[the light comes on]
Lucy: Walky, why don’t we go take care of that right now?
Walky: What?
Lyle: Wait, I was only hassling you!
Lucy: [distant, leading Walky by the arm] Can’t hear you!
Walky: Wait, what?
I was the boring, bookish, and generally responsible one. It was the middle brother in our family who got up to most of the mischief, and the youngest who followed him around because he was lots more interesting.
makes me wonder how he’d react if she actually was pregnant (which seems like a potential storyline but i imagine wouldn’t happen, but it would def make joyce’s head explode if one of joe’s past flings ended up showing up 5 months pregnant or so lol)
Problem is, time progresses too slowly in the Dumbiverse for a pregnancy scare arc to be anything but a long, slow burn. If one comes up, it would have to involve the three-month skip.
Or… Willis could break style to make a point with it and wrap it up quick.
For example,
panel 1: “Oh no, I’m pregnant and don’t want to be!
panel 2: Walky and Lucy getting dropped off at a bus stop outside a Planned Parenthood.
panel 3: (maybe Walky and Lucy getting a pizza afterwards?).
panel 4: just the words “Because it should be that easy”
FWIW, Sorry to the people who get offended at my opinion (not that I really expect many on this site). I believe the ONLY thing a woman in this position should have to deal with in this decision is her own feelings about the situation. And maybe bus fare.
Also, I realize this would be a huge departure from this comic and would in fact be terrible. There is a very good reason I don’t make comics.
I mean, it’s only terrible in the sense that we need to -wish- your version was the real situation… so I agree with Joy, if you write a comic let me know XD
My issue with the bus fare thing is that my understanding of the situation in the US is that in various areas providers are being shut down, forcing people to travel increasingly eye-watering distances… Especially when combined with mandating a counselling session at the same place a week or so ahead of the time, and alongside the fact that a lot of the people in the US do not get a lot of paid time off they can use for this stuff – people are being priced out of getting abortions before even getting onto procedure costs.
“Bus fare” still leaves a lot of room for “urgh” when reality intrudes 😡😢
“You spoke to my sister.”
“I did?… I didn’t realise…”
“I don’t like people speaking to my sister.”
“But… but I’m not interested in your sister. I only wanted to…”
“You don’t like my sister?”
“Yes, yes, of course I like your sister…”
“OH, SO YOU LIKE MY SISTER, DO YOU? HOLD ME BACK OR I’LL [redacted]!”
“I see you looking at Trudy Judy’s booty.”
“I am not looking at Trudy Judy’s booty.”
“Oh, you don’t think she’s a cutie? Don’t be snooty.”
“She’s a beauty, but I’m on duty!”
i mean, he could still say this to a girlfriend but using the word ‘defiling’ in this context might come off as more homophobic/be quicker to turn it around on him or so or like “why do you assume our relationship is sexual” if it was an ace/bi girl dating lucy
Completely OT, but perhaps Opus the Poet or a few of my fellow NDs could identify or relate…
…Man, returning to work after a brain injury is TERRIFYING. It’s like procrastination on steroids: when you try to get through a task and your eyes just bounce right off the page. And the longer the task takes, the more behind one gets, the more terrifying it is. 8-|
…Just had my “reasonable accommodation” interview today, at work, and it’s like, “Can I actually work? Can I even do this work correctly anymore? Am I even competent?”
…And when I say I can’t do the level and quantity of work I used to, and they say, where’s your medical documentation — but a primary care physician has no idea what kinds of mental skill it takes to do this work and what it might take to accommodate a TBI.
So frustrating!
good luck, though it feels like that kinda injury would afford you more time off (unless dystopian american healthcare/capitiaistic workplace but yeah)
I already took just over a month off from work. I could take up to 12 weeks more off next year, if I could get sufficient medical documentation.
I’m gonna ask my doctor for that when I talk to him on Friday. But doctors are under so much pressure from their HMOs not to approve leave any more than just a few days at a time.
And I need to keep this job so I can pay off my student loans — I’m so close. Just under 2 more years.
They might be able to get you a referral to a specialist. Which would probably push your leave back but might also get you better quality, depending on who your specialist is.
Relatable. That sounds like when I have executive dysfunction and then terrible anxiety about it at the same time. And trying to push yourself over the wall with willpower not only doesn’t always work, it can then mean you are mentally tired, the task still isn’t done, you feel awful about yourself, other people make you feel lazy and you feel anxious because your brain isn’t cooperating.
When you go to the doctor, it might help to write down what you are having difficulty with like you’ve said here: you are finding it extremely difficult to focus the way you used to and are finding yourself quickly overwhelmed by your workload.
A reasonable accommodation would be a reduced workload or a phased return to work where you may try to slowly phase back to your full workload or full hours as you heal. But you may never be able to fully do that level again which is sometimes the reality of TBIs. If you do a reduced level or phased return though then you can cooperate with work to either get you back to your old level or find your current level of ability.
Writing things down in general is pretty helpful for the doctor to make sure you don’t forget anything. I do hope that your doctor will approve more leave for you or that an accommodation helps.
I’m not sure where in the world you are, but if you are in the US you might try dialing 211 to see if they could direct you to a TBI resource center. I know in Washington State there is a state wide TBI hotline that helps folks get connected to support and resources. I’m so sorry you’re struggling with that.
I like this guy! He was planning that since the day his sister was born? RESPECT! On the other hand, Lucy seems ready to punch him with all her strength.
Ah, the old “everything you say and do is necessarily wrong because you are the one saying and doing it” bit. Haven’t heard that one since I was banned from twitter.
I mean I get the urge to put the fear of God in your little sister’s suitor, but this comes off as exaggerated to the point of absurdist humor. I’m 60% sure he’s going to laugh in the next strip.
Yeah, I think I’m in love, in a totally non-sexual way.
I’ll say that his preparations paid off in spades, his sister may anger herself out of this, but Walky is clearly going to be needing some serious untangling before he’s of any use again.
Trite. But sometimes trite is a moral imperative. Or a comic imperative. And really, how could he not pass this up with the initial and continuing reactions.
Walky, since nothing you say will satisfy this asshole, stop talking and leave. Lucy will come with you, because she knows her brother is an asshole. If she doesn’t, you’re better off without her, because she approves of you getting harassed with no-win bullshit.
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the sibling version of “have you stopped beating your wife”
I learned something new looking that up. Thanks.
history repeats itself I see
https://www.shortpacked.com/comic/lyle
Dumbing of Age is like Star Wars – it rhymes.
Hilarious, so true to character. Does this explain why Lucy is the way she is?
It’s all part of a convoluted plot to make the “consequences” strip happen again when you least expect it
really cool to compare the art style and snappy dialogue! Willis has come a long way in their writing
Nice to see Lyle trolling his sister’s boyfriends in both universes.
That makes only eight years of rehearsal.
We can maybe assume he spent ten years rehearsing for the first one?
LMFAO Lyle you jackass. Love it.
Shortpacked Ken is standing just out of panel, shaking his head sadly.
I refuse to believe Lucy isn’t in on this.
At least in the Shortpacked! strip this is adapting, she very much wasn’t.
Lucy is five seconds away from forgetting, yet again, that her big brother is better at roughhousing than she is.
[the light comes on]
Lucy: Walky, why don’t we go take care of that right now?
Walky: What?
Lyle: Wait, I was only hassling you!
Lucy: [distant, leading Walky by the arm] Can’t hear you!
Walky: Wait, what?
would’ve been hilarious if she was dating mike (rip), he def would’ve disarmed him haha
Lyle: glad to finally meet the dude who’s defiling my little sister
Mike: it’s cheaper than your mom
Lyle: uuuh
Mike: but more expensive than your dad
Punch him.
Punch him hard.
In the fork!
I like Lyle. Excellent match to Walky. Possibly a huge mistake to have them both hanging together.
If they ever become brothers in law, family gatherings will be utter chaos. By THEIR POWERS COMBINED!!!
It explains why she’s ok with Walky’s over the top sense of humor.
if anything seems like it’d be off putting if they’d have similar humor but let’s not slip into freudian implications lol /shot
Lucy/Lyle GoT themed slipshine?
Dumbing of Age Book 13: [honestly just everything Lyle says]
I dunno. I might go with “N-Nothing, she’s fine!”
Still better than when Naomi met Joyce and said, directly to her face, “Yeah, you’ll be easy.”.
As a big brother myself, I thoroughly endorse Lyle’s trolling.
I was the boring, bookish, and generally responsible one. It was the middle brother in our family who got up to most of the mischief, and the youngest who followed him around because he was lots more interesting.
Callback, nice.
Has it really been eighteen years?
No. He’s lying. He’s only been rehearsing eight years.
My faith in humanity is restored.
I checked too thinking the same thing.
My question exactly. Since he was maybe a preschooler?
First base and first base only
Lyle is terrible.
I like him already.
quite the hyper-realistic ass, isn’t he?
He has learned exactly how to rile up hyper-earnest Lucy.
makes me wonder how he’d react if she actually was pregnant (which seems like a potential storyline but i imagine wouldn’t happen, but it would def make joyce’s head explode if one of joe’s past flings ended up showing up 5 months pregnant or so lol)
Problem is, time progresses too slowly in the Dumbiverse for a pregnancy scare arc to be anything but a long, slow burn. If one comes up, it would have to involve the three-month skip.
Or… Willis could break style to make a point with it and wrap it up quick.
For example,
panel 1: “Oh no, I’m pregnant and don’t want to be!
panel 2: Walky and Lucy getting dropped off at a bus stop outside a Planned Parenthood.
panel 3: (maybe Walky and Lucy getting a pizza afterwards?).
panel 4: just the words “Because it should be that easy”
FWIW, Sorry to the people who get offended at my opinion (not that I really expect many on this site). I believe the ONLY thing a woman in this position should have to deal with in this decision is her own feelings about the situation. And maybe bus fare.
Also, I realize this would be a huge departure from this comic and would in fact be terrible. There is a very good reason I don’t make comics.
If you make comics, can i read them? I like what you wrote.
I mean, it’s only terrible in the sense that we need to -wish- your version was the real situation… so I agree with Joy, if you write a comic let me know XD
Not in Indiana, sadly. They’d need to smuggle her out of state.
My issue with the bus fare thing is that my understanding of the situation in the US is that in various areas providers are being shut down, forcing people to travel increasingly eye-watering distances… Especially when combined with mandating a counselling session at the same place a week or so ahead of the time, and alongside the fact that a lot of the people in the US do not get a lot of paid time off they can use for this stuff – people are being priced out of getting abortions before even getting onto procedure costs.
“Bus fare” still leaves a lot of room for “urgh” when reality intrudes 😡😢
Good to see some things never change.
This is amazing. I love it. I love him. EXCELLENT big brother ‘opponent’ for Walky.
Still pulling the same shit 8 years later.
Respect.
I wonder how Joe would react to a situation like this.
i don’t think joe has had ‘girlfriends’ before other than flings but he’d probably have a reputation beforehand lol
“Yes.” “Yes, and she loved it.” “Are you saying I’m bad in bed?”
This is the closest to that
https://www.dumbingofage.com/2011/comic/book-1/06-yesterday-was-thursday/nethers/
After all, what’s a brother for?
“I trusted him like a brother. Which is to say, not at all.”
— Corwin of Amber
That’s a deep cut. Farther back than Lyle can manage.
Elsewhere on campus, Frank Miller is trapped in a dark room while armed men re-enact that one Shortpacked strip.
Oh, this guy is *good*. I like this guy.
Lyle, you are an absolute shameless prick.
Approved. (-_-)b
“Fine”? Jeeze, Walky’s really not that into Lucy, huh? I hope once this relationship implodes, she’ll find someone who appreciates her.
So, has it been 18 years since his first appearance?
Yes. 🙂
Wow Willis is fond of breaking the 4th wall on more levels than one 😮
Give or take a decade.
Mostly take.
This is straight up “Astérix in Corsica” stuff:
“You spoke to my sister.”
“I did?… I didn’t realise…”
“I don’t like people speaking to my sister.”
“But… but I’m not interested in your sister. I only wanted to…”
“You don’t like my sister?”
“Yes, yes, of course I like your sister…”
“OH, SO YOU LIKE MY SISTER, DO YOU? HOLD ME BACK OR I’LL [redacted]!”
I like Lyle already. 😀
Please tell me he doesn’t rate houses…
This Lyle is alright. 👍
This comic could use a bit more Lyle
“I see you looking at Trudy Judy’s booty.”
“I am not looking at Trudy Judy’s booty.”
“Oh, you don’t think she’s a cutie? Don’t be snooty.”
“She’s a beauty, but I’m on duty!”
And you’re married!
Well, yeah, but that doesn’t rhyme.
…and you have cooties?
Yes, but they’re old coot-ies.
lol well, idk how much this would dampen lucy’s thirst but wonder if she’ll get a chance to ‘strike’ back if he has a gf
If he’s the older brother, she may have already done that when they were younger and he brought a girlfriend over.
Lyle is my new favorite.
Walky.exe has encountered an error and needs to restart.
Lucy, Lyle, i wonder if other potential siblings start with L too
I know a family whose names all start with D. It’s D-sgusting.
J was already taken.
Oh, Lyle. How vile. this man walked a mile and mourned a pile (of snow).
I remember this gag from Shortpacks…it’s still funny.
[Maniacally laughs in older sibling]
god this is painfully heterosexual.
well done.
i mean, he could still say this to a girlfriend but using the word ‘defiling’ in this context might come off as more homophobic/be quicker to turn it around on him or so or like “why do you assume our relationship is sexual” if it was an ace/bi girl dating lucy
Completely OT, but perhaps Opus the Poet or a few of my fellow NDs could identify or relate…
…Man, returning to work after a brain injury is TERRIFYING. It’s like procrastination on steroids: when you try to get through a task and your eyes just bounce right off the page. And the longer the task takes, the more behind one gets, the more terrifying it is. 8-|
…Just had my “reasonable accommodation” interview today, at work, and it’s like, “Can I actually work? Can I even do this work correctly anymore? Am I even competent?”
…And when I say I can’t do the level and quantity of work I used to, and they say, where’s your medical documentation — but a primary care physician has no idea what kinds of mental skill it takes to do this work and what it might take to accommodate a TBI.
So frustrating!
good luck, though it feels like that kinda injury would afford you more time off (unless dystopian american healthcare/capitiaistic workplace but yeah)
😱 I’m so sorry this is happening to you Laura, that must be awful! 😭
Thanks, friends.
I already took just over a month off from work. I could take up to 12 weeks more off next year, if I could get sufficient medical documentation.
I’m gonna ask my doctor for that when I talk to him on Friday. But doctors are under so much pressure from their HMOs not to approve leave any more than just a few days at a time.
And I need to keep this job so I can pay off my student loans — I’m so close. Just under 2 more years.
They might be able to get you a referral to a specialist. Which would probably push your leave back but might also get you better quality, depending on who your specialist is.
I’m sorry you’re dealing with this.
Relatable. That sounds like when I have executive dysfunction and then terrible anxiety about it at the same time. And trying to push yourself over the wall with willpower not only doesn’t always work, it can then mean you are mentally tired, the task still isn’t done, you feel awful about yourself, other people make you feel lazy and you feel anxious because your brain isn’t cooperating.
When you go to the doctor, it might help to write down what you are having difficulty with like you’ve said here: you are finding it extremely difficult to focus the way you used to and are finding yourself quickly overwhelmed by your workload.
A reasonable accommodation would be a reduced workload or a phased return to work where you may try to slowly phase back to your full workload or full hours as you heal. But you may never be able to fully do that level again which is sometimes the reality of TBIs. If you do a reduced level or phased return though then you can cooperate with work to either get you back to your old level or find your current level of ability.
Thank you, Sam! That is very helpful advice! Much appreciated. 🙂
Writing things down in general is pretty helpful for the doctor to make sure you don’t forget anything. I do hope that your doctor will approve more leave for you or that an accommodation helps.
I’m not sure where in the world you are, but if you are in the US you might try dialing 211 to see if they could direct you to a TBI resource center. I know in Washington State there is a state wide TBI hotline that helps folks get connected to support and resources. I’m so sorry you’re struggling with that.
Oh, wow, cool! Thank you!
Fuck now i wanna do that too
Lucy, it’s okay to sibling-style hit your brother even when you are both adults if the situation calls for it.
That’s an important lesson she could learn from Sal.
Oops he broke walky in record time
I was going to say “you’ve been rehearsing for 18 years for a gag that sounds like it came from Seinfeld?”
But then I got the joke.
Oh, Walky got a new brother.
Walky’s brain will need a factory reset after this XD
I like how this is the exact same gag as when he appeared in Shortpacked! and it’s still funny
The guts are the same, but I like the delivery of it here better.
Okay, Lyle is my new favourite character and now I want DoA to be completely re-written to center entirely around him.
I like this guy! He was planning that since the day his sister was born? RESPECT! On the other hand, Lucy seems ready to punch him with all her strength.
They’ve held hands. But I’m too lazy to go searching back for the strip.
“He’s touched me a little” sounds like I’ve missed something, or an in-comic promotion for Slipshine.
Ah darn, in my head it’s flipped and Walky has done a Bull on Lyle’s Dan Fielding. (Night Court, I doubt anyone who read this watched it)
Your doubt is misplaced.
Indeed.
Dan: military reserves isnt so bad. Just one weekend a month and 2 weeks in the summer.
Bull: so like going to the bathroom!
He’s rehearsed it so much he doesn’t even pause when it’s Lucy not Walky who says they’ve touched a little.
10/10 introduction. No notes.
Sometimes the Shovel Talk is for threatening to bury and sometimes apparently it’s about just going in and attacking with the shovel directly
Okay I like him
Dear Mr. Willis. literally LOL. Love, Roe.
Ah, the old “everything you say and do is necessarily wrong because you are the one saying and doing it” bit. Haven’t heard that one since I was banned from twitter.
I mean I get the urge to put the fear of God in your little sister’s suitor, but this comes off as exaggerated to the point of absurdist humor. I’m 60% sure he’s going to laugh in the next strip.
Oh, he’s 100% trolling here.
Lyle is officially my favorite
Yeah, I think I’m in love, in a totally non-sexual way.
I’ll say that his preparations paid off in spades, his sister may anger herself out of this, but Walky is clearly going to be needing some serious untangling before he’s of any use again.
Wait, did he start rehearsing that when he was three?
I love how Willis describes all siblings in DoA…
Trite. But sometimes trite is a moral imperative. Or a comic imperative. And really, how could he not pass this up with the initial and continuing reactions.
Grrr. How COULD he pass this up…
lyle is me, I am lyle. … … … Don’t call me Lyle, though.
Lyle
We did every position in the Kama Sutra, excep for whatever was on page 37 cause it was ripped out.
I Like Lyle.
How have you managed to use the title “Defiling” only once, so far?
I like him 😀
Walky is easily flinchable before any menance, huh?
I hope the people in 2014 who were hopeful of lyle’s crossover to the dumbieverse are pleased with his return
Oh, I like this guy.
re: panel 4, hey, it’s LUCY who told you how much he’s touching her (a little)
Lyle: so this the mother fucker been fucking my sister!
Walky: uh what?
Lucy: he’s not… we’re not…
Lyle: why the helll not? Whats wrong with my sister?
Walky: what?
Lyle: why havent you been feelimg up my sister?
Walky: what?
Lyle: Say ‘what’ again. Say ‘what’ again, I dare you, I double dare you motherfucker, say what one more Goddamn time!
Walky: ….. what. …..
BLAM!
Lucy: goddamn, not again…
Lyle seems like the kind of guy who mains Tira in Soulcalibur
Walky, since nothing you say will satisfy this asshole, stop talking and leave. Lucy will come with you, because she knows her brother is an asshole. If she doesn’t, you’re better off without her, because she approves of you getting harassed with no-win bullshit.
As ALL brothers do…