268

Doozy
Posted on October 14, 2016 by David M Willis

268 thoughts on “Doozy”

  1. Slartibeast Button, BIA

    The Beckisaurus lays a clever trap for the elusive Walkertonus Ignoramous, but is fooled by his deceptive coloration.

    1. Deanatay

      W. Ignoramus avoids prey by taking an extremely erratic and unfollowable course through wooded areas.

      …I mean, you COULD follow it, but your forehead would start getting EXTREMELY sore – if not from the tree impacts, then from smacking yourself on the forehead repeatedly.

      BECAUSE YOU ARE A DOOFUS.

  2. Bagge

    “Tell you what would make this even more comforting, if we both took off our hats and… WALKY, STOP TOP-BLOCKING ME”

    1. Fart Captor

      Becky getting some much-needed cuddles is making me very happy

      1. Bagge

        Becky should have all the cuddles.

        1. Slartibeast Button, BIA

          But that would completely destroy the Affection Futures Market!

        2. Freemage

          Nah. Cuddles are contra-supply-side. An increase in supply is actually met by a greater than proportional increase in demand. Thus, “You can never have enough cuddles.”

        3. Koms

          Walky just curdled the cuddle.

    2. Spencer

      Top-Blocking

      If this doesn’t enter popular vernacular within the next 24 hours I will be severely miffed.

      1. ety

        Outside of this context in what context is “Top-blocking” appropriate?

        1. ety

          I mean the use of the phrase, not the action? itself.

        2. Scar Man!!!

          getting blocked on the way to second base?

        3. Joe Archer

          I guess that it could refer to an activity of middle-aged and older men dealing with loss of head hair, leading to strange hairdos. (Cue presidential candidate omitted…)

        4. Slartibeast Button, BIA

          When your silk hat is bent out of shape?

      2. Deanatay

        I would interpret ‘top-blocking’ as blocking one’s attempts to ‘top’ – which, as a verb, often refers to one being a dom in a dom-sub relationship.

        So, basically, whispering encouraging and supportive ideas into the sub’s ear while they’re tied up?

        That’s kinky.

        1. Spencer

          “Yeah you like that, don’t you? I hope so because your happiness is paramount to me.”

        2. a snow mous e

          I’d be into that.

        3. a snow mous e

          It’s also about being the one giving rather than receiving in gay sex, somewhat surprised no one mentioned that connotation.

    3. Reltzik

      ….. dammit, now you’re making me imagine a haberdashery with a lacy, frilly section for adult heads.

      1. Slartibeast Button, BIA

        Wasn’t that in a Futurama episode?

  3. AnvilPro

    Dina immediately recognizes her arch-nemesis.

  4. TheTJ

    The proud people of Thingley have notoriously bad eyesight.

    1. Roborat

      Ah right, the bucolic borough of Thingley, where Mr. Magoo is mayor.

    2. NickG

      Speaking as a resident of Thingley (It’s in Wiltshire, England) I can assure you we are far too small for a mayor, let alone a Duchy. Since this is the 2nd time DYW has mocked my address I’m hoping it’s a sign my book & magnets are on their way.

  5. ety

    Well, by the time I click post I’m sure there’ll be comments before mine.

    1. TheTJ

      True, but if there hadn’t what a terrible first post that’d have made.

      1. ety

        It’d have made myself laugh for the idiocy of it if nothing else

      2. Bluewind

        I think it would have made a divine first post 😉

        1. Disloyal Subject

          Eyup.

    2. Slartibeast Button, BIA

      That’s what I thought, but…

      1. ety

        I wasn’t as wrong as I thought… it’s normally more like 12-15 comments that show up… not… just 4.

        1. ety

          I mean I wasn’t as right as I thought?

        2. Dean

          Most of the time, partly right is good enough.

        3. ety

          You’ve clearly never grown up surrounded by “Almost only counts in horseshoes and handgrenades.”

        4. Slartibeast Button, BIA

          And nuclear weapons.

        5. Gneseepaws

          “Within the hemisphere,” is good enough if you are lobbing planet-busters.

        6. hof1991

          Love Horseshoes & Hand Grenades.

          would that make a good name for a band?
          http://www.hhgmusic.com/

        7. Roborat

          I am in the artillery. Almost is considered a target round.

    3. Deanatay

      This is just a sly subversion of the ‘FIRST!’ post, isn’t it? Good thing it wasn’t first…

      1. ety

        I suppose it indeed could be considered that, but that genuinely wasn’t my intention.

  6. Solstice

    Re: alt text, why not both tags?

    1. Nemirthel

      I knew I couldn’t be the only one who thought this…

      1. Reltzik

        Dittoed.

        … er, Trittoed? Dammit, what’s the word for that?

        1. Willoughby Chase

          Seconded! Thirded! Carried!

    2. trlkly

      Fourthed.

      (Previous word would be Thirded, I guess.)

  7. Dara

    #reginald duke of thingley

    best tag is best

  8. miados

    even the weakest alias is an alias.

  9. Bagge

    The Duke of Thingley is secretly bethrodden to Miss Angry McCrankyPants the Sixteenth, of course. http://www.dumbingofage.com/2016/comic/book-6/03-when-god-closes-the-door/mccrankypants/

    1. Slartibeast Button, BIA

      Just as Joyce always said!

      1. Bagge

        She truly is a prophet.

    2. HMRC4EVR

      I think he might be second cousin to the Dukes of Hazzard as well!

  10. Train Moblin

    Reginald is my favorite character

    1. Doctor_Who

      I wonder if he’s the same as he was in the Walkyverse. I loved the storylines he shared with Guns and Bloodrose.

      1. Train Moblin

        I personally loved his showdown with Monkey Master way more than those, the buildup was INCREDIBLE!

  11. dailybrad

    Aye aye, Becky.

  12. Cattleprod

    Time for a new favorite character poll. Go Reginald!

  13. Mr. Random

    There’s always a point where you gotta wonder just how many people know you’re lying but go along anyway.
    I’m noticing that people are generally smarter than they seem in that regard.

    1. Disloyal Subject

      Eyup.

  14. ety

    I want to hear the one about the tower of bab–

    1. Slartibeast Button, BIA

      I’ll tell you all about it, but it’s all Greek to me.

      1. Bagge

        Heh, that works on at least two different levels. Clever.

    2. Chandra

      Is the tower of bab- gonna be this web comic’s version of Candle Ja-

      1. 3-I

        No, no, the way it works is that you have to say ALL of Candle Jack’s name. After THAT, h

        1. Orion Fury

          Well, at least he’s not going to need to charter a bus today.

    3. Illjwamh

      I was thinking that, too. I’m sure that, like the firmament yesterday, it’s even weirder than I thought it was.

    4. Bluewind

      It was a gift from Buster, but the “s” fell off 😛

      1. HMRC4EVR

        No relation?

        1. Bluewind

          No relation *high fives*

    5. Koms

      The tower of babies?

      1. maxyai

        That’s the title of Willis’ autobiography.

  15. achallenger

    she has simple butt reasonable rules

    1. Bluewind

      I’m guessing a rule were people are required to keep both butt checks covers while in public?

      1. Slartibeast Button, BIA

        Your butt should never write a check your ass can’t cash.

  16. tim gueguen

    Walky, the real Duke of Thingley is going to be very unhappy when finds out you’ve been pretending to be him.

    1. Slartibeast Button, BIA

      This can only be settled by an Affair Of Honor!

      1. Disloyal Subject

        Prepare the yaoi goggles!

    2. Bagge

      “You took his name and now he wants it back.”

      1. Slartibeast Button, BIA

        And you didn’t even give him a number.

        1. Willoughby Chase

          “I am not a number, I am a free man!”

        2. thejeff

          “You are Number 6.”

        3. Slartibeast Button, BIA

          “I think I am the third.”

        4. Clif

          Who is number 1? You are number 6.

  17. caesaria82

    Watch out, Amazi-Girl, there is a new and SUPER CONVINCING secret identity person in town!

    1. Jess

      fight fight fight fight fight

      1. caesaria82

        And then make out at the end, right? That’s how that works? That is what fanfiction has taught me 😉

        1. ety

          They’ve already been seen to have chemistry together. This is well on it’s way out to sea.

        2. Spencer

          I wonder how a Walky/Amber ship would work. Would Walky be up for being a support pillar to his partner for something more complex than arguing about cartoons?

          Maybe Amber would have better luck with Sal.

    2. Flakky

      Cue dramatic reveal and “You look just like her[Sal]!” and AG BSODing over the implications of her seeing Sal in her villains.

      Or not. Duke of Thingley is a good villain name regardless.

  18. Slartibeast Button, BIA

    I am just worried that Becky will come to associate creationist ideas with DinaSnuggles™, and develop some weird fetish…

    1. Disloyal Subject

      The saddled ceratopsian sculpt someone linked the other day could do that all on its own.

      1. ety

        Let’s just avoid what a daddle is…

        honestly, even as a child’s toy that’s a bizarre idea to me

        1. Roborat

          That is hysterical.

  19. Bagge

    Nice callback to This strip. I love how much of Dina’s dialog and way of expressing herself is borrowed from her friends. She really tries social interaction, but she is a bit hit and miss about it.
    http://www.dumbingofage.com/2015/comic/book-5/03-the-butterflies-fly-away/acquainted/

  20. Bicycle Bill

    Damn You, Willis!!
    You Killed Kenny!!

    1. Roborat

      Good thing I scanned the threads, I was about to post the same thing, and bask in my cleverness.

  21. Jess

    Great, now there are TWO people running around campus, getting injured, and using false names to hide their true identities.

    1. Slartibeast Button, BIA

      And So It Begins.

      1. HMRC4EVR

        Great Kosh cosplay there!

        1. Slartibeast Button, BIA

          One moment of perfect beauty.

  22. Fart Captor

    He must be looking for Gary

    1. Bagge

      Aren’t we all.

  23. Wheelpath

    Oh damn, that’s amazi-girl isn’t it?

    1. Bagge

      Nope, it’s her sidekick “Rooftop cookie boy”

  24. Bagge

    It’s the secret second twin! The one in the pink mouse costume!!! He has come for Walky!!!
    http://www.dumbingofage.com/2014/comic/book-4/02-i-was-a-teenage-churchmouse/babyyou/

  25. Zaidyer

    “I have unfinished business with my cohort, Count Beartato of Stuffinton! We’re gonna ride bikes.”

    *THUNK*

    1. Disloyal Subject

      Regrettably, the esteemed Count has run afoul of a nasty case of katana-inflicted lacerations, as diagnosed by the infamous Dr. McNinja.

  26. TheTJ

    I gotta point out Becky’s hair-eye. I get why it’s there in the last panel, but it’s getting close to creepy.

    I almost expect her to turn around but have the eye kind of float in place.

    1. Bluewind

      That’s not her eye! It’s a Becky eyeball shaped barrette 😉

      1. Slartibeast Button, BIA

        Actually Madeye Moody using Polyjuice Potion.

        1. ety

          You don’t mean Barty Crouch Jr. ?

        2. Disloyal Subject

          Nah, I think he’s pretty solidly out of the picture.

      2. Jhon

        Becky eyeball shaped barrettes should definitely be in the DoA store.

        1. Slartibeast Button, BIA

          Special discount if bought with a Dina Dino Hat?

        2. Bluewind

          … yes. Funniest gift for a fan yet! Plus, it would be a fun edition for anyone who wants to cosplay as her 😉

    2. StClair

      yeah, it was… pretty bad in the last strip. Wasn’t even on the same level as her other one in at least one panel. Pretty clear that he drew the hair, then the eye wherever it would fit.

      1. TheTJ

        Those I’m fine with, it’s just marking out where her eye is under her hairline and it’s an established art style.

        The trouble I’m having is between the last 2 panels it’s hard to tell she moved her head at all unless you not the nose and mouth. It just looks like her eye was buried for a bit and pushed its way back to the top layer.

  27. Commodore Jeep-Eep

    What is that fuckboy doing this time?

    1. Orion Fury

      Same thing as last time?

    2. Bagge

      Picking a fight with a tree, as far as I can tell.

      1. Reltzik

        His bark’s worse than his bite.

        1. Slartibeast Button, BIA

          He was nuts to start with.

        2. Koms

          Tree hugger

      2. Bicycle Bill

        Picking Losing a fight with a tree, as far as I can tell.
        ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
        Fixed it for you, Bagge.

      3. Willoughby Chase

        Leaf him alone!

      4. Willoughby Chase

        His shoelaces didn’t get him, but his hoodie did.

      5. Roborat

        Apparently he is a druid.

  28. Stephen R. Bierce

    *plays Sergio Mendes’ “Alibis” on the hacked Muzak after “From The Beginning” finishes*

    1. Stephen R. Bierce

      I Wonder If Willis Is Playing ME By Now.

  29. Bluewind

    Every time Walky says something really stupid and embarrassing, he risks his hoodie coming alive and trying to eat his head.

    1. Bagge

      The hoddie is all “OhmygawdSHUTUP. I’ll eat your HEAD, that will teach you to shut up.”

      The hoodie is kinda a dick.

      1. Some1

        so essentially Walky is Chrona

        1. Some1

          *Crona

        2. Disloyal Subject

          Nah, Walky’s gender is definitively male.

    2. Slartibeast Button, BIA

      He is turning into a Dementor, albeit one with more fashion sense.

  30. ArcaneDarkness

    I like the way becky thinks.

    1. Bagge

      I just like she always has interested with Joyce, after all. With Joyce she said “poop” to get a reaction. With Dina she just found out she has to bring out the creationism.

      I wonder if Jesus Math will do the trick too.

  31. Dean

    Because ‘Yeah, I’m skippin’ class’ is such an unthinkable thing to say.

    Well, it was for me in my first year at university.

    1. Bagge

      That’s the thing. It WOULDN’T be a big deal for Walky. It WASN’T a big deal back when he and Dotty overslept when he thought he didn’t need it.

      But NOW when he truly skips class, not because he is too smart for school but because he feels he ISN”T too smart for school it becomes an enormous deal.

      1. Fart Captor

        He really isn’t even skipping class so much as fleeing it. Irrational, hard-to-explain panic is not fun to admit to

        1. Captain_CloudWolf

          I feel the irrational, hard to explain panic a lot. I’m feeling it now since I’m procrastinating on my already late home work to write this. Yeesh. I need to college better.

        2. Reltzik

          You know what helps people college better?

          ALCOHOL!

          …. no, not really. Go do your homework. It’s like a rip-the-bandaid-off thing, only it’s LESS painful the faster you do it.

        3. ety

          But that’s what they say about the band-aid thing too…

    2. Scar Man!!!

      i still just think it’s stupid since you were the one who picked the class. It’s not like you 1) were forced to take it (usually) or 2) unable to drop it. But I did miss all my classes last monday to attend Rosh Hashanah services, so I can’t say I’ve never intentionally skipped class.

      1. Fart Captor

        1) He probably does need it for his major, and thought he could handle it. It’s not like you can gauge that perfectly, especially as a freshman when you have no baseline for how hard the classes are gonna be.

        2) It’s a month in. He can drop it, but it’s probably too late to do so without it affecting his GPA.

        3) Making bad decisions is a key step in learning not to make bad decisions.

        1. BBCC

          Walky said he took math because ‘smart kids don’t rest on our crap, we take the next level up!’ which I will bet you cash internet money is his mother (or possibly his father) talking. Sal also heavily implied her parents pressured her into that class as well.

        2. BBCC

          *Specifically why he’s in calculus.

        3. Cerberus

          This. It looks like it’s not at all required for his major, he just took it for his ego and now his ego is taking a blow from it.

        4. Needfuldoer

          Walky coasted through (at least) high school so he never had to learn how to study. Now that they’re out of review material, he’s hit a wall.

        5. Scar Man!!!

          i know the feel too well. I didn’t really coast so much as get an A even if it was a last-minute struggle, but it’s similar. My panic work is no longer good enough

      2. foamy

        It happens all the time to bright kids who never had to bother working to ace high school. What they run into is that everybody in a dedicated faculty is going to be full of those self-same kids and the material and speed is geared to that, and so they’re no longer the top of the curve but the middle, if they work at it. The dropout/transfer rates for some programs is 50% or more.

        tldr: going from a big fish in a small pool to a minnow in the ocean is a harsh realization.

  32. Tacos

    RE: alt-text: keep the tag. Reginald Duke of Thingley could be his alter-ego. Already doing that with Amber and AG.

  33. ZDX

    No, Willis! Use this the same way Amazi-Girl is distinguished from Amber.

    1. C.

      Amber has some form of DID. It would cheapen her status if “Reginald”, an alibi Walky (who doesn’t have DID) just made up.

      1. Reltzik

        …. maybe Walky’s going to come down with DID here? I mean, it’s a traumatic enough experience for HIM, and the coping mechanism COULD help him deal with math class, and….

        …. nah. Waaaaaaaay to silly for such a serious issue.

  34. butts

    You know, Walky, normal people just fake a headache or something.

    1. Spencer

      They ain’t as genius as ol’ David Walkerton.

    2. Bagge

      He doesn’t have to fake it any longer.

    3. Reltzik

      This is DoA. The only headaches that happen are hangovers, or detox symptoms, or something similar. Not normal headaches.

      All things considered, a bout of insanity is FAR more plausible in this setting.

    4. Fart Captor

      Now I’m just imagining that Walky’s been having sex dreams about math tests.

      1. Slartibeast Button, BIA

        Of course he has. Twin telepathy again.

      2. Bagge

        Dorothy only gave him a score of 26

        1. Dellaran

          (insert 69 joke here)

        2. Roborat

          Insert it where?

  35. Surah

    It’s settled; the kids of Indiana are waay too good. The fact that someone questions a freshman about skipping an AM class before 10 has solidified my thoughts that everyone is a really just a super nerd.

  36. Derek

    I like that Dina is STILL salty that Walky said feathered dinosaurs are not cool. I think this might be the author’s opinion showing, based on how Willis himself reacts to those comments here

    1. Bagge

      That and his use of an non-cannonical dinosaur
      http://www.dumbingofage.com/2016/comic/book-6/04-it-all-returns/indominus/

      1. Reltzik

        Look, Walky, next time she asks that, just say PENGUINS.

      2. Cerberus

        Dina voice: “Listen, there are some lines you just do not cross.”

    2. DinaWho

      It’s also a reference to the time he cut through Dina and Amber’s room to reach Dotty during the nerdfight with Carla.

    3. Fart Captor

      It might also be that the dinosaur girl who wears a dinosaur hat and a different dinosaur-themed shirt every day is kind of serious about dinosaurs

      Just maybe

  37. Bagge

    Ooooh, oooooh!!!!! What if Becky and Walky help each other study math? I’m sure her “Jesus math” could use a brush-up, and than they could spend time together and support each other and he woiuldn’t be so anxious about school and everyone would be happier and…

    …yeah, OK, when I say it out loud it sounds unlikely.

    1. Reltzik

      Actually, math is one of the few things YEC homeschoolers get mostly right. (Though they like to say that God invented numbers and math.) And Becky’s good at math, IIRC.

      The rational exchange would be for Becky to help Walky with math, and for Walky to help Becky into the world of pop culture, with Joyce dragged along for good measure.

      I am very sad this will not happen, since Walky’s not going to be mature enough to ask for help. Mostly I’m sad because I root for any scenario with even a halfway-plausible chance of ending with Joyce being educated on the topic of religion by George Carlin.

      1. BBCC

        I believe it’s Joyce who’s good at math.

      2. wwwhhattt

        Saying that God created numbers an maths is reasonable enough (in that it fits in fine with debates about realism in maths that don’t have any particular relevance to a/theism).

    2. Disloyal Subject

      I’m always delighted for more of Walky and Becky being goofballs together. ‘New Best Friend!’ was a beautiful moment, and not just because of the look on Joyce’s face.
      Now is not that time, though. Now is the time for dinosaur snuggles.

  38. Jabberwocky

    I ask – no, DEMAND – that the real Reginald, Duke of Thingley, show up later as an exchange student, and that he look exactly like Walky

    1. Slartibeast Button, BIA

      He is Jason’s nemesis, come to settle things between them. But will Sal save the day?

    2. Jason

      Exactly! Then they exchange identities, like the Prince and the Pauper!

      1. Bagge

        Turns out the real Duke Reginald is thrice winner of the prestigeful British Master of Math championship, and when he takes on his identity Walky will be expected to compete in the Math World Cup.

        Walky: “Goddamit!!!!”

        1. FinalOwen

          Master Of Math? Well, that just raises the question of whether the ‘real’ Duke is an imposter himself! Otherwise he’d be the “Master Of Maths”.

        2. a snow mous e

          But that’s only if he’s a duke of ENGLAND!

          Thingley is actually in Austria.

        3. Slartibeast Button, BIA

          Ahem. Thingley is an independent nation which has been cruelly and illegally occupied by Austria. Duke Reginald is rushing off to raise funds for the Thinglian Peoples’ Popular Front in their noble struggle.

        4. Roborat

          Splitter!

        5. Orion Fury

          Technically speaking, it’s a civil parish in the village of Corsham, Wiltshire, England.

  39. Tenzhi

    Is Reginald, Duke of Thingley some sort of reference, or just random silliness?

    1. Reltzik

      Random silliness. It doesn’t become a reference until we start quoting it ad nauseum.

      ….. oh, wait, it’s a reference.

      1. Slartibeast Button, BIA

        But will it meme and then go viral?

  40. Matt

    She just said nope.

  41. Lipke the Articulate

    I wonder if Reginald can compete with Jessica for new fan favorite?

    1. Bagge

      A very common name.

    2. ety

      Jessica was just a one-off, though. She didn’t even have her own tag. Reginald here is clearly going to be a repeat character.

      1. Orion Fury

        Even though she appeared in multiple comics…

  42. Reltzik

    “No! This isn’t my hood! I am hiding in the cave of Alibi-Ba!”

    1. Mr.Morningstar

      oho

      that took me a sec

  43. Reltzik

    “Mustn’t run away… Mustn’t run away… MusAHSCREWIT!”

    1. Bagge

      He had one job.

      1. inqntrol

        Even one job is too much for him.

    2. Spencer

      Get in the fucking math class, Walky.

    3. Slartibeast Button, BIA

      We need a history class in DoA, with some old guy droning on and on about Second Impact.

  44. Idontcarenomore

    Roflmao.
    This is one of the funniest I’ve seen in awhile.

  45. kaunisenkeli

    Walky, avoiding Calculus class won’t improve your grade. Believe me.

  46. BenRG

    I’m afraid Becky is right. Informing on Walky right now would be just kicking a man when he has reached rock bottom. He may need that kick but that doesn’t make it nice.

  47. nothri

    I wonder if this Reginald fellow is acquainted with the rogue Dirk Lonestyle?

    1. Dellaran

      Now that you mention it, they’ve never been seen in the same place at the same time…

      1. Orion Fury

        Zounds!

  48. Badgermole

    Pretending to be an Englishman won’t make you better at math, Walky. The secret to Jason’s success is actually the bowtie.

  49. Keulan

    I can’t stop giggling at this strip.

  50. darkoneko

    Inner Becky : let him go away, we have more hugging to do.

  51. Martin Smith

    Pfft, Thingley is clearly a baronetcy, everyone knows that. Walky’s alibi is already falling apart.

    1. Orion Fury

      Actually…

  52. Chronos

    “I am the great Cornholio! I need TP for my bunghole!”

  53. Emily

    What an idiot.

  54. Dex

    Oh no! What if Walky comes down with amnesia from hitting the tree, and thinks he really IS the Duke of Thingley?

  55. LWS

    Walky already acts brain-damaged on occasion, now he really can be brain-damaged (or it might knock some sense into him).

    1. Orion Fury

      [Insert Need ‘X’ For It To Be Damaged Joke Here]

  56. Willoughby Chase

    I say, I knew a Reggie Walkerton at Eton doncha know. Dashed fine fellow. Not a great one in the noggin department, but a real whizz at dressing up for the Eton v Harrow bunfight! Toodle-pip!

  57. Deadlinedance

    Becky is such a bro. Go Becky.

  58. Zellgato

    Becky’s a good wingperson in general so far

  59. Crumplepunch

    This Reginald guy looks a lot like a brunette Dorothy.

  60. Charles Phipps

    Does Walky not know he can drop this class? It’s still like two weeks into the semester isn’t it?

    1. BBCC

      No. More like a month. He probably can’t without it affecting his GPA.

    2. Reltzik

      Doesn’t matter. Dropping would require him to face his failures and shortcomings and limitations and their impact on his self-image, and he’s NOT DOING THAT.

    3. thejeff

      And dropping doesn’t solve any problems. Sooner or later he’ll hit a class he needs that he can’t excel at without work. Postponing that isn’t really a good idea.
      Better to learn to work at it now on a class he can afford to not do well in than later on in something more critical.

      1. Charles Phipps

        Eh, dropping now gives him some time to develop better study habits.

        1. thejeff

          Theoretically. If he bothers to do so, once there’s no pressing need. Remember who we’re dealing with here.

  61. showler

    I almost feel like this is Willis’ reaction to people saying he has so many lesbians in his comic you can’t walk five steps without tripping over one.

    1. Cerberus

      Well, Millennials are the gayest generation ever after all.

    2. Spencer

      You know, there’s only actually three lesbians in this comic; Becky, Lesli and Daisy. All the other queer ladies are bi or unlabeled in Dina’s case.

      It’s bilistic in here.

    3. Orion Fury

      I laughed, so hopefully that was a joke, other wise I’ll feel bad.

  62. Cerberus

    Comic Reactions:

    Panel 1: Heh, I love the little happy giggly smile and the way her eyes are looking up at Dina’s hat. This isn’t just a cuddle from a girl she loves, this is like the equivalent of the girl she loves putting her face in her boobs. Becky is definitely in happy scalp land right now.

    Panel 4: Oh, poor Walky, freaking out, panicking, in need of support, but too stubborn in letting go his worldview of himself and how the world works to reach out and request that support no matter how badly he needs it.

    And that’s a nice little parallel to Becky systematically clearing out the cobwebs of her mind. Becky is cleaning out the junk that was holding her back as Walky continues to try and hide and cling to it even though its no longer working in its intended purpose and is just making him feel like crap.

    But it also gives me hope that eventually something will have to give and he’ll have to push through the hardest barrier of toxic masculinity (admitting vulnerability) and get the love and support he needs to move forward in one way or another.

    Panel 7: I love love love this panel.

    A) Because Dina with her worried face, checking in with her girlfriend. It feels like an obvious lie, but she knows she has limitations with that kind of thing and may be genuinely mistaken and he really was someone else, so she asks her girlfriend for clarification.

    And it’s such a lovely parallel to Becky using the same method to check through all her old creationist garbage. The way they complement each other is so beautiful and healthy I just want them to be happy forever and analyze dino bones and make phylogenies and head cuddle.

    B) Because Becky. Like, of course she’d want to make sure not to kick Walky’s alibi while he’s down. It would only be fair in her mind.

    Because she’s been there, panicking, lying her ass off about her school “being on a break” and probably feeling so fucking obvious and transparent. And Walky fully supported her, even gave her support for her plan to reveal her love for Joyce, played along with her excuses. Walky supported her when she was down and clinging to a desperate alibi, so she’s gonna do the same for him.

    Duke of Thingley? Sure, bud. I got your back.

    1. Bagge

      Really nice parallel between Becky and Walky, again highlighting their connection.

      Just as you say – Becky was COMPLETELY FREAKED OUT OF HER MIND back then, just a few hours after her escape from ToeDad with the threat of his return hanging over her head. And Walky had her back. No questions, no demands. Just a fart joke and – when she came out – an “huh, that’s awesome.”

      And now it is Walky’s turn to freak out. And Becky knows exactly, EXACTLY just how much he is freaking out. Not because of his school trouble that she doesn’t know about but because they shared the vigil over Billie yesterday, and Becky knows that Walky is afraid he will lose his best friend to suicide.

      Duke of Thingley? Sure, bud. I got your back.

    2. Spencer

      On your observation for panel 7, one of the things I’ve consistently enjoyed about Dina’s character is that her being neurodivergent is never something she has to overcome. She’s not the helpless baby the people around her consistently treat her as in a noble attempt to protect her from being hit on, but likewise we’re never going to see her solve a whole bunch of prime number puzzles in an attempt to escape the deadly cube everyone’s been trapped in (let’s see if anyone catches that reference). Dina’s just Dina.

      1. ety

        Phi Brain? I didn’t finish that…

        I’m seeing this as also a parallel to her trying to understand Amber/AG’s thing.

      2. Orion Fury

        I figured it was from the “Cube” horror franchise. Never saw them, but got lost on their pages on tvTropes.

    3. Kernanator

      I don’t think it’s just toxic masculinity that’s keeping him from admitting weakness and asking for help, though I don’t doubt that’s a big part of it. I think it’s also the American ideal of “rugged individualism”, the idea that people should be able to pull themselves up “by their bootstraps” on their own. Which is horseshit, of course, everyone relies on other people to some degree or another. But when someone is used to solving problems on their own, especially if they do so easily, they have trouble asking for help until they have utterly exhausted themselves in attempts to do it themselves/avoiding the problem until they can’t anymore.

      (Source: I have this exact same problem)

      1. Orion Fury

        I always thought those were one and the same.

        I’ve heard id said that the best tutors are the “B” students, because they had to work form their grade, and as such know how to impart it. Not sure how true the statement is…

    4. Willoughby Chase

      Walky’s surrounded by a hard-working intelligent cohort, which must make “admitting his vulnerability” all the worse. His girl-friend is an all-time hard-striver.

      I’m not sure we can put it down to his “toxic masculinity” though – I’ve not seen any strips where Joe admits to having problems studying, for example – and I have a hard time viewing Walky as a “rugged individual” when he can barely lace his shoe-laces up; I think he’s more a case of the brightest child not achieving as much or as well he thinks or his parents think he should. Then there must be some competition with Sal.
      .

    5. Orion Fury

      The Slipshine of these two is going to end with Becky just being a puddle, isn’t it?

  63. anonymsly

    And suddenly I’m remembering Disney’s Robin Hood. “I am Reginald, Duke of Chutney!” I wonder if it’s simmering in Walky’s backbrain too.

    1. a snow mous e

      /Willis’s

      1. anonymsly

        Either one!

  64. Vorkon

    Wait, isn’t Dina skipping this class, too? I seem to remember something about her going all “squee” over Walky’s T-Rex doodles on one of his math assignments. I can’t remember the specific stip to check, so I could be missing something. Was Jason having one class grade another class’ work, or something?

    1. BBCC

      She’s in a different section, one on Tuesdays.

      1. Orion Fury

        You know, that day…

    2. Slartibeast Button, BIA

      No, that was Joyce.

      (I have it on good authority that Gary man-married Dirk Lonestyle and they now run a bed-and-breakfast in Conneticut.)

      1. BBCC

        They’re thinking of this one:http://www.dumbingofage.com/2011/comic/book-1/05-media-rumble/mine/

        But no, Dina isn’t skipping – she’s in a different section, on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Jason (or Prof. Rees) got the notes mixed up.

  65. Jimbo

    the first time walky trips all comic and it’s not because his shoes are untied….

    1. Willoughby Chase

      My money was on the laces, hadn’t realised he was that much of an idiot.

  66. Scar Man!!!

    calling this. His mom is going to find out he dropped a class and give a master course in passive-agressive dissapointment about his “laziness” and “living up to expectations”.

    It will involve something about “I would expect this stuff from your sister, but not you” and that will be when he snaps and calls her out.

    1. Spencer

      “Did your sister talk you into it?”

      1. a snow mous e

        “I knew we shouldn’t have let her go to the same college as you. That girl is a bad influence.”

        1. Slartibeast Button, BIA

          Next Week: Sal moves in with Kaitlin over at Anderson. Hilarity ensues*.

          * Where Hilarity = Mayhem

        2. Emperor Norton II

          Has those two words ever been anything but completely overlapping synonyms?

        3. Orion Fury

          Granted, while you’re Emperor of the Internet, does it extend to England at all?

  67. void

    Maybe leave the Reginald tag and just add a walky tag? Yes, no? you’re probably not going to listen to a random commenter? okay then.

  68. Ryek Hvek

    I wouldn’t mind seeing a Becky and Dina discussion about the Tower of Babel. Beyond the “It didn’t happen” statement, there would be more to it, in terms of what is there about humanity that prevents their unifying. Why the Christian religion in America is split into as many ‘isms’ as there are.

  69. LazyReader

    Not tying your shoes, such a retardicon

    1. thejeff

      Uncool.

      And it looks like he trips over them, not his laces. And then runs into a tree because he can’t see.

      1. Slartibeast Button, BIA

        An invisible tree? Is it bisexual?

        (Can trees be *not* bisexual?)

        1. Jhon

          Some trees (linden, ginko) are dioecious.

          You’re welcome.

      2. Orion Fury

        Seconded.

  70. Willoughby Chase

    For DYW: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qbmWs6Jf5dc

  71. Briny

    Thingley is absolutely lovely, this time of year. The foliage is quite spectacular.

    1. Orion Fury

      There’s a lovely cottage available too!

  72. Heavensrun

    Ah, don’t change the tag. Just treat it like Amazi-girl. He’s Walky up until panel 5. ;p

    1. void

      YES this.

      1. Orion Fury

        NOT ENOUGH YES

  73. a snow mous e

    Don’t change it! Or if you have to change it, add the “Walky” tag but don’t take away the “Reginald, Duke of Thingley” tag

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