Dumbing of Age Book Twelve

Dumbing of Age

A college webcomic by David Willis
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May 12, 2026

Person

by David M Willis on July 30, 2021 at 12:01 am
  • 05 – As Long As It's Free
└ Tags: amber, joe, joyce

Discussion (152) ¬

[ Comments RSS ]
  1. Ana Chronistic
    Ana Chronistic
    July 30, 2021 at 12:05 am | #

    “I don’t do quests, particularly ones that involve being a person”

    • plasticwrap
      plasticwrap
      July 30, 2021 at 12:08 am | #

      AÄAND SHEEEE’SS BAAAACK!!!

  2. Doctor_Who
    Doctor_Who
    July 30, 2021 at 12:06 am | #

    Huh, for some reason the reminder that Joe and Amber are now related is making me think of Spaceballs.

    Joe: I am your best friend’s girlfriend’s roommate’s stepbrother!

    Joyce: What does that make us?

    Joe: Absolutely nothing!

    • Kyrik Michalowski
      Kyrik Michalowski
      July 30, 2021 at 12:12 am | #

      I love Spaceballs, I should watch it again. I haven’t seen it in a few years, though I did look up the “We’re in now” scene on Youtube.

      • Doctor_Who
        Doctor_Who
        July 30, 2021 at 12:14 am | #

        The line “We ain’t found shit!” is guaranteed to set my brother off even after 30 years.

        • StClair
          StClair
          July 30, 2021 at 12:21 am | #

          It got even better after that actor got cast in a major role on a Star Trek.

          • Michael Haneline
            Michael Haneline
            July 30, 2021 at 12:23 am | #

            AS A VULCAN

            • Needfuldoer
              Needfuldoer
              July 30, 2021 at 2:37 am | #

              Leonard Nimoy defined what a Vulcan is, but I think Tim Russ picked up that ball and ran with it. He just had this innate understanding that Vulcans work best when they’re stoic but not unfeeling.

              It helps that the writers gave Tuvok plenty of opportunities to break out some dry wit. “You are an unending source of astonishment”, for example. Or that entire episode where he gets bonked on the head or zapped or something and starts acting emotional like a human, then works outside logic with Neelix’s wordplay riddle. (Say what you will about Neelix, but those two characters could play off each other like a classic comedy duo sometimes. If anything, restoring that dynamic is why Janeway was right to off Tuvix.)

              • StClair
                StClair
                July 30, 2021 at 5:20 am | #

                Just so. He did some fantastic work as Tuvok.

                And it’s in a VOY ep, of all places (“Muse”), that I find one of my favorite scenes/lines about what it is to be Vulcan:
                “They’ll realize that beneath your unfeeling exterior is a heart that’s breaking, silently, and in more pain than any of us can possibly understand.”

      • Clell A Harmon
        Clell A Harmon
        July 30, 2021 at 9:17 am | #

        I’ve seen interviews with Russ where he complains that he’s best known for “We ain’t found shit!” despite having been part of the Trek lore. And that’s hilarious.

        • Ana Chronistic
          Ana Chronistic
          July 30, 2021 at 12:18 pm | #

          “We ain’t found shit!” is the first line I thought of for the “Say a live from a movie that anyone would instantly recognise what movie you’re talking about” meme

          • Ana Chronistic
            Ana Chronistic
            July 30, 2021 at 12:19 pm | #

            LINE from, DANG IT PHONE

        • thejeff
          thejeff
          July 30, 2021 at 3:58 pm | #

          It might be his most famous line, but is it really what he’s most famous for?

          In the sense that I had no idea who the actor playing that nameless extra was, but I’m at least vaguely familiar with Russ as Tuvok. Though I probably wouldn’t have remembered his name because I’m horrible with actor’s names. No idea that it was the same actor.

        • Needfuldoer
          Needfuldoer
          July 30, 2021 at 9:32 pm | #

          Well then you’ll like this video!

          https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UQ7TnQBSV00

    • poofdepoof
      poofdepoof
      July 30, 2021 at 12:17 am | #

      Oof, when I read this I was like, did Doctor who mean best friend’s roommate’s girlfriend’s roommate’s stepbrother? Sorry Becky, looks like my subconscious gives Dotty the title.

    • drs
      drs
      July 30, 2021 at 12:26 am | #

      I was trying to figure out how Dorothy had a girlfriend.

      • RassilonTDavros
        RassilonTDavros
        July 30, 2021 at 12:35 am | #

        I mean maybe if Joyce asked reeeally nicely

      • Radiance
        Radiance
        July 30, 2021 at 12:59 am | #

        “Your girlfriend’s roommate’s girlfriend’s roommate’s stepbrother” would also work.

    • He Who Abides
      He Who Abides
      July 30, 2021 at 12:29 am | #

      “I knew it. I’m surrounded by assholes.”

      • Doctor_Who
        Doctor_Who
        July 30, 2021 at 12:30 am | #

        -Amber, right now

        • Clif
          Clif
          July 30, 2021 at 1:02 am | #

          Also apparently, He Who Abides.

      • Keulen
        Keulen
        July 30, 2021 at 6:25 am | #

        “Keep firing, assholes!”

    • John
      John
      July 30, 2021 at 12:58 am | #

      I actually had call once to describe my relationship to someone as, “I’m her mother’s daughter’s father’s college roommate,” with that being almost the most concise way to explain how she knew me.

      • eh, whatever
        eh, whatever
        July 30, 2021 at 5:14 am | #

        …her half-sister’s father’s college roommate?

  3. Sirksome
    Sirksome
    July 30, 2021 at 12:06 am | #

    They both went to Amber for advice on how to be an antisocial train wreck. Is that insulting or something to be proud of?

    • Doctor_Who
      Doctor_Who
      July 30, 2021 at 12:07 am | #

      I guess it’s nice to know you’re the best at something.

    • Kyrik Michalowski
      Kyrik Michalowski
      July 30, 2021 at 12:07 am | #

      Depends on if we are on Garbage Roof or not.

    • Thag Simmons
      Thag Simmons
      July 30, 2021 at 12:09 am | #

      Insulting but Amber’s self-loathing is at a point where I doubt she cares.

    • Sam
      Sam
      July 30, 2021 at 12:10 am | #

      Depends. Is antisocialness doing well in the stock market or has it crashed today?

    • DailyBrad
      DailyBrad
      July 30, 2021 at 12:10 am | #

      I mean, that’s the brand she intentionally cultivates, so I guess she knows to expect it.

    • Keulen
      Keulen
      July 30, 2021 at 6:26 am | #

      Maybe a little of both?

  4. Thag Simmons
    Thag Simmons
    July 30, 2021 at 12:06 am | #

    Nice Spot Check Joe.

    • Cattleprod
      Cattleprod
      July 30, 2021 at 12:08 am | #

      She’s not even standing outside the panel.

      • RacingTurtle
        RacingTurtle
        July 30, 2021 at 12:19 am | #

        Rolled a nat 1

        • Cholma
          Cholma
          July 30, 2021 at 12:29 am | #

          Perception is Joe’s Dump Stat.

          • Clif
            Clif
            July 30, 2021 at 8:33 am | #

            Joe was never there. Joyce does not see him.

            On account of him not being there.

  5. plasticwrap
    plasticwrap
    July 30, 2021 at 12:07 am | #

    Well this is awkward.

  6. Yumi
    Yumi
    July 30, 2021 at 12:08 am | #

    This is a cute strip. Well, not for Amber. But for the Joe-Joyce dynamic.

    • Demoted Oblivious
      Demoted Oblivious
      July 30, 2021 at 4:32 am | #

      What a meet-cute. Now strip!

      Poor Amber doesn’t realize a fanfic is happening right behind her!

      • Schpoonman
        Schpoonman
        July 30, 2021 at 8:22 am | #

        Last time she was involved in one of these with Joyce she and Walky broke up, so I understand her not wanting another.

        • Clif
          Clif
          July 30, 2021 at 8:41 am | #

          What? When did this happen?

          She was involved with Joyce in one of these over Halloween? I cannot parse your sentence. What is one of these?

          • Demoted Oblivious
            Demoted Oblivious
            July 30, 2021 at 10:54 am | #

            Apparently, Amber was in a meet-cute-a-trois with Joyce and Walky, more than once. However, at the last one, it broke up. This is suggested as why she doesn’t want to mute-cute-a-trois with herself, Joyce and Amber’s step-brother.

            Seems to me, however, that she’s digital enough to see the TokTokian potential of this.

            • thejeff
              thejeff
              July 30, 2021 at 4:03 pm | #

              I think it was a reference to their first meet-cute, which Joyce set up, after they’d already made out on Garbage Roof. That led to Amber telling him that she was the one who stabbed his sister and they’d just been in a big fight – which led to them sort of breaking up while Walky processed all that.

  7. butts
    butts
    July 30, 2021 at 12:08 am | #

    Great timing, Joe!

  8. mrnoidea
    mrnoidea
    July 30, 2021 at 12:09 am | #

    …This is not going to resolve calmly, is it?

  9. Stephen Bierce
    Stephen Bierce
    July 30, 2021 at 12:10 am | #

    *plays Molly Hatchet’s version of “Dreams I’ll Never See” on the hacked Muzak*

    • woobie
      woobie
      July 30, 2021 at 2:38 am | #

      I guess Duane’s guitar isn’t essential for this…?

  10. Kyrik Michalowski
    Kyrik Michalowski
    July 30, 2021 at 12:10 am | #

    Oh Amber I feel your pain. Nothing harder than trying to be sad and alone with your thoughts when people keep interrupting. I recommend closing your door, locking it and wear headphones as a clear sign of “fuck off.”

    • He Who Abides
      He Who Abides
      July 30, 2021 at 12:31 am | #

      Headphones don’t always work. In my experience, they make people more likely to bother you.

      • Regalli
        Regalli
        July 30, 2021 at 12:37 am | #

        Turn the sound on high enough, and clamp them to your ears, and it won’t matter because you can’t hear them.

        Of course, the eventual hearing damage isn’t great, but.

        • darkgloomie
          darkgloomie
          July 30, 2021 at 4:26 am | #

          Hearing damage just means eventually you won’t need headphones to not hear them. Win-win

        • Needfuldoer
          Needfuldoer
          July 30, 2021 at 6:06 am | #

          Try wearing earbuds under those industrial hearing protectors landscapers wear around power equipment. My earbuds aren’t even noise-cancelling, but they block enough outside noise that I can mow my lawn without turning the volume up above where I usually put it.

    • Deanatay
      Deanatay
      July 30, 2021 at 1:09 pm | #

      *Amber puts up giant “EVERYBODY FUCK OFF” sign over her desk*

      Joyce: Hey Amber, can you give me advice on how to tell someone to fuck off?

      Joe: Hey Amber, can you tell me what to do when someone tells you to fuck off?

      *Amber lights everything on fire*

      • Steamweed
        Steamweed
        July 30, 2021 at 9:24 pm | #

        “Hey, Amber, can you give me advice on how to pretend this is all fine while I’m on fire?”

        “Hey, Amber, can you tell me what to do when someone lights everything on fire?”

  11. RassilonTDavros
    RassilonTDavros
    July 30, 2021 at 12:10 am | #

    Joe and Joyce then proceeded to have a deeply personal conversation, right there, all while Amber continuously asked them to leave.

    • RacingTurtle
      RacingTurtle
      July 30, 2021 at 12:20 am | #

      Please remember you said this tomorrow. I can say no more

      • mrnoidea
        mrnoidea
        July 30, 2021 at 12:23 am | #

        Seconded.

    • Keulen
      Keulen
      July 30, 2021 at 6:28 am | #

      I would not be surprised if this happens.

    • Demoted Oblivious
      Demoted Oblivious
      July 30, 2021 at 10:59 am | #

      “The accumulated filth of all their fanfic and comments will foam up about their waists and all the writers and posters will look up and shout “Save us!”… ”

      and Damn you Willis will whisper “No.”

  12. Ray Radlein
    Ray Radlein
    July 30, 2021 at 12:11 am | #

    Only Rule of Funny could possibly cause Joe to not see Joyce there

    • Wagstaff
      Wagstaff
      July 30, 2021 at 12:16 am | #

      Nah, the Invisible Gorilla Effect is also a possibility.

      • Clif
        Clif
        July 30, 2021 at 8:56 am | #

        Between Joe and Joyce, who would have thought Joyce would be the gorilla?

    • Thag Simmons
      Thag Simmons
      July 30, 2021 at 12:25 am | #

      Maybe Joe also needs glasses?

    • Josh Spicer
      Josh Spicer
      July 30, 2021 at 12:38 am | #

      Alternative solution.

      Joe can be dumb when his mind is set on something. Not quite himbo levels because he, as a person, can not qualify, but in a similar nature.

    • Needfuldoer
      Needfuldoer
      July 30, 2021 at 6:08 am | #

      It’s situational tunnel vision.

      • Schpoonman
        Schpoonman
        July 30, 2021 at 8:27 am | #

        I think you and BenRG nailed it. Joe is so completely in “get Joyce help” mode that he completely missed her by virtue of her not being his immediate next step pursuant the above goal.

        • Demoted Oblivious
          Demoted Oblivious
          July 30, 2021 at 11:02 am | #

          Maybe Joyce was also Dina’ed by being far enough back, that she was behind the door when Joe ploughed in.

          • Needfuldoer
            Needfuldoer
            July 30, 2021 at 11:49 am | #

            Nah, her teleportation superpower can only target Dorothy (and Malaya that one time).

            • Demoted Oblivious
              Demoted Oblivious
              July 31, 2021 at 12:14 am | #

              That’s not teleportation, just positioning.

    • annarchy
      annarchy
      July 30, 2021 at 6:01 pm | #

      ADD

  13. BBCC
    BBCC
    July 30, 2021 at 12:14 am | #

    Well, that’s your own fault for not reading the main character contract they gave you. Dunno what to tell you, Amber, get a better agent.

  14. Sirksome
    Sirksome
    July 30, 2021 at 12:17 am | #

    Amber’s a total amateur at being a misanthropic, antisocial, hermit. Anyone can doom scroll twitter all day. If she didn’t want to be bothered she should’ve locked her door. Sarah would laugh at this display.

    • Wagstaff
      Wagstaff
      July 30, 2021 at 12:20 am | #

      Maybe she’s just checking how well her anti-social brand is recognized? I mean, if people unanimously know she’s like that, she doesn’t NEED to lock her door.

      • Sirksome
        Sirksome
        July 30, 2021 at 12:29 am | #

        Clearly Amber’s not at that level yet. Notice how neither of these two dimwits went to Sarah on this. Joe we know already burnt that bridge…well it was never a bridge but more like one thin rope tied to flimsy posts at both ends. But Joyce really has no excuse except she knows Sarah wouldn’t humor this pointless bs.

  15. pararell spade
    pararell spade
    July 30, 2021 at 12:18 am | #

    I feel a Joe-Joyce argument brewing and coming

    • Steamweed
      Steamweed
      July 30, 2021 at 9:25 pm | #

      While Amber tells them several times to leave. But is ignored.

  16. Kitschensyngk
    Kitschensyngk
    July 30, 2021 at 12:22 am | #

    This brown (haired) recluse is particularly venomous.

    • King Daniel
      King Daniel
      July 30, 2021 at 12:27 am | #

      Does she make one’s flesh begin to rot on their own body should she bite someone, too?

      • Thag Simmons
        Thag Simmons
        July 30, 2021 at 12:30 am | #

        She really needs to start brushing her teeth if she does.

  17. EAG46
    EAG46
    July 30, 2021 at 12:23 am | #

    Amber actually had good advise there. “Do the opposite of me.”

    • Wizard
      Wizard
      July 30, 2021 at 12:28 am | #

      Wasn’t that the plan to begin with?

      • Clif
        Clif
        July 30, 2021 at 8:22 am | #

        Wait. When Booster gave the advice, it was bad advice, but when Amber gave the advice, it was good advice?

        • a/snow/mous/e
          a/snow/mous/e
          July 30, 2021 at 7:09 pm | #

          best advice: flip a coin

          • Just_IDD
            Just_IDD
            August 1, 2021 at 12:37 am | #

            Flip a coin so you know what you hope for the most and do that.

  18. Kravis
    Kravis
    July 30, 2021 at 12:28 am | #

    Joe and Joyce (what a cute couple name!) are reaaally cutting in on Amber’s Fort time.

  19. Jamie
    Jamie
    July 30, 2021 at 12:30 am | #

    The problem with being a recluse is that you start getting seen as a wise remote hermit that people have to undertake a quest to go and get advice from.

  20. Josh Spicer
    Josh Spicer
    July 30, 2021 at 12:36 am | #

    Two people with such raw tension trying to avoid the other end up seeking out the same third party and end up meeting each other.

    I’m not generally a fan of clichés like this, but there are always exceptions.

    • Spencer
      Spencer
      July 30, 2021 at 12:40 am | #

      Joe and Joyce have a character dynamic straight out of a Hallmark Christmas movie and it’s written so perfectly that every time they’re on-panel together I am begging for them to get married.

      It’s great.

      • Joyfulldreams
        Joyfulldreams
        July 30, 2021 at 1:57 am | #

        Oh my god. You put it into words? Jesus christ, you’re right.

        • Spencer
          Spencer
          July 30, 2021 at 8:37 am | #

          Well yeah how many times have we seen the exact relationship of a big burly guy with an eye for pretty ladies and no tact or sensitivity eventually meeting with an uptight stickler who’s nice to most everyone except for him because he’s a chauvinist pig as a first impression, but then the uptight stickler not immediately falling for him sparks something in the big burly guy that motivates him to change for the better as the both of them deal with wacky misunderstandings.

      • Johan
        Johan
        July 30, 2021 at 2:23 am | #

        Well that’s be awk. An atheist and a Jewish man making Christmas shit.

      • hof1991
        hof1991
        July 30, 2021 at 9:25 am | #

        Either Hallmark or Jane Austen.

        • Demoted Oblivious
          Demoted Oblivious
          July 30, 2021 at 11:11 am | #

          The Trilogy is complete.
          Pride and Prejudice and Zombies,
          Sense and Sensibility and Sea-Monsters
          Joe and Joyce and Jehova’s Witnesses

    • Jhon
      Jhon
      July 30, 2021 at 8:50 am | #

      Clichés are clichés because they work so well.
      Willis being Willis, will start you off and then pull the rug from under you.

      • Clif
        Clif
        July 30, 2021 at 9:02 am | #

        Anakin being Anakin will start you off and then pull the rug out from under you.

        Fixed that for you.

        • Wagstaff
          Wagstaff
          July 30, 2021 at 11:45 pm | #

          “i’m a person and my name is anakin”

          I sure hope this doesn’t foreshadow Amber turning corrupt or something.

      • Jamie
        Jamie
        July 30, 2021 at 1:20 pm | #

        Well, not quite. Cliches are cliches because they usually work. They only work well in the hands of a competent writer.

        • Demoted Oblivious
          Demoted Oblivious
          July 30, 2021 at 10:26 pm | #

          When the cliches were in the hands of competent writers, they were not yet cliches.

  21. Calibus
    Calibus
    July 30, 2021 at 12:50 am | #

    My sympathy vibes are being transmitted….now.

  22. chuckroast
    chuckroast
    July 30, 2021 at 12:52 am | #

    It’s gonna happen.

  23. AbacusWizard
    AbacusWizard
    July 30, 2021 at 1:11 am | #

    AGH I HAD COMPLETELY FORGOTTEN THAT THEY ARE STEP-SIBLINGS NOW AND THIS RE-REVELATION HAS TAKEN ME COMPLETELY BY SURPRISE

  24. Meagan
    Meagan
    July 30, 2021 at 1:40 am | #

    I love the art of Amber in the foreground here. She looks really good.

  25. BenRG
    BenRG
    July 30, 2021 at 1:41 am | #

    Only Joe could be so worried about Joyce that he could walk into a room to ask someone for advice about how to help her and be so preoccupied about her that he doesn’t notice that she’s also there! I honestly don’t know if that’s a good thing or a bad thing!

    Meanwhile, Amber just wishes that they could work it out somewhere else!

    • bemisawa
      bemisawa
      July 30, 2021 at 1:56 am | #

      I’m coming to believe that it’s an adorable thing, at any rate.

      • Demoted Oblivious
        Demoted Oblivious
        July 30, 2021 at 11:14 am | #

        “At any rate, it’s an adorable thing I believe I’ll be coming to.”

        ftfy

  26. RowenMorland
    RowenMorland
    July 30, 2021 at 1:54 am | #

    Joe ‘gaslighted’ himself into not realising other people are there when they are trying to be sneaky.

    • Clif
      Clif
      July 30, 2021 at 9:02 am | #

      Joe was never there.

  27. Clif
    Clif
    July 30, 2021 at 2:12 am | #

    I’m waiting for someone to mention Willis so that I can point out that he changed his name to Anakin now.

    • Johan
      Johan
      July 30, 2021 at 2:22 am | #

      I don’t believe you. I checked the tags and everything. ; An ;

      • Johan
        Johan
        July 30, 2021 at 2:24 am | #

        Oh the alt

  28. Blozor
    Blozor
    July 30, 2021 at 2:17 am | #

    Sarah is the character I identify with the most, but Amber is the one I’d most want to date.

  29. Johan
    Johan
    July 30, 2021 at 2:20 am | #

    HA JOE YOU HAVE TO BE A FRIEND NOW

    • I am Nothing
      I am Nothing
      July 30, 2021 at 4:03 am | #

      Your profile picture works too well with this comment.

      It’s just so cheerful.

  30. Rabisch
    Rabisch
    July 30, 2021 at 3:00 am | #

    Amber’s cave has too many people around, she’s finally showing some emotions! Nice to see Joe cal her Step-sis and be so worried for Joyce♡. Now he could ask directly to Joyce, or run away after an awkward excuse…

  31. Eldritchy
    Eldritchy
    July 30, 2021 at 3:13 am | #

    Amber got upgraded to one of those top-of-the-mountain hermits to whom people go for Wisdom.

    • Lone Duck
      Lone Duck
      July 30, 2021 at 5:05 am | #

      Well, people are going to do the opposite of her wisdom.. So, like a bottom of a well hermit.

      • Eldritchy
        Eldritchy
        July 30, 2021 at 5:07 am | #

        “Nihilist of the Well, what is your anti-wisdom?”

        • Clif
          Clif
          July 30, 2021 at 8:27 am | #

          so that we can do the opposite.

          • Demoted Oblivious
            Demoted Oblivious
            July 30, 2021 at 11:17 am | #

            “There are three doors around a circular room. Take the middle door.”

  32. Bagge
    Bagge
    July 30, 2021 at 3:31 am | #

    I love the design of this strip, how we see amber’s world being constantly intruded on.

  33. VinzKlortho
    VinzKlortho
    July 30, 2021 at 3:59 am | #

    Amber’s got that ‘strongly considering distance learning’ look.

    • Demoted Oblivious
      Demoted Oblivious
      July 30, 2021 at 11:20 am | #

      It’s doubtful that all her classrooms have a line-of-sight to the screens/blackboards for a thousand-yard stare.

  34. Lorien Inksong
    Lorien Inksong
    July 30, 2021 at 4:34 am | #

    This is just the gift that keeps on giving. I really hope Joe and Joyce become good friends or form some sort of closer bond, this is just too cute.

  35. Schpoonman
    Schpoonman
    July 30, 2021 at 5:10 am | #

    Is it just me, or did the occurence of excellent faces go up after the timeskip/break?

  36. someone
    someone
    July 30, 2021 at 6:19 am | #

    Well, Amber is an expert at being sad and looking at phones. On that much, Joe is absolutely correct.

  37. Keulen
    Keulen
    July 30, 2021 at 6:27 am | #

    I dislike Booster, but it looks like they may have given some good advice this time.

    • Clif
      Clif
      July 31, 2021 at 12:08 am | #

      Booster – gives you bad advice for your own good.

  38. BenRG
    BenRG
    July 30, 2021 at 6:35 am | #

    What’s the likelihood that Amber will lose her temper and tell Joe and Joyce to “get out of my room and find somewhere to make out or something!”? Naturally, the outcome of that will be Joe and Joyce standing in the corridor, unable to meet each other’s eyes and trying to work out how to react.

  39. Carla's #2 Fan
    Carla's #2 Fan
    July 30, 2021 at 6:50 am | #

    Maybe Joe and Joyce should just talk to each other…

    • He Who Abides
      He Who Abides
      July 30, 2021 at 7:17 am | #

      That’s crazy talk.

      • Fist_of_Life
        Fist_of_Life
        July 30, 2021 at 7:41 am | #

        Is it crazy talk because they are crazy about each other?

    • BenRG
      BenRG
      July 30, 2021 at 8:03 am | #

      For ‘talk’, read “Stutter, pause awkwardly, have multiple false starts and uses of the phrase ‘You know…’.”

    • Demoted Oblivious
      Demoted Oblivious
      July 30, 2021 at 11:25 am | #

      “Maybe you should just go talk to her…”

      Cut to Stephen Bierce *plays “Foxey Lady” on the hacked Muzak*

      Way!

  40. Schpoonman
    Schpoonman
    July 30, 2021 at 8:31 am | #

    This is 110% shipping clouding my thought process, but is Joe seeking more help because he knows that Becky is dealing with her own baggage right now? Is he just covering his bases, getting as much help as possible, or is he also taking heat off Joyce’s friends?

    • BenRG
      BenRG
      July 30, 2021 at 9:22 am | #

      I honestly don’t think that Joe thinks on those broad terms. He is concerned about Joyce so he is taking action. I doubt that it would even occur to him that Joyce has a wider support structure. Maybe it’s more than a little boyish curiosity but I genuinely think that he has got into the mindset that Joyce’s problems are his concern after they got into the habit of texting each other after Ross’s first attack.

  41. Username Taken
    Username Taken
    July 30, 2021 at 8:34 am | #

    Amber echoing Booster almost word-for-word has me in stitches thanks to Joyce’s face.

  42. Clell A Harmon
    Clell A Harmon
    July 30, 2021 at 9:11 am | #

    Normally ‘Hey Step-sis’ from a guy of Joe’s interests takes on a different theme, but I actually think he’s trying to help.

  43. Jhon
    Jhon
    July 30, 2021 at 9:58 am | #

    Judging by yesterday’s comments, it appears I have a Booster pronoun problem.
    I usually avoid this by not talking about Booster.

    Some seem to think it was my intention to misgender or dehumanize. That was not the case.
    But is a sensitive topic. I should have known better. If I annoyed or upset you, I’m sorry.

    Being rude to webcomic characters is good practice for doing the same to real people.

    • Spencer
      Spencer
      July 30, 2021 at 11:41 am | #

      You should probably think about what you meant by “pronouns are a privilege, not a right.”

      I know you’re trying to apologize but it’s not enough to go “sorry I hurt you” or “it’s a sensitive topic”, it was wrong of you to say and it’s wrong for pretty specific reasons.

    • Yumi
      Yumi
      July 30, 2021 at 2:45 pm | #

      It was a shitty thing to say. From that comment, as well as your follow ups, it seems more like you have a pronoun problem than a “Booster pronoun problem,” and Booster might be a good opportunity for you to practice using correct pronouns for others.

      • Wagstaff
        Wagstaff
        July 30, 2021 at 3:39 pm | #

        Evidently, it’s likely that he cringes at least a little bit when writing in a way that’s technically considered “grammatically incorrect”.

        But if we really wanted to, we could just change those grammatical rules. After all, English speakers throughout the centuries changed many other rules about the language to suit themselves.

        • Riley
          Riley
          July 30, 2021 at 4:24 pm | #

          Grammatical rules don’t even need to change, singular they is not grammatically incorrect, and it even predates singular you in the English language. But Jhon’s original comment of “Pronouns are a privilege, not a right.” speaks to an issue with trans and nonbinary people that goes far deeper than grammatical issues, it’s an issue with respecting them at a fundamental level.

          • Wagstaff
            Wagstaff
            July 30, 2021 at 5:13 pm | #

            He stated last strip that he “writes the way he feels comfortable writing, and then adds the proper pronouns later”.

            Just what suggests that he has “an issue respecting them at a fundamental level”? Am I missing something he said earlier?

            • Wereg
              Wereg
              July 30, 2021 at 6:29 pm | #

              The implication of “pronouns are a privilege not a right” is that their identity is only valid when Jhon is not frustrated at them. When they are frustrated at them, then Jhon is using incorrect pronouns because:
              a) Jhon no longer respects their identity and feels like it is no longer legitimate.
              b) Jhon is purposefully doing this in order to hurt them.
              c) Both of the above.

              None of these are appropriate reactions to disliking someone. The validity of someone’s identity is not subject to anyone’s anger or frustration. This is the “issue with respecting them at a fundamental level.”

          • Wagstaff
            Wagstaff
            July 30, 2021 at 5:15 pm | #

            Regardless of whether he really believes that pronouns are a privilege or that it was a very poor attempt at sporting humor, it was still a mistake and he needs to make ammends.

  44. misanthropope
    misanthropope
    July 30, 2021 at 11:54 am | #

    panel 3 amber is perfect.

    that is all

    • misanthropope
      misanthropope
      July 30, 2021 at 11:58 am | #

      gosh darn it that’s NOT all. it’s like kermit the frog and mona lisa had a kid. THAT is all.

  45. Alan in DC
    Alan in DC
    July 30, 2021 at 2:09 pm | #

    Amber’s eyes… is she medicated?

    • Demoted Oblivious
      Demoted Oblivious
      July 30, 2021 at 10:29 pm | #

      More likely she’s tired since, regardless of not being an active hero, AG was still out at roller derby, and then Amber has always been a night owl, so what the hell is she doing awake at this hour?!

  46. Amos Batista
    Amos Batista
    July 30, 2021 at 2:34 pm | #

    People arguing next my room while I’m trying to focus.
    Uuuugh!!

  47. Reltzik
    Reltzik
    July 30, 2021 at 2:45 pm | #

    *skyrim skill-up music*

    *sneak decreased to 8*

  48. Steelbright
    Steelbright
    July 31, 2021 at 9:46 pm | #

    i love that they are all so awkwardly framed by the top of Amber’s bed

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May 3, 2025 - FCBD @ Laughing Ogre Comics in Columbus, Ohio

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Paul F. Tompkins @pftompkins.bsky.social ⋅ 2h
I don’t know who needs to see this beyond 99% of users here
It’s a screenshot of the dictionary definition of “rhetorical question”
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pixelatedboat aka “mr bluesky” @pixelatedboat.bsky.social ⋅ 10min
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David M Willis! @damnyouwillis.bsky.social ⋅ 4h
This is never going away, is it.
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David M Willis! @damnyouwillis.bsky.social ⋅ 5h
Ordered a TFOne Megatronus card from overseas and it came with some other random cards as packing thanks for the super high Squidward
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How to read all 28 issues of my Spider-Man Loves Mary Jane run on Marvel Unlimited: 1: The first four issues were published as the miniseries "Mary Jane." www.marvel.com/comics/serie...
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David M Willis! @damnyouwillis.bsky.social ⋅ 5h
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Dorothy!
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David M Willis! @damnyouwillis.bsky.social ⋅ 10h
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David M Willis! @damnyouwillis.bsky.social ⋅ 13h
today in #9chickweedlane i learned we have to be shown children learning and relearning what sex is, for Reasons, even though they already clearly know and have prepared nuanced questions about it! also that Gran must hate, if she's still alive, how Old Juliette is the same but with gray hair
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David M Willis! @damnyouwillis.bsky.social ⋅ 13h
one of my favorite things is when a commenter explodes WHEN DO THESE CHARACTERS GET THERAPY but directed towards a character who canonically has a regular therapist
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David M Willis! @damnyouwillis.bsky.social ⋅ 14h
www.ebay.com/itm/23609624... Three hours left on this murder machine
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He's been opened, stood on a shelf for a while, and placed back inside.
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David M Willis! @damnyouwillis.bsky.social ⋅ 15h
mary: dawn says your girlfriend is trying to murder her wilbur: but what about MY happiness okay can we kill wilbur now
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David M Willis! @damnyouwillis.bsky.social ⋅ 1d
help I had a big yawny stretch after I got into bed and threw out my back
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David M Willis! @damnyouwillis.bsky.social ⋅ 1d
Dumbing of Age: "Dotty" www.dumbingofage.com/2025/comic/b... #webcomics #webcomic
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Dotty
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fuck off
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David M Willis! @damnyouwillis.bsky.social ⋅ 1d
Phew, they made NoHo Hank wear pants.
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David M Willis! @damnyouwillis.bsky.social ⋅ 1d
where's my hour loop of Vader fist-dancing
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Hot Toys Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith 1/6 Scale Darth Vader Deluxe ($495) & Standard ($315) is up for preorder at Sideshow - shrsl.com/4wcx6 #ad If you preorder make sure to hit the Exclusive versions since they include a commemorative plaque and cost the same.
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Ryan North @ryannorth.ca ⋅ 1d
hey, FANTASTIC FOUR got an Eisner nomination for best ongoing series!! I think this news is... really great! Fantastic even :0
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David M Willis! @damnyouwillis.bsky.social ⋅ 1d
oh no, new content over at the nsfw patreon joe introduces joyce to fingers that aren't breaded chicken www.patreon.com/posts/joe-fi...
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David M Willis! @damnyouwillis.bsky.social ⋅ 1d
I may have to pin this
damnyouwillis.bsky.social's user avatarDavid M Willis! @damnyouwillis.bsky.social ⋅ 4d
btw if you're one of those rando bluesky weirdos who doesn't know me but sees me in the wild being sarcastic and don't know i'm being sarcastic because you haven't taken like 30 seconds to, like, maybe look at my user profile or something, keep walking, you're not going to score internet points here
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David M Willis! @damnyouwillis.bsky.social ⋅ 2d
#relatable
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ALT: a man in a hospital gown says " stop pooping " to another man
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Politico: Ever been slapped by breasts?
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Joshua J. Friedman @joshuajfriedman.com ⋅ 2d
Here's an entertaining cite at the bottom of the first page
The problems with this prosecution are legion, but most immediately, the
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GOTTEM
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geoffrey @parsnip.bsky.social ⋅ 2d
the 90s were a wild time. if i told you how many magazines there were you wouldnt even believe me
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It's not a new argument, of course, but Chesterton dismissed it effectively in 1908. "You will hear everlastingly... this argument that the rich man cannot be bribed. The fact is, of course, that the rich man is bribed; he has been bribed already. That is why he is a rich man."
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Hawley dismisses Trump lining his pockets with his memecoin: "Listen, I think nobody believes that Donald Trump can be bought. I mean, what does Donald Trump need more money for?"
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Who can forget the Swiss-Austrian Union, or its famous capital - Istanbul.
AI generated ad by a company called Travello showing the 10 most visited cities in Europe, except the cities are hilariously poorly placed. London is in Wales, Paris is in Ireland, Rome is in France, Rom (yes like Rome but without an E) is in Spain, Barcelona is in Morocco, Prague is in Germany, Vienna is in Italy, Istanbul is in Austria, Milan is in Libya, and Antalya is correctly shown as in Turkey but is in the wrong place. Also a few of the borders like Switzerland and Austria or Hungary and Slovenia are missing.
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David M Willis! @damnyouwillis.bsky.social ⋅ 2d
*at the very end of Andor, cassian travels through a vortex that makes everyone look a decade younger*
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