I don’t think it’ll go anywhere romantically, I like their weird friendship. Joe is not right for Joyce, but he’s at least painfully transparant about what he wants :p
FYI, there’s a story line on Slipshine that strongly hints that Joe is not fully transparent about what he wants, specifically regarding Joyce.
Despite that, I agree that they’re not right for each other. I think they could be a fantastic learning experience for each other though.
FLUFFY
They’re better as friends. I know the old song, opposites attract, but…. really? There’s too many differences between them for me to really see it as a Thing.
Sai Somsphet
well… that, and at some point binge reading literally everything Davis ever left online, im pretty certain he mentioned he was going to have everyone end up in the same relationships as Shortpacked. It could have been a fever dream….he has a habit of making….terrifying April Fools updates. So at best the see each other naked and argue about it.
Bubbletea
Huh, I thought it was ‘no one will end up in the same relationships as on Shortpacked’. But my memory of that is pretty foggy, so…fever dream could be believable. Although, Mike and Amber is kinda a long shot if we are running on 100% accurate info in here?
tbf
I don’t think it was a hard and fast rule, so much as not wanting to retread the relationship dynamics already explored in Roomies/It’s Walky/Shortpacked.
Regalli
Yeah, note that Ruth and Billie have been together for some time now and they were an item in (essentially) flashback back in Roomies. Dorothy/Walky was also a thing in an alternate universe to the mainline Walkyverse, and then things got Complicated, and Sal/Jason was a dysfunctional but still present Thing there as well. Pretty sure we’re done exploring the latter, but the former got a LOT of screentime here. I think Sal/Jason’s the only time a relationship was seriously explored (even via hatesex) that had gotten actual screentime back in the Walkyverse. Robin/Leslie, I guess, but I hesitate to call that a relationship (and DoA!Robin actually seriously being a politician, and a Republican at that because of the setting change, does SERIOUSLY change the dynamics.)
As for Joyce/Joe, it was definitely teased throughout the Walkyverse, but apart from an alternate universe that I’m pretty sure ended in their Head Alien killing everyone, it wasn’t ever canonized. Meanwhile, Willis has talked a lot in the commentary about how much they love writing Joe-Joyce interactions. Which is why I can see it happening, even if not permanently. (Given the ‘my intent is to have a strip I can write pretty much forever’ aspect, I wouldn’t consider any relationship a shoo-in for permanence.)
StClair
old song…?
*turns into dust and blows away*
drs
Though one of the differences, of religion, is probably gone or smaller now: instead of a “save the Jews” fundamentalist Christian, she’s an atheist, and he’s a Jew with opinions about proper Christmas, so not exactly strongly practicing.
Headcanon: Joyce and Becky went back home again over a holiday break, and stayed at Jocelyne’s place with Hank because they all needed distance from Carol and John. Joyce remarks to Becky that she’s the closest thing to a sister she’ll ever have. Jocelyne bites her lip, and starts sweating bullets and trembling, in a callback to this scene in the diner:
That’s probably part of it, although there’s also a lot of ambiguous feelings between Joyce and Joe, anyway, that both of them seem neither equipped to recognize or to tackle at this point.
No, Joyce, this is DEFINITELY not on Joe. AmbG cannot get support unless they ask for it. Currently, Amber is not. And even if Amber did ask for that support, Joe really is not equipped for helping his new stepsister(s, depending on whether it’s Amber or Amber and AG asking) through the degree of trauma and survivor’s guilt and self-loathing they’re going through, not on his own. He can help, I’m sure, and so can you if they reach out, but this is not a burden that should be put on a single friend or family member. (Seriously. Online peer support for systems. Please, seek that out girls.)
That said, my shipper heart is quite pleased with the ending there.
Oh, it makes sense. It was only a few months ago Joyce thought prayer and getting a new ‘boyfriend’ would be sufficient to help Billie out of her depression. (Though I suspect having more information about Bonnie’s death combined with watching Ruth’s experience with antidepressants has helped with that approach.) But even then, there’s a difference between ‘Don’t murder your sibling’ or ‘know where your sibling is when it’s important’ and ‘be a primary support for your heavily-traumatized new stepsister whose mental health has been in decline even before a series of extremely traumatic murders and a kidnapping, which may have prompted her to seek a campus therapist who may have actually made things WORSE.’ (The last part is speculative, but kind of hinted. Either way, Blaine’s fuckery combined with Mike’s fuckery combined with Mike’s heroic sacrifice combined with the negative feedback loop of self-and-alter-loathing Amber and AG had going on for a while is a cocktail of trouble NO ONE in the cast is equipped to handle alone, Amber and AG included.)
A thing can be perfectly in-character and I can understand it while still going ‘oh, Joyce, I do not have anywhere near enough words for how wrong you are.’
thejeff
Plus the idea that just because their parents got married there’s some inherent connection that makes her his responsibility. Amber’s got no reason to rely on Joe. Outside of Joyce’s head there’s no magical bond created with a marriage.
Joyce is closer to Amber, knows more about her problems and would likely be trusted more than Joe. Why isn’t it her responsibility?
On top of none of them being qualified to handle it, of course.
Hi, uh, can I still buy a ticket for the Joeyce ship? I have supplies in case it only remains a friendship because I find you can still be practical while being a romantic.
Does it have a better name, cause one that my phone doesn’t hate due to not being a word would be great.
Aww yes, this ship will sail! Such a rough beginning to their relationship, but it’s developed enough that it could work in the future. I just hope we didn’t miss something important for them in the time skip.
Well okay, but I kind of think the perviness is the point of choosing to use that particular term. I mean, it’s not like there is an absence of alternatives.
insomniac
“Titty” – harsh consonant, “show us your,” “or gtfo,” “check out those.”
“Tiddy” – casual, friendly, soft and relaxed sound.
I choose to believe Becky is confused because she is actually incapable of understanding the idea of being attracted to a man, let alone Joe. She can accept Joyce crushing on Dorothy but….Joe, why? He’s so WEIRD looking.
Maybe she’s confused because Joyce is famous for not caring about other people’s problems/business. Especially when they relate to her social circle or people who have helped her.
I gotta say, I’m digging almost all of these new designs. I actually also like Amber’s look, but it bothers me that it represents a deterioration in her mental health.
Addiction starts before it interferes with daily life in a manner you cannot explain away.
And I’d say, right now it already interferes with Joe actually having friendly relations with most females he meets.
Sex addiction requires it to interfere with the individual’s life. Joe passes his classes, has other hobbies, and maintains friendships with Danny, Joyce, and Jacob.
It doesn’t work like that though. High-functioning addicts are a thing after all. Addiction is when you can’t live your life normally Without the substance or activity. When dropping it is causing you pain and distress.
111 thoughts on “Equipped”
Kyrik Michalowski
Oh Joyce, your confused feelings about Joe do not go unnoticed, except maybe by Joe himself.
Is anything going to come of this?
Kyrik Michalowski
Also, first time I’ve ever gotten first comment, hooray?
lsdf
Congratulations do seem to be in order.
clif
As well as some hopefully misplaced concern for Jen.
Deanatay
Jen IS allowed to have other things going on.
Pagemistress
Have some imaginary cake to celebrate! …unless you have actual sweets, then go eat those to celebrate instead.
Ralph Oscar
Hooray!!
Undrave
I don’t think it’ll go anywhere romantically, I like their weird friendship. Joe is not right for Joyce, but he’s at least painfully transparant about what he wants :p
justin8448
FYI, there’s a story line on Slipshine that strongly hints that Joe is not fully transparent about what he wants, specifically regarding Joyce.
Despite that, I agree that they’re not right for each other. I think they could be a fantastic learning experience for each other though.
FLUFFY
They’re better as friends. I know the old song, opposites attract, but…. really? There’s too many differences between them for me to really see it as a Thing.
Sai Somsphet
well… that, and at some point binge reading literally everything Davis ever left online, im pretty certain he mentioned he was going to have everyone end up in the same relationships as Shortpacked. It could have been a fever dream….he has a habit of making….terrifying April Fools updates. So at best the see each other naked and argue about it.
Bubbletea
Huh, I thought it was ‘no one will end up in the same relationships as on Shortpacked’. But my memory of that is pretty foggy, so…fever dream could be believable. Although, Mike and Amber is kinda a long shot if we are running on 100% accurate info in here?
tbf
I don’t think it was a hard and fast rule, so much as not wanting to retread the relationship dynamics already explored in Roomies/It’s Walky/Shortpacked.
Regalli
Yeah, note that Ruth and Billie have been together for some time now and they were an item in (essentially) flashback back in Roomies. Dorothy/Walky was also a thing in an alternate universe to the mainline Walkyverse, and then things got Complicated, and Sal/Jason was a dysfunctional but still present Thing there as well. Pretty sure we’re done exploring the latter, but the former got a LOT of screentime here. I think Sal/Jason’s the only time a relationship was seriously explored (even via hatesex) that had gotten actual screentime back in the Walkyverse. Robin/Leslie, I guess, but I hesitate to call that a relationship (and DoA!Robin actually seriously being a politician, and a Republican at that because of the setting change, does SERIOUSLY change the dynamics.)
As for Joyce/Joe, it was definitely teased throughout the Walkyverse, but apart from an alternate universe that I’m pretty sure ended in their Head Alien killing everyone, it wasn’t ever canonized. Meanwhile, Willis has talked a lot in the commentary about how much they love writing Joe-Joyce interactions. Which is why I can see it happening, even if not permanently. (Given the ‘my intent is to have a strip I can write pretty much forever’ aspect, I wouldn’t consider any relationship a shoo-in for permanence.)
StClair
old song…?
*turns into dust and blows away*
drs
Though one of the differences, of religion, is probably gone or smaller now: instead of a “save the Jews” fundamentalist Christian, she’s an atheist, and he’s a Jew with opinions about proper Christmas, so not exactly strongly practicing.
Regalli
I think it’s the long game being played here.
The very long game, given the trip home/texting arc was back in 2016.
Matthew Wells
Longer- Joe was the first guy Joyce considered for a potential husband.
Regalli
Oh, absolutely. I just consider the texting a bit of a turning point in their relationship.
Chris
Meanwhile, Sarah definitely doesn’t care if Joyce cares if Joe cares.
Doctor_Who
But Becky at least cares about why Joyce cares if Joe cares enough to ask.
Reltzik
Of course she does. Anytime Joyce is denial, Sarah can have fun poking her with it.
Deanatay
…Baka?
Nono
Maybe Joyce wants to be Amber’s sis- ohhhhh.
Joyce has always wanted a sister.
Doctor_Who
On the one hand she could marry Joe and get a superhero as a sister.
On the other hand she could marry Walky and get Sal as a sister.
The downside in either scenario is being married to Joe or Walky.
Either way, she’s gonna be pretty surprised to learn she already has a sister.
Nono
Secret option: she marries one of the DeSantoses and gets all the excessively numerous sisters.
Johan
Joyce already has a sister. She’s just not out to Joyce yet.
Needfuldoer
Headcanon: Joyce and Becky went back home again over a holiday break, and stayed at Jocelyne’s place with Hank because they all needed distance from Carol and John. Joyce remarks to Becky that she’s the closest thing to a sister she’ll ever have. Jocelyne bites her lip, and starts sweating bullets and trembling, in a callback to this scene in the diner:
https://www.dumbingofage.com/2016/comic/book-6/03-when-god-closes-the-door/india/
DailyBrad
That’s probably part of it, although there’s also a lot of ambiguous feelings between Joyce and Joe, anyway, that both of them seem neither equipped to recognize or to tackle at this point.
Keulen
I’m hoping Joyce will find out that she already has a sister sometime soon.
Romanticide
Becky has noooo idea of how much Joyce is invested on caring about this XD
Regalli
No, Joyce, this is DEFINITELY not on Joe. AmbG cannot get support unless they ask for it. Currently, Amber is not. And even if Amber did ask for that support, Joe really is not equipped for helping his new stepsister(s, depending on whether it’s Amber or Amber and AG asking) through the degree of trauma and survivor’s guilt and self-loathing they’re going through, not on his own. He can help, I’m sure, and so can you if they reach out, but this is not a burden that should be put on a single friend or family member. (Seriously. Online peer support for systems. Please, seek that out girls.)
That said, my shipper heart is quite pleased with the ending there.
tbf
“Am I my brother’s keeper?”
The Bible makes it pretty clear that yes, you are. And that’s still the moral paradigm that Joyce is operating from.
TemperaryObsessor
Given the context not that clear.
Regalli
Oh, it makes sense. It was only a few months ago Joyce thought prayer and getting a new ‘boyfriend’ would be sufficient to help Billie out of her depression. (Though I suspect having more information about Bonnie’s death combined with watching Ruth’s experience with antidepressants has helped with that approach.) But even then, there’s a difference between ‘Don’t murder your sibling’ or ‘know where your sibling is when it’s important’ and ‘be a primary support for your heavily-traumatized new stepsister whose mental health has been in decline even before a series of extremely traumatic murders and a kidnapping, which may have prompted her to seek a campus therapist who may have actually made things WORSE.’ (The last part is speculative, but kind of hinted. Either way, Blaine’s fuckery combined with Mike’s fuckery combined with Mike’s heroic sacrifice combined with the negative feedback loop of self-and-alter-loathing Amber and AG had going on for a while is a cocktail of trouble NO ONE in the cast is equipped to handle alone, Amber and AG included.)
A thing can be perfectly in-character and I can understand it while still going ‘oh, Joyce, I do not have anywhere near enough words for how wrong you are.’
thejeff
Plus the idea that just because their parents got married there’s some inherent connection that makes her his responsibility. Amber’s got no reason to rely on Joe. Outside of Joyce’s head there’s no magical bond created with a marriage.
Joyce is closer to Amber, knows more about her problems and would likely be trusted more than Joe. Why isn’t it her responsibility?
On top of none of them being qualified to handle it, of course.
Big Old Panda Bear
(She cares immensely)
Pagemistress
Hi, uh, can I still buy a ticket for the Joeyce ship? I have supplies in case it only remains a friendship because I find you can still be practical while being a romantic.
Does it have a better name, cause one that my phone doesn’t hate due to not being a word would be great.
Carla's #2 Fan
I think JoeJo is one alternative!
Pablo360
SONO CHI NO SADAME!
Regalli
Brownsenthal, maybe? Still not great, but it’s that or Jojo and then you bring in the Bizarre Adventures people and things get weird and memey.
Spencer
JoJo
He Who Abides
NoNo.
Opus the Poet
JoyJo has a bit of a ring to it.
Jay
Joeyce is always accepting new crew mates.
Deanatay
The standing name for this ship is ‘Joece’. It’s a solid, old battleship that’s taken its share of hard hits, but is still going strong.
Carla's #2 Fan
Aww yes, this ship will sail! Such a rough beginning to their relationship, but it’s developed enough that it could work in the future. I just hope we didn’t miss something important for them in the time skip.
Alex Boston
Joyce is projecting so much there should be a white screen showing the movie somewhere.
He Who Abides
Didn’t Willis already make that reference in a previous alt-text?
BBCC
Sure, sweetie. Whatever you say.
Stephen Bierce
*plays Phil Collins’ “I Don’t Care Anymore” on the hacked Muzak*
poofdepoof
… *ships*
abysswatcher1993
Tsundere atheist Joyce.
Deanatay
I… I don’t love God! I don’t love Anybody!! BAKA!!!
Lone Duck
Welcome… to the Tsundere Dome!
Octopus Ink
When did The Internet start convincing everyone it was OK to spell “titties” with 2 D’s?
Reltzik
Damn you audocorrecd.
Bob
I rather like the word though, the d’s takes the edge off somehow, replacing some of the perviness with just a hint of a soft and cuddly teddy bear.
clif
Well okay, but I kind of think the perviness is the point of choosing to use that particular term. I mean, it’s not like there is an absence of alternatives.
insomniac
“Titty” – harsh consonant, “show us your,” “or gtfo,” “check out those.”
“Tiddy” – casual, friendly, soft and relaxed sound.
C.T. Phipps
I choose to believe Becky is confused because she is actually incapable of understanding the idea of being attracted to a man, let alone Joe. She can accept Joyce crushing on Dorothy but….Joe, why? He’s so WEIRD looking.
🙂
RowenMorland
Maybe she’s confused because Joyce is famous for not caring about other people’s problems/business. Especially when they relate to her social circle or people who have helped her.
Deanatay
I mean… make his legs shorter, and give him a bushy moustache, and Joe would look a lot like Ross. So, yeah, she’d have issues.
Dr. T
I gotta say, I’m digging almost all of these new designs. I actually also like Amber’s look, but it bothers me that it represents a deterioration in her mental health.
Needfuldoer
Her neuroses and bangs will consume her, until she looks like Cousin Itt.
ADLegend21
I…..ship it?????
Joyfulldreams
Why am I only just now wondering if Joe legitimately suffers from sex addiction? Because, like. It’s starting to seem more and more like he does.
C.T. Phipps
Even if not full-blown sex addiction, it’s always been a coping mechanism for him.
CJ
Addiction starts before it interferes with daily life in a manner you cannot explain away.
And I’d say, right now it already interferes with Joe actually having friendly relations with most females he meets.
tbf
Sex addiction requires it to interfere with the individual’s life. Joe passes his classes, has other hobbies, and maintains friendships with Danny, Joyce, and Jacob.
Eldritchy
It doesn’t work like that though. High-functioning addicts are a thing after all. Addiction is when you can’t live your life normally Without the substance or activity. When dropping it is causing you pain and distress.