Dumbing of Age Book Twelve

Dumbing of Age

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May 19, 2026

Every beep

by David M Willis on June 26, 2020 at 12:01 am
  • 04 - Is a Song Forever?
└ Tags: amber, mike

Discussion (66) ¬

[ Comments RSS ]
  1. Ana Chronistic
    Ana Chronistic
    June 26, 2020 at 12:02 am | #

    I think I will spittake if they’re STILL chipper and unbearably positive

    which at least explained Shortpacked!Mike but I guess we’ll see with DOA!Mike

    • Hex Hornet
      Hex Hornet
      June 26, 2020 at 12:05 am | #

      Oh yeah… I’d forgotten about OG Mike’s parents! That WOULD be interesting!

    • Poskie
      Poskie
      June 26, 2020 at 12:06 am | #

      But we’ve met them already, and they were. https://www.dumbingofage.com/2013/comic/book-3/04-just-hangin-out-with-my-family/guard/
      Unless you mean in this specific situation, which would indeed be mind-boggling.

      • Meagan
        Meagan
        June 26, 2020 at 12:31 am | #

        I would love to see it done, in a semi-realistic way. I imagine that maybe their version of heartbroken and worried will be like other people’s normal?

    • Nep
      Nep
      June 26, 2020 at 1:00 am | #

      I mean, his mom immediately burst into tears when SP!Amber brought up the war/death, so I expect to see them react like humans to Mike in a coma.

    • Xaeon
      Xaeon
      June 26, 2020 at 11:21 am | #

      Mike’s parent’s come in perfectly chipper. Amber eventually makes some comment about Mike’s condition. Mike’s mom reveals that he regained consciousness that morning and will be fine. Mike bemoans that he wanted to keep Amber going at least another hour.

      • Yet_One_More_Idiot
        Yet_One_More_Idiot
        June 26, 2020 at 8:30 pm | #

        This totally checks out as a thing that could happen. ;D

  2. danielle
    danielle
    June 26, 2020 at 12:03 am | #

    :C

  3. Hex Hornet
    Hex Hornet
    June 26, 2020 at 12:04 am | #

    Having some ‘splainin’ to do always sounds more fun when it’s Lucy, not you. (No, not THAT Lucy…)

  4. Chris
    Chris
    June 26, 2020 at 12:04 am | #

    Why “shuffle”? (Have we seen Mike’s parents before?)

    • Poskie
      Poskie
      June 26, 2020 at 12:10 am | #

      Yes, during Freshman Family Weekend. They’re absurdly nice and welcoming.

    • Lawzlo
      Lawzlo
      June 26, 2020 at 12:17 am | #

      Maybe they just don’t lift their feet far enough off the floor when they’re walking.

      Or maybe they’re just VERY avid poker players.

  5. DailyBrad
    DailyBrad
    June 26, 2020 at 12:04 am | #

    You can do this, Amber.

  6. Reltzik
    Reltzik
    June 26, 2020 at 12:05 am | #

    There’re going to be unsolicited hugs, aren’t there?

  7. Stephen Bierce
    Stephen Bierce
    June 26, 2020 at 12:07 am | #

    *looks for some Muzakized Kenny Loggins*

    • Stephen Bierce
      Stephen Bierce
      June 26, 2020 at 12:12 am | #

      BTW my own Dad’s been in the hospital a few times so all those medical sounds are fresh in my head. The “neener neener” sound by the pneumatic leg massagers (to keep comatose patients from getting blood clots after surgery). The thunder of the air conditioner ducting. The humming of the flourescent lighting…

      • Stephen Bierce
        Stephen Bierce
        June 26, 2020 at 12:13 am | #

        *a few times THIS YEAR*
        Not COVID, thank goodness. But still bad news of a sort.

        • Regalli
          Regalli
          June 26, 2020 at 12:29 am | #

          Ugh, sympathies.

        • woobie
          woobie
          June 26, 2020 at 12:32 am | #

          The only thing worse than your parents in the hospital is your children in the hospital.

        • P!enapple
          P!enapple
          June 26, 2020 at 12:32 am | #

          Sorry to hear it’s been rough this year. I hope it gets better for you and him soon.

        • Geneseepaws
          Geneseepaws
          June 26, 2020 at 8:08 am | #

          Mr. Bierce:
          If you go to visit a parent in the hospital, and you are greeted by name by Any of the staff, -OR- if they joke about your acquiring a Reserved Parking Spot because you are a frequent flyer, you have got Trouble. My sympathies to you.

      • Arioch
        Arioch
        June 26, 2020 at 11:46 am | #

        My sympathies. I work in healthcare. This is a rough time to be a patient.

    • Deanatay
      Deanatay
      June 26, 2020 at 9:38 am | #

      TBF, Kenny Loggins is already pretty Muzak.

  8. Bagge
    Bagge
    June 26, 2020 at 12:10 am | #

    The one time amber’s standard approach to deal with dads won’t work.

    • SuperZero
      SuperZero
      June 26, 2020 at 12:15 am | #

      It might distract them from the stuff Amber doesn’t want to talk to them about.

  9. BBCC
    BBCC
    June 26, 2020 at 12:10 am | #

    And won’t that be an awkward conversation in a chapter I assume will be FULL of awkward parental conversations.

    Kinda feel like having a babaroo kidnapped is one of those ‘well, fuck me sideways’ parenting moments.

    • clif
      clif
      June 26, 2020 at 12:26 am | #

      Mike wasn’t kidnapped. Amber can’t explain what happened unless she explains how she knows what happened.

      • clif
        clif
        June 26, 2020 at 12:36 am | #

        Though, I suppose she could just stick with what her father said during the kidnapping. That, of course, centers on having Mike killed.

      • BBCC
        BBCC
        June 26, 2020 at 12:45 am | #

        A lot of people were kidnapped though and at the very LEAST Linda’s coming in this storyline. We’ve been shown this in preview panels.

      • Needfuldoer
        Needfuldoer
        June 26, 2020 at 6:08 am | #

        “We were leaving a friend’s birthday party when a couple of guys jumped us. Mike protected me but he got hurt so we rushed him here.”

        Doesn’t explain the extended gap where they weren’t contacted, but it’s not that far from the truth…

        • thejeff
          thejeff
          June 26, 2020 at 7:57 am | #

          Stick with whatever story she told the cops. Which involves the scooter chase, since Dorothy knew about it, and thus probably Amazi-Girl, not Amber.

          • Needfuldoer
            Needfuldoer
            June 26, 2020 at 5:49 pm | #

            A TL;DR approximation is close enough until they get over the shock of seeing their son comatose and on life support in a hospital bed.

            • Needfuldoer
              Needfuldoer
              June 26, 2020 at 5:52 pm | #

              *INITIAL shock.

    • Regalli
      Regalli
      June 26, 2020 at 12:27 am | #

      We know we’re getting the Browns and Walkertons in addition to the Warners. I would be gobsmacked if we don’t see Stacy, and likely also Richard as support. The Siegals probably also have some serious thoughts on ‘our son’s best friend/ex’s mobster father kidnapped them and put their other friend in a coma’ that should be… interesting to hear.

      I hope we get the Saruyamas as some light relief. Not that they won’t be concerned their daughter got involved in this situation (even if she got herself involved, rather than being an initial kidnapping victim), but they’ll get to meet Becky, that might be nice. (Though we’ll also likely get some ‘damn, we let a MOBSTER who ended up MURDERING A MAN into our daughter and her roommate’s dorm room, we feel even WORSE now!’ Not that they could’ve known, but seriously, damn.) Similarly the Keeners are known to be supportive and we will NEED that.

      Finally, we have never met the Clintons because it was FRESHMAN Family Weekend, so if they show up that could be interesting. We have no idea what they’re like, but that’s part of the interest!

      I will give the Walkertons and Siegals this, they had no way whatsoever of predicting ‘mobster kidnapping ending in homicide.’ I mean, the Siegals likely know about Blaine from proximity to Amber and Stacy, but there was no reason to expect him showing up with another random Evil Kidnapping Father and, well, doing this. I may have serious issues with both sets but this is not on them.

      That blame should be reserved for Carol.

      • Needfuldoer
        Needfuldoer
        June 26, 2020 at 11:58 am | #

        [Old, haggard sailor voice] Yep, there’s a shitstorm a-comin’.

        • Roborat
          Roborat
          June 26, 2020 at 3:48 pm | #

          That explains that old adage:
          “Red sky at night, sailor’s delight,
          Red sky in the morning, a shitstorm a’coming”.

        • Regalli
          Regalli
          June 26, 2020 at 3:54 pm | #

          Last storyline was big and dramatic for two very good reasons:

          1) Character development for everyone but especially AmbG, including the start of ‘we really should be trying to work through how much we hate ourselves and our need to get along for everyone around us’s wellbeing’ and the ‘I made me.’ moment. (Owning responsibility for Amber’s bad and good points, acknowledging the latter do exist, and denying Blaine satisfaction. Yay!) We can also expect some fallout with Walky, minimum, specific to the being kidnapped aspect. Wouldn’t be surprised if Ethan has more trauma there as well, and Dorothy.

          2) So much ammo that will be fired from many, many mantles involving parents. The Brown fallout will be SPECTACULAR, but every set we see show up are probably going to be at least a little freaked out by this all.

  10. Kyrik Michalowski
    Kyrik Michalowski
    June 26, 2020 at 12:13 am | #

    On the one hand, I’m hoping Amber doesn’t have to explain how this happened. On the other hand, I don’t see a way out of her having to explain, unless she leaves before they get there. Is there a chance that Mike’s parents would blame this on Amber?

    • SuperZero
      SuperZero
      June 26, 2020 at 12:14 am | #

      Conveniently, there are some bad guys to blame. It’s even actually their fault!

  11. Ray Radlein
    Ray Radlein
    June 26, 2020 at 12:17 am | #

    Well that’s one “your mom” reference in a Mike comic that I didn’t see coming

    • P!enapple
      P!enapple
      June 26, 2020 at 12:34 am | #

      Roflmao OMG I was not expecting that, plus it’s so Mike!!

  12. Cass
    Cass
    June 26, 2020 at 12:18 am | #

    Suddenly I have Mortal City stuck in my head.

    I hear one thousand hearts beating at the hospital
    And one thousand hearts by their bedsides waiting
    Saying that’s my love in the white gown

  13. Sirksome
    Sirksome
    June 26, 2020 at 12:22 am | #

    We have no reason to believe Mike’s parents are terrible so I’m very interested in hearing Amber’s justification for preventing them from finding out their son has is in a coma! No! I never once believed Mike was in danger of being assassinated by corrupt cops or mob thugs!

    • Reaver
      Reaver
      June 26, 2020 at 12:25 am | #

      Because she gets to tell them *she’s the reason that he’s there*

    • sirconanad
      sirconanad
      June 26, 2020 at 12:28 am | #

      We have no reasons and Amber (as she probably already knows them quite well since they grew up together) has also no reason (that I can remember) to think his parents would flip out but you never know how someone might react, especially given that this situation isn’t what most parents (most good parents) would hope for.

      I know I don’t know how the parents of my friends would react if their kids ended up in a coma due to (partially) my involvement.

      • Regalli
        Regalli
        June 26, 2020 at 12:34 am | #

        Yeah, especially given how this situation and the fact that she knows the Warners fairly well mean it’s totally possible she discloses about AG and the memory split. Like, there aren’t really ways to explain this (since it happened the day before the kidnapping) without it. And Amber has very good reason to worry about their reaction. DID is one of the Scary Mental Illnesses TM.

    • BBCC
      BBCC
      June 26, 2020 at 12:47 am | #

      You may not have believed it, but AG did.

      • thejeff
        thejeff
        June 26, 2020 at 7:59 am | #

        So did Mike.

    • segnosaur
      segnosaur
      June 26, 2020 at 1:13 am | #

      Actually we know just the opposite… We saw Mike’s parents at the family freshment weekend, and they were completely different from Mike. (Overly friendly… trying to give Sarah a hug.)

    • Mart
      Mart
      June 26, 2020 at 1:51 am | #

      Amber is suffering from extreme low self-esteem. She will expect to be blamed for this.

    • BenRG
      BenRG
      June 26, 2020 at 4:33 am | #

      If they’re anything like their Walkyverse equivalents, then they’re nice, kind, sweet and generally rays of sunshine to the point where Mike’s behaviour can be interpreted as an exasperated attempt to escape what is otherwise a smothering blanket of uncontextual positivity.

      Oh, an Mike’s mother was rather pushy about the ‘right’ way to care for baby Donatella too.

      • BBCC
        BBCC
        June 26, 2020 at 1:06 pm | #

        Including letting her sleep on her stomach which…no, Harriet. NO.

        • David M Willis
          David M Willis
          June 26, 2020 at 3:13 pm | #

          look she’s from the 50s

  14. John
    John
    June 26, 2020 at 12:38 am | #

    I thought I was well past ready to see this go back to being a comic not about kidnapping and murder, but now I realize I want it to keep going until after we get to see Amazi-Girl kicking the butts of a bunch of mob goons who have come to assassinate Mike.

    • Chaucer59
      Chaucer59
      June 26, 2020 at 12:58 am | #

      I’ll get the popcorn.

  15. abysswatcher1993
    abysswatcher1993
    June 26, 2020 at 12:56 am | #

    I don’t think the corrupt cops or the Korean mob care about a low scum like Blaine enough to murder Mike.

    Also, DAMN YOU, WILLIS!

  16. LovelyMonsters
    LovelyMonsters
    June 26, 2020 at 1:23 am | #

    Oh man I am so looking forward to all the throwings down coming up

  17. BenRG
    BenRG
    June 26, 2020 at 2:15 am | #

    There are a number of bad things you’ve done in your life, Amber, things for which you can justly blame yourself. What happened to Mike is not one of them. He found a cause for which he was willing to fight and, due to his situation with Ethan, he was a lot less careful about it than he normally would be.

    I’m hoping that Mike’s parents respond to all of this by thanking you for saving his life and so many others besides.

  18. Keulen
    Keulen
    June 26, 2020 at 3:01 am | #

    Based on the previous times we’ve seen them, I suspect if Mike’s parents do show up soon they’ll be more understanding than many other characters’ parents might be.

  19. NelC
    NelC
    June 26, 2020 at 3:37 am | #

    Maybe you’ll be lucky, Amber, and both the parents and the assassins will turn up at the same time.

  20. DarkoNeko
    DarkoNeko
    June 26, 2020 at 6:48 am | #

    Every beep you taaake~
    Every sound you make~
    etc etc~ i’ll be watching you~

  21. thumb
    thumb
    June 26, 2020 at 8:13 am | #

    Hol’ up, that is a good question.
    Why *must* feelings?

  22. Vangeln
    Vangeln
    June 26, 2020 at 10:12 am | #

    So Ethan left?

  23. Freezer
    Freezer
    June 26, 2020 at 11:14 am | #

    Why does she think Blaine’s “associates” would come after Mike now? Mike’s Attempted Manslaughter at max. That’s probably fourth in order of severity of the charges he’s currently facing. None of which gets eliminated by offing one witness.

    • Regalli
      Regalli
      June 26, 2020 at 3:45 pm | #

      At a guess? Blaine MIGHT have had some competent mob cronies on board with randomly killing whoever he asked, but if so he didn’t have enough to help him with the kidnapping.

      On the other hand, the reason why Blaine decided ‘you know what, let’s kill him’ was because Mike had started shouting about how Blaine was a money-launderer for the mob, and how he has conflicting tax records. If he ever wakes up, he can still spill, and that will bring trouble for more than just Blaine. So long as Mike can wake up, he is a major threat to the mob itself. So if Blaine passes that info on, they might just decide to off him no matter what they decide to do with Blaine.

      That said, I’m doing this logic from the perspective of someone, y’know. Not also paralyzed with survivor’s guilt and fear. Just as much a reason for Amber to be doing this is, as she says, an excuse/distraction, and I wouldn’t expect purely rational threat analysis from someone who’s just been kidnapped by her mobster dad, who murdered someone, anyway.

  24. JessWitt
    JessWitt
    June 26, 2020 at 12:14 pm | #

    And Mike’s parents are so easygoing too. Hope they don’t dump all the blame on Amber like Ethan’s mom.

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