154

Big fan
Posted on July 6, 2023 by David M Willis

154 thoughts on “Big fan”

  1. Ana Chronistic

    *Linda and Charles drop everything and start scratching Danny behind his ears*

    “He ain’t a DOGGO… I think?”

    1. Devin

      Are you sure though?

    2. Theluxland

      If Danny would transform into an animal it would absolutely be a dog.

    3. Nicoleandmaggie

      The goodest doggo.

    4. bcb

      They read a comic written by Joyce because she’s white and that gave them the idea Danny was a dog.

    5. Poppakat

      He would totally be a golden retriever.

  2. Doctor_Who

    They ask him to play something, but unfortunately he gets nervous, can only remember one song and…Well…

    1. Big Chuck

      That is still my single favorite strip because I laugh as hard as Sal does

    2. Angel

      lol well the contrast of that might make him more endearing liek when a tiny puppy barks at a larger dog

    3. Maddie B

      Anyway, there’s always Wonderwall.

  3. ian livs

    Okay, but the “I’m a big fan of your daughter.” “Me too!” exchange is really cute.

    1. ian livs

      (If only Sal’s parents were *actually* big fans of hers)

      1. MM

        Yeah, I might be reading too much into Sal’s expression, but she seems surprised to hear it.

      2. Just an Armadillo

        I dunno, I’ve always felt like Charles at least seems to care. Maybe I’m wrong but it just seems to me like Linda is the one really pushing the shitty parent agenda.

        1. Fay

          IMO, I think Charles’s worst traits are probably just that he’s kind of passive/apathetic and doesn’t stand up to Linda.

        2. Needfuldoer

          He’s a professional boat-steadier.

        3. JBento

          This is genius analogy.

        4. Leorale

          Oh dang, he is.

        5. Decidedly Orthogonal

          See also: hole drillers. Everyone (else) is bailing water to keep the boat afloat, the hole driller yells, “I’ll help too,” and then… drills another hole.

        6. Mark

          +1

        7. zee

          Hes actually seems to like sal but he’s Linda’s biggest enabler. He’s never once stood up for her, he happily stands at Linda’s shitty side. So, he’s part of the garbage unit

    2. elebenty

      Pretty sure he’s just replying to “…pleasure to meet you”

  4. shadowcell

    Dumbing of Age Book 13: THE GOODEST BOY

    1. True Survivor

      Speaking of which, I wonder which Brown got Snoop in the divorce? Has that been made clear? I hope it was Mr. Brown, he really seemed to need the dog more. Also, that why Joyce can visit Snoop without having to see her mother.

      1. Taellosse

        She sold the family home to finance the cultchurch that sided with Toedad after he attempted to kidnap his daughter at gunpoint. It was exactly that sort of blind zealotry that led to the divorce. Mr. Brown probably agreed to let her have the house in exchange for his taking sole custody of Snoop precisely because he didn’t trust her to be a responsible pet owner without his supervision.

        1. Derek

          god, I hope not, he would have to be this universe’s biggest moron to give away his share of their house just to keep the family pet.

        2. eskimolos

          Like with most aspects of their relationship, he probably let her keep the house because he trusted her to keep it and keep up with it so the kids would have somewhere to return home to as and when needed. I’ve given up my stake in a house without asking during a divorce, because I wanted to leave the other person, not destroy the things they loved in their life. He paid the mortgage, he provided the down payment, and when we threw a lump sum at it some months earlier he provided 70% of that sum. It just felt more fair to let him keep without contest, and meant I could go faster. I imagine Mr. Brown was way more keen to leave than he was to draw things out by fighting over assets.

  5. Kyoulkoa

    They’re all good boys bront

    1. Cholma

      15/10

  6. NGPZ

    Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner? 0_0

    1. Stu

      The Remake

      1. Maveric1984

        There’s been like 3 remakes already

  7. Shitbird

    “Also I’m bisexual”

    1. MM

      I half-suspect Charles’s reaction might be “me, too!”

      1. Shitbird

        I really hope it is, if only to surprise Sal twice (I can’t recall if Sal is aware that Danny is bi)

        1. Proxiehunter

          And maybe surprise his wife too. I wonder if like Hank he might wind up a half decent person if you get him away from his wife.

        2. Proxiehunter

          Maybe Hank can also discover his bisexuality and Joyce and Walky can become step siblings.

        3. Casi

          Joyce will not accept Walky as a step brother, but she will demand it happens if it means she gets Sal as a sister.

          And wow, what a weird relationship triangle that would end up being:

          Sal’s step sister is dating the brother of her former nemesis’ AND current BF’s ex.

        4. drs

          Sal’s had a big clue: https://www.dumbingofage.com/2022/comic/book-13/01-bring-me-to-life-drawing/bluster/

        5. Zero

          What, saying so openly?
          Nah, in my experience that never works.

        6. Theluxland

          I’m sure Sal thought it was just playful jokes. My straight friends always joke about dating each other but they never mean it seriously and i’m pretty sure it’s the same here

        7. Nedlum

          Also Joe explicitly mentioned it in front of Sal https://www.dumbingofage.com/2021/comic/book-12/01-sister-christian/taptap/

  8. UrsulaDavina

    Okay now Danny this up Danny, your realtionship depends on it.

  9. HueSatLight

    Danny in a golden bikini waving a big fan at Sal.

    1. Slartibeast Button, BIA

      Danny, peel me a grape!

      1. Loki

        I’m imagining him dressed as a giant can with PROPERTY OF SAL emblazoned on the costume, but that’s partially the fault of the hover text.

        1. Loki

          Giant FAN, that is. Stupid typos.

  10. BBCC

    Charles is so frustrating because he regularly says cute things like say ‘Me too!’ when Danny says he’s a big fan of Sal’s, but his actions (and lack thereof) don’t back him up, especially when he’s whispering about how shocked he is she actually has a decent boyfriend out of the other corner of his mouth. Come on, dude, have some faith in the girl you’re such a big fan of!

    Still, out of the two, I have more hope for him. Linda, I’m just waiting for the other shoe to drop on this whole interaction.

    1. Kyrik Michalowski

      I am also expecting and waiting on the other shoe to drop, but I’m glad Sal is happy atm.

      1. Bryy

        I’m pretty sure the other shoe is them trying to get Danny to break up with her.

        1. Luxlucis

          Nah, they don’t have anything against sal intrinsically (from their point of view). The problem is the attitude she has and the friends she makes, they are not proper of a nice white girl.
          This? This is something they (specially Linda) will hold onto forever. If sal and Dany broke up he will be always be remembered as the one who got away from their daughter.

        2. thejeff

          “Well, it’s a shame, but obviously Sal wasn’t going to stay with him. It’s just not what she’s like.”

        3. Fay

          I think “the other shoe” is going to be Sal quickly becoming the Golden Child because Walky is dating a black girl, and maybe her psyching herself out and questioning if she’s only dating Danny for her parents’ approval.

        4. Steve C.

          This, I’m afraid.

    2. DailyBrad

      I think that Charles is, like most people, even Linda, a mixed bag. He has definitely said and done shitty things, but I do think he cares about his kids. I think even Linda does, but she’s so self-righteous that the care she does dole out is often from a really shitty place.

      But yeah, I’d like if both of them, but especially Charles I guess more realistically, could more routinely not suck.

      1. BBCC

        Oh, Charles has definitely said and done things that suck. I will not forget that, but I think out of the two, they’d have better luck talking Charles around. Out of the shitty parents, he’s one I can muster a little ‘maybe’ hope around.

        He’d have to ditch Linda though. That’s the thing I think will crack any chance of this working, unfortunately.

        1. thejeff

          Charles is there to keep giving Sal hope so that Linda can dash it.

        2. Bash

          Charles gives me “ignorant but cares” vibes. Like Walky from the start of the strip. He did care but he lacked sensitivity and it was hard on Sal especially.

        3. Wraithy2773

          Honestly, I just don’t get that vibe. Charles hasn’t shown any sign of disagreeing with Linda on anything, he just hasn’t actively been The Bad Guy for any of those interactions yet.

          He’s mostly had the benefit of being in the background, but everything else has him being just as bad as Linda is, just not as up front about it.

    3. Needfuldoer

      He can’t, because that would upset Linda.

  11. RassilonTDavros

    Ah yes, “bagged.”

    There is no way in hell this doesn’t end with the Jerkertons warning Danny away from their daughter in some backhanded way.

    1. Dean

      Or they’ll be so enthusiastically approving that they’ll screw things up without meaning to

      1. Stu

        I lean more towards this, where their being overly enthusiastic clues Danny in that something is up with the situation.

    2. DailyBrad

      I don’t think they’ll do that, necessarily, but I could see Danny speaking up if they are shitty in a way he picks up on. Sometimes, a dogwhistle can turn right into a didgeridoo. That might result in him tanking their opinion of him.

  12. Kyrik Michalowski

    I am glad Sal is getting “positive reinforcement” from her parents, but the reasons behind it going this well thus far are pretty fucked up.

    So when is the other shoe going to drop? I’m guessing November, irl of course.

    1. Bryy

      I’m waiting for someone to actually drop the racist word on them.

      1. Needfuldoer

        I’m sure Sal’s taking notes, especially after seeing Linda’s response to meeting Lucy earlier.

        https://www.dumbingofage.com/whispering/

      2. Comic.phile

        I hope it comes from Danny

      3. BBCC

        I’m pretty sure Sal has. In one of the flashbacks, Sal said she knows the real reason Linda doesn’t like Marcie and Linda rolled her eyes.

        Maybe this time someone they’ll listen to will drop it.

  13. Jamie

    Bets on whether or not they get an invite to dinner after all? We can watch Walky drop in their estimation and Sal rise.

  14. Laura

    “What do your parents do for a living, Danny?”

    …As if that had anything to do with what kind of a person he is.

    1. NGPZ

      RIGHT? They wanna know his “connections”, bourgeoisie fucks.

      How dare a human being exist outside the ideal consumable package for capitalism to grind to dust.

    2. Leorale

      Obstetrician and real estate agent are straight-up class signifiers, which is 100% what Linda was looking for.

      On the other hand, there are some parental jobs that can give you way more to go on about a young person — especially when they’ve only been living away from their parents for a few months. Like, my mom taught 1st and 2nd Grades at an at-risk public school, and my dad is a rabbi. People can/have made some assumptions about me, based on my parents’ careers. The assumptions are certainly not always correct, but, it’s way more to go on.

    3. Leorale

      Obstetrician and real estate agent are straight-up class signifiers, which is 100% what Linda was looking for. Because of course she was.

      On the other hand, there are some parental jobs that can give you a little more to go on about a young person — especially when they’ve only been living away from their parents for a few months. Like, my mom taught 1st and 2nd Grades at an at-risk public school, and my dad is a rabbi. People can/have made some big assumptions about me, based on my parents’ careers. The assumptions are certainly not always correct, but, it’s way more to go on.

    4. Tan

      It’s the ‘polite’ way to ask what his home life is like, as it brings along a buncha lesser included questions that can’t be asked directly without prompting. Is one parent (or both) out of the picture? Did he grow up wealthy, poor, middle-class? Does he get along with them? Are they from somewhere else? And as Sal demonstrates it’s also a segue into other family members/influences

      1. LiamKav

        Is it polite? Maybe it’s a cultural thing, but I honestly can’t image asking “what do your parents do for a living” within 19 seconds of meeting someone.

        1. Zero

          Extremely rude.

        2. Derek

          Not really? It’s one of those things where it’s considered “good manners” in the sense that this behaviour is considered acceptable to the cultural group. In the same way that it’s considered “normal” to ask a couple ‘so when are you having children?’ if they’ve been together for a certain amount of time.
          IRL both questions are nosy and most often none of the asker’s business; but they’re considered neutral as a holdover from a time when discriminating on social or marital status was openly encouraged. (As opposed to know, when this discrimination still happens but more subtly)

          TL;DR it’s a probing question dressed in polite language; and Linda could easily pretend it’s entirely neutral

        3. Zero

          So it’s extremely rude.

    5. Mark

      It’s one of those bland questions you start with, to ferret out a topic that’s comfortable and interesting for everyone, to get conversation going. Really, I’d be more concerned if my girlfriend’s parents took no interest, or immediately dragged me through a questionnaire on my religion, politics, takes on various economic theories, and views on marriage.

      1. Yumi

        Sure, but there are so many more questions that could be asked. Charles gave a more general opening to learn about Danny, while Linda’s questions sound like interview questions to decide if someone meets a standard. She also jumps with her questions rather than building on Danny’s first answer.

  15. Dean

    That little ‘so far’ added a whole extra star to Danny’s rating under the Walkerton Approval Rating System (WARS). It suggests that he’s willing to make an effort.

    1. Mark

      Hm, the feeling I got was “if I can keep it.”

  16. Leorale

    Wholesome nerds are indeed the best

    1. Mark

      Partners who appreciate wholesome nerds are the bestest best!

  17. Nenja

    I’m both worried and intrigued about how this will go.

  18. Bo

    very surreal to watch Mom Walkerton use the phrase ‘The Goodest Boy’. It feels like a thing that should be locked from her repertoire

    1. Just an Armadillo

      The dissonance does not exist in her mind because Linda seems to be completely oblivious to how shit she is.

      1. Clif

        Almost all of us are oblivious to our major flaws.

        How fortunate I am not to have any.

    2. Fay

      I think the sliding timescale puts the Walkerton parents as being around late Gen X-early Millennial. It’s actually not unrealistic that she’d say “the goodest boy” or “heckin pupper”. Probably saw it on Facebook or Instagram.

      1. Hazel

        Good Lord, Linda is my age!

        1. Shawn L.

          Give it a few years. That’ll change.

      2. Miri

        No, my eldest is 8 and I’m an older Millennial that makes no sen- oh yeah, I had her when I was 30, I guess late Gen X could track… ?

        1. Peep

          Yeah it’s pretty wild to me that I have a 6 month old, while my (same age) cousin’s youngest is graduating high school this year. And it’s not like she got pregnant crazy early. I don’t feel old enough to have a kid in college!

        2. Seregiel

          Mid millenial here – oldest is about to enter college (husband’s 1st marriage and hes an older millennial) Youngest is 7. Could definitely be our gen but with the hair I put them currently at Gen X.

  19. I Know Why the Mowed Lawn Screams

    Linda’s dead eyed full frontal stare in that last panel is killing me. It’s like the fuckin’ Martin Scorsese fish of fictional racist white women i’m kinda obsessed.

    1. I Know Why the Mowed Lawn Screams

      *points* she is awe that the daughter she secretly dislikes is dating a man she approves of

      1. Proxiehunter

        Who’s it a secret to? I’m pretty sure everyone knows.

        1. Azhrei Vep

          I think it might actually be a secret to Linda, honestly.

    2. Icalasari

      It’s like her brain is fried

  20. JessWitt

    He’s adorkable.

  21. RacingTurtle

    Sal deserves a good boy, and Lucy is a wholesome nerd, too, you big jerks!

  22. PB

    OK now how do we explain that both their kids bagged wholesome nerds???

    1. Opus the Poet

      Like attracts like, or in this case “opposites attract”? While Sal is basically the opposite of a nerd, she is basically wholesome at heart.

  23. elfroyalty

    man the way they react to danny vs lucy, an even more wholesome nerd, is so fuckin much

  24. Samniel

    I’m gonna say it. Called it.

  25. Angel

    lol i love how ukelele=nerd

    makes me wonder if there are assholes with ukelele. it does seem like a thing mike would do, mockingly play the ukelele when someone’s down

    1. Fay

      Just a few days ago there was a (formerly?) famous Youtuber who did an apology/denial of grooming allegations by writing a ukulele song about it. So yes, there is, lmao.

      1. Angel

        yep coming back to this after the ‘apology song’ was quite a ride lol

  26. Suet

    Screw Puppy Dorothy, now we have a Greyhound Danny

    Don’t slip with how you describe yourself, Danno

  27. Kenny Williams

    “The Goodest bly” hahaha I’m dead

  28. Hazel

    This would be cute, and Sal deserves a win, except that their son also bagged a nice christian girl from a good family. Lucy is a girl next door type who parents are supposed to like. I don’t remember what she’s majoring in, but she probably has grades just as good as Dan’s.

    Charles, grow a spine!

    1. BBCC

      We don’t know what Lucy majors in yet. I kinda hope they ask because I’d like to know myself!

      1. Needfuldoer

        They’re not going to ask. Three guesses as to why. :\

      2. HueSatLight

        Lucy majors in telecommunications, same as Walky. don’t remember which strip

        1. HueSatLight

          https://www.dumbingofage.com/mmfpf/ when she’s introducing Walky to Lyle.

        2. BBCC

          Ah, okay! I forgot the strip confirmed telecom. Thank you!

    2. Wraithy2773

      Christian might be a negative to the Walkerton parents, come to think of it. The family doesn’t seem religious, and, well, *points at everything a super-evangelical sect did pre-time-skip*.

      A bland non-religious nerd with good grades might be way better in their books right now.

      1. BBCC

        Danny’s also a christian, just not a church going one right now.

  29. shrub

    If I didn’t already I’d have thought Linda was Joyce’s mom

    1. shrub

      Already know…

  30. foducool

    the goodest boi XD

  31. DarkoNeko

    it took all of 3 panels for Sal’s mom to ask about Danny’s parents salary indirectly…

  32. Sombrero

    Yeah, now I remember why I hate the Walkertons.

  33. Ophidiophile

    Oh, no. Her parents approve and like Danny. Kiss of death for that relationship.

    1. Needfuldoer

      Please no.

      Sal can be conflicted, but letting their approval ruin a relationship that makes her happy will just hand Linda another “win”.

      1. thejeff

        She may hate herself for it later, but she’s trying so hard for their approval now it makes me sad. Pointing out his GPA and his brother in the army.

        It’s like when she showed up for family weekend in the school girl uniform.

        1. Needfuldoer

          Poor Sal desperately wants approval, even if she’ll never admit it.

        2. BBCC

          Yup. We’re witnessing her desperate last Hail Mary for parental love.

        3. thejeff

          Hopefully.

    2. Bash

      She deliberately dragged him out here because she knew her parents would like him. Obviously that’s going to be complicated for her but she was aware of it from the start.

  34. Acher4

    I really like the differences shown with the questions each one does.

    Charles: Tell us about yourself.
    Linda: Tell us about your parents.

    Interesting…

    1. Wraithy2773

      Well, aside from when Linda asked about his major.

    2. Mark

      So, imagine this:

      Charles: Tell us about yourself.
      [answers]
      Linda: Tell us about yourself.

      Uh, what? What should she ask? Tell us about Aldebaran? tell us about making strawberry shortcake? Should Danny speak more loudly?

      The imputation of sinister motives to what, in the BF position, I would regard as a rather innocuous question, is really surprising me.

      1. Bash

        “Tell us about yourself” is open-ended and conveys a desire to get to know the person. “What is your major” is a fairly standard question for a college student, but “what do you parents do for a living” is not. In combination it implies Linda is most interested in his social status and future earning prospects. It’s the kind of thing Raidah might ask.

        1. Wraithy2773

          Uh, Linda’s the one that asked what his major is.

        2. Wraithy2773

          Ah, misread your comment, apologies!

      2. Daibhid C

        Yeah, I think the question itself is innoccuous.

        It’s the fact Linda is asking it that means it should be viewed with suspicion. L

        1. Wraithy2773

          …why Linda, exactly?

          Yes, when it comes to Sal, we’ve seen her be the villain most obviously. But nothing Charles has done has been particularly benevolent either. Hasn’t done anything to give any sign that he disagrees with her viewpoints or perspective.

          This doesn’t feel like the Browns, with a Good Parent and a Bad Parent…

        2. Daibhid C

          Because she’s the villain most obviously. Charles is … passive. Apart from a single reference to Sal’s hair being nicer when it’s straight, the worst I remember him ever doing is letting Linda attack Sal with no pushback.

          And to be clear, I think that makes him pretty terrible. But it’s a passive kind of terrible. I don’t instantly suspect his conversation of being anti-Sal, I suspect it of being designed to pass completely through the Sal-Linda animosity without either side catching him on it.

    3. egg egg

      it felt like a two-pronged attack to figure out Danny’s damage and why he’s dating Sal.

  35. Lysbeth

    Here comes Danny, he’s a good egg!

    1. Council

      A good egg!

  36. Juanoku

    Eh give it time he’ll fuck it up

    1. Daibhid C

      I’m not sure how he could actually f it up, given that Sal has made it clear she only wants to know what parental approval feels like out of intellectual curiosity. If he somehow manages to say something that makes them conclude he’s the worst person she’s ever dated, she’ll just be like “Well, that was interesting, now things are back to normal, whatever.”

      In fact, if Danno doesn’t manage to say something that offends Mrs I Can’t Be Racist Because My Husband’s Black, I personally will think less of him for it.

  37. Taffy

    Yes Danny, it’s working! You’re overwhelming them with the goodness of your egg.

    1. UnDrewsual

      Well, it’s working on her dad at least. Her mom is more thinking “he comes from good stock” or something like that.

      1. Taffy

        Linda is a lost cause, I automatically discount her from anything positive.

  38. CJ

    I’m afraid how they will act towards Lucy when she shows up..

  39. Joy

    This reminds me of my ex girlfriends parents. (They were so creepy.)

    1. NGPZ

      i feel ya bruh (*audibly shudders*)

  40. Rocketboy1313

    I dislike that I have been where Danny is currently.

  41. wakeangel2001

    “pretend to hate him just a little bit so she’ll rebel against us by staying with him, but not so much that she’ll push us away for not approving”

  42. Grimey

    My bet? Danny will call them out on either their treatment of Lucy, Sal, or both. THAT is when they’ll (mostly the mom) will decide Danny isn’t a welcome addition to Sal’s life.

Leave a Reply to Stu Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

*

*

*

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.