Dumbing of Age Book Twelve

Dumbing of Age

A college webcomic by David Willis
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May 12, 2026

Broken

by David M Willis on February 7, 2014 at 12:01 am
  • 01 - The Only Dope For Me Is You
└ Tags: amber, danny

Discussion (408) ¬

[ Comments RSS ]
  1. Jen Aside
    Jen Aside
    February 7, 2014 at 12:01 am | #

    Did Jesus punch his dad in the face, too??

    • Jen Aside
      Jen Aside
      February 7, 2014 at 12:01 am | #

      sorry—His dad

      • Yotomoe
        Yotomoe
        February 7, 2014 at 12:02 am | #

        If he did it’d be basically like punching himself in the face.

        • Just Cheeto Dust
          Just Cheeto Dust
          February 7, 2014 at 12:04 am | #

          I guess his arms aren’t too short to box with God.

          • DailyBrad
            DailyBrad
            February 7, 2014 at 12:24 am | #

            I love you for that reference.

          • Aeonitus
            Aeonitus
            February 7, 2014 at 3:40 am | #

            Please come back, Punk 🙁

        • Wonder Wig
          Wonder Wig
          February 7, 2014 at 12:04 am | #

          Jesus went back in time and became his own dad. This answers everything.

          • Just Cheeto Dust
            Just Cheeto Dust
            February 7, 2014 at 12:07 am | #

            Just one degree off from what Fry would’ve done.

          • JA
            JA
            February 7, 2014 at 5:42 pm | #

            So in a way, Fry is like God?

        • Just Cheeto Dust
          Just Cheeto Dust
          February 7, 2014 at 12:06 am | #

          And I’ve seen someone punch himself in the face. On TV. For millions to see. And even more to see since it’s been immortalized online.

        • Null Set
          Null Set
          February 7, 2014 at 12:08 am | #

          Stop hitting yourself! Stop hitting yourself!

        • Phil
          Phil
          February 7, 2014 at 12:36 am | #

          WAAAAIT So Amazi-Girl wasn’t Sal? Wowowow, that makes no sense.

          Ruins the story for me.

          • Mustachio
            Mustachio
            February 7, 2014 at 9:05 am | #

            I LOL’d.

          • Sir Robin
            Sir Robin
            February 7, 2014 at 5:30 pm | #

            I don’t think we have seen the whole flashback, I think Amber killed Sal with the knife, and has been wearing her skin for years

        • Jack Faire
          Jack Faire
          February 9, 2014 at 8:16 am | #

          I believe that is in the scripture in book, ‘i am kicking my own ass do you mind”

      • Rani
        Rani
        February 7, 2014 at 12:03 am | #

        To be perfectly honest, his dad didn’t give him much warning before nailing him to a God damned tree.

        • Rani
          Rani
          February 7, 2014 at 12:04 am | #

          Actually, yeah, Jesus nailed his dad to a God damned tree. Amber is actually better than Jesus.

          • Kiggy
            Kiggy
            February 7, 2014 at 12:40 am | #

            Now, for some reason, I have The Ballad of John and Yoko stufk in my head….

            • Kiggy
              Kiggy
              February 7, 2014 at 12:41 am | #

              Stufk = stuffed + stuck :p

              • ocbrad1
                ocbrad1
                February 7, 2014 at 10:40 am | #

                Adding this to the autocorrect list on the phone…

        • Foxhack
          Foxhack
          February 7, 2014 at 2:09 am | #

          I thought he told him he’d die for our sins?

          … he told himself he’d die for our sins?

          Gah, that never made sense to me.

          • Nee Hou
            Nee Hou
            February 7, 2014 at 10:09 am | #

            Foxhack: “Gah, that never made sense to me.”

            Think of it like the particle/wave duality of light.
            Despite being diametrically different, it’s both.

            • anonymous
              anonymous
              February 7, 2014 at 11:59 am | #

              1. That has never made sense to ME.
              2. NOOOO

              • Nee Hou
                Nee Hou
                February 7, 2014 at 11:22 pm | #

                “That has never made sense to ME.”

                I doubt anyone really does,
                and yet is accepted scientific fact.
                Go figure.

          • Brolo
            Brolo
            February 7, 2014 at 1:48 pm | #

            Read Kirkegaard on rationality, its not supposed to make sense.

      • cesium133
        cesium133
        February 7, 2014 at 12:04 am | #

        Should that be “His Dad”?

        • Rani
          Rani
          February 7, 2014 at 12:05 am | #

          People who capitalize their pronouns are probably dirty communists.

          • lejwocky
            lejwocky
            February 7, 2014 at 12:08 am | #

            I hear they also write the letter ‘N’ backwards

            • Spack
              Spack
              February 7, 2014 at 12:45 am | #

              And they pronounce it like it was “i” while pronouncing “H”s like
              “n”. Anr those backward “R”s! Yaaaaaaaa!

              • Fred
                Fred
                February 7, 2014 at 8:44 am | #

                And “P” like “R”, “Table” like “P”, “Table with a tail” like “L” and “Right-slanting A” like “D”. And all the different squiggles for “SH”.

                • anonymous
                  anonymous
                  February 7, 2014 at 12:01 pm | #

                  augh the Russian alphabet is too Cyrillic for me

                • Kintrex
                  Kintrex
                  February 7, 2014 at 8:03 pm | #

                  The blocky little w isn’t really a squiggle.

                • Brady
                  Brady
                  February 8, 2014 at 2:21 pm | #

                  And they spell “Yoo” with a Federation starship.

          • Dhraakellian
            Dhraakellian
            February 7, 2014 at 12:39 am | #

            As opposed to the godless commies who don’t?

            …although they do tend to have fairly strong opinions about Capital.

        • trlkly
          trlkly
          February 22, 2016 at 7:56 pm | #

          Old comment, but for those who binge later:

          The convention is to use lowercase while for Jesus (and uppercase for the Father) before he was resurrected. I think it comes from how some Bible did it.

      • Kianna
        Kianna
        February 7, 2014 at 6:43 am | #

        Actually, Danny was referring to the table flip thing. Jesus did that once in the bible.

        • mister gray
          mister gray
          February 7, 2014 at 12:00 pm | #

          exactly! He did it in the market place cuz they were having a market in the temple which was pretty bad back then and probably would be now.

    • Sageress
      Sageress
      February 7, 2014 at 12:05 am | #

      “YOU’RE NOT MY REAL DAD! YOU’RE JUST SOME GUY NAMED JOE.”

      • Jen Aside
        Jen Aside
        February 7, 2014 at 12:16 am | #

        Is that what [a certain non-DoA character] said?

        • Roborat
          Roborat
          February 7, 2014 at 3:20 pm | #

          So . . . that’s what she said?

    • DragonStryk72
      DragonStryk72
      February 7, 2014 at 2:09 pm | #

      Well, slight difference being that Jesus’s dad wasn’t an abusive fuckwad

      • Arkadi
        Arkadi
        February 7, 2014 at 2:29 pm | #

        There’s a flamewar there waiting to be ignited; but I won’t be the one to do it XD

      • Roborat
        Roborat
        February 7, 2014 at 3:20 pm | #

        Have you read the Bible?

        • Arkadi
          Arkadi
          February 7, 2014 at 3:44 pm | #

          Roborat did it for me! XDXD

        • NaughtbutaHoax
          NaughtbutaHoax
          February 7, 2014 at 5:11 pm | #

          If I recall correctly, the Bible pretty much boils down to “do what I say or I’ll knock the shit out of you” up until Jesus gets ganked, he uses console commands to res himself, then quits the server three days later. After that, it’s a more mild “do what I say or you’ll regret it later”.

          Both seem pretty abusive, context notwithstanding.

          • NaughtbutaHoax
            NaughtbutaHoax
            February 7, 2014 at 5:13 pm | #

            Wait. Shit. Got my analogy wrong. He doesn’t quit the server, he gets promoted to OP and stops playing.

        • das-g
          das-g
          February 7, 2014 at 5:22 pm | #

          Not completely, but it doesn’t seem to say much about that Joseph guy. As far as I can tell, he seems quite alright.

    • Aisling
      Aisling
      June 9, 2015 at 1:38 pm | #

      Jesus had two dad’s, joseph and god… which one you talking about? lol

  2. NCP19
    NCP19
    February 7, 2014 at 12:02 am | #

    Heh, well played, Danny. I’d argue Amber also had some righteous anger against Blaine.

    • David Herbert
      David Herbert
      February 7, 2014 at 12:09 am | #

      Well she did have a right to be angry about Ethan, don’t know about table flipping levels though. Still, punching Blaine is something many of us will forgive, I think.

      • slicedtoad
        slicedtoad
        February 7, 2014 at 12:24 am | #

        *condone

      • Ghola
        Ghola
        February 7, 2014 at 12:36 am | #

        Having the first love of your life, a guy you stabbed a girl in the hand for, come out as gay, has to be pretty shattering to Amber. Then, after supporting him for at least a year, he falls off the gay wagon and wants to have a “relationship” with Joyce. It’s sort of a slap in the face I would think.
        “Oh you can pretend to be straight for HER, but not for ME?” and so on.

        • mister gray
          mister gray
          February 7, 2014 at 12:02 pm | #

          yea but ethan thinks joyce is ok with this and on the surface she is but underneath…….yea she so wants to bang him.

          • Roborat
            Roborat
            February 7, 2014 at 3:21 pm | #

            No, apparently she just wants to rub his tummy.

        • Robin
          Robin
          February 7, 2014 at 12:36 pm | #

          It’s been less than two months.

  3. KingMabel
    KingMabel
    February 7, 2014 at 12:02 am | #

    Oh Danny, so naive

  4. Yotomoe
    Yotomoe
    February 7, 2014 at 12:02 am | #

    YES DANNY, I’VE NOTICED.

    • NCP19
      NCP19
      February 7, 2014 at 12:03 am | #

      The fourth wall is broken by Danny’s self-awareness.

    • NerdHerder
      NerdHerder
      February 7, 2014 at 12:04 am | #

      WE’VE ALL NOTICED

      • Raoullefere
        Raoullefere
        February 7, 2014 at 1:46 am | #

        I’ve noticed all of you noticing. Although I’m not so sure I’ve noticed what you’ve noticed, the fact that you’ve noticed is quite well noted now.

        • TheSuicidalGiraffe
          TheSuicidalGiraffe
          February 7, 2014 at 2:26 am | #

          Duly noted

          • Notery
            Notery
            February 7, 2014 at 6:25 am | #

            Don’t you mean duly noticed?

            • anonymous
              anonymous
              February 7, 2014 at 12:03 pm | #

              Raoul said “noted” towards the end, so I think we might as well count it.

              • xKiv
                xKiv
                February 7, 2014 at 9:15 pm | #

                This subthread is kinda one-note.

          • Volkai
            Volkai
            February 7, 2014 at 7:13 am | #

            Duly noticed.

        • ninja_jesus
          ninja_jesus
          February 7, 2014 at 7:22 am | #

          And has been reported to the authorities.

    • Bill
      Bill
      February 7, 2014 at 10:30 am | #

      Image

  5. Nym
    Nym
    February 7, 2014 at 12:02 am | #

    This is kind of sad and kind of adorable.

    • Vibbles
      Vibbles
      February 7, 2014 at 3:29 am | #

      I knoooow ;-; I’m sad because, after years of not really feelin’ this ship and thinking Amber would be better off with someone wittier and more self-aware, I’m starting to have feels.

      Which is making me vulnerable to the eventual inevitable hurt that Willis will wreak upon this ship. It is pointed for a reef and its creator is not a kind God.

      • mister gray
        mister gray
        February 7, 2014 at 12:04 pm | #

        Noted, vibbles.

  6. David Herbert
    David Herbert
    February 7, 2014 at 12:02 am | #

    He’s now wondering if she hangs out with prostitutes.

    • Cheese
      Cheese
      February 7, 2014 at 12:03 am | #

      Well if Mike charges your mom a nickle then technically…

      • Sageress
        Sageress
        February 7, 2014 at 12:05 am | #

        Mike pays the moms, actually.

    • Ancestral Hamster
      Ancestral Hamster
      February 7, 2014 at 12:23 am | #

      Frank Miller is that way. ==>

  7. shadowcell
    shadowcell
    February 7, 2014 at 12:02 am | #

    yeah, my favorite part of the Bible was when Jesus beat the shit out of God

    it was great because a few hundred years later Satan could come around go all “WHY ARE YOU HITTING YOURSELF, WHY ARE YOU HITTING YOURSELF, WHY ARE YOU HITTING YOURSELF LOLOLOL”

    • David
      David
      February 7, 2014 at 4:43 am | #

      Uh, that was Jacob. Genesis 32:24-30.

      • shadowcell
        shadowcell
        February 7, 2014 at 2:45 pm | #

        i know

  8. Doctor_Who
    Doctor_Who
    February 7, 2014 at 12:02 am | #

    “Although cursing that fig tree was out of line, Amber. What did those poor figs ever do to you?”

    • Sageress
      Sageress
      February 7, 2014 at 12:06 am | #

      “And don’t even get me started on the plagues.”

      • Bill
        Bill
        February 7, 2014 at 12:23 am | #

        But the Pharoah had it coming.  Sort of like Blaine.

        • E.R.
          E.R.
          February 7, 2014 at 1:06 am | #

          Actually, the pharaoh is probably closer to Amber in that analogy. Moses might be her mother.

    • Historyman68
      Historyman68
      February 7, 2014 at 6:21 am | #

      The figs know what they did.

  9. John
    John
    February 7, 2014 at 12:03 am | #

    Oo, back at the bridge.

    • hof1991
      hof1991
      February 7, 2014 at 8:20 am | #

      Back at the bridge where he rejected her for being broken, but he now accepts her in her brokenness. Nice story structure. Very Biblical in its parallelism.

      • AgentKeen
        AgentKeen
        February 7, 2014 at 11:22 am | #

        Very Biblical, Much Testament.

    • Hats
      Hats
      October 12, 2014 at 7:48 pm | #

      Yerp. Willis structures things really well. It’s fun to go back through and pick up on all the cues and foreshadowing in his work.

  10. WaveRocker
    WaveRocker
    February 7, 2014 at 12:03 am | #

    I gotta say

  11. Shade
    Shade
    February 7, 2014 at 12:04 am | #

    Amazi-Girl has come not to bring the peace but the fist.

    • Ahighfunctioningsociopath
      Ahighfunctioningsociopath
      February 7, 2014 at 12:11 am | #

      Kung-fu action Jesus

    • Evil Midnight Lurker
      Evil Midnight Lurker
      February 7, 2014 at 2:31 am | #

      And her peace…

      …and her peace…

      Was the peace…

      …was the peace…

      Of the femur removal.

      • Rex Hondo
        Rex Hondo
        February 7, 2014 at 8:20 am | #

        Applause for Wheel of Time reference.

  12. LiamAldam
    LiamAldam
    February 7, 2014 at 12:04 am | #

    This is probably one of my favorite punchlines to date. Good job!

    • saltchocolate
      saltchocolate
      February 7, 2014 at 12:11 am | #

      Truly! Perhaps it’s only fitting that Danny is the one who gets this great line…

    • das-g
      das-g
      February 7, 2014 at 5:41 pm | #

      The punchline is mightier than the punch.

  13. Tom Speelman
    Tom Speelman
    February 7, 2014 at 12:05 am | #

    Most adorably sad Amber ever?

    • KingMabel
      KingMabel
      February 7, 2014 at 12:07 am | #

      Or saddest adorable Amber ever?

      • Ghostforge
        Ghostforge
        February 7, 2014 at 12:59 am | #

        She looks adorable because without her glasses or mask, her face looks like a rounder version of Riley’s.

  14. Sammie1053
    Sammie1053
    February 7, 2014 at 12:05 am | #

    He can indeed learn, folks.
    The past couple strips with Danny in them have shown some actually-decent decisions and redeeming qualities. E.g. recognizing his own faults!

    • WaveRocker
      WaveRocker
      February 7, 2014 at 12:08 am | #

      wellllll… he hasn’t really learned anything; we’ve just now been exposed to qualities of his that weren’t previously shown.

      • DailyBrad
        DailyBrad
        February 7, 2014 at 12:27 am | #

        True, but it makes sense. Amber likes him for a reason. It is good we are getting to see more of why.

      • begbert2
        begbert2
        February 7, 2014 at 12:33 am | #

        Actually we’ve already seen these exact qualities – loyalty, understanding, decision-making, and compassion. Problem is, the most prominent example of them was in the scene when he thought Amber was trying to muscle in between him and his girlfriend. Oddly enough, people had a hard time giving him credit for his noble decision there.

        • DailyBrad
          DailyBrad
          February 7, 2014 at 2:43 am | #

          This is true. He was being a good boyfriend, and by not wanting to lead on Amber, a good friend. It just played out in a weird way because of Amber’s dishonesty, as understandable as it was. Hopefully, the air will be a whole lot clearer now.

        • Dude
          Dude
          February 7, 2014 at 1:29 pm | #

          Although if Amber wasn’t Amazigirl, him saying that he’s dating a superhero would seem incredibly unbelievable. Also, how you gonna date someone who won’t even tell you their name?

          • begbert2
            begbert2
            February 7, 2014 at 3:22 pm | #

            His claims of dating a superhero are made significantly more plausible by the independent verification of that superhero’s existence and presence around the campus. Plus Amber never challenged his claim of dating Amazi-girl (for some reason), and thus the subject never came up.

            And as for how to date somebody without knowing their name, click the ‘previous comic’ button a bunch of times and you can see an example of it in this very comic! (Admittedly you’ll be seeing it in reverse, but some sacrifices must be made for convenience.)

  15. MM
    MM
    February 7, 2014 at 12:05 am | #

    Dammit, Danny, stop sounding like Joyce. You’re confusing me. Who’s the protagonist? What year is it?

    • Sageress
      Sageress
      February 7, 2014 at 12:07 am | #

      In order…
      1) Riley’s Eyebrows.
      2) 2004

      • MM
        MM
        February 7, 2014 at 12:09 am | #

        Ah, okay, that makes sen…wait, that means I’m back in college. Crap.

        • Throng
          Throng
          February 7, 2014 at 9:19 am | #

          It’s 2004 again? Sweet, I’ve got some notes to send and investments to make.

  16. WaveRocker
    WaveRocker
    February 7, 2014 at 12:06 am | #

    Willis, I gotta commend you for Amazi-Girl’s backstory. Most comics that have superheroes / vigilantes in them would just make it something simple and cliché, like having their parents killed by robbers etc.

    • Batman
      Batman
      February 7, 2014 at 5:29 pm | #

      One man’s cliché is another man’s tragic backstory.

      It’s only cliché if it doesn’t happen to you.

      • Sambo
        Sambo
        February 7, 2014 at 10:57 pm | #

        That comment could not be more amazing :’)

      • Matthew Davis
        Matthew Davis
        February 7, 2014 at 11:02 pm | #

        Am I the only one who read that in the _intense_ Kevin Conroy voice, rather than the default Batman Kevin Conroy voice?

  17. Kschenke
    Kschenke
    February 7, 2014 at 12:06 am | #

    Oh my gosh, that was a really sweet and also kind of logical point. You know … that everyone gets ragey at bullshit sometimes.

  18. John Madden
    John Madden
    February 7, 2014 at 12:07 am | #

    I laughed at the last line and didn’t feel bad.

  19. Flimsy
    Flimsy
    February 7, 2014 at 12:07 am | #

    Oh Danny…

  20. TacosForever
    TacosForever
    February 7, 2014 at 12:07 am | #

    That was a fairly obscure bible reference, Willis! At least from my point of view.

    Also, I really hope this conversation ends well. And that Danny gets Amber the hell inside and out of the Amazi-Girl suit. (…Not naked, guys. Just out of the Amazi-Girl suit.)

    • TacosForever
      TacosForever
      February 7, 2014 at 12:07 am | #

      It’s funny because my avatar is Mary. If I were really Mary, I would know ALL the Bible references.

      • Lou
        Lou
        February 7, 2014 at 12:11 am | #

        No, just the ones that support your ideals. You’d ignore the rest.

      • Pat
        Pat
        February 7, 2014 at 12:46 am | #

        People like Mary tend not to be very good at Bible references. They know a bunch of obscure names, though, so that’s something.

    • Sageress
      Sageress
      February 7, 2014 at 12:07 am | #

      And into a Ninja Turtle Costume right. I’m onto you.

      • WaveRocker
        WaveRocker
        February 7, 2014 at 12:11 am | #

        Turtle Time!

      • Just Cheeto Dust
        Just Cheeto Dust
        February 7, 2014 at 12:19 am | #

        For some kind of furry thing? (Danny Performs a yiff?)

        No thanks.

      • TacosForever
        TacosForever
        February 7, 2014 at 12:28 am | #

        …yessssss best idea everrrrr

        • TacosForever
          TacosForever
          February 7, 2014 at 12:28 am | #

          The Ninja Turtle costume, I mean. No furries.

        • Bill
          Bill
          February 7, 2014 at 10:34 am | #

          No furries = species-ism

    • Packy
      Packy
      February 7, 2014 at 12:10 am | #

      Jesus’ rage-fit where he threw the moneychangers out of the temple is obscure?

      Maybe for non-Christians.

      • Jen Aside
        Jen Aside
        February 7, 2014 at 12:15 am | #

        Or folks who haven’t read Shortpacked!…

        • MandibleBones
          MandibleBones
          February 7, 2014 at 12:40 am | #

          Or Transmetropolitan, for that matter.

          • Doctor_Who
            Doctor_Who
            February 7, 2014 at 12:46 am | #

            That scene was hilarawesome.

      • Bill
        Bill
        February 7, 2014 at 12:21 am | #

        True.  And then, if you want to dissect just the New Testament, there were the times when Jesus was disobedient to Mary/Joseph by remaining in the Temple (“I must be about my Father’s work”); argued with God (the prayers in the Garden of Gethsemane where he asked that he not be forced to drink the cup; i.e., die on the cross); and voiced despair of God (“My God, why have you forsaken me?”).  Getting pissed off and tossing a couple of tables is small potatoes in comparison.

        • someguywithakatana
          someguywithakatana
          February 7, 2014 at 1:41 am | #

          Okay. Real quick. In the first one, he wasn’t being disobedient. He was 12. And they left him in Jerusalem… For like… a crap ton of time. He didn’t stay on purpose. And that line was mostly him just being sassy. Like “Why were you looking for me? Didn’t you know I’d be in my Father’s house?”

          In the second. He’s not arguing with God. He says that He doesn’t want to die, but He immediately follows that with “But not my Will, but yours be done.”

          And in the third… yeah, he’s despairing. I mean. He’s dying… but you are correct.

      • TacosForever
        TacosForever
        February 7, 2014 at 12:31 am | #

        I remembered the story about the temple, but not specifically that he flipped their tables. I’m just saying, I would have had to be regularly looking at Bible stories to remember that detail. Which I don’t. I remember them from my childhood, but I’m not exactly a practicing Christian these days.

        • begbert2
          begbert2
          February 7, 2014 at 12:36 am | #

          You have a point – I mostly remember the part where he went crazy and started whipping people. With a whip that he took the time to make himself, so it wasn’t a momentary outburst; this was premeditated crazy assault. It’s no wonder he was arrested shortly thereafter.

          • Bill
            Bill
            February 7, 2014 at 12:57 am | #

            Ahem — according to the story as I recall it, He fashioned a scourge (whip) from the cords of His robe, the modern equivalent of which would be a man pulling his belt out of his pants and using that to wallop on people.  Use of equipment at hand is not necessarily premeditation.

            • begbert2
              begbert2
              February 7, 2014 at 1:42 am | #

              The verse doesn’t mention his robe, and says (depending on the translation) ropes, cords, or small cords that he made into a whip or scourge. Given that a scourge is basically a cat-o-nine-tails, it becomes hard to imagine how he assembled this out of his apparel, and it’s certain that he took a few moments in the assembly of the thing, at the very least to firmly tie all the ropes together at the base to make a proper whippin’ tool, rather than just using a single belt or whatever that would fail to cause proper pain.

              The modern equivalent would be pulling your belt out of your pants, grabbing a handful of ropes, and tying the end of each one of them to the buckle. And then going batshit insane with it on people!

              • David Willis
                David M Willis
                February 7, 2014 at 3:19 am | #

                The “cords” referred to the tallits which Jewish folks had at the corners of their robes for religious reasons. They could look like this: http://www.religionfacts.com/judaism/images/objects/tallit-lesson.jpg

                He probably didn’t have to assemble anything.

                • Historyman68
                  Historyman68
                  February 7, 2014 at 9:43 am | #

                  It may not be clear from the picture linked there, but all the tallit I have ever experienced are extremely soft, and would not hurt anyone whipped by them unless it got you right in the eye.

                • begbert2
                  begbert2
                  February 7, 2014 at 10:40 am | #

                  And knowing is half the battle!(TM)

                  Given this information, I concede that his sudden attack of crazy-pants assault could easily have been a spontaneous fit of rage rather than a sit-down-and-giggle-while-assembling-a-weapon fit of slow-burn anger. (It’s still quite plausible that the Romans would be looking for him for this event alone, though.)

                • davidbreslin101
                  davidbreslin101
                  February 7, 2014 at 12:55 pm | #

                  @Historyman68: interesting, so Jesus probably didn’t intend to do much damage with the whipping.

            • Bill
              Bill
              February 7, 2014 at 3:09 am | #

              As you know, the Bible has been translated, re-translated, and put into more contemporary terms countless times throughout history.  Since my Catholic school days were back during the Kennedy/Johnson era it might be that I am channeling an earlier translation that mentioned the cords came from Christ’s clothing; it could also have been something that was set forth as a further explanation in religion classes by the nuns/priests that made up the school’s faculty.  No big deal.

      • Felgraf
        Felgraf
        February 7, 2014 at 12:40 am | #

        I dunno, given the fact that the prosperity gospel is *EVEN A THING THAT EXISTS*, I’d argue that a chunk of Christians would find that part of the bible obscure, too.
        And the parts about not being able to serve god and money.
        And the bit about the rain falling on the good and the wicked, and the sun shining on the just and the unjust.
        And Job.
        And… actually pretty much every part of the bible that goes “Hay. Hay. U NO GET EARTHLY REWARDS FOR BEING GOOD PERSON. STOP CLAIMING BEING RICH MEANS U GOOD PERSON.”
        /Sorry, got off on a tangent there.
        //Pretty sure I don’t even count as Christian these days (more of a Pratchetterian. Pratchettite? Whatever.), but good lord does the Prosperity gospel make me froth with anger.

        • Pat
          Pat
          February 7, 2014 at 12:49 am | #

          Those people really like the Bible as long as it’s just for decoration and you never open it.

          All of the content is “obscure”.

          • hof1991
            hof1991
            February 7, 2014 at 8:29 am | #

            Gotta be careful when the Bible is “clear”. It clearly is pro-slavery, treats women as property, etc. It tends to clearly tell you to do what you want to do.

            • hof1991
              hof1991
              February 7, 2014 at 8:30 am | #

              Dammit. Messed up the link. http://rachelheldevans.com/blog/bible-clear

            • Dave
              Dave
              February 7, 2014 at 9:28 am | #

              There is a big difference between being “pro-slavery” and advising how slaves, once they become Christians, should treat their masters/service. Not to mention the slavery of the times was completely different than the slavery we know.

              If the precepts of the NT were followed in regards to the treatment of women/rights of women in the society in which it was written, it elevated women from oppression into a higher level of respect, freedom, and equality — for the contemporary society of the time.

              You can take or leave these comments; no worries. Just correcting interesting and ongoing misapprehensions. I don’t have a dog to fight with.

              Abraham Lincoln once said “don’t believe everything you read on the internet”.

              • David Willis
                David M Willis
                February 7, 2014 at 12:10 pm | #

                “Slavery was nicer in the Bible” is one of those self-serving lies that become a necessity in order to make the Bible not be completely abominable to modern sensibilities.

                Slavery is awful, period. There’s no “good slavery” or “bad slavery.” Don’t be gross.

                • Eolirin
                  Eolirin
                  February 7, 2014 at 5:37 pm | #

                  I think the argument is more that you can’t apply modern sensibilities to a document that’s thousands of years old. Taken in the context of the time that it existed, a lot of the slavery stuff was progressive relative to the established baseline. That doesn’t mean there’s good slavery, but that it can be recognized as having a positive context it the long history of a terrible practice.

                • Nadath
                  Nadath
                  February 7, 2014 at 8:41 pm | #

                  There were all sorts of different slavery in ancient times: Rome, you were literally described as a tool and couldn’t be regarded as human. Near-eastern and middle-eastern slaves could have a secondary job and earn a living to buy themselves out of slavery and many times you sold yourself into slavery for a set time. The Bible doesn’t say slavery is good, it acknowledges that it exists and says to treat slaves and foreigners like human beings, to take care of the poor etc.

                  I can’t remember off the top of my head, but after about 7 years a slave was to be freed and then there is the whole 49 year return of lands. The Bible was incredibly progressive, to the point that Israel couldn’t actually follow it.

              • Salmo
                Salmo
                September 9, 2014 at 12:31 am | #

                “I can’t remember off the top of my head, but after about 7 years a slave was to be freed”

                Only for Hebrews, only for males, and if they wanted to stay with the women you married them off to and the children you bred from them (and you got to keep the kids, even if they were male), they had to forego their freedom forever.

        • Kelly
          Kelly
          February 7, 2014 at 12:52 am | #

          The turtle moves!

          • Felgraf
            Felgraf
            February 7, 2014 at 11:53 am | #

            The turtle moves!
            (Plus, he’s given the best definition of Sin/evil I have ever seen. “And sin, young man, is when you treat people as things. Including yourself. That’s what sin is.”)

      • StClair
        StClair
        February 7, 2014 at 4:21 am | #

        I’ve long harbored a fantasy of him showing up and doing that to all the hucksters selling cheap “WWJD” merch in his name. That’s what Jesus would do, you [deleted]s.

      • Laseema
        Laseema
        February 7, 2014 at 10:34 am | #

        I don’t know, I’m an atheist and even I know that story.

      • Vree
        Vree
        February 7, 2014 at 9:09 pm | #

        It’s a fairly famous scene. TacosForever underestimates us.

    • Blueberry
      Blueberry
      February 7, 2014 at 12:48 am | #

      Three words: Jesus Christ Superstar.

      • The Phantom's Belch
        The Phantom's Belch
        February 7, 2014 at 8:01 am | #

        Two more words: Hamlet 2

        “If my Dad finds out what I’ve been up to, he’s gonna crucify me.”

    • Kelly
      Kelly
      February 7, 2014 at 12:49 am | #

      How is that obscure? I was raised an atheist and I have known about for like, forever. And not because of SP!. I think I knew about it in high school (which was more like early Roomies era, though I didn’t know about it then, sadly).

      • TacosForever
        TacosForever
        February 7, 2014 at 7:22 am | #

        See my comment above–I remembered the general story, but not the detail about him flipping tables. But clearly I was wrong since everyone else remembers that detail 🙂

        • anonymous
          anonymous
          February 7, 2014 at 12:09 pm | #

          Nope, nope, pretty sure those who don’t constantly associate with Bible-thumpers won’t have heard that detail of the story.
          Then again, I’m not sure I’ve even heard that part of the story… so maybe it’s just atheistic/agnostic ignorance on my part? (I’m like 98% atheist but I like to keep a little room for doubt on the off-chance there’s a Purgatory.)

          • Eolirin
            Eolirin
            February 7, 2014 at 5:49 pm | #

            A lot of atheists are more informed about what’s actually in the bible than many Christians, so I think that’s nonsense.

    • Julez
      Julez
      February 7, 2014 at 11:22 am | #

      Is it really that obscure of a reference? I’ve seen it all over the place, usually in response to people using the church to get rich (or paying to get the church to do what they want)

      Just sayin.

  21. Kernanator
    Kernanator
    February 7, 2014 at 12:08 am | #

    Danny, why are you trying to be likeable. It’s making me feel weird.

    STOP IT. STOP IT THIS INSTANT.

    • WaveRocker
      WaveRocker
      February 7, 2014 at 12:13 am | #

      WHERE’S YOUR God ARGUMENT NOW!!??

    • Yotomoe
      Yotomoe
      February 7, 2014 at 12:17 am | #

      Next thing we know Blaine is gonna try to redeem himself.

      • WaveRocker
        WaveRocker
        February 7, 2014 at 12:18 am | #

        Little far there, bro

        • Doctor_Who
          Doctor_Who
          February 7, 2014 at 12:22 am | #

          Maybe Amber beat him so hard he got a concussion and wakes up thinking he’s someone else, like Fred Flintstone.

          By which I mean, that happened to Fred Flintstone a lot. Not that he’ll wake up thinking he’s Fred Flintstone.

          Though if he did, it would still be a vast improvement.

          • WaveRocker
            WaveRocker
            February 7, 2014 at 12:25 am | #

            I cannot disagree this

            • Yotomoe
              Yotomoe
              February 7, 2014 at 12:27 am | #

              Can this please happen?

              • Brolo
                Brolo
                February 7, 2014 at 2:01 pm | #

                Third

          • Oliver
            Oliver
            February 7, 2014 at 12:25 am | #

            then he’d just be a yaba daba douche

            • The Phantom's Belch
              The Phantom's Belch
              February 7, 2014 at 8:03 am | #

              +1010 Binary Internets!

  22. Packy
    Packy
    February 7, 2014 at 12:08 am | #

    Damn you, Willis! Stop making me care more about Amber than Joyce!

    • begbert2
      begbert2
      February 7, 2014 at 12:38 am | #

      It’s easy not to care about Joyce, because the last bad thing that happened to her that wasn’t self-inflicted was weeks ago, and she barely remembers it. Everything since has been a hole she’s been industriously digging herself.

      • NightmareWarden
        NightmareWarden
        February 7, 2014 at 1:33 am | #

        She had nightmares about that event. Even with the drug doing the funky chicken on her memory, I think she’d recall what happened.

  23. Claire
    Claire
    February 7, 2014 at 12:08 am | #

    The fateful bridge, the seem of Danny’s…dumping of Amber? He chose Amazi-girl over Amber before, now the story has come full circle.

    • Kevin
      Kevin
      February 7, 2014 at 2:32 am | #

      …um… you do realize that telling Amber he’s already in a committed relationship isn’t “dumping” Amber, right?

      • John
        John
        February 7, 2014 at 7:27 am | #

        This wasn’t just “telling Amber he’s already in a committed relationship”.

  24. Lou
    Lou
    February 7, 2014 at 12:10 am | #

    Jesus rage-flipped a table? I so need a nice painting of that! Waitaminute! THAT’S WHY everyone at the last supper sat on the same side as Jesus! In case he flipped it! Mystery, solved!

    • Totz the Plaid
      Totz the Plaid
      February 7, 2014 at 12:12 am | #

      The money changers in the temple.

      I’ve never been Christian and that was still a no-brainer for me.

    • saltchocolate
      saltchocolate
      February 7, 2014 at 12:13 am | #

      LOL

    • Packy
      Packy
      February 7, 2014 at 12:14 am | #

      here it is!

      • Lou
        Lou
        February 7, 2014 at 12:37 am | #

        NICE! Onward, to staples!

      • Leorale
        Leorale
        February 7, 2014 at 12:57 am | #

        Plus, you can tell it’s Jesus ’cause he’s got a blue sash.

      • Bill
        Bill
        February 7, 2014 at 3:37 am | #

        Next time someone asks you “What Would Jesus Do?”, remind them that flipping a table and chasing someone with a whip is within the realm of possibility.

      • Alex
        Alex
        February 7, 2014 at 5:05 pm | #

        http://www.dumbingofage.com/2013/comic/book-3/04-just-hangin-out-with-my-family/neighbor-2/

        The title text of this panel also references the table flipping when you hover your cursor over it.

    • Bill
      Bill
      February 7, 2014 at 1:45 am | #

      No, it was Da Vinci’s idea.
      “Everybody who wants to be in the group portair, get over there next to Jesus!”

  25. Just Cheeto Dust
    Just Cheeto Dust
    February 7, 2014 at 12:10 am | #

    Now I’m picturing Jesus in a superhero costume with a (╯°□°)╯︵ ┻━┻ on his chest instead of an “S.”

    • Just Cheeto Dust
      Just Cheeto Dust
      February 7, 2014 at 12:11 am | #

      …and I forgot about the short word wrap.

      • anonymous
        anonymous
        February 7, 2014 at 12:10 pm | #

        He threw that table SO HARD it went all the way around the world and landed behind him.

      • anonymous
        anonymous
        February 7, 2014 at 12:12 pm | #

        (SO HARD is capitalized in case anyone wants to do some dirty jokes about Jesus Christ.)

  26. Locke
    Locke
    February 7, 2014 at 12:12 am | #

    “See, Amber, I was born with this rare condition… I… I don’t have a brain. They call it ‘Scarecrow Syndrome.’ There is no cure.”

    • Dean
      Dean
      February 7, 2014 at 12:38 am | #

      “Well, there is, but I need a lion, a tin man and a chick with a dog.”

      • CrazyOne
        CrazyOne
        February 7, 2014 at 1:42 am | #

        don’t forget some witches and the wizard…

        • Vree
          Vree
          February 7, 2014 at 9:11 pm | #

          Actually it was bran, pins and needles.
          If we want to be accurate.

        • hexalm
          hexalm
          February 8, 2014 at 12:11 am | #

          But he had it all along!

      • Narf
        Narf
        February 9, 2014 at 12:27 pm | #

        Does it have to be Judy Garland, or will any woman with a dog do?

  27. Synnerman
    Synnerman
    February 7, 2014 at 12:12 am | #

    Woah, I… felt a liking feeling for Danny.

    • Red Robot
      Red Robot
      February 7, 2014 at 12:27 am | #

      Well, he just managed to get the thousand yard stare out of Amber’s face. In my book, that should be enough for us to suspend all our Danny-hate for a while.

  28. ASD
    ASD
    February 7, 2014 at 12:13 am | #

    Amber is way too adorable in panel 5

  29. Milosh
    Milosh
    February 7, 2014 at 12:15 am | #

    Is that, like… reverse Godwin’s Law?

  30. Ridureyu
    Ridureyu
    February 7, 2014 at 12:19 am | #

    And so, Danny refuses to respect her wishes, and instead forces himself on her.

    • Saru
      Saru
      February 7, 2014 at 12:22 am | #

      Oh noes, she’ll be scarred for life that the boy she likes is intent on reciprocating the feeling!

    • Bilfred
      Bilfred
      February 7, 2014 at 12:23 am | #

      No, he’s trying to make her feel better. That’s #1 on the list of what friends should do for friends. He’s not doing a bad job, either.

    • Red Robot
      Red Robot
      February 7, 2014 at 12:24 am | #

      Amber has not said a word about her wishes!

    • begbert2
      begbert2
      February 7, 2014 at 12:41 am | #

      I commend you on your continuing dedication to the cause of inventing slanderous fantasies about Danny, despite his continuously escalating proving of his awesomeness.

    • Jackson
      Jackson
      February 7, 2014 at 1:16 am | #

      When did Amber tell Danny to go away? Or to stop talking to her? Or to stop being so caring and sympathetic and nonjudgmental?

    • Rex Hondo
      Rex Hondo
      February 7, 2014 at 8:28 am | #

      I think I just hurt my neck from rolling my eyes so hard…

    • Absolom
      Absolom
      February 7, 2014 at 11:30 am | #

      Guys, gals, I think ridereyu is right. Danny should definitely tell Amazi-Amber “you know, I respect your wishes to continue to talk to me about yourself, and not hide behind the Amazi-Girl mask with me, and let me talk to you. But I’m actually gay, and I can’t keep pretending, because you wouldn’t be happy that way. We should break up so you can be with someone who is into girls.” That is the only way Ethan can put Amazi-Amber’s needs where they should be, instead of forcing himself on her.

      • Clif
        Clif
        February 7, 2014 at 5:35 pm | #

        Your image makes it funnier, but somehow I can’t help wondering if your last Ethan should be a Danny.

        • Absolom
          Absolom
          February 8, 2014 at 1:13 am | #

          Hah! You know, it must have just slipped my tongue *wink wink*.

  31. Dimonite
    Dimonite
    February 7, 2014 at 12:20 am | #

    Amber, there’s no such thing as good people. There are only people who desperately want to be good, and people who don’t.

    • Bilfred
      Bilfred
      February 7, 2014 at 12:24 am | #

      What about Jeebus?

      • Dimonite
        Dimonite
        February 7, 2014 at 12:26 am | #

        This is why I used the present tense. 😛

        • Bilfred
          Bilfred
          February 7, 2014 at 12:29 am | #

          Jeebus is alive in our hearts an’ minds. or something like that.

          • Dimonite
            Dimonite
            February 7, 2014 at 12:31 am | #

            Yeah, but not in a way such that he’d really count as “people” anymore. And anyhow, your specific example doesn’t necessarily invalidate my general case.

            • Bilfred
              Bilfred
              February 7, 2014 at 12:36 am | #

              My first thought: this

            • Bilfred
              Bilfred
              February 7, 2014 at 12:41 am | #

              broken link. http://www.smbc-comics.com/?id=2675

            • begbert2
              begbert2
              February 7, 2014 at 12:45 am | #

              You’re too kind. My snap response was, ‘Who told you Jesus was good? His devoted acolytes? Let’s ask Lynette “Squeaky” Fromme what she thought about Charles Manson, shall we?’

    • Mr. Random
      Mr. Random
      February 7, 2014 at 12:47 am | #

      It all depends on what your definition of good is. Mine is cares and acts for the well being of others. It can take a lot of moral grey too if you think about it. What’s your definition?

    • hof1991
      hof1991
      February 7, 2014 at 8:47 am | #

      Mother Teresa — ‘God doesn’t require us to succeed, he only requires that you try.’

    • Absolom
      Absolom
      February 7, 2014 at 11:18 am | #

      I reject your false dichotomy and substitute my own! There is no such thing as an evil person: only those who desperately wish to be evil, and those who don’t.

      Or maybe you would prefer something a little different. There are two types of potato salad: ones that have been left out on the picnic blanket for too long, and those that haven’t.

      Hahahahaha, how does it feel to know that other people can say complete nonsense? Would you say the tables have turned? Or would you be the type of person to not care to say that? Hahahahahahahahahahaha!!!!!!

      • Dimonite
        Dimonite
        February 8, 2014 at 12:24 am | #

        Ok, so it’s more of a spectrum. I was quoting Amber to make a point, and a dichotomy was the easiest way to do that. I know I’m leaving out people who just sorta try to be good. But I don’t really care. And seriously, you’re not exactly disproving my basic point.

        • Absolom
          Absolom
          February 8, 2014 at 1:10 am | #

          Not disproving what, exactly? That nobody is “good?” That any action that you would call “good” is only an act of desperation? That all people are “evil”, but some are remorseful?

          I don’t need to disprove your basic point. I’m content in my conviction that morality is a fluid concept, not some rules set in stone that rule out desire, aspiration, questioning, fornication, and other things that come naturally to humans. Morality is something that takes into account these things, and how they affect people.

          So you’re just wrong when you imply that people are basically evil. Because people invented morality, and people adjust morality when it doesn’t seem to work. Maybe you’ve never felt it because you’ve been told that anything you feel that is “good” is willed by god, and anything else is sin. But questioning and wanting and even fornicating can be goddamned good things, because they can benefit people in many ways. And nobody needs desperation for wanting to do them, because they are natural. Human. Tendencies.

  32. J.C.
    J.C.
    February 7, 2014 at 12:20 am | #

    (╯°□°)╯︵ ┻━┻

    • Just Cheeto Dust
      Just Cheeto Dust
      February 7, 2014 at 12:26 am | #

      (ノಥ益ಥ)ノ ┻━┻

      (she did say “rage-flipped”)

      • anonymous
        anonymous
        February 7, 2014 at 12:14 pm | #

        holy frig ascii emoticons are scary

  33. newllend
    newllend
    February 7, 2014 at 12:22 am | #

    …ha, you know thats kind of funny, him saying Jesus would be angered by what Joyce is doing when you really think about it…speaking about that I wonder how that situation is going?

    • newllend
      newllend
      February 7, 2014 at 12:28 am | #

      But to be serious he’s rite If I was there I would have falcon bongo slap ethan upside the back of the head and tell him to FUCKING MAKE UP HIS MIND ALREADY!

      • Nym
        Nym
        February 7, 2014 at 12:31 am | #

        But he has made up his mind? It’s just that hardly anyone agrees with his decisions.

        • newllend
          newllend
          February 7, 2014 at 1:18 am | #

          Really? So he decides to be in a full on heterosexual relationships and then started every guy that comes his way which includes jacob, Danny, Joshua…so ya seems like he was positive in his decision.

          • Leorale
            Leorale
            February 7, 2014 at 2:06 am | #

            Do you just make a decision and then nothing outside of your choice catches your eye anymore ever again?

            Also, in this particular case, Ethan decided to “resist temptation”, not stop feeling temptation ever.

  34. Arkadi
    Arkadi
    February 7, 2014 at 12:25 am | #

    …that was a pretty good answer, actually.

    • Bilfred
      Bilfred
      February 7, 2014 at 12:30 am | #

      I would answer with that.

  35. White Chocolate Nubian Princess
    White Chocolate Nubian Princess
    February 7, 2014 at 12:32 am | #

    The Last Redemption of Danny.

  36. Mr. Random
    Mr. Random
    February 7, 2014 at 12:35 am | #

    If you think about it, a good amount of the Bible is pretty kickass. Although there are some plotholes. Super strength from hair? Stretches suspension of disbelief.

    • begbert2
      begbert2
      February 7, 2014 at 12:46 am | #

      If you take out all the parts that stretch suspension of disbelief, all you get are bunch of people talking about their wars and legal systems.

      • nekobawt
        nekobawt
        February 7, 2014 at 12:50 pm | #

        don’t forget the “begats”

    • Dudeface
      Dudeface
      February 7, 2014 at 12:54 am | #

      Well if you want to be technical the loss of super strength was punishment for cutting his hair, not because he cut his hair. Or so I’ve read on TVtropes

      • Jon P
        Jon P
        February 7, 2014 at 2:00 am | #

        But he didn’t even cut his own hair! Although it’s pretty damn stupid to have some lady ask “Gee, Samson, what makes you so strong?”, and when the first two times turn out to be tricks, you answer truthfully the third time.

    • Jackson
      Jackson
      February 7, 2014 at 1:12 am | #

      …Are you saying Tristan is Samson?

  37. Claire
    Claire
    February 7, 2014 at 12:37 am | #

    This may sound stupid but- even though we all knew who Amazi-girl was this is really the first time that it feels out in the open. Like, Danny is there, Amber is Amber and she has the mask off. She’s not even tagged as Amazi-girl. Everybody knows everything.

    • Bilfred
      Bilfred
      February 7, 2014 at 12:40 am | #

      Dude, stop it with the crazy fan theories.

  38. Chico
    Chico
    February 7, 2014 at 12:39 am | #

    Holy shit, Amber’s Amazigirl.

    • StClair
      StClair
      February 7, 2014 at 4:27 am | #

      Hey, you and Bilfred:
      This joke hasn’t been funny for at least a month now.
      (At least.)

      • Seerow
        Seerow
        February 7, 2014 at 10:41 am | #

        That joke will be funny until the comic ends. Or until Willis puts a ban on it like he did with asking if Ethan is gay.

        • Clif
          Clif
          February 7, 2014 at 5:25 pm | #

          Truth.

          • hexalm
            hexalm
            February 8, 2014 at 12:24 am | #

            Or mentioning [redacted].

  39. nothri
    nothri
    February 7, 2014 at 12:44 am | #

    I’m surprised a guy who dated a atheist for so long would care about stuff Jesus did.

    • begbert2
      begbert2
      February 7, 2014 at 12:48 am | #

      You’d be surprised at how phenomenally ineffective atheists are at spreading their worldviews. And at how knowledgeable they are about the contents of christian scripture.

      • Kelly
        Kelly
        February 7, 2014 at 1:59 am | #

        Not really any more ineffective than religions are (in modern times anyway. I guess it used to work better because of the power differential? dunno)

      • Kevin
        Kevin
        February 7, 2014 at 2:40 am | #

        Nobody is effective at changing someone else’s worldviews. How often do you see adults switching their religion or political affiliation? Obviously it happens, but such changes are usually borne of traumatic or dramatic life events, not conversation and persuasion.

      • David
        David
        February 7, 2014 at 4:54 am | #

        It’s kind of the point of making an informed choice rather than believing. Personally, I am quite more irritated by all the stuff in the Bible the avid Christians tend to be unaware of. Or by the cherry-picking going on along the lines of “well, this one is obviously God’s will and message, and this one not so much. That one’s to be taken in historical context, and that one’s God’s unwavering and everlasting will and testament.”

        It’s a bit like “I believe in God the Almighty and his prophet, myself.” Very annoying. There are, of course, scientists who are also devout believers, and they tend to make much less of a mess of it. But of course, that my just be my own impression since they may just be better in polishing the mess in those corners that would be annoying to either of us.

        • ninja_jesus
          ninja_jesus
          February 7, 2014 at 8:05 am | #

          Couldn’t “cherry-picking” be considered making informed choices? Choices informed by modern society as well as dogma. I don’t see the problem with acknowledging the immorality of certain teachings in the Bible and condemning them while upholding the teachings of other parts. On an individual basis, it’s pretty much what everyone does when faced with something that has both good and bad points; some choose to ignore the good to condemn the bad, others vice versa, and everything in between. Sure, on the subject of Christianity, it may make them a “bad Christian”, but it also makes them better human beings compared to others who follow it all on blind faith. That’s how I see it, at least.

          • begbert2
            begbert2
            February 7, 2014 at 10:50 am | #

            Cherry-picking is an informed choice when you’re like “this part’s a bit of fiction as determined by historical, cultural, and archeological evidence, and this part is probably a pretty accurate reflection of the facts and beliefs of the time, as best we can tell”. If you’re like “this part’s immoral now so I’ll ignore it, and this part’s still relevant so I’ll not immediately discard it”, that’s Values Dissonance.

            I think David was talking about the “this part tells me to do something I don’t like, so I’ll call it an allegory or outright ignore it, and this part tells me I can keep being a jerkass, so it’s God’s Own Permission Slip!” mentally. That one’s not informed choice, it’s confirmation bias.

    • Rufus Saltus
      Rufus Saltus
      February 7, 2014 at 12:48 am | #

      Two thoughts:
      1. People can be in relationships and have differing religious views
      2. Non-religious people can still think that Jesus was a pretty good person

      • StClair
        StClair
        February 7, 2014 at 4:29 am | #

        Jesus Was Way Cool

        When it comes to the bad stuff, I don’t blame him, I blame his fandom.

        • Gamaran Sepudomyn
          Gamaran Sepudomyn
          February 7, 2014 at 11:33 am | #

          If Shortpacked (the “Businessman and Jesus” scene) is any indication, this seems like Willis’ view of things.

  40. nothri
    nothri
    February 7, 2014 at 12:49 am | #

    Also, on panel 4: Danny, if there was ever…EVER a time when stuff should not be about you, that time is fucking now.

    • Bilfred
      Bilfred
      February 7, 2014 at 12:56 am | #

      He’s giving Amber something to compare herself to. He’s inviting her to compare herself to himself, so that she can start to think of herself as a decent person since she’s not much worse than Danny.

      • Marc in MN
        Marc in MN
        February 7, 2014 at 9:36 pm | #

        Sadly, on these comment boards, the phrase “not much worse than Danny,” isn’t really a good thing. 😉

    • Memyself
      Memyself
      February 7, 2014 at 12:57 am | #

      You’re right. Pretty monstrous when someone tries to defuse another person’s self loathing by relating to them. Pretty sure that is the very definition of self-absorbed.

      Pff.

      • Leorale
        Leorale
        February 7, 2014 at 1:40 am | #

        The fancypants term for what he’s doing is “normalizing”. He’s trying to tell her that her feelings are OK. It’s a totally fine thing to do in this situation.

      • nothri
        nothri
        February 7, 2014 at 2:01 am | #

        Shrug. Today Danny has been as completely oblivious as he has ever been, and that’s been a persistent character trait of his since way back when Dorothy’s breakup took him completely by surprise. So forgive me if I’m being overly cynical with my character interpretations of his actions and pessimistic in how all this is gonna turn out. I’ll be as happy as anyone if it turns out you are right and Dan manages to make something good out of this night. Till then my cup shall remain half-empty, thank you very much.

    • scabbert
      scabbert
      February 7, 2014 at 1:37 am | #

      You’re not very good at this. You should probably stop.

      • nothri
        nothri
        February 7, 2014 at 1:52 am | #

        Well, that’s certainly a fair criticism coming from someone who has provided so many pages of valuable insight into the characters all this….

        No wait. I don’t think I’ve seen you before. Who the fuck are you again?

        • David Willis
          David M Willis
          February 7, 2014 at 1:54 am | #

          Well, that’s an A+ for going after the one guy who didn’t give you any points to refute!

          • Bilfred
            Bilfred
            February 7, 2014 at 9:47 am | #

            That’s how I win arguments.

            • Clif
              Clif
              February 7, 2014 at 5:20 pm | #

              Me too. Or it would be if I won arguments.

      • nothri
        nothri
        February 7, 2014 at 2:46 am | #

        Ugh. Sorry. Long day, bad mood, shouldn’t be taking it out on the new guy (or at least someone I *think* is new. Are you?). Anyway, I’ll try to be friendlier from now on. As far as what you said goes, I’m not gonna stop talking about the story or the characters, but I’ll meet you half-way and try to make better points in the future.

        • begbert2
          begbert2
          February 7, 2014 at 10:56 am | #

          Out of curiosity, why would anybody give a fuck if somebody’s new here? This is a comment section. It’s not like being a noob means that you’re going to screw up and cause your teammates to get a headshot.

          • anonymous
            anonymous
            February 7, 2014 at 12:16 pm | #

            Obviously nothri hangs out in some meaner forums where they just stand around waiting to pounce on noobs or being noobs.

            • anonymous
              anonymous
              February 7, 2014 at 12:16 pm | #

              *for

            • nothri
              nothri
              February 7, 2014 at 2:02 pm | #

              Obviously. You see, my great grandfather was once wronged by a newb. So he swore a bloodoath to seek revenge not only on that newb, but all newb. And every generation of my family has taken the same oath. It is a lonely, terrible existence, cleaving to a vow that no longer has any meaning nor serves any purpose, but once sworn a bloodoath cannot be forsaken. So I ride across the countryside, from one forum to the next (and yes, getting a live horse into an online forum is as much of a bongo as you might expect) wreaking a bloody terror against all newbs I encounter. Some nights I pray for forgiveness. Others I pray that a young newb with a stout heart and a steady swordhand will finally cut me down and end the madness for us all. Until that day comes, I ride on, bringing doom to all I encounter.

              Or a guy pissed me off at the end of a long day. One of those stories is definitely true.

              • begbert2
                begbert2
                February 7, 2014 at 3:17 pm | #

                I choose to believe the first story, as it’s significantly more awesome.

                • anonymous
                  anonymous
                  February 7, 2014 at 4:17 pm | #

                  Agree with begbert on this one. And obviously she has been on each forum since the beginning of time. Eternality.

              • Roborat
                Roborat
                February 7, 2014 at 3:35 pm | #

                But . . . if you are going from forum to forum, that makes you the newb. And that means . . . (head asplodes).

                • nothri
                  nothri
                  February 7, 2014 at 5:05 pm | #

                  Indeed. But all things are relative. When I first arrive at a forum, I am the newb. But when another newb arrives, their newbieness is newbier than my newbieness, and I am free to do battle. Until that time, however, I am obligated by oath to sit in the corner and attack myself. It is an unpleasant existence indeed.

              • Clif
                Clif
                February 7, 2014 at 5:17 pm | #

                I have a new hero.

                T H E L E G E N D O F n o t g r i

                My great grandfather was once wronged by a newb. So he swore a bloodoath to seek revenge not only on that newb, but all newb. And every generation of my family has taken the same oath. It is a lonely, terrible existence, cleaving to a vow that no longer has any meaning nor serves any purpose, but once sworn a bloodoath cannot be forsaken. So I ride across the countryside, from one forum to the next (and yes, getting a live horse into an online forum is as much of a bongo as you might expect) wreaking a bloody terror against all newbs I encounter. Some nights I pray for forgiveness. Others I pray that a young newb with a stout heart and a steady swordhand will finally cut me down and end the madness for us all. Until that day comes, I ride on, bringing doom to all I encounter.

                Now is that awesome or what?

                • Clif
                  Clif
                  February 7, 2014 at 5:18 pm | #

                  n o t g r i ==> n o t h r i
                  :-/

          • nothri
            nothri
            February 7, 2014 at 12:56 pm | #

            Like I said, mostly I was in a bad mood and making assumptions, and being in a bad mood I read his comment as “Shut the fuck up and get the fuck out of here” and having read it like that I responded in kind.

  41. Kiggy
    Kiggy
    February 7, 2014 at 1:01 am | #

    That was kinda profound.

  42. ninja_jesus
    ninja_jesus
    February 7, 2014 at 1:02 am | #

    Jesus was a righteous person,
    When he was at the Temple Mount,
    He saw corruption all about,
    So he flipped tables and he chased them out!

    His tolerance for crime was absolute zero,
    To every Christian, he is a hero.

    Praise be to Jesus!
    Praise be to Amazi-Girl Jesus!

    • Mr. Morningstar
      Mr. Morningstar
      February 7, 2014 at 5:49 am | #

      You were waiting for the opportunity to use that weren’t you.

      • ninja_jesus
        ninja_jesus
        February 7, 2014 at 7:11 am | #

        I came up with it on the spot, actually. Was worried no one was gonna comment, but I’m happy someone did. 😀

  43. MacBone
    MacBone
    February 7, 2014 at 1:08 am | #

    I love the look Amber has on her face in the last panel, and Danny’s response is pretty sweet, too.

  44. Idon'tcarenomore
    Idon'tcarenomore
    February 7, 2014 at 1:17 am | #

    For the total jerkwad Danny has been at times, I think he has been doing pretty decent this past ‘night’.
    He pulled her off Blaine at the right time. He got her out of there.
    He is trying to help her. Maybe not a trained phych, but who is. He’s trying.
    So for once I have got to say, Good Job Danny. I think that was a great comeback line. And saying that he’s glad she Amazi-girl suprized Amber and I think pleased her too.

    • Leorale
      Leorale
      February 7, 2014 at 1:54 am | #

      I fully agree that Danny’s been a really stand up guy tonight. He’s totally redeemed for me.

      I don’t think that particular comment pleased her, though. I read it more as though she had a flickering moment of “what?! he’s glad that all the trauma happened to me??” before she remembered that he didn’t know about her origins and didn’t mean that at all.

  45. Pjotroos
    Pjotroos
    February 7, 2014 at 1:22 am | #

    Good guy Danny. Really glad to see him pull through.

  46. Scott
    Scott
    February 7, 2014 at 1:24 am | #

    Way to Stand up, Danny. Haters gonna hate…

  47. KevinGriffin3CD
    KevinGriffin3CD
    February 7, 2014 at 1:32 am | #

    I don’t know which is sadder: the fact that some people will STILL be trying to make Sal/Amazi-Girl jokes after this, or the fact that I’m genuinely going to miss those jokes. :'(

    • Jon P
      Jon P
      February 7, 2014 at 1:54 am | #

      Oh don’t worry, Billie will probably remain dense as lead in that regard for another week (and by week, I mean two books).

    • Valdrax
      Valdrax
      February 7, 2014 at 2:14 am | #

      She’s clearly Billie, based on the build. It’s all just a smokescreen by Billie to throw off suspicion.

      • Mr K
        Mr K
        February 7, 2014 at 11:25 am | #

        No, it’s Faz. He convinced Amber to be Amazi-Girl to distract everyone.

  48. cmd1095
    cmd1095
    February 7, 2014 at 1:39 am | #

    well at least he’s aware he’s not perfect, acceptance is the first step

  49. Soc
    Soc
    February 7, 2014 at 1:43 am | #

    For reference: in earlier drafts of the Bible, Jesus was a huge jerk as a kid who would perform mean, supernatural pranks on people. But as he grew older and wiser he became way nicer and blah blah blah. It was a 2000 year old “hero’s journey”.

    Yea its non-cannon, but its still interesting stuff.

    • David Willis
      David M Willis
      February 7, 2014 at 1:52 am | #

      You’re speaking of the Infancy Gospel of Thomas, which wasn’t an “earlier draft,” but was actually written in the second century, which is a bit after most of the canonized Gospels were written.

      (the only exception being John, very possibly)

      • Leorale
        Leorale
        February 7, 2014 at 1:57 am | #

        Luke Jesus is the best Jesus!

      • ninja_jesus
        ninja_jesus
        February 7, 2014 at 2:24 am | #

        The Infancy Gospel of Thomas was pretty funny, having painted Jesus as the reflection of the God of the Old Testament; quick to temper and absolute in morality. It was probably meant to bridge the gap between the Old and New Testament God and to explain the difference in personality.

        I found a bunch of the non-canonical texts here, if anyone is interested. You’ll find the Infancy Gospel of Thomas under “Apocryphal NT Gospels”. I find them all fascinating.

      • Rutee
        Rutee
        February 7, 2014 at 6:12 am | #

        Some earlier drafts of the bible included the Infancy Gospel though. Probably not a majority, since it was eventually editted out, but still.

      • Felgraf
        Felgraf
        February 7, 2014 at 2:24 pm | #

        Oh god the infancy gospel.

        It’s like terrible, terrible jesus fanfiction.

        And it’s irritating, becuase it shares the name with the Gnostic Gospel of Thomas, which is *fascinating*. It’s really kind of neat, too, how well you can fit Jesus into Gnosticism.

  50. nothri
    nothri
    February 7, 2014 at 2:27 am | #

    Sorry Willis. Its been a long day and I was already kind of on edge when I checked on your update. What I said about the story wasn’t my most clever or insightful comment, and other people’s responses made it clear there are other (probably more intelligent) ways to read the story and everybody’s actions. So my bad attitude kinda cascaded into feeling pretty dumb and resentful, so I kinda went off on that dude. If I’m being honest, its not the fault of anybody here and I shouldn’t be wandering through the door with a shitty attitude and taking it out on you guys. So again sorry for being a jerkass. I like the story and in general I like the people here, so next time I’ll try to calm down and not take it out on your readers.

    • nothri
      nothri
      February 7, 2014 at 2:42 am | #

      Okay, that was odd. My post got kicked down here. Oh well. Meant what I said, so it can stay here unless there’s some pressing need to move it or delete it or whatever. Thanks for hearing me.

      • Leorale
        Leorale
        February 7, 2014 at 7:11 pm | #

        That was classy of you. I hope tomorrow goes better

  51. Kevin
    Kevin
    February 7, 2014 at 2:29 am | #

    Hopefully now that the truth is out there, Danny can apologize/make up for what happened on the bridge earlier…

    Ah, the bridge. Well played, Mr. Willis, well played.

    • Bill
      Bill
      February 7, 2014 at 2:46 am | #

      I’m calling it now — she tosses the mask off the bridge into the water, like women who were getting a divorce in Reno tossed their wedding rings into the Truckee River.
      And thus will end the Legend of Amazi-Girl.

    • Tom T.
      Tom T.
      February 7, 2014 at 6:57 am | #

      Frankly, I’m glad to finally see some sober reflection from Amber. Her compartmentalization hurt her relationship with Danny today and put Danny in actual physical jeopardy. Her anger has hurt the feelings of Ethan, a sensitive guy who has always put up with a lot from her in order to be her friend. I don’t think she’s a bad person, but she’s definitely right that she’s broken, and she needs to find a healthier way of dealing with it before she alienates everyone around her. Ethan and Danny are sticking around because they’re loyal, passive guys who don’t think much about their own needs, but even they presumably have their limits.

      • Tom T.
        Tom T.
        February 7, 2014 at 6:58 am | #

        I have no idea why my comment appeared here as a reply; it was supposed to be its own comment. Sorry about that.

      • Clif
        Clif
        February 7, 2014 at 5:03 pm | #

        OTOH if it wasn’t for her compartmentalization she wouldn’t have a relationship with Danny to hurt and however broken she may be, it hasn’t kept her from making a difference as Amazi-girl.

        Saying Ethan doesn’t think much about his own needs is just kind of silly. Knowing what he wants to do about them is something else entirely.

  52. Bill
    Bill
    February 7, 2014 at 2:34 am | #

    Danny certainly seems to be taking the knowledge that Amber = Amazi-Girl very calmly.

    • Kevin
      Kevin
      February 7, 2014 at 2:44 am | #

      When someone is going through serious emotional struggles it usually helps not to freak out about whatever is getting to them.

  53. etybolik
    etybolik
    February 7, 2014 at 2:34 am | #

    I…I want to think Danny’s doing well here, maybe even offer some praise for him, but I can’t shake this nagging feeling that he’ll still find a way to somehow Dan things up.

    • nothri
      nothri
      February 7, 2014 at 2:51 am | #

      Or worse. I’m pretty sure it is comic book law that the hero’s sig other gets killed the moment they learn about the secret identity. And they are on a bridge. I’m half expecting Blaine to show up with a trolley full of kids so Amazigirl has to choose whether to save them or Danny from falling and the whole thing ends tragically.

    • Bill
      Bill
      February 7, 2014 at 3:17 am | #

      Hasn’t happened to Lois Lane or Mary Jane Watson-Parker.

      • nothri
        nothri
        February 7, 2014 at 3:25 am | #

        Well, I’m not ruling out deals with the devil or crisisi on infinite earths rebooting their relationship status either.

      • Kevin
        Kevin
        February 8, 2014 at 7:39 am | #

        Clearly you haven’t seen the 90’s Spider-Man Animated series

    • beege
      beege
      February 8, 2014 at 12:09 am | #

      I think that Danny’s going to do a lot better now that he’s got most of the puzzle pieces. His most notable screw-ups were less because he’s *that* stupid than they were because he was missing one crucial piece of information that would have helped his understanding.

      The guy who’s doing a solid job of supporting Amber is a million miles away from the Danny of a few weeks back (strip time) who was still hung up on Dorothy.

  54. Plasma Mongoose
    Plasma Mongoose
    February 7, 2014 at 2:48 am | #

    Shouldn’t Amber wait until she sneaks back to the dorm to get out of costume?

    • Mr K
      Mr K
      February 7, 2014 at 8:42 pm | #

      Billie comes over. “Give Sal back her costume!”.

  55. John
    John
    February 7, 2014 at 3:09 am | #

    In unrelated news, Amber’s quizzical expression in the last panel is really cute.

  56. Doom Shepherd
    Doom Shepherd
    February 7, 2014 at 3:15 am | #

    Danny leveled up. Good to see.

  57. Jesse
    Jesse
    February 7, 2014 at 3:16 am | #

    Jesus flipped a table? Somebody draw that!

    • John
      John
      February 7, 2014 at 4:17 am | #

      Willis has ya covered!

      (Okay, he had to get some help from the lesbian.)

      • Jesse
        Jesse
        February 7, 2014 at 6:36 am | #

        Oh yeah, so that’s what that was about.

      • Arkadi
        Arkadi
        February 7, 2014 at 2:42 pm | #

        Y’know, I wonder how much of the really awesome biblical was actually done by lesbians, and we just never got to know…

        • 3oranges
          3oranges
          February 7, 2014 at 5:43 pm | #

          Lesbos was only about 700 miles away!

  58. Kirkybobz
    Kirkybobz
    February 7, 2014 at 4:09 am | #

    Amber looks so cute without glasses or her mask. :3

  59. AJBulldis
    AJBulldis
    February 7, 2014 at 4:09 am | #

    I just noticed that Amber has the dot eyes when she doesn’t wear eyewear. That’s interesting.

  60. BarGamer
    BarGamer
    February 7, 2014 at 4:33 am | #

    Just dropping this here, because I feel it would be relevant to Dina’s interests. http://www.popsci.com/article/science/chickens-wear-prosthetic-dinosaur-tails-science

    • Arkadi
      Arkadi
      February 7, 2014 at 2:42 pm | #

      For SCIENCE!

    • hof1991
      hof1991
      February 7, 2014 at 3:01 pm | #

      That’s ok because that is awesome science. Our science is an awesome science. It reigns.

      • Arkadi
        Arkadi
        February 7, 2014 at 3:46 pm | #

        It rules.

    • Gamaran Sepudomyn
      Gamaran Sepudomyn
      February 7, 2014 at 5:16 pm | #

      For setting things that you know will explode on fire to see what happens!

      • Bill
        Bill
        February 7, 2014 at 10:45 pm | #

        STAND BACK!!  I’m going to try SCIENCE!!!

        • Gamaran Sepudomyn
          Gamaran Sepudomyn
          February 8, 2014 at 8:40 am | #

          I think you’re misusing triple exclamation marks. When it involves explosions, it’s “!!SCIENCE!!!”!

  61. RandomRedMage
    RandomRedMage
    February 7, 2014 at 4:43 am | #

    Were it not for having just graduating a biblical study course that I was a part of for the past year… >_> Danny’s comment in panel five would have been totally lost on me.

  62. David
    David
    February 7, 2014 at 5:14 am | #

    Danny still has a lot of non-dannying ahead of him. Once he finished working on Amber, he still has to convince his ex about letting go of her scoop.

    At what point of time are we going to find out that he’s just been dannying as camouflage and is really batman?

    • hof1991
      hof1991
      February 7, 2014 at 8:42 am | #

      Danny is like Walky. He takes the easy path and floats along. Both have hidden depths that they rarely bother to bring out.

  63. Layn
    Layn
    February 7, 2014 at 5:32 am | #

    Oh man, i was thinking the exact same thing about myself that Amber is saying in panel 3, just before i opened this webpage.

    Well, except the cape part. kinda want one now

  64. theKOT
    theKOT
    February 7, 2014 at 5:55 am | #

    Seems like amber needs to learn some self acceptance. Maybe she should run off into the mountains somewhere and just chill out for a while, make some new friends… she just needs to Let It Go.

  65. Arturo
    Arturo
    February 7, 2014 at 6:12 am | #

    That last line is first class. Bravo Willis.

  66. Scott
    Scott
    February 7, 2014 at 6:56 am | #

    Dave Willis, you magnificent bastard. If this is the end of AmaziGirl, it could not have been handled better. And if not, it was a VERY good reveal, in both the literal and figurative sense,

    Now to see how Danny tries to keep Dorothy at bay when she looks at those pics and figures it out…

  67. Intie
    Intie
    February 7, 2014 at 8:35 am | #

    Poor girl, I really hate how she’s focusing on all the negativities now, that’s insanely destructive. Help her out Danny.
    I still stand beside the idea that everything she’s done today (from the table flipping until now) was justified, or at least understandable. A lot of people are to blame here for these events, not just her.

  68. Throng
    Throng
    February 7, 2014 at 9:21 am | #

    What’s the opposite of “burn!”?

    That.

    • Doom Shepherd
      Doom Shepherd
      February 7, 2014 at 10:52 am | #

      SALVE!

      • anonymous
        anonymous
        February 7, 2014 at 12:28 pm | #

        Amber just got SALVED?– or should it be SAVED, as a fitting Biblical reference? Jesus saves you in Heaven/Satan burns you in Hell. Doesn’t quite work, but…
        What a HEALTHY SAVE!

    • 3oranges
      3oranges
      February 7, 2014 at 2:21 pm | #

      “Freeze.” It should be avoided in most superhero contexts.

      • anonymous
        anonymous
        February 7, 2014 at 4:14 pm | #

        That’s what I was thinking, but the opposite of “freeze” is “melt”… but maybe “freeze” can have two opposites. Like “boy” could be the opposite of “man” or of “girl.” *shrugs* Or maybe the real opposite is “put out”? But that’s no fun…
        Overanalyzing: it’s how my brain works

        • Valerie
          Valerie
          February 7, 2014 at 5:21 pm | #

          Putting out IS fun, silly.

  69. Greenygal
    Greenygal
    February 7, 2014 at 9:24 am | #

    Continuing to have hearts in my eyes for Danny.

  70. Bodehn
    Bodehn
    February 7, 2014 at 10:22 am | #

    I’m waiting for Danny’s inevitable “Oh crap, I gave my DS to some complete stranger!” moment.

    • The_Master
      The_Master
      February 7, 2014 at 10:34 am | #

      I gave my DS to the girl this girl stabbed with a knife.

      • John
        John
        February 7, 2014 at 6:45 pm | #

        Danny doesn’t know that yet. (And for once I’m going to give him a pass on that, because he has none of the information he’d need to even begin to figure it out.) He probably thinks Amber freaking out upon seeing him talking to Sal was simple jealousy.

    • Bill
      Bill
      February 7, 2014 at 10:45 am | #

      Actually, he’s probably thinking “Cool!  This means there’s TWO people I can play Mario Kart with!” 

      • Mal
        Mal
        February 7, 2014 at 12:54 pm | #

        Only if he buys another DS.

      • John
        John
        February 7, 2014 at 6:54 pm | #

        I still want to see Sal and Amber form a Mario-Kart friendship through the DSes with neither of them realizing who the other actually is.

        “Wait… you’re that girl who stabbed me!”
        “Well, you’re that girl who took my boyfriend hostage!”
        “You shot me with a blue shell!!”
        “You stole Wiggler!!”

        • Mr K
          Mr K
          February 7, 2014 at 8:41 pm | #

          Then they make out.

          • sidhe3141
            sidhe3141
            February 8, 2014 at 4:09 am | #

            Is there any story that can’t be improved by adding “Then they make out” to the end?

    • what was the question again?
      what was the question again?
      February 7, 2014 at 11:39 am | #

      You’re assuming he doesn’t jump to a Dannylusion: Amber isn’t the SAME amazigirl as Sal, who was the original Amazigirl who he’s fucked and Danny is about to let the Amber down again and explain that he just wants to be friends with her and that dressing up as amazigirl won’t change that because he’s TRULY and MADLY and DEEPLY in love with the REAL amazigirl.

      Who he then explains to Amber is Sal, at which point she burns him to death with her heat vision.

      Or none of that will happen.

      One of those two.

      • anonymous
        anonymous
        February 7, 2014 at 12:30 pm | #

        Clearly, Sal must secretly be Amber.

        Dannylusion– is that a Danny conclusion or a Danny delusion?

      • Bill
        Bill
        February 7, 2014 at 1:08 pm | #

        When were Danny and Amazi-Girl bumping uglies?  They were making out and playing tonsil hockey with each other on the ground beside the street sign they cleaned and replaced, but he even admitted to Joe in a follow-up strip that they only went as far as heavy petting.

        And Danny has never been with Sal until this particular story arc when the two of them were playing Mario Kart and Sal selected Wiggler — which made Danny *think* at that time that Sal was Amazi-Girl, although he now knows otherwise.

        As far as we know, Danny and Dorothy got it on together when they were still a couple iin high school, and Billie and Danny committed “journalism” together when she tried to get information about Amazi-Girl from him.

        • Lokitsu
          Lokitsu
          February 7, 2014 at 5:26 pm | #

          You do realize DS stands for Nintendo DS, right?

        • fudo81
          fudo81
          February 7, 2014 at 9:20 pm | #

          Billie and Danny didn’t really “commit journalism” after all, as Amber knows (having listened to Billie’s tape).

          • Bill
            Bill
            February 7, 2014 at 10:44 pm | #

            You are correct, I didn’t follow through the strips far enough.  I just saw the strip where Joe peeked inside and then hung the sock on the door … and I figured that Joe was experienced enough to be able to recognize “journalism” as opposed to journalism.

      • David Willis
        David M Willis
        February 7, 2014 at 2:31 pm | #

        Danny and Amazi-Girl have not banged.

        • The Candyman
          The Candyman
          February 7, 2014 at 4:13 pm | #

          It was only a session of extreme cuddling.

          • Leorale
            Leorale
            February 7, 2014 at 7:35 pm | #

            “Mostly Snuggling” is my favourite kind, too.

  71. nate
    nate
    February 7, 2014 at 12:27 pm | #

    great comic!!!!!!

  72. Gargamel
    Gargamel
    February 7, 2014 at 3:04 pm | #

    So not clinical depression then? Was a little worried in the last strip.

  73. hof1991
    hof1991
    February 7, 2014 at 3:12 pm | #

    Danny and Amber are the only real couple in DOA. Boy meets girl. Boy loses girl. Boy gets girl.

    Dorothy and Walky don’t count as they skipped the middle and went straight to carmelville. None of the others have really gotten through the meeting part.

    • David Willis
      David M Willis
      February 7, 2014 at 3:17 pm | #

      ????

      • Jaxx Sentinel
        Jaxx Sentinel
        February 7, 2014 at 3:26 pm | #

        What he means is that Danny and Amber follow the written system for al relationships . I wouldn’t say that Dorothy and Walky are not a real couple because Walky did lose Dorothy …to blue jean sleeping pants << (to be fair I'd have the same dilemma, shits comfy bro! )

        • David Willis
          David M Willis
          February 7, 2014 at 3:32 pm | #

          I’m kind of skeeved out that sex apparently isn’t a real component in a relationship, or that it “went right straight to it,” or that it matters if it went right straight to it. There’s so much wrong that seems to be suggested in that post that I’m having trouble unpacking it all.

          • Peter
            Peter
            February 7, 2014 at 5:38 pm | #

            Sex is a real component in a relationship – it’s just that, to my surprise, it seems like people think that it’s the ONLY component in their relationship, which would indeed feel… different, if not wrong.

            But I always felt that it wasn’t like that. I thought it was clear that Dorothy feels attracted to Walky because he acts as a balance to her idiosyncracies. Maybe I’m reading too much into it?

      • Smartass
        Smartass
        February 7, 2014 at 4:44 pm | #

        I think that what he means is that we, the readers, didn’t see walky’s and dorothy’s relationship forming. It was more like, bang, that’s the new guy. There also wasn’t much insight after that, except for the physical aspect. They haven’t had much character development as couple. Danny’s and Amber’s relationship has formed in front of our eyes, has been forged in hellfires, and they are both growing with it as person. It contributes so much more to the comic.

        • Smartass
          Smartass
          February 7, 2014 at 4:48 pm | #

          Well, at least that’s what I’m thinking. No need to mask my opinion with other peoples posts.

        • David Willis
          David M Willis
          February 7, 2014 at 5:30 pm | #

          I…… disagree strongly? Walky’s character development as Dorothy’s half of their couple is 90% of his appearances. It’s vastly why he exists in this comic, and he’s now the third-most-appearing character.

          • Peter
            Peter
            February 7, 2014 at 5:34 pm | #

            With you on that one. Walky balances out Dorothy’s ambition and makes her more human.

          • Eolirin
            Eolirin
            February 7, 2014 at 6:52 pm | #

            I’d say a lot of the disconnect is really more that Walky and Dorothy have a relatively healthy relationship, and that while Walky has grown a lot, it’s been gradual and hasn’t been the consequence of sudden dramatic event. This is not a bad thing, mind, just that it’s easier to gloss over all the things that happen there, and a lot harder to miss the big emotional moments with, say, Amber or Ruth.

            • nothri
              nothri
              February 7, 2014 at 9:09 pm | #

              Yeah, that’s the only thing I can figure folks are talking about. Dorothy and Walky have had an ongoing relationship that has evolved since the series began, and generally has grown stronger and healthier for it. Walky started off as this clownish type who has started taking responsibility for his actions and taking an interest in where his life is going. Dorothy has done the opposite, learning to take her life *slightly* (emphasis thereon) less seriously. I think the disconnect people are running into is that there has been less melodrama exchanged between Dorothy and Walky than, say, Billie and Ruth (to pick someone at random) and mistaking that for lack of development. The thing is, there has obviously been drama POTENTIAL between them- the bit with the pajama pants, the trap Mike tried to force Dorothy into during Feminist Studies, the whole “Walky meets Danny and wants his shoes” exchange….there have been plenty of places for drama to unfold. But for the most part, Dorothy and Walky are able to deal with those hiccups (like a healthy couple should) and move on. For some people that might create the illusion that they haven’t “earned” their relationship status compared to the other characters. Which, fair enough, they have not gone through quite the level of shit Amber and Danny are currently dealing with, nor is it the obviously ticking time bomb that Joyce and Ethan have going on. The fact that they’ve seemingly reached a point of stability in their relationship doesn’t mean it isn’t unrealistic, nor that it is uninteresting, or that it is boring. Least not for me. I’ll own that I am MORE interested in some of the other plot threads of the story right now (obviously the amazigirl thread we’re currently looking out, followed closely by Billie and Ruth’s budding…friendship? Romance? Whatever abomination is being spawned between them, followed by other plot threads like Ethan closeting himself and Joyce enabling it or the racism in the Walkerton family), but that doesn’t mean I’m not enjoying watching W/D’s romance unfold. Hell, that brief interlude with them just these past few strips was a nice sigh of relief from the super heavy plot we had just come from.

              And I’m rambling. Not sure if I have a point to make, but I think I’ve thrown out all my thoughts on the subject, so do with it what you will.

    • 3oranges
      3oranges
      February 7, 2014 at 5:39 pm | #

      I don’t understand why that’s how couples need to develop, so it’s probably only natural that I don’t understand why Dorothy breaking up with Walky doesn’t count as “boy loses girl”.

  74. Bottledflower
    Bottledflower
    February 7, 2014 at 3:16 pm | #

    My spidersense is tingeling, will this lead to “Danny performs a sex”?

    • David Willis
      David M Willis
      February 7, 2014 at 3:16 pm | #

      no

      • Incubus
        Incubus
        February 7, 2014 at 5:58 pm | #

        Aside from “Danny performs a Sex” being a horribly unoriginal title now. . .guys seriously stop asking for David Willis to make more porn during moments of the comic which should not be remotely titillating.

        • David Willis
          David M Willis
          February 7, 2014 at 5:59 pm | #

          that

          • Mr K
            Mr K
            February 7, 2014 at 8:40 pm | #

            Faz performs a Sex is much better.

            • Mr. Random
              Mr. Random
              February 7, 2014 at 11:34 pm | #

              Faz and Wen should never be allowed to breed.

    • anonymous
      anonymous
      February 7, 2014 at 4:15 pm | #

      You mean your Amazi-sense?

  75. Makkabee
    Makkabee
    February 7, 2014 at 4:44 pm | #

    Danny has a good comeback. I’m actually impressed with his wit, just this once.

    I also suspect that this is a set-up for an extra-special piece of stupid.

  76. Galatine
    Galatine
    February 7, 2014 at 5:01 pm | #

    Oh, snap! Good one, Danny!

  77. Peter
    Peter
    February 7, 2014 at 5:32 pm | #

    What I find worth noticing is that:
    – Amber doesn’t make the same mistake twice – this time she (not Amazi-Girl, but Amber, as was clear from the voice/speech bubbles) acts when someone she covets is under threat, and
    – she fails to give herself credit for that… which actually makes sense, because she is evidently guilt-ridden. It may take a genuine Danny, wearing his heart on his sleeve, to snap her out of it.

  78. Clif
    Clif
    February 7, 2014 at 5:42 pm | #

    The only way panel 5 could have been more of a spoiler would be if Sal’s face was substituted in for Amber’s.

    Before I posted I went back and added the “for Amber’s.” Otherwise there would have been an entire thread assuming I meant substituting in Sal’s face for Danny’s.

    • Clif
      Clif
      February 7, 2014 at 5:43 pm | #

      Which could have been pretty spoilerish as well had things gone in that direction.

      • David Willis
        David M Willis
        February 7, 2014 at 5:54 pm | #

        http://itswalky.tumblr.com/post/75936621644/spoilers

        • Stomphoof
          Stomphoof
          February 7, 2014 at 6:02 pm | #

          Best Spoilers ever! TOTALLY CANON NOW

        • nothri
          nothri
          February 7, 2014 at 9:12 pm | #

          Now clearly she needs to continue pulling off masks like Scooby Doo until Danny realizes that everyone he’s ever interacted with on campus has really just been Amazigirl all along!

          • sidhe3141
            sidhe3141
            February 8, 2014 at 4:20 am | #

            And finally reveal Danny’s face under all of them.

        • Clif
          Clif
          February 8, 2014 at 2:49 am | #

          WOW!

  79. jonathan
    jonathan
    February 7, 2014 at 6:07 pm | #

    I think Amazi-girl is most effective at beating the crap out of HERSELF

    • Cragalanch
      Cragalanch
      February 7, 2014 at 6:21 pm | #

      That’s not Amazi-Girl. Amazi-girl has ceased to exist

  80. That Mystery Guy
    That Mystery Guy
    February 7, 2014 at 9:02 pm | #

    David should start doing 2 comics a day, unless he does it all last minute…

  81. nothri
    nothri
    February 7, 2014 at 9:19 pm | #

    So is Amber squinting, or is there like a pressure point on the bridge of her nose that makes her eyes bug out when pressed, as by her glasses or her mask?

  82. Giant Speck
    Giant Speck
    February 7, 2014 at 9:39 pm | #

    David, I love the gloomy rainytimes colors you used in these past few strips; it really sets the scene well.

  83. Mr. Random
    Mr. Random
    February 7, 2014 at 11:30 pm | #

    So here’s a question. How many people are getting ready to visit the website? How many are expecting a new strip? Time will tell.
    30 minutes.

    • Mr. Random
      Mr. Random
      February 8, 2014 at 12:27 am | #

      Guess I was wrong.

  84. Shay Guy
    Shay Guy
    February 8, 2014 at 9:02 pm | #

    Say, wasn’t Danny one of the fundie-by-default characters in Roomies?

    • David Willis
      David M Willis
      February 8, 2014 at 9:39 pm | #

      Yes, and in the Dumbiverse I’d say he’s still nominally a Christian.

  85. JasonAW3
    JasonAW3
    February 9, 2014 at 11:31 pm | #

    Silly Amber, most of the BEST heroes are ones how are in some way, broken. It’s a form of coping mechanism.

    Sure, you got issues, but I’ve seen people with far lesser issues do far worse things than what you did. Maybe he’ll finally get the message and back the hell off.

  86. BrokenEye, True False Prophet
    BrokenEye, True False Prophet
    September 25, 2015 at 4:57 am | #

    How many swords have you launched from your mouth with which to smite all nations today?

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