Dumbing of Age Book Twelve

Dumbing of Age

A college webcomic by David Willis
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other guys suck so hard
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May 19, 2026

Tipping point

by David M Willis on August 17, 2014 at 12:01 am
  • 04 - The Whiteboard Dingdong Bandit
└ Tags: danny, dexter, ethan

Discussion (178) ¬

[ Comments RSS ]
  1. An Average Loser
    An Average Loser
    August 17, 2014 at 12:01 am | #

    Pfft, Other Guys.

    • Sageress
      Sageress
      August 17, 2014 at 12:03 am | #

      Marky Mark was so good in that flick

      • Yet_One_More_Idiot
        Yet_One_More_Idiot
        August 17, 2014 at 8:13 am | #

        Yeah, other guys totally blow.

        • TrueVCU
          TrueVCU
          August 17, 2014 at 11:41 am | #

          And also suck.

          Sometimes at the same time!

          • L33tmaster
            L33tmaster
            August 17, 2014 at 11:56 pm | #

            Man fuck those other guys….. no wait

            • Rodrigo
              Rodrigo
              August 18, 2014 at 3:47 pm | #

              Fuck them all! They a bunch of dicks and assholes!

      • LittleMountain
        LittleMountain
        August 19, 2014 at 8:28 pm | #

        Marky Mark…and the funky bunch? I’ve heard that name being tossed around before. Are they dadaists?

  2. Jen Aside
    Jen Aside
    August 17, 2014 at 12:01 am | #

    “…other guys’ DICKS”

    • Plasma Mongoose
      Plasma Mongoose
      August 17, 2014 at 12:02 am | #

      and their firm buttocks… 😀

      • EvergreenFir
        EvergreenFir
        August 17, 2014 at 3:05 am | #

        their quivering buttocks… mmm

        • Tenn
          Tenn
          August 17, 2014 at 10:06 am | #

          And their chiseled pecs… *licks lips*

    • An Average Loser
      An Average Loser
      August 17, 2014 at 12:02 am | #

      What’re you getting at?

    • Jen Aside
      Jen Aside
      August 17, 2014 at 12:03 am | #

      (I would like to meet these other guys who suck so hard, btw)

      ((for… RESEARCH))

      • -Sentinel-
        -Sentinel-
        August 17, 2014 at 12:06 am | #

        Journalism?

        • Jen Aside
          Jen Aside
          August 17, 2014 at 12:07 am | #

          and roller derby

        • Plasma Mongoose
          Plasma Mongoose
          August 17, 2014 at 12:09 am | #

          You would do anything to score yourself some column inches wouldn’t you? 😛

          • AgentKeen
            AgentKeen
            August 17, 2014 at 12:11 am | #

            Full page spreads, with color pictures.

            • Plasma Mongoose
              Plasma Mongoose
              August 17, 2014 at 12:18 am | #

              and those press gangs… 😀

              • AgentKeen
                AgentKeen
                August 17, 2014 at 12:44 am | #

                The real reason Daisy wants spreads of Amazi-girl with a boob window is to compete with the school’s underground yaoi newspaper.

                • Plasma Mongoose
                  Plasma Mongoose
                  August 17, 2014 at 1:32 am | #

                  What’s it called? Press The Meat? :d

                • Jen Aside
                  Jen Aside
                  August 17, 2014 at 3:56 am | #

                  YES

                • -Sentinel-
                  -Sentinel-
                  August 17, 2014 at 5:09 pm | #

                  Haha, brilliant, Plasma.

  3. JebJeb
    JebJeb
    August 17, 2014 at 12:01 am | #

    Well that’s technically true.

  4. Mr. Random
    Mr. Random
    August 17, 2014 at 12:02 am | #

    Not what he meant…
    Also, good to see Danny’s back in the role of obliviousness.

    • An Average Loser
      An Average Loser
      August 17, 2014 at 12:03 am | #

      This is Danny here, his IQ fluctuates with every comic.

    • LiamAldam
      LiamAldam
      August 17, 2014 at 12:04 am | #

      Give him some credit, it’s pretty subtle.

      • Mr. Random
        Mr. Random
        August 17, 2014 at 12:06 am | #

        Ethan’s face in the last panel.
        It doesn’t really lend itself to many other interpretations.

        • Yotomoe
          Yotomoe
          August 17, 2014 at 12:19 am | #

          Yes actually. Yeah it does. If you had NO prior knowledge that Ethan was gay. None at ALL. Then that just…wouldn’t be your first conclusion. I mean it’d be 1 of them, don’t get me wrong.

          • Mr. Random
            Mr. Random
            August 17, 2014 at 12:23 am | #

            Not many other conclusions, but it would be among one of the conclusions you could draw.
            One of the others would be an awkward encounter with a separate boyfriend, or possibly other friends taking up more of her time after that event.
            Or.
            Catching her in a random orgy.
            That’d kinda freak someone out enough to leave for a bit.

            • Luxlucis
              Luxlucis
              August 17, 2014 at 12:41 am | #

              What? No, for most people it wouldn’t be even one of the possible conclusions you could get because being gay is just not the norm. The first thing I would think when hearing that would be boyfriends who took her time or maybe other male friends (but principally boyfriends) and I’m gay, I’m pretty sure a straight guy wouldn’t even think about Ethan being not straight and able to date Amber.
              I know everyone likes to make Danny into a super-oblivious, kind of stupid dude but come on.

              • T Campbell
                T Campbell
                August 17, 2014 at 12:51 am | #

                Yeah, this is actually a surprisingly graceful deflection from Ethan. For that matter, Danny could hardly be expected to piece together Amber’s secret identity the first time he met her out of costume. The fun there was watching Amber’s secret get progressive more and more and more and more and more obvious, until dawn FINALLY broke over Danny. I’m not saying the pattern will repeat itself here, but if it does, I won’t mind.

                • ninja_jesus
                  ninja_jesus
                  August 17, 2014 at 1:33 am | #

                  I don’t really think you could call it obvious from Danny’s perspective, or anyone else’s in this comic. Out of the whole cast, the only ones who have ever actively discovered Amber’s secret identity are Dorothy (after doing her fair share of seeking and finding Amber’s costume) and Dina (who probably saw her change into the suit dozens of times, being her roommate and all). No one else found out. Not a one. Obvious for us, with the prior knowledge that Amber was Amazi-Girl and actively watching her slip up? Definitely. Obvious for everyone in the comic? No, absolutely not.

                • pumacatrun2
                  pumacatrun2
                  August 17, 2014 at 1:48 am | #

                  Replying to you because it won’t let me reply to ninja, but it’s confirmed Danny and Ethan know.

                  http://www.dumbingofage.com/2014/comic/book-4/03-up-all-night-to-get-vengeance/nightclass/

                • ninja_jesus
                  ninja_jesus
                  August 17, 2014 at 2:15 am | #

                  Yes, I know that. He was referring to everything building up to Danny finding out that Amber was Amazi-Girl.

                • Gigafreak
                  Gigafreak
                  August 17, 2014 at 2:46 pm | #

                  Amber repeatedly describes Amazi-Girl using exactly the same words and phrasing that Amazi-Girl used to describe herself, Amazi-Girl accepted snacks from Danny (suggested by Amber), and Amber even always knows exactly what Amazi-Girl thinks of him at all times. Amber’s/Amazi-Girl’s hints grew increasingly blatant, probably intentionally, and they all still flew a few miles over Danny’s head.

                • Lanval
                  Lanval
                  August 17, 2014 at 3:10 pm | #

                  In Danny’s defence; If I were to be dating a mild mannered MMO player, it would take a /lot/ for me to assume that my SO went out at night and beat people up while dressed as a superhero. Even if I picked up on hints, my instinct would be “Nope. No. That’s insane. I am not even going there.” Especially if I was only dating for a little bit and a question like that could make me look bad/wierd or even possibly be taken the wrong way. We look at a cast of maybe 30-50 characters, but he is in a school of thousands and so odds of a look-a-likes are fairly high especially since Dorothy seems to ressemble Amber; she might have a “common face” [I know I looked like someone in my university to the point we would be pulled aside by eachother’s friends once in a while].

            • That Damn Rat
              That Damn Rat
              August 17, 2014 at 5:16 am | #

              The flaw in your logic (well one of them anyway) is that Danny isn’t ACTUALLY looking at Ethan’s face, they’re walking side by side.

          • Ivan
            Ivan
            August 17, 2014 at 12:48 am | #

            What if made the same facial poe but was doing the Goatse Stretch?

            If you had no prior knowledge, then what?

            • Ivan
              Ivan
              August 17, 2014 at 12:50 am | #

              damned keyboard! What if He made the same facial poSe,

            • neeks
              neeks
              August 17, 2014 at 2:41 am | #

              Speaking of “no prior knowledge” and “goatse”, i’ve had a lot of fun explaining that site to my male coworkers who weren’t around on the net when that was anything but a wiki entry. (I’m kind of a jerk like that sometimes, but if people want to think “caffeinatedly cheerful attractive female” is all there is to me, that is their doom, not mine.)

          • Plasma Mongoose
            Plasma Mongoose
            August 17, 2014 at 4:37 am | #

            Even if I had no prior knowledge about Ethan’s leanings, I would assume he was gay just cos it’s a Willis comic.

          • Prior Semblance
            Prior Semblance
            August 17, 2014 at 10:19 pm | #

            Especially considering he is currently dating a girl. You might guess he is bisexual but the wording doesn’t really imply that very well.

  5. Thanks, I'll Have Another!
    Thanks, I'll Have Another!
    August 17, 2014 at 12:02 am | #

    Pretty ironic that Amber’s dad wanted her to take self-defense classes.

    • T Campbell
      T Campbell
      August 17, 2014 at 12:03 am | #

      Yeah, that particular irony is worth relishing, isn’t it

    • Jen Aside
      Jen Aside
      August 17, 2014 at 12:06 am | #

      Unless “HE wanted (to take) self-defense classes” means he was just prescient?

    • Plasma Mongoose
      Plasma Mongoose
      August 17, 2014 at 12:06 am | #

      At least we know how Amber learnt to be so good at fighting, the biggest surprise is that they taught her to fight well since McDojos tend to be somewhat subpar with it comes to martial arts training.

      • Jen Aside
        Jen Aside
        August 17, 2014 at 12:08 am | #

        Yeah, they hold katanas like baseball bats

        • Plasma Mongoose
          Plasma Mongoose
          August 17, 2014 at 12:11 am | #

          I know… you’re supposed to hold it like a fishing rod.

        • Nono
          Nono
          August 17, 2014 at 3:17 am | #

          Let’s go! Trismegistus!

      • MichaelHaneline
        MichaelHaneline
        August 18, 2014 at 12:02 am | #

        Maybe her dad lucked out and found one of the good ones?

    • Yotomoe
      Yotomoe
      August 17, 2014 at 12:19 am | #

      If she’s going to be my minion, by god she’s gonna learn to master the dark arts.

      • tinfoil theory
        tinfoil theory
        August 17, 2014 at 4:02 am | #

        Very Large Scale Integration design? That would explain how she ended up in CS.

    • newllend
      newllend
      August 17, 2014 at 12:49 am | #

      To bad every time he’s going laugh about it his sides are just going to hurt.

    • Bryanp
      Bryanp
      August 17, 2014 at 7:53 am | #

      Hey dad, how about therapy AND she learns to defend herself. It might save you both some bruises down the road.

  6. GoogerGeiger
    GoogerGeiger
    August 17, 2014 at 12:02 am | #

    Men, am I right? *nudge*

    • Yotomoe
      Yotomoe
      August 17, 2014 at 12:20 am | #

      That’s why I’m into the ladies!

  7. Emperor Kiva
    Emperor Kiva
    August 17, 2014 at 12:03 am | #

    Danny, if you only knew

    • newllend
      newllend
      August 17, 2014 at 12:51 am | #

      He’ll probably find out in the most awkward way possible

      • tinfoil theory
        tinfoil theory
        August 17, 2014 at 4:29 am | #

        Ethan, can I borrow your knife? The one you seem to keep in your pocket all the time for some reason?

      • That Damn Rat
        That Damn Rat
        August 17, 2014 at 6:03 am | #

        If Danny had decent power of recall he’d already know, one of the first things Amber said to him was she’d had a boyfriend turn out gay on her.

        • begbert2
          begbert2
          August 17, 2014 at 1:29 pm | #

          And Ethan just implied that Amber had had several boyfriends, so there’s no reason Danny would assume that Ethan was the gay one.

          • Gigafreak
            Gigafreak
            August 17, 2014 at 2:50 pm | #

            Amber implied that she had multiple gay boyfriends as well.

          • Prior Semblance
            Prior Semblance
            August 17, 2014 at 10:23 pm | #

            Also you wouldn’t expect a gay ex-boyfriend to still be dating girls.

  8. Sageress
    Sageress
    August 17, 2014 at 12:03 am | #

    You have no idea, alt text, no idea.

  9. Spack
    Spack
    August 17, 2014 at 12:03 am | #

    Damn you Bob Otherguys!

  10. MrSirk
    MrSirk
    August 17, 2014 at 12:03 am | #

    Damn you other guys, being all attractive and shit!

    • newllend
      newllend
      August 17, 2014 at 12:53 am | #

      Like Joyce’s brother, no really I waiting for that to come back and blow up in his face.

      • remember?
        remember?
        August 17, 2014 at 1:17 am | #

        She’s a she, if my memory serves me right.

        • newllend
          newllend
          August 17, 2014 at 3:51 am | #

          Keep forgetting the one detail.

          • MrSirk
            MrSirk
            August 17, 2014 at 8:16 am | #

            Still, the attractiveness is real.

      • airyu
        airyu
        August 17, 2014 at 1:18 am | #

        don’t you mean Joyce’s sister?

  11. Ben
    Ben
    August 17, 2014 at 12:03 am | #

    Oh danny, you have no idea… If you could read the alt-txt then maybe you would, but… It’s you so… not likely.

    • neeks
      neeks
      August 17, 2014 at 2:44 am | #

      Nah, it’s still subtle without context. Delightfully so. I applaud you yet again, Mr. Willis.

      This icon makes me feel like a bond villain when I say that.

  12. Luzahn
    Luzahn
    August 17, 2014 at 12:04 am | #

    Now kiss.

  13. Plasma Mongoose
    Plasma Mongoose
    August 17, 2014 at 12:04 am | #

    The main problem with Ethan and Amber’s relationship was that they both wanted the same thing… a nice big strapping dude.

    • Nono
      Nono
      August 17, 2014 at 12:07 am | #

      A strapping, stripping dude.

      • Deanatay
        Deanatay
        August 17, 2014 at 9:05 am | #

        So, they both want Jacob?

    • Vic
      Vic
      August 17, 2014 at 12:09 am | #

      sounds like something mike would say in a gray area between drunk and sober
      like he trys to start a helpful therapothic sentence and then the soberness kicks in

      • Yotomoe
        Yotomoe
        August 17, 2014 at 12:21 am | #

        Mike doesn’t need to be buzzed for that. He’d say it because everything he says is helpful therapothic when you stop and think about it.

        • begbert2
          begbert2
          August 17, 2014 at 1:35 pm | #

          When I stop and think about it it still seems like he just says things because he wants to make people feel bad. He just doesn’t kill the people after, so they sometimes recover and grow afterwards. And sometimes not.

  14. Stephen Bierce
    Stephen Bierce
    August 17, 2014 at 12:04 am | #

    *plays The Beatles’ “Some Other Guy” on the Muzak*

    • Stephen Bierce
      Stephen Bierce
      August 17, 2014 at 12:06 am | #

      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2JgcwzhxTQg

  15. Nono
    Nono
    August 17, 2014 at 12:06 am | #

    What’s this third panel and head-on view nonsense

    • Jackson
      Jackson
      August 17, 2014 at 12:20 am | #

      DanCam activated

  16. Paul
    Paul
    August 17, 2014 at 12:07 am | #

    funniest. hovertext. ever.

    • saltchocolate
      saltchocolate
      August 17, 2014 at 3:32 am | #

      I was going to go with: best. alt-text. ever. But we’re on the same wavelength, regardless. Willis rules. All hail (or damn) the Willis.

  17. Nena
    Nena
    August 17, 2014 at 12:07 am | #

    Heh. I wonder if Ethan would end up fancying Danny. That would fuck with Amber’s head.

    • Jen Aside
      Jen Aside
      August 17, 2014 at 12:09 am | #

      Danny might make a good bottom, who knows

      • Yotomoe
        Yotomoe
        August 17, 2014 at 12:21 am | #

        Danny’s Life’s Bottom.

      • Disloyal Subject
        Disloyal Subject
        August 17, 2014 at 12:24 am | #

        The Shadow knows.

        • AgentKeen
          AgentKeen
          August 17, 2014 at 12:47 am | #

          It’s not the darkness in your soul he knows about.

          • Ivan
            Ivan
            August 17, 2014 at 12:57 am | #

            Only The Goatse knows!

    • tinfoil theory
      tinfoil theory
      August 17, 2014 at 4:13 am | #

      Do you need a coxwain? For the ship, I mean.

  18. Jason
    Jason
    August 17, 2014 at 12:09 am | #

    OK, so how much you wanna bet that Ethan DIDN’T mention that this girl who took him hostage is now living in the same dorm as them???

    • Sam
      Sam
      August 17, 2014 at 12:13 am | #

      I would bet a Jacob. And in this universe so far, he is pretty awesome.

    • Vic
      Vic
      August 17, 2014 at 12:15 am | #

      do you think he knows he probly end up following danny to her and she opens the door when they say good bye´s but ethan sees her and stops mid sentence and just stand there open mouthed and then danny feels bed crawls under a rock and is never seen again in the comic

    • Plasma Mongoose
      Plasma Mongoose
      August 17, 2014 at 12:22 am | #

      Have Ethan and Sal interacted in any way since the event?

      • Catullus
        Catullus
        August 17, 2014 at 12:28 am | #

        I don’t believe so.

      • Greenygal
        Greenygal
        August 17, 2014 at 12:48 am | #

        They’ve been in a couple of strips together, but they haven’t interacted in any way and clearly haven’t recognized each other, which is unsurprising given how different they both look. (Though Ethan might get it if he saw her again, now that he’s been cued to look for her.)

        • Plasma Mongoose
          Plasma Mongoose
          August 17, 2014 at 1:35 am | #

          Ah! Thanks!

        • neeks
          neeks
          August 17, 2014 at 2:50 am | #

          That said, if Ethan were going to recognize Sal, I feel like he would have experienced deja vu upon meeting Walky. Although maybe it would take a scowl for that. Plus their previous encounter made a WAY bigger impression on Amber than it did him, so who knows?

        • darkgloomie
          darkgloomie
          August 17, 2014 at 1:58 pm | #

          Amber did tell Ethan that “she’s here”, referring to Sal.

          But given the state of Amber’s mind, I wouldn’t begrudge Ethan for forgetting that part.

    • John
      John
      August 17, 2014 at 12:31 am | #

      “Hey, my hostage-taker grew up cute!”

      Joyce: “DIDN’T SHE?”

      Ethan: “…are we eachother’s beards?”

  19. Khaner
    Khaner
    August 17, 2014 at 12:11 am | #

    I always imagined Ethan sucking other guys so hard.
    Don’t worry, I do too.

  20. Sam
    Sam
    August 17, 2014 at 12:11 am | #

    Bad other guys, stop distracting Ethan.

  21. Idon'tcarenomore
    Idon'tcarenomore
    August 17, 2014 at 12:11 am | #

    I don’t think Danny is being oblivious about anything, nor do I think Ethan has the hots for him. Danny’s just not Ethans kid of guy.

    They sound like two guys who may even be friends, who both care about Amber (in their own way) and want what’s best for her.

    I like this strip.

    • Just Me
      Just Me
      August 17, 2014 at 12:25 am | #

      It’s okay for Danny not to know Ethan’s preferences just yet. It’s not like Ethan is wearing a big sign advertising it.

      Ethan and Danny could become friends, assuming Danny doesn’t have issues with Ethan’s sexuality.

      • Lanval
        Lanval
        August 17, 2014 at 10:01 pm | #

        Do you think Danny would be Homophobic? I feel like Joyce fills the role of the Conservative foil and having several major characters feel uncomfortable about alternative sexualities in a strip which is pretty diverse would bog things down and make it more complicated.

    • Deanatay
      Deanatay
      August 17, 2014 at 9:20 am | #

      I think they have become friends. They’ve bonded over similar interests and a shared secret. It’s a purely platonic friendship, which is something they both desperately need right now. They geek out over comic books and toys, occasionally discuss AmbiGirl’s issues, and most importantly, relax. Considering that these two are probably the biggest stress-monkeys in DoA (except maybe Joyce), that last one is really important.

  22. Yotomoe
    Yotomoe
    August 17, 2014 at 12:15 am | #

    I decided instead of helping her, it’d be WAY easier for me to hurt her. And so I just went with that. You will get no sympathy from me, Ethan. No Sympathy.

    • begbert2
      begbert2
      August 17, 2014 at 1:38 pm | #

      I’m not sure sexuality is a choice, and if it’s not his choice, it’s not his fault.

      However feel free to continue to give him no sympathy for the Joyce thing though.

      • Yotomoe
        Yotomoe
        August 17, 2014 at 1:55 pm | #

        That’s what I’m refering to. The Joyce thing IS hurting her. I def don’t think Sexuality is not a choice.

        • kelticat
          kelticat
          August 17, 2014 at 3:55 pm | #

          You might want to rephrase that last sentence. Because right now, I’m reading it as you think Sexuality is a choice, and I don’t think that is what you mean.

          Just saying.

  23. Greenygal
    Greenygal
    August 17, 2014 at 12:16 am | #

    Huh. So when Ethan came out, and Amber tried to help him through it, she maybe felt like it was her turn to be there for him?

    • Yotomoe
      Yotomoe
      August 17, 2014 at 12:22 am | #

      Good thing he decided to back out on that and date a girl and shit, amiright?

      • Greenygal
        Greenygal
        August 17, 2014 at 12:38 am | #

        Yeah, what is Ethan doing making his own decisions about his life and his choices? Doesn’t he know that he has an obligation to Amber to live the way she wants him to? Then again, by that logic Amber ought to listen to Ethan about how to handle her issues, and we’ve seen how that works out.

        I’m not inclined to blame Ethan anymore than I’m inclined to blame Amber for their mutual fucked-upness; if anything I just think it’s really sad, that they both tried so hard and still couldn’t fix things for each other.

        • Yotomoe
          Yotomoe
          August 17, 2014 at 1:02 am | #

          It’d be like if someone helped pay for your house, and then you burned it down for the insurance money and kept living in a box.

          • Greenygal
            Greenygal
            August 17, 2014 at 1:40 am | #

            Yes, if not coming out was like committing a criminal act, then I suppose it might be. Or maybe that’s a really, really ill-advised comparison. Yeah, I think it’s that second one.

            Ethan does not owe it to Amber to come out. Ethan does not owe it to anybody to come out. It’s totally understandable that Amber is hurt and angry about how he handled it, but it’s Ethan’s life, not Amber’s.

            • Yotomoe
              Yotomoe
              August 17, 2014 at 2:01 am | #

              And I’m allowed to dislike him for that decision. I think it’s a shitty thing to do and I stand by that opinion. If I decide to quit drinking and someone helps me through the whole 12 step program only for me to fall back on the wagon. I’d feel like a shitty person.

              • Jen Aside
                Jen Aside
                August 17, 2014 at 4:14 am | #

                Gotta disagree. No one can know exactly what it’s like to live someone else’s life. Coming out is not like alcoholism, because being in a relationship is not mandatory. His and Joyce’s arrangement is not ideal, but it’s their mutual decision, even if it can’t last forever.

                • Yotomoe
                  Yotomoe
                  August 17, 2014 at 4:38 am | #

                  Yeah…I can’t say I do. I ain’t gay so I can’t talk about how hard it is being gay. However I still feel like this is just a huge slap to the face to Amber. And I know it’s HIS choice and has nothing to do with her but I still think it’s inconsiderate. Bleh.

                • Gangler
                  Gangler
                  August 17, 2014 at 4:45 am | #

                  That aside, recovery isn’t typically a linear process anyway. People are gonna fall off the wagon a few times. Stumble, fall, screw up, keep improving.

                  I mean, that’s what makes it addiction. We point to “I can quit anytime I want” as a classic line indicating denial, because it doesn’t work out quite that simply once you actually set out to quit.

                • Jen Aside
                  Jen Aside
                  August 17, 2014 at 3:52 pm | #

                  Hurting Amber was inevitably going to happen nearly regardless of his choices, because it can be a slap in the face even when an ex you loved falls for the perfect person, because that person isn’t YOU.

                  Or, if Ethan hooked up with a male Billie–just as destructive watching someone with someone who is completely wrong for that person.

              • tinfoil theory
                tinfoil theory
                August 17, 2014 at 4:21 am | #

                Fortunately, there is a liquid that helps with tolerating shitty people.

                • David M Willis
                  David M Willis
                  August 17, 2014 at 10:41 am | #

                  is it peeing on their faces

                • begbert2
                  begbert2
                  August 17, 2014 at 1:40 pm | #

                  Dunno Willis I hear some people like that.

                • Jen Aside
                  Jen Aside
                  August 17, 2014 at 3:41 pm | #

                  how about poison

                  for the shitty people, I mean

                • tinfoil theory
                  tinfoil theory
                  August 18, 2014 at 1:03 am | #

                  Several liquids.

                  Peeing on your own face takes practice, though.

          • Gangler
            Gangler
            August 17, 2014 at 2:01 am | #

            Yeah, fuck me and whatever reasons I have for thinking I need some cash even at the expense of my shelter. Let’s all get up in arms over how I screwed over the donor in that scenario.

            • gwalla
              gwalla
              August 18, 2014 at 1:39 pm | #

              Um, if you need cash, arson & insurance fraud really aren’t a legitimate option for getting it.

              Getting kind of off topic here tho…

        • timemonkey
          timemonkey
          August 17, 2014 at 6:49 am | #

          While I kind of agree, Amber did end up taking a fuckton of crap from his family and apparently everyone else when he decided to come out. So he does owe her something, not control over his life and decisions for something.

          • Gangler
            Gangler
            August 17, 2014 at 7:17 am | #

            He owes her nothing. Her support was freely given. It was not a transaction or a loan. It was simply something she did as his friend.

            By trade, she owes Ethan nothing for all the support he’s given her over the years. Again, that’s just something he did as somebody who cares for her. That didn’t go onto any scoreboard to be translated into future favours. It’s in the past now. If he regrets it or feels like his efforts were wasted then that’s on him.

          • Gangler
            Gangler
            August 17, 2014 at 7:29 am | #

            Heck, even the notion that the shit she put up with helping him holds the smallest candle to his own difficulties as the person actually dealing with this shit.

            That’s not how it works. He might have put up with her dad to a certain extent, but she was the one who had him for a father. You can’t make the abused child’s struggle about the suffering of her friend who shows up voluntarily and gets to go home at the end of the day. You can’t make Ethan’s struggle about the shit Amber put up with for associating with him and advocating for him. It’s not about her. It was never about her. When all is said and done she isn’t the one who has to go out into the world as an openly gay man.

            • Kerry
              Kerry
              August 17, 2014 at 12:59 pm | #

              this is a really good point
              thank you for making it

            • Yotomoe
              Yotomoe
              August 17, 2014 at 2:45 pm | #

              I can’t really argue with ya. You’ve made good points. (I’m still gonna dislike Ethan though).

      • newllend
        newllend
        August 17, 2014 at 12:39 am | #

        Ya, it not that bad though it’s not like it was emotionally and psychologically tiering her apart….oh wait.

  24. John
    John
    August 17, 2014 at 12:28 am | #

    I hope they were cute boys at least, Ethan! No big blue eyed jerks who break your heart.

  25. Regalli
    Regalli
    August 17, 2014 at 12:29 am | #

    … Oh, goddammit, Blaine.

    Just when you think he can’t get worse, refusing to let his traumatized, already anxiety-ridden daughter go to therapy she desperately needs.

    I am so, so glad he got beat up. I am so, so glad his alternate is totally fucking dead. And yet, it is not enough and Amber beating him up more’s just going to be more catastrophic for her mental health. Goddammit, Blaine. Go get hit by a truck.

    • ninja_jesus
      ninja_jesus
      August 17, 2014 at 2:14 am | #

      I hope in this reality, she’ll be better off.

    • Plasma Mongoose
      Plasma Mongoose
      August 17, 2014 at 4:42 am | #

      He made her take up a self defence course and years later she becomes more than skilled enough to beats the living crap out of him, talk about being hoisted by your own petard.

    • timemonkey
      timemonkey
      August 17, 2014 at 6:46 am | #

      Why would he let her become stronger emotionally after all those years of hard work tearing her down?

      • Regalli
        Regalli
        August 17, 2014 at 1:00 pm | #

        Yeah, not surprising considering his treatment of her. But still, confirming that just adds one more reason he needs to die a very painful death.

  26. Raptorman
    Raptorman
    August 17, 2014 at 12:34 am | #

    Yep, Other Guys suck.

  27. newllend
    newllend
    August 17, 2014 at 12:35 am | #

    That is no way to talk about your ex’s Ethan, and by that I don’t mean amber

    (Today is my B-day !)

    • APersonAmI
      APersonAmI
      August 17, 2014 at 9:55 am | #

      Congratulations!

  28. Drakkin the Alien
    Drakkin the Alien
    August 17, 2014 at 1:03 am | #

    interesting. So he does not believes in therapists? Maybe from experience? This whole thing about Blame and his daugther keeps on reminding me of this movie:

    http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0119448/?ref_=nv_sr_2

    this is one quote from the movie: “‘I’ll strangle him for nine tenths, and the one tenth I leave him will make him strong.'”

  29. Norah
    Norah
    August 17, 2014 at 1:28 am | #

    Blaine was probably afraid that Amber would tell the therapist that he abused her and her mother both emotionally an physically. And an emotionally healthy Amber would probably have reported his abuse, or at least not be as vulnerable to it.

    • neeks
      neeks
      August 17, 2014 at 2:54 am | #

      That’s a good point, I was thinking it was along the lines of “therapy is for weak people and my kid ain’t weak”.

      • tinfoil theory
        tinfoil theory
        August 17, 2014 at 4:28 am | #

        That, or: psychology is not a science and all therapists are quacks.

    • KingoHrts
      KingoHrts
      August 17, 2014 at 6:11 am | #

      While I agree that Blaine may have been wanting Amber to stay under his thumb, the move to put her in Self-Defense classes instead of therapy, fits his statements about her being so weak and spineless. He probably never considered she would actually become strong enough to beat him or even challenge him. In fact, he probably wouldn’t believe it even if he knew Amber was Amazagirl. It doesn’t fit his worldview.

      • Thomas
        Thomas
        August 17, 2014 at 8:47 am | #

        I like your gravatar. Such an obvious idea, really, yet it feels totally novel.

      • Deanatay
        Deanatay
        August 17, 2014 at 9:29 am | #

        Hrm, I always viewed the ‘Hrts’ as ‘Hurts’. I woulda used a club. 🙂

        • Jen Aside
          Jen Aside
          August 17, 2014 at 3:41 pm | #

          I (club) Blaine

          • Jen Aside
            Jen Aside
            August 17, 2014 at 3:43 pm | #

            I ♣︎ Blaine

            (found it)

            • Twirls
              Twirls
              August 17, 2014 at 11:54 pm | #

              That’s a spade

              • tinfoil theory
                tinfoil theory
                August 18, 2014 at 1:00 am | #

                Here, take one of these: ♣

                • Jen Aside
                  Jen Aside
                  August 18, 2014 at 8:19 pm | #

                  Why does your club look suspiciously like my “spade”

                  [/snark]

    • vmgx
      vmgx
      August 17, 2014 at 9:30 am | #

      what a dick

  30. Thomas
    Thomas
    August 17, 2014 at 4:43 am | #

    Blaine is a f**king jerk for refusing Amber “regular” therapy. No question about that. However, that doesn’t mean self-defence classes were a bad idea. It can be considered a form of therapy & almost certainly has contributed to Amber’s self-confidence.

    Although it certainly helps when your overbearing dad doesn’t force you to partake in them while yelling at you for being weak.

  31. timemonkey
    timemonkey
    August 17, 2014 at 6:59 am | #

    Self defense classes. Of course, that way he could stand in the back the whole time and make sure she never said anything he didn’t approve of. And when she never got any better it’d be because she was just weak, not because he was destroying her self confidence and being an ever looming threat.

    • Thomas
      Thomas
      August 17, 2014 at 8:42 am | #

      Probably not. A good instructor would immediately sense Blaine’s effect on Amber & simply ask him to leave & refuse to let him attend. Self-defense lessons are taught for a reason & instructors are aware of that.

      (I mean, Blaine’s not exactly subtle in his bullying. He doesn’t hide his behaviour. It’s out there for everyone to witness.)

      Man, I suddenly realized I hate Family Guy for another reason besides its incessant negativity. Fathers like Peter Griffin exist & they’re toxic.

      • timemonkey
        timemonkey
        August 17, 2014 at 6:54 pm | #

        But would Blaine know that?

  32. Kim
    Kim
    August 17, 2014 at 8:22 am | #

    Best alt. text. For serious

    • Maycroft
      Maycroft
      August 17, 2014 at 12:42 pm | #

      Thanks for pointing it out or I never would’ve seen it.

      • Kim
        Kim
        August 17, 2014 at 9:33 pm | #

        Glad I could help 🙂

  33. What was the question again?
    What was the question again?
    August 17, 2014 at 9:05 am | #

    Danny/Ethan OTP?

    • The_Master
      The_Master
      August 17, 2014 at 1:37 pm | #

      I could ship that.

  34. Jon_Sered
    Jon_Sered
    August 17, 2014 at 9:22 am | #

    That’s because guys know what guys like!!

  35. hof1991
    hof1991
    August 17, 2014 at 9:30 am | #

    Ethan needs Denny, because he needs to be able to interact with a male without getting all hot and bothered. Living with Jacob has him practically fainting with desire. Seeing Joyce’s (male presenting) sibling had him panting. He needs some boy-talk that doesn’t fuel sexual fantasies. Robots. Batman. Danny shares a lot of his interests and outlook. I look forward to them being good friends, unless drama gets in the way. Which of course it will.

    • oldFart
      oldFart
      August 17, 2014 at 2:19 pm | #

      What? You mean being gay doesn’t mean being attracted to all males? Straight men can’t just assume any gay man will give them head if they want? Horrors!

      (I’m told these assumtions or subtexts cause gay men a lot of trouble, especially if straight men get drunk around them. Same with lesbians and straight women, sometimes.)

      • neeks
        neeks
        August 17, 2014 at 7:57 pm | #

        Those particular straight guys (yeah yeah, not all men, I know, I know) are afraid gay guys will think of/treat them the way they think of/treat women.

  36. LBD "Nytetrayn"
    LBD "Nytetrayn"
    August 17, 2014 at 3:39 pm | #

    I keep seeing that Danny is oblivious, but at best (worst?), doesn’t he know Ethan as someone dating Joyce? Why would he think Ethan meant he was the one seeing other guys, then?

    • Jen Aside
      Jen Aside
      August 17, 2014 at 3:45 pm | #

      I can’t recall that Joyce was ever mentioned between them, thanks for making me want to reread the whole archive AGAIN =p

      • Greenygal
        Greenygal
        August 17, 2014 at 4:27 pm | #

        Danny knows as of that first time they met…

      • John
        John
        August 17, 2014 at 6:44 pm | #

        Danny and Ethan first encountered each other when Ethan was smooching Joyce, and a couple strips later Joyce called Ethan her boyfriend while Danny was standing right there.

        On the other hand, Amber has mentioned to Danny that she’s had a dating-gay-dudes problem, and he knows that she dated Ethan. But I don’t think she’s ever told him that her dating-gay-dudes problem encompasses every other dude she’s dated, which is one dude, who is Ethan, who is totally gay.

        So while Danny’s pretty universally oblivious, I can’t really blame him for not catching this one just yet.

        • Jen Aside
          Jen Aside
          August 17, 2014 at 8:13 pm | #

          Okay, could easily be Danny has a shit memory and… outside-box-thinking-ability like I have =B

          [but, any excuse to read the archives again!]

  37. Lord Geovanni
    Lord Geovanni
    August 18, 2014 at 12:43 am | #

    how to break it to the guy that im gay with out completely scareing off so i can still get my regular reports on amber….. if they stay friends.

  38. Eukon
    Eukon
    August 19, 2014 at 2:59 am | #

    Lol. That alt-txt

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