Well for one, I can’t fathom why else anyone could possibly tolerate Raidah. That doesn’t seem Jacob’s style, but that whole relationship has always baffled me.
Oh, huh. I remembered this exact strip but with the roles reversed. Thought that Raidah wanted to fool around and he said Nah. ^^
Ok, so he might not be ace (at the very least, not sex-repulsed ace).
Asexuality doesn’t mean someone isn’t interested in sex. It just means someone doesn’t experience sexual attraction (although some asexuals don’t want sex, it’s not what defines asexuality). I’m ace and I was plenty interested in sex at that age- really until my 30s- and my demisexual best friend was much the same. My interest in sex now is basically “meh, too much hassle”. But I’ve never wanted sex with someone based on their appearance.
Jacob showed attraction in the Walkyverse, but that was to someone he also had an emotional connection with, so… his sexuality is still open between grey/demisexual and allosexual (allosexual meaning… just someone who experiences sexual attraction.) Alternatively his prior incarnation might not matter on that front.
Sooo yeah. Willingness to “fool around” =/= allosexual!
Adam Black
He was a sex addict in walkeryverse.
Wren
He struggled with various addictions in Walkyverse, yeah. It’s been a long time but I only remember him showing actual sexual attraction to Amber? Maybe I forgot something, though.
I’m really inclined to think that he’s not anywhere on the asexual spectrum and just isn’t into casual sex, but as someone who didn’t know I was ace until my mid thirties because I didn’t actually know what it was or even what sexual attraction was, I think it’s important to recognise what asexuality isn’t, is all.
BorkBorkBork
In the Walkyverse, Jacob had attraction to Amber, sure, but he also slept with Amber’s mom, and Roz a whole bunch of times, and I’m pretty sure a few others. Pretty much all someone had to offer it and he’d do it. Eventually he left and settled down working for Sarah’s lawfirm in what I can assume was a non-sexual relationship.
Wren
Long overdue and you probably won’t see this but again… sexual attraction =/= willingness to sleep with someone. I had a phase of “all someone has to do is offer” and, again, I am asexual (and I also didn’t develop an addiction, which is a whole other thing to address and still doesn’t mean sexual attraction, since the addiction would either be to the chemicals released during sex (likely for Jacob) or the need for physical closeness (unlikely for Jacob given he was overall prone to addiction).)
Again, I’m not arguing that I think Jacob is anywhere on the asexual/greysexual spectrum- I don’t (although I could be wrong). I’m just pointing out that wanting, having or being open to sex does not preclude a person from being anywhere on that spectrum, and I’m saying it as someone who has literally never ever experienced sexual attraction and had experiences similar to Jacob’s in my late teens through my twenties.
He handled the Joyce situation pretty poorly, that’s a flaw. And it’s not something I hold against him bc its like one of the few moments where you remember “oh yeah this kids 18 and not 35 with kids and a mortgage”
I get the impression that he doesn’t grok that other people experience things differently. Specifically with Sarah, he’s like coaching her to be social like him. He has said some “have you tried not being introverted?” shit before.
This scene feels like his next word is “… but”, and he decided to push Sarah out of her comfort zone and open up before he rejected her. Because he thinks it will build her confidence socially. But she seems to have a history of romantic interests fucking with her.
It’s different than with Lucy, who couldn’t ever work up the nerve to ask Walky out. Sarah’s had the nerve before, and she’s been hurt by it.
It’s not a horrible flaw, and it is, like I said, based on my impressions.
This… might be an indication that Jacob’s been thinking about Sarah a lot, that he’s able to express his feelings about her so clearly and articulately. Not so much that he’s rehearsed what he said, as he’s taken plenty of time to explore the thoughts.
… that’s not a bad thing, but it might explain why he’s able to put it in such pretty words rather than just blurting it out.
ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhh I was wondering what “huge loss” Joyce had gone through. She’s had a lot of traumatic experiences but that seemed like a weird way to describe them.
I think he most certainly worked it out. Didn’t he call her out on it previously?
DashWallkick
Inadvertently — she was lusting after him way back during when Joyce was still starting a crush on him while trying to get him and Sarah together. He mentioned “people look at me as a sex object, that can be scary” and Sarah went “…ah.”
They’re kind of past that now because they both know she likes him and it’s not just a carnal, “I want you to destroy my back walls” kind of sex object lust. He knows she just has a hard time expressing it, which is why “I want you to destroy me” yesterday was recognized as progress and not just hooting and throwing dollar bills.
Mark
Wait: isn’t it the cliff that eventually succumbs to the waves and crumbles? You can’t break water.
Schpoonman
What if the cliffs eventually are eroded to the point where a spectacularly radioactive deposit is hiding and every time the waves hit that patch of rock they instantly vaporize?
thejeff
The evaporated water rains back down into the sea and continues to beat against the cliffs until the radiation fades.
Which will be quickly for anything that hot.
Decidedly Orthogonal
Freeze it, then smash with hammer. Alternately, apply salt, and electricity. Either way, you absolutely can break water.
Wow, that’s actually really nice. No wonder he has such patience for her. I also like that she realizes and acknowledges how deep and heartfelt his comment was. Fingers crossed that he recognizes her esteem for him, that allowed her to share her desires. I hope he realizes how hard it was for her!
Although… this is a man who dated vicious social climber Raidah just to impress his family. Unless he has completely reformed his list-making, check-boxing ways, he won’t go for a roll in the hay. Or even an impulsive fling. Or a mad love affair.
Seriously though, I do think Jacob probably learned to reconsider what kind of partner he really wants from his experience with Joyce and Raidah. But also that doesn’t mean he’s suddenly into jumping into bed with someone.
118 thoughts on “Pat pat smooth”
Ana Chronistic
“BIG HEARTS UNITE”
…
“BY BEATING LIKE FROTHY SURF AGAINST YOUR CLIFFSIDE”
C.T. Phipps
Jacob: Which is why I’m coming out as asexual.
Sarah: What.
True Survivor
Thanks for the chuckle.
Vukodlak
I was going to go with “and now you just have to wake up and have this conversation for real” followed by Sarah waking up in bed.
Freezer
I will pre-order the next three volumes if that happens.
Thag Simmons
Alternatively he’s not currently single
SailorCakes
Who isn’t single? Jacob? Cause he is a 100% single my dude ?
zee
Willis you have to give us Jacob PLEASE. Do it for pride month
Fuck it im claiming him either way, my ace head canons cannot be stopped
Felian
Curious, have we seen proof that Jacob is interested in sex?
Decidedly Orthogonal
Well for one, I can’t fathom why else anyone could possibly tolerate Raidah. That doesn’t seem Jacob’s style, but that whole relationship has always baffled me.
thejeff
Fooling around, at least.
Felian
Oh, huh. I remembered this exact strip but with the roles reversed. Thought that Raidah wanted to fool around and he said Nah. ^^
Ok, so he might not be ace (at the very least, not sex-repulsed ace).
Wren
Asexuality doesn’t mean someone isn’t interested in sex. It just means someone doesn’t experience sexual attraction (although some asexuals don’t want sex, it’s not what defines asexuality). I’m ace and I was plenty interested in sex at that age- really until my 30s- and my demisexual best friend was much the same. My interest in sex now is basically “meh, too much hassle”. But I’ve never wanted sex with someone based on their appearance.
Jacob showed attraction in the Walkyverse, but that was to someone he also had an emotional connection with, so… his sexuality is still open between grey/demisexual and allosexual (allosexual meaning… just someone who experiences sexual attraction.) Alternatively his prior incarnation might not matter on that front.
Sooo yeah. Willingness to “fool around” =/= allosexual!
Adam Black
He was a sex addict in walkeryverse.
Wren
He struggled with various addictions in Walkyverse, yeah. It’s been a long time but I only remember him showing actual sexual attraction to Amber? Maybe I forgot something, though.
I’m really inclined to think that he’s not anywhere on the asexual spectrum and just isn’t into casual sex, but as someone who didn’t know I was ace until my mid thirties because I didn’t actually know what it was or even what sexual attraction was, I think it’s important to recognise what asexuality isn’t, is all.
BorkBorkBork
In the Walkyverse, Jacob had attraction to Amber, sure, but he also slept with Amber’s mom, and Roz a whole bunch of times, and I’m pretty sure a few others. Pretty much all someone had to offer it and he’d do it. Eventually he left and settled down working for Sarah’s lawfirm in what I can assume was a non-sexual relationship.
Wren
Long overdue and you probably won’t see this but again… sexual attraction =/= willingness to sleep with someone. I had a phase of “all someone has to do is offer” and, again, I am asexual (and I also didn’t develop an addiction, which is a whole other thing to address and still doesn’t mean sexual attraction, since the addiction would either be to the chemicals released during sex (likely for Jacob) or the need for physical closeness (unlikely for Jacob given he was overall prone to addiction).)
Again, I’m not arguing that I think Jacob is anywhere on the asexual/greysexual spectrum- I don’t (although I could be wrong). I’m just pointing out that wanting, having or being open to sex does not preclude a person from being anywhere on that spectrum, and I’m saying it as someone who has literally never ever experienced sexual attraction and had experiences similar to Jacob’s in my late teens through my twenties.
Amós Batista
I’m specialist in rejection. You can call me Sempai. Señor Rejection.
So, I can say with knowledge, that Jacob will drop some hard rejection to her.
EpochFlame
jacob is brilliant
True Survivor
I know. I mean have some secret horrible flaw, man. Just one. Your making the rest of us humans look bad.
GholaHalleck
He cuts his sandwiches in flat half instead of diagonals.
Vanessa
I think it’s the flaw that allowed him to date Raidah, he’s got a list and he’s checking it twice. Could he bring this girl home to Mommy and Brother?
Dante
He likes strong women because he doesn’t know what he wants out of life y/n
Dude is brilliant. Too brilliant to just be following along his bro’s footsteps out of admiration.
Throwatron
Oooh, right, I kinda forgot that.
Mark
Or he does know, and one thing he wants is a strong woman.
Nymph
Right? Literally no harm in men who want a strong woman, it’s not a character flaw.
zee
I think they meant the “doesn’t know what he wants out of life” and “too brilliant to be following in his brother’s footsteps” as the flaws
Nymph
“He likes strong women because he doesn’t know what he wants out of life”
Suggesting he wouldn’t if he knew what he wanted out of life. I disagree as above.
Hoboturtle
There always a chance that his short packed flaw comes back, which was he gets easier obsessed about things (sex, collectibles, food, etc).
Considering how Sarah back story was caused by her room mate becoming dependent on drugs this would be a cruel twist.
zee
He handled the Joyce situation pretty poorly, that’s a flaw. And it’s not something I hold against him bc its like one of the few moments where you remember “oh yeah this kids 18 and not 35 with kids and a mortgage”
HueSatLight
I get the impression that he doesn’t grok that other people experience things differently. Specifically with Sarah, he’s like coaching her to be social like him. He has said some “have you tried not being introverted?” shit before.
This scene feels like his next word is “… but”, and he decided to push Sarah out of her comfort zone and open up before he rejected her. Because he thinks it will build her confidence socially. But she seems to have a history of romantic interests fucking with her.
It’s different than with Lucy, who couldn’t ever work up the nerve to ask Walky out. Sarah’s had the nerve before, and she’s been hurt by it.
It’s not a horrible flaw, and it is, like I said, based on my impressions.
Reltzik
This… might be an indication that Jacob’s been thinking about Sarah a lot, that he’s able to express his feelings about her so clearly and articulately. Not so much that he’s rehearsed what he said, as he’s taken plenty of time to explore the thoughts.
… that’s not a bad thing, but it might explain why he’s able to put it in such pretty words rather than just blurting it out.
Yumi
Hm, I’m not sure I considered the angle of how Sarah’s experiences with Dana compare to Jacob’s experiences with Ethan. I like it!
Fuzzy
ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhh I was wondering what “huge loss” Joyce had gone through. She’s had a lot of traumatic experiences but that seemed like a weird way to describe them.
morhek
There’s a “but” but on the horizon. And not the one Sarah’s thinking of.
Michael Steamweed
It ain’t butts disease. It’s buts disease! Which is worse!
morhek
Meant to write “big “but” on the horizon.” Dang typoes.
shadowcell
only a few, though
Rose by Any Other Name
Re: alt text
I also disagree with Sarah (and agree with Maggie). Although props to Jacob cause that was very nice too.
Nono
I’m surprised ‘I WANT TO BE THE CLIFF AGAINST YOUR WAVES” is working.
Alongcameaspider
To be fair her thirst for him was so unsubtle that I’d be shocked if he hadn’t worked that out on his own by now
Cholma
I think he most certainly worked it out. Didn’t he call her out on it previously?
DashWallkick
Inadvertently — she was lusting after him way back during when Joyce was still starting a crush on him while trying to get him and Sarah together. He mentioned “people look at me as a sex object, that can be scary” and Sarah went “…ah.”
They’re kind of past that now because they both know she likes him and it’s not just a carnal, “I want you to destroy my back walls” kind of sex object lust. He knows she just has a hard time expressing it, which is why “I want you to destroy me” yesterday was recognized as progress and not just hooting and throwing dollar bills.
Mark
Wait: isn’t it the cliff that eventually succumbs to the waves and crumbles? You can’t break water.
Schpoonman
What if the cliffs eventually are eroded to the point where a spectacularly radioactive deposit is hiding and every time the waves hit that patch of rock they instantly vaporize?
thejeff
The evaporated water rains back down into the sea and continues to beat against the cliffs until the radiation fades.
Which will be quickly for anything that hot.
Decidedly Orthogonal
Freeze it, then smash with hammer. Alternately, apply salt, and electricity. Either way, you absolutely can break water.
PedanticJerkass
Yeah, he did.
Vanessa
Wow, that’s actually really nice. No wonder he has such patience for her. I also like that she realizes and acknowledges how deep and heartfelt his comment was. Fingers crossed that he recognizes her esteem for him, that allowed her to share her desires. I hope he realizes how hard it was for her!
Coatl
Right, it’s Sarah’s turn to have a good time
Vanessa
Perfect icon! Let’s hope so.
Vanessa
Although… this is a man who dated vicious social climber Raidah just to impress his family. Unless he has completely reformed his list-making, check-boxing ways, he won’t go for a roll in the hay. Or even an impulsive fling. Or a mad love affair.
justin8448
But this is New Jacob! With bleached hair!
Seriously though, I do think Jacob probably learned to reconsider what kind of partner he really wants from his experience with Joyce and Raidah. But also that doesn’t mean he’s suddenly into jumping into bed with someone.
Tan
He explicitly stated he was throwing out the version of the checklist that wound him up with Raidah. https://www.dumbingofage.com/2019/comic/book-10/01-birthday-pursuit/workedout/
eh, whatever
No, that was just a bonus; he really believed she was what he wanted.
Rocketboy1313
Jacob is Clark Kent.
Bootshivers
Brain fart, who is Maggie?
Eolirin
Willis’s wife.
Bootshivers
Ah, thanks!
John Campbell
David Willis’s wife. She had a cameo in the comic way back.
NGPZ
Oh shit, I didn’t even know that was her!
Live and learn 😮
Mark
I had forgotten, but I think it’s mentioned in one of the books.
Miri
I didn’t know either!
Nymph
oh wow, the alt-text for that comic – I had entirely forgotten about Something Positive.
DailyBrad
Hell yeah!
Opus the Poet
And the alt-text mentioned Ultra-car’s mindless body’s cameo in Something Positive.
IntangibleMatter
Next strip shows her yanking even harder on that shirt
Jeremiah
Jacob is such a good egg.
DailyBrad
Part of me wonders if he found out anything about happened to Sarah re: Raidah, if that plays any part in what’s going on.
Barring that, it’s interesting if Ethan is part of why he gained some empathy for Sarah’s situation.
Dante
I think you’re right on the money. Because he had to have heard at least a partial account from Raidah of what happened, right?
And then he must’ve seen Raidah for who she was the day they broke up. Which we didn’t get to see, if memory serves?
Yumi
https://www.dumbingofage.com/2019/comic/book-10/01-birthday-pursuit/bubblebrained/
Dante
Huh! You’re right!! I had forgotten this completely, why did I felt like they had a worse one?