And here we have the incredibly rare and woefully under-appreciated interrobang.
This is an incredibly special & unexpected opportunity to see such a marvellous specimen in its natural habitat; usually exposure to the interrobang is limited to grammatical journals and Wikipedia.
This IS the game, Ethan. This is literally it. Staying emotionally detached while you get hung up on the first actual source of sexual attention you’ve allowed yourself to experienced from the gender you’re attracted to. PLEASE find a boyfriend before he’s able to destroy you with this.
Panel 7 Mike looks more like resignation. Ethan knows Mike is right; he’s offered no illusions. There will never be strings attached. Mike isn’t going to be Ethan’s boyfriend or husband. This would just be a temporary fling, and Ethan shouldn’t be surprised if Mike goes out and screws another guy three hours later.
Mike is putting it all out on the table, and goes, ‘but you’re still going to want to take the carrot, aren’t you?’. Because better deal with the devil you do than the angel you don’t.
Mike in the Walkyverse specialized in being an asshole and yet being brutally honest at the same time. Yeah, it’s sincere, but at the same time he knows Ethan won’t just do it anyway.
Pretty much. From Ethan’s angry expression in panel 6, I think he even knows this. But the makeouts are hot and Mike is convenient, so he’ll still fall for it -_-
Especially when you can be upfront about them meaning nothing, keep your promise not to touch the guy he has a crush on and still leave them both destroyed emotionally when you’re done.
I don’t think you get Mike at all. Mike doesn’t care about hot makeouts. Mike cares about hurting people. That’s it.
I think you’ve actually got Mike wrong, or at least, your not seeing the depth. Hurting people is the normal result of his actions, but more importantly, it’s about making them hurt THEMSELVES.
He’s a catalyst, not a cause. If his ‘victims’ turn out miserable, it’s only because they were always going to be miserable eventually, he just cut through the years of denial and self-deception that usually precedes that. At least, that’s how he’s rationalizing it. Mental illness runs deep.
thejeff
Making them hurt themselves makes it better, of course.
I’m far from convinced there’s anything beyond that. Maybe a rationalization, as you say. Mostly it seems to be a matter of vulnerability and proximity.
DocHarleen
And reminded why I don’t bother commenting on things for the most part anymore, so thanks for that.
Dang, called out, I guess? All I meant was I’m with Mike on what he’s saying. And I am pro-makeouts. I know Mike likes to hurt people. Apologies for not being clearer, I suppose.
I am happy for Ethan here. Even though this is not going anywhere for Ethan, but he is still able to experience things which otherwise is difficult for him to come to terms with. I hope he doesn’t develop feelings for Mike, but maybe on the other hand that’s not so bad :-/
It would be interesting to see what happens when Ethan realizes he needs more than just smooches, but till then ride the ship, Ethan, just ride the ship.
Oh no, this is going somewhere. It’s being very carefully steered.
I’d say Ethan’s an idiot for falling for it since he knows Mike, but then we’ve got readers falling for it and they’re not distracted by hormones and Mike’s told us what he’s planning.
Well, I mean, if a piece of media DOESN’T do that, then what’s the point?
I mean, three of my favourites (besides DoA) are Game of Thrones, Redwall, and Steven Universe. That state of flux is so normal for me now I just roll with it now.
Me while reading: Noooo! My poor sweet babies! AUTHOR, WHY MUST YOU TORMENT YOUR CHARACTERS SO?
Me while writing: This character has been orphaned, whipped, sentenced to death, thrown overboard by pirates, captured by enemy soldiers, near-fatally poisoned, put on trial for his life before an angry mob, tortured in front of his best friend, and thrown into prison again.
…
Let’s stab him.
Tbh I’ve reached the point where I’ve lost the “Nooo my babies”, and now I’m just like “Bwahahahaha yesss Willis, destroy the foolish mortals. You brought the small pervert? Eeexcellent. The blonde Agent of chaos is back? Oh my favourite, how wonderful. I can’t wait to see how his deliciously eeeevil plan works out~”
Though I don’t actually see mike as a one dimensional evil piece of shit like everyone else does but w/e
This is exactly why mike is my favorite character. I know that every time he comes around, he’s up to something bad, but it’s so deliriously entertaining from a story standpoint.
Ahh, I think maybe this is it. He has been pretty unimpressed with Ethan’s internalized homophobia, and the Joyce relationship. Maybe he wanted Ethan to recognize his neglected needs?
Then again, maybe he enjoyed himself, too. It’s not like he was a ton more openly enthusiastic in Shortpacked with Amber when they started, either.
It would be interesting to know more of their history. How good of friends were they in high school? Did Mike ever get involved with guys before his recent making out with Ethan?
There’s a scene in an earlier strip somewhere where he was coming out of another dude’s room some pretty blatant implications. I think Mike’s attracted to… whatever is most entertaining at any given moment.
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: Mike is spite-sexual. If having sex with someone means he’ll be able to spite someone (either the one he’s sleeping with, or someone else), then that’s what turns him on. The physical attributes of his partner is secondary.
In addition to the stuff people have mentioned, even before college, Mike was known to Ethan as not being straight, at any rate. Ethan mentions it to Amber, who was incredulous before thinking it over, so I don’t know that he’s dated guys exactly, but he’s certainly fooled around with them.
While I *personally* don’t think he is, the idea of Mike being all tsundere is… oddly adorable? (Shut up, it’s not like I just like tsundere characters or anything. D-dummy…)
*plays the Doobie Brothers again on the hacked Muzak*
—You say ‘Comfort me!’
To anyone who approaches
Chalkin’ up the hurt
You live and you learn
But we both are old enough to know
That we’d trade it ALL right now
For just ONE MINUTE of Real Love…
In addition, if you’re a pretty passive guy (like Ethan), ‘hotness’ can actually work against you; either you’re attractive but want people to hit on you (and they won’t because they’re either intimidated or assume a “hot guy like him definitely already has someone attached”), or people just want to use you for your body (see: Jacob). Actually finding someone to date can be more difficult.
Of course, the best thing to do is to force yourself out there.
163 thoughts on “Up-front”
Ana Chronistic
“Hey Ethazoid, wanna give up all your self-worth and dignity for some meaningless smoochin’?”
“DO I‽‽‽”
Architex
Did you just… interrobang?
motorfirebox
You can’t interrobang in here, this is a family webcomic!
Formedras
And yet that ad on the left…
Historyman68
This strip is the prelude to interrobang.
David DeLaney
And then, after the inevitable yet totally unforeseen breakup, it becomes … exterrobang ! ?
–Dave, will symbolize for food
Xenocide
Xenocide
– David Attenborough
(Blockquote cite fail)
keithcurtis
Much appreciation occurs. I would have said “much liking occurs”, but with this crowd, that would have triggered a pun storm.
Nelly Dreadful
i appreciate the bred
Synnerman
Oh my heart… Ethan needs so badly. He made Mike’s eyes change. I think onion ninjas are in my room.
tim gueguen
“Yes, Faz was there, sitting in one of the stalls so you could not see him.”
Shiro
This IS the game, Ethan. This is literally it. Staying emotionally detached while you get hung up on the first actual source of sexual attention you’ve allowed yourself to experienced from the gender you’re attracted to. PLEASE find a boyfriend before he’s able to destroy you with this.
Shiro
Like…I do wonder if panel 5 is 100% sincere, but that’s counter to everything we know of DoA!Mike, so…probably me being optimistic? Idk
Nono
Panel 7 Mike looks more like resignation. Ethan knows Mike is right; he’s offered no illusions. There will never be strings attached. Mike isn’t going to be Ethan’s boyfriend or husband. This would just be a temporary fling, and Ethan shouldn’t be surprised if Mike goes out and screws another guy three hours later.
Mike is putting it all out on the table, and goes, ‘but you’re still going to want to take the carrot, aren’t you?’. Because better deal with the devil you do than the angel you don’t.
Nyzer
Mike in the Walkyverse specialized in being an asshole and yet being brutally honest at the same time. Yeah, it’s sincere, but at the same time he knows Ethan won’t just do it anyway.
Cris
We actually already know Mike’s game!
http://www.dumbingofage.com/2016/comic/book-6/04-it-all-returns/percent/
Panel 5 is totally sincere but leaves some important information about his motive out of it.
JetstreamGW
But Danny doesn’t seem aware and I don’t know that he’d care.
jmsr
Danny and Ethan have already discussed their mutual attraction and decided to not go anywhere with it. Because they’d be the worst.
http://www.dumbingofage.com/2016/comic/book-6/03-when-god-closes-the-door/chest/
Tandel
…Yet. He doesn’t know yet.
Mike’s ability to play the long game is legendary. Do you remember Shortpacked!? Pepperidge Farm remembers.
Shiro
…true. This conversation is definitely also part of the game, though
Nelly Dreadful
Mike can be sincere when sincerity would hurt more.
JetstreamGW
Oh hey you made my point first.
Fart Captor
Pretty much. From Ethan’s angry expression in panel 6, I think he even knows this. But the makeouts are hot and Mike is convenient, so he’ll still fall for it -_-
Passchendaele
Last-panel Ethan is adorable even if he’s going to do something *very* unwise.
DocHarleen
I mean, I definitely get Mike here. Makeouts with hot friends that mean nothing are great.
Doctor_Who
Sierra agrees!
thejeff
I don’t think she does.
I don’t read Mandy/Grace/Sierra as “meaning nothing”. Could be wrong, we haven’t seen much of them.
thejeff
Especially when you can be upfront about them meaning nothing, keep your promise not to touch the guy he has a crush on and still leave them both destroyed emotionally when you’re done.
I don’t think you get Mike at all. Mike doesn’t care about hot makeouts. Mike cares about hurting people. That’s it.
Unusually Angry Hippie
I think you’ve actually got Mike wrong, or at least, your not seeing the depth. Hurting people is the normal result of his actions, but more importantly, it’s about making them hurt THEMSELVES.
He’s a catalyst, not a cause. If his ‘victims’ turn out miserable, it’s only because they were always going to be miserable eventually, he just cut through the years of denial and self-deception that usually precedes that. At least, that’s how he’s rationalizing it. Mental illness runs deep.
thejeff
Making them hurt themselves makes it better, of course.
I’m far from convinced there’s anything beyond that. Maybe a rationalization, as you say. Mostly it seems to be a matter of vulnerability and proximity.
DocHarleen
And reminded why I don’t bother commenting on things for the most part anymore, so thanks for that.
DocHarleen
Dang, called out, I guess? All I meant was I’m with Mike on what he’s saying. And I am pro-makeouts. I know Mike likes to hurt people. Apologies for not being clearer, I suppose.
Just for kix
I am happy for Ethan here. Even though this is not going anywhere for Ethan, but he is still able to experience things which otherwise is difficult for him to come to terms with. I hope he doesn’t develop feelings for Mike, but maybe on the other hand that’s not so bad :-/
Just for kix
It would be interesting to see what happens when Ethan realizes he needs more than just smooches, but till then ride the ship, Ethan, just ride the ship.
thejeff
Oh no, this is going somewhere. It’s being very carefully steered.
I’d say Ethan’s an idiot for falling for it since he knows Mike, but then we’ve got readers falling for it and they’re not distracted by hormones and Mike’s told us what he’s planning.
BBCC
On a ‘character as person’ level – Nooooooo, Ethan, no. You KNOW Mike. You know this is going to end badly.
On an ‘out of universe’ level – Oh, this is going to be a train wreck, and I am SO interested in knowing what’s going to happen.
Doctor_Who
DoA puts me in a state of constant flux between “Noooo, my poor babies!!!1!” and “Bwahaha, this is going to be a glorious disaster.”
MTMTE/Lost Light does the same for me. Both the angel and devil on my shoulders can’t look away.
BBCC
Well, I mean, if a piece of media DOESN’T do that, then what’s the point?
I mean, three of my favourites (besides DoA) are Game of Thrones, Redwall, and Steven Universe. That state of flux is so normal for me now I just roll with it now.
StClair
Me while reading: Noooo! My poor sweet babies! AUTHOR, WHY MUST YOU TORMENT YOUR CHARACTERS SO?
Me while writing: This character has been orphaned, whipped, sentenced to death, thrown overboard by pirates, captured by enemy soldiers, near-fatally poisoned, put on trial for his life before an angry mob, tortured in front of his best friend, and thrown into prison again.
…
Let’s stab him.
— fialleril @ tumblr
BBCC
Me. This is just me.
Zee
Tbh I’ve reached the point where I’ve lost the “Nooo my babies”, and now I’m just like “Bwahahahaha yesss Willis, destroy the foolish mortals. You brought the small pervert? Eeexcellent. The blonde Agent of chaos is back? Oh my favourite, how wonderful. I can’t wait to see how his deliciously eeeevil plan works out~”
Though I don’t actually see mike as a one dimensional evil piece of shit like everyone else does but w/e
SunshineTheif
This is exactly why mike is my favorite character. I know that every time he comes around, he’s up to something bad, but it’s so deliriously entertaining from a story standpoint.
DailyBrad
Ahh, I think maybe this is it. He has been pretty unimpressed with Ethan’s internalized homophobia, and the Joyce relationship. Maybe he wanted Ethan to recognize his neglected needs?
Then again, maybe he enjoyed himself, too. It’s not like he was a ton more openly enthusiastic in Shortpacked with Amber when they started, either.
Arawn
Honestly, I think Mike is bored and screwing with people gets him off. . .
Mike tends to be fairly honest.
Kamino Neko
We KNOW why Mike is doing this. It is 100% to mess with Ethan and Danny. He has said so.
shadowcell
“Do You Want to Make Out Some More?”
another fine book title for Dumbing of Age!
Morrison
Mike telling the truth in panel 5 is how he is going to suduce and than dump you Eathan, trying to break your heart with the truth man.
tim gueguen
It would be interesting to know more of their history. How good of friends were they in high school? Did Mike ever get involved with guys before his recent making out with Ethan?
Shiro
He did at least hook up with a guy before Ethan, but that was very conspicuously placed where Ethan could see him leave the dude’s room.
ObiKemnebi
There’s a scene in an earlier strip somewhere where he was coming out of another dude’s room some pretty blatant implications. I think Mike’s attracted to… whatever is most entertaining at any given moment.
Sara Hysaro
There was this one strip where Mike had a one-night-stand with some fellow named Eric.
Sara Hysaro
And I am so very late.
Emperor Norton II
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: Mike is spite-sexual. If having sex with someone means he’ll be able to spite someone (either the one he’s sleeping with, or someone else), then that’s what turns him on. The physical attributes of his partner is secondary.
DailyBrad
In addition to the stuff people have mentioned, even before college, Mike was known to Ethan as not being straight, at any rate. Ethan mentions it to Amber, who was incredulous before thinking it over, so I don’t know that he’s dated guys exactly, but he’s certainly fooled around with them.
Koms
Is Mike being Tsundere?
lilyliv
While I *personally* don’t think he is, the idea of Mike being all tsundere is… oddly adorable? (Shut up, it’s not like I just like tsundere characters or anything. D-dummy…)
Stephen Bierce
*plays the Doobie Brothers again on the hacked Muzak*
—You say ‘Comfort me!’
To anyone who approaches
Chalkin’ up the hurt
You live and you learn
But we both are old enough to know
That we’d trade it ALL right now
For just ONE MINUTE of Real Love…
Needfuldoer
Never a bad time for some Doobie Brothers.
Nono
Well, this finally got me somewhat invested in Mike’s character. Let’s see if some nuance is gonna develop.
Ivy
“Find a boyfriend” yeah okay, just gonna go to Gay Men “R” Us and pick one up!
Stellar
Well there, or, y’know, anywhere other than his dorm room.
Shiro
…wasn’t that literally an actual plotline in Shortpacked?
Stephen Bierce
Yes, the Wal*Mart “manwhore” Robin bought that coincidentally resembled Ethan’s current boyfriend Manny.
saltchocolate
Maybe not quite that easy, but also not so hard if you’re out (and an adorable hunk like Ethan)!
Nono
Self-confidence is a very effective barrier.
In addition, if you’re a pretty passive guy (like Ethan), ‘hotness’ can actually work against you; either you’re attractive but want people to hit on you (and they won’t because they’re either intimidated or assume a “hot guy like him definitely already has someone attached”), or people just want to use you for your body (see: Jacob). Actually finding someone to date can be more difficult.
Of course, the best thing to do is to force yourself out there.
saltchocolate
Good points…
Keulen
Mike definitely has an ulterior motive behind his making out with Ethan.
Dean
Despite all of his protests, does Mike actually like Ethan? I mean like like?
JessWitt
If (and that’s a big IF) he does, this could be a character breakthrough for Mike.
BenRG