398

Vending
Posted on August 12, 2016 by David M Willis

398 thoughts on “Vending”

  1. Ana Chronistic

    “ONLY AUTHORIZED PEOPLE SHOULD BE BACK HERE”

    “okay okay REED HALL is my home”

    also, I hope this isn’t the fancy dinner Dina was supposed to treat Becky to

    1. Ana Chronistic

      bye Hank, see you in a decade maybe

      1. SmilingNid

        That is an unfortunate typo.

      2. Orion Fury

        Time skips could make it just seven years.

        1. Needfuldoer

          We’re about halfway to Thanksgiving break, right?

    2. Bagge

      Can’t imagine anything more fancy than rushing-off-to-hospital-in-feeble-attempt-to-keep-friends-alive-vending-machine-snack. It has been downplayed, but the fact that Dina immediately and unquestionably followed and helped Becky is a really strong act of support.

      1. Cerberus

        Yup. It’s the small things.

        And Becky is in a state of mind where the big fancy treats just make her fixate on her own poverty and her inability to really repay. But vending machine snacks? She can accept those freely and know that there’s real love behind them.

        Honestly, it’s probably the best “dinner treat” she could have asked for.

        1. Bagge

          It’s SNACKS that she eat together with DINA in a place where JOYCE is and they both try to HELP HER keep Billie alive.

          What in the world could be better than that?

        2. Grubber McGee

          That plus a cure for cancer and depression, and a world where Adolf Hitler became a quality bongo manufacturer and brought the joy of good percussion worldwide.

        3. Geneseepaws

          Well, hellloooooo Chocolate!!! Best dinner choice, Evar! Buying chocolate and giving half to your other (half), if that isn’t showing unconditional support, what would it take to show unconditional support? We’ve seen how well it went with, I’d die for you”, yeah that turned out so well. … /sarcasm.

        4. Deanatay

          I remember the days when I could SKARMF a candy bar in one bite. Ah, my misspent youth…

        5. Raza

          Doesn’t sound misspent to me!

        6. HeySo

          You’re never too old!
          In fact, this sounds like an excellent plan.
          BRB, going shopping.

    3. Kris

      Are you kidding? Becky’s lucky. Vending machine would be breaking the bank for me in college.

      1. Ana Chronistic

        Dina received $200!

        granted, it’s an American hospital vending machine

        1. Tacos

          Well at least since it’s at the hospital, if it eats your money, you can always punch a hole in it to get your chips and then they can treat you there for your broken hand. Convenient.

        2. BrokenEye, The True False Prophet

          And after you pay your bill, they can use it to buy, like, a hundred replacement vending machines

        3. Ana Chronistic

          do… you understand the American medical system

        4. Bard1cKnowledge

          you mean the same sone where is we so much as stub out pinky toe we get fined a thousand dollars for getting it looked at?

          that medical system here n the states?

        5. Androiddreams

          The artist from MGDMT got hit in a motorcycle accident. I believe she was over a grand out BEFORE they even got her to a hospital.

          (Do you guys say grand? it’s what we brits say)

        6. BloodLily16

          I say ‘grand’ sometimes. It’s normally one of the words that makes me sound like a cowgirl tho… (I’m from the southwest, and I know from experience some words bring out the accent more than others)

        7. ANeM

          Look, if you didn’t want to spend a months salary on a chocolate bar you should have invested in some vending machine insurance.

        8. Dr. T

          It’s not at the hospital. It is at the student health center across the corner from the main library.

      2. Tunaro

        The most valuable lesson I think I ever learned in my first year of college is when and where the hell I could get free food.

        1. Benjamin Geiger

          Oh, that course has a graduate section, too…

        2. Benjamin Geiger

          (Source: currently in a PhD program)

        3. Reltzik

          Yeah, but WHICH PhD program? I mean if it’s agriculture you’re set, but if it’s philosophy you’re screwed.

          …. no, wait, they’ve got symposiums. Hmmmm.

        4. HeySo

          If you’re in philosophy, you’ve already come to terms with starving. 😛

          Besides, starvation is basically the foundation of any good philosophizing, anyway!
          Or, put another way: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kaoy1QKxGQs

    4. Daimonion

      You go to UF or did I can tell by Reed hall

  2. Bagge

    Home WAS La Porte until they turned their back on Becky. Home IS Indiana where Becky has been welcomed by friends, supporters and the most adorable dinosaur chick.

    No one is taking Joyce’s Becky. NO ONE.
    http://www.dumbingofage.com/2014/comic/book-5/01-when-somebody-loved-me/pit/

    Incidentally, I don’t think that subtext is lost on Hank.

    1. Cerberus

      All of this.

    2. butting

      Yup re the subtext. He’s moved from “Hitler!” to “strange personal choices” (gotta remember that one, it’s gold) (he’s talking about Dina’s hat, right?) — which he’s saying in front of them, smiling and open and friendly, while backing Joyce’s decision whatever it’ll be and making sure everyone knows about it.

      DON’T LEAVE YET, HANK! WE NEED MORE OF THIS!

      1. Disloyal Subject

        I thought it was Becky’s haircut.

  3. Doctor_Who

    Hank (silently): Oh, thank Christ.

  4. Darkoneko

    Awww this is so cute. Is it the book’s last page ?

    1. Ana Chronistic

      can’t be, nobody’s going to sleep

      1. Will

        Note Walky and Dorothy, there’s still stuff to work out there.

        Also, everything else, sure.

        1. calvsie

          Yeah, I’m not sure why but Dorothy’s look and Walky turning and walking away has me worried.

        2. Bicycle Bill

          Walky’s going off to find the vending machines.  Maybe they’ve got Nachitos.

    2. David M Willis

      oh, this storyline has a third act

      1. Darkoneko

        *shivers* uh oh.

        1. Doctor_Who

          The evil laughter was totally implied.

        2. Tunaro

          https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZHeLUVDYLIg
          https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t7hsVa18yfA

        3. Doctor_Who

          I’ve never heard Willis speak, but now I’m totally gonna believe he sounds like Mark Hamill, and none of you can stop me.

        4. Tunaro

          It would certainly explain the Batman obsession…

        5. HeySo

          It explains *everything* =O

        6. Roborat

          I have heard him speak, but it was several years ago and I cannot remember his voice. So, I am going to go with Peewee Herman, simply because I find that funny.

        7. Darkoneko

          probably more subtle than this one

        8. Keulan

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

        9. Wheelpath

          Like, where was the main conflict for this to be the end?

        10. Orion Fury

          I was hoping for the ‘end of book’ alt-text there.

      2. inqntrol

        I don’t know why, but I get the feeling something bad is going to happen in the third act.

        1. Slartibeast Button, BIA

          We need to go back and check for wall pistols.

        2. Kris

          I really have no reason but I am kinda suspicious of that youth pastor guy….don’t be surprised if he’s an axe muderer…and he is driving Carol home. The pieces are there if you’re paranoid enough to look for them.

      3. Fart Captor

        Oh god I knew it I knew it nothing good can follow so much cute on one page

        1. Slartibeast Button, BIA

          Willis must bring Balance to the Farce.

        2. Disloyal Subject

          Oh no. Thaf hospital (well, student health center, but xlose enough) probably has fluorescent lighting! They’re all in terrible danger!

      4. ShellShock

        Damn you Willis!!! I had such a warm fuzzy in my chest.

        1. Roborat

          Well, we are in a health centre, you should probably have that looked at.

      5. Reltzik

        Still unresolved: Becky’s housing and Ruth’s replacement.

        …. well okay lots of other stuff still resolved, but those are the ones with immediacy.

        … actually Becky’s housing might not be that immediate. The ultimatum came from Ruth, who isn’t really in a position to enforce it right now.

        Calling this now:

        Billie: “Becky, I’m afraid the school says I have to kick you out and take my old room back.”
        Becky: “Aw MAN! Looks like I gotta find a good cardboard box before evening.”
        Billie: “Well, you see, with Ruth and all I feel like I could really use a friend right now…”
        Becky: “So could I!”
        Billie: “… so I’m dipping into my absurd allowance to get you a hotel room for the next three weeks.”
        Becky: “Wow, really? BESTIES FOREVER!”
        Joyce: “…. what? WHAT?”
        Becky: “Uh, I mean, top tier friendsies forever!”
        Billie: “Yes! It finally worked!”

        1. Fart Captor

          Ruth’s replacement isn’t a super-pressing issue. The RM and the RAs on adjacent floors can manage it for a while. And that will make it easier for Becky to hang around undetected!

          Well, without getting busted at least.

        2. Reltzik

          It’s not super pressing until it suddenly happens and OMG WHO GAVE MARY POWER OVER US and that could happen AT ANY MOMENT.

          …. okay, probably not Mary, but there’s still all sorts of possibility for sudden disaster at any moment.

          …. pleasant dreams.

        3. Fart Captor

          I would love to see Mary mess with Becky, just to see whether it was Joyce or Dina that got to her first

        4. Bagge

          None of them wouldn’t get to Mary as much as Mary would be a collateral of the collision between them as they both rush in to protect their Becky.

        5. Andy

          Mary knows about Becky, and could report it to the RM as vengeance on the rest of the floor. And with Billie in the hospital, that all got dropped pretty ruthlessly as long as Billie faced the prospect of becoming Ruth-less.

          On the other hand, there are resources available such as Leslie.

        6. Brotato

          …ruthlessly. A+

        7. BloodLily16

          Also unresolved is Mary. I mean, everyone who was around the room at the time knows that she was up to something, and it was blackmail. I’m personally looking forward to Mary getting her just desserts in the next storyline, however that happens. I’m thinking maybe she’ll try to keep Ruth and Billie under her thumb, and it’ll blow up even worse than it did the first time.

      6. Orion Fury

        Oh no. Now I fear the third act twist.

        1. maxyai

          Is this an M. Night Shamalamading-dong movie? “What a twist!”

      7. Cerberus

        Welp, time to start building bomb shelters cause it’s about to be raining drama bombs.

        1. Reltzik

          STRATEGIC DEFENSE INITIATIVE! STRATEGIC DEFENSE INITIATIVE!

        2. Gigafreak

          Drama bombs from bongo drums?

        3. Bagge

          Most people seem to be in a pretty god place now. Becky and Joyce are safe, Dina has her Becky, Sarah has her Joyce, Ruth and Billie are alive and FINALLY get treatment. Whatever catastrophe might result from Ruth being sacked as an RA will wait a few days. Walky’s Billie is saved and he and Dorothy most likely will get some bonding over this. Mary is disarmed. Carla is PERFECTLY CAPABLE OF TAKING CARE OF HERSELF, THANK YOU VERY MUCH! Amber…

          Amaziegirl…

          General McPentagon: DUCK AND COVER!

        4. Andy

          Becky is not safe – she’s homeless and the person who was trying to find her housing is now out of commission.

        5. Bagge

          Yeah, sure but I mean she’s safe for right now. Compared to this morning.

          When it comes to Becky’s situation you have to take the victories you can get.

        6. Cerberus

          Yup, having been not quite all the way where she is, but close, you start taking victory in some minor fucking steps until it all adds up to some major victories.

          Having a roof, partners who support her, her documents back, a tiny bit of money to maybe be able to afford a handful of stuff and not always feel like a leech, and not being back “home” to the place that so violently rejected her it literally hunted her down and blamed her for her own suffering?

          Those are big victories. And Becky is rightfully enjoying them before starting the next slog of getting her remaining documents, getting a job, applying for school, delaying her impending mental breakdown, showing her gf all of her appreciation and love, and somehow keeping Billie and Ruth from pulling a her mother.

        7. Spencer

          That’s actually a good call. We know that Amazi-Girl surfaced again after hearing Sal’s voice, and yesterday that involved AG spending the entire day in charge of Amber’s headspace. It’s possible that Amber’s going to spend another day checked out for her alter.

          She’s the only real loose end right now.

        8. Disloyal Subject

          The only question is whether a regular shelter will do, or if Vault Tec’s expertise is demanded.

      8. Idontcarenomore

        Becky’s situation is unresolved at present.

        While Ruth now has a chance at getting help and living to be 21 (?), her future and Billie’s is in immediate chance of a change of address, and expulsion. Although the official who found them in bed seemed pretty sympathetic, so who knows.

        Walky and Dorothy are not on solid ground in their relationship and Walky may fail if he doesn’t get his ass in gear and get tutored which he won’t till he admits he needs it.

        Mary may have been short circuited for awhile, but she is ready and willing to hurt somebody at the moment, like for instance she will Becky thrown out if she ever gets the means to do so.

        I’m glad Hank has grown so much, now I’d like to see him go home and set Carol down and tell her the facts of life as they ‘really’ are IE Carol doesn’t run the world.

        1. thejeff

          I’m not really comfortable with idea that Hank should just go home and dictate to his wife. Even if the results would be good on a practical level. It’s so horrible as a general rule that I’m not okay with it.

          Besides, if Hank were the kind of man to just dictate to the women in his life based on what he thought was right, he never would have listened to Joyce and learned from her in the first place and there wouldn’t be any conflict between him and Carol.

        2. Disloyal Subject

          As you say, Hank isn’t the sort of person to dictate, “I AM MAN! LISTEN AND OBEY!”
          Part of a marriage should be communication. Sitting down and talking, human-to-human, should happen from time to time, and after having some time to mull it over I’m sure he has answers to a few points she raised in their argument while Joyce and Becky were out driving.

      9. Spencer

        There is a suspiciously large gap of preview panels between August 16th and September 3rd…

      10. Falling Star

        WILLIS, DON’T.

      11. Ntrovert

        Oh, snap. There was definitely a dark tinge to THAT statement.

        I’m just going to issue an anticipatory “damn you, Willis” now…

      12. Rutee

        Fan. Fucking. Tastic. I am looking /forward/ to this shit.

      13. HeySo

        I vote for more Sayid in the third act. :3

    3. Stairmasternem

      Remember at the start of this chapter, we got to see gold ol’ Robin again. I’m going to guess she’s gonna play a big part of act 3.

  5. Andrew

    Home is where the Velociraptor is!

    1. Bagge

      Clever girl.

      1. Darkoneko

        Speaking of that, Hank didn’t end up being the solution for Becky’s residence issues after all.

        1. Bagge

          At this point everyone involved is just happy he didn’t turn out to be more of a problem.

          I really think Hank SHOULD have stopped at an ATM and slipped Becky a 20 or more, but let’s be happy for what we got.

        2. Slartibeast Button, BIA

          Becky has $200 she found in Chez Toe.

        3. Bagge

          …which all things considered is a pretty crappy inheritance.

          She is homeless, has literary nothing and lives on the goodwill of a bunch of college students. Frank has an adult homeowner’s economy and is the closest thing she has to a father. He could do A LOT to help her tremendously for a very small cost to himself, and the only reason he doesn’t is that he is not willing to stick out his neck for her all that much.

          For all the good things he has done, he still has quite a few things to learn about Doing The Right Thing from his daughter.

        4. Cerberus

          Yeah… that’s all super true.

          Especially down to us all being relieved that he avoided being much of a problem by the end. But yeah, that full out support is still something he’s working up to. He’s getting there. I hope he can get there, because I’ve seen enough people sink enough time into people who claimed to be slow but trying hard who just ended up rejecting them at the end.

          My optimism says he will. In the meantime, Becky’s making the best of her situation, focusing on that which makes her feel optimistic and happy and trying her damndest to hold on the mask a little longer and hit the snooze button on the full emotional collapse until things are re-stabilized for the long-term.

        5. Bagge

          Yeah, and it’s not like Hank lost the window of opportunity. Tomorrow when he had survived the confrontation with Carol and prayed A LOT and had time to sort his thoughts he might start thinking about practicalities and silently transfer some money to Joyce with instructions to forward to Becky.

          As for him turning in the end… I really don’t think he will. He is too similar to Joyce for that.

          (what did Sarah say again http://www.dumbingofage.com/2015/comic/book-5/04-walking-with-dina/relentless/)

          Also, if nothing else he knows better by now than try to force Joyce to chose between him and Becky.

        6. Cerberus

          Yeah, that’s what my hope says. But my memories and experiences also say that even the most open and supportive parents tend to balk hard when dealing with the reality of their trans kids. And Hank’s gonna be starting with some massive handicaps on that scale.

          But I’m still cautiously optimistic.

        7. thejeff

          Yeah. Jocelyn’s going to be really hard for him to accept. I doubt he’s going to do anything to actively reject Becky at this stage, but Jocelyn will be a huge stretch.

          Though this weekend makes it far more possible. The Hank from Family Day wouldn’t have had a chance.

        8. Dandi_Andi

          I challenge your assertion that it comes at a very small cost to him. His family and community are very conservative Christians. We saw their reaction to Joyce and Becky. Although I agree that helping Becky is the right thing to do, it could have significant social costs for Hank. Losing the support of his community, even if it is a community that is toxic in this situation, is a very significant cost. Worse yet, he risks losing the support of his family. While Joyce and Jocelyn would embrace him all the more strongly for standing up for Becky, his other children may not and Carol definitely would not. As Sarah once pointed out, the world does not hinge on what is right.

          http://www.dumbingofage.com/2015/comic/book-5/02-threes-a-crowd/endgame/

        9. Bagge

          Sure, lot of the things he can do would result in a lot of problems, and he might go down that road eventually.

          I’m talking about the small stuff.
          Stop by an ATM, give Becky some money
          Buy her a prepaid refill phone
          Pay for a hostel for a few days
          For Gods sake, drop by the closest fast food joint and bring them a dinner.

          Small things, but all of them would be INCREDIBLY valuable for Becky. I promise you he could do all of that and it would hardly dent his credit card. Carol would most likely not even notice (in case she specifically looked for it, and if she had reached that level of being controlling he would be in just as much trouble already just for driving them to IU).

          And apart from money he could… I dunno…
          Say goodbye to her
          Ask if she will be OK
          Ask HER if she wants him to help her with something
          Tell her that he is sorry

        10. Disloyal Subject

          He hasn’t left yet.
          If he leaves with no hug and no goodbye I will be extremely surprised.

        11. Cerberus

          Bagge-

          Yeah… fuck, this is making me realize that for all we’ve been excited that Hank has grown and started to view Becky as a full person with her own internal fights, he’s still in a space where actively helping her beyond the minimum feels like a step too far for him because of what he has been told about “supporting sin”.

          And that’s all sad because you’re right, the steps to take to give Becky a specific bit of comfort are indeed small and we’ve seen how she’s reacted to small kindnesses and support with so much joy (I’m thinking how much her face lit up when Jocelyne said “hey, let’s break into your old house and see if we can find some of your paperwork for you”).

          And it makes me realize how much of my hope is based on back when I was so desperately hoping my family would eventually support me and trying so hard for such tiny gains in viewpoint and celebrating them as somehow being major victories even when they were frequently undone the second I left and wanting Jocelyne to have the happy ending of that instead. Fuck, I really can’t wait to stop being haunted by this shit.

        12. Disloyal Subject

          Shit. Those scars run deep.
          But Hank hasn’t left yet, and there’s too much Joyce in him to refuse Becky help because of his community’s ideology about supporting sin. If he doesn’t help her or offer to before he goes, it’ll be because he’s never been in Becky’s situation and it never occurred to him just how screwed her financial situation is.
          I’m holding out hope he’ll give her a prepaid debit card after her goodbye hug, and instructions to call him if she needs help with anything. I think if he ever finds out how she retrieved her social, he’s going to laugh his ass off.

        13. Dandi_Andi

          Bagge-

          Most of what you mentioned would be hugely important to Becky, but boring in terms of the narrative structure. If he did do any of those things, we probably wouldn’t see them. Given the time of day and the length of the car ride, he almost certainly treated them to lunch. It wouldn’t be at all unexpected for him to give Joyce spending money even if she weren’t going to spend it supporting Becky. Showing Hank stopping at the ATM disrupts the pacing. The fact that we didn’t see it doesn’t mean it didn’t happen.

          There’s also the very real possibility that he’s still struggling to overcome decades of cognitive bias. I’m not sure how old Hank is, but given that Joyce is the youngest of his children, I’m going to assume he’s probably in his 50s. That’s 50 years of religious teaching he has to break through. That can be far more difficult than people give it credit for.

          I get the sense that Hank has often felt conflicted between his beliefs and his compassion. There have been many times that something FELT wrong, but his religious community taught him was right. He was taught from a young age that the Bible was perfect and his own understanding was faulty. He was taught that if his feelings or thoughts were ever in conflict with the Bible, he should defer to the Bible. So, all his life, whenever he was emotionally conflicted, he deferred to the judgement of his religious community. Every time he did, he became more invested in the truth of those judgements.

          The concept of sin elevates behaviors beyond simple moral or ethical failings and adds an element of personal offense to the almighty creator of the universe. For 50 years, Hank has been trained to be more afraid of offending God than of harming others. That fear buries itself deep. I left my religious beliefs behind almost ten years ago, but even now I feel a little twinge of fear when I do something I was taught to believe was sinful. I suspect that Hank is probably terrified of offering any direct support to Becky right now. But he’s watching Joyce be brave enough to do what’s right and he’s trying his damnedest to follow her lead.

        14. Dandi_Andi

          Cerberus-

          I am so sorry you’ve had that experience with your family. I was extremely lucky when I came out to my parents. They were more understanding and supportive than I had hoped considering my conservative religious upbringing. I cannot imagine how hard it must have been to not receive that support from your family. I hope you have the love and support you need from other people in your life.

        15. Bagge

          Dandi_Andi – That is very true, and if Becky makes an offhand remark in a week or so about “I got some free money from Mr Brown, let’s go buy a phone”, then I’m good.

          You are also right about his cognitive bias, but that’s sorta what I’m talking about. He is the closest thing Becky has to a father, and yet he neglects her. Compare how he fusses over his real daughter. Would he drop of Joyce without knowing she had living arrangements? Without knowing she had a phone? Without giving her some money or at least a proper meal?

          Hank is still treating Becky a bit like “not my problem”, which means that he is dumping the responsibility for her on a bunch of teenagers, his daughter included.

          The fact that he doesn’t think it through is in itself part of him not taking the responsibility he COULD take for Becky and that he SHOULD take according to his own morality, circumstance and his wish to be as awesome a person as his own daughter.

          He is not terrible, nothing near like Carol level bad, and he does good. But it gets to me how close he is to be able to give help and support Becky desperately needs – but doesn’t, because he doesn’t think about it and shies away from thinking of it.

          I suppose it is a parent thing.

        16. thejeff

          It’s also possible that he’s just not thinking about in practical terms. He’s so caught up in trying to catch up with his daughter on these issues and trying not to judge and worrying about the consequences with his wife that he simply hasn’t given any thought to how bad Becky has it. How much even a little bit of practical support would mean.
          That’s giving him all the benefit of the doubt, admittedly.

        17. Fart Captor

          Considering its only been a couple days, he’s come a long way, but there’s not a lot he’d be able to do that Carol would allow

        18. Idontcarenomore

          Hanks in charge of the finances as far as I know? she seems to be a home body. If Hank continues paying Joyces tutition not much she can do about it but make him miserable. Which she already does anyway.
          I hope he has a good long talk with her to explain that maybe it’s time Hank ran the house for a bit.

        19. Fart Captor

          He does, but I can’t imagine she wouldn’t find out if he were supplying enough money to feed and house Becky.

          And they’ll definitely be having a long talk when he gets home. That’s not going to be optional. Or quiet.

  6. miados

    home is a feeling more than anything. home is where you want to be.

    1. Doctor_Who

      Home is where the WiFi connects automatically.

      1. Bagge

        Airports?

        THANKS, now I’m depressed.

        (Although it makes me think of all the friends who are used to come over, grab a coffee, plop them self down in the sofa and start playing with their phones in a new a better light so I’m not depressed anymore).

      2. Tacos

        I swear I’ve seen that on a t-shirt somewhere.

    2. WhoWasI

      Sadly that means many of us haven’t been home in a long time. And may never be.

      Now I’m depressed too.

      1. miados

        its what i tell myself honestly. it gives me a reason to keep working hard when i don’t think i have ever felt home since i was about ten.

      2. Cerberus

        Home is what you carve out of the rotting husk of society with whatever tools you can scrounge. Maybe that includes relations by blood. Maybe loved ones like romantic partners or friends. Maybe a community.

        Maybe it takes years to get there. Maybe it takes far too much effort that really shouldn’t ever have been needed or tearing down the edifice of toxic hells hiding as false homes to welcome.

        But I think most people manage to get there to something, even if it is small or only in infrequent moments. Or at least I hope they can and that the world can be made better so more can.

        1. Disloyal Subject

          Words to live by.

        2. Fart Captor

          Aw, does the husk have to be e rotting? Can’t we like, skin society, treat the hide, and use its femurs to construct a crude tent? I think it would feel more home-y without the stench of decay

          Seriously though, it is the absolute highest level of bullshit that we live in a world where anyone has to struggle just to find a place (literal or figurative) where the feel safe and welcome. If a jackass like me can find it, there’s no excusable reason why we can’t make room by the fire for everyone

        3. Disloyal Subject

          Speaking from experience, even mangled roadkill that’s started to stink of rot can be skinned, and while the hide will continue to smell like rot partway through the tanning process, the end result won’t be any worse or smellier than a fresh hide in similarly holey condition.

    3. Benjamin Geiger

      Home is where your rump rests!

    4. Orion Fury

      The difference between a House and a Home? A House shelters your Body, a Home shelters your Heart.

      There’s a better way of putting that. Sorry, not feeling very poetic right now.

      1. Disloyal Subject

        Sometimes less is more. I think you nailed it.

        1. Orion Fury

          Thank you.

    5. EvilMidnightLurker

      “Home is where you wear your hat!”

      1. Idontcarenomore

        that’s ‘hang your hat?”

      2. miados

        I don’t have a hat

  7. James Small

    How heartwarming. Now let’s get ready for the eventual first Halloween party in 6 months.
    Kidding, but this is a good thing that’s taking the long road, haha.

  8. Some1

    Questing of Age

    Jocelyne enters the church and runs to the pastor’s office.

    Jocelyne (thinking): Just hold on a little more guys!

    Jocelyne: breaks into the office and sees Carol.

    Carol: It’s been a while.

    Jocelyne: I’m here to stop you.

    Carol: You will try.

    Carol seems to teleport next to Jocelyne.

    Jocelyne: So fast!

    Jocelyne barely dodges her attack, and leaps out of the way. Skidding across the room.

    Jocelyne kicks side to side with her feet, closing the distance between her and Carol.

    Carol tracks Jocelyne and dodges her, when Jocelyne finally attacks with a spinning kick.

    Jocelyne turns around midair and hits the wall with her feet, kicking of and aiming a punch at Carol.

    Carol figures out what’s happening and grabs Jocelyne’s hands midair.

    Jocelyne releases energy from her fists while they’re in Carol’s hands, causing a small explosion.

    Jocelyne swings her feet down and tries to kick Carol in the stomach, but is blocked by Carol’s knee.

    Carol releases her hands, and she back flips to safety.

    Carol runs up to her and throws a punch at the side of Jocelyne’s head.

    Jocelyne barely blocks the attack, and ducks as Carol fires an energy beam over her head.

    A hole is made in the wall behind them.

    Jocelyne: Creation of Adam!

    Carol seems to teleport away from the attack, which destroys the desk.

    Carol: Ah yes, the technique you taught Joyce. Well here’s my technique.

    Carol raises her hand and forms a small ball of fire in her hand.

    Carol: (almost whispering) Lilith’s revenge…

    A massive column of fire shoots out from Carol, and envelopes the room. Starting a fire.

    Jocelyne is forced to block, singeing her arms and legs. The fire builds and smoke starts to fill the room.

    Carol: Now look, what you’ve done.

    Jocelyne rips part of her shirt and covers her nose and mouth.

    Jocelyne: How is this my fault?

    Carol: You keep trying to ruin my plans!

    Carol lifts Jocelyne up by her neck.

    Carol: And that ends now…

    Jocelyn quickly places her hand beneath her.

    Jocelyne: Creation of Adam!

    The floor explodes and they both drop through, landing in a pile of rubble surrounding by Amber, Ethan and Sarah.

    1. Liliet

      HOLY SHIT / AW YEAH

    2. Falling Star

      …That explains it.
      FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT

  9. Sageress

    Wow look at that print that’ll be for sale soon

  10. Kernanator

    Last panel mission statement. Never gets old.

  11. Darkoneko

    (also Walky is himself-ing away)

    1. WhoWasI

      And away from Dorothy who appears distressed by that. But is he going back to Billie or going for the vending machine?

      1. Reltzik

        Neither. Billie’s got labcoats guarding her and he’s not in a wacky enough mood to turn to junk food. He’s going off to angst alone.

        Dorothy needs to NOT follow him.

        1. Cerberus

          Yup. And that’s gonna be hard for her.

        2. Bagge

          Hopefully he will find Amazie-girl on a roof somewhere so they can share some racist cookies.

          I REALLY hope so. That would be very good for both of them.
          “Hi Amazie-girl. Glad to see you. I REALLY need some non-committing company right now. Wanna have a cookie?”
          “No thanks, I’m building up to assault your sister… wow, that sounded worse when I said it out loud. OK, maybe one cookie.”

        3. Disloyal Subject

          Yeah, I’m hoping he runs into someone too. Probably AG or Danny.
          Sal might not be a bad choice either, especially if AG is lurking and sees her cookie-buddy in the ‘blast radius’ of an offensive on Sal. I think they’re due for another sibling heart-to-heart.
          Today been a bossrush for Walky in terms of confronting feelings. But with Dorothy and the crew at his back he has plenty of powerups and extra lives. He can make it.

      2. WhoWasI

        Or maybe he want to get away from the happy feels. When I’m worried about stuff (like flunking out) or someone (like Billie), happy faces and happy people just annoy me.

        1. Orion Fury

          His friend from childhood is suicidal, he’s failing in his classes, and is on the outs with Dorothy (kinda). I can see him being depressed some here, what with all the feels flying about, and as such coping with it the way he was taught: be alone, `cause no one should see you like that.

        2. WhoWasI

          Triangle smile and the world smiles with you. Angst and you angst alone.

  12. Kris

    The end. Dumbing of Age had a good run all things considered.

    1. Bagge

      I really hope not but this WOULD be a decent place to end.

      1. StClair

        “This would be a good death. Good enough.

        whores.”

        1. Bagge

          Dumbing of Age by Frank Miller sounds like the worst thing ever.

          …although I AM reluctantly interested in how he would portray Becky and Dina.

        2. Fart Captor

          That’s easy. Toedad would have killed them.

        3. Bagge

          OK, I was right, it would be the worst thing ever.

        4. tim gueguen

          More like killed one, horribly scarred the other and had her become a prostitute/assassin.

        5. Fart Captor

          Obviously, Joyce becomes the prostitute due to her grief over her best friend’s death

        6. Fart Captor

          Also, Amber would be in a wheelchair because Sal didn’t catch her in time when she fell off the car.

        7. Dean

          The secret origin of Miho from Sin City.

    2. Doctor_Who

      Post credits scene: Joyce gets told about the Avengers Initiative.

      1. JessWitt

        The Dumbvengers Initiative.

        1. Tunaro

          So Carla’s obviously Tony Stark and I guess Sal’d be Natasha, who else’d be who?

        2. Doctor_Who

          Amber is Bruce. Joyce is Steve. I guess I’m seeing Marcy as Clint, may be the shades.

        3. Slartibeast Button, BIA

          Can’t decide if Jacob is Thor or Vision.

        4. Orion Fury

          I was thinking Thor at first, but we haven’t seen too much characterization in this `verse. Saying Falcon would probably be racist. As well as Panther. Damn it all, trying to run thru `verse 199999 Avengers to get one. He for me has a straightforwardness I found in the two characters listed above. Someone else probably has a better idea than me.

        5. Bagge

          Joyce is Bruce Banner.

          ToeDad REALLY didn’t like her when she was angry.

        6. Disloyal Subject

          I was going to say Joyce is so Steve it hurts, but you make a compelling argument for Hulkiness.
          I kinda want to see her cosplay She-Hulk now, but that’s Sarah’s major, and general build.

        7. Slartibeast Button, BIA

          Dorothy is Steve. Upright, honest, idealistic, and dedicated. A believer in America and working within the system.

          The 18(00) in all physical stats thing will come later, after Dina’s secret formula infuses her with dinosaur epigenetics.

        8. Bagge

          Other Jacob is Jarvis. (sorry, Sarah)

        9. Disloyal Subject

          Vision. He’s not aggressive enough for Thor, but he’s got the Vision’s snarky wisdom going on.

        10. Orion Fury

          How about Ruth as Thor? Danny as Ant-Man? Ethan as Vision? Mike as Quicksilver? Becky as Bucky?

        11. vlademir1

          I’d thought earlier to suggest Becky as Bucky, but that has issues in the fact that Bucky’s only really significant romantic attachment I can remember was with Natasha, making Dina a bit of an issue.

          Red Toe goes without question I suspect 😉

        12. Orion Fury

          Wasn’t really considering romantic relationships into the equation. Perhaps Mary as Thanos? Mike could be Loki.

        13. Disloyal Subject

          As easily as they both get slapped down, Mary could be Loki. i could see Mike as Rocket Racoon, though.

  13. lia47

    DAW

  14. BL

    d’aaaaaAAAAAAWWWWWWW

  15. Achallenger

    gold star for dad1 hades, gold stars for everyone. except you Walky. participation medal only fer u.

    1. Bagge

      He only got 26 on his test.

    2. Orion Fury

      Is it bad I’m saddened this comment wasn’t an even longer d’aww?

  16. Kernanator

    “This building, specifically. I’m camping out to make sure those two are alright.”

  17. meegan

    i’m having so many good feelings about those last two panels!!!

    1. meegan

      okay i am a tad concerned about walky walking away, but joyce smiling & dina and becky being adorable though

      1. Bagge

        Eh, he has no specific interest to pose for JoyceDad and he just learnt of the existence of a vending machine. I’m sure he will be fine.

        1. doubleW

          Walky was presented with Feels or Chocolate, and he chose as expected.

        2. Bagge

          FINALLY a game show to his taste.

          “Aaaaaaand for our final round Walky will chose between FEEELS or CHO…”

          “Chocolate!”

          “HE PICKS CHOCOLATE!!! AGAIN!!! WHO COULD HAVE GUEEEEESED!”

        3. Idontcarenomore

          Natchos.

        4. Orion Fury

          Well he’s a ‘guy’, so it’s kind of a non-choice.

  18. Mr. Mendo

    Good for you, Joyce. Good for you. 🙂

  19. Just Here

    Home is where they speak your brand of crazy.

  20. Some1

    4 years later:

    Dean of students: Joyce, you really should leave.

    Joyce: THIS IS HOME!

    1. Bagge

      Sierra: Joyce, if I have learnt something at college it is that sometimes you need to leave.

      1. Some1

        Joyce becomes the next Darkpower451

      2. Leafirebender

        This made me chuckle out loud

    2. Reltzik

      “In that case you need to at least apply to grad school and take out more loans.”

      “…. so me leaving, you said?”

    3. 3oranges

      I can remember feeling like school was at least a second home. And then one day visiting it, and being struck by how strangely empty it was. Wandering through a place I felt I belonged, that hadn’t changed at all and yet still no longer held anything for me.

      Homes like that are always transient, because they are really made of people.

      1. Cerberus

        And it’s the people who are the real home.

  21. Stephen R. Bierce

    Opinions? The best jingle ever for a vending-machine food item?

    1. Stephen R. Bierce

      The Bite That’s Right

  22. Fart Captor

    Okay, Becky and Dina in those last two panels are too adorable for words.

  23. Yumi

    “Strange personal choices” tho

    1. Pat

      To be fair, there are a lot of those around.
      I dunno if that’s what he meant (probably not), but he’s not wrong.

      1. Disloyal Subject

        Upside down grappling hook sex, Sixty McNuggets, Mike’s hair… yeah, plenty of strangeness going on. I suspect Becky’s haircut is the main thing he’s thinking of.

    2. Reltzik

      Eh, it’s progress. He’s moved from “this is satan” to “this is weird”.

      1. Will

        Which, you know, it kind of is (from a subjective viewpoint, which everyone has). Weird isn’t automatically wrong. Just weird.

        1. Disloyal Subject

          Everything is weird. Some of it we just take for granted.

  24. deadlinedance

    She smiled again.

    It’s getting better.

    1. deadlinedance

      Also just noticed the “DoA’s hottest lady 2016” poll over there.

      The current top three are correct.

      1. pjeseb

        What’s weird about the poll is, the three I picked were all right next to each other, there in the middle

      2. leafirebender

        If were just going on physical appearance … *ashamedly votes for Mary*

  25. Pat

    Hank, honey, those aren’t things she’d have to deal with less of back where you’re going.

    1. Achallenger

      yeah but there they bury it so deep, it will never, ever pop to the surface. no siree

      1. NotPiffany

        “Um, Daddy, the gun-toting asshole came from your world, remember?”

        1. Idontcarenomore

          Good Point.

      2. Cerberus

        I mean look no further than Bonnieeeeeeee, ergh, I mean, never mind that, let’s instead talk about the great personal choices of Johnnnnn ugh, I mean, the gun-toting asshole who came from er, uh… well, fuck.

  26. Lucretiel

    So uh bye Walky

    1. Slartibeast Button, BIA

      Too many feels! Must … get … away …

      1. inqntrol

        “What is this I am feeling? It’s like…I care about other people too.”

        1. Reltzik

          Nonono. See, the problem is that no one understands what he’s going through (because he doesn’t explain it) so he needs to be alone to process it (because he doesn’t want anyone to see it) and he is all alone in this and oh misery and angst!

        2. Cerberus

          Billie’s not the only one who’s had problems still being stuck in High School*.

          *Actually, this whole arc and the studying arc’s made me realize that Billie and Walky have parallel post-high school stories. Both had a certain form of success in their old lives in different forms and have had to come to college and realize that all of those old accomplishments literally mean nothing here.

          Billie’s gone through to acceptance of that, though she still struggles with her addiction and avoiding dealing with the depression that’s probably been underlying her actions for awhile now. Walky’s still where Billie was back in the beginning of the strip, not quite ready to start the humbling and hard work of accepting that he’s not back there and his old methods of handling things aren’t going to work anymore (that he’s going to need to study and going to need to abandon a lot of his toxic masculinity and negative ways of handling emotions or the viewpoints and life experiences of others).

        3. Bagge

          That’s a really good parallel.

        4. Willoughby Chase

          Billie and Walkie still retained their relationship from high school and now he realises that that relationship is finished.

        5. thejeff

          I don’t see that at all.

        6. Willoughby Chase

          Really? Ho hum.

        7. Fart Captor

          I don’t see it, either. If everything, they seem be closer now than they’ve been since they were little

        8. Fart Captor

          **if ANYTHING

        9. Willoughby Chase

          “Go away Walkie”

        10. Fart Captor

          If she’d actually insisted he leave, I would agree with you. But it was the doctors that kicked him out.

          Their dynamic is more like siblings than friends, so I think it would take something major, like repeating what he said about Ruth where Billie can hear him

  27. Pastafarian

    I guess Walky isn’t in a homey mood.

  28. Peter

    Hank’s doing pretty fine — but, just to be clear: the gun-toting asshole came from his walk of the woods, and there’s probably just as much, if not more, suicidal depression back there. As for “strange personal choices”… well.

    1. JoyceParty

      All of those things come from La Porte. Bear in mind Becky’s mother, and Becky herself filling bills 1 and 2.

  29. Kris

    The rest of Joyce’s sentence goes. “At least for the next three to four years then I will be moving back in for another five.”

  30. Speedball

    Gasp! He said “asshole!”

    1. Jason

      He has to put a dollar in the swear jar now.

      1. Disloyal Subject

        I’m sure sauce packets will suffice.

  31. Whammy

    Someone else can comment on the obvious “the gun-toting asshole being a direct result of the mentality and beliefs at home” and not college and do a better job than I could.

    Instead, just going to comment on the full levels of “d’awww” going in on that last panel. Oh, and see what Gravatar I got since from what I understand Gravatar roulette occured.

  32. JessWitt

    Later, Joyce’s dad. You were considerate. Best of luck with the missus.

    1. WhoWasI

      Yeah, I not sure we’ll see it in comic, but I think there going to be “hell to pay” when he gets home. She didn’t intent to let Joyce return here and he did it behind her back. “Fussy” is a huge understatement. More like burning red eyes and very un-christian language.

  33. Jay Eff

    The final panel reminds me of a certain Justice League cover, though a bit more light-hearted.

  34. StClair

    All of those things were back in La Porte, Hank. You just didn’t (let yourself) see them.

    1. Bagge

      Yeah, that’s the big, horrible truth he has just started to feel the edges of yet.

      I think the La Porte he comes home to will feel somewhat different from the one he left.

      1. Cerberus

        Yup. It’s going to be interesting to see how he handles that.

    2. Disloyal Subject

      I think he saw more than a little, but desperately tried to ignore as much as he could without impairing his ability to shelter Joyce from it.

  35. Tenchan

    The first panel of Dina biting onto that candy bar…
    is just…
    so…
    ADORABLE!!!!

  36. Random832

    I choose to believe that “strange personal choices” refers to Ethan still considering Mike a friend.

    1. Bagge

      I still hope that means that Ethan knows something about Mike that I don’t.

      1. Briny

        Bet it turns out to be a reason it’d be ‘wrong’ to judge Mike, instead of, like, an actual positive reason to associate with him.

    2. Ross

      Or the fact that Becky and Dina are apparently eating Chocolate bars for lunch

    3. BrokenEye, The True False Prophet

      That, or dressing up in yellow spandex and running around at night punching people

      1. Reltzik

        Now hold on. That’s a very inaccurate representation.

        Amazi-Girl does a lot more vaulting than running.

        1. Orion Fury

          As well as a fair amount of brooding.

    4. Cerberus

      That is a strange personal choice.

      1. Reltzik

        They’re teenagers.

        They get to eat multiple lunches.

  37. Bo Lindbergh

    Yep, Joyce is totally skrarmfortable with these oddballs.

  38. Saucy Jack

    Let’s tone it down a notch there, Mr. Poopoomouth!

  39. leafirebender

    /comic

    1. Jaybz

      Don’t even joke. It CAN’T END HERE, IT CAN’T

      1. WhoWasI

        Of course it can’t end here, there are two Willis babies to put through college. That’s another 20 books at least!

        1. Jaybz

          True. There is hope.

          Also….hey there Other Malaya!

        2. WhoWasI

          Wait, I thought YOU were Other Malaya.

          Other Rachel: Cut that out! That’s our thing!

  40. Yotomoe

    And then Walky left forever.

    1. Some1

      a few years later Dorothy is playing with her children at a park she briefly sees e a figure in a cloak and glimpses Walky’s face before he disappears.

      1. Bagge

        Eating a chocolate bar.

      2. Orion Fury

        He shall forever be know as, Walkman.

        1. Slartibeast Button, BIA

          He walks again by night …

    2. Stairmasternem

      This is the moment where Walky finally realized that the comic series does not revolve around him this time.

      1. Falling Star

        And it breaks him.

        1. Stairmasternem

          Either that or he realized he REALLY needs to pee.

  41. Paul

    Walky has turned his back to Dorothy in the last panel…

  42. Umbrella Paint

    SCREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE
    THIS IS SO ADOWABOW

  43. Tenzhi

    Home is where the skrarmf is.

  44. knightofvictory

    I really like Hank’s arc here. Despite growing up in the south surrounded by good churchgoing folk, I’ve thankfully never known a Toedad. But damn, I have known some Carols. Carols are everywhere. The Carol message was always the same, ‘there are people not like us, and they will burn in hell. Stay away from them’. It takes a lot of courage, when someone you care about is shunned from the church, to defy family, friends and pastor and help them. Not preach, or lecture, but actually HELP. I’ve seen people in Hank’s situation, and it’s incredibly difficult to open yourself up to ideas that everyone else says are ‘wrong’. It’s the kind of thing that gives me hope, that maybe people aren’t always stuck in their ways and upbringing. That sometimes, we choose to do the right thing. Hank’s out of his depth, but he’s trying, dammit. And I respect that.

  45. Archivist

    Thanks for summarizing the comic, Mr. Brown.

  46. Solenoid

    So… Walky’s walking away. A number of people have noticed that. Who else notices Dotty’s jaw dropping ever-so-slightly as she watches him leave?

    1. Disloyal Subject

      Dorothy’s reaction was what tipped me off to Walkerton in the first place, given all the cute in the foreground. It’s many folks’ natural inclination to focus on FAAAACEs.

  47. Teddae

    The end

    1. Peny

      You beat me to it. This is what I get for not checking immediately when it comes out.

      But honestly, not really. We still have Joyce’s mom and Ruthless/Billie and Sal vs. Amazi-Girl and Mary and everyone else’s problems to deal with.

      *shivers* You know what, I don’t even want to think about it anymore. I wish this could be the end.

    2. Stairmasternem

      Only if this was on tv! This sounds like the type of ending most shows seem to be getting; cancelled before they can complete all the strangling plots.

  48. Stephanie Hall

    That last panel is everything

  49. 0kami

    Well, Joyce seems more settled, and Dina and Becky are too adorable beyond words. And as for Walky, maybe he wandered off to play with the defibrillator paddles.

  50. Dara

    Unrelated to the new comic, I got my Kickstarter DoA collection book and bookmark, and I have to say I’m with Dina, I can totally hear the difference.

  51. Rukduk

    Oh my god Dina’s face in the first panel is priceless. Hank’s second guessing given the new information is sweet, even if it feels a little misguided. And then Joyce’s assertion that even with all the flaws this is still home is heartwarming. I think I’m going through an adorableness overdose.

  52. Peny

    Oh crap, Hank is leaving before Becky can find out she doesn’t have a room.

    1. thejeff

      Well, there’s a good chance Billie’s staying here for the night, so Becky’s okay for one more day.
      Billie’s plan worked!

    2. Bagge

      I really don’t think Dina has planned on letting go of Becky anytime soon.

      1. Disloyal Subject

        That’s unfortunate in its own way.
        Amazi-girl comes back in through Dina’s dorm window, and Becky 1) doesn’t know her secret identity, 2) is not the best keeper of secrets, 3) feels massively indebted to the superhero who fought her father, 4) is very much the sort of person to unhealthily bury her own negativity when she perceives others to need her support, and 5) is overdue for her own emotional breakdown.
        I want to get off Mr. Willis’ Wild Ride.

        1. Cerberus

          Yeah, in AG’s current state, she could very well be a threat to Becky having a roof and that would suck for everyone, and would mean Amber/AG losing Dina’s unwavering support.

        2. Disloyal Subject

          Oh shit. I was worried about either AG not getting to go home and maybe having a fight with Dina about it later, since AG’s boyfriend got to stay over, or Becky postponing her breakdown to try supporting AG and maybe accidentally outing her to someone, perhaps Sal. I hadn’t even considered chance of her erupting at Becky or losing Dina’s support.

  53. Jess

    Found families. <3

  54. Tarnagh

    Please let Joyce’s father be stronger than Becky’s mother please let Joyce’s father be stronger than Becky’s mother please let Joyce’s father be stronger than Becky’s mother …

    1. Needfuldoer

      Carol’s secret weapon is emotional blackmail, not physical violence, and we’ve seen her and Hank bicker before. The power balance in their relationship isn’t as one-sided as Bonnie and Ross’s (likely) was.

      However, I do see this as the catalyst of the Browns ending their marriage. Even now it seems like Hank’s had enough of her religious memes. We may not ever see it in the comic (since it’s going to take 20 years to hit summer break), but I’m sure we’ll see more hints as the fissure grows.

      1. Amazi-Stool

        Tarnagh is not writing about Carol, he is writing about Becky’s mother – the one who died from a suicide attempt.

        So he implies that Hank might attempt suicide, too!

        The “Damn You Willis!” is strong with Tarnagh!

        1. Tarnagh

          Exactly. Relying quite heavily on the “Damn You Willis!” factor.

    2. Kamino Neko

      He’s got a masculine role in the community, and therefor doesn’t have to take the same kind of crap that Bonnie did. Also, this revelation is new to him, so he’s not been ground under the awful for as long.

      Point B tells us that it’s not going to come to a head very soon, point A tells us it’s more likely to be divorce and leaving the community than topping himself.

  55. Reltzik

    So, Grav Roulette chose this night, of all nights, to make me Mike.

    What are you trying to tell me, Grav Roulette? What secret agenda and/or evil are you instructing me to unleash upon the DoA crowd? What? It involves a can of kerosene? Hmmm.

    Mike seems to have had a bit of new life breathed into him with the Ethan/Danny ship close on hand and so easilly demolished. He failed with Walky/Dorothy and that’s got to have been both a succession of defeats and learning experiences. He’ll be subtler and craftier this time around.

    I’m kinda surprised Mike isn’t at the hospital, actually. Suicidal depressives are easy marks. …. maybe he has limits.

    But so many opportunities missed in this one comic alone!

    …. I really don’t know what motivates Mike beyond simple cruelty with a bit of style. I mean, what deeper philosophy is he advancing here? It’s so pointless…. which I think is its own point. I think maybe he’s a nihilist — not an actual Nietche-style nihilist, but a Hollywood cliche nihilist. Just break everything down to prove it’s bullshit.

    …….

    Okay, now I want to see him and Joyce go head to head, simply so Mike gets his ass kicked. So opposites.

    1. Orion Fury

      He may not have know. Or was he there for Carla’s speech about ripping off Band-Aids ™?

      1. Reltzik

        There’s no way that it wasn’t the gossip of the entire building within 5 minutes of them leaving for the health center.

        1. Bagge

          5 minutes? Those rumours traveled so fast they hit relativistic speed and were flung SEVERAL WEEKS INTO THE PAST!!!!

          http://www.dumbingofage.com/2014/comic/book-4/02-i-was-a-teenage-churchmouse/familiar/

    2. Disloyal Subject

      He was trying to spare Dorothy a relationship with a fart-and-snacks obsessed manchild. The pajama jeans even worked, briefly, but he hadn’t accounted for Walky actually being just what Dorothy wanted, or for her genuinely caring for her boyfriend.
      He may not be angling to break up Ethan and Danny. He saw them making doe eyes at each other while clearly not intending to get together, and he’s sharp enough to likely guess that the only thing stopping them is concern for Amber. I think his plan to turn one or of them into “a jealous, whimpering mess” by seducing the other is calculated to make them put what’s good for them before worrying about Amber and just shack up already.
      I never finished Shortpacked or properly started It’s Walky, but I get the distinct impression Mike does everything he does for a reason, and he seems to love helping people by shattering their illusions in the most dickish ways possible.
      Given, however, that he is Mike, the help and resultant personal growth may be less the point than the pain of personal growth.

  56. Bagge

    When Becky starts cuddling Dina, she immediately makes dinosaur hands.

    No, I’m sorry. The adorable-meter (TM) is still broken. Yes, we tried to recalibrate it, it simply does not go that high. We are talking MegaPlatypus scale here.

    (I don’t care how cute they are, I STILL say it was a mistake to use one of the worlds only venomous mammals as a basis for the scale. Yeah, if you think that’s such a hot idea, Jennnifer, YOU can get the next calibration batch).

    1. Some1

      She’s a dinosaur loving, hat wearing girl of action!

      She’s a adorable little raptor, who is revealed as gay ay ay. (well bi actually)

      She’s got more than just mad skills, she’s got a dino hat and shirt, and the ladies swoon whenever they her her say.

      Raaar….

      She’s Dina

      Dina the dino girl!

    2. Cerberus

      Holy shit, I didn’t even notice that but you’re right. And they get more dino accurate the happier and more cuddled she is.

      Fuck, they are the most adorbs NRE couple ever.

  57. Her.

    “strange life choices” *heavy tired sigh*

    1. Orion Fury

      I know right? Who decides to just become a superhero?

      1. Reltzik

        “No one important.“

        1. Orion Fury

          Seriously? Was that Golden or Silver Age?

        2. Reltzik

          I THINK Golden Age?

        3. EvilMidnightLurker

          Golden. That was the classic Batman: Who He Is and How He Came To Be.

          (“Criminals are a superstitious and cowardly lot…”)

  58. Bagge

    “Of course I am cool with it, daddy. I’m also cool with hanging out with scientists, catholics and mormons (apart from the atheist you already know), drunk parties with BOYS, acts of burglary and vandalism, googling dickpics, riding motor cycles without helmets (with a girl I think I’m developing a crush on), the assault and near rape, oh, and me and Becky kissed once!”

    *Smile and nod… Smile and nod.*

    1. Orion Fury

      Wait a moment, Mormons?

      1. Bagge

        Agatha! http://www.dumbingofage.com/2012/comic/book-2/02-choosing-my-religion/catholic/

        1. Orion Fury

          I rather liked the punchline on the previous day’s comic there.

      2. Reltzik

        Agatha.

        Which means, yes, plural Mormons. Always two, there are.

        1. Orion Fury

          So who’s the other one?

        2. Cerberus

          Agatha’s unknown secret roommate?

    2. thejeff

      “Alright, some of that I’m not really cool with, but it’s better than Mom.”

      1. Bagge

        It’s horrible because it’s true.

  59. Orion Fury

    Yes Hank, “Fussy”. Poor bastard.

    Also, it’s been at least an hour and W. Chase hasn’t shit all over Walky walking away in the last panel. Must be running late. Though I do wonder what brand of awful he’ll attribute to Walky today.

  60. WhoWasI

    Yes. Life certainly made some very strange choices for me. *bewildered sigh*

    But that’s probably not what you meant.

    1. WhoWasI

      Well that did go where I intended.

      I was trying to reply to “Her.”.

      1. WhoWasI

        *didn’t
        (I quit.)

      2. Disloyal Subject

        It’s possible that the post you were replying to was erased.

        1. WhoWasI

          Nope, it’s still there. And considering the number of typos I made, I have to assume I screwed up.

          So remember, don’t comment tired!

          (I wonder if Willis has any idea how many sleep deprived people he has let loose on an unsuspecting world by releasing comics at midnight?)

        2. Disloyal Subject

          I think he knows all too well.
          I always remember not to comment tired, but when tired it’s too easy to rationalize ignoring that guideline.

  61. thumb

    Aww, how–

    Hol’ up. Walky’s turned his back and is walking away. Hmm. It’s gonna get depressing, isn’t it.

    DAMN YOU, WILLIS!

  62. But, Like...

    I’M NOT CRYING, YOU’RE CRYING

    1. Orion Fury

      Shut up, it’s a hospital, the air is very dry in here.

      1. Reltzik

        Onions! The put onions in the disinfectant, those evil geniuses!

    2. Rartorata

      beat me to it

  63. Thevoiceoftreason

    ‘Sorry dad, but you not thinking less of me wouldn’t make up for the fact everyone else in the community thinks less of me.’

    1. Idontcarenomore

      I would not care as much what the community thought if I knew my dad was 100 % behind me.

      1. JoyceParty

        Would you not care no more?

  64. Cerberus

    Comic Reactions:

    Panel 1: And Becky is officially treated to dinner.

    But more seriously, Becky’s already in her hyper nervous desperate smile mode that she breaks out when she’s at her limits of her worry and holding as brave a face as she can. That bodes well for her current battle against her flashback demons.

    Panel 2: Oh Hank, you’re trying so hard and that’s a really beautiful way of handling the need to bail out on stuff while also making sure your daughter who’s been through hell feels supported and stuff. Good dadding.

    Panel 3: Oh Hank, oh Hank. And here we see why he had to bail, because as hard as he’s trying he’s still got a lot of bigotry to push through. Lesbianism and atheism as strange personal choices. And don’t think I don’t see you being hesitant to let go the idea that suicidal depression is something that happens to people far far away from the good church even though you know what really happened to Becky’s mom.

    And holy shit, treating the “gun-toting asshole” as if it’s something that Joyce chose and stemmed from her college rather than his own church, oof. That’s an ugly dismount buddy. You’re still in the black overall, but that’s a lot of red to dump into the ledger at the very end.

    That all said, he more or less recovers a little in his last line offering her her own lifeline to bail if she needed it, while still placing the choice fully on her end. And that seems small except this whole weekend she’s been terrified that she’ll be dragged back by force and never allowed to return, so her dad at least framing it as a choice that is free for her to decide without (too much) judgment. So, I’ll give the whole attempt a solid 6.5. Sloppier than needs be but by no means terrible.

    You’ve salvaged your relationship with your daughter in a major way this Sunday, Hank. You should definitely be proud.

    1. Orion Fury

      A good warmup. Now his routine for finding out he has another daughter, that’ll be his go-home performance.

      1. Cerberus

        That’s the big test.

        If he defaults to the easiest path and rejects her, he’ll lose all three daughters and be left with just John, the elder-robbing son.

        If he learns enough from supporting Joyce to support her? Then, yeah, he’ll manage something really special and rare (unfortunately). I’m kinda rooting for him as he’s on the right path. I guess we just gotta wait and see if it is enough.

        1. Reltzik

          I’m calling that he’ll initially reject her, but start doing a bit of research two weeks later, come around to acceptance, but be unable to contact her because she burned her bridges in an effort to isolate herself from that toxicity.

        2. Reltzik

          …. this is why I shouldn’t have a Mike gravatar.

        3. Falling Star

          This is why EVERYONE should have a Mike Gravatar.

        4. Cerberus

          That would not be unlikely. I can also see her pre-burning her bridges out of an assumption that her older family would reject her or worse try and drag her off for reparative therapy.

        5. Rutee

          There is…
          another…

          brown…

          (Jordan, who we know exactly nothing about)

        6. Orion Fury

          Who’s the third, Becky?

    2. Fart Captor

      I was relieved that Becky seemed to be calming down in spite of getting stopped by the nurse, but then I noticed her eye in the first two panels. Still fighting to keep it together 🙁

      1. Bagge

        Dina and chocolate helped a lot there.

      2. Disloyal Subject

        Yeah. She might be feeling useless and worthless for “failing” to repay Billie’s kindness with her support.

        1. Fart Captor

          That, or doesn’t feel like she’s failed yet, since they’ll probably get a chance to see Ruth and Billie at some point. Though I think its more about feeling powerless than useless.

          She probably WAS starting to panic a bit, but after Dina found her, she started to calm back down.

          Seriously, every little nuance I notice or that somebody points out just makes this strip even more adorable.

    3. Bagge

      Hank is overall Hanking it right. I still think he could and should have done A LOT more for Becky (for example… asking her if SHE will be OK and if she needs something), but yeah, overall in the black.

      And there is something much more fundamental at play here than religion or life choices or bigotry or upcoming confrontations with Carol. He is a parent watching his child walking on thin ice that he has no idea how to navigate himself. He offers the to two things every parent ultimately HAVE to offer: Freedom and Support.

      Good on you, Hank. Good on you.

  65. Cerberus

    Comic Reactions (only one continued this time):

    Panels 4 and 5: That last line by Joyce is just… heart-melting. The emphatic statement that this is her home, the joy she experiences being connected with her support network again and her chosen family, and the lack of fear she feels with her dad to reject his offer with a smile on her face, not at all worried that by rejecting this she’ll be earning his disfavor.

    She’s made it through another emotionally hard weekend. And most impressive of all, she’s earnestly smiling. After so much anger and scowling and sadness, she’s happy Joyce again. She’s found at least some bits of catharsis even though the scars will likely linger for awhile.

    So, then, let’s talk background. I fucking love that Becky is making kissy faces at Dina and being adorable and Dina’s happy little smile at it and Becky’s sudden grin. She also doesn’t have the fear of him that she had when she asked to come along. and she’s just an adorable doofus with her happy dino gf. And I love that Joyce seems to especially look back at her as she says this.

    I think Bagge’s been noting this for awhile, but that moment of deciding to stand by Becky no matter what has been driving her for awhile and here it matters. It matters that what she used to consider home rejected Becky so thoroughly in its one chance to apologize for its role in sending Toedad their way and made her feel so small and powerless in the process. It matters that Becky seems actually happy here rather than scared. It matters that she’s grown enough that she’s no longer worried about losing her soul in supporting those her religion has taught her to hate. It all matters.

    And oof, Dorothy and Walky. Walky because he’s experiencing emotions again and so wandering off because he doesn’t like dealing with those and definitely is not up to reaching out and really processing what he’s feeling beyond the one allowed male emotion of anger.

    And Dorothy, because she’s being shut out again. And yeah, she respects that boundary, but she’s also all prepared with active listening and putting aside her homework to support him and he’s still not ready and may never be ready for that. And she’s, if only for her own mental health, going to have to accept that and try to avoid her own internal social pressure to serve as the ever-sacrificing emotional support and just let her bf spiral as he needs and just accept that the emotional connection she had with Danny isn’t really going to be in this to that level. That their dynamic is different and if that’s not a type of relationship she can handle, who knows, maybe it’s time to talk about what she needs and whether or not she can handle the relationship in its current arrangement.

    1. Bagge

      I really think so.

      For Joyce, home quite literary is where Becky is, or more to the point, where Becky is allowed to be.

      For two reasons.

      First – NO ONE IS TAKING JOYCE’S BECKY!!!!!!*
      I’m starting to wear out this link but… “Pit me against anything else in my life, you will win every time”. Joyce really meant it. Hell or High Water, she will stand by Becky.
      http://www.dumbingofage.com/2014/comic/book-5/01-when-somebody-loved-me/pit/

      Secondly – Joyce really is a good Christian (even if I’m not sure she sees it that way herself) and she took the lessons she learnt by heart, even if (unfortunately for her community) she learnt what they TOLD HER rather than what they WANTED HER TO LEARN. She learnt to do the Right Thing, no matter what. She learnt to be friendly, helpful, inclusive… she just never learnt that there were certain people she was suppose to exclude from that. Helping Becky is The Right Thing, and Joyce want to be a person who can do The Right Thing. Now when she has learnt that her old home betrayed that wish she will find a new one, where she can BE a good person rather than just pretend to be one.

      So there is a lot behind her words when she say that this is home.

      But there is one more very, very important word in there.

      Daddy.

      Hank has not lost his daughter. Despite all the terrible things he and his community did to Joyce and her Becky, she forgives, she includes and she allows second chances. Because that is ALSO the right thing do to.

      Anyway, my eye misting and heart swelling is getting a bit alarming so I have to run up on a roof somewhere and eat cookies to avoid feels.

      *General McPentagon: “I’m good, I’m good, Please don’t hurt me!!!!” *Hides behind tanks*

      1. Paul1963

        Ex-Catholic here, just saying that Joyce is becoming a better Christian the longer she stays away from La Porte. Which, I suppose, is just a shorter version of what Bagge just said.
        “Treat people right, try not to be an asshole.” Pretty much what it all boils down to. I actually said this to a priest a few years back, and he didn’t argue the point.

  66. Reltzik

    Let me just add that I am SOOO relating to Walky here.

    Not in a good way.

    One of my own personal flaws is the way my relationships tend to fail. I am by default a very private, very closed person out of a baseless paranoia and fear of judgement. For… whatever reason, there are people I can be open with, and they tend to become my romantic partners.

    … and then their opinion starts to REALLY matter to me, and I get afraid and close on up again.

    Stupid stupid stupid Walky being like me in all the wrong ways. … well, most of the wrong ways.

    1. Cerberus

      *hugs*

      That sucks.

      I don’t have quite the same thing, but I have a lot of fears of reaching out to romantic partners and letting them emotionally support me because of various issues and traumas. It’s a slow process trying a little more day by day to reach out and trust that it won’t end poorly. So far, my current partners have been more or less very supportive.

      Hopefully, it will be that way for you soon too.

    2. Falling Star

      That’s me with everyone. Family, friends, it doesn’t even matter.
      God, I need a hug.
      [hugs]

      1. Emperor Norton II

        You will always have internet hugs from me, Falling Star. As many as you ever need.

  67. Doopyboop

    Becky and Dina give me life. Cuties. CUTIES. LOOKIT THAT KISSY FACE. AAAAAA.

  68. Idontcarenomore

    I like DoA a lot. The writing is really first rate. Pretty amazing the highs and lows that the kids go through and the way they morph from one to the next.
    Joyce has grown so much it is amazing and I’m glad she’s feeling confident to stay in school with her ‘family.’

  69. Idontcarenomore

    PS I like the art also.

  70. NinjaNick

    That was cute. ^^

  71. Acher4

    I dunno, but this strip seems to be the most lovable, cute thing ever.
    <3
    <3
    <3

  72. AlexDenton

    And bam, end of the comic, thanks everyone, you can go home now 😀
    Kidding please don’t let this end XD

  73. Needfuldoer

    You’re a good man, Hank Brown.

  74. Odditude

    I love this strip so much. It indicates so much character growth for both Joyce and her dad.

  75. Willoughby Chase

    Good one, Hank.

  76. fishamaphone

    Oh geez, between this and the ending of the last Steven Universe, I’m full of all kinds of homey feels.

  77. LynneB

    “Suicidal depression and strange personal choices”
    “Don’t worry Daddy, this is [what I consider] home”

    I’m going to take a slightly different tack here, as in “this is possibly one of the scariest and most worrying things a child can say to a parent.”

    1. Bagge

      Possibly one-uped by the continuation:
      “it is better than the last place I called home”

      1. Cerberus

        Hank’s gonna have some sleepless nights processing things, isn’t he?

        1. StClair

          Staring at the ceiling, questioning.
          While next to him, and down the hall, the “righteous” sleep deeply, without concern or doubt.
          Such is the world.

        2. Cerberus

          The stereotype is that those who are doing wrong have the sleepless nights while those who try and do right sleep soundly unhaunted by their consciences.

          But in reality, it always seems to be the opposite, with those trying to do right spending a lot of sleepless nights trying to figure out to help people or unpacking their baggage, while those like Carol or John sleep soundly never questioning the rightness of their causes or second-guessing their ill deeds.

        3. Reltzik

          Blessed are the sleepy ones, for they shall soon drop off.

        4. LynneB

          Yep, to both you and StClair.

          Let’s also not forget “praying daughter comes out of this ‘home situation’ alive, unscarred and undamaged.” Because even with the most acceptance and best will in the world, being around suicidal, dysfunctional people can involve damage, especially to the innocent.

  78. Abel Undercity

    Home is where you SKRARMF your candy bar.

  79. LWS

    It’s the Land of Misfit Toys…

  80. Kirkybobz

    Joyce, you’re such a sweetie. This has a bit of a finalistic feeling to it.

    So I guess I’ll say Dumbing of Age is my favourite webcomic, I’ve followed it for over a year and its story, its characters and Willis’ wonderful drawings have always given me great enjoyment.

    WILLIS, WE SALUTE YOU.

    1. George Wiman

      ^^^ What Kirkybobz said, every syllable.

      Hank, you are damn lucky and maybe very smart. You could easily have ended up losing your daughter. But you had her put her wrist brace back on, and said “Let’s get you back to college”. You recognized the peril of that moment and kept the important part of your universe connected. Because pit her against anything else in your life and she knows she will win every time – she knows that and learned it from you for Becky.

      Now Carol, that’s gonna be another story altogether.

    2. Disloyal Subject

      *plays For Those About to Rock on the sliced Muzak*
      I wonder what local laws say about owning and firing a cannon in a residential area.

  81. Kreuz Elf

    Took entire 6 Books to reach that feeling of beeing at home..

  82. Stairmasternem

    I think we were all wrong this time, even Willis himself. This book will not be named after a Carla line, it’s going to be Book 6: SKRARMF

    1. Mara

      Great minds think alike – I was just about the suggest that book title.

      Or “It almost feels easier if they were monsters.”

      1. Stairmasternem

        That’s a fitting one! I think with how serious this book has been – with Toedad and Ruth – I think a more morose quote would be good.

        Plus this would be the only chance Hank would get on being on a cover.

  83. Crumplepunch

    “-in the psych ward. Wait, no, I didn’t think this through.”

  84. JasonAW3

    Ok, now I want to hug Joyce.

    College has been very good for her.

  85. Teppy

    That last panel.

    I’M NOT CRYING; YOU’RE CRYING.

  86. Falling Star

    Yay!
    This made my whole day so much better!

  87. Bizzarro

    Noo walkers is walking away

    1. Bizzarro

      Also SKARMPH

  88. junkfx

    LONG TIME READER, first time poster…
    This was a LONG time coming and it hit me in the gut like a rocket! Perfect!

  89. Ashley Lightheart

    OMG SHE FINALLY SMILED!!! And that moment was soooo cute!!!

  90. Makkabee

    She’s grown so much in such a short time.

    http://www.dumbingofage.com/2013/comic/book-3/03-answers-in-hennessy/belong-here/

  91. Lulu

    Wouldn’t this be a really nice moment to end the comic?

    1. Falling Star

      NO.

  92. Firedaws

    Walky walking away from the camera in the fourth panel gives me a very deep sense of foreboding 🙁

  93. Roborat

    I like Dina’s teeth in the first panel, they match her hat.

  94. Dave O

    Can’t tell you how happy this particular strip makes me feel.

  95. Tenn

    Oops! Warm fuzzy feelings overload! 😀

    *ded*

  96. Amazi-Stool

    Hmmm.

    Hank mentioned Toedad in the third panel and in the following panels Joyce is grasping her injured hand with her other hand ….

    That seems to be a reflex with a history!

  97. Doctor Mobius

    Wife – “Mobius, are you crying?”

    Me – *snrk* “…no.”

  98. Willoughby Chase

    In the last panel, the lesbian couple are happy, whilst the het couple seem to be entering some sort of gloom.

    I wonder what this does to Hank’s sense of the world? “Strange personal choices” are a positive in the world, and for him may become less strange as time goes bye.

  99. chiscii

    I LOVE HOW MUCH LOVE BECKY IS GIVING TO DINA AAAAAAAA THEY’RE GOING TO BE THE ABSOLUTE ＤＥＡＴＨ OF ME

  100. Jim the Fish

    Y’know that scene in Robin Hood where they kiss the jewels right out of the guy’s rings? That’s what I imagine happened to Dina’s teeth between panels 4 and 5

  101. Falling Star

    CAN’T UNSÈE

    1. Falling Star

      1. That was supposed to be a response to the above comment.
      2. What the hell, autocorrect.

  102. maninblack

    Why did ‘Dads’ voice become Jimmy Stewart in my head.

  103. Amake

    Oh, 23.5 hours later I realize Becky and Dina are eating their chocolates like dinosaurs. ♥

    1. Orion Fury

      One of the best ways to nom chocolate is to nom it.

  104. Beachfox

    Awwwwwwww….

    I mean, I know there’s a Pain Train rounding the corner as we speak, but still:
    DAWWWWWWWWwwwwww!

  105. HappyBirthday

    Vending machines can be found wherever misery takes you.

  106. Woobie

    Home is where you go for Thanksgiving.
    It took me a long, long time to find another.

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