I dunno, my dad’s diagnosed with Narcissistic Personality Disorder (not to his face, though), and he’s only insufferable like 20% of the time, tops. Then again, he’s managed to learn how to fake humility in order to stroke is own ego, so he could just be better adjusted than other narcissists…
My own dad is a narcissist and that led him to ruin a lot and generally be pretty awful. Meanwhile, I inherited the same disorder, but thanks to a much better mom I’m pretty confident I’ll never make the same mistakes. It’s possible to be a narcissist without being a shitty person–it’s just really hard. Almost impossible without better parenting than most of us ever get (thanks mom). Watch some BoJack and you’ll get it.
The number of them who say things like “I’m my own worst critic” unironically, is equal to the number of them I know, which is turn equal to the number of them who treat everyone else worse than they treat themselves.
That’s probably a sign, but I’m not a professional psychologist…
I remember someone complaining that CastaSpella was shafted in the reboot because in the original series CastaSpella contrasted Shadow Weaver in that CastaSpella did the f ing work to become a great magician where as Shadow Weaver took a short cut.
SheRa I haven’t seen the origional. In the reboot I sort of see the your welcome scene as Shadow Weaver trying to take a shortcut to redemption.
My favorite pairing was never confirmed. Which honestly is sort of great. I didn’t like how they undermined his defiance speech where he chooses friendship, but thats mostly because I don’t know why it was possible in universe.
I don’t see it as a short cut to redemption, since I’m always of the belief that redemption is entirely from yourself. Nobody else gets to decide if you are redeemed or not. They can decide if you are FORGIVEN, but that’s another matter entirely.
I think the key point of that scene was her FINALLY realizing that for all her plays for power, she’s got nothing, while somebody who was just like her, just as power hungry and self absorbed, learned to let all of that go and found love.
She wasn’t worth saving, and I think she realized that, but the person she saved was. You can see hints of this mindset change in Season 5 when she’s talking about Micah.
“I want to save Micah. I owe him that much, at least!” Sure, it could have been a lie, but I don’t think so.
And like every evil narcissit, he will suffer greatly. This isn’t a 2000s black humor cartoon where the villain gets away with his crime. In real life, when the bad guy is beaten down, they rarely escape the violent beatdown coming for them.
That WAS pretty funny. A lot of superheroes are solidly working class and aren’t rich and famous people he’d know or have run into. He might have known Bruce Wayne if he’d switched bodies with him; but then he’d have just had a fit, athletic body much like the one he left. Batman is world class because of his skills and tech, not because of any superpowers.
(a) You have a predicate here that everybody knows the name of a Computer Studies major who spends almost her entire time in her room playing games online. (b) “Me? Gosh! Of course I’m not Amazigirl! But I couldn’t actually bail on my friends and I had this costume because Walky – sorry, David Walkerton – and I have this thing and it involves superhero cosplay – err, costumed play – and as I have no idea how to actually contact Amazigirl and that’s who Dad was expecting to see, I had to improvise. Never could quite work out how her cape works though. Her actual cape was found at the house?!! OMG! Can I see it?!! Covered in blood?!! OMG, is she OK? Oh, Mr O’Malley’s blood? Did they use it as a shroud for him or something? Oh, they say it was used to tape Dad down? Did it also have duct tape on it? That stuff leaves serious residue! The bit where CCTV cameras caught me crawling along the van, jumping into it, and beating Dad up? Thinking about it now makes me feel a bit queasy, but it’s amazing what you can do with that much adrenaline in your body! And he did make me attend years of karate classes; I guess Amazigirl must have already beaten him up pretty thoroughly as he didn’t fight back. Now if you excuse me I think I’m going to collapse…”
It has. I said it out loud, and a gaping hole in the earth opened up in front of me and, in a cloud of sulphuric smoke, out rose Satan himself, who turned his gaze on me and said, in a dark roar, “That’s no way to talk in civilized company, you potty-mouth!”
It’s the Johnny Cash, “A Boy Named Sue” defense. I made you tough, by making you deal with adversity. There’s a reason the prisoners at Fulsom went absolutely crazy when the song hit that point. Many of them had heard the same BS from their abusers.
I see where this is going “Me putting you through hell obviously made you stronger, you should be thanking me.” The truth is he taught her to hate herself, not to be strong.
That looks to me like a left hand on (presumably) his chest, based on the relative length of the fingers. So, yeah, he most likely rolled over between panels.
I sorta feel like quoting that old Douglas Adams bit about Man declaring that black is white and then getting run over at the next zebra crossing…
But not really.
Oh no you don’t Blaine. You don’t get to make yourself the hero here. You get to have your ass handed to you on a plate and you get to rot in a jail cell the rest of your life.
Really he’s a terrible supervillain. He’s an idiot, he isn’t all that strong and his mooks are college students. If he opponents weren’t all freshmen college students he would get his ass kicked immediately. Besides he’s a mob grunt, meaning he basically is a mook.
I’m hearing his comment as snotty sarcasm, not “you’re stronger because of me.”
I’m hoping Joyce hops out of the van and comes and kicks him in the face.
Also, it’s very strange to see her in that outfit without a mask.
I mean he also verbally and emotionally abused her to the point that she snapped and disassociated at the first moment of stress and terror in her life. Like Amber is not at all okay and maybe never will be soooo thanks, Blaine?
I don’t want death, I want him to suffer! I want broken teeth, broken bones, broken fingers and broken knee caps! I want him to suffer as if Ghost Rider looked into his eyes!
One awkward aspect of this is that he’s the one paying for her college/university schooling. I don’t know what his fall will mean for her ability to have an education.
Huh, he actually has a good point here. He’s always been angry at her for being weak, and thanks to him, she’s not. His dad-mission has been accomplished.
…I’m guessing that his father was abusive too and taught him that lesson. Cycle of abuse ya know. Nevertheless, i did not expect Willis to go this route; instead i expected Blaine to be furious at being beaten up by Amber.
Unlike lazy writing though, this trope re-occurs because people write what they know, and there are a LOT of abusive narcisistic assholes in the world, which gives rise to a lot of writers from abusive homes and relationships. 😞
Blaine has zero point here, he abused and pushed Amber until she literally broke. The fact that she was in any way able to pull herself together afterwards is in spite of his actions, not because of it. You don’t get to break a runner’s kneecaps and then say you were helping them because they were able to run again after surgery and therapy.
He’ll certainly think he has a point though, and that’s the bongo of it. It’s going to tear Amber apart, and if he talks like Brain Blaine while doing it? It’ll confirm that Amber’s an absolute expert at reading people, and it might break her again.
Amber’s kick him in his balls! Break his teeth even more! Break his fingers! I want this guy to suffer! Make him regret being evil by making him suffer like the people that have suffered under him!
Nope, I want Amber to pick Blaine up and stuff a sock in his mouth, zip-tie him and sit on him until the cops come so that he has no further opportunity to spout his mouth-sounds.
You know I’m starting to realize mental illness is a common trait in the O’Malley family. I think it might be best for Faz to see a therapist regularly. Last thing I need is for him to start kidnapping his daughters friends 30 years from now to toughen her up like this wack job! Cause with Blaine as one of his primary role models that is a real possibility.
Okay, if it’s the “my abuse made you strong” bullshit, then yeah, that’s 100% pure uncut bullshit.
But…. I don’t think that’s what it’s going to be.
Through this entire story arc, Blaine’s been harping on Amber and AG not being the same person. About how Amber is one way and AG is another. And most of us have been saying that was about Blaine not recognizing the face under the mask… and maybe it was.
But what if he knew about the DID, or figured it out as the story progressed? What if he was unhappy that it wasn’t Amber who was strong, but AG? That his own daughter was the “weak” one? That’s what he’s been harping on all this time.
What Blaine’s done over this story arc has been to force Amber/AG to… resociate, I guess would be the word? Not completely, no. But the two have gone from not talking to each other and not sharing memories and actively trying to sabotage each other, to being on civil terms, working in unison, trading off rapidly as needed, and being more in sync than we’ve ever seen them. That feels like healing, of a sort. And in the fight just now, it would have been super-obvious to Blaine, if he had any idea about the DID to begin with.
I don’t think that was Blaine’s goal. And even if it was, it wasn’t something he should have done to her (them?) without permission. And it doesn’t come remotely close to justifying kidnapping, extortion, and murder.
But JUST MAYBE his “your welcome” is only like 80% bullshit, instead of 100%.
Yep. I’m spinning out the theory that he might be saying “you’re welcome” about the accidental reconciliation. Which would definitely be at least 80% bullshit here, but in principle you’re allowed to say “you’re welcome” if you accidentally do something that benefits someone else.
I mean, I don’t believe that, but I like spinning improbable theories as well.
So me, I’m going with “He’s actually been insisting out loud AG’s not Amber so every witness would be able to say even her father says she’s not, and that’s to keep her from getting indicted”. There.
I assume you’ve put them on Jones Avenue at the corner of S. Jordan Avenue, just outside Read Quad, and the van is facing west. However,
that calls for a pretty significant time-skip between Tuesday’s strip (and a number of turns as well). Follow along with me if you will….
When Blaine made that right-hand turn (with Amber-Girl clinging to the outside of the van) he was turning EAST onto Atwood Avenue, which is IRL about three streets SOUTH of Jones Avenue. So from panel 1 of the strip on 6/09 to panel 1 of today’s strip, we have to assume that Blaine somehow drove at least seven or eight blocks west, at least to Mitchell Street or Eastside Drive, or perhaps even further to Rose Avenue; and then turned left (north) and managed to cross East 3rd Street and go an additional block north to Jones Avenue , where he had to make another left-hand turn to put them west-bound on Jones — and then go at least another two or three blocks west, passing directly in front of a HUGE residence hall, to get to their current location.
And all the while, Amber-Girl is hanging on the side of the van without attracting attention?
That had occurred to me, but there is nothing along Atwater or anywhere else near their last known location that even vaguely resembles what we see here. Jordan is the only street in the area that’s divided like this, and the intersection of Jones and Jordan is a near perfect match.
Right you are; the scene is shown as if you are “standing” on Jones Avenue (and in looking back, I see that I said he turned off of “Atwood” earlier; I went to UW-Madison and there was a bar on Atwood Avenue in Madison that I used to frequent). My defense/excuse is that I posted that at 2:30 AM CT and I don’t think anyone is going to be on top of their game at that time of the morning.
But still – Blaine had to make a left-hand turn off of Atwater onto Jordan, and still had to cross 3rd Street which is a 4-lane street at a major intersection controlled by a traffic light.
Oh, Amber. You really should have left out the “You broke me” bit. Because now he can go for the “And clearly you put yourself back together if you were able to beat me” argument. Oops.
That being said, I’m impressed at how Amber managed to kick Blaine out the door she came in through. (See, Blaine, this is why you should wear your seatbelt.)
In one sense Blaine may win. I assume that if he is in jail his income will be so low that paying for Amber’s college tuition might be impossible or unenforceable (presumably the wife and kid need food and rent first)?
Yes there is a chance Amber is screwed because blaine can’t pay tuition because he is in jail.
But perhaps Blaine had more assets hidden away and his incarceration gives investigators more chance to track down his money. Or maybe the courts will rule that Yuri is also responsible for supporting herself and Faz (being an adult and all). Or maybe the legal parts of Blaine’s business are capable of running without him and there is enough income to pay both tuition and for faz/Yuri’s support.
Is anyone else getting a ShortPacked! Mike feeling here? Where Amber hits him and, a second later she’s really shocked to see him smiling at her. Shortpacked.com is throwing a fit whenever I want to look for it so I have no link 🙁
Just remember Amber, blessee are those who seek justice not vengence. That being said the justice should be as Stone Cold Steve Austin said, “Stomp a mudhole in his ass and walk it dry.”
Ah yes, the ol’ narcissist’s logic coming into play once more. Trying to claim a victory after having his plans completely and utterly trounced with a “this was my plan aaaaaaall along!” gambit. Going for one last stab that makes him seem like he has everything stitched up, something to get him that last tiny, petty victory over someone else before being resigned to the history books. I can not wait for him to take his leave so everyone can start to recover from this fresh hell he’s brought upon ’em.
The strip is already inked thru Sept 9 as of this date so there’s no going back, but please I beg you: dont let this be a Boy Named Sue moment, as others have brought up.
I’m just worried people will see her beat up this guy and get her in trouble. There’s people around now, and they don’t have the context of what lead to this.
I don’t think there will be any beatdown here. The van has stopped and in my mind’s eye I’m seeing Joyce emerging from the back even now, and she will step in, not necessarily to protect Blaine from Amber but to protect Amber from herself and her pent-up emotions and frustrations.
I read recently that trauma doesn’t make a person strong, it’s the response to trauma that makes a person strong. Anything she’s done too improve herself had been despite. Blaine’s abuse, not because of it.
Reminds of a favorite quote. “Ten spears gonto battle and nine shatter. Did the war forge the ones that remained? No, all the war did was identify thr spear that would not break.”
Well, the van is stopped, and nobody has been run over, looks like Joyce should be ok, aside from some bruises. So who appears in the next page, Joyce or Sal?
Ok, ok, I see what’s happening here
You’re face to face with greatness, and it’s strange
You don’t even know how you feel
It’s adorable!
Well, it’s nice to see that Ambers never change
Open your eyes, let’s begin
Yes, it’s really me, it’s Blaine: breathe it in!
I know it’s a lot: the hair, the bod!
When you’re staring at a bad guy
What can I say except you’re welcome
For the abuse, the lies, the scum
Hey, it’s okay, it’s okay
You’re welcome
I’m just an ordinary mafia guy
Hey!
Okay, you in the red hoodie there. I know you were hoping to get across the intersection before the out-of-control van got there, but you shouldn’t have tried to race it like that. It’s not worth it. Hold back and WAIT for the maniacs to maniac to drive through and THEN try to cross. You’re lucky you don’t need a Pedestrian’s License.
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typical narcissist, giving you shit you didn’t want and expecting you to be grateful
Bingo. He’s an insufferable f€ckwad. Just like all narcissist parents.
Don’t I f-ing know it…
I dunno, my dad’s diagnosed with Narcissistic Personality Disorder (not to his face, though), and he’s only insufferable like 20% of the time, tops. Then again, he’s managed to learn how to fake humility in order to stroke is own ego, so he could just be better adjusted than other narcissists…
… I suppose there is something to be said for “fake it ‘til you make it.”
My own dad is a narcissist and that led him to ruin a lot and generally be pretty awful. Meanwhile, I inherited the same disorder, but thanks to a much better mom I’m pretty confident I’ll never make the same mistakes. It’s possible to be a narcissist without being a shitty person–it’s just really hard. Almost impossible without better parenting than most of us ever get (thanks mom). Watch some BoJack and you’ll get it.
It seems like narcissists take the old adage “Everyone is the hero of their own story” and crank it up to eleven.
The number of them who say things like “I’m my own worst critic” unironically, is equal to the number of them I know, which is turn equal to the number of them who treat everyone else worse than they treat themselves.
That’s probably a sign, but I’m not a professional psychologist…
It really sucks when you say that and find out that you really ARE your own worst critic…
*raises hand*
If I had a buck for every time I get reminded of this, I’d be living on the Ri idea and drunk on champagne 50% of the time. I’m *harsh*.
Maybe he’ll also die after saying ‘You’re welcome’…
Hey, I LIKED that moment of Season 5. Every part of that scene was just dripping with subtext, and yes I believe it was sincere.
Fuckin loved that series ending. Hells yeah.
I remember someone complaining that CastaSpella was shafted in the reboot because in the original series CastaSpella contrasted Shadow Weaver in that CastaSpella did the f ing work to become a great magician where as Shadow Weaver took a short cut.
What series are we talking about, because it sounds cool.
I can’t edit, but there should have been a question mark in there somewhere…
SheRa I haven’t seen the origional. In the reboot I sort of see the your welcome scene as Shadow Weaver trying to take a shortcut to redemption.
My favorite pairing was never confirmed. Which honestly is sort of great. I didn’t like how they undermined his defiance speech where he chooses friendship, but thats mostly because I don’t know why it was possible in universe.
I don’t see it as a short cut to redemption, since I’m always of the belief that redemption is entirely from yourself. Nobody else gets to decide if you are redeemed or not. They can decide if you are FORGIVEN, but that’s another matter entirely.
I think the key point of that scene was her FINALLY realizing that for all her plays for power, she’s got nothing, while somebody who was just like her, just as power hungry and self absorbed, learned to let all of that go and found love.
She wasn’t worth saving, and I think she realized that, but the person she saved was. You can see hints of this mindset change in Season 5 when she’s talking about Micah.
“I want to save Micah. I owe him that much, at least!” Sure, it could have been a lie, but I don’t think so.
I realize this has already been answered, but here’s mine:
The recently concluded Shera reboot from Netflix (Shera: Princesses of Power)
If you have Netflix, then you can check it out with minimal effort.
And like every evil narcissit, he will suffer greatly. This isn’t a 2000s black humor cartoon where the villain gets away with his crime. In real life, when the bad guy is beaten down, they rarely escape the violent beatdown coming for them.
Ah, here comes the truck
The only truck I want now is the ambulance at the end of Diamond is Unbreakable.
Say hello to Yoshikage Kira, Blaine!
I mean, Technically Kira Lives on as a Ghost Detective…so I wouldn’t even want Blaine to be that blessed.
wow i love this for her
Oh good, looks like the van is staying upright and not crashing into anything. Was a little worried, what with Joyce in the back.
What can I saaay except
D E L E T E T H I S
did you call the title text? nice
I’m on Patreon, Willis kept the joke there in the update post text.
“What can I say except,
we’reI’m dead soon…”Ah, a follower of SingingWithMyself/aromanticduck?
Baline, you’re no Shadow Weaver.
He’s not even Mantenna.
…Did Mantenna ever appear in the new series? I’m behind.
Mantenna was the little bunny ears antenna that Entrapta carried around in the second half of the last season.
*Blaine
You mean he’s no MAUI. 😀
And I STILL went “yes, this is good” when we were done with SW.
Blaine, Tung Lashor called, he says he feels superior to you as a being and his name is TUNG LASHOR.
Blaine will never be Shadow Weaver. He is below the shit defecated by the horses of Etheria.
“But you oughta thank me before I die,
For the gravel in your guts and the spit in your eye.”
Shel Silverstein, popularized by Johnny Cash, abused by anyone who claims to be ‘toughening up’ their kids.
Don’t think there will be any calling Blaine ‘Pa’ in this version.
Oooooh no. You don’t get to turn this around like you were doing her a favor or whatever, that girl has enough guilt already
I think his words will hit home in Amber’s head but Joyce will put Amber back on her feet.
“A Boy Named Sue”
He didn’t hit the pavement hard enough imo if he can still talk, the bastard.
And now everyone knows Amazi-Girl’s identity.
I mean… everyone knows she’s a short relatively stocky white girl. I think most people that know her name are already aware she’s amazigirl.
Lex Luthor: I have no idea who this is.
That WAS pretty funny. A lot of superheroes are solidly working class and aren’t rich and famous people he’d know or have run into. He might have known Bruce Wayne if he’d switched bodies with him; but then he’d have just had a fit, athletic body much like the one he left. Batman is world class because of his skills and tech, not because of any superpowers.
Is Billie still under the impression that she’s Sal?
If so, there’s one person who can’t tell she’s short, stocky, and white. Girl needs to get the prescription of her glasses updated.
now all of campus knows you’re amazi-girl
“… Perfect.”
(a) You have a predicate here that everybody knows the name of a Computer Studies major who spends almost her entire time in her room playing games online. (b) “Me? Gosh! Of course I’m not Amazigirl! But I couldn’t actually bail on my friends and I had this costume because Walky – sorry, David Walkerton – and I have this thing and it involves superhero cosplay – err, costumed play – and as I have no idea how to actually contact Amazigirl and that’s who Dad was expecting to see, I had to improvise. Never could quite work out how her cape works though. Her actual cape was found at the house?!! OMG! Can I see it?!! Covered in blood?!! OMG, is she OK? Oh, Mr O’Malley’s blood? Did they use it as a shroud for him or something? Oh, they say it was used to tape Dad down? Did it also have duct tape on it? That stuff leaves serious residue! The bit where CCTV cameras caught me crawling along the van, jumping into it, and beating Dad up? Thinking about it now makes me feel a bit queasy, but it’s amazing what you can do with that much adrenaline in your body! And he did make me attend years of karate classes; I guess Amazigirl must have already beaten him up pretty thoroughly as he didn’t fight back. Now if you excuse me I think I’m going to collapse…”
Blaine is just the worst. Absolutely, positively the worst.
I’ve met worse.
I’m sorry.
You only say that because the true word for him has not yet been coinednl.
It has. I said it out loud, and a gaping hole in the earth opened up in front of me and, in a cloud of sulphuric smoke, out rose Satan himself, who turned his gaze on me and said, in a dark roar, “That’s no way to talk in civilized company, you potty-mouth!”
“We live in a society!”
“Trump”
Cause him PAIN!!!!!
Amber will sing the Mariner’s Revenge song about breaking Blaine’s fingers.
My abuse made you stronger, so thank me for it.
Never mind how it tore you up inside.
It just tore up the useless, weak part — is how he’ll rationalise it.
It’s the Johnny Cash, “A Boy Named Sue” defense. I made you tough, by making you deal with adversity. There’s a reason the prisoners at Fulsom went absolutely crazy when the song hit that point. Many of them had heard the same BS from their abusers.
With a little help from the late Shel Silverstein (who actually wrote that song) 😉
I did not know that. But, studying the song, I should have.
Yeah, that was the first thing to run through my mind too!
I see where this is going “Me putting you through hell obviously made you stronger, you should be thanking me.” The truth is he taught her to hate herself, not to be strong.
Any strength in Amber is definitely despite Blaine’s influence, not because of it. Heh, almost typed “Bane”.
There goes any plans for Moana in the foreseeable future.
Jeezy creezy.
Did he just turn his head 180º?
Nah, looks like he’s lying on his back now
I guess he turned around between panels
I kinda like the ” turned his head 180 degrees and his arm is broken behind his back” idea.
Maybe Blaine is part owl? Or he just flipped around onto his back, I guess.
That looks to me like a left hand on (presumably) his chest, based on the relative length of the fingers. So, yeah, he most likely rolled over between panels.
I sorta feel like quoting that old Douglas Adams bit about Man declaring that black is white and then getting run over at the next zebra crossing…
But not really.
Yeah, this would be like Harley Quinn telling the Joker to feel bad.
reminds me of Mustapha Mond telling John “You’re welcome” at the end of Brave New World
Oh no you don’t Blaine. You don’t get to make yourself the hero here. You get to have your ass handed to you on a plate and you get to rot in a jail cell the rest of your life.
Thats the thing, in Blaine’s mind, he IS the hero and always has been.
He makes a much better supervillain than a dad that’s for sure…
Really he’s a terrible supervillain. He’s an idiot, he isn’t all that strong and his mooks are college students. If he opponents weren’t all freshmen college students he would get his ass kicked immediately. Besides he’s a mob grunt, meaning he basically is a mook.
If all he does is launder money, then he isn’t even a mook, just a stooge.
Everything you write is true. And despite that, he’s STILL a vastly better supervillain than a dad.
I am a much better computer programmer than I am a Wizard.
I want Blaine to end like in the movie The Good Liar.
… and then Blaine started singing “A Boy Named Sue” …
So I WASN’T the only one thinking that.
i came to the comments to make sure someone said this
Same here.
Hey-o.
Ditto.
The Rock starts singing!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=79DijItQXMM
Aw jeez!
Here comes the “My constant abuse has made you strong enough to face this unfair world, so PRAISE ME” speech!
Not if he gets hit by a truck first.
Actually, I’m hoping for a more elegant means of stopping his monologging from Willis, but a truck will do.
If Amber can’t articulate the proper “shut up, Hannibal” speech moment here, I’m betting Joyce will.
Or Blaine will get hit by a truck.
Only if it’s loaded with emotional freight.
Reminded of Jesse Custer and Jody in Preacher…”Proud of you, boy”
UGH
I’m hearing his comment as snotty sarcasm, not “you’re stronger because of me.”
I’m hoping Joyce hops out of the van and comes and kicks him in the face.
Also, it’s very strange to see her in that outfit without a mask.
Uhg, this is where he says that everything she’s achieved is because she was weak and he made her stronger through his treatment.
Because in his mind, it made her strong.
Strong enough to do this.
When really, it was all her personal interests, track and field, comics, empathy, that led her here.
And martial arts lessons instead of therapy!
I’m not saying that Joe Chill deserves credit but he is a part of it.
I mean he also verbally and emotionally abused her to the point that she snapped and disassociated at the first moment of stress and terror in her life. Like Amber is not at all okay and maybe never will be soooo thanks, Blaine?
Very likely it was that same abuse that contributed to her being “weak” in the first place – to her social anxiety and the like.
And then his absence a good part of what let her start dealing with that, with Ethan’s help.
Father of the year!…..Is one of those shadows in the background maybe because Blaine is fucking awful!
Amber: you belittled me.
You abused me. You broke me.
You came after my friends.
Blaine: the aristocrats.
I think Blaine decided that if he was to be the villain he’d be the more villanous possible.
Please don’t let Blaine die right here.
Not because I want Blaine to live, but because I don’t want Amber to have to deal with that guilt on her already-overtaxed-by-trauma conscience.
But hey if the mob wants to show up and cut their losses on him, ANY MINUTE NOW WOULD BE GREAT!
I don’t want death, I want him to suffer! I want broken teeth, broken bones, broken fingers and broken knee caps! I want him to suffer as if Ghost Rider looked into his eyes!
One awkward aspect of this is that he’s the one paying for her college/university schooling. I don’t know what his fall will mean for her ability to have an education.
The Boy Named Sue defense. Which is also what Sue’s lawyer later called explaining that the murder of Sue’s father is entirely justifiable homicide.
Maybe this is Blaine’s plan B. He can’t escape so getting her to beat him to deathsoares him consequences and ruins her life for him.
Huh, he actually has a good point here. He’s always been angry at her for being weak, and thanks to him, she’s not. His dad-mission has been accomplished.
…I’m guessing that his father was abusive too and taught him that lesson. Cycle of abuse ya know. Nevertheless, i did not expect Willis to go this route; instead i expected Blaine to be furious at being beaten up by Amber.
Same! I am tired of the “misery makes character” trope. I want everyone who embraces this philosophy to fuck themselves!
Unlike lazy writing though, this trope re-occurs because people write what they know, and there are a LOT of abusive narcisistic assholes in the world, which gives rise to a lot of writers from abusive homes and relationships. 😞
Oh god. Blaine’s going to give her a speech that’s close to the one Imagination Blaine gave her, isn’t he? Crap.
Blaine has zero point here, he abused and pushed Amber until she literally broke. The fact that she was in any way able to pull herself together afterwards is in spite of his actions, not because of it. You don’t get to break a runner’s kneecaps and then say you were helping them because they were able to run again after surgery and therapy.
He’ll certainly think he has a point though, and that’s the bongo of it. It’s going to tear Amber apart, and if he talks like Brain Blaine while doing it? It’ll confirm that Amber’s an absolute expert at reading people, and it might break her again.
Amber’s kick him in his balls! Break his teeth even more! Break his fingers! I want this guy to suffer! Make him regret being evil by making him suffer like the people that have suffered under him!
ASMODAI-I MEAN AMBER, MAKE HIM REPENT!
Nope, I want Amber to pick Blaine up and stuff a sock in his mouth, zip-tie him and sit on him until the cops come so that he has no further opportunity to spout his mouth-sounds.
Knowing Amber’s history with the law, it would be saffer to tie him to an hidrant, knock him unconscious and run away before the cops see her.
Sal will show up and spirit her away, just like last time.
Press his eyeballs inside his head!
What an evil piece of dog vomit.
CAN WE PLEASE PLEASE HAVE THIS GUY GET HIS HEAD POPPED OPEN BY A PASSING AMBULANCE
YOSHIKAGE KIRA STYLE
PLEASE HOW MUCH DO I NEED TO DONATE
And after he dies, the best girl will lead him to his doom in a back alley.
Only with Sal’s motorcycle.
You know I’m starting to realize mental illness is a common trait in the O’Malley family. I think it might be best for Faz to see a therapist regularly. Last thing I need is for him to start kidnapping his daughters friends 30 years from now to toughen her up like this wack job! Cause with Blaine as one of his primary role models that is a real possibility.
Amber has a multiple personality disorder and Blaine is a psychopath. It is probably Faz’s lack fo respect for boundaries and narcissism are related.
Yes. Sort of like finding out that the child of a smoker who breathed smoke right in their face developed lung cancer.
…. huh.
Okay, if it’s the “my abuse made you strong” bullshit, then yeah, that’s 100% pure uncut bullshit.
But…. I don’t think that’s what it’s going to be.
Through this entire story arc, Blaine’s been harping on Amber and AG not being the same person. About how Amber is one way and AG is another. And most of us have been saying that was about Blaine not recognizing the face under the mask… and maybe it was.
But what if he knew about the DID, or figured it out as the story progressed? What if he was unhappy that it wasn’t Amber who was strong, but AG? That his own daughter was the “weak” one? That’s what he’s been harping on all this time.
What Blaine’s done over this story arc has been to force Amber/AG to… resociate, I guess would be the word? Not completely, no. But the two have gone from not talking to each other and not sharing memories and actively trying to sabotage each other, to being on civil terms, working in unison, trading off rapidly as needed, and being more in sync than we’ve ever seen them. That feels like healing, of a sort. And in the fight just now, it would have been super-obvious to Blaine, if he had any idea about the DID to begin with.
I don’t think that was Blaine’s goal. And even if it was, it wasn’t something he should have done to her (them?) without permission. And it doesn’t come remotely close to justifying kidnapping, extortion, and murder.
But JUST MAYBE his “your welcome” is only like 80% bullshit, instead of 100%.
No, it is 100%. Amber ad AG getting reconcilled was accidental. His goal was not paying tuition.
Yep. I’m spinning out the theory that he might be saying “you’re welcome” about the accidental reconciliation. Which would definitely be at least 80% bullshit here, but in principle you’re allowed to say “you’re welcome” if you accidentally do something that benefits someone else.
I mean, I don’t believe that, but I like spinning improbable theories as well.
So me, I’m going with “He’s actually been insisting out loud AG’s not Amber so every witness would be able to say even her father says she’s not, and that’s to keep her from getting indicted”. There.
I just pinpointed their location on Google Maps. They’re home.
I assume you’ve put them on Jones Avenue at the corner of S. Jordan Avenue, just outside Read Quad, and the van is facing west. However,
that calls for a pretty significant time-skip between Tuesday’s strip (and a number of turns as well). Follow along with me if you will….
When Blaine made that right-hand turn (with Amber-Girl clinging to the outside of the van) he was turning EAST onto Atwood Avenue, which is IRL about three streets SOUTH of Jones Avenue. So from panel 1 of the strip on 6/09 to panel 1 of today’s strip, we have to assume that Blaine somehow drove at least seven or eight blocks west, at least to Mitchell Street or Eastside Drive, or perhaps even further to Rose Avenue; and then turned left (north) and managed to cross East 3rd Street and go an additional block north to Jones Avenue , where he had to make another left-hand turn to put them west-bound on Jones — and then go at least another two or three blocks west, passing directly in front of a HUGE residence hall, to get to their current location.
And all the while, Amber-Girl is hanging on the side of the van without attracting attention?
That had occurred to me, but there is nothing along Atwater or anywhere else near their last known location that even vaguely resembles what we see here. Jordan is the only street in the area that’s divided like this, and the intersection of Jones and Jordan is a near perfect match.
And the van isn’t on Jones; it’s northbound on Jordan.
Right you are; the scene is shown as if you are “standing” on Jones Avenue (and in looking back, I see that I said he turned off of “Atwood” earlier; I went to UW-Madison and there was a bar on Atwood Avenue in Madison that I used to frequent). My defense/excuse is that I posted that at 2:30 AM CT and I don’t think anyone is going to be on top of their game at that time of the morning.
But still – Blaine had to make a left-hand turn off of Atwater onto Jordan, and still had to cross 3rd Street which is a 4-lane street at a major intersection controlled by a traffic light.
Oh, Amber. You really should have left out the “You broke me” bit. Because now he can go for the “And clearly you put yourself back together if you were able to beat me” argument. Oops.
Counter argument against Blaine: “I don’t need your approval.” and she stomps his mouth to break all his remaining teeth.
yeah, this sounds like a Blaine answer.
Is his head rotated 180° in that last panel? Is he demon-possessed like the little girl in The Exorcist? That would explain so much of his character.
Nah, he’s just so fucking stupid, he doesn’t realise necks aren’t meant to twist that way.
Damnit Blaine. in this moment you’re doing it so wrong you’ve succeeded in giving Gendo Ikari a good name. Congratulations.
“In my mind this counts as winning… because I’m and idiot or something.”
…and I’m evil genius and I are smart.”
Amber: Shut up! *kicks Blaine*
*Joyce and Sal joins in the head kicking contest*
“I’m bleeding. Making me the victor.”
I’m bleeding. Making me the victor!
We trained him wrong, as a joke!
That being said, I’m impressed at how Amber managed to kick Blaine out the door she came in through. (See, Blaine, this is why you should wear your seatbelt.)
We call that role reversal.
Blaine needed to watch Zombieland.
“And now you’ll kill me and become>/i> me… I can’t think of a sweeter end!”
I really hope Blaine is too injured to get up and fight her by now.
I hope his little hammer is on Joyce’s hands or still in the van.
Finish him, Amazi-Amber!
Where’s Sal? She needs to beat him up, too.
” I made you, you made me. I mean, how childish can you get? You wouldn’t hit a guy with glasses on, would you?”
Don’t be a joker.
All Blaine has left is psychological warfare.
Hopefully, that doesn’t buy him enough of a reprieve from Amber’s beatdown to get away again before Joyce’s dad-punchin’n fist is warmed up.
In one sense Blaine may win. I assume that if he is in jail his income will be so low that paying for Amber’s college tuition might be impossible or unenforceable (presumably the wife and kid need food and rent first)?
Amber might also end up in jail/a mental health facility because of this, so that’s another way he wins.
Yes there is a chance Amber is screwed because blaine can’t pay tuition because he is in jail.
But perhaps Blaine had more assets hidden away and his incarceration gives investigators more chance to track down his money. Or maybe the courts will rule that Yuri is also responsible for supporting herself and Faz (being an adult and all). Or maybe the legal parts of Blaine’s business are capable of running without him and there is enough income to pay both tuition and for faz/Yuri’s support.
Or the business gets sold off and the proceeds garnered to pay his debts – including tuition.
Is anyone else getting a ShortPacked! Mike feeling here? Where Amber hits him and, a second later she’s really shocked to see him smiling at her. Shortpacked.com is throwing a fit whenever I want to look for it so I have no link 🙁
Blaine is no Mike.
Thank the gods for that. Can you imagine someone as malicious as Blaine, but as smart as Mike?
Can you imagine Mike as a parent? (In a more serious take then SP!)
Please be in a confident enough mood that his dumb shit has no effect on you (at least in the moment)
(like, preferably forever, but that’s probably not realistic so if she can just avoid breaking down while he’s there, that’s enough)
“Good. Yes. Let the hate flow through you.”
Just remember Amber, blessee are those who seek justice not vengence. That being said the justice should be as Stone Cold Steve Austin said, “Stomp a mudhole in his ass and walk it dry.”
I was thinking something more like curbstomp
My old school WWE brain took over. She should, as Good Ol’ JR put it, “Beat him like a government mule.”
Blaine here doing a full 180
Ah yes, the ol’ narcissist’s logic coming into play once more. Trying to claim a victory after having his plans completely and utterly trounced with a “this was my plan aaaaaaall along!” gambit. Going for one last stab that makes him seem like he has everything stitched up, something to get him that last tiny, petty victory over someone else before being resigned to the history books. I can not wait for him to take his leave so everyone can start to recover from this fresh hell he’s brought upon ’em.
wow, I really hate that guy but… that one liner is golden.
Come on, ambulance! You can still make it onto Blaine’s skull to Yoshikage Kira him if you just drive on the sidewalk for a bit! I KNOW YOU CAN DO IT!
The strip is already inked thru Sept 9 as of this date so there’s no going back, but please I beg you: dont let this be a Boy Named Sue moment, as others have brought up.
Fuck, he’s going to take credit for the creation Amazi-Girl which will most likely cause Amber to loathe her from now on.
Ah wait, no. Amber knows that Sal’s the one who really can take that credit.
Is the last sentence sarcastic?
I’m just worried people will see her beat up this guy and get her in trouble. There’s people around now, and they don’t have the context of what lead to this.
I don’t think there will be any beatdown here. The van has stopped and in my mind’s eye I’m seeing Joyce emerging from the back even now, and she will step in, not necessarily to protect Blaine from Amber but to protect Amber from herself and her pent-up emotions and frustrations.
Either that or they tag-team beating the stuffing out of Blaine.
(They save his femurs for Ruth; you have to pay your dues.)
Well, that song is in my head now. Congratulations.
Evil until the end.
Ah, the abuser is going to try the old “I did this for your benefit” ploy. Let’s see if it works or if Amber has really
*learned something these last few strips.
I read recently that trauma doesn’t make a person strong, it’s the response to trauma that makes a person strong. Anything she’s done too improve herself had been despite. Blaine’s abuse, not because of it.
This into the sky and maybe the ionosphere
Reminds of a favorite quote. “Ten spears gonto battle and nine shatter. Did the war forge the ones that remained? No, all the war did was identify thr spear that would not break.”
Thank you Tyler for sharing this. I needed to hear it, and I have friends who need to hear it.
man, you know a guy is a piece of shit, but man, what a piece of shit!
Finish him!
No mercy in this dojo!
Commence curb stomping in 3…2…1…
Amber… you mask is off.
It’s okay, the coronavirus pandemic isn’t in Dumbing of Age
He’s about to start quoting Nietzsche
Huh. Remember how Nietzsche talked about wanting to get violent with anti-Semites who quoted him?
… Wonder if we can dig up the guy and give him a shot at this asshole.
Oh he’s omega dead
I’m glad to see Blaine finally get done for but holy hell Amber put your mask back on or hide your face!
It’s cool that you can put the hover text before any of the dialogue in this comic and it works.
“All I can say is MURDERER!”
“All I can say is you’re welcome.”
“All I can say is -Hrk-“
Well, the van is stopped, and nobody has been run over, looks like Joyce should be ok, aside from some bruises. So who appears in the next page, Joyce or Sal?
You know, it’s not often that words make me feel physically ill…
Ok, ok, I see what’s happening here
You’re face to face with greatness, and it’s strange
You don’t even know how you feel
It’s adorable!
Well, it’s nice to see that Ambers never change
Open your eyes, let’s begin
Yes, it’s really me, it’s Blaine: breathe it in!
I know it’s a lot: the hair, the bod!
When you’re staring at a bad guy
What can I say except you’re welcome
For the abuse, the lies, the scum
Hey, it’s okay, it’s okay
You’re welcome
I’m just an ordinary mafia guy
Hey!
AMBER: I’ve done questionable things.
BLAINE: Also extraordinary things.
AMBER: Nothing Dean McHenry wouldn’t let you in college for.
Do it
DEW IT
Okay, you in the red hoodie there. I know you were hoping to get across the intersection before the out-of-control van got there, but you shouldn’t have tried to race it like that. It’s not worth it. Hold back and WAIT for the maniacs to maniac to drive through and THEN try to cross. You’re lucky you don’t need a Pedestrian’s License.