethal 5 meters to the rear or 20 meters to the front. There will be a gaping hole either way.

    • Disloyal Subject
      Disloyal Subject
      August 4, 2015 at 1:54 am | #

      Guys, guys. I get that he’s not the best dad, but him showing up suggests that he cares enough to keep trying to be a dad. That counts for something, right?
      Obviously he’s being kind of an asshole about it, but we haven’t actually heard from him yet. I like your taste in hardware, but let’s see what he has to say before we break it out, hmm?
      Granted, I was halfway through a post involving field mortars and a flamethrower when I considered this…

      • Mr. Morningstar
        Mr. Morningstar
        August 4, 2015 at 7:37 am | #

        No him showing up is more terrifying than anything else

        Remember with ambers dad? This is not going to go well

      • Cerberus
        Cerberus
        August 4, 2015 at 9:12 am | #

        Ehhhhhh.

        Him showing up is less of a sign that he cares enough to be a dad, but rather that that is the lengths he’ll go to to impose control over his daughter’s life. While my circumstances were rather different, I know, sadly personally, how utterly shitty and paranoia inducing it can be to have a dad willing to devote that much time to breaking any form of stability you have in order to gain a position of power through which to force reparative therapy.

        It’s a rather different feeling from having someone care about you like you are a human being.

      • Halloween Jack
        Halloween Jack
        August 4, 2015 at 12:06 pm | #

        He can say what he has to say as long as he doesn’t cross several invisible dotted lines within about five feet of where he’s standing (the only non-forbidden zone being a direct path back to his car). If he does, well, there might be consequences.

        • Bagge
          Bagge
          August 4, 2015 at 5:08 pm | #

          Among them wild dogs, femurs, vigilantes and pissed off dinosaurs.

          Oh, and Joyce, who has already defied God in defense of her best friend. Toedad will NOT come away from that confrontation in one piece.

          • Screwball
            Screwball
            August 4, 2015 at 7:09 pm | #

            Gimme a few bucks & you can add Merc to the list :P. not getting as many jobs lately, something about someone not shutting up…

    • Bagge
      Bagge
      August 4, 2015 at 5:09 pm | #

      Next on “animal planet”. David Attenborough screams the world “FUCK” for two hours while punching a computer screen.

  9. Kernanator
    Kernanator
    August 4, 2015 at 12:02 am | #

    I THOUGHT THIS WAS GOING TO BE A FUN LITTLE STORYLINE.

    • electromagneticDestroyosaur
      electromagneticDestroyosaur
      August 4, 2015 at 12:04 am | #

      This is quickly becoming “orange sweater” levels of uncomfortable.

      • Khrene
        Khrene
        August 4, 2015 at 1:20 am | #

        Tyler Perry needs to take notes on Willis’ Dramedy writing skills.

    • gkheyf
      gkheyf
      August 4, 2015 at 12:18 am | #

      well, dina has to be involved in some capacity, sooo…let’s see how this goes down?

      • Someone
        Someone
        August 4, 2015 at 12:30 am | #

        Toe dad mentions something about evolution not being real.
        random cop: Were still digging up pieces of him…theres blood everywhere!

        • gkheyf
          gkheyf
          August 4, 2015 at 12:43 am | #

          all potential witnesses claim to have seen nothing while skipping merrily. and there appears to be a 24-hour double-rainbow over the scene

          • darkoneko
            darkoneko
            August 4, 2015 at 8:31 am | #

            The gay agenda kinda lacks subtetly there

    • butting
      butting
      August 4, 2015 at 12:45 am | #

      It can still be fun. He’s just looking for Joyce so he can find out if she knows where Becky might be, right? No more than that, just some fun wacky hijinks.

      And finding her at a Questioning meet isn’t going to cause any problems. Nuh-uh.

      (okay, this could go all kinds of wrong for Becky. and Joyce. and Ruth. and Billie. um. unless Willis is lining Galasso up for a beatdown?)

      • Icalasari
        Icalasari
        August 4, 2015 at 1:19 am | #

        Actually, there’s a good point. This guy is a potentially violent homophobe who may disrupt Galasso’s attempts at learning

        This guy may get a massive fucking beat down and then get arrested and banned from campus and fed his femurs to his face

        • electromagneticDestroyosaur
          electromagneticDestroyosaur
          August 4, 2015 at 3:31 am | #

          You mean his FAAACE?

        • Tawdry Quirks
          Tawdry Quirks
          August 4, 2015 at 6:39 am | #

          Becky’s dad isn’t on the authorized guest list, so there’s certainly a strong probability that Ruth will do something grisly involving his femurs. Or at least I certainly hope that’s where this is going.

      • Agemegos
        Agemegos
        August 4, 2015 at 5:53 am | #

        Is he at the Questioning Meet? I think he’s in the lobby outside, on his way either to talk with Joyce on her parents’ tip or to track down Becky’s mobile phone with a locator app.

        • Cerberus
          Cerberus
          August 4, 2015 at 9:13 am | #

          It’d be the former, Willis already established at the beginning of the Becky visits Joyce arc that Becky wasn’t allowed to own a mobile phone.

    • AgentKeen
      AgentKeen
      August 4, 2015 at 1:17 am | #

      AHAHA
      AHAHAHAHA
      HA

      • Opus the Poet
        Opus the Poet
        August 4, 2015 at 1:48 am | #

        [Mandark laugh]AHAHA
        AHAHAHAHA
        HA[/Mandark laugh]

  10. shadowcell
    shadowcell
    August 4, 2015 at 12:02 am | #

    this would be a good time to deploy your six-inch razor-sharp sickle-like claws of doom, dina

    • Doctor_Who
      Doctor_Who
      August 4, 2015 at 12:05 am | #

      I refuse to believe she doesn’t have those.

    • Gamaran Sepudomyn
      Gamaran Sepudomyn
      August 4, 2015 at 10:07 am | #

      Yeah, unleash the raptor and kick him in the (nonexistent) throat.

  11. Mkvenner
    Mkvenner
    August 4, 2015 at 12:02 am | #

    God Damn It WILLIS!

    • Doctor_Who
      Doctor_Who
      August 4, 2015 at 12:07 am | #

      “So they want more Dina, eh? So they think that will make them happy! I’ll show them!”

      And Willis cackles in his WillisDome, upon a throne of Slipshine comics and Hot Shots.

      • Tacos
        Tacos
        August 4, 2015 at 12:38 am | #

        I don’t think a throne of Slipshines and Hot Shots would be very sturdy. Or comfortable for that matter.

        • MeghanTheWorldEater
          MeghanTheWorldEater
          August 4, 2015 at 12:41 am | #

          It’s sorta like the Iron Throne. No one wants to sit on it but everyone wants it.

          • sephiroth144
            sephiroth144
            August 4, 2015 at 12:43 am | #

            Well, frak; must posted while I was typing =p

          • Tacos
            Tacos
            August 4, 2015 at 5:34 pm | #

            So then who’d get Red Wedding’d then? I vote for Toedad.

        • sephiroth144
          sephiroth144
          August 4, 2015 at 12:42 am | #

          Neither is a throne of swords, but everyone still wants to sit in it…

  12. meanderling
    meanderling
    August 4, 2015 at 12:02 am | #

    oh no oh no oh no oh no

  13. SUGauthor
    SUGauthor
    August 4, 2015 at 12:02 am | #

    Goddamn it.

  14. chris73
    chris73
    August 4, 2015 at 12:02 am | #

    Well now, things have gotten interesting

  15. Romanticide
    Romanticide
    August 4, 2015 at 12:02 am | #

    No Dinah you don’t want to go that road… you really don’t in this case.

    • Disloyal Subject
      Disloyal Subject
      August 4, 2015 at 2:02 am | #

      It may be Ross who has no idea what he’s walking into.

  16. Opus the Poet
    Opus the Poet
    August 4, 2015 at 12:03 am | #

    Talk about evil…

  17. Cerberus
    Cerberus
    August 4, 2015 at 12:03 am | #

    Emotional Responses to Today’s Comic Panel by Panel:

    Panel 1: Heh, evilutionist, that takes me back… Also, Joyce still being terrible at hiding any form of secret ever… huh, I wonder when that’ll bite her in the ass…

    Panel 2: Dina is the best.

    Panel 3: Awwww, so many compersion feels. Dina exploring romantic attraction is so utterly adorable. They are going to be the cutest couple together!

    Panel 4: Yesss, more fodder for my ace spectrum Dina theory! This is the cutest comic yet this arc, nothing could spoil it. Wait, what just came out of my mouth? No, I didn’t mean it-

    Panel 5: … damn you Willis.

    • Cerberus
      Cerberus
      August 4, 2015 at 12:04 am | #

      On a serious note, this hammer was going to drop eventually. It was all just a matter of when and by the Rule of Willis, it makes sad sense that it would occur at the moment when Becky’s life was most in its upswing (best friend supporting and being emotionally honest with her, cute dino girl wanting her giblets, semi-permanent housing solution, probably working on employment or college enrollment steps based on the hints Joyce has been dropping). As such, this was probably the most dramatic time to drop that and it makes sense that it would be sooner rather than later as Joyce’s attempts to stonewall her parents had to have raised all sorts of red flags for them.

      • electromagneticDestroyosaur
        electromagneticDestroyosaur
        August 4, 2015 at 12:05 am | #

        But I was the characters were happy for once.

      • gkheyf
        gkheyf
        August 4, 2015 at 12:21 am | #

        on the positive side, that’s another dad that’s probably due for a forceful removal from campus

        • Jen Aside
          Jen Aside
          August 4, 2015 at 12:24 am | #

          hope Dina remembers the Blaine incident =p

          • timemonkey
            timemonkey
            August 4, 2015 at 11:05 am | #

            Dina was warned in advance about Blaine but her parents ignored her warnings. She doesn’t know anything about Becky’s dad.

        • Zach
          Zach
          August 4, 2015 at 12:31 am | #

          And the RA may have to kick her oout, but there’s no way Ruth would let her dad drag her away. She would probably call for Lez, and SHE would say ‘Noooooope. Here’s a shelter.’

          • Icalasari
            Icalasari
            August 4, 2015 at 1:21 am | #

            Plus Amazigirl may show up

            • Disloyal Subject
              Disloyal Subject
              August 4, 2015 at 2:02 am | #

              Amazi-girl might be due to lose another fight. She was too busy freaking out over Dorothy outing Amber as her secret identity to be terribly bothered over Sal’s crew knocking her down, and I have a suspicion that Ross/Toedad is willing to hit a girl if she’s getting belligerent at him (as, let’s face, it, Amazi-girl does get at assholes she intends to hurt) and strong enough to seriously mess her up if he lands a solid hit somehow.

    • Bagge
      Bagge
      August 4, 2015 at 5:05 pm | #

      Yup.

      Panel 1: Oh, Joyce, you so adorable, and you fight so hard to be accepting.

      Panel 2: Don’t worry Joyce, you just need time to reboot, and I kinda think you are just a tiny bit jealous of Dina. She will give Becky all the mouth-smooches you couldn’t (for no fault of your own, but it must still hurt).

      Panel 3: Awww. Cute Dina is cute. I love how self aware and analytic her inner dialogue is. Also that it’s not a Danny-level hearwrenching battle with her emotions, more like an idle curiosity.

      Panel 4: Heh, methinks Dina is getting herself a new hobby (and I don’t mean baseball). Becky clearly made an impression, far more than just being the girl who invited her to a party, the girl who asked her about dinosaurs and the girl she smooched to make a point. There is some real chemistry at work here.

      Brain: Yup, we are done.

      Me: What? No, there is a panel left.

      Brain: Nope, nothing to see here. Go and read TVtropes or something.

      Me: OK, now you’re just being silly. Scoot over and let me…

      Brain: DON’T…

      Me …

      Brain …

      Mouth: FUCK!!!!!!!!!!

  18. CaptainBatson
    CaptainBatson
    August 4, 2015 at 12:03 am | #

    Toedad

  19. chris73
    chris73
    August 4, 2015 at 12:03 am | #

    Evilutionist?

    • Plasma Mongoose
      Plasma Mongoose
      August 4, 2015 at 12:07 am | #

      Welcome to the Evilutionary Biologist trope.

      ENJOY!

      • chris73
        chris73
        August 4, 2015 at 12:17 am | #

        Thanks

        • Soundwave the Superior
          Soundwave the Superior
          August 4, 2015 at 12:24 am | #

          And now, TV Tropes will ruin your life.

          • Plasma Mongoose
            Plasma Mongoose
            August 4, 2015 at 12:32 am | #

            I think you will find that TV Tropes Will Enhance Your Life.

          • sephiroth144
            sephiroth144
            August 4, 2015 at 12:43 am | #

            SUCCESS!

  20. Tacos
    Tacos
    August 4, 2015 at 12:04 am | #

    Ah shit…

    • newllend(henryvolt)
      newllend(henryvolt)
      August 4, 2015 at 12:19 am | #

      Literally everyone’s reaction to this strip.

      • StraightFace
        StraightFace
        August 4, 2015 at 11:42 am | #

        That is a true statement.

  21. Kris
    Kris
    August 4, 2015 at 12:04 am | #

    That last panel scared the shit out of me!

  22. Yotomoe
    Yotomoe
    August 4, 2015 at 12:04 am | #

    For all of you kids that are curious, Third Base is when you feel comfortable enough to fart around them.
    4th Base is when you go to their niece’s shitty elementary school play and stay awake and attentive the entire time without complaining.

    • Heavensrun
      Heavensrun
      August 4, 2015 at 12:05 am | #

      Or at least convincingly fake it.

    • Ex-Detective Boomwolf
      Ex-Detective Boomwolf
      August 4, 2015 at 12:06 am | #

      Well, guess I’m never making it to 4th base ever.

    • Kris
      Kris
      August 4, 2015 at 12:08 am | #

      A home run is when you stop caring when they eat off your plate even though you asked them if they wanted something and they said “just a salad” yet half your steak’s gone isn’t it?

      • Jen Aside
        Jen Aside
        August 4, 2015 at 12:17 am | #

        a Grand Slam is a whole lotta breakfast

  23. Kaara
    Kaara
    August 4, 2015 at 12:04 am | #

    Protect Becky Dina!! Ram asshole father with your dinosaur horns!

    • Plasma Mongoose
      Plasma Mongoose
      August 4, 2015 at 12:06 am | #

      Unfortunately, plush horns have no penetration.

      • Doctor_Who
        Doctor_Who
        August 4, 2015 at 12:08 am | #

        They do if you come in at the right angle.

        • Twilightomens
          Twilightomens
          August 4, 2015 at 12:13 am | #

          Um

  24. Glitchmebaby
    Glitchmebaby
    August 4, 2015 at 12:04 am | #

    His legs don’t look like they fit him.
    I just close my eyes and wish the future unhappinesses away. *swoosh*

  25. Plasma Mongoose
    Plasma Mongoose
    August 4, 2015 at 12:05 am | #

    I was wondering when HE would show up, but I would have never have guessed it would be so soon, will he be the iceberg that will sink the maiden voyage of the USS Dicky?

  26. Menocu
    Menocu
    August 4, 2015 at 12:05 am | #

    Oh Dina! Please tell us you have learned your lesson and do not underestimate his assholitude.

  27. brumagem
    brumagem
    August 4, 2015 at 12:05 am | #

    SHITSHITSHITSHIT IT’S THE SACK OF SHIT.

    • Bagge
      Bagge
      August 4, 2015 at 4:58 pm | #

      SHITSHITSHITSHITPOOP

  28. Cerberus
    Cerberus
    August 4, 2015 at 12:05 am | #

    Fourth Base: Adopting the raptor pose and pouncing on the parent to protect your mate.

    • Bagge
      Bagge
      August 4, 2015 at 4:57 pm | #

      An apt baseball metaphor.

      • Cerberus
        Cerberus
        August 4, 2015 at 8:32 pm | #

        Baseball is played on an octagon, right? Hmm, I wonder which dinosaur would be superior at baseball. (/end Dina)

  29. nothri
    nothri
    August 4, 2015 at 12:05 am | #

    Well, Fuck-a-doodle-doo.

  30. Someone
    Someone
    August 4, 2015 at 12:05 am | #

    Dina now would be a good time to unleash the raptor.

    • whatever
      whatever
      August 4, 2015 at 7:59 am | #

      What if she put her mind controlling hat on ethan just for this reason?
      He’s a big raptor.

    • darkoneko
      darkoneko
      August 4, 2015 at 2:01 pm | #

      I can’t not think of the innuendos whenever that expression used.

  31. Sionyx
    Sionyx
    August 4, 2015 at 12:05 am | #

    We’re either gonna get an epic verbal beatdown Becky’s dad soon-ish, or he’s here to find out if Joyce knows anything about where Becky is. Good thing Becky moved out of that room, huh? “No, Mr. Becky’s Dad, she’s NOT here. Search the room yourself, then get lost.”

  32. Questionor
    Questionor
    August 4, 2015 at 12:06 am | #

    Is he wearing pajamas?

    • wynne
      wynne
      August 4, 2015 at 12:32 am | #

      That’s the real question here, and I think the answer is “yes.”

    • Reltzik
      Reltzik
      August 4, 2015 at 12:49 am | #

      No, those are army camo pants.

      CLASSIC camo pants. The sort that backwoods militia types might wear, not anything the military’s used in over a decade.

      And the title text says being able to see this is a bright side.

      DYW.

      • brumagem
        brumagem
        August 4, 2015 at 1:18 am | #

        Multiple decades.

      • wynne
        wynne
        August 6, 2015 at 9:13 am | #

        My computer does this thing where it gets rid of blue light in the evening, which makes colors a little funky sometimes, and as a result I legitimately thought he was wearing fuzzy blue pajama pants until this morning.

        *opens computer*
        *goes to DoA*
        *sees pajama pants in broad daylight*
        “OHHHHHHHHHH so THAT’S what he’s wearing!”

  33. Rani
    Rani
    August 4, 2015 at 12:06 am | #

    First, I’d like to congratulate Willis. You have an incredible sense of humor and comic timing.

    Second, OMFG HAHAHAHA HE LOOKS LIKE HE’S ANSWERING THE CASTING CALL FOR THE REMAKE OF DELIVERANCE.

    • Rani
      Rani
      August 4, 2015 at 12:13 am | #

      I mean seriously did he go to sleep in those clothes and was just in a rush? Or does he always dress like he’s just broken out of jail? Does he ever get sad at the prospect of being central casting for “domestic abuser who the hero beats up to impress the audience”? Why would his wife let him go in public looking like that?

      • gkheyf
        gkheyf
        August 4, 2015 at 12:28 am | #

        although we can’t assume taste to be the most prominent sense of a woman who married swamp-thing, i would like to think that his wife would have stopped him had she been there. but as becky said, it’s “just [her] dad” so it’s either divorce or illness. i assume illness, since they are fairly christian, and also since becky was left with…that.

        • Rani
          Rani
          August 4, 2015 at 1:25 am | #

          Considering custody disputes usually lean in favor of the mother, I shudder to think of what the mom had to have been like for fucking Bob Ewell over there to have won.

          • David M Willis
            David M Willis
            August 4, 2015 at 1:28 am | #

            kind of smelly

            • Lumin
              Lumin
              August 4, 2015 at 1:55 am | #

              That makes sense.

          • showler
            showler
            August 4, 2015 at 1:52 am | #

            By which he means dead.

            • Lumin
              Lumin
              August 4, 2015 at 1:56 am | #

              Yup.

          • Eukie
            Eukie
            August 4, 2015 at 7:27 am | #

            If I remember correct, US child custody cases only lean in the mother’s favour in some cases. The mother most often ends up with the child when the matter is settled out of court, or if neither parent wants the child. If both parents want custody of the child, the father usually wins in court.

            • Rutee
              Rutee
              August 4, 2015 at 10:05 am | #

              You indeed recall correctly.

              http://www.villainouscompany.com/vcblog/archives/2012/04/child_supportcu.html

            • Li
              Li
              August 4, 2015 at 2:58 pm | #

              Yep. And abusive fathers are more likely to be awarded custody, because they’re more likely to seek it.

        • JaneDoe
          JaneDoe
          August 4, 2015 at 1:42 pm | #

          Yeah, got to agree with Eukie here. I know someone who’s currently in a custody dispute with her soon-to-be ex husband, who is ABUSIVE, over her two teenage children. It’s currently going largely his way.

      • BenRG
        BenRG
        August 4, 2015 at 4:44 am | #

        I’m pretty sure that Becky’s dad is a walking, talking self-parody of ‘Joe Six-Pack’ small-town middle America.

        • Lord Stoneheart
          Lord Stoneheart
          August 4, 2015 at 8:37 am | #

          Can we tell that from his zero lines of dialogue so far? (Well the implied lines of dialogue he had are somewhere along the lines of “You’re going to a pray the gay away camp.” That’s not really a parody)

          • Spencer
            Spencer
            August 4, 2015 at 9:13 am | #

            He’s probably the same prick as he was in Joyce % Walky!, the guy who thinks dancing is a form of demonic possession.

            • Lord Stoneheart
              Lord Stoneheart
              August 4, 2015 at 10:16 am | #

              Ah, I never did read the J&W subscription strips. (And I don’t believe he appeared outside those). I was just confused as to where the OP was getting parody from his character because so far his defining trait seems to be having control over his daughter’s life. That’s pretty serious.

        • Deanatay
          Deanatay
          August 4, 2015 at 9:27 am | #

          Actually, he strikes me as a MilDad, so far – I’ve seen the type. Ex-military (possibly a reservist), patriotic, conservative, often religious, very strictly orthodox uhMERcun in just about everything he does. Probably requires the same of his daughter.

  34. chantecler
    chantecler
    August 4, 2015 at 12:06 am | #

    Wait, what? I’ lost now, whose parent is it? tell me it’s not Becky’s dad, please…
    Oh shit, I’m not liking this

    • Joebo
      Joebo
      August 4, 2015 at 12:08 am | #

      Okay, we won’t tell you that it is Becky’s dad.

      • Ailorn
        Ailorn
        August 4, 2015 at 1:21 am | #

        *whispers* even though it really is.

        • Bagge
          Bagge
          August 4, 2015 at 4:56 pm | #

          not anymore…

  35. Yotomoe
    Yotomoe
    August 4, 2015 at 12:07 am | #

    That guy is built like a brick shithouse. He also looks like a brick shithouse. I’m sure he smells like a brick shithouse. By that logic he probably also tastes like a brick shithouse, although I doubt anyone would want to try. And I’m not too sure if he’d Feel like a brick shithouse but he does look sturdy and rough so maybe. Time will only tell if he sounds like a brick shithouse.

    • newllend(henryvolt)
      newllend(henryvolt)
      August 4, 2015 at 12:12 am | #

      How come you know what a brick shithouse looks,feels and, taste like?

    • Darth
      Darth
      August 4, 2015 at 12:14 am | #

      BRICK HARDMEAT

    • JessWitt
      JessWitt
      August 4, 2015 at 12:18 am | #

      Do we judge his sounds based on his speech pattern or the thwackings dealt against him?

      • MeghanTheWorldEater
        MeghanTheWorldEater
        August 4, 2015 at 12:20 am | #

        It speaks???!!

    • podian
      podian
      August 4, 2015 at 1:58 am | #

      You know, he also thinks like a brick shithouse.

      • Yotomoe
        Yotomoe
        August 4, 2015 at 2:00 am | #

        How insulting to brick shithouses everywhere.

  36. electromagneticDestroyosaur
    electromagneticDestroyosaur
    August 4, 2015 at 12:07 am | #

    We’re gonna need Amazi-Girl’s “kick-the-shit-out-of-dads” ability in here, stat.

    • karfsma
      karfsma
      August 4, 2015 at 8:11 am | #

      No, she only has the power to kick the asses of asshole dads. Mind you it still applies here, but she is limited. If he’s coming to apologize and accept Becky, AG will be powerless against him.

  37. Ex-Detective Boomwolf
    Ex-Detective Boomwolf
    August 4, 2015 at 12:07 am | #

    HOW DID YOU KNOW SHE WAS HERE, YOU TOWER HEADED WAD?!

    • Plasma Mongoose
      Plasma Mongoose
      August 4, 2015 at 7:02 pm | #

      My guess, he knows that Joyce is Becky’s best friend so he came looking for Joyce in the hopes that she knows where Becky is.

  38. Kimbo G Pataki
    Kimbo G Pataki
    August 4, 2015 at 12:07 am | #

    As I read the last panel, the classic “doom” sound effect played in my mind: DUN DUN DUUUUUN…

    • tim gueguen
      tim gueguen
      August 4, 2015 at 12:24 am | #

      Rats! I wanted to do the DUN DUN DUNNNN!!!! bit.

  39. Aislashu
    Aislashu
    August 4, 2015 at 12:07 am | #

    Dammit. And Ruth can’t be of help either, as Becky isn’t a student. Aaaaa!

    • tim gueguen
      tim gueguen
      August 4, 2015 at 12:25 am | #

      She can kick him out, since he isn’t a student or the parent of one. Whether that can happen without Becky’s non-student status being revealed is another question.

      • Mada
        Mada
        August 4, 2015 at 9:35 pm | #

        Hey, if this leads to Ruthless shoulder-tossing him, I will be happy as fuck.

  40. Cheshrin
    Cheshrin
    August 4, 2015 at 12:08 am | #

    Oh fricktits.

  41. rachel
    rachel
    August 4, 2015 at 12:08 am | #

    oh my god I looooove cheerful thoughtful Dina in panel 4

  42. grantimusmax
    grantimusmax
    August 4, 2015 at 12:08 am | #

    REVENGE OF THE TOE-DAD

    • grantimusmax
      grantimusmax
      August 4, 2015 at 12:11 am | #

      …btw, is he supposed to look like the Disappoint Dad? http://i.imgur.com/P8ilx0e.gif?fb

      • brumagem
        brumagem
        August 4, 2015 at 1:21 am | #

        He is supposed to look like the original Mr McIntire from the original run of Joyce & Walky! which I would find a link for but I can’t/don’t want to.

        • Opus the Poet
          Opus the Poet
          August 4, 2015 at 1:58 am | #

          That’s because he was in Faans in a Willis-drawn cannon guest strip.

      • Deanatay
        Deanatay
        August 4, 2015 at 9:31 am | #

        Considering how old the original character is, he might actually predate the “Son I am disappoint” meme. So, it could be said that Disappoint Dad is supposed to look like this guy.

  43. Kim
    Kim
    August 4, 2015 at 12:08 am | #

    Perf’ blend of wacky cenesy and dark drama in that last panel.

  44. Sean
    Sean
    August 4, 2015 at 12:09 am | #

    Well, on the bright side, at least it isn’t Ryan like I feared it would be.

  45. Raen
    Raen
    August 4, 2015 at 12:09 am | #

    This is just the perfect fundieness. “I don’t mind anymore the lesbianism, but… but… you’re not a creationist!“

    • podian
      podian
      August 4, 2015 at 2:05 am | #

      Give her time.

      …Lots of time.

      • darkoneko
        darkoneko
        August 4, 2015 at 8:36 am | #

        Becky is already leaning toward the other side (no pun unintended), so Joyce may be saved just yet.

  46. Doom Shepherd
    Doom Shepherd
    August 4, 2015 at 12:09 am | #

    “The man you are about to see has no fucking neck.” — RHPS.

    • Maveric1984
      Maveric1984
      August 4, 2015 at 12:11 am | #

      Yes it’s true. This man has no dick.

  47. GoogerGeiger
    GoogerGeiger
    August 4, 2015 at 12:09 am | #

    HOLY SHIT HE’S HUGE SOMEBODY GET A TRANQUILIZER GUN

    • Darth
      Darth
      August 4, 2015 at 12:12 am | #

      BIG MCLARGE HUGE

    • newllend(henryvolt)
      newllend(henryvolt)
      August 4, 2015 at 12:13 am | #

      Preferably a elephant Tranquilizer gun.

    • C Baker
      C Baker
      August 4, 2015 at 12:16 am | #

      I will give you the sign, just aim for his behind….

  48. otusasio451
    otusasio451
    August 4, 2015 at 12:09 am | #

    ahem Paleoecologists have observed the adult males of the Doasaurus lesbiensis. Often playfully referred to as Doasauross (for reasons unknown to science), the adult male members of this species are theorized to have driven away the juvenile females during a formative period f development. Whlst the reasons for this separation have been lost in time, it is known that the juvenile female individuals would travel a certain distance until finding the nests of Doasurus brunneis, with whom they would form long-lasting and meaningful relationships, the nature of which is still being debated by paleoecologists. It is not known whether the adult male members of the species had contact with their female offspring after the initial separation. However, paleoecologists predict that these interactions, were they to occur, would end disastrously. It is possible that other species, such as D. brunneis and D. saruyamensis would intervene with these interactions. Some paleoecologsists have predicted that larger, more dangerous species may also interfere with these reactions. These species would include the reclusive D. clintoni and the highly feared and frighteningly aggressive D. lessick. Time will tell what new discoveries will yield.

    • Bicycle Bill
      Bicycle Bill
      August 4, 2015 at 2:16 am | #

      Excuse me, but I’ve not been aware of D. lessick.  Is this a new species, or is this merely a renaming of a specimen that was previously known as Femorus rex?

      • Mitsukara
        Mitsukara
        August 4, 2015 at 4:54 am | #

        I thought it was a renaming of D. lesse.

        • otusasio451
          otusasio451
          August 4, 2015 at 11:24 am | #

          D. lessick is a synonym for both F. rex and D. lesse. Officials are still debating on whether F. rex is valid, or whether the species is part of the genus Doasaurus. The names Doasaurus rex, D. femorus, and D. f. rex have also been suggested to describe the species.

          • Bicycle Bill
            Bicycle Bill
            August 4, 2015 at 12:44 pm | #

            I would be in whole-hearted agreement with D. femorus rex.

      • Deanatay
        Deanatay
        August 4, 2015 at 9:36 am | #

        Thank you. I was also thinking that Ruth’s dinosaur name needed a ‘Rex’ on it.

        • Bicycle Bill
          Bicycle Bill
          August 4, 2015 at 12:38 pm | #

          As well as Galasso’s, when we finally get around to it…

      • Gamaran Sepudomyn
        Gamaran Sepudomyn
        August 4, 2015 at 10:11 am | #

        That has become a moment danyium.

        • Gamaran Sepudomyn
          Gamaran Sepudomyn
          August 4, 2015 at 10:13 am | #

          Damm this infernal touchpad.

    • Bagge
      Bagge
      August 4, 2015 at 4:54 pm | #

      “the nature of which is still being debated by paleoecologists”

      And shippers

  49. epershannd
    epershannd
    August 4, 2015 at 12:09 am | #

    David…why……..

  50. Dani Kelley
    Dani Kelley
    August 4, 2015 at 12:10 am | #

    Whyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy nooooooooooooo

  51. Twilightomens
    Twilightomens
    August 4, 2015 at 12:10 am | #

    Fight him, Dina

    • Darth
      Darth
      August 4, 2015 at 12:12 am | #

      Need more teeth.

    • nightsbridge
      nightsbridge
      August 4, 2015 at 1:51 am | #

      Wrong hoodie

  52. JessWitt
    JessWitt
    August 4, 2015 at 12:10 am | #

    Oh HELLLLLL no!!

  53. Cattleprod
    Cattleprod
    August 4, 2015 at 12:11 am | #

    Is the end of the story drunk-driving Blaine running him down, and the doctor that spends the entire day operating on him is the only one who could’ve saved Ryan from the face infection from the broken glass?

    • gkheyf
      gkheyf
      August 4, 2015 at 12:32 am | #

      hah! you’re an eternal optimist, huh?

  54. Proto
    Proto
    August 4, 2015 at 12:11 am | #

    Willis has gone to the Bruce Timm school of male design for Ross, I see. Skinny legs, gradually lead to HUGE CHEST and arms leading up then normal head. Give him a shave and a cowl and you’d have a Batman

    • tim gueguen
      tim gueguen
      August 4, 2015 at 12:26 am | #

      Looks more like a Gotham cop to me.

    • MeghanTheWorldEater
      MeghanTheWorldEater
      August 4, 2015 at 12:27 am | #

      I AM THE TOE!

  55. AY
    AY
    August 4, 2015 at 12:11 am | #

    I just said “uh oh” out loud

    • C Baker
      C Baker
      August 4, 2015 at 12:15 am | #

      You and me both.

  56. so279
    so279
    August 4, 2015 at 12:12 am | #

    Son, I am dissapoint.

  57. Keroshino
    Keroshino
    August 4, 2015 at 12:12 am | #

    Ok, am I missing something?

    ….where is this Becky “leaving” coming from?

    • Regina Phalange
      Regina Phalange
      August 4, 2015 at 12:13 am | #

      Joyce told everyone Becky would only be staying for the weekend because it is against the rules to have long-term guests.

    • madock345
      madock345
      August 4, 2015 at 12:14 am | #

      Dina, like most of the cast, is still under the impression that Becky is just Joyce’s visiting friend. Who is in no way living at the school and will therefore obviously be going home sometime soon.

    • dailybrad
      dailybrad
      August 4, 2015 at 12:14 am | #

      Becky’s facade was visiting the college to see Joyce, but people don’t visit a college forever. they stay or they go.

    • Kris
      Kris
      August 4, 2015 at 12:17 am | #

      Dina along with many still think Becky’s only visiting. I think only Sarah and Billie know she’s hanging around long term, maybe a few others.

      • sjmcc13
        sjmcc13
        August 4, 2015 at 1:11 am | #

        Walky and Dorothy know, possibles are Ethan, Sal and Mike.

  58. Plasma Mongoose
    Plasma Mongoose
    August 4, 2015 at 12:13 am | #

    Death Battle: The One with the Triangular Smile VS Triangular Dad.

  59. Sarah-2
    Sarah-2
    August 4, 2015 at 12:13 am | #

    Maybe he’s just questioning too? ……maybe? :c

    • gkheyf
      gkheyf
      August 4, 2015 at 12:33 am | #

      +1 to you. this is the best yet

  60. LiaHansen
    LiaHansen
    August 4, 2015 at 12:14 am | #

    he should become an amazigirl villain and his name should be Big Toe

    • Cephalo the Pod
      Cephalo the Pod
      August 4, 2015 at 1:03 pm | #

      No wait.
      Toe Jam.
      And his weapon is a guitar.

  61. Marsupial
    Marsupial
    August 4, 2015 at 12:15 am | #

    Considering how badly Dina felt about trusting Blaine and letting him into hers and Amber’s room, I’m betting she’s not going to fall for whatever Wario tries to pull here

    • Deathjavu
      Deathjavu
      August 4, 2015 at 12:26 am | #

      This is exactly what I was thinking- this is Dina’s chance to make up for Blaine.

  62. dailybrad
    dailybrad
    August 4, 2015 at 12:15 am | #

    He’s not Blaine levels of shitty exactly, but he’s probably in second place for awful DOA parent. That’s… quite impressive, given how jerky some of them are.

    • Ari
      Ari
      August 4, 2015 at 12:23 am | #

      Is there some sort of connection between B- names and shitty parenting? I mean, Becky is probably short for Rebecca, right?

      • John
        John
        August 4, 2015 at 1:43 am | #

        There’s some sort of connection between being a DoA character and shitty parenting. The Keeners and the Snows are about the only decent ones we’ve seen. (The Warners produced Mike. ‘Nuff said.)

        • dailybrad
          dailybrad
          August 4, 2015 at 2:56 am | #

          Dina’s parents seemed decent enough. Danny’s were rather shitty to him, but not to a huge level.

          • John
            John
            August 4, 2015 at 12:19 pm | #

            The Saruyamas aren’t shitty in the same way that Blaine or Ross are, in the sense of being horrible excuses for human beings, but being completely passive and unassertive isn’t good parenting, either.

            The Wilcoxen’s constant subtle message that Danny is only as good as the woman who’s carrying him probably goes a long way towards explaining why Danny is so Danny.

  63. Luzahn
    Luzahn
    August 4, 2015 at 12:17 am | #

    NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

  64. poppaboo2electricboogaloo
    poppaboo2electricboogaloo
    August 4, 2015 at 12:19 am | #

    OH GOD HIS NECK GOT BIGGER!

    • Tacos
      Tacos
      August 4, 2015 at 12:31 am | #

      What neck? He’s giving Brock Lesner a run for his money in the Neckless category.

      • MeghanTheWorldEater
        MeghanTheWorldEater
        August 4, 2015 at 12:33 am | #

        I was gonna follow up with a joke about Ed from EEnE but I looked that dude up first and holy crap! O.O

        • Slyfincleton
          Slyfincleton
          August 4, 2015 at 5:04 am | #

          Eddy is a no-neck chump

  65. licoricepencil
    licoricepencil
    August 4, 2015 at 12:21 am | #

    When do we start the Damning of the Willis?

    • MeghanTheWorldEater
      MeghanTheWorldEater
      August 4, 2015 at 12:25 am | #

      I’ve been preemptively damming him for weeks.

    • Reltzik
      Reltzik
      August 4, 2015 at 12:52 am | #

      …. we stopped?

  66. TEi
    TEi
    August 4, 2015 at 12:21 am | #

    Ross looks sorta like Herman Munster…

  67. Trae Dorn
    Trae Dorn
    August 4, 2015 at 12:22 am | #

    I’M BECKY’S DAD. MY FRONT IS A BACK.

  68. newllend(henryvolt)
    newllend(henryvolt)
    August 4, 2015 at 12:22 am | #

    The hell is that in his hand?

    • Jen Aside
      Jen Aside
      August 4, 2015 at 12:25 am | #

      prolly a mug shot to locate his “lost” daughter

  69. a4lbi
    a4lbi
    August 4, 2015 at 12:22 am | #

    NO

    WILLIS

    YOU DIDN’T

    (of course you did)

  70. Liz
    Liz
    August 4, 2015 at 12:23 am | #

    Dina really should have worn her T-rex hat today.

  71. Cody
    Cody
    August 4, 2015 at 12:26 am | #

    OH LOOK, LET ME RUIN YOUR HAPPINESS

    • Bagge
      Bagge
      August 4, 2015 at 4:48 pm | #

      You like the cute dinosaur girl’s inner dialogue and sweet little budding relationship, do you, then you will LOVE an abusing turd in the form of a toe.

  72. Idon'tcarenomore
    Idon'tcarenomore
    August 4, 2015 at 12:26 am | #

    Gotta disagree with you Mr. W.! Knowing what he looks like from the chest down is NO bright side. Good grief.

    All is going more or less good,…..so enter Mr. Becky’s Dad.

    Dina is so cute. Makes perfect sense she’s more interested in all she can learn, before wondering about personal involvement.
    Damn, I’m glad she will not be too involved when the shit hits the fan.

    Back years ago: First base: holding hands, maybe arm over the shoulder in the movie. Second base: Kiss. Third Base: a feel under the clothes, seeing under the clothes.
    “Going all the way” just what it sounds like.

  73. Jon P
    Jon P
    August 4, 2015 at 12:26 am | #

    That ain’t no bright side that I know of.

    • Bagge
      Bagge
      August 4, 2015 at 4:47 pm | #

      His backside, on the way out, forever

  74. tim gueguen
    tim gueguen
    August 4, 2015 at 12:28 am | #

    Of course everyone is assuming he’s actually the giant asshole Becky claims he is. It’s possible she overreacted, or that she’s out and out lying about what happened. On the other hand Joyce has said nothing that contradicts the idea of him being a nasty, and you’d think Joyce might have a bit of an idea when Becky has been lying.

    • gkheyf
      gkheyf
      August 4, 2015 at 12:40 am | #

      yes! this is exactly what i was thinking! wouldn’t you know it, becky has overblown the rebellious thing while her dad was trying to be a nice, caring, understanding guy. he looks so ragged and pj’d cuz he’s been searching for his darling daughter without sleep for days. he turns up at this event to maybe find her, but also to understand her better. he just wants them to be a family again. becky hasn’t really loved him since her mother…

      i’m sorry, but why can’t i believe my own heartfelt back story while looking at his face?

      • Morty
        Morty
        August 4, 2015 at 1:33 am | #

        probably because Willis has said that these are the same characters, just in a different universe, and This (http://walkypedia.wikia.com/wiki/Ross_MacIntyre) is her father from the first universe. He believed dancing was evil the first time around, so I just gotta imagine he’s gonna be just as tolerant this time around.

        • Deanatay
          Deanatay
          August 4, 2015 at 12:16 pm | #

          Aww, guess he’s NOT all tentacles down there… (or maybe they’re all stuffed into the camo pants?)

    • Nono
      Nono
      August 4, 2015 at 12:52 am | #

      Toedad is presumably friends with Joyce’s parents, however.

      You’re somewhat influenced by the company you keep.

      • sjmcc13
        sjmcc13
        August 4, 2015 at 1:32 am | #

        Groups that do not expose themselves to opposing view points (like many “Christian” Americans) tend to echo chamber themselves into more and more extreme “viewpoints” over time.

        Joyce’s parents believed that Dorothy has not morals since she was an Aethiest* which is a common delusion among these religious groups.

        * http://www.dumbingofage.com/2013/comic/book-3/04-just-hangin-out-with-my-family/moral/

    • Nightsbridge
      Nightsbridge
      August 4, 2015 at 1:38 am | #

      Okay, I’m a bit baffled here. Are you doubting the part where A: he pulled her out of school because she was gay? Because I’m not seeing holes in that. Or, B: he wanted to put her in a ‘fix-the-gay’ camp? Because both of those are very believably especially when we consider what sort of world both Becky and Joyce were raised in. What exactly is prompting us to throw doubt on Becky in this circumstance?

      I see nothing, except that she had to develop as a very good liar because she was homosexual in a household that had no tolerance for it, which actually adds to the credibility of her story.

      So are we considering Becky’s father as a neutral figure until proven otherwise to give a ‘reasonable chance’ to a parent, who we consider to be the caretaker of the family? Why, when we hear from a child’s mouth credibly stories about how abusive their family is, is there then a compulsion to turn to the family, put a considerate hand on their shoulder and ask ‘is it true?’ over a friendly lunch?

      • Cerberus
        Cerberus
        August 4, 2015 at 9:33 am | #

        This.

        It’s a common thing, especially when the one traumatized is non-normative in some way and the one doing the traumatizing is more normative. We want to believe that children are overblown and brown to overblowing everything and that the illusion of a home as a stable supportive suburban fantasy is what is going on and is more common than its alternatives.

        Sadly, working with abused kids, often the reverse is true and the kids are much more likely to downplay the sheer level of shit they’ve been receiving and what they are suffering owing to a combination of their parents training a particular idea of a “normal” home environment, internalized shame from our tendency to blame victims, and the overall skepticism that is placed on youth who take an extraordinary risk in telling someone.

        When telling an authority is likely to get you overly scrutinized and your parents told about the “accusations” to “see if they’re true”, that quickly becomes a dangerous thing to do. And that’s before all the training that telling others is “betraying the family” and being “bad” and therefore deserving of “punishment”.

        When we’re not mired in it, I imagine it is comforting to want to drift to a world where we think the best of abusers until irrevocably shown otherwise… and even then.

        The awesome thing about this comic is that it shows how abusers use that desire to see good and earnestness in them to get what they want. See Blaine exploiting the good host nature of Dina’s family or selling the concerned parent shtick to Danny.

    • BenRG
      BenRG
      August 4, 2015 at 4:41 am | #

      It is possible that Becky, overwrought with everything (including her fantasies about her and Joyce exploding on the launch pad) may have exaggerated her father’s behaviour. However, I’m not expecting him to turn out 180-degrees from the way he’s been described so far.

    • Cerberus
      Cerberus
      August 4, 2015 at 9:26 am | #

      It’s true, he could turn out to be a magical space unicorn and not a control freak who was shown in flashback panels to be literally physically dragging her out of the school and telling her she needed to be “fixed” for her own good.

      It’s not likely, but technically, in an infinite universe it could be true.

      Seriously though, there’s no “up” from trying to force someone into reparative “therapy” or imposing the level of control over a life that we’ve already seen him impose (let’s not forget that Frozen was on the banned list simply because it suggests parental authority can be wrong and questioned).

      • Spencer
        Spencer
        August 4, 2015 at 9:43 am | #

        Seriously. Regardless of anyone’s opinion of Becky, she was not exaggerating Ross’ awfulness. The guy was seen physically grabbing her before she ran. He was talking about how Becky had to be disciplined and fixed – No points for guessing what that’s referring to! – so there is no frigging way Ross will turn out to be anything other than a walking, toe shaped pile of human shit.

    • Rutee
      Rutee
      August 4, 2015 at 10:16 am | #

      So, in your desire to say Becky’s a liar, you’re also calling Willis a liar? Because his comments on tumblr, as well as flashbacks, have shown him to be a complete asshole, and he was a complete asshole in the prior verse. This, because it’s so unbelievable there was a control freak reparation-therapy-pushing asshole among the parents in a comic set in Indiana? Yeah… no. This guy is almost definitely an asshole who aspires to be an asshole of Blaine’s caliber.

    • Lord Stoneheart
      Lord Stoneheart
      August 4, 2015 at 10:35 am | #

      I’m not sure how Becky overreacted to something along the lines of “I’m sending you to therapy, get in the car now.” I mean we didn’t see his dialogue, but it really seemed like Becky only had two choices here, and Ross doesn’t recognize the choice she made (running away) as legitimate because he’s here now.

      As for whether she’s lying, we can be pretty sure that she’s telling the truth. Remember that Joyce knows Becky’s dad. She knows his religious views are very similar to everyone else in her pre-college social circles. (And thus, she would expect him to react to Becky being a lesbian in such a manner). And she knows that he’s pretty controlling, even compared to her parents. (Becky wasn’t even allowed a cell phone). It’s pretty safe to say that Ross is a control freak homophobe.

  75. Cheryl
    Cheryl
    August 4, 2015 at 12:29 am | #

    This ship has SAILS!

    • MeghanTheWorldEater
      MeghanTheWorldEater
      August 4, 2015 at 12:29 am | #

      And Toedad has his cannons aimed right at em.

  76. Vivvav
    Vivvav
    August 4, 2015 at 12:33 am | #

    Why are all the dads in this comic the worst people in the world?

    • Luzahn
      Luzahn
      August 4, 2015 at 2:19 am | #

      Aw, Sierra’s dad is great!

      But yeah, it’s mostly because we focus on the most dramatic ones in a story. Who are inevitably the evil ones. On the plus side, we get really convenient hate-targets.

    • Spencer
      Spencer
      August 4, 2015 at 9:31 am | #

      Charles Walkerton is less terrible to Sal than Linda!

      Danny’s dad isn’t any more casually abusive to his son than his wife… wait no.

      Uhh… Mr. Billingsworth is also totally inattentive of his daughter?

      Oh hey, Ruth’s dad can’t abuse her because he’s dead…

      Well I’m sure Dr. Rosenthal only cheated like once or twice!

      • Gamaran Sepudomyn
        Gamaran Sepudomyn
        August 4, 2015 at 10:16 am | #

        Dina’s dad seemed decent enough.

        • Spencer
          Spencer
          August 4, 2015 at 10:22 am | #

          I was mostly joking. There’s very rarely a good parent / bad parent dynamic in DoA, other than Amber’s parents, so you have the good parents (the Keeners, the Snows, the Warners and presumably the Saruyamas) and all the others, who exist to explain why some of the characters are the way they are.

    • Rutee
      Rutee
      August 4, 2015 at 10:13 am | #

      Sierra’s dad and Dotty’s dad are great. Sal n’ Walky’s dad doesn’t have enough of a backbone to stop his wife from being a jackass to their kids, but he seems perfectly decent on his own merits.

      It’s more that parents, in general, are bad in this comic, and to varying degrees (I feel 90% positive that Billie’s dad would legit like to spend more time with Billie, mostly because I don’t think Willis wants to make all the parents unrepentant bastards when he’s about to become a dad, and he hasn’t defined Billie’s dad), than that fathers are terrible.

  77. tim gueguen
    tim gueguen
    August 4, 2015 at 12:33 am | #

    Becky’s dad
    He looks kind of mad
    He most certainly is
    Some kind of cad

  78. ritser
    ritser
    August 4, 2015 at 12:37 am | #

    oh hey, i’m reminded yet again how becky’s dad is basically the bro of the guy in the old 4chan “son i am dissapoint” meme.

  79. Rodimiss
    Rodimiss
    August 4, 2015 at 12:39 am | #

    I was confused that 40 minutes after posting there were this many comments.

    And then I got to the last panel.

    Oh.
    Oh.
    Not good.

  80. jayax
    jayax
    August 4, 2015 at 12:39 am | #

    He has a joe sized torso, danny sized legs and a giant toe for a head.
    Was he intended to look utterly ridiculous?

    • Nono
      Nono
      August 4, 2015 at 12:52 am | #

      He’s actually Danny and Joe’s son from the future, sent back in time to stop them from making a colossal mistake.

      • Lord Stoneheart
        Lord Stoneheart
        August 4, 2015 at 10:45 am | #

        Somehow I could actually see that happening in a universe that is parallel to the Walkyverse. I mean Walkyverse Joe has the technology.

  81. CapedLuigisYoshi
    CapedLuigisYoshi
    August 4, 2015 at 12:40 am | #

    Sorry, I know this is dramatic and damn-you-willis and all, but I’m having a difficult time not laughing at Toedad’s pants.

  82. Gram91
    Gram91
    August 4, 2015 at 12:42 am | #

    Seems like Dina gets her notes on relationships from Walkyverse Joyce.

  83. Lurlock
    Lurlock
    August 4, 2015 at 12:46 am | #

    Bryan gets a tag on this strip? I guess we see part of his arm on the edge of a frame… I assume that’s whose arm it is, just based on yesterday’s strip…

    • Turbanous
      Turbanous
      August 4, 2015 at 6:38 am | #

      Just an arm is nothing, remember back when two fingers was enough to have Sal tagged on a comic.

      • Darkoneko
        Darkoneko
        August 4, 2015 at 7:41 am | #

        Kinky.

  84. Darby
    Darby
    August 4, 2015 at 12:50 am | #

    Dammit Willis! I can’t see a way for this to progress without Dina getting hurt. This is NOT OKAY.

  85. Aker Sama
    Aker Sama
    August 4, 2015 at 12:51 am | #

    Hm, he looks alot more burned out than he did in that flashback. Foreshadowing or a design change?

  86. Reltzik
    Reltzik
    August 4, 2015 at 12:56 am | #

    Damn you Willis! Joyce JUST HAD one breakthrough on the “gays are people too” front! It’s too early to set her up for another mindscrew “wait evolution isn’t a ploy of the devil?” epiphany!

    …. oh, and fams drams is happening too, I guess? Probably not, though. I’m sure that Dina will make a good first impression on her future father-in-law by helpfully providing him with directions. What’s the worst that could happen?

  87. Professor Fate
    Professor Fate
    August 4, 2015 at 12:58 am | #

    Lookee there. someone done shaved Harry the Hairy Ape and left his ‘stash. Where’s that dude shop? The Skid Row Mission Thrift Store? I threw out a pair of pants like that in 1973. It was the style then, okay?

  88. Timni
    Timni
    August 4, 2015 at 1:03 am | #

    that is the most awkwardly shaped man i have ever seen

  89. Kitschensyngk
    Kitschensyngk
    August 4, 2015 at 1:05 am | #

    Dammit, Willis, THIS is why we can’t have nice things.

    • Bagge
      Bagge
      August 4, 2015 at 4:42 pm | #

      We were all having such a good time, and then fucking toedad the constipated butthole has to show up and ruining all the fun.

  90. Poskie
    Poskie
    August 4, 2015 at 1:12 am | #

    WHY, ROSS. WE WERE HAVING SUCH A GOOD TIME.

    • Poskie
      Poskie
      August 4, 2015 at 1:13 am | #

      amazi-girl better pull a blaine on ross i swear to god

      • Spencer
        Spencer
        August 4, 2015 at 9:32 am | #

        All the fun of beating up an abusive parent without the tragic mental breakdown!

  91. Bluesnake462
    Bluesnake462
    August 4, 2015 at 1:12 am | #

    dun dun duuuun

  92. Foxhack
    Foxhack
    August 4, 2015 at 1:13 am | #

    That dude has the physique of that weird white roided-looking horse from that show with the tiny horses.

    • Cybersnark
      Cybersnark
      August 4, 2015 at 10:36 am | #

      YEAH!!

    • io
      io
      August 4, 2015 at 11:38 am | #

      Bulk biceps xD

    • Cephalo the Pod
      Cephalo the Pod
      August 4, 2015 at 1:28 pm | #

      I take pride in fully understanding this comment.

  93. AgentKeen
    AgentKeen
    August 4, 2015 at 1:17 am | #

    NOPE
    -dives into dinosaur sleeping bag-

    • AgentKeen
      AgentKeen
      August 4, 2015 at 1:18 am | #

      BUT ALSO
      awww at Dina’s internal monologue.

      • Bagge
        Bagge
        August 4, 2015 at 4:41 pm | #

        I kinda forgot about that when I saw the last panel and started screaming abuse at the laptop, but yeah, her inner dialogue is adorable.

  94. Ailorn
    Ailorn
    August 4, 2015 at 1:18 am | #

    Oh no! Go away go away!

  95. spriteless
    spriteless
    August 4, 2015 at 1:23 am | #

    We’re going to see how people other than Amber deal with shitty dads! There will be more ways to contrast the ways different characters deal with shitty situations. Oh my!

    • Cerberus
      Cerberus
      August 4, 2015 at 9:42 am | #

      We’ve actually been seeing how Becky deals with the PTSD of a terrible raising environment compared to Amber for awhile now. The way she’s creepily good at putting on a face of everything’s okay and normal while everything is brewing and boiling over inside in terms of anger and sadness. The way she only lets herself break down when she’s alone or in a safe removed place and even then how she tries to push through it if the place she’s in feels public in any way or under scrutiny by others.

      And she likes to use silliness as a deflection.

      But I have a feeling it will all come tumbling down and we’ll see the raw rage at the injustice of it all we saw hinted in the flashback panel where she references his desire to “fix” her if they should encounter again.

      • Bagge
        Bagge
        August 4, 2015 at 4:39 pm | #

        Yup. We have seen a LOT of Becky’s cooping mechanisms… and the fact that she is so good at them, and that her best friend since forever didn’t peg on the fact that something was wrong, says something very ugly about life in the Mcintyre household right there.

        • Cerberus
          Cerberus
          August 4, 2015 at 8:35 pm | #

          Oh yeah.

          Having to hide that much and having to get that good at hiding things says at the very least that the home environment was controlling as fuck.

          And hints at the potential of a lot worse than that. After all, when it’s literal life and death to be able to pretend that everything is all right, wouldn’t you get a LOT of practice?

  96. The Gardener
    The Gardener
    August 4, 2015 at 1:32 am | #

    I started this strip looking forward to more Dina smiles. Thanks, Toe Dad. Hopefully, Becky won’t be around when he finds Joyce and she’ll be able to get rid of him somehow. On the other hand, it is this comic, so I’m not optimistic.

  97. Pedantic Peanut
    Pedantic Peanut
    August 4, 2015 at 1:35 am | #

    This will not end well.

  98. SpenserRex
    SpenserRex
    August 4, 2015 at 1:39 am | #

    “Hello mam, have you seen my daughter? She is missing.”
    *hands Dina photo of Becky.*
    “Also, have you see. My neck? It is missing as well.” *Hands Dina photo of neck.*

    • tim guegue
      tim guegue
      August 4, 2015 at 10:31 am | #

      Perhaps his neck was Raptured.

  99. Yumi
    Yumi
    August 4, 2015 at 1:42 am | #

    I had a friend who thought first base was getting to know each other.

    • Darkoneko
      Darkoneko
      August 4, 2015 at 7:42 am | #

      Well, in a way..

  100. Steelbright
    Steelbright
    August 4, 2015 at 1:48 am | #

    What is that IS becky’s dad in the background???

    Wouldn’t that be JUST LIKE WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IN THIS COMIC

  101. Shake and Bake
    Shake and Bake
    August 4, 2015 at 1:59 am | #

    The last panel looks like a set-up for a few ethnic jokes about Eastern Europeans. It just doesn’t qfit the art we’ve seen, and it scares me a little.

  102. Lumin
    Lumin
    August 4, 2015 at 2:05 am | #

    Er, that should be “the idea of Becky and me kissing”. It’s “the idea of us kissing”, not “the iidea of we kissing.”

    • Lumin
      Lumin
      August 4, 2015 at 2:07 am | #

      *idea

    • Torra
      Torra
      August 4, 2015 at 2:14 am | #

      “The idea of Becky and I kissing” is actually the correct phrase, “The idea of Becky and me kissing” wouldn’t be ‘proper’ English. Though it would still be reasonable enough to hear teenagers say, because lol teenagers and proper english.

      (Though this is irrelevant as Dina always uses correct English anyway~)

      • Benjamin
        Benjamin
        August 4, 2015 at 2:52 am | #

        Don’t think it should be “I” there. If you make it “eating” and remove Becky, would it be “The idea of I eating” or “The idea of me eating”? I think it’d be “me”, so it’s still “me” if it’s kissing instead of eating, and it’s still “me” if Becky’s there, too.

        Of course, most technically, “kissing” may actually be a gerund, thus formally necessitating the possessive forms – “The idea of Becky’s and my kissing”. I think it’s right (it’s definitely “my” if it’s a single person and “eating”), but someone might confirm that!

        • Chris
          Chris
          August 4, 2015 at 2:57 am | #

          I think you could take ‘kissing’ as either a gerund (would you be upset by Becky’s and my kissing) or a present participle (would you be upset by Becky and me kissing). In practice it’s mostly treated as a participle in spoken English, though some texts are sticklers for gerunds.

          • George
            George
            August 5, 2015 at 1:41 pm | #

            Even if she intended it as a gerund, it’s generally accepted that skipping the possessive nouns is permissible for complex constructions once it starts getting awkward enough.

            ex. “Men and women kissing in public is unacceptable!”
            http://dianahacker.com/bedhandbook6e/subpages/posgerund.html

            I’m a little stumped on how that substitution works when one of the owners of the gerund is yourself though. “Joyce objects to our kissing” is fine, but if you want to enumerate the owners do you go from “Becky’s and my kissing” to “Becky and I kissing” or “Becky and me kissing”?

            I honestly don’t know… the second one *seems* a little more right, but I think that’s just because it looks like kissing is a participle modifying “Becky and me”. If Dina got there via the gerund exception, I’m stumped. I think all the the staunchest prescriptivist would just tell you to do what “sounds right” at that point.

      • Chris
        Chris
        August 4, 2015 at 2:52 am | #

        Nope. The pronoun depends on what function it’s performing in the sentence, so in this case it’s ‘me’. It’d be ‘the idea of Becky kissing’ and ‘the idea of me kissing’, not ‘the idea of I kissing’. The presence of ‘and’ doesn’t change that.

        OTOH, if you make Becky and Dina the subjects of the verb, not the objects of a preposition, then you’d go for ‘I’. ‘Would you be upset if Becky and I kissed’ is totally cromulent. It’s the difference between ‘Becky and I went to lunch’ and ‘Joyce took Becky and me to lunch’ or ‘Joyce went to lunch with Becky and me’.

      • Yumi
        Yumi
        August 4, 2015 at 2:57 am | #

        I was going to reply to this but got beaten by multiple people. Way to grammar, guys.

        I could see Dina hyper-correcting to “Becky and I” precisely because of her desire to speak in “proper” English/be sure she’s understood.

        • Li
          Li
          August 4, 2015 at 9:55 pm | #

          I could also see Dina overcorrecting, especially after her speech patterns were poked at by Sarah, but webcomic writers are also human, and a lot of people get this one wrong. Even or perhaps especially people who think they use only the most proper English, like our friend a few comments up.

          On TV and in movies, you frequently hear characters who are grammar pendants, written by people who are not, overcorrect for “I/me” and who/whom. Part of it is simply the writer trying to take every opportunity presented to remind the viewers/readers that this character is a stickler for grammar. Like… they’re overcorrecting as characterization.

  103. flamelordkay
    flamelordkay
    August 4, 2015 at 2:07 am | #

    http://www.dramabutton.com/

  104. BenRG
    BenRG
    August 4, 2015 at 2:09 am | #

    I’m guessing that the guy built like a bull is Becky’s dad. He is exactly as I had imagined him! I suppose this is both a good thing and a bad thing because little will be achieved if Becky remains in limbo.

    That doesn’t mean that there won’t be trouble. I’m pretty sure that Joyce is going to end up in trouble with her family and Becky’s dad may end up tangling with the local night-life like Amazi-Girl and Sal.

    I’m sure lots of people will be angry with Joyce today but you have to remember that, in the end, no matter how misguided, her reaction is purely motivated by concern for Becky. It’s interesting that, on a subconscious level, there is a part of Joyce that sees little inoffensive Dina as really, really threatening.

    • SzL
      SzL
      August 4, 2015 at 7:24 am | #

      We did see him once in a prior comic, during the series were we get the story of Becky leaving Anderson. He does do the stereotypical look thing very well! Extra scary!

    • Darkoneko
      Darkoneko
      August 4, 2015 at 7:44 am | #

      Oh boy, if she’s in Billie’s area AND Sal’s also in the room, that could be explosive.

      But remember, Sal’s not allowed to hit anyone.

      • butting
        butting
        August 4, 2015 at 8:33 am | #

        No hitting, got it.

        Stabbing’s okay, right?

        (hey, it’ll be cathartic for her)

        • darkoneko
          darkoneko
          August 4, 2015 at 8:38 am | #

          I expect blades to be more Malaya’s thing.

      • BenRG
        BenRG
        August 4, 2015 at 8:37 am | #

        But remember, Sal’s not allowed to hit anyone

        Unless she’s wearing a mask. Hey, it works for Amber…!

        • darkoneko
          darkoneko
          August 4, 2015 at 8:40 am | #

          She slugged her father without her mask on (back during the parents visit).

  105. Torra
    Torra
    August 4, 2015 at 2:10 am | #

    NOOooOooooooooooo

    I didnt want this

    I wanted to read cute Dina hijinks with occasional Becky flirts not this

    This isnt going to end well for anyone D:

    • SonicBlueRanger
      SonicBlueRanger
      August 4, 2015 at 10:26 am | #

      I was almost, ALMOST, thinking that maybe this would be a lighthearted story that had Dina being adorable and a sideplot with Danny and Ethan.

      I really should have felt something coming. Not this though. Not this.

  106. Leonou
    Leonou
    August 4, 2015 at 2:10 am | #

    Noooooo !
    The last comics were so cute. Why did we have to even things up with this incoming shitstorm ?
    Oh God, Oh God, no. I just want Dina cuteness, not horrible horrible familly members and feels.

  107. podian
    podian
    August 4, 2015 at 2:11 am | #

    I hate this guy.

    I can’t stop laughing at this guy.

    • Torra
      Torra
      August 4, 2015 at 2:16 am | #

      Its his general expression that does it for me

      it looks angry, disapproving and uncomfortable all in one!

      • Bagge
        Bagge
        August 4, 2015 at 4:37 pm | #

        And kinda constipated.

  108. TheLurkerAbove
    TheLurkerAbove
    August 4, 2015 at 2:13 am | #

    Daaaaaaaaaaaamn yoooooouuuuuuuuu Williiiiiiiiiiiis

    • SzL
      SzL
      August 4, 2015 at 7:22 am | #

      ^ This

    • Bagge
      Bagge
      August 4, 2015 at 8:09 am | #

      Seconded

  109. Bagge
    Bagge
    August 4, 2015 at 2:17 am | #

    Let’s take a moment to consider
    That Becky doesn’t have a home
    That Becky doesn’t have a school or a job
    That Becky’s sole belonging is her Anderson’s hoodie
    That Becky’s first kiss ended in her fleeing into the night
    That Becky’s only support right now comes from having to ask her best friend to lie to her parent
    That Becky has almost nothing but runs every risk of loosing even that.
    Because of this butt-hole.

    FUCK YOU ROSS!!!!!!!

    • Cerberus
      Cerberus
      August 4, 2015 at 9:47 am | #

      Well, what kind of asshole homophobic abuser would he be if he simply let Becky live her life after taking every form of support and possession from her? I mean, that could open the possibility of her actually thriving in her new state without him thus making him feel small and no one makes him or his torso feel small.

      We simply can’t have that.

      racksafrasin Frozen teaching my property she can run away (bitter Rossian mumbling)

      • Bagge
        Bagge
        August 4, 2015 at 4:35 pm | #

        Clearly the best solution is if he is in full control of Becky’s every life choice no matter how small because clearly he has such a swimming track record.

        BUTT!!!!

  110. Darth Cariss
    Darth Cariss
    August 4, 2015 at 2:17 am | #

    Uh oh, it’s Ross, and he looks super disappoint.

  111. anonymsly
    anonymsly
    August 4, 2015 at 2:27 am | #

    Suddenly Toedad! Is standing behind you!

    I’m horrible at filk, so there’ll be no more of Little Campus of Horror.

    • David M Willis
      David M Willis
      August 4, 2015 at 2:44 am | #

      you will definitely have to pretend

  112. SDGlyph
    SDGlyph
    August 4, 2015 at 2:46 am | #

    FFFFFFFFF–

  113. Dana
    Dana
    August 4, 2015 at 2:52 am | #

    Okay, cover up the right side of the final panel. Cutest Dina expression yet!

  114. Hors Service
    Hors Service
    August 4, 2015 at 3:08 am | #

    Dear commenters, as we’re ending the Sexuality Questioning sessions, I have one 🙂

    Based on the fact that, in the modern society, we agreed that gender roles were basically meaningless ( as you can like knitting and wear skirts and still be a man and play football and like computers and be a woman), what do being “intersex” could possibly mean?
    I don’t get it.
    I mean, transsexuals I get it. You’re born with a set of genitals that does not correspond to the set of genitals your brain prefer.
    But intersex, or gender fluid? Like, what does feeling 30% male and 70% female MEANS? (If we of course set apart the case of hermaphrodites).
    There are societies with traditionaly separated gender roles that do have additional genders, that’s OK. But that’s because they have separated gender roles. It’s not the case in modern society.

    So I don’t get it. Somebody to explain to me? 🙂

    • Pilgrim
      Pilgrim
      August 4, 2015 at 3:16 am | #

      So first off, not transsexuals – that’s not a good word, by and large. Transgender is preferred.

      Genderfluid folks come in many shapes. One of my friends has female-feeling days and male-feeling days, and prefers a pronoun be used for them that doesn’t imply a gender in case it’s uncomfortable.

      And some folks simply don’t feel much connection with gender.

      And there are other possibilities, too…

      • SDGlyph
        SDGlyph
        August 4, 2015 at 3:46 am | #

        Plus, the biology isn’t always black-and-white either. Not everyone has either XX or XY chromosomes, and (while there’s a lot more to it than ‘which set of genitals you have’) what’s on the outside of your body can be ambiguous or at odds with what’s on the inside.

        I’m not sure where the science currently stands on being ‘neurotypically fe/male’ – I’ve heard it both ways recently – but it’s probably best to think of both sex and gender as being a spectrum with weighting towards the ends but encompassing a full range of natural variation. And that’s without getting into the purely sociological aspects of our various cultural norms for how men / women are expected to behave.

        • Gamaran Sepudomyn
          Gamaran Sepudomyn
          August 4, 2015 at 10:20 am | #

          It’seems not just “not black-and-white”, there are like 20 distinct physical genders.

      • Hors Service
        Hors Service
        August 4, 2015 at 5:47 pm | #

        @Pilgrim.

        OK then, transgender.

        So, your friend, does s/he behaves differently on male days than on female days? Does her brain scans show different particularities even (I don’t know if differences btw both brains exist, though)? What does it mean is my question 🙂 What does “feeling male” entail when you’re fine with the genitals you have anyway?
        And why would s/he be uncomfortable with a particular pronoun? In english there’s she or he or it, but some languages have no gender marks on pronouns, and some (like mine native, french), have gendered everything . Why not just pick one and feel how you want to feel anyway?
        I mean, isn’t the endpoint of Queer revendications not the right to difference, but the right to indifference?

        @SDGlyph.

        That’s why I’m not talking about the special biological cases 🙂 My question is very specifically, in a society with no defined gender roles, what does “feeling male/female” means for those who are perfectly fine with the set of genitals they have?
        For example, my friend has a vagina, is straight, likes hiking, pants, and martials arts. She identify herself as “female”. Now, if she identified herself as “male”, but kept the rest intact, what does it mean? What has changed?

        //

        Maybe so you can better understand my question, I’ve recently come across a fun internet group called the “otherkins”. It’s people who feel they’re born the wrong specie . Some of them feel they’re in fact cats, or panthers, or dragons. In a human body.

        Now, don’t get me wrong. I’m quite sure that there’s a difference with gender fluid individuals. I just can’t put my finger on it at the moment. Therefore, I’m looking for answers 🙂

        (PS: As a note so people don’t get the wrong idea, I have no trouble with any oddity that humans can come up with, as long as they’re not destructive. We all have weird aspects. I just want to understand:)

        • Gamaran Sepudomyn
          Gamaran Sepudomyn
          August 4, 2015 at 6:38 pm | #

          I think it’s just a feeling that can’t really be explained. As far as I can tell, there are a lot of concepts like that, which quite possibly can’t be explained, as the relevant mental concepts just don’t exist the same way in everyone. From the sound of it, your mental gender is quite possibly neutral/whatever you want to call it, although I may be projecting. Kind of like asexuality, but relating to gender rather than sexual preference.

    • Agemegos
      Agemegos
      August 4, 2015 at 4:48 am | #

      Sometimes people are born with physical characteristics that are not clearly those of either stereotypical sex, having for example ambiguous genitalia. Or they are born appearing to be one sex and develop an intersexed condition later (e.g. starting at puberty).

      “Intersex” in Wikipedia

      5-alpha reductase deficiency in Wikipedia.

      I hope I got those HTML tags right.

    • Agemegos
      Agemegos
      August 4, 2015 at 4:55 am | #

      It refers to having physical characteristics that are not unambiguously those of either sex, such as ambiguous genitalia. There’s a reasonably informative article about it in Wikipedia.

    • SzL
      SzL
      August 4, 2015 at 7:21 am | #

      Also, as a straight up FYI Intersex generally is the preferred word for those you are currently referring to as hermaphrodites.

      I wish I kinda had a handy “gender 101” *literally* link around, but I don’t. And I don’t know *how* good wikipedia is, so I’m cautious to recommend it. Others have all made good comments so far though.

    • Cerberus
      Cerberus
      August 4, 2015 at 10:46 am | #

      Okay, let’s see if I can help.

      There are quite a few things that often get inflated together when the general public is discussing “gender”. In reality, this general category refers to a list of various categories that are formed out of different systems.

      Sex assigned at birth: Is what the doctor slaps on your birth certificate at birth based on a cursory glance at the genitals. It may or may not conform to actual gender identity and may or may not match chromosomal makeup (XX males and XY females are a thing) and may or may not match hormonal palate during pubescence.

      *Okay, the big glowing ball in the room for all this is that biology likes spectrums, because biodiversity in Biological terms equals safety for a sexually reproducing species. So the more “atypical” the species has, the more range of experiences it can develop, the healthier the species is. However, Western, especially American societies love binary systems (you’re a liberal or a conservative, you’re black or you’re white, you’re straight or you’re gay, and so on and so forth). As such, we tend to flatten everything into that pattern whether it naturally fits or not. So, we socially created a concept of biological sex, where the genitals match the chromosomes match the hormones match the gender identity and often times can’t handle where a) that’s proven wrong, and worse b) where that’s proven wrong because there isn’t even a binary.

      So our first stop is intersex: Intersex individuals are those who have an ambiguous genitalia configuration at birth (and honestly, should also apply to individuals with atypical hormonal patterns at puberty and conditions like Androgen Insensitivity Syndrome and PCOS). Current medical practice to enforce the illusion of a binary is to perform surgery on these babies when born to “make their genitalia fit one state or the other” to prevent “bullying”. Sometimes this is done without even informing the parent. Intersex children are often likely to have atypical hormonal patterns growing up and can often develop during first puberty secondary sex characteristics associated with both men and women (thick body hair and breast growth for instance). Additionally, said individuals may or may not have both testes and ovaries within their system.

      Being intersex however says nothing about an individual’s gender.

      Which leads us to Gender Identity: Gender identity is what gender we more or less are. It’s the feeling of comfort or discomfort in being regarded as one gender or other genders. This is where a large part of cisgender versus transgender issues come into play.

      Cisgender: Means that your gender identity, what gender you are, matches what was assigned at birth. It doesn’t really have anything to do with gender roles or gender performance outside of the necessity of operating with those in order to avoid discrimination. So, someone labeled female at birth who identifies as a woman would be a cis woman even if they had short crew cut, only wore ultra-masculine clothes and worked in a steel mill.

      Transgender: A blanket of identities where one doesn’t identify, where one’s gender doesn’t match what was assigned. This can include the most prominent examples. Trans men and trans women who identify with a binary identity (man or woman) that differers from what they were assigned at birth. This can also include non-binary individuals.

      Non-binary: This is back to that whole spectrum thing from before. While most individuals have a gender identity that matches the man-woman binary we like to impose, that is not universally reflected in gender identities. Some individuals feel they actually identify somewhere in between those two states (genderqueer) and will often choose gender-neutral pronouns to match (singular they, ze, zie, xe, ey, etc…). Some individuals feel they are completely absent from the binary and identify as neither and feel very uncomfortable and dysphoric** when assumed to be of a binary gender (this describes agender individuals the most frequently). Some individuals view themselves as exploding the whole binary entirely (genderfuck), while others have their gender identity in flux where somedays they feel like one gender and somedays like another and what feels dysphoric** often matches to that (this is what genderfluid means). Still others may identify as men and women simultaneously or in two different circumstances during their day to day life (this is bigender). This is all due to gender being as much a spectrum as sexuality (because you have people who are gay or straight or bi or ace or whose sexuality fluctuates throughout life or is in a grey-area between ace and one of the others).

      **Dysphoria: An intense negative feeling associated with being constantly treated and reminded of the lack of congruity between gender identity and what society treats you as or what certain modes of dress/body shape feels to you. It’s a crippling experience that can cause massive depression, suicidal ideation, and so on if not treated by finding means of internally and externally aligning one’s gender performance, body shape, and treatment by others.

      Which leads us to the way that society likes to conflate genitals and gender identity to the mass of cultural performances we present to the world. This is also where a lot of people get confused because transgender individuals are often forced into situations where they have to exaggerate what they present to the world in order to be taken seriously by society, which is all a long intro to…

      Gender performance: What we present to the world in terms of social and aesthetic behaviors we associate with one gender or another. A suit and a tie aren’t inherently male or even inherently masculine, but we associate that culturally so an individual in a suit and a tie will be assumed to be dressing masculinely and that trait will often be used as a short-hand by others in guessing their gender identity.

      This is where the terms masculine and feminine come from and where gender roles and norms have the most sway. Makeup isn’t inherently feminine, but we deem it so, so an individual wearing it will be seen as feminine. And sadly, culturally, we also deem feminine things as inherently worse than masculine things and see it as a means to treat those who adopt them as less.

      This often leads to feminist discussion surrounding how we perform these particular roles and adopt these gender performances regardless of personal preference out of fear of ostracization or worse. This is what breeds toxic masculinity as defined by often men adopting exaggerated sometimes violent ideas of masculinity that are internally and externally harmful out of fear of being deemed feminine and a “woman” by refusing. This is also what often leads trans individuals to adopt stereotypically masculine or feminine attire to be taken more seriously as their gender during transition.

      However it is also the case that despite the pressure, there are performances that feel most right to us as human beings. A butch lesbian for instance isn’t just performing that role because they were told they should fit the guy role more, but because those things we’ve deemed masculine clothing styles and haircuts feel more right and more authentic.

      This leads to one of our final categories.

      Ideal Gender Performance: What roles we would naturally like to follow regarding what we’ve deemed masculine and feminine if we were absent considerable pressure to conform one way or another. A dude who dresses conservatively masculine may actually really like to wear makeup and a dress if it wasn’t associated with a particular gender identity or sexual orientation.

      This is the garb that feels most right and it is gendered by society based on the connotations of masculinity and femininity we associate with various objects. And this is where you get that kind of breaking of norms these days as enforcement of gender performance relaxes where putting on a dress doesn’t make Eddy Izzard a woman or where Abby Wambach isn’t called a dude because she likes sports.

      Ideal gender performance and gender identity will still be with us even in an imagined feminist utopia where there were no gender pressures to be one way versus another and where objects weren’t gendered. Because these are a lot more fixed and innate like sexuality. So you’ll still have individuals who identify as a gender and are most comfortable with that identity and who will have sexual orientations that fit in with that identity and they’ll still have modes of dress and hobbies that fit best for them even if those modes of dress are no longer gendered.

      Where society gets confusing is that we conflate all of these and the prescribed roles and social pressure all as gender in a lot of discourse and conversation. And that gets into conflict with individuals with marginalized identities that don’t neatly fit the narrative (masculine trans women, non-binary individuals, androgynous individuals of all identities, and so on).

      Please let me know if you have any other questions.

      • Bagge
        Bagge
        August 4, 2015 at 5:41 pm | #

        Awesome. Thanks so much.

      • Hors Service
        Hors Service
        August 4, 2015 at 6:36 pm | #

        @Cerberus

        Thanks for the answers! It was quite an interesting read. And thanks for the explanation about Intersex, I didn’t know these details.

        But I’m very sorry, to me this misses my question:)

        My question, I guess, is more on what defines male/female-ness when gender roles or genitalia or genetic make up does not come into play? As I’ve answered higher up, for example, my friend has a vagina, is straight, likes hiking, pants, and martials arts. She identify herself as “female”. Now, if she identified herself as “male”, but kept the rest intact, what does it mean? What has changed?

        I mean, in some societies they have additional genders that correspond to gender roles assumed by people with not the right set of genitalia for this society and this role. I get it. In the modern, developped world, ideally today any role can be assumed by a person with any genitalia (let’s be ideal^^)
        People are sexually attracted to other people, and have preferences regarding the genitalia of said people. I get it.
        Transgenders possess a set of genitals that does not correspond to the set of genitals their brain thinks it should have. I get it.
        Intersex possess a set of genitals that do not correspond to any of the standard of the specie, or a set of genitals that do not correspond to their genetic makeup. I get it.

        Now, gender fluid people have no specifics about their gender role, their genitalia, their sexual attraction, or their genetic makeup. But they still feel like a combination of male and female not corresponding to what could be expected at first glance. I don’t get it. What does it mean?

        Maybe it’s a problem of definition.
        For me, male = one present the whole genetic/hormonal profile to have a penis + penis, female = one present the whole genetic/hormonal profile to have a vagina + vagina, intersex = one present a combination of both profiles either internally or externally.
        Now, with those definitions what does “feeling” male when you’re female and do not want to change your genitalia would entail? Should I change definitions? But they’re descriptive! Replacing them with “feels male/female/a mix” would make them circular and meaningless!

        At the moment, for me, it’s a bit like someone telling me he “feels to be a duck”. I ask if he has a beak, feathers, or palms: no. I ask if he’s planning to get them, to fit his inside feelings: no. I ask if he eats bread and eye lustingly other ducks: it’s of no relevance (and I agree!). So on what should I base the appreciation that he’s a duck? Should I redefine duck-ness to add “feeling to be a duck”?

        To mention, I really think that being gender-fluid is widely different from thinking oneself a duck. I just want to understand what is the difference exactly. Because I don’t get it.
        To finish, I’m not the type to go and impose my judgment on others when they’re not bothering me. The happiness of others regards others, as long as they find happiness I’m happy. I just want to understand.

        • Gamaran Sepudomyn
          Gamaran Sepudomyn
          August 4, 2015 at 6:59 pm | #

          I’m not sure “the definition becomes circular” is a valid argument when dealing with something like the human brain. Even if it is kind of circular, the concept of gender seems like it’s halfway between being simply a state of mind associated with particular physical characteristics and something completely separate. I’m pretty sure that, even if it does seem circular to you, it’s probably best if you change your definition.

        • Cerberus
          Cerberus
          August 4, 2015 at 8:29 pm | #

          My question, I guess, is more on what defines male/female-ness when gender roles or genitalia or genetic make up does not come into play?

          Gender Identity.

          Which is a real thing that is innate and unchangeable. Just because it is in the brain doesn’t make it less “real” or less “biological” just as one can’t just change their sexual orientation or stop having a mental condition such as depression.

          Going, gosh wouldn’t it be fun to be a duck or a delusion that can be shaken with intense therapy like say body dysmorphia don’t really rise to the level of what we’ve seen things like gender and sexual orientation occupy in the brain.

          Nor the sheer level of torment that dysphoria can represent in lived experience (I couldn’t actually look in the mirror or look at myself bathing until I started actively finding a model of transition that worked for me).

          Transgenders possess a set of genitals that does not correspond to the set of genitals their brain thinks it should have. I get it.

          Well, that’s not it at all. It’s about what gender the brain is.

          The importance and critical nature of genitals are a quaint social idea that we see any time a cis individual has a traumatic injury to their overall hip area. If a cis dude had a traumatic injury resulting in the loss of his penis and balls, would he cease being a dude? Would he suddenly become agender and adopt an agender gender identity?

          No. Of course not. We can see this argument as being specious.

          And that’s because we realize that there is another component to our gender that overrides that. This is why a transgender person doesn’t need surgery to be the gender that they are. A trans woman does not forego being a woman nor a trans man forego being a man because they haven’t had a particular flavor of surgery (of which there are many that can be seen as Sex Realignment Surgeries).

          That component is that clump that sits in your brain and based on a lot of people’s life experiences settles into its default operating mode whether that is cis or trans very very early in life close to the exact moment where we are mentally capable of processing the concept of gender.

          And I think that is the piece you are missing. A trans person isn’t going, oh me my, surgery is the only thing that will make me complete. A trans person has that innate part of their brain that in a cis person may match what the driver’s license or genitalia configuration say not matching with what everyone is displacing on them.

          And that’s what often precedes transition efforts, because other people are terrible at going, yup, you know what is going on in your head best unless they can see “proof”. So a trans person is rarely taken seriously unless they make a dramatic change to their aesthetics matching gender stereotypes in the same way as someone’s sexuality is treated as a joke unless they conform to what people imagine that means (I’ve encountered a fuck ton of gay guys and lesbians who were dismissed even if they were dating people of the same gender simply because they didn’t “look” like stereotypical ideas of gay men and lesbians).

          And this is an important basis to re-evaluate and get right, because it’s the source of a lot of your confusion.

          Now, gender fluid people have no specifics about their gender role, their genitalia, their sexual attraction, or their genetic makeup.

          But they do. It just shifts, sometimes dramatically, sometimes quickly. Some days they may feel really really male and it’s important to their mental health, well-being, and self-esteem to be treated as such. Others they may feel really, really female and so recognizing and respecting that becomes important.

          This has fuck all to do with their genital state (individuals of all potential genitalia configurations can be genderfluid), ideal gender performance (whether they are feeling feminine or masculine (it’s totally a thing to feel like a feminine dude or a masculine woman, even when you are trans)), or sexuality (some genderfluid people have a consistent category of person they are attracted to though what that means can shift day to day or moment to moment*, others don’t or find they feel like gay men one day but lesbian women another).

          *It’s worth noting here a story about a date an ex of mine went on with a genderfluid individual and how there was a bit of fooling around where the genderfluid person had a switch in the middle of the fooling around and how dramatically different their whole everything shifted with that to go from what was initially a very straight style affair into a deeply lesbian experience.

          It does sometimes have things to do with gender performance because again, society doesn’t take people seriously on their experiences unless they can see them, so if a genderfluid individual wants to be taken seriously, they sometimes have to follow it up with dramatic visual cues, which is shitty, but there we go on how gender roles fuck us all, both cis and trans both.

          And it does have something to do with genetic makeup, because the brain is not a mass of pure energy wholly disconnected from our genes. Our brain is instead built from our genes and defined by our gene expressions with influence from environmental and social factors affecting said gene expression along the way.

          That’s another important thing to note. That our brain is just as biological as our genitals and that neither necessarily have anything to do with the sex chromosomes.

          Now, with those definitions what does “feeling” male when you’re female and do not want to change your genitalia would entail?

          Your gender identity would be that of a guy.

          Surgery does not make one a guy, that is why men do not lose their maleness if they need to remove cancer in their testicles or penis. Gender performance does not make you a guy. We don’t assume that Twisted Sister was actually an all-girl band while on stage simply because they are wearing bright colors and stockings.

          Instead we implicitly understand that there is another more inherent thing that makes one a dude.

          So why should the rules be different if one is trans.

          And more importantly, please allow me to turn the question back to you. Why does it matter to your ability to treat a man who says they are a man like a man what their genitals look like? What their gender performance looks like? Why should a person who is relating who they are and asking to be afforded the treatment commiserate with have to “prove” their gender to you with dramatic action? Why does the answer to this change when the individual is trans versus when they are cis?

          Cause that’s the stumbling block I feel you are running into and its an easy stumbling block to hit because transgender issues are often erased in society and a lot of transphobic myths proliferate.

          Surgery does not define us. Surgery is not a universal experience any more than hormones or adoptive dress. Actually, rather less. And our genitalia state can resolve into something rather less important so long as we are being treated in conjunction with our gender. I know plenty of trans individuals that just say fuck it and go without because being treated with the right pronouns and having people accept them for how they are is all they really needed to shut up the painful hum of dysphoria.

          Should I change definitions? But they’re descriptive!

          You associate an experience that has very little to do with genitalia to being all about genitalia. Because it’s “descriptive”. This was enough for you to discount the hypothetical man in your previous example.

          If I was you, I would examine this moment that had you write this, because I think it is central to what is getting in your way of understanding.

          It’s clearly the internal thing that is most compelling to you, far beyond the gender identity of an individual and what they are telling you they’re experiencing.

          Whatever is making you override that because genitals feel important to you is critical to growing to understand this. And I believe you can because you are taking the important first step of asking questions in the first place.

          Replacing them with “feels male/female/a mix” would make them circular and meaningless!

          How so?

          Like, let’s take it away from gender identity and keep it really simple. If an individual said “I feel sad”, would you feel compelled to grill them? Would you go, no, you are in a party, people in parties don’t feel sad or “I don’t know, you look happy, you must be lying about your experience” or “if I take you at your word, then the only useful definition of sad I have is that you feel sad and that’s circular”.

          Probably not and that’s because that feels ridiculous. An individual who feels sad is the best judge of what is going on in their brain and their emotional state.

          And that’s just for an emotion. If we took something far more critical to one’s self like sexual orientation, this would be even more insensitive? “Wait, we should just follow whether or not someone “feels” gay to believe they are gay, wouldn’t that be circular, I’m going to continue assuming you are straight.” That would be really douchey and it is no less so with gender.

          How you define gender is by how they define it because anyone actually taking about their own gender out loud given the level of shit that trans people get has definitely thought a fuck ton more about it than you.

          So, if you want to know what that means and how you should interact regardless of other clues, you should just…

          Ask.

          Just ask them. Ask them what their preferred pronouns are and then practice them and if that shifts in the future, you follow what they say then. If they say that being genderfluid or genderqueer or trans means X to them, you should believe them and go, fair enough. We do it all the time every time an individual asks to go by their middle name or prefers a nickname or wants you to still view them as one of the guys even though they recently came out.

          o mention, I really think that being gender-fluid is widely different from thinking oneself a duck.

          Indeed, which is why I’m not going to tackle that question under its own terms. Because yes, as you surmise, it is offensive in the same way as if you went “oh, someone said they were depressed, isn’t that the same as being sad or someone saying they’re a donkey, how do I believe them on this unless they show me their work”.

          Gender identity is not a “feeling”. Is not some fleeting spot of fancy. It is who we are.

          To be at all applicable to your situations, the duckman would have to feel physical and emotional pain being treated as a human, would be suffering to be considered a human and would be massively triggered dysphoric and suicidal to have everyone dismiss their duckness asking for fucking bread pics and whether their new wings have grown in yet.

          And that situation doesn’t exist, because it’s a bad analogy. Gender is not a fluke. It is what we are. And what we are is not our genitals.

          And I’m not saying that because I’m trans and trying to deflect. I’m saying that because I’m trans and spent way too long of my life trying to be cis. Trying to fit in and be what everyone expected me to be. To lean on my masculinity to try and force myself to better fit this mold that literally everyone I had encountered up to that point was what was supposed to fit for me.

          If gender was mutable. If gender was an idea or a delusion, it wouldn’t be able to survive that. But it isn’t. And try as I may have, I wasn’t a guy, even though others could point to my genital configuration or my driver’s license to argue as such.

          There is no duckman analogy that can capture and encapsulate that experience.

          Hopefully all this helps and answers your questions and I strongly encourage you to take a second pass through my first pass again after genuinely examining what it is to you that makes you want to assume that genitalia equals gender.

          Because that seems to be where you are getting stuck and there’s no shame in that. It’s a place a lot of cis people get stuck, because society is very good at telling us that our genitals are the only thing that define our gender and it is very easy to believe that when you don’t have an innate, inherent part of your brain saying no.**

          **Which isn’t to say that cis people don’t have that part of their brain. It’s just that it’s easier to not pay attention. The genital shortcut still works and society still aligns itself naturally with their gender identity. It’s like how it’s easy for a white man to ignore the impact of racism or a man to ignore the impact of sexism. Because you don’t have to see it to get along with your day.

          • Cerberus
            Cerberus
            August 4, 2015 at 8:30 pm | #

            Ugh, I need to stop using blockquotes here. It fucks with the formatting too much.

            • Chrissy
              Chrissy
              August 4, 2015 at 10:26 pm | #

              Very late to the game here but a great little visual guide can be found if you search “genderbread person”

              • Leorale
                Leorale
                August 12, 2015 at 11:49 am | #

                Even later to the game here, but is there a place I could link to your explanations, Cerebus? Or could I republish them elsewhere and credit you both (asker and answerer) in the manner of your choosing?

                These explanations are exceedingly well-put, and in my family, I have many babyboomers who are supportive and curious about my genderqueer cousin. Said babyboomers are right about where the questioner is in every way. They are not assholes and they know how to behave properly externally, and also they’d like to understand better internally. I think they’d get a lot out of this conversation!

                • Cerberus
                  Cerberus
                  August 24, 2015 at 1:20 am | #

                  Sure! Hope it helps.

  115. Dorje Sylas
    Dorje Sylas
    August 4, 2015 at 3:39 am | #

    Maybe it would be better explained as a cricket match of relationship scoring.

    • Agemegos
      Agemegos
      August 4, 2015 at 5:45 am | #

      “A fine edge through slips for a single.”

      “A late cut behind square leg for a boundary.”

      “Caught out by the third man!”

      • Agemegos
        Agemegos
        August 4, 2015 at 6:13 am | #

        And something about being fumbled in gully.

  116. gqbrielle
    gqbrielle
    August 4, 2015 at 3:40 am | #

    FUCK

  117. Random Comment
    Random Comment
    August 4, 2015 at 3:52 am | #

    So… Becky took after her mother? Or she’s adopted. It has to be one of the two.

    • Bagge
      Bagge
      August 4, 2015 at 3:56 am | #

      The “toe-like asshole bigot” gene is recessive.

    • BenRG
      BenRG
      August 4, 2015 at 4:20 am | #

      Well, I would argue that, as a girl, Becky is less likely to inherit obvious physical features from her father. Red hair is ultra-recessive too, so it is quite possible that Becky inherited that from her grandparents on both sides.

  118. BenRG
    BenRG
    August 4, 2015 at 4:22 am | #

    You know it is possible (if unlikely) that we’re all doing Becky’s dad a serious disservice. What if losing track of his daughter for days has made him rethink his feelings a bit? It isn’t impossible that his first reaction upon seeing Becky will be to burst into tears, hug her and thank God that she’s safe.

    However, I think it’s more likely that he’s either going to disown her or tell her that the college fund is hers to do with as she wishes but not to ever expect a single extra cent or acknowledgement from him ever again.

    • Spencer
      Spencer
      August 4, 2015 at 6:45 am | #

      He pulled her out of college and it was heavily implied he was going to send her to conversion therapy.

      He’s on Blaine’s level at this point.

      • SzL
        SzL
        August 4, 2015 at 7:15 am | #

        I think the argument was more “what if he steps back from that level” but I have to agree I don’t find it at all likely 🙁

        Gahhh last panel makes me glad I read comics out of order today. This one has been last (of dailies) for awhile, its getting bumped somewhere in the middle to cushion futures traumas!

    • Darkoneko
      Darkoneko
      August 4, 2015 at 7:46 am | #

      We’ll have to wait and see.

  119. Jack Stamper
    Jack Stamper
    August 4, 2015 at 4:40 am | #

    Oh god…Dina is going to accidentally out Beckys whereabouts to her dad, right?
    I mean, she doesn’t know Becky ran from him, and she’s even very open about telling people she kissed her yesterday. I predict the remainder of Dinas day will be Dina doing her best to fix the situation she accidentally caused…

  120. Mitsukara
    Mitsukara
    August 4, 2015 at 4:51 am | #

    Next strip: Ruth borrows Billie’s car and rams him into a truck.

  121. Yarrr
    Yarrr
    August 4, 2015 at 5:42 am | #

    Oh no : (

  122. Keroshino
    Keroshino
    August 4, 2015 at 5:45 am | #

    GODAMMIT, ROSS!!!

  123. kay
    kay
    August 4, 2015 at 5:54 am | #

    …….WHY IS THIS THE PAGE WHERE I CAUGHT UP?

  124. Asper Storm
    Asper Storm
    August 4, 2015 at 5:56 am | #

    This could get bad really really bad.

  125. BenRG
    BenRG
    August 4, 2015 at 5:58 am | #

    This whole thing could very easily get hugely complicated. If Becky refuses to go with her father and claims that she is in peril from him, then, irrespective of her status vis the college, the Administrators would be obliged to hand the matter over to the police (possibly even the Feds if state borders have been crossed).

    My guess is that he’ll decide that he’d prefer Becky with someone he knows and trusts (Joyce) than her missing and on the run whilst doing who knows what to support herself. He’ll transfer her to Indiana State but will sternly instruct Joyce that she must have intensive moral sermonising sessions with her at least daily to ‘cure’ her of her ‘deviancy’ and that he’ll hold her personally responsible for the outcome.

    This means that we will get occasional calls to Joyce from Ross asking for status reports, the practical upshot of which will be that Joyce will become a skilled and plausible liar. When graduation comes, it is possible that Joyce may never be able to go back to her home church because Ross will have her cast out for being party to his daughter’s behaviour.

    • thejeff
      thejeff
      August 4, 2015 at 6:50 am | #

      Becky is 18. If she refuses to go with her father and claims that she is in peril from him, then the only involvement the authorities have would be something like a restraining order.
      He can legally cut off any funding and choose not to support her any further, but he can’t legally take her away. That’s kidnapping.
      The consequences of that involvement might also get Becky kicked out of the dorm, but that’s not a police matter.

    • Cerberus
      Cerberus
      August 4, 2015 at 10:55 am | #

      I admire your optimism.

      However personal experiences suggest that what will happen is that he will try to force her to heel to his expectations and follow through with getting fixed and will use every tool in an arsenal of emotional abuse, potential physical abuse (albeit maybe only limited to physically dragging her away), and so on.

      With individuals like this, being “right” matters a hell of a lot more than the happiness of the child (if the happiness of the child was something you cared more about than your own fantasies of happy families, then you wouldn’t try to “fix” them in the first place).

      And there’s the added baggage that as his particular strain of Christian he literally sees it as the only way to save her soul from literal demonic infection. And what possible action no matter how monstrous, abusive, and demonstrably bad for the short-term mental and physical health of the child could be too much to save one from literal eternity of suffering and misery?

      So yeah, I’m seeing warrior from God to “save” his daughter as being the WAY more likely scenario here.

  126. Turbanous
    Turbanous
    August 4, 2015 at 6:01 am | #

    It feels as though an entire fandom cried out in joy and were suddenly silenced.

    • m2iCodeJockey
      m2iCodeJockey
      August 4, 2015 at 7:17 am | #

      Becky’s Dad: “Something-something corruption of the mind. Something-something mother loves you. Something-something I’ll take you home.”
      Becky: “I’m not coming with you.”
      Becky’s Dad: “Something-something corruption of the soul. Something-something sodomite.”
      Dina: “The universe is billions of years old.”
      Becky’s Dad: *head explodes*
      Becky: “Well. This is suddenly more of a mess…”

      • Turbanous
        Turbanous
        August 4, 2015 at 7:36 am | #

        +1

  127. darkoneko
    darkoneko
    August 4, 2015 at 6:25 am | #

    “Evilutionist”. heheheheehe 😀

    • darkoneko
      darkoneko
      August 4, 2015 at 6:31 am | #

      In a sick twist of the knife, he may ask Dina and, as she doesn’t know, Dina may be the very person to lead the dad to Becky’s room.

      • Yotsuyasan
        Yotsuyasan
        August 4, 2015 at 6:46 am | #

        If he does ask Dina, we can only hope she remembers what happened when she let Amber’s dad into their room, and think twice about it. Dina may have huge problems picking up on social clues, but she does learn from past experience.

        (But if the dramatic needs of plot override that… Noooooooooo!)

      • Mr. Morningstar
        Mr. Morningstar
        August 4, 2015 at 7:27 am | #

        He won’t need to. Joyce is right there, I’m sure he’s familiar with her daughters best friend.

        My question was how he figured out where becky was.

        • Mr. Morningstar
          Mr. Morningstar
          August 4, 2015 at 7:28 am | #

          His
          I meant his

          • Darkoneko
            Darkoneko
            August 4, 2015 at 7:48 am | #

            Well, Joyce is terrible at lying to her parents, even on the phone ; and Beckydad had time to try a lot of other places before coming here too.

        • BenRG
          BenRG
          August 4, 2015 at 7:54 am | #

          I’m sure that he’s been trying other places where he thought that she would be hiding. I suspect that it has taken him this long to try Joyce because he doesn’t know Joyce (or at least Joyce as she is now) well enough. He was expecting her to have called him or her parents if Becky had turned up more-or-less immediately; he isn’t expecting that Joyce might be on Becky’s side and that could lead to fireworks when he realises it.

  128. Spencer
    Spencer
    August 4, 2015 at 6:33 am | #

    *uncontrollable screaming*

  129. Doom Shepherd
    Doom Shepherd
    August 4, 2015 at 6:41 am | #

    There could be hope. “Aggressive homophobe walks into an LGBT college support meeting?” Could end up surrounded by a bunch of fit kids who aren’t particularly afraid of him / have some righteous anger issues of their own?

    I am imagining ToeDad in the Chris Pratt Raptor Pose.

    • Bagge
      Bagge
      August 4, 2015 at 8:19 am | #

      At the very least, a few wrong words from toedad would immediately alert the very people who are most likely to be willing and able to help Becky because they know more than anyone on the campus what kind of peril she is in.

      Ross: mumble-mumble-correction camp-muble.
      Bryan: Um… Do anyone here know a “Becky”, she might need our help… um, Jim? Joyce is kinda crying here, like, a lot, and it’s getting awkward… Jim? Jiiiiiiim? This Becky definitely needs our help. Distract toe-man out there.
      Dina: I’m aware of her present location and will take you there. I will then depart to change to my raptor costume because of reasons.
      Danny: *Activates DS chat function* OK, I’m definitely Jimmy Olsen at this point…

      • BenRG
        BenRG
        August 4, 2015 at 8:33 am | #

        Madly ‘Out There’ Possibility
        Different universe but Joyce is still an Abductee. She has a nervous breakdown-level panic attack and the stress triggers her alien DNA-created powers, causing her to telekinetically nail Ross into a wall. Sunnydale Syndrome follows with everyone making elaborate excuses for it being some kind of weird coincidence.

  130. Yotsuyasan
    Yotsuyasan
    August 4, 2015 at 6:42 am | #

    Aww… this story line has been great. Dina is so cute!

    (Looks at last panel…)

    Well, damn. Damn you, Willis! Man, the only way this could get worse is if another asshole dad shows up!

    (Looks at own Gravatar…)

    Aw, shit…

    • Mr. Morningstar
      Mr. Morningstar
      August 4, 2015 at 7:25 am | #

      Maybe amazi girl can show up.

      She has good track record beating the shit out of asshole dads

  131. Kirkybobz
    Kirkybobz
    August 4, 2015 at 6:52 am | #

    Look at this fat bastard.

  132. Spencer
    Spencer
    August 4, 2015 at 6:59 am | #

    We just wanted a happy Dina story, man.

    • Bagge
      Bagge
      August 4, 2015 at 8:21 am | #

      We should have asked for a happy Becky story while we were at it.

      • Cerberus
        Cerberus
        August 4, 2015 at 10:57 am | #

        Like fools we thought they were one and the same. Foooools! (/end Galasso)

    • timemonkey
      timemonkey
      August 4, 2015 at 10:44 am | #

      As long as it doesn’t end with Dina exploding at the end it’s still the happiest story Dina has.

      • Spencer
        Spencer
        August 4, 2015 at 10:47 am | #

        At least she came back from that!

        • timemonkey
          timemonkey
          August 4, 2015 at 12:20 pm | #

          To die in the Soggy invasion.

  133. ThatGuy
    ThatGuy
    August 4, 2015 at 7:13 am | #

    Oh, mustache, Camo pants, white shirt.

    Yea he’s probably not an old fashioned militaristic father..

  134. Mr. Morningstar
    Mr. Morningstar
    August 4, 2015 at 7:22 am | #

    Oh no

    Oh no no no

    Noooooooooooo

  135. Les
    Les
    August 4, 2015 at 7:26 am | #

    Okay, so Dina and Joyce have approximately the same knowledge of baseball…

  136. Eukie
    Eukie
    August 4, 2015 at 7:33 am | #

    I was thinking for a moment that he was there just to ask Joyce, who’d try her very best to simply lie. But then I noticed that he has a photograph (or something very much like it) in his hands, so he’s probably going to go around and ask everyone if they’ve seen the girl in the photo over the last few days.

    • Dr. T
      Dr. T
      August 4, 2015 at 6:09 pm | #

      Yeah, but Becky doesn’t look like that picture anymore. Most people did not meet her until after the haircut.

  137. Nena
    Nena
    August 4, 2015 at 7:41 am | #

    Becky’s dad looks like an inbred fundie hick.

    • Crumplepunch
      Crumplepunch
      August 4, 2015 at 7:48 am | #

      That man is his own father.

  138. PBManning
    PBManning
    August 4, 2015 at 7:54 am | #

    That is one atypically square man.

  139. Beoluve
    Beoluve
    August 4, 2015 at 7:56 am | #

    But he’s there so…. maybe it won’t go as horribly wrong as it most likely will?

  140. Jimmy
    Jimmy
    August 4, 2015 at 8:12 am | #

    *Sees the guy in the last panel* Who’s that?
    *Clicks the tag* OHHHHHH

  141. man jean
    man jean
    August 4, 2015 at 8:31 am | #

    shitty parents part 2

  142. Lord Stoneheart
    Lord Stoneheart
    August 4, 2015 at 8:38 am | #

    (Sees third panel) Huzzah! Dina’s internal monologue has returned!
    (Sees last panel) Nopenopenopenopenopenopenope.

  143. darkoneko
    darkoneko
    August 4, 2015 at 8:47 am | #

    Y’know, Dina’s monologues about bases is an hilarious comeback at those expecting a slipshine in yesterday’s comments.

    It’s especially savory when you realize it was actually written/predicted THREE MONTHS ago XD

    • BenRG
      BenRG
      August 4, 2015 at 8:55 am | #

      Y’know, it is my opinion that panel 4 is another tick in the ‘asexual’ box. She literally has no idea that a romantic entanglement could lead to anything except cuddling and doing similar friendly-loving things.

      • Darkoneko
        Darkoneko
        August 4, 2015 at 9:38 am | #

        It’s possible ; tho, well, it may be just that until yesterday, she never had any interest in learning about it.

      • timemonkey
        timemonkey
        August 4, 2015 at 10:42 am | #

        Of course she knows, all this indicates is that she’s not ready to consider moving to that stage yet.

        I don’t know why people are assuming Dina’s going to go from one annoyed kiss to lady-sex with someone she just met.

        • BenRG
          BenRG
          August 4, 2015 at 10:51 am | #

          The point is that she doesn’t even seem to be hypothetically aware of sex as a component in a romantic relationship.

          • Cerberus
            Cerberus
            August 4, 2015 at 10:59 am | #

            Yup, definitely one for the ol’ ace-canon box, at least in my head. Mainly because I remember that stage of “hmm, I’m not opposed to sex and could be interested in it, ooh a relationship, this is where I… uh… hmm… I’m going to need some guidance from them because my natural inclinations is kisses and cuddles.”

  144. Edupoet81
    Edupoet81
    August 4, 2015 at 9:01 am | #

    Oh boy, this is bad. This is very bad. He has a photo in his hand, which he will presumably be showing to people, asking if anyone has seen her.

    Also, I’m not normally shallow like this, but I feel compelled to point out that Becky’s father in *supremely* unattractive. *Shudder*

  145. Arkantos
    Arkantos
    August 4, 2015 at 9:10 am | #

    Well that didn’t last too fuckin’ long.

  146. Dave
    Dave
    August 4, 2015 at 9:11 am | #

    I love this comic – not just “Evilution” but the entire run! And I really like Dina but she seems to drop out of character too often. Like Peggy Hill, Dina does not use contractions – her grammar is always perfect. So why did she drop out in the 1st panel by saying “Becky and I kissing”? The Dina we’ve come to know and love would never make such a mistake.
    I understand the difficulty of writing dialog with such a specific style and I luvs ya for it!
    JS…

  147. diello
    diello
    August 4, 2015 at 9:12 am | #

    ohhhhhhhhhh, Becky’s dad.

    • Kaos
      Kaos
      August 4, 2015 at 9:26 am | #

      So fitting avatar to your line. xD

  148. Kaos
    Kaos
    August 4, 2015 at 9:26 am | #

    Damn he looks like Hulk’s Little Brother. “ME NOT LIKE WEIRD! DESTROY!” “NO WEIRDNESS LIKE… THINKING!”

  149. BenRG
    BenRG
    August 4, 2015 at 9:48 am | #

    http://40.media.tumblr.com/d54573fc30c0ad135bcc513be7b165a0/tumblr_nnxv6ml2471qkinreo1_1280.png

    I’m thinking that this preview picture is something coming in this current sub-arc. Maybe Becky’s dad tells Joyce that he’s very disappointed in her hiding Becky (“Conniving in her sin” is probably how he’ll put it), that he’ll be informing her parents of what she’s done and insisting that they discipline her.

    • Spencer
      Spencer
      August 4, 2015 at 9:50 am | #

      I’m not so sure. the Joyce freak-out usually happens when she’s faced with a completely commonplace reality that she can’t accept (ie: Dorothy is an atheist, girls can be attracted to girls).

      I’m guessing Becky tells her she doesn’t think the world is only 6000 years old anymore.

      • A5PECT
        A5PECT
        August 4, 2015 at 9:57 am | #

        I’m with Spencer. That preview panel is too comically exaggerated for a situation as grave as a confrontation between Becky and/or Joyce and Mr. MacIntyre(sp?).

      • BenRG
        BenRG
        August 4, 2015 at 10:00 am | #

        Okay, how about that it’s when Danny tells Joyce that he’s attracted to Ethan; Joyce doesn’t know whether to be morally scandalised or horribly jealous of a ‘rival’.

        • Spencer
          Spencer
          August 4, 2015 at 10:01 am | #

          Joyce and Ethan have broken up at Joyce’s insistence.

          Besides, Joyce and Danny have interacted maybe three times. Why would he tell her that?

          • BenRG
            BenRG
            August 4, 2015 at 10:04 am | #

            Regarding Joyce and Ethan…? It’s my feeling that it’s more complex than that. The time she broke down and needed to spend a night cuddling him makes me think that this may be turning into an unrequited situation. Joyce knows that breaking up with Ethan is the right thing to do. Her emotions might not be co-operating.

            As for Danny, it’s a questioning meeting, remember? Joyce, genuinely interested mostly so that she can understand Ethan and Becky better, politely asks him what his story is. Danny, feeling safe to talk to a mostly-stranger without preconceptions tells her.

            • Spencer
              Spencer
              August 4, 2015 at 10:14 am | #

              I don’t think so. Even when she snuck into his room to hold him, she realized that there relationship was going nowhere, and she doubted that Ethan could ever love her as a “future wife.” I think she stills care about him even beyond the reflexive “I have been completely awful to him and I have to make it right” and is taking great effort to fix the damage she has contributed to, but I think she’s over him as a romantic partner.

              I can’t see Danny being that open about his sexuality to Joyce, since he had to work himself up to talk to Joe and Dorothy (two of his oldest friends) and with Ethan there was lots of running in circles and panicking before he was able to relax and say “I still like girls but maybe there’s something more.”

        • timemonkey
          timemonkey
          August 4, 2015 at 10:38 am | #

          Considering Joyce has been encouraging Ethan to be openly gay finding out a guy is into him will likely activate her shipping powers. Unless she remembers about him being with Amber, Joyce is the second lest likely person to encourage cheating after Danny himself.

          • Lord Stoneheart
            Lord Stoneheart
            August 4, 2015 at 11:20 am | #

            Joyce doesn’t know Amazi Girl is Amber. Danny was introduced to her as Amber’s friend. (Ethan made a hasty correction in that strip but I don’t think Joyce caught it).

            Of course there’s a lot I disagree about with the original post. Joyce might still harbor some unrequited feelings for Ethan, but she broke up with him, and has been trying her best to be supportive him and make him feel more comfortable with his sexuality. She’s not scandalized by homosexuality like she was back when Billie told her “Everyone tries it eventually.” Second, there’s no reason for Danny to tell her how he feels. He barely knows her. (I think he might know her as Ethan’s ex? I have a feeling Ethan referred to her as his ex before the party yesterday).

  150. ninja_jesus
    ninja_jesus
    August 4, 2015 at 9:54 am | #

    UGH, oh man. Dad’s here. I hope nothing too bad happens to Becky. Or if it does, I hope Dina pounces and devours Becky’s dad’s heart. It’s a shame she’s dressed as an herbivore.

  151. A5PECT
    A5PECT
    August 4, 2015 at 10:06 am | #

    Everyone’s favorite character, Danny, has already set the bar for “worst possible handling of meeting my significant other’s abusive parent(s)” in the story.

    Dina, all you have to do to come out ahead here is NOT BE DAN. Unfortunately, the circumstances leading up to an encounter with Becky’s father bear a some notable similarities to Danny first meeting Blaine.

    • ninja_jesus
      ninja_jesus
      August 4, 2015 at 10:08 am | #

      The difference is, Becky’s dad is made of pure faith and Dina is made of pure logic. Who will win in this test of wills?!

  152. Toes14
    Toes14
    August 4, 2015 at 10:10 am | #

    That can’t be Becky’s dad – he looks like he belongs in a Mario Kart game! She’d have to take after her mom 100%. Maybe Willis throws a surprise down the road and we discover he’s not her biological father – Carrot Top is! Or one of the Weasley’s from Harry Potter?

    • tim guegue
      tim guegue
      August 4, 2015 at 10:50 am | #

      Rachel Summers. It will become even more obvious when she grows a rat tail and starts using her telekinetic powers to clean her room.

      • tim guegue
        tim guegue
        August 4, 2015 at 10:51 am | #

        “She” of course being Becky.

  153. Crumplepunch
    Crumplepunch
    August 4, 2015 at 10:16 am | #

    He just finished swallowing his clone.

  154. B.D
    B.D
    August 4, 2015 at 10:19 am | #

    …How did he get inside?

    • BenRG
      BenRG
      August 4, 2015 at 10:26 am | #

      I… imagine that he walked through the door. I haven’t seen any indication of door security in the hall of residence, so it wouldn’t be difficult so long as he didn’t attract the attention of campus police by being overtly threatening.

      After Blaine, Ross’s soon-to-happen anti-social demonstration may lead to security being tightened with locks on the exterior doors to the halls.

      • Bagge
        Bagge
        August 4, 2015 at 4:16 pm | #

        Or it’s like a trap – they let the buttholes inside where Ruth can eat them.

  155. WikiDreamer
    WikiDreamer
    August 4, 2015 at 10:46 am | #

    Once again, my avatar speaks for myself and a good majority of the comments section. Also, to Firstie who’s birthday it is today, Happy Birthday, sorry today is the lit fuse of what is certain to be an explosive drama bomb. Mine is the 17th…which is also the first day of school for me (curse you Florida!) so we’ll see how this goes. ^-^

  156. Em
    Em
    August 4, 2015 at 10:54 am | #

    I actually gasped out loud. Well played. Lets hope he doesn’t find Becky!

  157. Beachfox
    Beachfox
    August 4, 2015 at 11:11 am | #

    NO! IT’S TOO SOON!

  158. Kelli217
    Kelli217
    August 4, 2015 at 11:17 am | #

    Anybody care to lay odds that a storyline including a controlling and hostile father will somehow involve Amazi-Girl?

    • John Madden
      John Madden
      August 4, 2015 at 11:38 am | #

      Pretty good.

    • BenRG
      BenRG
      August 4, 2015 at 11:45 am | #

      Personally, I hope that Amazi-Girl does not get involved except if Ross does something monumentally stupid and tries to kidnap Becky at night at some point.

      I’d like for him to try to throw his authority around, fail (as there’s no-one in the room who respects said authority) and, when he tries to guilt Joyce into supporting his decisions, get shocked out of his wits by Joyce telling him to ‘poop off’ (in her own words). That’s when there is the long, abusive rant directed at Joyce and Becky that reduces both to tears.

      He might also get physical, which could trigger a brawl if he hits Joyce or Becky in front of the others.

      • Bagge
        Bagge
        August 4, 2015 at 4:15 pm | #

        I can see the panel composition when Joyce tells him to poop off. It will be suitably epic.

  159. John Madden
    John Madden
    August 4, 2015 at 11:37 am | #

    Aw shit son

  160. Deanatay
    Deanatay
    August 4, 2015 at 11:52 am | #

    Looking at Becky’s Dad, his legs seem to start at the knees. That would mean…

    HE HAS NO FEMURS.

    Is he… Ruth-proof?

    • Deanatay
      Deanatay
      August 4, 2015 at 11:54 am | #

      AND HE HAS NO NECK!! Ruth will be powerless against him!

      • Bagge
        Bagge
        August 4, 2015 at 4:10 pm | #

        BRING THE WILD DOGS!!!

        • Gamaran Sepudomyn
          Gamaran Sepudomyn
          August 4, 2015 at 7:26 pm | #

          Don’t be mean to dogs. Use hogs. Hogs apparently like the taste of their own species’ flesh.

  161. Aaron Bourque
    Aaron Bourque
    August 4, 2015 at 12:25 pm | #

    Back in my day, 3rd base was under the clothes stuff, but not quite sex.

    • Aaron Bourque
      Aaron Bourque
      August 4, 2015 at 12:26 pm | #

      Mary’s icon saying that just… seems odd.

      • Captain Batson
        Captain Batson
        August 4, 2015 at 5:00 pm | #

        Nah, Mary’s a major hypocrite.

  162. HiiroArana79
    HiiroArana79
    August 4, 2015 at 12:44 pm | #

    I’m bothered by the man in the last panel. Should I be? Btw, this stuff is way better than the dorm party.

    • Tacos
      Tacos
      August 4, 2015 at 3:56 pm | #

      It’s Becky’s father. He pulled her out of college when he found out she was lesbian and threatened to have her “fixed” before she ran away.

  163. Jazz Hands
    Jazz Hands
    August 4, 2015 at 12:45 pm | #

    Oh shit, it’s the Crimson Chin!

  164. NF
    NF
    August 4, 2015 at 1:12 pm | #

    Damn you Willis!

  165. Zatar
    Zatar
    August 4, 2015 at 1:18 pm | #

    Fuck. Double Fuck. Fuckity fuck. FUCK. fuckfuckfuckfuckfuck and balls.

    • Bagge
      Bagge
      August 4, 2015 at 4:14 pm | #

      Fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck FUCK THAT BUTTHOLE!!!!

  166. Mr. Mendo
    Mr. Mendo
    August 4, 2015 at 1:39 pm | #

    OK, my first thought upon seeing his name was, “So, if Dina marries Becky, her name will be Dina Ross?”

    But that can’t be right…

    • Deanatay
      Deanatay
      August 4, 2015 at 4:56 pm | #

      No, Dina McIntyre. Ross is her dad’s first name.

      • Gamaran Sepudomyn
        Gamaran Sepudomyn
        August 4, 2015 at 7:28 pm | #

        And anyway, I suspect that if Dina and Becky marry, Becky will not particularly want reminders of her family situation. If anything, Becky will likely change her name.

  167. Roborat
    Roborat
    August 4, 2015 at 3:26 pm | #

    How did he get past security, Becky isn’t even enrolled here.
    .
    .

    Wait, I know. He is here for the questioning sexuality meeting.

    • David M Willis
      David M Willis
      August 4, 2015 at 9:16 pm | #

      ha ha ha ha security

  168. Toes14
    Toes14
    August 4, 2015 at 3:32 pm | #

    How do we know that’s Becky’s dad? I don’t remember him being shown ever before. Was he and I missed it?

    • Tacos
      Tacos
      August 4, 2015 at 3:59 pm | #

      http://www.dumbingofage.com/2014/comic/book-5/01-when-somebody-loved-me/fix/

  169. Toes14
    Toes14
    August 4, 2015 at 4:14 pm | #

    Thanks! Now other questions remain:

    1) Will he find Becky even though Joyce likely won’t help him?
    2) Will Becky escape in time?
    3) Will he tell Joyce’s parents about the situation and get her in trouble?
    4) Why is he wearing pajama pants? (Or is that supposed to be Camo?)

  170. Cerberus
    Cerberus
    August 4, 2015 at 4:14 pm | #

    Depressing thought. We see Becky’s dad here. Joyce’s parents not believing her “all’s okay” phone call may have been the trigger for him coming here…

    What if the Browns are also floating around trying to find out why they’re daughter would commit such a major sin as lie to them?

    … while she’s at the Questioning meeting, holding a giant stack of resources for queer students?

    • chris73
      chris73
      August 4, 2015 at 5:02 pm | #

      I’m seeing parallels with this strip: http://www.dumbingofage.com/2015/comic/book-5/03-the-butterflies-fly-away/questioning/

    • Bagge
      Bagge
      August 4, 2015 at 5:27 pm | #

      Yeah, but there is a hope spot in there. When Ross (FUCK YOU) was confronted by the fact that his daughter lived a life undeniably at odds with their fundie norms he dragged her from school, tried to get her to a camp and is obviously prepared to go to great lengths to control her.

      I’m not so sure that Joyce parent’s will be as unyielding if it really comes down to the choice of accepting Joyce or lose her. After all, they raised a daughter who isn’t.

      • Lord Stoneheart
        Lord Stoneheart
        August 4, 2015 at 7:33 pm | #

        I’m not so sure that they will be accepting though. They grudgingly accept Joyce’s right to associate with an atheist after Joyce insists that there is a biblical backing to her actions. (And even then it looks like her mom is still against it).

  171. Tenn
    Tenn
    August 4, 2015 at 5:28 pm | #

    FUCKITY-FUCK FUCK!

    • Bagge
      Bagge
      August 4, 2015 at 5:45 pm | #

      FUCK

    • Tenn
      Tenn
      August 4, 2015 at 5:55 pm | #

      After looking through the comments, I feel the need to address a few points that have been brought up.

      FUCKITY-FUCK FUCK FUCK!

      A FUCKTON OF FUCKING FUCK!

      Also, FUCK!

      • Bagge
        Bagge
        August 4, 2015 at 7:48 pm | #

        Hmmmm. I kinda agree, but I feel the need to clarify on one point:

        FUCK!

        FUCK, FUCK, FUCK.

        • Someone
          Someone
          August 4, 2015 at 9:32 pm | #

          FUCK!

  172. Amake
    Amake
    August 4, 2015 at 5:34 pm | #

    Hmm, one more unreasonable, physically aggressive obsessively controlling dad to be fought off by our heroic teenage herd? Or will there be a twist somewhere in that plot? I’m thinking twist.

  173. Chad From Canada
    Chad From Canada
    August 4, 2015 at 5:35 pm | #

    Dammit Willis! Stop making me love Dina! It’s unhealthy to like a fictional character this much!

    • Bicycle Bill
      Bicycle Bill
      August 4, 2015 at 9:39 pm | #

      Tell me about it.  I’m the same way about Joyce herself.

      Truthfully, though, this is a sign of good writing.  When an author can create something out of thin air and get his readers (or her readers, as in the case of J.K. Rowling) to invest so much emotional energy into them, that writer has a rare talent.

  174. ClaudeWicked
    ClaudeWicked
    August 4, 2015 at 5:46 pm | #

    Okay, I can feel the set up here to be able to being AG into this. Nothing a little MURDER cant handle. Or you know the fact that Becky is a legal adult.

  175. Poz
    Poz
    August 4, 2015 at 6:26 pm | #

    Well, one possibility is that his daughter being missing for a few nights after an argument has terrified Ross as much as it should a decent parent and he’s decided that even if he still doesn’t approve of the gay, it’s not worth losing his daughter over and he’s here to try to not be an asshole. To talk to Becky and help her figure out a real plan, even if it’s still not possible for her to live in the same house as him and it takes him a while to fully accept her.

    … Look, it’d be nice, wouldn’t it?

  176. Focal Malice
    Focal Malice
    August 4, 2015 at 8:30 pm | #

    GREAT SCOTT that was quick.

  177. Bicycle Bill
    Bicycle Bill
    August 4, 2015 at 9:33 pm | #

    (I can’t believe nobody said this yet, but)

    ALL YOUR BASE ARE BELONG TO DINA!

    • Bagge
      Bagge
      August 5, 2015 at 4:58 am | #

      Wow… we missed that one? Just goes to show how much of a distraction toe-turd can be.

  178. Li
    Li
    August 4, 2015 at 9:57 pm | #

    also this comic deserves so many top level comments, but that last panel. I cannot talk about any of the cute shippy thoughts I was having, or even go on a dissertation about Dina’s gray-ace-spectrumness, because toedad has ruined everything. D:

    • Bagge
      Bagge
      August 5, 2015 at 4:58 am | #

      That’s what he does.

  179. Kiggy
    Kiggy
    August 4, 2015 at 11:17 pm | #

    Ugh, Becky’s asshole dad.

    Maybe we could put him in a cage with Amber’s Dad and have them pummel each other…

  180. Fish Facade
    Fish Facade
    April 5, 2016 at 12:33 am | #

    The first time I read this, I was like, “Hm.”
    Oh, how I long for the days of my innocence, when still believed that life could but good for everyone.

Who's that guy over there?

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