Dumbing of Age Book Twelve

Dumbing of Age

A college webcomic by David Willis
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May 5, 2026

Catches

by David M Willis on March 6, 2017 at 12:01 am
  • 03 - The Thing I Was Before
└ Tags: becky, dina, joyce, mike, sarah, walky

Discussion (173) ¬

[ Comments RSS ]
  1. Doctor_Who
    Doctor_Who
    March 6, 2017 at 12:05 am | #

    What? Walky was just going to make sure Bill Cipher attends class today. What’s wrong with that?

    Being a cosmic entity of pure malice doesn’t excuse one from class. I mean, Mike showed up.

    • Reltzik
      Reltzik
      March 6, 2017 at 12:18 am | #

      Mike’s not pure malice.

      He’s at least part-snark.

    • Pablo360
      Pablo360
      March 6, 2017 at 12:24 am | #

      Don’t insult Bill by comparing him to DoA Mike.

      • MatthewTheLucky
        MatthewTheLucky
        March 6, 2017 at 1:18 am | #

        What’s the difference between walkyverse Mike and Bill Cipher?
        One’s an unstoppable, omniscient, evil force of pure chaos, and the other is a demonic triangle.

        • Silly Name
          Silly Name
          March 6, 2017 at 2:29 am | #

          Bill can sing.

          • Clif
            Clif
            March 6, 2017 at 8:47 am | #

            I’m glad you cleared that up for us. Goes off to Google Bill Cipher. Returns with new respect for Mike who does it all without extra-dimensional powers.

            • James
              James
              March 6, 2017 at 12:12 pm | #

              And I don’t think Mike has ever been outsmarted by a pair of twelve year olds, much less repeatedly

    • Haven
      Haven
      March 6, 2017 at 2:45 am | #

      Well, that explains Mike’s hair…

  2. Ana Chronistic
    Ana Chronistic
    March 6, 2017 at 12:05 am | #

    “QUICK BILLIE IS TRYING TO GET OUT OF GOING TO MATH”
    “Projecting much?”
    “SHE WIRETAPPED MY PHONE”
    “yup, projecting”

    • Emperor Daniel
      Emperor Daniel
      March 6, 2017 at 12:18 am | #

      So Walky wiretapped Billie’s phone, gotcha.

    • nobodybasically
      nobodybasically
      March 6, 2017 at 1:47 am | #

      The real news here is that Dorothy blabbed.

      • Needfuldoer
        Needfuldoer
        March 6, 2017 at 2:39 am | #

        But her text messages!

        • Clif
          Clif
          March 6, 2017 at 9:09 am | #

          were all faked by the Russians.

          • Needfuldoer
            Needfuldoer
            March 6, 2017 at 2:51 pm | #

            This “Galasso’s” is involved somehow, too. I just know it. We just have to figure out what “FOOLS” really means, and then the dominoes will fall like a house of cards. Checkmate.

  3. Schpoonman
    Schpoonman
    March 6, 2017 at 12:05 am | #

    Oh my god, Walky, your eyes.

    • Gwen
      Gwen
      March 6, 2017 at 9:28 pm | #

      Your avatar is perfect

  4. AnvilPro
    AnvilPro
    March 6, 2017 at 12:06 am | #

    Joyce is Walky’s keeper

  5. Gram91
    Gram91
    March 6, 2017 at 12:07 am | #

    Dat 6th panel face.

    • Svankensen
      Svankensen
      March 6, 2017 at 10:55 pm | #

      Yep, its lovely. I don’t think I had seen that expression on Joyce before!

  6. AlexanderHammil
    AlexanderHammil
    March 6, 2017 at 12:07 am | #

    oh my god, joyce has cleavage, it’s the end of days come upon us

    • Undrave
      Undrave
      March 6, 2017 at 12:08 am | #

      I know right?!

    • Plasma Mongoose
      Plasma Mongoose
      March 6, 2017 at 12:10 am | #

      Distracting Cleavage is an actual skill you can allocate to your character in D&D.

      • Pablo360
        Pablo360
        March 6, 2017 at 12:25 am | #

        Technically you can make up whatever skill you want and allocate points to it in D&D.

        • SgtWadeyWilson
          SgtWadeyWilson
          March 6, 2017 at 2:30 am | #

          We’ll just add ten points to “Craft Chimichanga” and completely ignore all that stealth bull.

          • Needfuldoer
            Needfuldoer
            March 6, 2017 at 2:42 am | #

            Forget Stealth, dump all your points into Charisma. That way when you get caught you can basically be like Obi-Wan and convince the enemy you were never there!

            • Pablo360
              Pablo360
              March 6, 2017 at 11:49 pm | #

              In what D20 implementation is it possible to divert points from a skill to an attribute

          • neeks
            neeks
            March 6, 2017 at 4:39 pm | #

            not to be confused with Kraft Chimichangas, the ultimate MexiCanadian cuisine

      • CJ
        CJ
        March 6, 2017 at 1:44 am | #

        Is it used mostly by male players?

        • Clif
          Clif
          March 6, 2017 at 8:49 am | #

          In some cases that would be more distracting.

      • Deanatay
        Deanatay
        March 7, 2017 at 10:14 am | #

        I wish this were true, but it’s not.

        It’s totally a feat, not a skill.

    • Passchendaele
      Passchendaele
      March 6, 2017 at 12:11 am | #

      I will never be able to unsee that. Joyce has gone hardcore. o-o

    • Emperor Daniel
      Emperor Daniel
      March 6, 2017 at 12:12 am | #

      How many facets does she have?

    • Keulan
      Keulan
      March 6, 2017 at 12:13 am | #

      Holy shit I didn’t see that at first. Who is this imposter and what did she do with the real Joyce?

      • Passchendaele
        Passchendaele
        March 6, 2017 at 12:16 am | #

        The return of Anti-Joyce, maybe?

    • Foxhack
      Foxhack
      March 6, 2017 at 12:18 am | #

      … She’s had cleavage for a few strips already. 😛

      • Smiling Cat
        Smiling Cat
        March 6, 2017 at 4:42 am | #

        It wasn’t as noticeable until we got a shot of her from the front.

        • Clif
          Clif
          March 6, 2017 at 8:50 am | #

          It’s the pladies effect.

    • Reltzik
      Reltzik
      March 6, 2017 at 12:20 am | #

      Yeah, but, I’m pretty sure it’s innocent* cleavage.

      *meaning, not shown with the intention of catching the eye of anyone in particular or people in general, but just a consequence of not considering or caring that it would be showing.

      • Delicious Taffy
        Delicious Taffy
        March 6, 2017 at 12:39 am | #

        Your definition of “innocent” sure seems like someone else’s definition of “sinful and negligent”. I like it.

        • Reltzik
          Reltzik
          March 6, 2017 at 2:02 am | #

          …. okay, I can’t work this into a coherently punny sentence, but you got me thinking about sinfully negligent negligee.

          • Brotato
            Brotato
            March 6, 2017 at 1:52 pm | #

            Comments like this make me wish we could like comments.

      • Mx Miki
        Mx Miki
        March 6, 2017 at 5:03 am | #

        Could also be the “women’s shirts are often lower cut” sort of cleavage

    • Bicycle Bill
      Bicycle Bill
      March 6, 2017 at 12:30 am | #

      That’s a direct effect of Joyce’s acquisition of the “Freshman Fifteen”.  If you look back, you will see that Billie has also gotten a little more curvy in a couple of places as well.

    • showler
      showler
      March 6, 2017 at 1:09 am | #

      Dina noticed. She’s wearing her “clevage girl” shirt.

    • nightsbridge
      nightsbridge
      March 6, 2017 at 1:18 am | #

      …Um?

      Why are we focusing so much on Joyce’s wardrobe choice? It isn’t even a subject of the strip. I feel vaguely like I’m listening to people cry cameltoe.

      • Gesc
        Gesc
        March 6, 2017 at 1:36 am | #

        CAMELT- oh wait you didn’t actually mean that.

      • thejeff
        thejeff
        March 6, 2017 at 8:52 am | #

        I suspect it may actually matter, in that it’s a conscious wardrobe choice by Willis. Joyce being willing to wear a slightly more revealing outfit is interesting, even if it’s not actually talked about in comic.

        • nightsbridge
          nightsbridge
          March 6, 2017 at 7:27 pm | #

          unlikely

      • Plasma Mongoose
        Plasma Mongoose
        March 6, 2017 at 9:18 pm | #

        The more truthful answer is we will find any excuse to talk about naughty bits.

    • Gesc
      Gesc
      March 6, 2017 at 1:38 am | #

      That kind of shirt lends itself to it. And Joyce is definitely endowed enough to warrant a bit of cleavage at least.

      Not that it really matters? I think?

      • AlexanderHammil
        AlexanderHammil
        March 7, 2017 at 4:02 am | #

        it’s probably not at all significant, but she’s been in high collared shirts since at least Toe Dad’s rampage, so it feels significant. Like, it’s been Serious Biz for several days, and now it’s settling down a little. Maybe? Or alternately it’s just a part of her wardrobe and the calendar moves so glacially in DoA that we haven’t seen it in years and years. :-/

  7. Leorale
    Leorale
    March 6, 2017 at 12:07 am | #

    Jesus is cool with it, I asked

    • Undrave
      Undrave
      March 6, 2017 at 12:08 am | #

      Jesus is all abou that free love!

      • Plasma Mongoose
        Plasma Mongoose
        March 6, 2017 at 12:11 am | #

        Roz on the other hand, is all about the “No glove, no love”.

    • Cybersnark
      Cybersnark
      March 6, 2017 at 9:41 am | #

      At this point, I’m pretty sure Jesus ships it.

  8. Undrave
    Undrave
    March 6, 2017 at 12:07 am | #

    I just realized that Joyce is showing more cleavage than usual…

    Anyway it’s suspicious that Dorothy isn’t there… I’m guessing she will also be attending that meeting in the RM’s office?!

    • Smiling Cat
      Smiling Cat
      March 6, 2017 at 12:12 am | #

      Okay, it wasn’t just me.

    • BBCC
      BBCC
      March 6, 2017 at 12:23 am | #

      Their class ends and they’ll be seeking lunch in about an hour.

      Huh. What else is happening in an hour?

    • foamy
      foamy
      March 6, 2017 at 2:47 am | #

      Yeah, that connection seems pretty obvious to me.

      Still holding out hope for SIDNEY YUS though.

      • Clif
        Clif
        March 6, 2017 at 8:53 am | #

        Still holding out hope for Headie Allen Monkmasters, the unknown evil.

  9. Reltzik
    Reltzik
    March 6, 2017 at 12:07 am | #

    Panel 6 Joyce: Challenge accepted.

  10. Yuki
    Yuki
    March 6, 2017 at 12:07 am | #

    I adore this incredibles reference

    • TheAnonymousGuy
      TheAnonymousGuy
      March 6, 2017 at 12:59 am | #

      I wonder if he got it from our comments on when sal ripped amazi-girl out her hiding spot?

      • Needfuldoer
        Needfuldoer
        March 6, 2017 at 2:45 am | #

        I bet he got it from The Incredibles.

        • Jon Rich
          Jon Rich
          March 6, 2017 at 8:04 am | #

          What’s the reference?

          • Insomniac
            Insomniac
            March 6, 2017 at 8:43 am | #

            The alt-text, “NO CAPES!”, is a reference to the Pixar film The Incredibles.

            Edna Mode, superhero costume designer, shouts it when a main character wants a cape on his costume. She rattles off a list of superheroes who were killed because they did superhero stuff with a bug useless piece of cloth on their back that catches on stuff and gets in the way.

    • Marsh Maryrose
      Marsh Maryrose
      March 6, 2017 at 10:21 am | #

      But he could have gone with a Watchmen reference: “No damned stupid cloaks!”

  11. Danni
    Danni
    March 6, 2017 at 12:08 am | #

    so beckys thinking about sex, right?

    • Undrave
      Undrave
      March 6, 2017 at 12:09 am | #

      She’s slipshining it up in there something fierce!

    • Leorale
      Leorale
      March 6, 2017 at 12:10 am | #

      She may just be hoping really hard that Dina doesn’t sleep in her hat.

      • Leorale
        Leorale
        March 6, 2017 at 12:12 am | #

        (Dina totally sleeps in her hat.)

        • Smiling Cat
          Smiling Cat
          March 6, 2017 at 12:13 am | #

          And nothing else. 😛

          • Clif
            Clif
            March 6, 2017 at 8:57 am | #

            BOOM!!! Sorry, that’s my head cannon.

        • Greenygal
          Greenygal
          March 6, 2017 at 2:53 am | #

          She sleeps in the hat. Or the hoodie, as the case may be.

    • Reltzik
      Reltzik
      March 6, 2017 at 12:13 am | #

      She’s thinking about NOT thinking about sex, which is an even greater challenge than not thinking about sex.

      …. pretend that made sense.

      • Danni
        Danni
        March 6, 2017 at 12:16 am | #

        and then it circles back to thinking about sex

        • Emperor Daniel
          Emperor Daniel
          March 6, 2017 at 12:19 am | #

          It’s the circle of sex
          And it rules us all…

          • Emperor Daniel
            Emperor Daniel
            March 6, 2017 at 12:19 am | #

            (but not everyone)

            • Danni
              Danni
              March 6, 2017 at 12:22 am | #

              a percentage of the human population

              • Clif
                Clif
                March 6, 2017 at 8:56 am | #

                Sorry. What’d you guys say? I was thinking.

  12. Passchendaele
    Passchendaele
    March 6, 2017 at 12:09 am | #

    “Lunch is a class and she wanted everyone to be in class so I need to get her so she isn’t tardy and WHY CAN’T I GET OUT OF THIS HOODIE?”

  13. Keulan
    Keulan
    March 6, 2017 at 12:10 am | #

    No capes!

    • Plasma Mongoose
      Plasma Mongoose
      March 6, 2017 at 12:14 am | #

      I’m more of a “no capers” myself.

      • Marsh Maryrose
        Marsh Maryrose
        March 6, 2017 at 10:25 am | #

        What have you got against pickled flower buds?

  14. John
    John
    March 6, 2017 at 12:10 am | #

    Who’s Bill Hurk?

    • Reltzik
      Reltzik
      March 6, 2017 at 12:21 am | #

      That’s Will the Frat Bro after the huge party.

    • JessWitt
      JessWitt
      March 6, 2017 at 12:26 am | #

      Wild Bill Hurk, accent on the Hurk.

  15. motorfirebox
    motorfirebox
    March 6, 2017 at 12:11 am | #

    Huh. It actually never occurred to me that Becky would still try to live within her church’s strictures.

    • Leorale
      Leorale
      March 6, 2017 at 12:16 am | #

      Just because you reject that your spouse must be a dude doesn’t necessarily mean you instantly reject all your values about chastity, monogamy, etc.

  16. Smiling Cat
    Smiling Cat
    March 6, 2017 at 12:11 am | #

    Is it just me or is Joyce’s somewhat more provocative than usual? There’s clevage!

    (By provocative, of course, I mean fairly normal for people who aren’t sheltered fundamentalists who feel shame in acknowledging they have boobs)

    • Smiling Cat
      Smiling Cat
      March 6, 2017 at 12:11 am | #

      Joyce’s shirt, I mean.

    • BenRG
      BenRG
      March 6, 2017 at 6:01 am | #

      I’m going to go out on a limb here: Until otherwise stated, I’m assuming that this is Carla’s doing. She made a random comment about Joyce’s figure that at least encouraged Joyce to try something different.

  17. Stephen Bierce
    Stephen Bierce
    March 6, 2017 at 12:11 am | #

    *looks for some Whodini*

    • Stephen Bierce
      Stephen Bierce
      March 6, 2017 at 12:16 am | #

      These Are The People We Call FRIENDS.

  18. Reltzik
    Reltzik
    March 6, 2017 at 12:12 am | #

    You know, I said a month or two or five back that Joyce really didn’t want to have kids because of how she reacted to (shower) grodiness.

    And then I realized, Walky would LOVE doing the grody stuff. He’d be that dad who’d tweet pics of diaper-changing.

    And Joyce is good at the responsibility stuff that Walky’s bad at. And Walky’s pretty good at seeing what lies in Joyce’s blind spots and calling her on it without being depressingly cynical or coddling.

    They compliment each others’ weakness pretty darn well.

    I know it’s not going to happen because it’s a Walkiverse relationship, but still, I ship it.

    • Bagge
      Bagge
      March 6, 2017 at 12:49 am | #

      Joyce and Walky, in unison: “YUCK!”

  19. JayTheBookworm
    JayTheBookworm
    March 6, 2017 at 12:12 am | #

    “Milan darling, Milan”

  20. Fart Captor
    Fart Captor
    March 6, 2017 at 12:13 am | #

    I’m sure Amber will say yes. But it’s Amazi-Girl that I’m worried about.

    • Ansel
      Ansel
      March 6, 2017 at 12:15 am | #

      On one hand, yes. On the other hand, while her having been there so long is breaking dorm rules, spending a couple nights with her girlfriend shouldn’t be, so if AG can consider it a separate occasion it might work?

      • Leorale
        Leorale
        March 6, 2017 at 12:23 am | #

        I think Amazi-Girl cares about her own rules, not the school’s. She jumps around on buildings and beats people up a lot. Plus she’s already saved Becky’s life, bit tough to turn on her. I think Amber’s shyness and current stress-level might make her unhappy to have a constant gregarious roommate, but she’d feel pretty bad to say No if it’s presented to her as just a coupla days.

      • Fart Captor
        Fart Captor
        March 6, 2017 at 12:24 am | #

        She was worried about AG’s reaction to Ethan breaking the rules. AG hasn’t been shown to be super-flexible about people breaking rules (other than the ones forbidding vigilantism)

        • BBCC
          BBCC
          March 6, 2017 at 12:28 am | #

          Assault, battery, and stalking are also okay by AG’s book. As are breaking and entering, theft, and vandalism.

          Basically, ‘it’s okay if AG does it’.

          • Reltzik
            Reltzik
            March 6, 2017 at 12:49 am | #

            More like “it’s okay WHEN AG does it”.

          • Fart Captor
            Fart Captor
            March 6, 2017 at 1:29 am | #

            Theft and vandalism? When did AG commit either of those?

            • Sam
              Sam
              March 6, 2017 at 1:39 am | #

              She stole a stop sign that was being gratified. Put it back later with Danny. Still stole it which counts as vandalism and theft even if temporary.

              • Knuf Wons
                Knuf Wons
                March 6, 2017 at 2:17 pm | #

                I’m pretty sure you meant to say graffitied, but now I can’t help but wonder if you’ve discovered a new genre of porn or not.

            • BBCC
              BBCC
              March 6, 2017 at 2:05 am | #

              Stole the traffic sign.

              She put it back a little while later, but she freely agreed it counted.

    • Larkle
      Larkle
      March 6, 2017 at 12:49 am | #

      I’m wondering… She did flip out that time when Danny got a little tipsy because of underage drinking.

    • BenRG
      BenRG
      March 6, 2017 at 5:54 am | #

      Amazi-Girl would be most likely to lecture ‘Dino-Girl’ at the risk of letting innocent people get too close where your enemies may target them to get to you.

      • JBento
        JBento
        March 6, 2017 at 11:06 am | #

        Wouldn’t she be lecturing Becky about it instead? She’s far more likely to have people want to “get to her” than Dina.

        • BenRG
          BenRG
          March 6, 2017 at 11:09 am | #

          Yes, but Becky isn’t the one with superpowers… At least none we know about.

  21. Kris
    Kris
    March 6, 2017 at 12:15 am | #

    Joyce is at least 3x stronger than you Walky give up.

    • Rukduk
      Rukduk
      March 6, 2017 at 12:28 am | #

      I think it’s closer to 4x, but then again I’m not entirely sure. Also, I now want to see Joyce use the Kaioken for some reason.

      • RedNoBlue
        RedNoBlue
        March 6, 2017 at 4:44 pm | #

        Kaio wha-?

    • Bagge
      Bagge
      March 6, 2017 at 12:51 am | #

      He held his own here
      http://www.dumbingofage.com/2014/comic/book-4/04-the-whiteboard-dong-bandit/godpertunity/

      I think as long Joyce is not in RAGE!MODE she is at most 2x stronger than him.

      • Kris
        Kris
        March 6, 2017 at 1:17 am | #

        Hmmm? I don’t know? My bias would argue Walky’s struggling from a position of weakness. Obscuring the face to improve his chances because Joyce has him thoroughly handled….but objectively….2x is more accurate. But that is boring! In the interest of baseless hyperbole factoring Walky’s poor diet I argue Joyce is at least 5x stronger than him!

        • Rukduk
          Rukduk
          March 6, 2017 at 2:08 am | #

          And it isn’t even her final form!!!

    • showler
      showler
      March 6, 2017 at 1:37 pm | #

      In today’s strip she doesn’t need to be very strong, considering he’s pulling with his throat.

  22. Reltzik
    Reltzik
    March 6, 2017 at 12:15 am | #

    Also, calling it now. The something that’s come up is that Joyce is at Ruth’s meeting with the RM.

    #PlayingItSafeSpeculation

    • Bicycle Bill
      Bicycle Bill
      March 6, 2017 at 12:20 am | #

      Don’t you mean Dorothy is going to be at Ruth’s meeting with the RM?

    • Reltzik
      Reltzik
      March 6, 2017 at 12:22 am | #

      #FailureToUseSpellingProtectionIsNotActuallySafe

      • Reltzik
        Reltzik
        March 6, 2017 at 12:22 am | #

        ….. just pretend that was a spelling mistake rather than a name-choice mistake.

        What is WRONG with my brain tonight?

        • foamy
          foamy
          March 6, 2017 at 4:46 am | #

          Too easy. :p

        • JBento
          JBento
          March 6, 2017 at 10:47 am | #

          Same thing it’s wrong with it EVERY NIGHT, Reltzik.

          It’s trying to TAKE OVER THE WORLD!!!

          • Reltzik
            Reltzik
            March 6, 2017 at 11:13 am | #

            …….. actually it was trying to proove the Collatz Conjecture.

            • JBento
              JBento
              March 6, 2017 at 2:04 pm | #

              And now I know what the Collatz Conjecture is. Woot, knowledge!

  23. StClair
    StClair
    March 6, 2017 at 12:22 am | #

    “Not so fast, Buster!”

    • Reltzik
      Reltzik
      March 6, 2017 at 12:42 am | #

      *jerked off feet by hood*

      *Keaton pratfall*

      ….

      *flees for dear punning life*

  24. JessWitt
    JessWitt
    March 6, 2017 at 12:23 am | #

    Just grin and math it, Walky.

  25. Whatevsman
    Whatevsman
    March 6, 2017 at 12:26 am | #

    Hoodies have been the number one leading cause for inability to run away from your problems since 1998. This has been another Useless Fact

  26. Rukduk
    Rukduk
    March 6, 2017 at 12:26 am | #

    Careful Walky. If she has to lead you into class like someone taking their pet to the vet, everyone else will notice. They won’t care, but they’ll notice.

    • Reltzik
      Reltzik
      March 6, 2017 at 12:41 am | #

      Mike will care. Yesssss.

      • JBento
        JBento
        March 6, 2017 at 11:05 am | #

        For a nickel.

      • Rukduk
        Rukduk
        March 6, 2017 at 6:53 pm | #

        I don’t count Mike. Mainly because I already have to deal with try-hard edgelord trolls, so I tend to just dismiss fictional ones. I’ve already spent too much time arguing with a group of particularly dense ones that a) black people do exist in Tolkien’s universe and b) the presence of one as a Gondorian soldier is not lore breaking on the trailer for “Shadow of War”.

  27. Mandy
    Mandy
    March 6, 2017 at 12:27 am | #

    Joyce’s face in panel 6 is my everything.

    • BenRG
      BenRG
      March 6, 2017 at 5:55 am | #

      Suspicious Joyce is suspicious. I wonder how detailed the warning was Dorothy gave her about Walky’s likelihood of trying to run away?

      • JBento
        JBento
        March 6, 2017 at 11:04 am | #

        Considering that there’s an ellipse before she says “everyone,” I’m going to go with “very.”

  28. Lokitsu
    Lokitsu
    March 6, 2017 at 12:35 am | #

    I think Sarah and Mike are actually impressed.

  29. Delicious Taffy
    Delicious Taffy
    March 6, 2017 at 12:36 am | #

    This is a nice strip. I always love it when someone grabs a hoodie-clad friend by the hood to keep them from running away, because it’s just funny to see them get pulled back so easily.

    To elaborate on the “deadname”* thing I brought up last strip, I realise it might have come across like I was implying I now have one less sibling, based on the phrasing “I used to have”. I still have the same amount (2 brothers), one just prefers male pronouns and has a different name, these days.

    *I assume that’s the term for someone’s name before they get it changed?

    • Leorale
      Leorale
      March 6, 2017 at 1:22 am | #

      Yep! I’m sure there are other terms but that’s the one I know. It came across as you intended, you used to know him as your sister, and now you know him as your brother.

      • Delicious Taffy
        Delicious Taffy
        March 6, 2017 at 1:25 am | #

        Thank you for not misunderstanding my admittedly somewhat-ambiguous phrasing and consequently laying into me about it. That’s happened in the past with this sort of subject matter, and I’m glad it didn’t happen here.

        • Leorale
          Leorale
          March 6, 2017 at 1:32 am | #

          No worries, and thanks for making the world that much better by supporting your bro 🙂

  30. TrueVCU
    TrueVCU
    March 6, 2017 at 12:39 am | #

    I feel like both Sarah and Mike are impressed with Joyce’s hoodie grabbing technique

    • BenRG
      BenRG
      March 6, 2017 at 2:20 am | #

      Mike’s expression actually says to me that he’s thinking: “What a woman!”

      • TrueVCU
        TrueVCU
        March 6, 2017 at 11:27 am | #

        Also Mike’s thoughts: Sex choking

  31. Bagge
    Bagge
    March 6, 2017 at 12:44 am | #

    MAKE SPACE FOR JESUS, BECKY!

  32. jimbotherisenclown
    jimbotherisenclown
    March 6, 2017 at 1:21 am | #

    Those last three panels are why they were married in the other universe.

  33. Bagge
    Bagge
    March 6, 2017 at 1:24 am | #

    All teasing aside, Becky is behaving admirable. The prospect of sleeping together with your first partner – with the possibility of “sleeping” together not entirely off the cards – is daunting for anyone. And she has had the same sex ad Joyce has!

    Sex is one of the biggest sins she has been constantly warned about. She has a very vague idea how it’s even supposed to work, especially for two women, and she knows that Dina is about as clueless as herself. She REALLY doesn’t want to screw this up, but at the same time she is so exited and pent up she is about to… do that thing with the lady syrup.

    So all things considered, a few silly jokes on her own expense while at the same time managing to communicate needs and concern to Dina is pretty impressive.

    • Bagge
      Bagge
      March 6, 2017 at 1:26 am | #

      I mean, “being forced by circumstance to share a bed” is one of the cornerstones of cheesy romance writing. Becky’s brain has NO problem extrapolating from there.

  34. MatsuoTanuki
    MatsuoTanuki
    March 6, 2017 at 1:27 am | #

    *selects Mortal Kombat soundbites* GET OVER HERE!

  35. cmd1095
    cmd1095
    March 6, 2017 at 1:47 am | #

    Joyce’s facial expressions continue to be hilarious all by themselves

  36. Jay
    Jay
    March 6, 2017 at 2:12 am | #

    I don’t know if I’ve ever loved Joyce as much as in that last panel.

    …Yeah, I’m weird.

  37. zoelogical
    zoelogical
    March 6, 2017 at 2:13 am | #

    it’s joyce’s supervillain origin, She Who Makes Sure All Attend Class

  38. BenRG
    BenRG
    March 6, 2017 at 2:18 am | #

    Joyce can see through your weaksauce schemes, Walky. You’re really going to need to up your game with her… If you can.

  39. nooB
    nooB
    March 6, 2017 at 3:56 am | #

    Am I in the right comic universe?
    This Joyce-Walky thing is pretty shippy

    • BenRG
      BenRG
      March 6, 2017 at 5:56 am | #

      Nah, it’s more the ‘big sister/little brother’ dynamic than shipping. Walky is the Calvin to Joyce’s Suzy.

      • John
        John
        March 6, 2017 at 12:25 pm | #

        Yeah. I’ve said it before: Those two make way better semi-antagonistic pseudo-siblings than they ever did a couple.

  40. Flakky
    Flakky
    March 6, 2017 at 4:47 am | #

    Really like Joyce in this one, again. Just noticed Mike standing back there inconspicuously and I wondered how many times I’d missed him skulking around.

    Did he ever interact with/troll Becky? Does he even know about her (despite everyone knowing)? It’s been a while.

    • BenRG
      BenRG
      March 6, 2017 at 5:52 am | #

      Mike followed Walky out of the dorm two strips backs. Aren’t they roomies? If so, it makes sense that they’d appear at the same time.

      It might be interesting if Mike has an ‘Even Evil Has Standards’ personal honour code that impels him to only troll Becky in a way that will not place her at risk. That said, he seems to be more interested in the interaction between Joyce and Walky at this moment.

      • Flakky
        Flakky
        March 7, 2017 at 8:02 am | #

        I totally forgot they were roomies.

        The “Even Evil has Standards” is broadly accepted, I think. He hasn’t really picked on anyone who couldn’t take it, or didn’t in the end learn from it.

        • Greenygal
          Greenygal
          March 7, 2017 at 5:52 pm | #

          It’s possible that Mike has standards, in the sense that he wouldn’t actually get Becky thrown out on the street for the joy of it. Nobody has told him about her situation, so we can’t tell yet. But there are a lot of people who disagree with your second sentence. Ethan didn’t learn anything useful from being told that he wouldn’t be alone if he’d just stayed in the closet. Dorothy didn’t learn anything useful from having photos taken of her while she was asleep (unless it was “don’t trust Mike”). Joyce didn’t learn anything useful from having her phone snatched and her mother made to think she was hanging out with Satanists. And absolutely Amber didn’t learn anything useful from being told that not wanting to date an abuser meant she was probably an abuser herself. And that’s just a sampling of his general shittiness.

          The only good result I can ever think of anything Mike’s done was getting Dorothy to admit she was dating Walky, and even if that’s what he intended (or if it was any of his business, particularly) that’s no excuse for getting there by slut-shaming her and trying to hurt Walky, in a public forum no less.

          It’s possible that Mike has standards. But that doesn’t make him not evil.

        • Fart Captor
          Fart Captor
          March 7, 2017 at 7:43 pm | #

          Flakky, with Mike has punched down almost exclusively.

          What have Dorothy or Sal “learned” from his slut-shaming? What did Ethan learn from being chased back into the closet? What did Amber learn from being told her taste in men meant she was doomed to become as abusive as her father?

          Nothing. Because he’s not magic. He’s an asshole. Those aren’t brilliant techniques for spurring growth in other people, it’s abuse.

          When positive development does end up happening after Mike’s abuse, it’s not until after his target stops letting Mike fuck with their head. He doesn’t get credit for that.

          Here is about the only instance where Mike was a jerk in a way that actually exposed someone being hypocritical:

          http://www.dumbingofage.com/2015/comic/book-6/02-that-perfect-girl/profane/

          And he’s not even being all that mean there. It could even be construed as him sticking up for Joyce for a moment.

          The thing people need to understand is that even if Mike was being an asshole with the intention of helping people, even if he actually knew what he was doing, and most importantly, even if he actually was helping people, this is still abuse.

          Nobody has the right to treat people the way Mike does. Even if they’re trying to help.

  41. Megan Rivera
    Megan Rivera
    March 6, 2017 at 7:39 am | #

    At this point, I don’t even come for the comic. I come for the alt-text jokes.

  42. DarkoNeko
    DarkoNeko
    March 6, 2017 at 7:40 am | #

    Sarah and Mike sharing the same expression is… disconcerting.

  43. BenRG
    BenRG
    March 6, 2017 at 10:34 am | #

    I just love the mirroring of Joyce and Walky in panels 3/4 and 5/6! It’s a lovely touch.

  44. hof1991
    hof1991
    March 6, 2017 at 11:00 am | #

    Maybe no Dorothy because she’s also going to the meeting. Or maybe she knows about the meeting and its potential aftermath and doesn’t want the hallway crowded with gawking teens if Ruth has to exit the building.

    • Schpoonman
      Schpoonman
      March 6, 2017 at 3:53 pm | #

      Dorothy isn’t in their Calculus class.

  45. hof1991
    hof1991
    March 6, 2017 at 11:02 am | #

    Sorry, Dorothy wants everyone to attend class to hide that she is mainly concerned Walky attends class. And Joyce is her enforcer.

  46. Fire_daws
    Fire_daws
    March 6, 2017 at 12:52 pm | #

    That Joyce face in panel 6. Love it.

  47. trlkly
    trlkly
    March 6, 2017 at 2:10 pm | #

    The text doesn’t have to be detailed. Joyce knows that Walky is not doing well in math, and noticed his absence. She’s capable of putting two and two together.

  48. Micki
    Micki
    March 6, 2017 at 4:40 pm | #

    LOL at Joyce’s face in panel 7

  49. RedNoBlue
    RedNoBlue
    March 6, 2017 at 4:43 pm | #

    If Dorothy becomes the RA, what will her reaction be to Becky staying on the floor? It’s a big rule they’re breaking, but on the other hand she drank alcohol to help be there for someone.

    • BBCC
      BBCC
      March 6, 2017 at 6:48 pm | #

      She said part of the reason she wants the job is to protect Becky.

      Being a good person has always mattered more to Dorothy than perfectly obeying the rules. Much like Joyce, if it comes to a decision between Rules and Right, she’ll pick right reliably.

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