572

Approved
Posted on August 20, 2013 by David M Willis

572 thoughts on “Approved”

  1. Geminia999

    Blaine is a Mutant!

    1. Squall

      Blaine is Mini-Gamera!

      1. ninja_jesus

        Impossible! Gamera is friend to children, and Blaine certainly is not!

        1. Leorale

          Blaine is neither really neat, nor is he made of turtle meat.

        2. Neospector

          I took care of my 6th grade class pets, which happened to be two cute little turtles. I don’t really have a point with that, I just want to point out that turtles are adorable.

    2. thecanvashat

      Blaine is the leader of the DoA brotherhood of evil.

    3. Wonder Wig

      Blaine is a Las Vegas magician!

      1. The Candyman

        Blaine is secretly a T. rex.

        1. nothri

          A big lumbering monstrosity with a tiny brain? That’s supposed to be a secret?

        2. Starscreamer

          Blaine is not so secretly about to get his ass kicked.

    4. Squall

      Blaine is a Pokémon!

      1. thecanvashat

        Blaine used Outrage!

        1. Tunaro

          It wasn’t very effective…

        2. Squall

          Blaine used Frustration!

        3. Led

          Ruth used Femur Rip!

        4. Varangian

          It’s super effective!

          BLAINE is paralyzed! It can’t move!

        5. Maycroft

          Blaine is history!!

        6. Tachyon

          Waitin’ for the Cinnabar to fly…

    5. Gram91

      Blaine is a douche who’s about to lose teeth…you have to admit, that’s still awesome despite my lack of creativity.

      1. James

        Well, not like he’s nearly awesome enough to be a mutant, a mini-kaiju, a dinosaur, or a magician, so…

        1. Sammie1053

          Isn’t mini-kaiju a bit of an oxymoron? Seeing as kaiju means “giant monster” or something like that.

        2. Gram91

          Actually, I believe it means “strange monster”

        3. Indianawalsh

          “Kaiju” means “strange creature.” “Daikaiju” means “giant monster.” I love Pacific Rim, but damn did they drop the ball on that one.

      2. Rex Hondo

        Nah, he can’t be a douche. Douches actually have some business being near a vagina.

        1. JustDucky

          They totally don’t, though. Any OB-GYN who’s worth anything will tell you not to use those things.

        2. AJBulldis

          Now THAT’S interesting. Is there a way to learn more that won’t make me or my browser history look any creepier?

        3. Viredae

          You know what they say: “In for a penny, in for a dime.”

        4. Kyrros

          I thought it was “in a for a penny, in for a Pound”?

        5. Nex

          In for a nickle, in for Mike to pound your mom

        6. Lieutenant Dan

          Mike is in for a nickel, ifyouknowwhatimean.

        7. Kam

          in for a nickel, mom for a pounding

        8. Squeeeble

          http://womenshealth.gov/publications/our-publications/fact-sheet/douching.cfm – a short goverment fact sheet.

          http://m.epirev.oxfordjournals.org/content/24/2/109.full – a free journal article which summarises the evidence.

          I think the article is pretty accessable but as an ex-microbiologist and a current junior doctor it’s difficult for me to judge. But yeah, I would say that washing the flaps with soapy water is potentially pushing it too. Water and making sure you wash between the creases is usually fine.

        9. NightmareWarden

          If I may be so bold, why did you switch from microbiology?

        10. Chibi Squirt

          Actual books will do nicely! And if you don’t want to go that far, try websites on general conditions for trying to conceive, which will include optimal vaginal conditions. Basically, a vagina is supposed to have a certain pH and certain microorganisms in it, and douches disturb those conditions. At the very least it leads to yeast infections.

        11. Reepicheep-chan

          Vaginas have a pretty delicate balance of opposed forces going on and you do not benefit from fucking around with. It is always best to go with a “if it ain”t broke don’t fix it” policy when it comes to vagina maintenance.

        12. Roborat

          Really? I benefit considerably from fucking around with vaginas; well, vagina, more accurately. It is great fun, and my wife seems to enjoy it also.

        13. Somebody

          Anyone who thinks that it’s actually “self-cleaning” has no business being a doctor. You still need to submerge/spray it with water…which bathing can take care of. So I guess they are useless devices after all.

      3. Björn

        My guess is he’s about to lose balls. See that knee in the last panel?

    6. Totz the Plaid

      Blaine is a pathetic abusive egotistical piece of shit, that’s all.

    7. Ewitwins

      Blane is a Super-Mutant!

      Now all he needs is a stop-sign pulled up outta concrete!

  2. Squall

    RUTH IS JUSTICE! FISTICUFFS ACTION!

    1. JustDucky

      Soon to be followed by “Blane in handcuffs and on his way to prison” action.

      1. thecanvashat

        Blaine, man of Prison Action!

        1. Squall

          He’ll get a lot of action in prison.

        2. RevenantBacon

          Giggity giggity, all right!

        3. Totz the Plaid

          When it gets out to his fellow inmates that he abused his daughter, the only thing that will get stuck in him is a shiv.

          I know that it’s more pedophiles that get that treatment in prison, but Blaine’s attitude will probably get him as hated, or he’ll say something that unintentionally implies that he sexually abused Amber, and he’ll get shanked anyway.

      2. Ridureyu

        Maybe they’ll have problems with handcuffs when Ruth TEARS OFF HIS ARMS AND BEATS HIM TO DEATH WITH THEM.

        man, this comic makes me bloodthirsty.

        1. Shade

          You needn’t worry. You’re not alone in that respect. We are united in our despisal and disgust of this filth that pretends to be a father and a human being.

        2. Dicrel Seijin

          I imagine the first panel of the next comic to be a close up of the Canadian flag with a pair of bloody femurs crossed under the maple leaf.

          The second panel will be Ruth, Billie, and Amber in post-coital bliss.

        3. Ocbrad1

          I’m liking where your head’s at!

  3. thecanvashat

    ROAR!

  4. Jen Aside

    FIGHT

    1. otusasio451

      TEST YOUR MIGHT

      1. Squall

        NO TIME FOR FLIGHT!

        1. thecanvashat

          DO WHAT’S RIGHT

        2. usayasha

          BY THE LIGHT OF THE NIGHT, IT’LL ALL SEEM ALRIGHT

        3. Dave

          MEOWTH! THAT’S RIGHT!

        4. Squall

          TEAM ROCKET BLAST OFF AT THE SPEED OF LIGHT!

        5. Moffitartan

          SURRENDER NOW OR PREPARE TO FIGHT!

        6. Ocbrad1

          When Ruth rips them out, his femurs will be white!

        7. iggy_rock

          Up all night! Wicked Tight!

        8. Crimson Doom

          BEWARE MY POWER, GREEN LANTERN’S LIGHT!

          …actually, Ruth as a Green Lantern would be pretty awesome. Yotomoe?

        9. Squall

          But what color would choose her?

    2. thecanvashat

      til the end/ Cause your life will depend/ on the strength that you have inside you.

    3. Yotomoe

      THIS IS TRUE LOVE WE’RE MAKING.

      1. Jen Aside

        THIS IS TUNA WITH BACON

    4. ICSM

      And tomorrow, the strip will cut to Mike in another pseudo-cliffhanger, just to piss everybody off.

      1. thecanvashat

        It’ll just be a comic of Joe eating McNuggets.

        1. ICSM

          Nah. If it cuts to Joe, then he probably meet his father soon, and, thus, with Amber’s Mom. That would advance one of the mutiple ongoing conflicts in SOME way.

          We can’t have that, can we? We need to torture the reader more.

        2. Yotomoe

          “I owe Walky an apology…these aren’t that bad”
          (I tried Mcnuggets recently…
          ew…Sorry Walky but…ew…)

        3. Squall

          http://squallloir.tumblr.com/post/57708959190
          Fifty McNuggets!

        4. Drunken Nordmann

          I chuckled more than I think I should have.

        5. Ocbrad1

          Brings a tear to my eye (and a gurgling to my intestines).

        6. Sammie1053

          Well, if Dave did that he’d sort of be ripping off of Jeph Jacques’ bit with one of his characters from a few months ago, and he already got in trouble for that once :3
          Just kidding. It WOULD be dangerously similar to the Steve eats cereal comic Jeph did but it would still be pretty entertaining, if not extremely infuriating.

        7. Gotenks

          I’d be okay with that, actually. just eating, last panel “huh
          Maybe these are worth getting excited about.”

      2. Tunaro

        I hope not; following a different subplot every day was starting to give me mental whiplash

      3. Ancestral Hamster

        The cutaway tomorrow will be to the squirrels on Squirrel Island.

    5. Niblik

      One shall stand…

  5. Leorale

    FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT

    1. Moffitartan

      *Grunkle Stan, visiting Mabel with Dipper, watches from the sidelines*
      FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT!

  6. Madness2.4

    SHITS GOING DOWN NOW!

    1. Gram91

      Problem is, who’s gonna move him when he does go down?

      1. Totz the Plaid

        The janitor, obviously. It’s his job to take out the trash, after all.

        1. JustDucky

          +1

        2. Pokesmoke

          Or at least whats left of it…

          ohh god there’s going to be so much blood and none of it ruth’s

        3. Totz the Plaid

          Some of it could be. I mean, she could end up tearing some skin off her knuckles if her fist collides with his teeth…

        4. Totz the Plaid

          That would also spill his teeth all over the floor, of course.

        5. MichaelHaneline

          You can tear the skin on your knuckles even without hitting the teeth. If you punch someone in the face with a decent amount of force, your knuckles are probably going to bleed.

        6. Totz the Plaid

          I thought so, but wasn’t sure, so I hedged my bets with the comment.

        7. The Candyman

          Which is why you need to practice by punching trees. Preferably trees from Malchior 7.

        8. Ocbrad1

          The former head cheerleader has proven herself adept at disposing of things down the trash chute. I’m just saying…

  7. SUGauthor

    I’m glad Ruth is fighting instead of Amber. A fight between Amber and her dad would have been downright ugly.

    1. Blackout

      Yeah, Ruth will just remove his femurs and beat him with them.

      1. motorfirebox

        There is nothing more beautiful than a good, solid femur-beating.

        1. Shade

          An extra helping of skull-cracking would not go amiss in Blaine’s case, me thinks.

  8. anonreader1

    Please beat the snot out that jerk.

    1. thecanvashat

      Literally. Use Blaine’s bodily fluids as watercolors is a glorious painting of the depravitiesof man.

      1. Yotomoe

        That’s gross.

        1. thecanvashat

          Yeah, it kinda is.

        2. Andy

          It’s also probly derivative of something someone else has done. Modern art seems to be like that sometimes.

        3. Tenn

          Kinda.

  9. Justnobody

    ROUND 2….FIGHT!

  10. otusasio451

    OH MY GOD THIS STORYLINE JUST KEEPS GETTING BETTER.

    1. Totz the Plaid

      Indeed!!!

  11. Glyph

    MORTAL KOMBAAAAAAT

    1. NerdHerder

      dundundundunDUNdundundun dundundundunDUNdundundun

      DUN DUN DUN DUN DUNDUN!

      1. Doctor_Who

        Kano! Liu Kang! Raiden! Johnny Cage! Scorpion! Sub Zero! Sonya!

        …Ruth!

        1. Tunaro

          FLAWLESS VICTORY

          FATALITY

        2. otusasio451

          FROSTYYYYY

    2. Darwin

      Yet, what I heard was the New Chapter sound from the original Ninja Gaidan.

    3. Yotomoe

      TEST YOUR MIGHT.

  12. Chrissy

    RA OF THE YEAR AWARD

    1. Leorale

      Heck yeah!! Easy to talk to about problems: D-. Respecting personal property: F. But defending the safety of her residents: A+++

    2. Athedia

      Her main problem was with Billy, she never messed with other peoples things unless they gave her reason. But yeah, I wish Ruth was my RA.

    3. Cybersnark

      Jaffa KREE!

      (Oh, you means RA as in R.A. Never mind.)

      1. Squall

        Send them through the Chappa’ai!

  13. JustDucky

    My money’s on Ruth. <3

    1. clodia

      How much money? $20? I mean, he outweighs her, but I think he might be hampered by all the other adults around right now. Plus, she’s deceptively awesome at fighting.

      Can I get a bet against?

      *NB: Only currencies accepted are Monopoly money and Simoleons.

      1. Rex Hondo

        50 quatloos on the human female!

        1. Rheinman

          +1

      2. JustDucky

        I have a $50 on her. ‘Cause we’ve seen her throw Billie so it certainly seems she has had some sort of training. ^^

        1. Squall

          I began to misread your comment as “I have $50 on her ’cause we’ve seen her naked”

        2. JustDucky

          lolwhat? That, good Sir, sounds like a pretty serious case of wishful thinking.

      3. Doctor_Who

        There is no chance for Blaine. He has no victory condition.

        Fact 1: He is openly assaulting a girl in front of several witnesses for attempting to eject him from a building he has no right to be in, and she has every right to do so as it is her job.

        Fact 2: This girl is RUTH, and she has backup.

        Best case scenario for Blaine is she lets him go with minor injuries, and decides a police report would be too much hassle.

        Worst case is he is ladled into a prison cell.

        1. SUGauthor

          The real question is how he’s avoided Jail for so long. If he explodes over something small like this he’s probably exploded before.

        2. Andy

          I’m going to guess he’s not generally this short-tempered. But he has, in the last few minutes, had his daughter stand up to him when he expected a pleasant afternoon of abuse, had the same daughter deck him, had that daughter also tell him to kiss her ass before running away, had random strangers prevent him from catching and “disciplining” his daughter, had a random girl stand up to him, and had that same random girl threaten to toss him out on his ass because he’s not allowed when his twisted logic claims he should be. In other words, the last few minutes have probly been the absolute worst he’s had in a very long time, with his temper fraying more with every thing that happens. I can understand why he’d flip out like this.

        3. Andrew_C

          Pretty much this.

        4. Mal

          I think Blaine has never had someone stand up to him before, probably because he tries to victimize only people that he thinks are weaker than he is. Amber standing up to him has thrown him off his game.

        5. Rheinman

          Yes, bullying people who fight back is not a long run success strategy. Trying to bully people you have no emotional handle on is an even quicker way to get curb-stomped

        6. JustDucky

          Worst case for Blaine gives me warm fuzzies. =D

        7. Jon P

          My guess is he causes Ruth some mild injury, and Sierra’s dad will be able to restrain him again. And right about that time is when Mrs. O’Malley walks in and gets one good slap across Blaine’s face as campus police take him away.

        8. Ancestral Hamster

          Hell yeah! Now Blaine is undeniably guilty in the eyes of the law. Ruth may have been slightly rude, but she’s doing her job. So he is committing Assault and Battery to stop her. He can’t claim self-defense since she did not threaten him with lethal force, or even struck him.

    2. Fay

      50 simoleans that Ruth wins.

      1. Fay

        Actually, make that a nickel.

        1. Bruceski

          You’re wagering your mom? Cold, man.

  14. Michael

    You have no idea how excited I am for this fight. This fight that may be broken up by tomorrow.

    1. Undrave

      Maybe Sierra’s dad will judo throw him or something!

  15. JBO

    He is not allowed to be there.
    Called it.

    1. Yotomoe

      I thought we all assumed that he wasn’t.

      1. thecanvashat

        I thought he had declared the dorm as his property, granted to him by a charter granted by Galasso.

        1. Andrew_C

          No, a charter from Galasso, The Supreme Purveyor of Pizza, would have some legitimacy.

    2. Viktoria

      Or Ruth is bluffing, which is what I’d do there. Get him out of the building on whatever grounds you can, and deal with the consequences later.

      1. Athedia

        I would say it isn’t a bluff. In my college we are supposed to register everyone coming into the buildings. I mean we don’t, be we are supposed to.

    3. Soozi

      Fun fact! If you’re on the “not-allowed” list for parents at my university, we just straight up call the cops. If he’s on the list, he can get charged for trespassing, and amber attacking him would get ignored – he’s trespassing and it’s pretty much assumed it was self defense (assuming their reactions to dangerous people in dorms are the same as mine). Will also probably get charged with assault for attacking Ruth, an RA.

      Source: I was a Front Desk Assistant at my college, we had an abusive father try to get in! I was told “just call the cops, and then call [RA] with the code word so she knows to go to the person’s room and warn her if he gets past you”.

  16. Wonder Wig

    In ten years I’ll remember where I was when the most epic beat-down in the history of the world occurred – at my computer desk as always.

    1. Totz the Plaid

      But at least this time, you have front-row seats!

  17. Plasma Mongoose

    Blaine uses ROAR
    It has no effect.

    1. Yotomoe

      Ruth used Glare. Blaine may not be able to move.
      Ruth is tightning her Focus. (Focus punch)

      1. SUGauthor

        It’s a critical hit. Blaine flinches. Blaine watches in terror as Ruth removes his Femurs and uses Bone rush. Blaine wets himself.

        At least that’s what I hope will happen.

        1. Squall

          Blaine uses Splash! But nothing happens

        2. Rex Hondo

          Blaine shits himself and dies! It’s highly effective!

  18. Juliecat

    Sierra’s mom with a surprise nut shot. To Blaine.

    1. JustDucky

      It actually looks like Ruth might be the one taking that shot. That looks like her leg at the bottom of panel 5. ^^

      1. Yotomoe

        Doubtful. The way it’s colored and outlined kinda implies it’s in the background.

        1. JustDucky

          Yeah, I think you’re right. I went back and checked and she’s wearing shorts. So what do you think that is, then?

        2. Yotomoe

          Either Sierra’s mom or Sierra herself.

        3. SteampunkRiker

          I believe that is Reno’s arm and leg. He was holding Blaine back in the previous panels.

        4. David Willis

          Correct.

        5. Squall

          No. Incorrect. He grew a third arm.

        6. SUGauthor

          I actually think it was her dad, he was the one holding him back.

  19. Henry

    So will we get Ruth ripping out Blaine’s femurs with a script across the panel saying “FATALITY!”?

    Also, is the “approved family member” thing an actual thing for college visitations? Because I know it’s not at my school.

    1. Chrissy

      Not at my school, and I was an RA. It’s possible that its different at IU, but it’s also possible Ruth was goading him.

      1. Chrissy

        Actually, on second thought, it’s quite possible that we did have such a list but that only the higher ups (mom-student staff) knew about it. They did tell us some stuff on a need to know basis.

        1. Chrissy

          Non* student. (Though I would trust mom-students with this info, they’d probably be very protective.)

    2. Tomaj

      We didn’t even have people allowed into the resident areas (beyond the lobbies, anyway) without the student physically taking them in there at UNM.

    3. Leorale

      It certainly exists for elementary programs. Around here, a guardian has to show ID and be on the list, or else they are Not Allowed to pick up the student. (Completely necessary for domestic violence cases and estranged parents trying to break custody arrangements.)

      In one instance, teachers all got a picture of a known perpetrator who’d threatened the school. If he’d have shown up, he would’ve been considered a kidnapper, they’d have gotten the kids to safety and called cops.

      Anyway, does anyone know if this is a thing in colleges, too? Blaine seems like this is the perfect situation for such a list to exist.

      1. Chrissy

        We had posters of people who were trespassed from campus, but in most instances they had assaulted students or were dangerous exes. None that I can recall were old enough to be family. All had already committed a crime or offense on campus, as I understand it.

    4. fogel

      Blaine is not a resident of the dorm–not that residents can do anything they want in a dorm — and EVEN if he’s on a list of pre-approved visitors — and how likely is that? — he doesn’t have the right to stay there if his visitee wants him out AND he has arguably violated several OTHER laws already, even if not major ones … yet. I don’t know why Ruth needs any list (perhaps to establish that he was trespassing when he entered the dorm?), because plenty of grounds already exist for IUPD to haul him out, perhaps arrest him–IF this were the ‘ real’ world. But it’s not, it’s the Dumbyverse, and how things unfold, including the laws of physics, are up to Willis (and so far the ride has been a good one).

      1. Maja!

        I guess it may be to follow the rules and thereby prevent problems later or maybe just to get Billie out of there, as Ruth might want to keep her safe?

  20. The Candyman

    Geez Blaine, you’re pulling one of Dina’s moves here.

    1. Leorale

      It took me entirely to long to realize you meant the roaring. I actually scrolled up to see if maybe Blaine was behind a door or something.

  21. Sir Robin

    Ruth never needs a reason to give someone a thrashing, but Blaine does deserve it, so that makes it so much sweeter

  22. Iname

    It’s a full-grown abusive man versus a recover alcoholic lesbian(?) Canadian.
    Obviously that douche will have his ass handed to him in less time than it takes for a hobo to shank you for crack money.

    1. Totz the Plaid

      Ruth seemed to be bi in the Walkyverse. Probably the same here.

      1. Rokk

        I think she’s bi/pan here… she mentioned something to Howard a few atrips back about not seeing why the plumbing a person has is so important.

        1. Rokk

          **strips

    2. Sir Robin

      An alcoholic who is moody from withdrawals

  23. Gram91

    If only this was in video form…Cause that would be great with popcorn 😀

    1. Specter177

      Well, Willis did get his degree in animation…

      1. Zebalien

        Get my hopes up. Please.

  24. TheBrigeedaRocks

    It’ll earn him another sock in the mouth, that’s what.

  25. Oceanus92

    Can we just cut to the end? I want to see Ruth’s Fatality.

    1. Totz the Plaid

      No! I want to see every glorious second of the beatdown!

  26. alicemacher

    Notice how, during this security incident, Ruth puts aside her “gotta keep up appearances by being mean to Billie in public” policy and simply gives Billie instructions for what needs to be done.

    I like that.

    1. Totz the Plaid

      Ruth didn’t get RA authority for nothing!

    2. Leorale

      Yes. Good priorities.

    3. Squall

      Ruth is annoyed because she was making out with Billie and they interrupted her.

    4. John

      I like that Ruth feels she can call on Billie for backup, and that Billie backs her up without question.

      1. ocbrad1

        And Billie, while you’re there, grab my hockey stick.

  27. Emu

    Daaaaang! Ruthless is ready for battle in the most awesome way possible! I bet the arm poking in there is going to break them up before anything really cool happens, though.

    1. Sir Robin

      I think the arm is him breaking away from Reno

      1. Yotomoe

        Poor Reno.

      2. Leorale

        Oh! That’s possible. I’d also assumed the arm was reaching forwards to break up the fight. But having Blaine break free works just as well or better.

        1. Jon P

          Indeed. Willis confirmed it above, but you can see Sierra’s dad’s hand holding Blaine back in 1 and 4 before he breaks free in 5.

  28. Juliecat

    Ooh the secret message here is that Ruth is being BFFs in public with Billie…

  29. JebJeb

    Ah shit. There’s clearly a fucking reason he’s not allowed in there, the guy is full blown psychotic. I mean sure, he was a grade A asshole in all his previous strips. But this just shows that he’s got a few screws loose. If that’s ALL it takes to get him to take a swing at a stranger, I’m surprised he hasn’t been jailed yet.

    1. Yotomoe

      He just wants to punch people. Is that so wrong? (the answer is yes)

      1. JebJeb

        Well the answer is actually “almost always yes. Unless the person you punch is Blaine. Then punch away.”

        1. Yotomoe

          Well it depends on when you are punching Blaine. You can’t just punch people without just cause, no matter how awful they are.

        2. Leorale

          Even though we’d really, really like to.

        3. Yotomoe

          Because if you can punch whoever you want then everyone can punch whoever they want. And now everyone is Blaine.

        4. Leorale

          Blaines everywhere noooo

    2. Totz the Plaid

      You’d be surprised. I’ve had a psycho threaten to kill me with witnesses around just because I asked him to stop making loud, inappropriate statements in public. All the police could do was take down an incident report, even after he threatened me again a month later, the next time he happened to be at the same coffee shop, with no provocation aside from me previously calling out his bullshit.

      Somehow that freak never had an arrest record that I could find.

  30. Sam

    OH SHIT.

  31. Bemmie

    I’m scared and confused, Dave is giving us exactly what we want…

    …What horrible monstrosity is he about to unleash upon us?

    Why am I never able to trust good things?

    -Bem

    1. timemonkey

      Well, he’s created a situation where Faz, Howard and Danny might all end up interacting.

      1. Yotomoe

        “Wanna watch game of thrones?”
        “Faz hears there are many boobs in that program”
        “And my name is Danny.”

        1. Leorale

          I grinned.

        2. Yotomoe

          http://sadpanda.us/images/1803678-L8O225D.png

        3. Leorale

          <3 <3 <3

      2. Delirio

        Speaking of which, did they just leave Faz back there offering Dina’s family a Fail demonstration?

        1. Yotomoe

          And I guess they left Howard behind too.

        2. xKiv

          Howard is behind Ruth in panel 2, so … technically … yes …

  32. Tanarin

    OK, does he not know any better… Never, and I mean NEVER mess with a woman that loves hockey. They know how to fight.

  33. PAC

    Femurs! Femurs! Femurs!

    On a side note I’m curious to see whose hand that is in the middle of the last panel and if the mysterious person will break up the fight.

    1. Sir Robin

      I think it’s Reno

      1. Totz the Plaid

        Willis has confirmed above that yes, it is Reno.

        Blaine’s just breaking free of his grip.

        Whether or not that “approved visitors” list is real (which I suspect it is), or if it’s just a gambit on Ruth’s part, him attacking an RA in the dorm hallway with witnesses is more than enough for her to have him thrown out by campus security and probably banned from the school grounds.

        Legal action would probably be taken against him by the school as well.

  34. Eric

    Wait… nononono… narratively speaking. This isn’t going to end well. Oh, crap. 🙁

  35. motorfirebox

    I thiiiink I know who owns that third hand.

    maybespoilermaybespoiler

    If you drive your daughter so far over the edge that she starts putting on a disguise and beating up criminals… what happens when you piss her off?

    1. JebJeb

      No way that she could change outfits that quickly and then get behind him.

    2. thecanvashat

      Sal?

      1. Squall

        It’s Batman! Ruth is both in front and behind Blaine! She’s gonna tagteam him!

    3. Totz the Plaid

      Nope. Willis has confirmed that’s just Blaine breaking free of Reno’s grip.

  36. AJBulldis

    Blaine is leaving himself wide open there, so my pretend Internet money is on Ruth.

    1. AJBulldis

      As for this third hand stuff, I’m pretty sure it’s just Sierra’s dad.

    2. Aydr

      Yeah, Blaine’s fighting technique based on this strip seems to be mostly biting, and considering how far away his hands are as he leans in he probably studied by bobbing for apples.

  37. mathiasmindblade

    Groin Kick! 100,000 EXP + 30g

    1. carl320

      First Ruth needs to roll for attack and if she hits, roll 2d4 damage.

      1. Totz the Plaid

        Only 2d4? I’m pretty sure that would be 3d10 with a crit happening at a 17 or above on her attack roll.

        1. Rex Hondo

          I’m pretty sure DOA’s GM is running it using only the core books, since we know he isn’t using any of the SEMME splatbooks, which contain all of the game-breaking superpowers.

        2. Totz the Plaid

          Ruth’s got a natural weapon bonus on her fists, though. Some sort of brawler class.

        3. Rex Hondo

          I think that just means she can choose to do lethal damage with unarmed strikes as opposed to stun damage.

          (As a side note, good god I’m glad I met my wife at a D&D game.)

  38. Vivvav

    KICK HIS ASS.

  39. The Candyman

    Holy shit, new theory. Blaine is actually Dina’s biological father. Seriously, just look at the last panel. I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s pulling his best rawr there.

    1. Yotomoe

      Blaine is one of the few dinosaurs left besides Dina’s family. when they were assigning rooms they saw that Amber was half dinosaur and paired her with Dina in hopes they’d get along.

  40. Mattyos

    I said it yesterday and i’ll say it again….ruth is a hockey fan…she’ll kick his abusive douchenozzle ass

  41. K. Ivan Ruppert

    Godspeed, Ruthless. Teach this sack of shit some manners.

  42. mechaqua

    Great fighting stance Blaine! Face presented front and center unguarded and fists unclenched.

    1. Yotomoe

      This would only work if he was winding up for a wicked headbutt.

    2. Pat

      He likes hitting people that “quit” when he “touch[es] [them] once.”
      That does not imply that he actually has fighting skill.

      1. Totz the Plaid

        He’s relatively tall. Along with what Pat said, that implies that he’s always gotten by on intimidation alone.

        1. Pat

          His better weight and reach means he could easily beat Ruth assuming equal skill.
          Evidence suggests that their skill level is not equal. Also she’s prepared for his attack and he’s lunging carelessly. Also there are like a whole bunch of other people around, all of whom will be on Ruth’s side.

  43. Doctor_Who

    I’m not a violent man by nature. I would almost never wish physical harm to come to anyone.

    But that doesn’t apply to fictional characters. Ruth, please reduce Blaine to a sobbing mess on the floor, begging for mercy in a voice several octaves higher than usual.

  44. Nena

    Wow! What a mega-asshole! Sad that those types really do exist and aren’t just in comic strips.

  45. Slipgate

    Dave,

    This badassery rocks. Thank you.

    1. Kiggy

      Said it with a fittingbavatar to bootb;)

  46. Iceman

    I want Ruth to break him

    1. timemonkey

      I want her to break him too, and I don’t even like her.

    2. Tunaro

      Like a Kit Kat Bar.

    3. Tenn

      “Let’s not stand on ceremony here… Mr. Blaine.”

      1. Tenn

        (Yeah, not his last name, but O’Malley doesn’t rhyme.)

  47. diremoi

    Is it clobberin’ time? I think it’s clobberin’ time.

    *Gets out Team Ruthless Swag*

    1. Kiggy

      IT’S CLOBBERIN’ TIME!!!

  48. tk3561

    MORTAL KOMBAT!!!

  49. Wack'd

    Take your bets?

    Someone who’s been shown to be able to defend herself against active, athletic assailants versus someone who implicitly goes after people who don’t fight back?

    I know where my money is.

    1. Yotomoe

      I bet everything on Silver Dasher.

      1. Crimson Doom

        I bet $9001 simoleons that Mike wins. Using some nickels and the mothers of the combatants. He squicks everyone out so much that they all die from sheer disgust.

  50. Beachfox

    I’m skipping the comments and guessing that… Three people will act all “Oh, why doesn’t Ruth just try -walking away-?” superior and bemoaning the fact that poor Blain’s getting punched again.

    1. Beachfox

      Also:
      FEMERS!
      FACE!
      FEEEEEMERS!
      FAAAAAAAAAAAAACE!

      1. Megasteve

        FEMERS TO THE FAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAACE!

    2. Beachfox

      Actually, zero! Yay!

      Now I feel like a dick for being all cynical and shit…

      1. timemonkey

        The strips been up for half an hour, the people you refer to take at least an hour to start acting morally superior.

      2. Pat

        Ruth is standing between him and his target, and he’s actually attacking her. I’m not sure how anybody could interpret that as a “Walk away” situation. Run away, maybe, but I wouldn’t recommend that either.

      3. Leorale

        Well, you were spot on with the femurs.

  51. Rex Hondo

    Is… Is he really leading with his face? (I know. Faaaaace.) At an opponent who is waiting for you to make a move?

    Ruth’s about to punch him in the face so hard he’s going to shit out his own head.

    1. nothri

      “Is… Is he really leading with his face? (I know. Faaaaace.) At an opponent who is waiting for you to make a move?
      Ruth’s about to punch him in the face so hard he’s going to shit out his own head.”

      Well, clearly he figures he should use his face as a bludgeoning weapon since the inside of his skull is apparently filled up with freaking rocks in light of lacking anything more useful to occupy the space.

    2. Pat

      At the risk of defending him, I’m not sure how he was to know that she was waiting for him to make a move.
      Or even if he knew that she predicted it, how he could have known that she’s capable of standing up to him on those terms. He’s used to attacking people that don’t fight back.

      1. Rex Hondo

        I would think that “Well if you’re so proud of it I can make you more,” should have been a clue. But then, I suppose that’s one of the many differences between Blaine and me. I usually think.

        1. Pat

          She threatened him, but then she tried to talk instead of fight.
          She was trying to get him to back down instead of actually fighting. To get him to leave by using her authority.

          Maybe she did want a fight, and she was certainly prepared for one, but she was at least somewhat trying to avoid one by being intimidating. Perhaps he noticed, and thinks he’s calling her bluff.

        2. Pat

          (Also I forgot about that.)

      2. nothri

        I’m more referring to the fact that she has identified herself as an authority of the campus, there are multiple witnesses around, they all know who he is, and his next move is to physically attack her. A criminal genius this man is not.

        1. Rex Hondo

          Oh definitely. On a tactical genius scale from zero to Thrawn, he ranks somewhere around the fuzzy squash I threw out last week. The last girl to mouth off to him, less than a minute ago, decked him. It just doesn’t seem to occur to him that this one might as well, even though she just openly threatened to.

          Besides, even if he thinks she’s bluffing, the only reason to lead with the face is if Amber hit him hard enough that he actually thinks he’s either a shark or the aforementioned T-Rex.

        2. Kyrros

          “On a tactical genius scale from zero to Thrawn”

          I don’t know if you just came up with that or not – but I actually clap-laughed when I read that. Best scale of anything I think I’ve ever heard.

          /golfclap

        3. Cybersnark

          Ditto.

  52. CollyWolly

    How can this not end in jail time for Blaine?

    1. Yotomoe

      It cannot.

      1. Totz the Plaid

        Well, if he dies, then it won’t end in jail time for him. Otherwise, Yotomoe is correct.

        1. Squall

          If he dies, they’ll revive him and put him in jail.and he’ll be alive, and dead, and rotting, and locked up.

        2. Mal

          The only thing worse than Blaine is Zombie Blaine.

        3. Totz the Plaid

          Nah, at least Zombie Blaine wouldn’t be able to talk.

        4. Tenn

          And Flaming Voodoo Blaine.

        5. Rex Hondo

          Blaine of Borg, speaker for the Collective.

        6. Culwecth

          Sooo…he’ll be like Schrodinger’s Cat?

          Only in prison.

        7. begbert2

          They’ll open the box in five to ten.

    2. Kamino Neko

      Depends on the cops that come to arrest him. Get the wrong cop, and his argument could be treated as one that has merit. Those cops are rare, and getting rarer, but they exist.

      Luckily, the situation doesn’t really allow him to get away with it like he no doubt usually does when the cops get involved (the victims changing their mind). Too many witnesses, and neither Ruth nor Amber is either all Stockholm-y or cowed by him.

      1. JeffEpp

        This is taking place in a collage dorm. If nothing else, the school will press charges. Any college that gives the slightest impression that it allows its students to be assaulted is asking for lawsuits.

        He entered a dorm room of a female student without her permission, knowledge, or presents. And waited there for her to show up. Before witnesses, he rummaged through her personal effects, made statements of “ownership” over her and her things, was verbally abusive, physically threatening, and made reference to physical violence in the past. He positioned himself such that the target of his aggression could not leave. When asked to leave, he escalated the threat is such a way that said target could reasonably fear for her safety. She then took an action of self defense that gave her the opportunity to leave, and did so. He followed her, once again before witnesses, spouting further abuse and threats. When confronted by a person of authority, who identified herself as such, and who questioned his authorization to be in this place, he attacked this individual as well.

        No, he has gone well beyond the “talk your way out of it” phase. And, if the school has it’s own police, it may count as a municipality, and have it’s own laws. Laws that specifically deal with this kind of incident.

        1. Kamino Neko

          Seriously, he really isn’t, not if the cops who show up break in his favour.

          He argues that as Amber’s father, and the one paying for her college, he has every right to be there. The cop agrees. The list comes up, the cop agrees to escort him off the premises, but nothing else as the lax enforcement of the list on the college’s part argues against its seriousness.

          He argues that Amber and Ruth both provoked him. The cop agrees. Everyone else points out that he was belligerent before ever encountering Ruth, he points out that Amber threw the first punch, the cop refuses to believe he threatened her (or else agrees that she brought it on herself).

          Amber and Ruth insist he be charged, the cop ‘forgets’ that little detail, until it’s brought up again, then fails to follow up, until he ‘forgets’ again, until the next time.

          It’s not likely, since this sort of bullshit is taken more seriously than it used to be, but those cops still exist.

        2. Rex Hondo

          Fortunately for Amber and Ruth, this is taking place in Bloomington, which makes it more likely for a decent cop to be the one to show up. Sadly for women and girls in the rest of the state, the type of cop that would take Blaine’s side are much more prevalent in rural and small-town Indiana.

    3. xKiv

      Expensive lawyers and lots of money?

  53. timemonkey

    You done fucked up, Blaine, you done fucked up. Even if Ruth doesn’t kick your ass you’re still surrounded by people who were already not happy with you.

  54. Aria

    Go Ruth! And the way you draw Claire is adorable~

    1. ocbrad1

      Concur on both!

  55. Luzahn

    Go Ruth! Vent your Billie and brother-related troubles upon deserving targets!

    Hmm, maybe Ruthless will be Amazi-girl’s antihero ally instead of arch-nemesis….

  56. Tunaro

    Shit is about to go down. Some more.

  57. Yotomoe

    I swear I’ve seen like 4 mortal kombat jokes and like 1,000 femur jokes. Now femurs aren’t funny anymore. THANKS, GUYS.

    1. Doctor_Who

      Not to worry! Today’s Roomies mentions a coccyx! Coccyxs are always funny!

      1. Totz the Plaid

        What about spleens? “Spleen” is just an inherently funny word, right?

        1. Rex Hondo

          Though not as funny as frenulum.

        2. Yotomoe

          Nope. No more heroes 1. you will eventually get tired of it.

        3. Wack'd

          Especially if you have them in three different colors.

  58. Kyle Voltti

    I kind of want to see mr Snow lay him the feck out. still waters and all that

  59. Yotomoe

    I can’t describe how I feel about this. I’m by no means a good willed person but…I can’t help feeling uncomfortable amidst a bunch of people wanting someone to get hurt. It’s wierd but it puts a bad taste in my mouth, even though I know he’s the bad guy. I feel…gross.

    1. JustDucky

      He’s not a real person and that matters a lot, imo. It’s kinda cathartic to wish ill upon a fictional evil person who is representative of real evil people. I can’t speak for everyone, of course, but if this was really happening I would be scared for Ruth rather than rooting for her to lay Blaine out.

      1. Leorale

        Same here. It’s cool to hate on fictional villains. That’s what they’re for.

        1. Yotomoe

          I’m pretty fine with hating him. I still feel uneasy though. I get MAD uncomfortable when large groups of people outspokenly wish violence upon a person, fictional or not. I’m just too much of a bleeding heart, I guess.

        2. Leorale

          Aw, that’s cool. Faceless mob violence is awful. I certainly can’t blame a fellow for disliking it, even when it’s the pretend kind.

        3. Chris Phoenix

          This is not mob violence. In the comic, it’s a group of adults trying to deal with a crazy violent person. In the comments, it’s an audience.

        4. JustDucky

          What’s the alternative wish in this situation? He is attacking Ruth. Either he is going to get hurt or she is. And wishing for it to be her is, as you noted below, pretty horrible.

        5. Totz the Plaid

          Yotomoe, I’m almost completely a pacifist, but when someone’s an abuser the way Blaine is, that just crosses a line to the point where physical violence is 100% acceptable to me.

          He BEAT a woman, he possibly beat Amber as well! That’s pure scum!

          Maybe I’m biased because I was raised by an abusive sociopath similar to Blaine, but all the therapists I’ve seen agree that there is NOTHING that excuses what people like Blaine and my father have done.

          The stuff they do is 100% inexcusable, unacceptable, and unforgivable.

          It can and often does do as much psychological damage as rape, and that’s if rape or other sexual abuse isn’t already part of their crime.

          Blaine is absolute scum, and he deserves whatever harm he brings upon himself.

        6. Yotomoe

          You’re misunderstanding. I understand Blaine is wrong, and I understand he deserves punishment. I’m uneasy at the eagerness people feel for him to feel aforementioned punishment by a large group of people. I was never around abusive parents, thank god, so I don’t have a personal vendetta against him like you may. I know he should probably get punched in the face. But I still feel sick. I can’t explain it Plaid. I just feel uneasy.

        7. Pat

          I understand.
          He deserves to be hurt. The situation calls for someone to try to hurt him. It makes sense to want Ruth to be victorious.
          But wanting him to suffer isn’t quite the same.

        8. Totz the Plaid

          Well, I want the injury to stick around long enough to cause him to think twice about trying to fuck with Amber or her mom in the future.

          I’m not some sadist. He probably caused some injuries to Amber’s mom in the past, and I want him to get a taste of his own medicine before he rots in a cell.

          I’ve got an underbite from my jawbone being knocked out of place by a punch my dad when I was a kid. Even just “one hit” can do real damage.

          Blaine deserves to feel that pain.

        9. Totz the Plaid

          And no, sadly I cannot bring up charges against him for that injury because by the time I uncovered the repressed memory of that incident, the statute of limitations had passed. Unfortunately the indictment must be filed within six years of the incident, and it was repressed for about eleven.

        10. Opus the Poet

          There is such a thing in fiction as Divine Retribution. Sadly it seems to be lacking in the Real World.

        11. Shade

          Yotomoe, the simple fact that you feel that way, already makes you a much better person than many in the world. Be proud of that fact.

        12. Tenn

          ^ This.

          If everyone felt uncomfortable about violence of any kind, the world would be a better place.

        13. rachel

          yeah. this is a Rough Storyline, it is not supposed to just be “aw fuck yeah boooo blaine” it is a “holy shit, real people have REALLY BIG PROBLEMS sometimes, and this is how shit goes down when your fucked-up protectors are actually abusive psychopaths”

          lots of bad words in this post! sorry kids

        14. ocbrad1

          @Shade, bravo. Nailed it.

        15. Squall

          Yoto. You feel uneasy due to the unstoppable force of Mob violence, don’t you. Mob violence is scary, and typically leads to more violence after the initial act is completed. A striking Union descending upon a police officer is about the same as the people who hate abusers calling for Blaine’s execution. Once he’s dead, who do we point our anger at? The other police officers? Once we do that, we’ll be worse than the people we hate. Mob mentality is a scary thing.

    2. Mr. Giggles

      Its reasonable not want people to be hurt and to be uncomfortable with people calling for others to be injured, even when there fictional. The reason I think everyone one is wishing for violence upon Blaine (including myself) is because he represents abuse in multiple forms, and because this is fiction the natural reaction is seems to want to see this rejected in the most absolute way possible and there are no “real” consequences, i.e. a real person going to jail or dying. I think if this actually happened most of us would be happy with Blaine just getting arrested or a least getting kicked out of the building. That’s just my opinion though.

      1. Totz the Plaid

        As a survivor of multiple forms of abuse (emotional, psychological, sexual, and in at least one instance, physical), I’d want him to at least suffer a broken bone or two as well in real life.

        And keep in mind, that I’m generally a pacifist.

        I’m anti-war, anti-gun, will do whatever I can to avoid getting into a fight, etc.

        Intentional abusers are a special kind of evil, though. Up there intermingling with rapists and murderers.

        I wouldn’t want to see Blaine die in real life, but I would still want to see him suffer.

      2. Doom Shepherd

        I wasn’t ever abused myself, but for the last 15 years I’ve been in love with someone who was BADLY abused as a child. Having seen what it’s done to her, there is probably nothing that could be done to Blaine that is so horrible that I would not enthusiastically support it.

    3. bubblespuppies

      Gotta agree with Yotomoe on this.

      Seeing an awful lot of folks gleefully wishing various horrific forms of pain and violence on someone, even a fictional character, is unnerving.

      1. Memyself

        I feel the same way, but after reading some solid points of the cathartic angle it made more sense to me. Regardless, It’s a testament to the quality of the comic that we can perceive these characters as “real’ and have empathy for them. especially this particular one.

    4. fogel

      I’m not a pacifist, I’m okay with violence in self-defense or to protect others, I’ve done both. And I’ve enjoyed the catharsis of entertainments in which bad guys get theirs (yippee kayea…). AND it looks like Willis has set things up so that Ruth needs to use violence to stop Blaine, justifiably. But it seems thate many readers are looking forward to seeing Blaine punished for the evil he’s done, not just stopped because he’s a present/continuing danger–though the two can overlap in reality and entertainment. And it’s good to doubt and question and be uncomfortable about violence and people calling for it, including in an entertainment. Heck, one of the best things I’ve seen recently is the discussion about the Superman movie which Willis wrote for Amber and Mike over in Shortpacked.

      1. fogel

        http://www.shortpacked.com/index.php?id=1880

      2. Yotomoe

        I’m by no means nonviolent. If you look up comments I’ve made I make all sorts of violent comments. I just have a threshold. I can’t take a certaint amount of hatred and violence in one sitting.

    5. Kyrros

      At the risk of sounding glib…

      Welcome to the internet.

      People have wantonly over-indulged in projecting violence of many kinds onto others (fictional or otherwise) because unfortunately it’s the culture of anonymity that the internet has fostered.

      If I could change one thing about “The Net™” it’s that people can hide behind an avatar and a keyboard and be absolute scumbags to the real people on the other side of the screen with little or no personal repercussion to themselves.

      1. bubblespuppies

        I guess the issue I had is that I’m not a stranger to the Internet Hate Machine, it’s just that this level of nearly euphoric revelry in hatred is something that seems to be very out of character for this community.

        Hell, it’s irritating and disheartening enough that I’m on the fence about rooting for Blaine right now. :/

  60. Jerry

    Am I the only one who wants to wait a few days, then watch the fun unroll in one sitting with a bag of popcorn?

    1. Dragonwheel

      Tried. Couldn’t wait then, gotta know now!

  61. Poz

    Yeah “someone stop my daughter before she gets away” stops being an acceptable sentence by the time said daughter reaches eight years old. After that anyone is going to assume a child likely has a decent reason for running away.
    That aside, way to go Ruth! Going for the sensible option that leaves Blaine with no foot to stand on later. If she gets violent right away he could spin it to assault (unlikely with the witnesses and circumstances but still) but if campus security drags him off or if he attacks her that’s that.

    1. Totz the Plaid

      Hell, depending on other factors, they might clearly have a decent reason even younger than that!

    2. Rokk

      Also, she’s a grown woman, Blaine’s got a split lip and she was pissed enough to air her family history in public… Yeah, they’re really gonna try stopping her, genius.

  62. CPP

    Hmmm… If Ruth wins, I can only imagine the power she wields, defeating a man with an estimated 45 combined years of serious abuse of his family in two universes…

    If Blaine wins, then clearly I should be thinking of a hate fic.

    1. Reltzik

      ONLY if Blaine wins?

    2. Pat

      Abuse isn’t fighting skill.
      We know Ruth has some of that. We also know that Blaine doesn’t expect people to hit him–only he does that.

      I’m not saying that Ruth winning the fight is the only possible outcome, just that it certainly is a possible one. Especially since it’s not exactly a one-on-one duel.

    3. Arkadi

      What Pat said. Blaine might be a proper fighter, but the typical thing for an abuser is to pick on people who can’t/won’t fight back.

  63. Rhy

    I love the rivalry between Jeph and David. I read Questionable Content first, and found Dumbing of Age (and then Shortpacked) from there. For a while I was wondering why this site isn’t called David Willis is a Jerkface.

    1. Reltzik

      The local parlance is DYW, short for DAMN YOU, WILLIS!

    2. ocbrad1

      It is a gloriously wonderful and entertaining rivalry! May it continue for years and years!

  64. Mr. V

    These past couple of strips remind me of Sunset Tree by the Mountain Goats. Great album.

    1. rachel

      DAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAMN UP THE WOLVES

  65. Ben

    This is the part where Sarah comes out from nowhere and knocks the brute out with a baseball bat, Ruth punches him in the kidney, and then Dina eats his face. Too much catharsis. Honestly it’ll still be good if he just gets locked up and and restraining order’d. I feel bad for Amber.

  66. Thor

    The big question now is, can that disembodied hand sneak in a cop a feel on Ruth before the bodies clash together?

    If this was Dumbing of Age manga it could!

    1. JustDucky

      I think I’d like to avoid the mangas you read. =/

      1. Rex Hondo

        The less said about “Dumbing of Age: Kiss Players,” the better…

        1. Thor

          That one has all my favorite characters from “It’s Warukii-chan: Bang-Bang Ice Cream Onii-san H and Shorutupakadu: Ninja Riku Adventure Baka Kawaii.

        2. Rex Hondo

          You’re the guy who keeps replacing all the “disturbing” and “sick” with “awesome” and “romantic” on the wiki! I guess there really are a few in every fandom.

    2. Mr. Morningstar

      I thought it was going for Blaine.

  67. Drillgorg

    I don’t want Ruth to get a good punch in, however I do want Blaine to get a good punch in so that he can get arrested for assault.

    1. nothri

      Pretty sure there is such a thing as attempted assault, so he’s already screwed far as the police are concerned.

      1. Totz the Plaid

        Also, potentially trespassing, definitely threats, and from the point of view of the witnesses in the hall, Amber had to act in self-defense against him.

        I doubt Dina’s family would entirely disagree with that last one as well.

    2. Yotomoe

      That’s kind of a horrible thing to want.

      1. rachel

        yeah 🙁

    3. Rokk

      I want Ruth to dodge Blaine’s punch, letting him make the first move makes more sense, then in the follw through she can grab his arm and pin him against the wall while they wait for campus security. That’s all she needs to do, anything else is really just gratuitous violence.

      Although there is a certain arm lock she could put him in where the more he struggles the more likely it is to break his arm. That would be his own fault.

    4. Blue

      Technically the actual hitting would be battery (as in assualt and battery). At this point I think he’s probably already cleared the threshold for assault.

      Of course, my source for this is the internets, so someone correct me if I’m utterly wrong.

      1. Badtux

        It all depends on the state laws. Just glanced at Indiana state law and they don’t have a simple assault law (just an “intimidation” law which Blaine has already violated in that last panel) and a battery law. Simple battery (i.e., just touching Ruth with no injury) is a class B misdemeanor under Indiana law, usually punished with a fine and at most a few days in jail, but Ruth being a RA would presumably qualify her as an employee of the university who is in the course of her duties, and if he smacks her and bloodies her, that’s a class D felony — as in, he’s going to spend a couple of years in prison. Hopefully someone is calling the campus police right about now…

        1. Badtux

          Just glanced at the Indiana law, and just the last panel is a class D felony under the Indiana intimidation statute (threatening via word or action the safety of a school employee). Yeah, time to get the campus police involved…

    5. Squall

      It’s interesting because he could already go to jail for assault. He’s assaulted plenty of people already. But if he gets a punch in, Battery can be added to the charge.

  68. NF

    A fight about to break out? This looks like a job for Amazi-Girl!

  69. Featherstone

    RUTH will totally win! And the GENETIC DONOR can go merrily on his way in a HANDBASKET!

  70. Amanda

    GET ‘IM RUTH

    GET ‘IM SO HARD

    USE HIS OWN FEMURS AGAINST HIM

  71. Reltzik

    Now remember, Ruth, that patented “throw him over your head” move will get him CLOSER to his objective. You want the “bury your fist in his spleen by way of his mouth” move. It’s a bit messier, but oh, oh so very much more satisfying.

  72. Chad from Canada

    I just love the fact that somehow, all my favorite web comic artists are friends and do guest strips for each other, and do con-updates that involve each other… I really need to go to a con one day and meet all of them.

    1. Roborat

      I have been lucky enough to meet Jeph and Mr. Willis, among many others, and they are nice, friendly people. Jeph even patiently answered my questions about digital drawing and posting webcomics.

      1. Chad from Canada

        Other than the two of them, I’m a big fan of Randy of SP, Kel of Sorcery 101, and Spike of Templar, AZ. And all of them mention each other all the time… I need to get a passport so I can get into the states. And I’m west coast and most of the cons are east coast… It would be an expensive trip.

  73. Junker

    Ruth needs to take him down but then say something cool.

    Like “Eventually all parents have to deal with their kids beating them in some activity. I’m just going to beat you.”

    1. Rex Hondo

      No, she just needs to knock him out and walk away, all quiet and badass-like as he explodes in the background or something.

      1. Leorale

        When he explodes, she will not turn to look at the explosion over her shoulder. She’ll just keep walking. BAKOOOM.

  74. Jude

    Knock him right the fuck out, Ruth.

  75. nothri

    http://www.shortpacked.com/index.php?id=1792

    As a Ruth/Billie shipper, I hope and pray that what Ruthless does in the next panel has an impact on Billie akin to the last panel.

    1. nothri

      And apparently I’m not the only guy to think of that scene. Damn you Linkara! (love the show, by the way).

    2. Chubsius

      When I reread that Shortpacked! strip, my first reaction was that Rachel is the spawn of Ruth and Billie, at least through shallow “combine hair color and facial feature” comic rules.

      1. Norj

        She kicks ass and turn men and women into lesbians through sheer awesome of course she’s their kid.

  76. Licia

    Ruth is so brave. I already liked her, but now I am in love with her. And kudos to Amber for sticking up to her dad. I wish I could say I would do the same.

  77. JustDucky

    Oh wow, this comic hasn’t even been up an hour and it’s already about to break 200 comments!

    1. JustDucky

      Correction: has broken

      1. Mal

        I was thinking that if I came by this evening instead of waiting until I was at work tomorrow, I might have a more reasonable number of comments to read. Boy was I mistaken.

  78. Tomas

    I think we’ve just been given a clue about who called Ruth on the phone.

    1. Totz the Plaid

      Ruth’s parents have been dead for years, as has been confirmed in the comics three times so far.

  79. Cass

    Much as I’m looking forward to seeing Ruth live up to her nickname, you know who I just realized I’d really like to see get involved here? The Siegals. Because I imagine that as the parents of someone Amber’s been friends (then more, then back again) with a long time they at least know enough to have some sort of “If you see Amber’s father anywhere near her, help her get away” warning, and that it would trump their issues with Ethan coming out after dating her, and it would be nice to see one of the bad sets of parents get some more rounding out.

    1. Ridureyu

      But the Siegals hate Amber. They’ll probably shake their head and say, “Serves her right for making my son gay.”

      1. rachel

        I mean. That’s a pretty sadistic attitude to have toward a child, “your pyschopathically abusive father is deserved since my son is gay,” I would have to agree with Cass that Ethan’s folks would know about this and I would ALSO love to see them here!

      2. Rokk

        Ethan’s mum might be like that, but I think his dad could still override that and be all ‘dude, not cool’. Only, y’know, more adult. Whatever feelings you might have about your son coming out after dating someone, wishing a psycho like Blaine on anyone is just wrong.

    2. Mal

      I would like to see Ethan knock Blaine out (again). I’ve been thinking that since Blaine showed up. Then again, it probably won’t fit in this story line.

    3. kelticat

      Mike’s parents would also have that code. And unlike mrs. Siegal, might actually enforce it.

  80. ridtom

    So I guess Ruthless is about to

    *Puts on Sunglasses*

    Make him Toothless

    YEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHhhhh I’m sorry I couldnt resist

    1. Fay

      Normally, I’d say that was a horrible joke, but… eh. I’ll make an exception. This is BLAINE that’s about to get his ass handed to him, after all.

      And his teeth.

  81. Dierna

    Blaine’s a rage-aholic. I don’t think he realizes what he’s doing. Just look at the crazy eyes he’s sportin in panel 1!

    Punch his lights out Ruth!

  82. bibulb

    Okay, NOW I’ve never been so lesbian in all my life.

    1. Karma Aster

      I know! I saw this and went, “Yep. I am so hot for Ruthless right now.”

      1. The Candyman

        This strip totally made me lesbian for Ruth, and I’m a guy.

  83. narmenduke

    Ladies and gentlemen, the one you’ve all been waiting for! The fight of the century! In the right corner, wearing the blue hoody and the expression suggesting she is completely out of fucks to give, Ruth “Ruthless” Lessick!!! In the left corner, wearing the crazed expression and the fat lip, Blaine “Dickweed” O’Malley!!! LET’S GET READY TO RUMBLLLLLLEEEEEE!!!

  84. Icalasari

    Please say he gets punched into Joyce’s parents and they all end up in hospital after falling out a window and breaking many, many bones, including the femurs

    1. Edward

      And Faz makes a valiant effort to stop the fall and ends up being pulled out the window with them.

      1. Totz the Plaid

        Faz would just look at what happened then offer Joyce “sympathy sex”.

    2. AJBulldis

      I dunno. The Bible says the wages of sin is death, but doesn’t say anything about broken femurs. If we’re going to be dogmatic about it, I’m going to have to say that femurs stay intact in Hell.

      1. Rex Hondo

        It is fuzzy on the subject of kneecaps.

        1. Rokk

          +1 for Firefly reference

  85. AliaPie

    Oh shit.

  86. andmangrewproud

    “This is the ultimate showdown of ultimate destiny!”

  87. Mantha

    He’s gonna get it… in the FAAAAAAAACEEEEE!

  88. Fuzzydaemon

    Blaine, Blaine, Blaine, you are not only insane but dumber that a box car full of rocks! You don’t lunge at the RA and attempt to strangle her. It’s called assault.

    I don’t care if she beats the shit out of him as much as I would like to see him hauled off for assault, battery, and trespassing.

    1. Ridureyu

      He thinks he can do whatever he wants because he can do whatever he wants.

      I hope she rips out his eyeballs.

      1. Fay

        Let’s hope that she beats him with his own bloody femurs.

  89. Resulli

    I really wanna see Ruth kick his ass. I love Ruth best when she’s fiery.

    1. rachel

      I want to belieeeeve you saved that as your gravatar rather than it just being random 🙂

      1. Resulli

        I don’t comment enough usually to save it to an avatar so it’s totally random. It is rather convenient that it ended up as fiery Ruth anyway though!

  90. John Harmon

    I’ve never had to experience anything like this, but for some reason it still hits me inside as if I had. I don’t know, maybe it’s a primal thing or something, but in the words of the great Detective Marcus Burnett, “This shit just got real”.

  91. Sike

    Props not only for Ruth defending Amber, but shes ALSO defending Billie by trying to get her away from the situation that Ruth expected. She knew that telling Billie to get the papers would likely set off the jerkface. She sent Billie out of the situation where she wasnt going to get hurt. Ruth…your secretly a sweetheart, we know.

    1. Maja!

      Yes, I thought exactly the same regarding Ruth and Billie! 🙂

  92. Mary Lea

    Okay, this will undoubtedly be lost way down here at the bottom, but I have to try.

    On the new Shortpacked! website, how on earth do I view/post comments? I have never been able to figure out Disqus (and I’m not used to not figuring things out!). Could it be incompatible with Chrome? I click on view/post comments, and it changes the page to one that states comments are provided by Disqus, but I still don’t see any comments or any way to post comments or sign up for Disqus (even on their website).

    Help me! I am unreasonably mystified!

    1. Mary Lea

      Okay, for what it’s worth, I found a way to register an account (at disqus. com/login), only to find I already had an account under my email (and my password worked). But even now logged into Disqus, I see no change on the Shortpacked! page; same problem with seeing no comments or ways to post.

    2. ender1200

      click on the line that say how many comment have been made.

  93. Kitschensyngk

    Say goodbye to your femurs.

    1. Phillip Wilde

      And as everyone knows, he needs those to live.

  94. Kiggy

    Turn him into a human pretsel, Ruth!

  95. LookingIn

    Blaie is going to need EMS fix his upcoming broken jaw and the cops to protect him from Ruth!

  96. Gottawonder

    Blaine just signed his own death warrant.

  97. Andy

    Anyone else notice that Ruth apparently fights like a hockey player? Right hand up for blocking punches, left hand ready to throw them. If she doesn’t pull Blaine’s shirt over his head at some point, I’m going to be highly disappointed.

    1. The Candyman

      It’s better than Blaine’s stance, anyway; dude seems to think he’s Godzilla.

  98. Lone Wolf

    “And that’s why we don’t have Freshman Family Weekend anymore.”

    Seriously though, I hope Ruth will be okay. As much as I detest Blaine, I’m not about to write him off as an easy win for her simply because he’s used to hitting women who don’t hit back.

    1. Opus the Poet

      Seriously +1 on the “And that’s why…” Would someone tell me how to do the thumbs up smiley, please?

  99. Kaci

    ALL MY MONIES ON RUTH

  100. GoSpeedRumpist

    My money is on Dina swooping in and biting his leg off.

  101. Jake

    HA! Ninja’d Willis in his own comic.

  102. David

    Now for the innocent bystander: why was Billie in the same room as Ruth and Howie? Or alternatively: why does Billie have a key to Ruth’s room?

    David, having uploaded two months in advance, will already have decided whether someone notices. Unless he has uploaded a two-month cliffhanger.

    At any rate, this is a win either way: Amber can just say “Uh, take him off the list, no idea how he got on there.”. The difference is one in trespassing charges (well, unlikely in a public building).

    1. Chris Phoenix

      Didn’t we see Ruth give her a key a few weeks back, so Billie could check up on her without pulling the fire alarm next time?

      1. Totz the Plaid

        Yes we did.

        We also saw Ruth tell Billie about being orphaned, and referring to her parents’ deaths with Howard just a handful of strips ago.

    2. rachel

      dorms are totally non-public buildings. security is typically fairly tight in an ordinary college dormitory.

    3. Delirio

      Billie, Ruth and Howard were on their way back from not-sitting-together lunch, Ruth gets called up for an urgent disturbance, the other two come along with her.

  103. vlademir1

    301 comments…. I need to make a YouTube joke here. Bah, epic fight trumps that.

  104. Kunoichi

    My bet: Howard yells “Game of Thrones!” and beats him down.

  105. MechaMaidFan7

    Ruth is SO going to kick Blaine’s ass!

    …and FAAAAAAAAAAACE

    1. Cybersnark

      She’ll kick Blaine’s ass so hard it ends up in his face.

  106. Tristan B.

    God bless you Willis. So long as Ruthless wins.

  107. The Aussie Bloke

    Ruth, punch him in the mouth so hard that he spends the next week shitting his teeth.

  108. Shay Guy

    My thoughts on the last panel: “Tasogare ni hi wo ugatsu guren no yumiya!”

    …It has a way of getting stuck in your head. >_>

    1. Rex Hondo

      Dovie’andi se tovya sagain!

      1. Andy

        You have won my love forever.

    2. Evil Midnight Lurker

      Omae wa shin de iru.

  109. Ben

    loved your strip on jerk jacques thing! It made me happy. cuz i love the both of your bodies of work.

    1. Ben

      also, i’m looking forward to the police escorting him away when he assaults (and gets smacked around by) Ruth and for being in there when he is certainly not allowed.

  110. Chris Phoenix

    There’s a really cool organization called Model Mugging. Women learn how to fight in self-defense by practicing full-force full-contact moves on a heavily padded martial artist.

    It works. One woman’s boyfriend got ego-hurt that she was taking a Model Mugging class, so he put on a mask, hid in the bushes, and jumped out at her. She put him in the hospital.

    If there are any women reading this who want to learn effective physical self-defense, check it out. I knew a woman taking it, went to her graduation, and was impressed by what I saw.

    1. Tenn

      That boyfriend sounds like he’s training for the Darwin Award. (-_- )

    2. texasuberalles

      Good thing for him she wasn’t also taking self defense classses at the shooting range. Seriously, there are like 200 million handguns in America; don’t sneak up on people.

  111. Allcool-dontcare

    Blaine used intimidate – no effect
    Ruth used crotch kick – super effective

    1. Regalli

      But Intimidate’s an Ability!

      Fortunately, Ruth’s negates any loss of attack.

  112. gangler

    Whatever he’s doing right now, I’m pretty sure it’s a way to get taken off the list.

    1. rachel

      hahaha. yeah, for real.

  113. JA

    Yeah, this won’t end well for Blaine…

  114. Varangian

    Allow me to join the chorus of voices that sing of victory for Ruth against the awful piece of shit known as Blaine.

  115. newllend

    When I first saw him a phew pages back I thought he was just a another dick father,but now I know he’s just a bongo with anger issues

  116. Johnpocalypse

    MORTAL KOMBAT!

    1. Aizat

      FINISH HIM!

  117. Acher4

    Awesome! 😀
    Love you Willis!

  118. James

    This will be better then Brock vs Punk at SummerSlam

  119. Alx

    It’s really nice that, with everyone on the comic that started this rooting for Joe and his dad or someone to come kick Blaine’s ass, Amber’s backup is another lady. I’m js.

  120. milk experiment

    With Ruth, Billie, Amber, and the other parents in the hallway all squaring off against him… I don’t think Blaine really stands a chance here. I’m going to enjoy witnessing his humiliating defeat. 😀

  121. rachel

    hooooly shit this dude is just a straight up psychopath.

  122. Arkadi

    …and it’s ON! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LpuhWD4mjUY

  123. Scot

    damn damn damn. this dude is not only a colossal asswipe, but also a complete dipshit. after chasing after his daughter while yelling like a madman, he’s now attacking the r.a. of the dorm in front of the tenants?
    I hope a fuckin bird shits on him on while he’s escorted out of the building in cuffs.

    1. Rokk

      Where I’m from, a bird crapping on you is supposedly good luck ¬.¬ So yeah not gonna agree there.

    2. Aizat

      A bird shitting on him is getting off easy. Drop a shit covered brick on his head.

    3. Heavensrun

      Oh, he’s definitely going out in cuffs. I would be SHOCKED if this doesn’t end with him in prison.

  124. NinjaNick

    GO RUTH GO!

  125. Sailor_Arashi

    Everyone’s predicting bad things for Blaine…uh, I’m worried about Ruth. Dude’s a foot taller than she is. This is gonna be a bit different than flipping Billie over her shoulder…

    1. Arkadi

      Maybe: Amber sucker-punched him and caught him by surprise; now he is starting the fight, and he could be a good fighter for all we know. But look at him charging head first like an animal: the bastard’s pretty obviously in Bloodthirsty Rage mode right now, and that’s definitely not the best way to engage a competent martial artist like Ruth. I sure hope he gets his bloody femurs handed to him. I mean, it’d be just like Willis to make everybody sympathize with Ruth only to have her killed or beaten to an inch of her life or something; but he did say that DoA would be more drama-free than other iterations of the ‘verse, so I’m keeping my hopes up. (And my fingers crossed)

  126. texasuberalles

    Douchebag Dearest doesn’t appear to have considered that for a belligerent middle aged man there IS no victory condition for “attacking college girl in front of witnesses”. He’s either going to get his ass kicked in public by a Canadian twentysomething or get cell phone video’d beating up a kid (pretty sure it’s gonna be the first option, the recently un-drunk tend towards ragehate). Here’s hoping the cops forget to push his head down when they put him in the back seat.

    1. Hippoman

      From what I can tell Blaine has two emotional settings, generic fury and psychotic rage. Neither is particularly helpful in negotiating a complicated situation with skill and tact. Its damn fine for ensuring you get you’re ass kicked though.

  127. Jack Finch

    Oh Ruth, you beautiful ginger authoritarian hardass.

    1. Aizat

      And I’m suddenly attracted to her…..not that there’s anything wrong with that, right?

      1. Jack Finch

        A very healthy reaction. Not safe exactly, but healthy.

  128. Just for kix

    *gasp* Blaine is a diclonius! :O Look at that third hand, it is a vector! :O

  129. Hippoman

    You know, I relish the idea of Douche-bag of the year getting crushed but I do hope its a little more even or interesting then him getting kneed in the crotch (hilarious as that would be). This kind of build up needs the kind of pay off only the most glorious of combat can provide. Then knee him in the crotch.

  130. Aizat

    I’M BACK!

  131. Zaxares

    After seeing the last panel, this track immediately popped into my head:

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SO47qLnvyJQ

    I can’t be the only one who had that, right? D:

    1. Arkadi

      It was as different track for me (see above) XD

  132. Josh

    Finish him!

    1. The Aussie Bloke

      I just heard that In Ruby’s voice. Win.

  133. Josh

    I had to look at the final panel for ages before I realised that the third hand was Reno’s.

  134. Tufto

    Go Ruth! 😀

  135. Arkadi

    Dunno if someone’s mentioned this already, but… is it me or does Billie have that “what’s going on in my pants” look on her face?

  136. CianM1301

    Llllllllllet’s get ready to RUMBLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLEE!!!!

    1. 0kami

      MOOOORTAAAAAL KOOOOOMBAAAAATTTT!!! *cue awesome fight theme*

  137. Makkabee

    Blaine attacks Ruth! Blaine gonna be chunky salsa!

  138. ATN

    Fuck him up, Ruth! Fuck him up!

  139. Potatamoto

    Pictured above: The exact moment Blaine O’Malley decided assaulting his daughter’s RA while she was in the process of determining whether or not he was permitted to be on the dorm’s premises was a good idea.

    Spoiler Alert: This was not, in fact, a good idea.

  140. Ryan

    There will be nothing left of him.

  141. Mr. Morningstar

    Whelp that’s going to be two universes he’s dead in now.

    Awesome.

  142. Nevermaker

    I can see it now: the next strip will be Ruth calmly, rationally explaining why attacking the dorm’s RA is not a good solution to a problem, particularly when you’re angry. Everyone around her looks shocked and almost cowering.

    The final panel is her with her foot poised on Blaine’s back, pinning him to the floor, him bloody and whimpering like the pathetic dog that he is, begging her not to hit him again.

    Yes…good…

  143. Chase

    How the hell is this guy allowed to be in public with an attitude/temper like that and such a penchant for picking fights with anyone?
    As soon as the cops are called, even if/when Ruth kicks his ass, he’s the only one going to jail because he’s bigger and is the one who attacked Ruth first.
    What a dummy. o-O

    1. Andrew_C

      You’ll be surprised. When they are getting their way people like Blaine can be remarkably gregarious and charming.

      1. Elle

        Absolutely. My abusive family members are constantly called “charming,” “so nice!”, “so polite!”, “considerate”, etc., by people who are not their family. Abusers often know how to put on a charm offensive to the outside world. The people they treat badly are the ones in their control.

  144. El Tebbaro De Bertopia

    This whole time, Ruth has definitely just been sitting there thinking “Just give me an excuse, asshole!”

  145. William

    Cue Amazi-girl!

  146. Anonymous

    The crazy in the first panel is horrifying and amusing.

  147. 90percentgeek

    New challenger…

  148. Platinakettu

    So Ruth and Blaine decided to join the battle.
    Go Ruth!!

  149. David

    I guess the whole dorm will eventually come to appreciate having been landed with the RA from hell. I guess she’ll be able to forego terror as the principal means for making her fledglings get in line after that.

  150. Ryuusei924

    the last few strips made amber shoot way up in my rankings for my favorite character but i almost forgot. I THINK RUTH WILL ALWAYS BE MY FAVORITEEEEEE.

  151. Weebles

    With this level of poor impulse control concerning violence, I am amazed that Blaine is not currently behind bars. Seriously. Attacking a (low level but still) school official, with multiple witnesses around? Kinda… OBVIOUS. Normally I’d say this put Blaine out of the “cunning abusers who know how to hide their shit” into the “idiot abusers who don’t give a fuck and get caught easily” pile.

    1. isitsevenyet

      Yeah that’s the one thing that seemed a little unusual about him to me, is that he’s showing this side of him in public, where it seemed to me that most abusers keep it behind closed doors at home. Not to say his type doesn’t exist at all, I’m just not used to seeing it.

      1. Athedia

        I think the only reason we are seeing this is that it is the first time someone has really stood up to him and he doesn’t know how to react. He has always been in control of others and now that is not true, his control over himself is lost.

        1. gears

          Athedia nailed it. He’s a control freak, obsessive in his need to dominate those he thinks of as “his”. His reality and everyone else’s are coming into conflict, and he’s doing the thing that he’s always done to assert his reality over other people’s, he’s getting angry and violent.

        2. isitsevenyet

          Maybe, but he was acting like that in front of Dina’s parents before. I’m still getting the vibe that he doesn’t really care who sees him like that.

        3. Lone Wolf

          Not necessarily. When Amber came in, he was all (supervillain) smiles and attempting to be charming; Dina notes that her parents let him in out of an insistence of being hospitable, so he was probably acting normal at the time. He didn’t really start losing his temper until Amber stood up to him in front of everyone instead of meekly cowering before him when he started making comments about how the room and the things in it belonged to him. Her actually escalating things to the physical level is what finally caused him to snap here.

          Also, for what it’s worth, in the Shortpacked! universe, at least one of Blaine’s (presumably) close friends was shocked and horrified at his funeral when Amber revealed what a horrible monster Blaine was in that universe behind closed doors.

        4. Jack Finch

          There’s another body of work about violent people that might fit Blaine as well.
          http://www.csudh.edu/dearhabermas/tchessay64.htm

  152. MDranz

    I give it three, maybe four seconds before his ass-end is hanging out of a wall.
    Now we just have to determine which end is the ass-end.

  153. Charles RB

    RUTHLESS! RUTHLESS! RUTHLESS!

  154. TrueVCU

    Ruth has a fever

    And the only cure

    is punching Blaine in the face over and over

  155. The Pink Ninja

    Ha, my dreams are coming true. Please let Ruth destroy this bastard. Hope Amazi-Girl doesn’t steal her glory.

    I wonder where she learned to fight.

    Perhaps we can have Ruth, Sal and Amzi-Girl can have a threeway… to see who’se the best fighter.

    I also like how cool Ruth has handled it so far. All by the book. And it’s nice how Billie is basically assistant RA.

  156. Brando

    Well I’m gonna go against the mold.
    For fighting my bet is neither. I’m sure Ruth has some kind of training, but the problem is Willis generally has bad things in store for her given enough time. I hope I’m wrong about that for this universe.
    Blaine is a criminal in other universes, if he’s a criminal in this one then he’s dangerous. I just hope he DOES get his ass kicked and doesn’t injure Ruth.

  157. blacksmithy

    No one has mentioned Ruth has taken the Fighting Irish stance

    1. starkruzr

      100 INTERNETS FOR YOU, SIR/MADAME.

    2. Rex Hondo

      For which I’m sure she will be reprimanded by her bosses. That is, after all, a rival school.

  158. Baker

    I actually hope he hits her, so he can go to jail and hopefully get banned from the campus.

    1. Kamino Neko

      As has been mentioned, he’s attacking her in front of witnesses – that’s enough to have him arrested, right there. Actually making contact adds nothing to that.

  159. Darnel

    Actually:
    I expect him to be Gang tackled after he “bounces off” Ruth.

    And based on Canon,.. I fully expect him to bounce off.

    1. KingStarscream

      I doubt he’ll last more than a couple panels before being a crumpled heap on the floor.

      1. Megatron

        Your an expert on being a crumpled heap on the floor, aren’t you Starscream?

  160. rustygreenscales

    i like how those radiating lines in the last panel both convey a sense of action & dramatic pause

  161. KiTA

    Prediction:

    There is no such list. She sent Billie off to get her to safety. Perhaps there is something else under the lamp, like a “In case I’m arrested / hurt, open this” sorta letter.

    There’s been foreshadowing that Blaine would end up in prison. Ruth died in the original universe.

    Horrific prediction: These are both foreshadowing for the next few pages.

    Ruth is in the midst of the DTs, and that really isn’t conductive to combat. A good smack and she could get hurt fairly badly, like losing her balance and hitting the wall or somesuch. Blaine is a violent monster, and Ruth just antagonized him into attacking despite being in front of several witnesses.

    I’m probably wrong, and really just throwing it out there. All this “yay, a fight” thing is kinda… barbaric, and I could see it being turned on us pretty quickly.

    1. gears

      Oh god. It would be just like Willis to whiplash us like that. Add in the juxtaposition of Amber having the guilt over her death instead of Danny, and this suddenly became a serious possibility.

    2. rustygreenscales

      wasn’t there a teaser from an upcoming strip posted on tumblr showing Ruth, Billie, and Howard in front of a football stadium?

      If getting the papers was just a ploy to get Billie to safety, why not send Howard along too?

      1. KiTA

        Howard isn’t the kind of person who would interject himself into a fight.

        Now Billie, with her “But I’m a Cheerleader” mentality? … Maybe.

        Plus, lets not forget that Ruth has feelings for Billie, whereas Howard is family. There’s a bit of a difference, emotionally, between the two connections.

    3. Jason

      there is a large crowd around on hand to break things up if they get out of hand

    4. Kamino Neko

      Do you see Blaine pulling a knife or a gun?

      Then to kill her, he’d require a sustained beating or throttling, or a perfect one-in-a-million shot to the solar plexus or neck. The first isn’t going to happen in a crowd of people who’ve already gotten involved, the latter is so rare in real life as to be all-but disallowed in fiction due to the inherent ass-pull nature of it. There are situations where it could be used well, but since Blaine is not a sympathetic character, this isn’t one of them.

      1. Kamino Neko

        Actually. add ‘head’ to the locations a lucky shot could kill her, but the point remains the same – intentionally killing her will take longer than he’ll be allowed, and doing it accidentally is so vanishingly unlikely as to be out of place in this context…

        1. gears

          Most dorms are made of cinderblocks. Smashing someone’s head against the wall could be lethal in a single blow.

    5. Jack Finch

      I wouldn’t be surprised if there is such a list, especially for freshmen, a lot of whom are still under 18.

  162. The Candyman

    Here’s hoping Ruth knocks him so hard he he becomes nice through sheer brain damage.

  163. Insanely Asinine

    Dina wins. Dinoality.

  164. Robert

    Does anyone else believe Ruth sent billie away to spare her from the sight of what will become of Ass Stain McNally?

    1. Robert

      Oops I meant Ass Stain O’Malley…though I kind of like the sound of the first one better.

  165. uthan

    And tomorrow Billie will jump into the fight, save Ruth, and they’ll be bonding, right? *cricket noises*

    In other news, I’m glad this page isn’t redesigned the way Shortpacked! was (yet). I like the older design much better. And I don’t like having to wait for the comment section to load, only for it to crash my phone browser.

  166. Kyle

    1,000 dollars on Ruth

  167. Hewlett

    I’ve seen that face in the first panel when I hightailed it out of home for the first time. That’s dead-on, and it’s stunning.
    I mean, there’s drawing well, and then there’s *perfect* representation of a tiny man clawing for something getting away and all the impotent fury inherent.
    Jesus Christ, Willis, you’re amazing.

  168. Manda

    Fuck yeah, for people DOING something instead of just pretending its not happening.

    Hell yeah, Ruthless, Billie, and the whole camp at this point!

  169. Somebody

    Well that escalated quickly.

  170. Regalli

    Smart Ruth. Check to see if he’s allowed in there, keep him distracted from his target (because Ruth’s demonstrated she can handle assholes like this just fine, while she has no reason to believe Amber can), also having him attempt to assault the person whose job it is to keep Amber safe, and then presumably be ready to call the goddamn cops as soon as Billie comes back with a no. And it’s all happening with a bunch of witnesses.

    BEAUTIFUL.

    1. Regalli

      Or rather, she has no reason to believe Amber can last a full fight with assholes like this. One punch, yes, prolonged fight iffier.

  171. NeutroBlaster

    Go Ruth!

  172. Gargamel

    Ruth break Blaine! (Hopefully)

  173. Deemah

    Kick his shit in Ruth

  174. Elle

    Honestly, I feel dizzy having reached this point in the storyline. Family members ran out of our house instead of dealing with it when my dad (their son/brother) blew up at my mom or us kids. Neighbors ignored abuse taking place on our front lawn while they watched. The police made excuses.

    That combined with my friends’ experiences has convinced me the usual state of affairs is be people ignoring abuse. People removed from the situation trying to stop it is as powerful for me as Amber standing up to her dad.

    People have debated various reasons for not/wanting Blaine to get beaten up, but more than anything I want him to experience a moment of real fear that for once he’s not in control and things aren’t going to smooth out and go his way. This time someone is going to stop him, for real.

  175. Ucchan

    I mistook Ruth’s hoodie to be her Toronto Maple Leafs jersey; perhaps it’s a TMP hoodie instead. I think her wearing any kind of hockey apparel for this fight would just be so appropriate. 🙂

    1. David Willis

      It is purposefully Maple Leafs-colored, yep!

  176. Jason

    As an aside, is it me or is the dialogue always kind of stilted when Blaine shows up?

    1. Alexis

      He’s constantly confrontational. I don’t think there’s a time so far when he wasn’t confrontational one way or another. So everyone around him can only communicate with equal confrontation or risk being overpowered/ignored.

  177. Opus the Poet

    OK this would have made me so lesbians if I wasn’t already. I’m just at a loss as to whom I’m lesbians for as Ruth, Billie, and Amber have all demonstrated traits worth being lesbians over/

    1. Anna1090

      “I’m in lesbians with you”

  178. Darkfire32

    mistake 1, running into ruth

    mistake 2, yelling at ruth

    mistake 3, angrily charging at ruth

    1. Ivresse

      Mistake 4, letting his daughter get away so that she can change into Amazigirl and continue beating the shite out of him as well.

  179. EdoKara

    …AND IN THIS CORNER, WEIGHING IN AT 120 POUNDS AND A KICKASS CANADIAN ATTITUDE, RUTH!

  180. Shaiyna

    Let’s get ready to rummmmmmmmbbbbbbllllllleeeeee!!!! *grabs her popcorn and soda and takes her seat….*

  181. Mal

    Does anyone know what Dumbing of Age page has received the most comments? Seeing over 500 for this one is really quite stunning.

    1. Specter177

      There was a 1000+ one a week or so ago

    2. Axel

      There have been a few in the last week around 500, but I believe the winner, with over 1000 comments, is Joyce defending Dorothy to her parents, who respond by comparing her to Hitler, followed at a respectful distance by passive-aggressive family “prayers”.

      1. Mal

        Thanks! I went back and looked through those comments for fun. I never thought before about what a valuable resource comment sections like these are for a writer. If I ever have need of finding conflicting perspectives presented passionately and (usually) briefly, this is the place to look.

  182. Oishi17

    Whoa! Fight, fight, fight! But I have a feeling one of the other parents will step in…..

  183. Anna1090

    And tomorrow’s strip will cut to another family, leaving us all in suspense.

    (I hope not)

  184. Sir Robin

    Just think, only a few months ago, this would happen on a Friday and we’d have to wait until Monday to find out what happens

  185. Axel

    Poor Blaine, nobody is respecting his deeply-held personal belief that women are property and any woman he has ever given money to physically belongs to him.

  186. A Guy Online

    My God, I just can’t take this guy seriously. His flavor of pure evil sits fine with Willis’ other works, but when it feels like he’s being injected into a more serious light I get pretty heavy tonal whiplash.

    1. Dr. Halfling, Thiefologist

      I see nothing here that isn’t exhibited outside of women’s shelters daily, at least here in my southern Louisiana city.

  187. Cheryl

    HOLY SHIT SNACKS!!

  188. The Weird Guy

    … So. Kinda weird thing to say, but… I think that last panel is the absolute HOTTEST I’ve ever seen Ruth.

    I deserve my name.

  189. BackslashEcho

    Ruth’s whole demeanor here is pure Dirty Harry and I love it.

    “Go ahead. Make my day.”

  190. Aisling

    Amber’s dad should be careful, all it takes is a swift kick between the legs…

  191. CleverTrousers

    Zombie fight!

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