Dumbing of Age Book Twelve
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Little hearts

Posted on November 12, 2022 by David M Willis

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Tags: joe, joyce

Discussion (239) - “Little hearts”

  1. Ana Chronistic

    11/12/2022, 12:03 am
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    as it turns out, Joe’s anxiety is actually a humiliation fetish

    Joyce: *full of ideas*

    1. Sterling

      11/12/2022, 12:04 am
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      Me: *full of ideas*

    2. Doctor_Who

      11/12/2022, 12:04 am
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      If he’s into humiliation, then developing feelings for Joyce was kind of a jackpot.

      1. 3oranges

        11/12/2022, 12:17 am
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        Ah, so he becomes *that* kind of “smoldering crater”.

    3. butts

      11/12/2022, 12:41 am
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      i mean, dom!joyce/sub!joe could actually help them both work through some stuff

      1. Yotomoe

        11/12/2022, 1:08 am
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        *writes that down and underlines it*

        1. Casi

          11/12/2022, 1:26 am

          Better circle it too, and if you need a highlighter, i’ve got all the colors

        2. Opus the Poet

          11/12/2022, 4:12 am

          And if she doesn’t I have lime and Hot Pink (what?! I like my bike rider pictures to have realistic colors).

        3. Kazuma Taichi

          11/12/2022, 1:09 pm

          hmmm, maybe we should write it down multiple times so we can use all the highlighters

    4. Yotomoe

      11/12/2022, 1:08 am
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      *writes that down*

  2. The Wellerman

    11/12/2022, 12:04 am
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    The long awaited moment had finally come! ??

    *plays “Mysterious Stars in the Sky” from Sailor Moon CD on hacked muzak*

    1. Minkey93

      11/12/2022, 5:47 am
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      I’d have gone for “Can you feel the love tonight” but I guess Joyce isn’t quite on the same page as Joe yet.

  3. Nep

    11/12/2022, 12:04 am
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    Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

    1. True Survivor

      11/12/2022, 12:14 am
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      Fffffffffffffffffffffff

      Gggggggggggggggggg

      Hhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii. *Sorry for the bad joke (I swear I’m not trying to mock you)*

      1. Opus the Poet

        11/12/2022, 4:13 am
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        Wheeze! Sorry, that just tickled my funnybone.

      2. Kazuma Taichi

        11/12/2022, 1:10 pm
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        Iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii

        Jjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjj

        Kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk

        1. Paradox

          11/12/2022, 2:51 pm

          lllllllllllllllllll

          mmmmmmmm

          nnnnmmmmnn

          ooooooooooppppppppppp

        2. King Daniel

          11/12/2022, 8:03 pm

          Qqqqqqqqq

          Rrrrrrrrrrrrr

          Sssssssssss

  4. Sirksome

    11/12/2022, 12:04 am
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    Nice.

  5. dinajoyce

    11/12/2022, 12:04 am
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    I repeat, awwwwwwwwwww!!!

  6. Siddlaw

    11/12/2022, 12:04 am
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    Oh no, not the shame kink!

    1. DrunkenNordmann

      11/12/2022, 10:40 am
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      She’s a former Christian(ish), of course she’s into that. :p

  7. Regina phalange

    11/12/2022, 12:04 am
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    NOT A DRILL PEOPLE

    1. Yotomoe

      11/12/2022, 1:09 am
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      Yeah, it’s a drawing.

      1. CrimsonStorm

        11/12/2022, 7:20 am
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        Ceci n’est pas une drill?

        1. Decidedly Orthogonal

          11/12/2022, 10:33 am

          Indeed it is not.

        2. a/snow/mous/e

          11/12/2022, 12:32 pm

          Treachery! Sketch it out.

  8. TheKelliestKelly

    11/12/2022, 12:04 am
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    I love the way Joe drew Joyce’s eyes

    1. Taffy

      11/12/2022, 4:16 am
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      He absolutely spent the most time making sure the eyes were just right.

    2. Chronos

      11/12/2022, 6:39 pm
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      I so didn’t notice that until you pointed that out.

  9. poofdepoof

    11/12/2022, 12:04 am
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    How is Joyce so suave when I am here melting

    1. DailyBrad

      11/12/2022, 12:37 am
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      She has her moments, like her game face when she was dueling Raidah, so to speak.

    2. Nicoleandmaggie

      11/12/2022, 7:43 am
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      Yeah I would never have guessed her reaction in the last panel.

      1. nicoleandmaggie

        11/12/2022, 10:20 am
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        Oh! On the bigger screen I can see she’s blushing. That totally changes the affect. (Also changes the effect…)

        1. cain

          11/12/2022, 11:17 am

          I don’t think Joyce is blushing. She’s got the little pink cheek marks she always has. Joe definitely is, though.

      2. El Diestro Norteamericano

        11/12/2022, 11:47 am
        • Reply moderated

        What, the “cat-got-the-mouse” face?
        Pretty sure she’s been sitting on that one for a while.

  10. Nono

    11/12/2022, 12:04 am
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    Joe produces shame like some people produce sweat.

    1. StClair

      11/12/2022, 12:07 am
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      he can do both at the same time.

  11. Jonah Sanville

    11/12/2022, 12:04 am
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    this is so cute that it has healed my seasonal depression

  12. Yumi

    11/12/2022, 12:05 am
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    NOW KISS

    1. Rose by Any Other Name

      11/12/2022, 11:39 am
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      **raises hand**
      Seconded.

    2. Deanatay

      11/12/2022, 2:18 pm
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      *smooshes Barbie and ken dolls together furiously while staring at screen*

  13. Gojira007

    11/12/2022, 12:05 am
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    you like krabby patties don’t you squidward

    1. RassilonTDavros

      11/12/2022, 12:08 am
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      god dammit that was perfect

      1. True Survivor

        11/12/2022, 12:21 am
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        I, unfortunately, most concur.

    2. Yotomoe

      11/12/2022, 1:09 am
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      Hopefully it doesn’t all go straight to his thighs.

      1. CianM1301

        11/12/2022, 5:58 am
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        And then he blows up.

      2. jflb96

        11/12/2022, 4:27 pm
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        I think Joyce has got a proven and tested track record of not going straight to his thighs.

        He might blow up if she does, though.

    3. mrnoidea

      11/12/2022, 11:59 am
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      Alright, that got a laugh out of me. Well done

  14. Josh Spicer

    11/12/2022, 12:05 am
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    Joyce has some level of right to be smug here but I also appreciate that she didn’t devolve to being a prick about it.

    Fuck yeah, LES GO SET THAT SHIP TO OVERRIDE

  15. Diana Nock

    11/12/2022, 12:05 am
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    I WAS WRONG! YAY!

    1. Steelbright

      11/12/2022, 12:51 am
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      I feel this as well hahaha

      1. Opus the Poet

        11/12/2022, 4:15 am
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        Particularly appropriate avatar.

    2. Yotomoe

      11/12/2022, 1:10 am
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      See it’s a win-win. Either I was right and that sucks but I get the good feeling of being right, or I was wrong and that’s good even though I wasn’t right. I rigged the game so I couldn’t lose!

  16. Cmasta1992

    11/12/2022, 12:05 am
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    ITS HAPPENING ITS HAPPENING ITS HAPPENING

    1. Bryy

      11/12/2022, 2:47 am
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      Calmly into the bunker everyone.

  17. Grimey

    11/12/2022, 12:05 am
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    I weirdly appreciate that panel 2 and 3 is Joyce putting the pieces together and the most optimistic she’s been in months with realization that maybe Joe has genuinely been trying to change.

    1. Warcodered

      11/12/2022, 1:31 am
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      Panel 2: Processing

      Panel 3: Aw that’s sweet

      Panel 6: and now it’s time to mock.

      1. Nova

        11/12/2022, 7:36 am
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        Teasing (playful and flirtatious) is very different than mocking, and that’s what I read happening above.

        1. Kim

          11/12/2022, 9:27 am

          Agreed! =) ^^

  18. Suet

    11/12/2022, 12:05 am
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    Somehow, Joe’s reaction didn’t send me. Joyce’s absolute smugness did.

    *plays a ton of songs named “I Like It”*

    I didn’t know we have a new poll

    1. Yotomoe

      11/12/2022, 1:10 am
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      SAME.

    2. Decidedly Orthogonal

      11/12/2022, 10:36 am
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      She’s handling it remarkably smoothly. Not a complaint, just not what I pictured from Joyce figuring out someone wanted hankies panky with her.

      Oooh, another one tomorrow? Let’s watch.

  19. TheKelliestKelly

    11/12/2022, 12:05 am
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    Willis, there aren’t enough choices for the new poll

    1. Yumi

      11/12/2022, 12:08 am
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      Scratch the “couldn’t care” and throw in “maybe,” “I don’t know” and “Can you repeat the question?”

      1. Jeff K!

        11/12/2022, 12:24 am
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        You’re not the boss of me now!

        1. Decidedly Orthogonal

          11/12/2022, 10:37 am

          When will me then, be me now?

  20. Jake

    11/12/2022, 12:06 am
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    ITS FUCKING HAPPENING OHHHHH ITS HAPPENING STAY CALM STAY CALM

    1. Steelbright

      11/12/2022, 12:51 am
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      I’M NOT STAYING CALM

    2. Needfuldoer

      11/12/2022, 4:17 am
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      Attention: we have Joece! All hands to shipping stations! This is not a drill!

      I REPEAT

      THIS IS NOT A DRILL

      1. Mr D

        11/12/2022, 5:16 am
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        But if it is not a drill, how will it pierce the heavens?

      2. raultsi

        11/12/2022, 9:52 am
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        I see, said the blind man as he picked up his hammer and saw

  21. StClair

    11/12/2022, 12:06 am
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    The smile in panel 3 gives me hope.
    The smile in panel 6 makes me think “this is gonna be good.” 😀

    1. Puppeteer Nessus

      11/12/2022, 5:06 pm
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      She’s like SpongeBob hen he finally deduced Squidward digs Krabby Patties

  22. Nathan

    11/12/2022, 12:06 am
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    There is an ENTIRE CLASS OF STUDENTS and a TEACHER and a NAKED LADY in this room with you people, you remember that, right???

    1. Segnosaur

      11/12/2022, 12:09 am
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      I thought class was over at that point.

    2. Yumi

      11/12/2022, 12:15 am
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      In six years, Hyde can recount this at their wedding.

    3. RassilonTDavros

      11/12/2022, 12:15 am
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      Kinda thinking the entire class ends up noticing this and they all start drawing these two instead.

    4. James

      11/12/2022, 12:19 am
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      Everyone else here is an art student, I guarantee they’re too focused on cranking out gestures to care

    5. Yotomoe

      11/12/2022, 1:11 am
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      They’re all watching this with the same glee that we are.

    6. miz

      11/12/2022, 2:38 am
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      everyone else is off-panel, these two are completely sound-proofed unless it will serve a punchline

    7. Angel

      11/12/2022, 2:40 am
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      other than being super nosy or closer together i imagine a lot goes on in an average college’s student’s life where they wouldn’t eavesdrop

    8. Sombrero

      11/12/2022, 6:23 am
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      They were sucked through a wormhole. By L*O*V*E. To the other side of the multiverse, where Dexter will take care of them.

  23. Raja

    11/12/2022, 12:07 am
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    Love how Joe drew hands here. what a mood

    also I am just all AWWWWWs I love this so much

    1. Leorale

      11/12/2022, 12:19 am
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      For me, it’s that he drew his own stubble. ^^
      Joe is missing his calling as a cartoonist.

      1. Yotomoe

        11/12/2022, 1:11 am
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        Maybe he can help Joyce with her comic.

  24. Abdomino

    11/12/2022, 12:08 am
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    I am suspicious, but cautiously hopeful. They’ve grown a fair amount since their date.

  25. JSMTN

    11/12/2022, 12:08 am
    • Reply Report comment

    Help I am too excited about this.

  26. Ravenwing

    11/12/2022, 12:09 am
    • Reply moderated

    *Kermit flail*

    1. Needfuldoer

      11/12/2022, 4:14 am
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      You know what?

      Same.

  27. zip

    11/12/2022, 12:10 am
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    tomorrow we are going to cut away from this storyline and check in on dorothy or something and i’m going to fall over and wither up and die

    1. thakoru

      11/12/2022, 12:30 am
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      Cut to Steve eating cereal.

      1. bemisawa

        11/12/2022, 12:49 am
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        I mean, it WOULD be quite the power move to cut away to a character in an entirely different webcomic by an entirely different author. I like it.

      2. brionl

        11/12/2022, 1:00 am
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        I could stand more Riley eating cereal.

        1. Opus the Poet

          11/12/2022, 4:35 am

          Cut to Steve, Riley, and Dina eating cereal at Coffee of Doom in MA

    2. Yoder of Kansas

      11/12/2022, 4:25 am
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      That’d be amazing

  28. newlland(Henryvolt)

    11/12/2022, 12:10 am
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    This like moving mountains for him Joyce come on.

    1. Angel

      11/12/2022, 2:41 am
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      half expect joe to roast her again but hopefully not going too far like “what can i say, i’m attracted to messes”

  29. Ray

    11/12/2022, 12:11 am
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    Joyce’s smirk in the final panel has all the hallmarks of Anya’s in Spy x Family

    1. Kim

      11/12/2022, 9:31 am
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      So right! 😀

  30. LunarReverb

    11/12/2022, 12:11 am
    • Reply moderated

    I have been waiting all day to see how this turned out! Yesterday I squealed, today I cackled and maybe clapped my hands in delight, well done

  31. EpochFlame

    11/12/2022, 12:12 am
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    hell yeah she’s into it

  32. Nick Piers

    11/12/2022, 12:13 am
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    I…I don’t think I’ve ever seen that expression on Joyce before.

    I’m scared.

    Someone hold me?

    1. True Survivor

      11/12/2022, 12:19 am
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      Sorry no can do this is the internet, and even were it not man is an island, our deepest thoughts and desires, faults, and foibles, secret perfections, and singular perspectives ultimately unknowable to even those we love dearest – thus we die, as we live scared and alone.

      Have a good weekend!

      1. Clif

        11/12/2022, 3:35 am
        • Reply Report comment

        Mmm. Arby’s

        1. Opus the Poet

          11/12/2022, 4:44 am

          The Nihilist Arby’s account has been suspended (I don’t know but probably)(just checked and it’s still good)

    2. Vanessa

      11/12/2022, 12:21 am
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      She is so, so into this. I love it so much. She really is looking at him and seeing the feelings on his face. She does seem pleased, too. ?

    3. Reltzik

      11/12/2022, 3:30 am
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      1) We’ve seen that smile before.

      2) Yes. Be scared.

      1. Needfuldoer

        11/12/2022, 4:13 am
        • Reply Report comment

        Never forget, Anti-Joyce is still in there somewhere.

      2. Rabisch

        11/12/2022, 7:30 am
        • Reply Report comment

        OH NO!!

  33. RassilonTDavros

    11/12/2022, 12:13 am
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    This gave me a smile so big that I think it might have extended beyond the borders of my face.

    …I may require medical attention.

    1. eh, whatever

      11/12/2022, 4:04 am
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      Are you smiling beyond the arms of your glasses, like this?

  34. True Survivor

    11/12/2022, 12:13 am
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    Huh, I didn’t think Joyce would be this calm. I was guessing horror or excitement, not something resembling slightly conceited mockery.

    PS.
    Did Becky drain Joyce’s blood in her sleep or something, cause those two are shame vampires, luring in potential partners only to feed on their discomfort – and their hunger knows no bounds! Run Joe, Run!

    1. DailyBrad

      11/12/2022, 12:38 am
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      It’s possible she’s mocking him, but it seems like teasing. I could naturally be wrong, obviously.

    2. Angel

      11/12/2022, 2:48 am
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      given how ‘boy crazy’ she was at the start, reacting this way to knowing someone likes her would be better than her being over the top flustered/uptight and having hangups over it even if it was from a ‘horndog’ like Joe (tho he’s saying he likes her as opposed to just wanting to sleep wtith her)

      tho, i don’t remember becky really shaming/causing discomfort to dina unless you mean just her teasing joyce

    3. Nova

      11/12/2022, 7:39 am
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      It’s called flirtatious teasing.

      Some of you people in the comments section really will tie yourself in knots to read Joyce in the worst possible light.

      1. True Survivor

        11/12/2022, 11:36 am
        • Reply Report comment

        I know. I was joking around. Joyce is a nice person.

  35. Angel

    11/12/2022, 12:18 am
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    lol i like how joyce seems amused by this rather than ‘how dare you like me’ or so xD; or like “hey my charms on the first date worked in the long run”

    1. DailyBrad

      11/12/2022, 12:39 am
      • Reply Report comment

      She has had reason to suspect the latter before, like when she asked Joe if he’d hurt her to be given a 0 on his list. I don’t think this is entirely out of the blue for her.

  36. Net-Zero Joeyce Shipper (no engine, slowly following the current)

    11/12/2022, 12:19 am
    • Reply Report comment

    I agree wholeheartedly with the hypertext.

  37. Vanessa

    11/12/2022, 12:20 am
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    OMG She’s looking at him, she sees his blush, she’s not angry! Oh my gosh this is adorable, good luck kids.

    1. alongcameaspider

      11/12/2022, 12:26 am
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      I suspect it hasn’t quite sunk in exactly what he’s trying to tell her yet but she’s reacting much better then I expected her to

  38. Tom

    11/12/2022, 12:23 am
    • Reply moderated

    YESSSSS!!!!,

  39. Twig

    11/12/2022, 12:25 am
    • Reply Report comment

    OH MAN OH MAN OH MAN OH MAN OH MAN IYFDUKTSRAYSRKDATJSRGAJEAGEWZXCVHAESTXRDJCGL

    1. PB

      11/12/2022, 1:29 am
      • Reply Report comment

      Same dude

  40. Dara

    11/12/2022, 12:26 am
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    Joyce’s smiles are delightful.

    The way Joe draws hands (particularly compared to eyes) is hilarious. xD

  41. King Daniel

    11/12/2022, 12:27 am
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    I think the current results of the new poll are the most lopsided I’ve seen in years.

    1. King Daniel

      11/12/2022, 12:57 am
      • Reply Report comment

      Post-script after going back through nineteen pages of past polls, then even coming back to find that the current poll’s leading margin has increased: it’s actually currently the most-lopsided multiple-choice Dumbing of Age poll period(!).

      1. Chronos

        11/12/2022, 6:46 pm
        • Reply Report comment

        It’s nice to see and know this is something almost all of us want.

  42. Jürgen Hubert

    11/12/2022, 12:31 am
    • Reply Report comment

    Okay, I have to admit that this is going _much_ better than I expected.

  43. Caro

    11/12/2022, 12:34 am
    • Reply Report comment

    AND THE CROWD GOES WILD!!!

    1. Needfuldoer

      11/12/2022, 4:11 am
      • Reply Report comment

      yaay.

  44. FaerwenOfValenwood

    11/12/2022, 12:35 am
    • Reply Report comment

    EEEEEEEHEHEHEEHEEHEEHEEHEHEEEHEEHEEHEHEEHEE

  45. lia

    11/12/2022, 12:38 am
    • Reply Report comment

    this on top of the nude drawing class feels like such a step for her <3

  46. Vargo

    11/12/2022, 12:39 am
    • Reply Report comment

    And they each learned something new about themselves that day.

  47. Rabid Rabbit

    11/12/2022, 12:40 am
    • Reply Report comment

    “And by ‘like it,’ I mean that ‘shame’ is still my codeword for ‘semen,’ and I definitely think I’ll like it. Sucking your dick a billion times is the same thing as sucking a billion dicks, right?”

    1. Taffy

      11/12/2022, 3:08 am
      • Reply Report comment

      As long as one of their dicks ends up in the other’s mouth soon, it’s a net win.

  48. Dr. Gonzo

    11/12/2022, 12:40 am
    • Reply Report comment

    I love moments like these. As embarrassing as this may be for Joe and how much Joyce relishes in the moment, I’m sure she appreciates his willingness to admit how vulnerable he feels around her.

  49. DailyBrad

    11/12/2022, 12:40 am
    • Reply Report comment

    I think she’s enjoying this vulnerable side to him. Like, she seems to find it very endearing. She’s not alone in that.

  50. Airyu

    11/12/2022, 12:45 am
    • Reply Report comment

    Who on earth said “couldn’t care” on the poll. I need this ship injected into my veins even if it doesn’t work out

    1. Yotomoe

      11/12/2022, 1:08 am
      • Reply Report comment

      I’ve already got the IV plugged in.

    2. Steelbright

      11/12/2022, 2:03 am
      • Reply Report comment

      I didn’t see the poll before you mentioned and now i see it i feel it is a trap. 90% of us love this?? Probably needs to be DESTROYED ? yet i will accept and enjoy whatever fate awaits

    3. Amós Batista

      11/12/2022, 10:39 am
      • Reply Report comment

      Who voted this? It’s a important event in entire DoA, like, Joe and Joyce growing like person since the first books.
      …
      Anyway, I’ve voted no

  51. anonymsly

    11/12/2022, 12:53 am
    • Reply Report comment

    I love it. Their usual banter, without the edge it frequently has. Joe is continuing to be open (and embarrassed) and Joyce is not making him regret it! Aaah, so happy right now before the inevitable trashfire.

  52. brionl

    11/12/2022, 12:57 am
    • Reply Report comment

    “And Joe’s crotch grew three sizes that day…”

    …Heart! I meant heart.

    1. Yotomoe

      11/12/2022, 1:07 am
      • Reply Report comment

      Two things can grow at once.

  53. Yotomoe

    11/12/2022, 1:07 am
    • Reply Report comment

    Local man who ships couple somehow ships them even more than he even knew was possible.

  54. Qube

    11/12/2022, 1:10 am
    • Reply Report comment

    well “Smug Joyce” is a little off-putting, but otherwise this is going remarkably well

    1. Nova

      11/12/2022, 7:41 am
      • Reply Report comment

      Couldn’t disagree more. Teasing, flirtatious Joyce is anything but off-putting to me personally.

      1. Mark

        11/12/2022, 7:51 pm
        • Reply Report comment

        Seconded!

  55. Yotomoe

    11/12/2022, 1:12 am
    • Reply Report comment

    Who else here has been Shipping them since Roomies?

    1. Sol

      11/12/2022, 1:31 am
      • Reply Report comment

      I didn’t read Roomies! and Its Walky! until some time later, and I sort of thought they’d be cute together, and then there was that one arc in It’s Walky! where they have a relationship going and I was like “yeesss YESSS YESSS!!!”

      I’ve got terrible luck with shipping though so I’m afraid that this is going to end horribly ):

    2. Needfuldoer

      11/12/2022, 4:10 am
      • Reply Report comment

      Wasn’t there a brief alternate universe arc where they were together? I want to say it was something like Head Alien showing what would’ve happened if Walky applied himself and got a cushy private sector job instead of joining SEMMF.

  56. Dr. T

    11/12/2022, 1:22 am
    • Reply Report comment

    That’s a new big smile of Joyce’s. Never seen that one on her. I like it.

  57. Warcodered

    11/12/2022, 1:24 am
    • Reply Report comment

    Joyce going full Grinch/Chesire Cat in that last panel.

    1. Roborat

      11/16/2022, 5:41 pm
      • Reply Report comment

      I see I am not the only one that made that connection. I find the grinch smile a littel disturbing.

  58. PB

    11/12/2022, 1:28 am
    • Reply Report comment

    it’S haPPENNING

  59. AGV

    11/12/2022, 1:58 am
    • Reply Report comment

    Bless you, Willis

  60. the illerman

    11/12/2022, 2:02 am
    • Reply Report comment

    SHE COMMENTED ON THE LITTLE HEARTS ???

  61. Steelbright

    11/12/2022, 2:05 am
    • Reply Report comment

    I fucking love this and I’m so full of endorphins and also i really hope Joe gets a chance to talk to her about why this is an anxiety for him and not just utterly charming

  62. bagge

    11/12/2022, 2:19 am
    • Reply Report comment

    I… I will not lie. This Joyce does things to me.

    …pants things…

    I… I think I need to lie down now.

    1. bagge

      11/12/2022, 2:25 am
      • Reply Report comment

      Just want to say, of all the story arcs in this comic, my favorite might be Joyce slowly but surely becoming an Alpha Bongo
      https://www.dumbingofage.com/2018/comic/book-9-comic/02-but-the-sun-still-shines/infectious/

      1. bagge

        11/12/2022, 2:26 am
        • Reply Report comment

        https://www.dumbingofage.com/2018/comic/book-8/04-of-mike-and-men/wrong-3/

        Jennifer must be so proud

    2. thakoru

      11/12/2022, 5:07 am
      • Reply Report comment

      I read “pants” as a verb, which… changes the meaning of the sentence.

      1. J. Gawain

        11/12/2022, 9:35 am
        • Reply Report comment

        One could also possibly read it as an adjective for yet another sentence meaning.

  63. PirateTawnee

    11/12/2022, 2:20 am
    • Reply Report comment

    Initial squees over and done with, is the most powerful Joyce has ever felt? Heck of a mood whiplash for her after the last few days if it is.

    1. PirateTawnee

      11/12/2022, 2:21 am
      • Reply Report comment

      *is THIS the etc…

    2. DailyBrad

      11/12/2022, 2:44 am
      • Reply Report comment

      Joyce also felt powerful vs Raidah during the Jacob arc, so maybe it’s just in matters of love, ironically.

    3. Needfuldoer

      11/12/2022, 4:06 am
      • Reply Report comment

      Initial squees replaced by cautious optimism!

  64. Morhek

    11/12/2022, 2:24 am
    • Reply Report comment

    Oh, whew. I was expecting anger – like she would assume he’s just making fun of her again and she was wrong about him. But this is much better!

    1. DailyBrad

      11/12/2022, 2:45 am
      • Reply Report comment

      I think she correctly knew Joe wouldn’t serve himself up like this for the sake of a joke, like making himself super vulnerable.

    2. Adam Black

      11/12/2022, 4:07 am
      • Reply Report comment

      YEAH I Thought the same thing or Blue screen of Joyce if she believed

  65. Bryy

    11/12/2022, 2:50 am
    • Reply Report comment

    And everyone clapped.

  66. Keulen

    11/12/2022, 3:04 am
    • Reply Report comment

    Kinda wonder how many people are watching them do this in the middle of class. And while I support this ship, I worry what Willis might do to sink it.

    1. Mark

      11/12/2022, 7:54 pm
      • Reply Report comment

      It is about time for the Prof. to step in and say concentrate on the classwork or take it outside.

  67. Taffy

    11/12/2022, 3:11 am
    • Reply Report comment

    DAAAAATE (X∞)

  68. Wereg

    11/12/2022, 3:24 am
    • Reply Report comment

    I think this interaction might be my favourite bit of the comic so far. I hope it goes well.

  69. Heather

    11/12/2022, 3:39 am
    • Reply Report comment

    Is there a ranking for cutest doa strips? Because this has to at least break into the top ten right?

    1. Opus the Poet

      11/12/2022, 5:01 am
      • Reply Report comment

      Are we talking The Kiss in Princess Bride cute ranking?

    2. DailyBrad

      11/12/2022, 5:05 am
      • Reply Report comment

      For me? They sometimes go into top 5 territory for me, so top 10, certainly.

  70. Rabisch

    11/12/2022, 4:24 am
    • Reply Report comment

    I’m so glad I was wrong. Joyce’s reaction is of pleasant surprise, she seems to have no doubts Joe is serious and she likes this sweet side of him. Impossible to blame her, Joe with a red face for embarrassment is adorable ♡. I wonder if the model will start clapping, I imagine her following all the moves of those two new ones and making a whole romantic movie in her head.

  71. Lone Duck

    11/12/2022, 5:25 am
    • Reply Report comment

    I just hope Joyce doesn’t lean all the way into smug, for the sake of Joe’s dignity.

  72. Minkey93

    11/12/2022, 5:54 am
    • Reply Report comment

    I love that Joyce isn’t brushing this off. Even the the last panel smugness has the feel of the gentle sometimes even a little flirtatious ribbing you get in old couples or very close friends. Kudos Joe for opening up (maybe an art class wasn’t the best place though they could be in the back of the room) and kudos to Joyce for not kicking Joe while his guard is down.

    1. DailyBrad

      11/12/2022, 5:56 am
      • Reply Report comment

      I think she’s delighted that he’s opening up. I definitely agree the last panel is flirtation and being done gently, rather than to be cruel.

  73. CianM1301

    11/12/2022, 6:02 am
    • Reply Report comment

    I was anticipating a tirade from Joyce about how Joe was making fun of her feelings. Never have I been more glad to be wrong.

  74. chuckroast

    11/12/2022, 6:03 am
    • Reply Report comment

    SHE’S INTO IT

  75. ValdVin

    11/12/2022, 6:21 am
    • Reply Report comment

    Did we see Joe blush before?

    If so, it wasn’t as wholesome as this

  76. Sombrero

    11/12/2022, 6:23 am
    • Reply Report comment

    This is going OK so far. Should we be worried? Will the poll save us?

  77. Jess

    11/12/2022, 6:29 am
    • Reply Report comment

    So I’m glad this is happening, but I’m predicting that Joyce’s friends are going to hate this and further infantilze her.

    1. Daibhid C

      11/12/2022, 6:36 am
      • Reply Report comment

      Joyce has done her share of disaproving of who her friends date.

      1. Jess

        11/12/2022, 3:57 pm
        • Reply Report comment

        I mean, Yeah, Joyce disapproved of Walky and Dorothy dating. But she never actively stood in the way of them.

    2. Dal Niente

      11/12/2022, 5:10 pm
      • Reply Report comment

      Agreed, but now that you mention it, I think she and Joe might be able to support one another through that – they’re both growing past their original “personal brands.” Joyce is gung-ho about it now, while I think Joe is still afraid that he’ll hurt someone if he’s too genuine. But he’s still trying, and they ARE both growing as people and conscious of that, which is rare. If Joyce’s friends do the whole “you’re little miss wait-until-marriage and you’re dating THE BIGGEST HORNDOG IN THE DORM???” thing, I could see that leading to some really interesting conversations and personal revelations for everyone involved!

      1. Jess

        11/12/2022, 7:55 pm
        • Reply Report comment

        Honestly I think my worry is a bit more of her friends outright assuming that she’s already having sex with Joe, which wouldn’t be their business anyway, but then Becky kinda throwing a bit of a fit over it.
        Which yeah, drama with Becky since her whole thing recently is ‘don’t tell Joyce I’ve banged’.
        I dunno. I really like this ship and I think they could really help each other grow, but I’m still worried.

  78. Erika

    11/12/2022, 6:41 am
    • Reply Report comment

    As someone who discovered Willis’s work in the early It’s Walky years, I have been waiting for this for LITERAL DECADES.

  79. Max

    11/12/2022, 7:01 am
    • Reply Report comment

    And a dog named Blue?

  80. davidbreslin101

    11/12/2022, 7:03 am
    • Reply Report comment

    There are Joycefaces in this strip I have never seen before!

    I like it.

  81. Nova

    11/12/2022, 7:44 am
    • Reply Report comment

    Dumbing of Age Book ???: Turns Out My Body Has The Ability To Produce Shame

  82. Bruh

    11/12/2022, 7:45 am
    • Reply Report comment

    Panel 3 Joyce looks so adorably earnest. Smug panel 6 Joyce is INCREDIBLY smug. I like it lol

  83. CJ

    11/12/2022, 8:05 am
    • Reply Report comment

    That grin in the last panel….

  84. Jon

    11/12/2022, 8:17 am
    • Reply Report comment

    Not joking: today is my wedding day and this is the best present I could have asked for.

    I am SCREAMING with delight.

    1. mrnoidea

      11/12/2022, 12:10 pm
      • Reply Report comment

      Congratulations!

    2. Amós Batista

      11/12/2022, 12:37 pm
      • Reply Report comment

      congratulations, may you have a happy wedding

    3. k

      11/12/2022, 12:40 pm
      • Reply Report comment

      May the good feelings continue and make it a most happy day!

    4. Rabisch

      11/12/2022, 2:14 pm
      • Reply Report comment

      Congrats!

    5. Chronos

      11/12/2022, 4:43 pm
      • Reply Report comment

      congrats!

  85. Cerusee

    11/12/2022, 8:47 am
    • Reply Report comment

    This is the cutest goddamn thing I have ever seen in my life.

  86. J. Gawain

    11/12/2022, 9:34 am
    • Reply Report comment

    This! This makes me smile!

  87. BlackScarabFilmZ

    11/12/2022, 9:56 am
    • Reply Report comment

    Joyce is taking this a lot better than I thought she would. Finally has the upper hand on Joe and doesn’t even need her date chaperone to get there anymore! (Which is fortunate, considering that her date chaperone isn’t around anymore)

  88. Wendy

    11/12/2022, 10:07 am
    • Reply Report comment

    This is absolutely adorable. I did not expect the sheer amount of adorableness.

    1. The Wellerman

      11/12/2022, 5:41 pm
      • Reply Report comment

      One of my friends did, and she also predicted the Dina slipshine. Autistic superpower or incredible coincidence? ?

  89. Hof1991

    11/12/2022, 10:13 am
    • Reply Report comment

    Joyce was the most socially adjusted member of her home schooling group. She’s leveling up here.

  90. Daniel M Ball

    11/12/2022, 10:20 am
    • Reply Report comment

    And thus, Joe has…astonished me with his growth here. That’s almost…MATURE-he’s at least gotten past age 13 levels of self awareness.

  91. Nudge

    11/12/2022, 10:33 am
    • Reply Report comment

    OH MY GOD

    :: combusts ::

  92. Adept

    11/12/2022, 10:50 am
    • Reply Report comment

    Unexpected gloating by Joyce. Well played cartoonist.

  93. Johan

    11/12/2022, 11:31 am
    • Reply Report comment

    Yooooooo

  94. June Gloom

    11/12/2022, 11:43 am
    • Reply Report comment

    Why is this comic so full of actually cute het pairings? What black magic is Willis wielding to make this happen?

    I like it.

    1. Peep

      11/12/2022, 6:04 pm
      • Reply Report comment

      I know right? There are so few het ships I’ve ever been remotely invested in and probably over half of them have been written by Willis.

      …And thinking about it now, the rest might just be from Michael Schur shows.

  95. El Diestro Norteamericano

    11/12/2022, 11:46 am
    • Reply moderated

    Ah, so THAT’s what a cat looks like after catching a mouse.

  96. Andy Low

    11/12/2022, 12:03 pm
    • Reply Report comment

    Joyce probably will have a number of different emotions stemming from this moment, and the overwhelming stuff might come later. But for now, perhaps her power bottom switch has been flipped.

  97. mrnoidea

    11/12/2022, 12:26 pm
    • Reply Report comment

    Ooooooh!!

    Joe tried irony, it fell flat to Joyce’s autism and discomfort with objectification!
    Joyce calls him out on it –> Joe sad
    But he’s not done yet!
    He takes the chance!
    Draws the little hearts!
    He swings his words right to the core and
    It’s gooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooood!

    Real talk: comments have wondered if Joyce would either get angry or giddy, but it makes sense that she would enjoy turning the tables on someone often known to be overbearing. And if Joe likes it too, then… ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

  98. Aaa

    11/12/2022, 12:35 pm
    • Reply moderated

    “i like it” i am now fully on board with this ship

  99. ADLegend21

    11/12/2022, 12:39 pm
    • Reply Report comment

    [DBZA Piccolo voice] Red Flag.

  100. Kazuma Taichi

    11/12/2022, 1:11 pm
    • Reply Report comment

    SHE’S INTO IT LET’S GOOOO

  101. Liliet

    11/12/2022, 3:18 pm
    • Reply Report comment

    Oh my god this is some next level shit. I love them and I love whatever… this… is

  102. Joyfulldreams

    11/12/2022, 3:50 pm
    • Reply Report comment

    Joe turning into a blushing mess is my everything.

    Also Joyce??? Flirting??? Is this kind-of-flirting????

    1. Cerusee

      11/12/2022, 4:30 pm
      • Reply Report comment

      She flirted with Jacob, too! Much more inappropriate, but still irrepressibly charming. She’s actually not bad at it when she really likes someone.

  103. Chronos

    11/12/2022, 4:37 pm
    • Reply Report comment

    I *love* their faces in this one.

  104. poyo

    11/12/2022, 5:11 pm
    • Reply Report comment

    GOD theyre so stinking CUTE !!!!!!!!!

  105. Liam

    11/12/2022, 5:29 pm
    • Reply Report comment

    Smug Joyce

  106. CardinalFan

    11/12/2022, 5:44 pm
    • Reply Report comment

    Joyce has acquired the power of the mighty Shame Orb. Fear.

  107. Felian

    11/12/2022, 6:04 pm
    • Reply Report comment

    Thank Goodness for that reaction. Kinda unexpected.
    I kind of expected rage and disgust… although they *did* start turning into friends so i suppose she sees more in him than only the horny dickhead he admittedly is (even tho he is trying to get better).
    Smug Joyce is one i was NOT prepared for! That evil smile!! i like it.
    It’s way way too early to ask for a kinky slipshine, riiiiiiiiiiight? 😀

  108. shrub

    11/12/2022, 6:28 pm
    • Reply Report comment

    This happening quicker than I thought but its good to see, no doubt we’ll switch to another storyline though…

  109. Serendipity

    11/12/2022, 7:20 pm
    • Reply Report comment

    d’awwwwwwwwwwww

  110. toby

    11/12/2022, 7:45 pm
    • Reply Report comment

    this fixed me

  111. Arianod

    11/12/2022, 10:25 pm
    • Reply Report comment

    what is happening

    1. The Wellerman

      11/12/2022, 11:56 pm
      • Reply Report comment

      Something that’s simply amazing, that’s what ?

  112. Pylgrim

    11/13/2022, 1:13 am
    • Reply Report comment

    Pheww I feared that Joyce would take it as a mean-spirited prank.

  113. Felis Dee

    11/14/2022, 9:39 am
    • Reply Report comment

    Awwwwww….. Joe reminds me of this guy that used to have a crush on me back in Jr High and High School. He would be nice sometimes, and very clearly liked me; and we went on a couple of dates… Except he always had to needle me with some sort of sick sexual innuendo, which turned the then li’l ol’ innocent Christian me right off back then. I might’ve eventually gone out with him for real if he’d approached things like Joe did here.

  114. Beachfox

    11/15/2022, 1:52 pm
    • Reply Report comment

    Joyce, your smile.
    That is the best smile. Oh god.

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