Dumbing of Age Book Twelve

Dumbing of Age

A college webcomic by David Willis
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May 8, 2026

Told you

by David M Willis on October 27, 2022 at 12:01 am
  • 01 – Bring Me to Life Drawing
└ Tags: joe, joyce

Discussion (200) ¬

[ Comments RSS ]
  1. Ana Chronistic
    Ana Chronistic
    October 27, 2022 at 12:01 am | #

    secrets are like blood in the water for Joyce, huh

    • Thag Simmons
      Thag Simmons
      October 27, 2022 at 12:02 am | #

      Joyce is very good at intelligence gathering

      • Leorale
        Leorale
        October 27, 2022 at 12:16 am | #

        Lesbian love sleuth! Where ‘lesbian’ modifies ‘love’ and unfortunately not ‘sleuth’!

        • The Wellerman
          The Wellerman
          October 27, 2022 at 12:28 am | #

          Sounds like a great premise for a visual novel! 😍

        • Opus the Poet
          Opus the Poet
          October 27, 2022 at 4:44 am | #

          That sounds like Jaime the Love Detective on Girls With Slingshots.

          • merbrat
            merbrat
            October 27, 2022 at 5:31 pm | #

            Yuss! *blows bubble pipe*

  2. King Daniel
    King Daniel
    October 27, 2022 at 12:01 am | #

    Whatta birthday strip this is

    • Taffy
      Taffy
      October 27, 2022 at 1:14 am | #

      Happy stripday

      • Clif
        Clif
        October 27, 2022 at 1:43 am | #

        And many more.

    • Insanenoodlyguy
      Insanenoodlyguy
      October 27, 2022 at 11:56 pm | #

      More like a birthday ship.

  3. Schpoonman
    Schpoonman
    October 27, 2022 at 12:02 am | #

    Oh daaaaaaaaaang.

    • Clif
      Clif
      October 27, 2022 at 1:48 am | #

      This will go well with no chance of misunderstandings or miscommunication. Neither Liz, Roz, nor Becky will be at the piza place. Nothing can go wrong.

      Way to rub it in, alt text.

      • Clif
        Clif
        October 27, 2022 at 2:22 am | #

        Also no Jacob or Walky. For different reasons.

      • Plonker
        Plonker
        October 27, 2022 at 2:46 am | #

        It would still have a chance of going right – except, in Willis world, there’s only that one place that serves pizza, and no others.

        Because why would anyone else think there was any money to be made competing in the pizza slinging market in a college town?

        • Opus the Poet
          Opus the Poet
          October 27, 2022 at 4:49 am | #

          Well there’s the place that used to be where Galasso’s is now but had to move out of town to a cheaper place, but they’re not a direct competitor anymore.

        • Slartibeast Button, BIA
          Slartibeast Button, BIA
          October 27, 2022 at 5:00 am | #

          GALASSO HAS CONQUERED THE LOCAL PIZZA (AND SUBS) MARKET!

      • anonymsly
        anonymsly
        October 27, 2022 at 6:24 am | #

        Becky won’t be, she’s in class. Liz won’t be, she actually got carted back to school. Roz might be, but she wouldn’t ruin the pizza time, she doesn’t care that much about Joyce or Joe.

  4. The Wellerman
    The Wellerman
    October 27, 2022 at 12:02 am | #

    😋🍕🥰

    *plays “That’s Amore” by Dean Martin on hacked muzak*

    • RassilonTDavros
      RassilonTDavros
      October 27, 2022 at 12:12 am | #

      *hacks muzak again, plays “Aammoorree” by Neil Cicierega on it*

      • Steelbright
        Steelbright
        October 27, 2022 at 12:23 am | #

        Feels appropriate.

    • Leorale
      Leorale
      October 27, 2022 at 12:21 am | #

      When an eel has a maw with a pharyngeal jaw,
      That’s a moray!
      When his jaws open wide there are more jaws inside,
      That’s a moray!

      • King Daniel
        King Daniel
        October 27, 2022 at 12:29 am | #

        When a grid’s misaligned with another behind
        That’s a moiré
        When the spacing is tight and the difference is slight
        That’s a moiré

        • True Survivor
          True Survivor
          October 27, 2022 at 12:45 am | #

          You are two are special people. Why aren’t there more like you?

          • Clif
            Clif
            October 27, 2022 at 2:03 am | #

            When you use radio waves, to see where the blood stay
            That’s M.R.A.

            When resonance sees, your angiography-s.
            That’s M.R.A.

            • Ana Chronistic
              Ana Chronistic
              October 27, 2022 at 11:59 pm | #

              When the internet chugs from misogynist thugs,
              that’s MRAs

          • eh, whatever
            eh, whatever
            October 27, 2022 at 6:09 am | #

            There are. Biologists have been singing epics about morays for, uh, a few years at least.

            If you swim in the sea and an eel bites your knee,
            that’s a moray;
            if its mouth opens wide and there’s another inside,
            that’s a moray!
            If it lurks in a reef and has two sets of teeth,
            that’s a moray;
            if it goes for your leg and breaks it like an egg,
            that’s a moray!

            • Dr. Sharks
              Dr. Sharks
              October 27, 2022 at 10:05 am | #

              Yikes, I didn’t know morays were so vicious. And here i thought my fear of them was entirely mario-64-based.

        • thejeff
          thejeff
          October 27, 2022 at 8:03 am | #

          When our habits are strange and our customs deranged
          That’s our mores.

      • Plain Marie
        Plain Marie
        October 27, 2022 at 5:55 am | #

        When you swim in the creek and an eel bites your cheek, that’s a moray.

  5. Ivy
    Ivy
    October 27, 2022 at 12:02 am | #

    Oh my god please let this be happening.

    • Needfuldoer
      Needfuldoer
      October 27, 2022 at 1:59 am | #

      Have a date night without calling it a date night.

    • Nova
      Nova
      October 27, 2022 at 3:45 am | #

      Almost exactly my reaction. “Is this happening? It’s happening!”

    • Joyfulldreams
      Joyfulldreams
      October 27, 2022 at 3:56 am | #

      PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!!!11

  6. Johan
    Johan
    October 27, 2022 at 12:02 am | #

    There’s your pizza~

    • jeffepp
      jeffepp
      October 27, 2022 at 1:04 am | #

      Joe understands the classics.

  7. Mr. Random
    Mr. Random
    October 27, 2022 at 12:02 am | #

    Re: First Date

  8. Electric
    Electric
    October 27, 2022 at 12:02 am | #

    re alt text: THATS WHAT YOU WANT US TO THINK

    • Bladeglory
      Bladeglory
      October 27, 2022 at 12:05 am | #

      Word of God says Mike is gone for good…

      But it would be very Mike to overthrow God and come back anyway, wouldn’t it?

      • Electric
        Electric
        October 27, 2022 at 12:12 am | #

        It would be especially Mike to overthrow God and his first action being to punch Joe in the face.

        • The Wellerman
          The Wellerman
          October 27, 2022 at 12:14 am | #

          Hey I might temporarily bring Mike back to life in some form in my fan games.

        • bemisawa
          bemisawa
          October 27, 2022 at 12:27 am | #

          …I mean, that WOULD be the perfect time for Mike to show up. Much as he was able to rely on the perfect timing for a superhero, this too is a time founded fundamentally upon the internal logic of the forces that power Mike and give him his essence of being.

          You know.

          Being a dick.

          • justin8448
            justin8448
            October 27, 2022 at 5:28 am | #

            He steps on panel, throws a bunch, shakes his hand once, turns to go, and is never seen again.

      • Needfuldoer
        Needfuldoer
        October 27, 2022 at 2:02 am | #

        The person entering Galasso’s in front of them lets go of the door slightly too early, and it hits Joe in the face.

        Connie trips carrying a tray, it goes flying and hits Joe in the face.

        Joe excuses himself to the bathroom, and the faucet’s broken so it sprays him in the face with water.

        As they’re leaving, they catch a glimpse of a cloud formation that vaguely resembles Mike’s hair.

        Amber faintly hears Mike cackling.

    • Schpoonman
      Schpoonman
      October 27, 2022 at 12:52 am | #

      The only turn of events that could possibly be more disappointing than Mike coming back is Dina finding religion.

      • BarerMender
        BarerMender
        October 27, 2022 at 12:58 am | #

        Bite your tongue! OFF!!

      • Concolor44
        Concolor44
        October 27, 2022 at 1:41 am | #

        I cannot see that as even a remote possibility. Thankfully.

      • Adam Black
        Adam Black
        October 27, 2022 at 11:01 am | #

        I disagree. I could see Dina having a numinous experience contemplating deep time on some dig with her gf, seeing the whole milky way.

        Or adopting some Buddhist practice . just distant from dogma.

      • june gloom
        june gloom
        October 27, 2022 at 5:00 pm | #

        Depends on the religion! Christianity would indeed be a disappointment for a zillion reasons, but there’s plenty of pagan practices out there that would accommodate scientific rigor, rather than demanding the other way around.

        (let’s hope my new pfp works this time…)

  9. BBCC
    BBCC
    October 27, 2022 at 12:02 am | #

    Turn into a date! Turn into a date!

  10. Awaiting Moderation
    Awaiting Moderation
    October 27, 2022 at 12:02 am | #

    It speaks well to the potential relationship that Joe finds this endearing.

    • Awaiting Moderation
      Awaiting Moderation
      October 27, 2022 at 12:03 am | #

      Still worried about Joe’s ability to approach the subject given his self esteem issues though.

      • Steelbright
        Steelbright
        October 27, 2022 at 12:25 am | #

        It’d be nice if he’d just be honest about them, but uh…that seems way too healthy

    • Cerusee
      Cerusee
      October 27, 2022 at 4:24 pm | #

      The tiny smile on his face in panel four! He thinks this is cute!

      (And the bigger smile on his face in panel one! He’s happy to see her!)

  11. StClair
    StClair
    October 27, 2022 at 12:03 am | #

    I just hope this doesn’t end with him running away from her.
    In the rain.
    (Again.)

    • RacingTurtle
      RacingTurtle
      October 27, 2022 at 12:42 am | #

      Still traumatized by that all these years later

    • shellshockbp
      shellshockbp
      October 27, 2022 at 3:01 pm | #

      A few more days and we can all sing November Rain when this blows up.

  12. Sirksome
    Sirksome
    October 27, 2022 at 12:03 am | #

    And Joe might’ve just wiggled his way into a date. Wonder if he’ll get flashbacks to their first pizza date. Those were good times…for Mike specifically.

    • Thag Simmons
      Thag Simmons
      October 27, 2022 at 12:07 am | #

      Oh right this is almost exactly the set-up from their last date.

      Wondering if Booster’ll show up, since they inherited Mike’s responsibilities.

      • V.gay.person
        V.gay.person
        October 27, 2022 at 12:53 am | #

        But instead of face punching makes a casual comment that they didn’t expect Joyce and Joe recognise the mutual attraction for at least a month, prompting Joyce to sputter “Joe isn’t interested in me!” Followed by Joe’s “About that- wait a minute”.

        The fanfiction had been written.

  13. Yotomoe
    Yotomoe
    October 27, 2022 at 12:04 am | #

    It’s like the demon under your bed asking you why you’re so scared at night.

    • The Wellerman
      The Wellerman
      October 27, 2022 at 12:05 am | #

      Awe but we only want to help you. 🥺

    • thakoru
      thakoru
      October 27, 2022 at 12:11 am | #

      “Why are you so scared at night?” the monster asked.
      “At first I was scared of you, but now I’m mostly worried things have gotten awkward between us.”

    • Kyrik Michalowski
      Kyrik Michalowski
      October 27, 2022 at 12:16 am | #

      Demon: “Why you are so scared at night?”
      You: “Because I’m afraid I’ll never find a beautiful and kind demon who wants to marry me.”
      Demon: “Oh… well this is bit awkward now.”

      • The Wellerman
        The Wellerman
        October 27, 2022 at 12:22 am | #

        I too, long to be the pog champ of a beautiful and kind demon. 😭

  14. AbacusWizard
    AbacusWizard
    October 27, 2022 at 12:04 am | #

    I mean, how can you say no to a grin like panel 5?

  15. temporalshrew
    temporalshrew
    October 27, 2022 at 12:04 am | #

    Ah yes, nothing says love is in the air like Galasso’s Pizza!

    • drs
      drs
      October 27, 2022 at 12:06 am | #

      Does Becky still work at Galasso’s?

      • RassilonTDavros
        RassilonTDavros
        October 27, 2022 at 12:09 am | #

        …oh no.

        …ooooooooh noooooo

        (yes.)

        • Nono
          Nono
          October 27, 2022 at 12:40 am | #

          We haven’t seen Becky work there since the timeskip, have we?

          • Thag Simmons
            Thag Simmons
            October 27, 2022 at 1:02 am | #

            We have

      • Kyrik Michalowski
        Kyrik Michalowski
        October 27, 2022 at 12:30 am | #

        Well I hadn’t thought of that, this could be extremely messy and unpleasant if Becky is there and she interrupts them having a moment.

        • bemisawa
          bemisawa
          October 27, 2022 at 12:35 am | #

          True, though I’m not sure how much emotional labor Joyce is willing to do now to pretend to be her old self. Unless I’m forgetting a bunch of context, Joyce kinda seems low on fucks to give at present, especially towards Becky (sad trombone) – as much as I think in the long term they might be able to make peace.

          • Needfuldoer
            Needfuldoer
            October 27, 2022 at 2:11 am | #

            They’re basically in détente right now, and Becky witnessed this.

            She’ll put two and two together, but the question is will she rein in her playful sabotage?

            • StClair
              StClair
              October 27, 2022 at 2:21 am | #

              YM “passive-aggressive pretending to be playful”.

            • anonymsly
              anonymsly
              October 27, 2022 at 5:43 am | #

              I thiiiiink we’re lucky enough that Becky’s in class right now. Gender Studies.

    • Cholma
      Cholma
      October 27, 2022 at 12:12 am | #

      (and subs)! 😀

    • Lars
      Lars
      October 27, 2022 at 2:34 am | #

      And maybe Connie.

      • anonymsly
        anonymsly
        October 27, 2022 at 6:18 am | #

        I think this is more midday and Connie (being sixteen) is in school rather than working.

  16. Yotomoe
    Yotomoe
    October 27, 2022 at 12:04 am | #

    It’s all fun and games until Booster shows up and starts beating up Joe.

    • Kyrik Michalowski
      Kyrik Michalowski
      October 27, 2022 at 12:09 am | #

      That would be hilarious but Joyce would probably side with Joe this time. If for no other reasons than: Joe is doing his best and she doesn’t know Booster very well.

      • Kyrik Michalowski
        Kyrik Michalowski
        October 27, 2022 at 12:11 am | #

        Unless Mike’s ghost takes over Booster, I think Joe is safe this time.

        • bemisawa
          bemisawa
          October 27, 2022 at 12:32 am | #

          Personally, I’m still not *100%* convinced that Booster isn’t Mike in a new (much happier) identity, one where they don’t have to pretend to be a dick all the time in order to protect against the looming threat of Amber’s father’s retribution. One where they’re allowed to have loved ones.

          …But I do realize that’s unlikely to be canon. The two of them just share a lot of interest in applied psychology, is all.

          • drs
            drs
            October 27, 2022 at 2:25 am | #

            The fact that we seem to have seen Booster’s twin sister in Leslie’s class undermines the Identity Protection idea.

            • The Oracle
              The Oracle
              October 27, 2022 at 2:51 am | #

              I thought the prevailing theory was that Mike is now Jennifer, not Booster/’s twin.

              • StClair
                StClair
                October 27, 2022 at 1:38 pm | #

                Nah, Jennifer will always be Jennifer, no matter how many times she attempts to shed her skin (and past mistakes) and leave it behind.

                • King Daniel
                  King Daniel
                  October 27, 2022 at 5:57 pm | #

                  But Willis confirmed that Mike’s actually Jennifer

  17. Stephen Bierce
    Stephen Bierce
    October 27, 2022 at 12:05 am | #

    Remember, the Muzak does NOT work at Galasso’s. The JUKEBOX does.

    • Needfuldoer
      Needfuldoer
      October 27, 2022 at 2:23 am | #

      Reminds me of the old CD jukeboxes Papa Gino’s used to have. The speakers had basically zero treble left in them, so all you got was muffled midrange with a little bass. They also used to have classic arcade machines, but they got rid of them several years ago. A different local pizza place got a working Turtles in Time machine about 10 years ago, but I think the servers got tired of listening to the attract mode all day every day because they disconnected the speaker after a few months.

      Now where was I… oh yeah. The important thing was that I had an onion tied to my belt, which was the style at the time. You couldn’t get white onions, because of the war. The only thing you could get was those big yellow ones…

  18. Kyrik Michalowski
    Kyrik Michalowski
    October 27, 2022 at 12:06 am | #

    I know Joyce means well but her final smile worries me, because she could become very sad/surprised if she learns that she is tied to some of his anxieties.

    • Steelbright
      Steelbright
      October 27, 2022 at 12:11 am | #

      Aww, yeah, that’s kinda a concern huh. It is hard being the source of someone’s anxieties. especially somebody you care about.

  19. RassilonTDavros
    RassilonTDavros
    October 27, 2022 at 12:09 am | #

    Aw yeah, this is happening

    • thakoru
      thakoru
      October 27, 2022 at 12:24 am | #

      EVERYBODY STAY CALM!

  20. Steelbright
    Steelbright
    October 27, 2022 at 12:12 am | #

    You know, it’s been a long time since we’ve seen a signature Joyce triangle smile.

    it’s so precious and precarious aaah

  21. C.T. Phipps
    C.T. Phipps
    October 27, 2022 at 12:13 am | #

    Now Joe will learn that Joyce is the one who posted the Do List.

  22. Caro
    Caro
    October 27, 2022 at 12:17 am | #

    A DATE

  23. DailyBrad
    DailyBrad
    October 27, 2022 at 12:20 am | #

    Oh I am heavily in anticipation mode now. Good, bad, ugly, this is going somewhere interesting, I’m sure.

  24. Bryy
    Bryy
    October 27, 2022 at 12:21 am | #

    I do not like Joe and Joyce as a thing, but I also know that’s irrational.

  25. bemisawa
    bemisawa
    October 27, 2022 at 12:23 am | #

    IT’S HAPPENING

    Well. Something’s happening, anyway.

  26. Nono
    Nono
    October 27, 2022 at 12:32 am | #

    Why does Joyce care that much about his anxieties, is this just her meddler nature coming into play again

    • True Survivor
      True Survivor
      October 27, 2022 at 12:50 am | #

      Joyce acts like she doesn’t care about Joe, but I think its pretty obvious she has a big old crush on him and is looking for an excuse for them to interact just as much as Joe is.

    • Schpoonman
      Schpoonman
      October 27, 2022 at 12:51 am | #

      She’s not yet admitted to herself that she’s crushing on Joe, she just cares a lot about him and his feelings and how they’re doing, and it’s her thing to be bubbly and care about her friends, right?

    • DailyBrad
      DailyBrad
      October 27, 2022 at 3:15 am | #

      I think she likes him. Furthermore, she probably wants to know how he’s done. She seemed impressed he helped Amber, and beyond that, she has gone to him in the past to talk about her parents’ problems, so maybe she wants to return the favor.

    • thumb
      thumb
      October 27, 2022 at 5:46 am | #

      They’re friends and friends care about each other? I assume friends care about each other at least. Wait, do friends NOT care about each other? Have I been friending wrong my whole life?

      Gadzooks!

    • Cerusee
      Cerusee
      October 27, 2022 at 9:15 am | #

      Naw, she cares a lot about Joe and they have historically bonded by discussing shared experiences of family conflict. Plus Amber specifically encouraged Joyce to come talk to Joe about his anxieties, and in the context of Amber talking about how SHE and Joe have bonded by talking about them. This is very much not out of nowhere on Joyce’s part.

  27. Jenniffniff
    Jenniffniff
    October 27, 2022 at 12:33 am | #

    Holy cow it’s happening!!

  28. cmasta1992
    cmasta1992
    October 27, 2022 at 12:37 am | #

    Joe you slick mf

    Joyce also maybe too you slick mf?

  29. egg egg
    egg egg
    October 27, 2022 at 12:39 am | #

    it’s almost midnight and im stuck in a work meeting

    im really craving breakfast foods. eggs, bacon, pancakes, french toast, the works.

    ominous joyce smile will have to do for now. good luck, joe!

    • True Survivor
      True Survivor
      October 27, 2022 at 12:54 am | #

      I’m sorry. May the breakfast Gods bless you with a plentiful bounty.

      PS. If their favor is in doubt, be sure to appease them by sacrificing what ever monster made you work this late. Blood for the Sausage God! Skulls for the Syrup Throne!

      • egg egg
        egg egg
        October 27, 2022 at 1:08 am | #

        The tragedy of being a programmer is sometimes you have to work at midnight to make sure nothing blows up when you do important upgrades. Even if it’s automated, you gotta make sure everything works so you don’t get a call at 6am.

  30. RacingTurtle
    RacingTurtle
    October 27, 2022 at 12:46 am | #

    Joe’s face (faaaaace) in panel four! He seems simultaneously worried and charmed and I love it

    • True Survivor
      True Survivor
      October 27, 2022 at 12:51 am | #

      Willis’s illustration and writing skills has evolved over the years. Both are now quite sleek.

  31. Caspar Mulders
    Caspar Mulders
    October 27, 2022 at 1:07 am | #

    Don’t put it past Mike to come back from the dead to make a particularly crass-but-accurate observation when one of his friends is in a…particular…situation.

    “You mean you could’ve come back at any time?!”

    “No, not at any time. Only when it was funny truly assholey”

    • Fuzzy
      Fuzzy
      October 27, 2022 at 2:10 am | #

      At least he’s not there to punch Joe!

    • Schpoonman
      Schpoonman
      October 27, 2022 at 2:43 am | #

      Roger Rabbit was a gift. Saw a meme a while back with Roger labelled as ADHD and the line “Only when it was interesting or urgent,” and it was like I was looking into the Ark of the Covenant.

      • The Oracle
        The Oracle
        October 27, 2022 at 2:50 am | #

        Still need to get around to watching that movie. It seems like a good time.

        • Opus the Poet
          Opus the Poet
          October 27, 2022 at 5:39 am | #

          The guy who played the detective died not too long ago and I felt sad.

          • AlaninDC
            AlaninDC
            October 27, 2022 at 7:02 am | #

            That’d be Bob Hoskins — died of pneumonia in 2014 at age 71.
            He was also great in HOOK.

            • Taffy
              Taffy
              October 27, 2022 at 7:12 am | #

              And we can’t forget his iconic role as Mario Mario, from the hit film Super Mario Bros., released in the far-off future year of 1993.

  32. Throwatron
    Throwatron
    October 27, 2022 at 1:17 am | #

    I DON’T KNOW IF MY BODY CAN TAKE THIS

  33. anon
    anon
    October 27, 2022 at 1:20 am | #

    depending on how it’s phrased i assume joyce would prolly freak out or need some time to process this

  34. Taffy
    Taffy
    October 27, 2022 at 1:26 am | #

    [banging a fork and a knife on a table] DATE DATE DATE DATE DATE DATE

    • eh, whatever
      eh, whatever
      October 27, 2022 at 6:15 am | #

      Dates go much better when they’re double-blind.

      • thejeff
        thejeff
        October 27, 2022 at 8:13 am | #

        Proper experimental dating.

  35. JessWitt
    JessWitt
    October 27, 2022 at 1:42 am | #

    Woo, we get to see Galasso again! Also does Becky have a shift at this time? 😏

    • anonymsly
      anonymsly
      October 27, 2022 at 6:15 am | #

      Hopefully not, because she’s currently in Gender Studies and would be missing it.

  36. Decidedly Orthogonal
    Decidedly Orthogonal
    October 27, 2022 at 1:43 am | #

    Two thoughts.

    First: Alt-text “no mike” har-har-har 😉 But also, there is,and it’s all in Amber’s head, so maybe this is **all** a Dynasty delusion…

    Second: Despite my emotional desire to horn out over Joe and Joyce, this also kinda tropes on dudes not being able to be emotionally vulnerable with women unless they’re attracted to them. Which is a whole issue in the toxic masculinity umbrella. Whichever way this is being played, I’m keen to see it all.

    • teebee
      teebee
      October 27, 2022 at 2:01 am | #

      does Amber not count?

      • Clif
        Clif
        October 27, 2022 at 2:14 am | #

        Oh, she’s counting on this alright. You don’t want to waste perfectly good fan-fiction.

  37. Reltzik
    Reltzik
    October 27, 2022 at 2:04 am | #

    So this time Becky’s the chaperone?

    *psst* hey, Becky…. if you get Joyce and Joe in bed together you won’t have to hide your own sexings from her any more…

    • Taffy
      Taffy
      October 27, 2022 at 2:38 am | #

      She already does have to hide it, she just is for some reason.

      • Taffy
        Taffy
        October 27, 2022 at 6:49 am | #

        Doesn’t. Doesn’t have to hide it. Thanks, phone, for always “correcting” my posts exactly one unit of Planck time before my thumb hits the Post Comment button.

      • Reltzik
        Reltzik
        October 27, 2022 at 10:00 am | #

        Well, now she won’t have to even under her own messed up logic.

    • anonymsly
      anonymsly
      October 27, 2022 at 6:13 am | #

      Becky’sin Gender Studies right now, watching Carla melt down over someone ignoring her.

  38. Rikunda
    Rikunda
    October 27, 2022 at 2:18 am | #

    Joyce… I don’t know if she is autistic but what she is doing now is not ok.

    • Taffy
      Taffy
      October 27, 2022 at 2:41 am | #

      Actually, what she’s “doing right now” is completely fine, actually. It only won’t be fine if Joe has a problem with it. I don’t think you invite someone to talk over pizza if you’re not being receptive. No idea what her potentially being autistic has to do with anything.

    • The Oracle
      The Oracle
      October 27, 2022 at 2:48 am | #

      Are we just villifying all human interaction now, is that what we’re doing? They’re two friend-adjacent people with an obvious interest in each other, why shouldn’t she offer to talk about his anxieties? Do you just not talk to your friends about things or make that offer to them? I mean, you do you, but we can’t just go around declaring simple, positive interactions like this to be “not okay”.

      • Cerusee
        Cerusee
        October 27, 2022 at 9:17 am | #

        This comments section regularly villainizes normal human interaction. (I’m a huge introvert, and it still baffles me.)

        • Reltzik
          Reltzik
          October 27, 2022 at 9:50 am | #

          I’m an introvert as well, which is how I know that normal human interaction is the WORST. It deserves to be villainized!

          … I might be more introverted than most.

        • june gloom
          june gloom
          October 27, 2022 at 4:53 pm | #

          Honestly it’s not that different from Twitter. It’s an Extremely Online reaction to having to acknowledge that other people exist.

    • DailyBrad
      DailyBrad
      October 27, 2022 at 3:17 am | #

      Eh, she’s honestly fine right now, she’s not crossing any boundaries here. If he said no and she didn’t drop it, that’d be something else entirely.

      • Taffy
        Taffy
        October 27, 2022 at 5:39 am | #

        Doors are technically boundaries, right? Knocking typically involves making a fist and hitting the door, which is technically violence. Therefore, Joyce is violently coercing Joe into removing a boundary he set, with the intent to then pry into his insecurities for her own selfish purposes.

        • Opus the Poet
          Opus the Poet
          October 27, 2022 at 5:45 am | #

          That’s a bit of a stretch there Reed Richards…

          • Taffy
            Taffy
            October 27, 2022 at 6:37 am | #

            That was indeed the point. I don’t see any way this could be considered “not ok” without channeling one’s inner Elastigirl.

            • Decidedly Orthogonal
              Decidedly Orthogonal
              October 27, 2022 at 2:06 pm | #

              Beautifully put, but ironic, since Elasti-girl was about encouraging people, “to be more flexible“.

    • Keulen
      Keulen
      October 27, 2022 at 3:22 am | #

      How is what Joyce is doing not ok? Joe seems perfectly fine with it so far. And what does this have to do with whether or not she’s autistic?

      • Taffy
        Taffy
        October 27, 2022 at 5:35 am | #

        Autism is when you knock on somebody’s door and then have a conversation with them.

    • Koms
      Koms
      October 27, 2022 at 8:16 am | #

      This was my first thought too. But for more context, Joe has been there for Joyce when she was at her parents house with Becky. Maybe she feels grateful to him and wants to be there for him too? And maybe she’d back off if he said he didn’t want to discuss it? Especially now that she’s more conscious of not crossing boundaries.

    • Alex
      Alex
      October 27, 2022 at 2:20 pm | #

      It’s a bit pushy and the way Joe described it as “make me fess up” indicates he wouldn’t share this of his own volition. But I also think that may be part of the persona he puts up, a person who would never willingly share his feelings. If he really didn’t want to talk to Joyce about it he could tell her to get lost. This might be seen as manipulative with someone else, but I think Joe is okay with it.

  39. JohnnyO
    JohnnyO
    October 27, 2022 at 2:19 am | #

    Too soon, alt text, too soon.

  40. Lars
    Lars
    October 27, 2022 at 2:37 am | #

    And now they meet Connie in front of Galasso’s Pizza (and Subs).

    • DailyBrad
      DailyBrad
      October 27, 2022 at 3:18 am | #

      Wasn’t she a bit younger here? I guess it’s been months in universe since we saw her last, but still, may not be an issue.

      Wait, no, I think we saw her last when Daisy and Ruth had their sorta date thing.

      • anonymsly
        anonymsly
        October 27, 2022 at 6:12 am | #

        Yes IIRC Connie’s sixteen in this universe, she works in her dad’s restaurant as a waitress. I think it’s probably too early in the day for her to be there right now, she’d be in school.

        • Lars
          Lars
          October 27, 2022 at 7:52 am | #

          I don’t know Connies age. I doubt that the day is still early. In this storyline they went to the pharmacy and had 2 classes – that usually classifies for late afternoon in comic universe.

          • The Oracle
            The Oracle
            October 27, 2022 at 7:56 am | #

            She’s like 16, maybe 17 if her birthday was during the time skip. It was only mentioned once in a Patreon strip though, I think (don’t quote me on that), so it’s not like you could be expected to know off-hand. But now you know.

            • Schpoonman
              Schpoonman
              October 27, 2022 at 10:27 am | #

              “Connie, I need you to run these beers to tables 15 and 22.”

              “I am 16.”

              “…Like, out of ten?/in metric?”

              Paraphrased conversation between Becky and Connie.

  41. AGV
    AGV
    October 27, 2022 at 3:06 am | #

    So it’s (technically not) a date

  42. Ophidiophile
    Ophidiophile
    October 27, 2022 at 3:14 am | #

    …and God laughed.

  43. Arianod
    Arianod
    October 27, 2022 at 3:17 am | #

    Return of the Triangle Smile

  44. Keulen
    Keulen
    October 27, 2022 at 3:23 am | #

    This feels like it could potentially become a date, and I really hope so. Or at least, Joe opening up a bit about his issues with Joyce and them understanding each other better. Hopefully.

  45. Wereg
    Wereg
    October 27, 2022 at 3:23 am | #

    Yesterday someone mentioned them going to get pizza and neither of them thinking to call it a date.

    Whoever you are, I hope you’re entirely right.

    • anonymsly
      anonymsly
      October 27, 2022 at 6:04 am | #

      I hope I am too!

  46. Joyfulldreams
    Joyfulldreams
    October 27, 2022 at 3:51 am | #

    I’m about to lose my goddamn mind.

    Are they going to get a do-over of their first date?! Is this actually going to happen? This is so romantic?!?!?! THIS IS PERFECT STORYTELLING?!?!

  47. Rabisch
    Rabisch
    October 27, 2022 at 3:54 am | #

    Joyce is really a lovely nosy girl ♡. Good idea for Joe asks to move the conversation, over a pizza it will probably be easier to talk. But from the outside, this might look like a date…

    • Mark
      Mark
      October 27, 2022 at 7:14 am | #

      The difference between a date and not-a-date is whether the parties think it is.

      • Reltzik
        Reltzik
        October 27, 2022 at 9:57 am | #

        And also whether everyone who knows the parties KNOW that it is, whether those two dense idiots realize it or not.

  48. thumb
    thumb
    October 27, 2022 at 5:42 am | #

    What is this? The book where nice things happen? What are you scheming, Willis?
    WHERE IS THE TRAP???

  49. Amós Batista
    Amós Batista
    October 27, 2022 at 5:53 am | #

    Wait: the life drawing! Will it happen in this book or not??

    • Reltzik
      Reltzik
      October 27, 2022 at 9:56 am | #

      Still calling it as Joyce will go there only to see (and I mean SEE) that Joe is the live model.

      • Amós Batista
        Amós Batista
        October 27, 2022 at 10:30 am | #

        What about: Joe, talking about his feelings to Joyce, DURING life drawing?

        • Reltzik
          Reltzik
          October 27, 2022 at 11:28 am | #

          They might be more on display than usual.

  50. anonymsly
    anonymsly
    October 27, 2022 at 6:03 am | #

    Oh my god, are we actually getting a pizza not-date that because they are pretty clearly gone on each other looks kind of like a date?

    Oh, and it’s even happening when Becky’s in Gender Studies and thus can’t be a dick to Joyce’s face during the not-date or snipe on the subject of Joe’s Y-chromosome or whatever thoughtless disruptive Becky thing she’d do! YAY.

    Of course, this just means Becky will hear about it later, jump to the conclusion that Joyce is dating dudes and keeping it secret from her, and she’ll be a jerk about that instead. (Might as well ruin my ‘called it’ streak early LOL!)

    • Taffy
      Taffy
      October 27, 2022 at 6:45 am | #

      It really does feel like a lose-lose situation with Becky, ever since she learned about Joyce losing her faith. She was always quippy and teased Joyce a lot, but now it just feels mean-spirited most of the time.

    • Reltzik
      Reltzik
      October 27, 2022 at 9:53 am | #

      Twist: Becky’s gender studies class is over in 5 minutes and she’ll be on shift in 15.

    • june gloom
      june gloom
      October 27, 2022 at 4:55 pm | #

      And there are people who will find a reason to side with Becky.

  51. darkoneko
    darkoneko
    October 27, 2022 at 6:11 am | #

    smooth

  52. Nicoleandmaggie
    Nicoleandmaggie
    October 27, 2022 at 7:30 am | #

    Is it a date or is it needing to leave the bedroom?

    • darkoneko
      darkoneko
      October 27, 2022 at 12:54 pm | #

      “yes”

  53. ValdVin
    ValdVin
    October 27, 2022 at 7:43 am | #

    There is a pattern and it’s leading to

    Panel Seven: Oops! All teeth!

  54. Human Bean
    Human Bean
    October 27, 2022 at 7:44 am | #

    asdfhdslfh I’ve really come to love these two and I wish them the best!
    I hope they can have a good pizza date!

  55. Samantha
    Samantha
    October 27, 2022 at 8:05 am | #

    This is so cute and so wholesome. And this is really good for Joe. He’s learning how to be supportive really well and learning to gain some support too and not feel bad about it and working through his issues this is nice I like the growth from him and Joyce even if they have their hangup. Pizza Date do over!!!

  56. Sombrero
    Sombrero
    October 27, 2022 at 9:03 am | #

    Um, so the “trading anxieties” thing was just the set-up to a scene of Joe hallucinating Ghost Mike at Galasso’s with Joyce, right?

  57. Cerusee
    Cerusee
    October 27, 2022 at 9:10 am | #

    soooooooooo like

    a date, Joe?

  58. Sol
    Sol
    October 27, 2022 at 9:25 am | #

    *Shipping noises intensify*

    I still feel like it’s never gonna happen but I DREAM.

  59. Hof1991
    Hof1991
    October 27, 2022 at 9:51 am | #

    This is not a discussion Joe wants to have in his shared bedroom. Pizza is about as neutral as it gets. Especially if it’s afternoon and not evening. They might end up talking more about his divorced father and her divorced mother. Both were role models until they weren’t.

  60. J. Gawain
    J. Gawain
    October 27, 2022 at 10:11 am | #

    Ah, communication, my one true love. I’m always glad to see it.

  61. Adam Black
    Adam Black
    October 27, 2022 at 10:41 am | #

    Joe just got his second date, and Joyce doesn’t even realise.
    which is probably best as no pressure expectations put on Joyce.

    I think it becomes a date retroactively if hes honest and she reacts positively.

  62. Hazel
    Hazel
    October 27, 2022 at 11:20 am | #

    Stealth date stealth date

    There is no way this can go wrong

  63. egg egg
    egg egg
    October 27, 2022 at 11:48 am | #

    it is now a decent hour and i made myself some scrambled eggs

    I wonder if there’s going to be more *gasp* hand-holding in Joe & Joyce’s immediate future.

  64. Laura
    Laura
    October 27, 2022 at 11:53 am | #

    But will Dorothy be jealous?

    • Rabisch
      Rabisch
      October 27, 2022 at 6:43 pm | #

      That could be the best plot twist ever.

  65. Robert
    Robert
    October 27, 2022 at 12:02 pm | #

    There may not be a Mike anymore, but there’s still a Sarah. Joe is going to wake up the morning after with a baseball bat to the Kidneys

  66. Nerrin
    Nerrin
    October 27, 2022 at 12:03 pm | #

    These two could either be really good for each other or AMAZINGLY bad for each other. I feel like the balance is more toward “good” at the moment but oh man the fireworks either way.

  67. wakeangel2001
    wakeangel2001
    October 27, 2022 at 12:05 pm | #

    panel 5 reminds me of the anime thing where some girl puts on a huge smile in the face of the MC, like Uzaki or Nagatoro

  68. Daibhid C
    Daibhid C
    October 27, 2022 at 1:02 pm | #

    Quite right, alt-text, I wouldn’t discuss my anxieties with someone if there was a mike either.

  69. Alex
    Alex
    October 27, 2022 at 1:35 pm | #

    Whoever wanted them to get a pizza and talk is in for a treat.

  70. Jason
    Jason
    October 27, 2022 at 2:45 pm | #

    Scene change in 3… 2…

  71. chuckroast
    chuckroast
    October 27, 2022 at 2:59 pm | #

    SECOND DATE TIME LET’S GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

  72. Raja
    Raja
    October 27, 2022 at 3:47 pm | #

    insert 500 eyes emojis!!!! EXCITE

  73. Twig
    Twig
    October 28, 2022 at 12:03 am | #

    It keeps feeling like it’s been entirely too long since we saw her triangle smile.

  74. Zaxares
    Zaxares
    October 28, 2022 at 7:52 am | #

    As an aside, it’s been SOOOO long since we’ve last since Joyce smile like this, and I must admit, it’s like a ray of sunshine. 🙂

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