“I am that jerkwad that exists to tweak other jerkwads. And on that fine day of which the McAwesome’s speak, but do not truly believe, when all jerkwads are destroyed forever, I, too, will descend into the pit, flipping the double birds at everyone. But until that day comes, I will continue to do your moms, for a nickle.”
God I hope so. I don’t know if he knows how to actually communicate and act upon his apparent desire to be a slightly better person without a conveniently timed redemption opportunity. Also, Amber and Becky deserve a break 🙁 And we already know Mike’s willing to step in for Amber when she truly needs it. Also he MAY have some pent up emotions to take out…
MIKE, gripping a steering wheel
“Act with integrity. No Regrets.”
Last Panel- MIKE, driving a 1994 GMC VANDURA G2500 painted red, with a tableau of MIKE handing a nickel to an NONSPECIFIC MOTHER airbrushed on the side is speeding towards ROSS.
This is offcampus, but Blowjob Cat’s in front of an elementary(?) school.
Doesn’t really affect Ross, I think. He’s out on bail and I doubt he’s got any restrictions about staying away from schools. Security might notice and check up on him – if there’s any security there at night, but the most they’d probably do is ask him to move along.
Bail conditions might include having to stay away from Becky, but likely no one officially knows Becky’s staying across the street.
The most
Is Ross dumb enough to assault a party with college teens, two violent alcoholics in recovery, an edgelord girl, a dinosaur girl, a right winger narcissist and a Sarah?!
It’s hilarious that Blaine is still terrified of Mike. Dude got owned by an 8th grader so hard he had to farm out his stalking to the world’s least subtle asshole.
Ah shit, that’s right, the gangrenous toe is hanging around. Mike, I’ll forgive all your less awful bullshit right now if you turn your crap on this asshole and his buddy.
Ohshit I bet you’re right. That’s why we saw genuine gentle feelings from him. Something horrible is about to happen to him, and Damn You Willis wanted to make us suffer that little bit extra.
Eh he’s as much the guy to do something reasonable and crafty like suspect something is amiss and then be reasonable like call the cops than something crazy like take a bullet for someone.
In response to your comment yesterday, Willis isn’t going to kill any main characters due to the time scale, the others would be in mourning forever. That applies to even Mike, as much as he’s an asshole no one in the strip actually wants to see him dead (except Blaine). Everything else is fair game though
It looks to me like Mike’s passed by without noticing and Ross is still focused on the house. Probably waiting for the crowds to clear out, if he’s not just doing surveillance.
I wonder where Blaine is. Is this a plan or has Ross slipped the leash?
God I hope so. I don’t know if he knows how to actually communicate and act upon his apparent desire to be a slightly better person without a conveniently timed redemption opportunity. Also, Amber and Becky deserve a break 🙁 And we already know Mike’s willing to step in for Amber when she truly needs it. Also he MAY have some pent up emotions to take out…
And then the party continues uneventfully and next morning, all is normal save for a little bit of a mysterious red liquid dripping from Blowjob Cat’s mouth.
Maybe Blaine wants to use Toedad as a distraction, or as a way to draw Amber out, or he got Toedad to be a lookout. No reason to think that this is Toedad acting alone/independently.
I think Mike is ans always has been to most “real” character in this series. It’s a shame this comment section has never seemed to appreciate his many subtleties until, to some extent, now.
Hmm, depends what you mean by “real”. He’s always been cynical and realistic and thus able to see through to the badness in most people, and thus cope with it better than most.
At the start he felt like a cardboard cut out, a one dimensional source of snark and casual low grade cruelty. As Willis got better the cutout got an extra dimension, more depth and character growth, while cleverly retroactively still fitting with his core design all along. I don’t think that was masterminded in from the start, not that it really matters. Artist growth happens and is a thing.
He’s definitely the most genre-savvy, which I have always appreciated. But also honestly I just appreciate that he mostly just says what he’s thinking instead of talking around the point. He also had a great sense of comedic timing, even though his actual sense of humor is a little dark and a little mean. Idk, I’ve always liked him, but I also tend to enjoy people who are a little abrasive, as long as they’re intelligent, have some substance, and are willing to let you get at least a LITTLE close if you actually make the effort and are willing to look past the roughness.
I’ve found that often those who are abrasive in a certain way are partially so because they’re not super good at avoiding unintentional offense, so eventually they just start doing it casually all the time and acting like they don’t care, to hide the fact that they’re bad at social skills. But it’s not that they don’t WANT to be close to people, so if you’re willing to see past the gruffness and take it as it was intended – i.e., a protective shield, rather than a personal attack – they’re often some of the most kind, considerate, and loyal friends you can find. And frankly, way more interesting than a lot of generally very nice people.
…Anyway, I’m NOT saying these are Mike’s motives at all, although they very well could be. I AM saying that I have a little soft spot for unpopular snarky assholes as long as they’ve demonstrated at least SOME loyalty and moral compass, even if it’s a little skewed from most people’s. So, Mike is someone I’m really rooting for because I think he totally has the capacity to be a genuinely good person – I just think he doesn’t really know how to get there in a traditional manner, and I’d love to see him grow.
I hope everyone keeps in mind that this story is called Dumbing of Age – the implication being, in my eyes, that people will be growing into themselves, even though they are going to do it really painfully and idiotically most of the time. So… Is it too much to hope that even Mike has a chance for some growth here? I like to think that he does, and I look forward to seeing how he transforms himself for, hopefully, the better.
I’d say Mike has already shown some growth. It’s just hard to see it because his start was random enough that the apparent growth he’s shown could just be some more random.
I feel like the only characters who don’t have room for growth in this strip are the ones in the last panel.
Is ToeDad going to ruin Dina’s mating night? That’s just rude.
also, it would be a rather short attack.
Ross: “Rebecka!!! I’m coming to take you ho… ack, there are a lot of things in this visual I’m not comfortable with.”
Dina: “Hssssssss”
Ross: “also, I’m currently being attacked by a tiny, naked woman with a raptor claw. Nothing in my life has prepared me for this.”
…and at that point, it would stop being cathartic in the “Joyce vs Ross” sense and start being scary in the “amber vs Ryan” sense.
Yeah dude, do it. Force your way into a house owned by a sitting member of government that is full of college students when you have a criminal record. I’m sure that will work out.
Not just with a criminal record, but while on bail awaiting trial for stalking and armed abduction charges, regarding the victim you are currently doing the same to. That’s going to get you thrown back into prison without bail until your trial.
Ok, so basically, if you can raise enough money, you can get bail for anything that’s not (yet) murder and your victims aren’t informed of the fact you are in a position to hurt them further? That’s plain crazy.
Howinthehell did Toedad know where to find Becky? She’s not a student, so IU wouldn’t know; and (again) since she’s not a student no casual student on campus would know her from Adam’s cat. And pretty much anyone who DOES know her was already at the party.
To answer “How did Toedad find her?”, let’s remember that Google maps is a thing. If this unit isn’t under Becky’s name, it’s under Robin’s. Becky working for Robin was publicized on TV.
I would like to think Mike is noticing Ross , but has Mike ever met Ross. Enough to ID him in the dark from half a block away? Is mike looking back at Ethan and his ruined plans or at Ross?
I desperately want Mike alert to this, despite his broken heart. With DYW, you live on hope, you die of starvation.
(On another note, I am now thinking that Mike is actually sincere, and just maybe may be in the process of change/personal growth? I’d love for him to become an actual character as opposed to just a cardboard asshole.
regardless, I just hope he, and everyone else, get through this next chapter unharmed.)
1) Ross goes after Mike first. I’m sure I’m not the only one predicting that this would end badly for Ross. Even assuming he can beat up Mike (which is possible as he is bigger and taller than Mike), Mike will definitely do the smart thing and inform the right people of what happened.
2) Ross forces his way into the apartment. There are multiple witnesses and Robin calls the police. Ross goes back to jail for what will likely be a much longer time.
3) Ross goes back to Blaine so they can coordinate. This is the smartest option and therefore the one he is least likely to choose.
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hey, Mike’s playing Kacheek Seek with his Chia!
This is an amazing reference.
He may be a religious nut, but he’s not a Scientologist
This is the best thing that could ever be said about this page.
I did NOT understand this reference. This says nothing about me.
oh NOW the drama begins some more!
Oh boy, just the asshole we needed to see. I can’t wait to see how this pans out.
As the only Toe-headed character in the comic, we do not need to see his face to recognize him.
There was too much fixation on Mike looking back. I’m betting he’s gonna turn his torment on Tweedledee and Tweedlereallydumb.
I bet on Robin biting him
Or an otherwise accidental emasculation.
Blowjob Cat doesn’t deserve that hate.
if I wasn’t already on Patreon, this strip would make me drop the $5/month
Is that blowjob cat?
And his new friend!
Toejob Prat.
Nice.
Dilbert.
oh my god you’re right
i love it
I thought it was a Phineas and Ferb crossover at first.
imagine…
Blowjob Cat is all, ‘Hey, I don’t know this guy.’
That doesn’t make any sense though?
Wouldn’t Meredith know about Blowjobcat then if she was Robin’s campaign staffer?
I don’t know how Meredith came into it, but she already knew about Blowjob Cat.
Also, Meridith wasn’t Robin’s staffer – you’re probably confusing her with Frieda.
@ Odditude re: your avatar…just 4 more episodes and we’ll ALL be singing “It’s over, isn’t it?”
“You have not seen the last of
– Wait, you’re telling me that isn’t Sydney?
In the morning they will find nothing but some tattered camo pants and the lingering scent of toes upon the wind. Blowjob Cat will feast well tonight.
**laughs harder and longer than seems reasonable**
Okay, that one got me good. Bravo.
This should have been the plot to the “Cats” movie.
*plays The Blues Brothers Band’s version of The Peter Gunn Theme on the hacked Muzak*
How DARE you stand beside the sacred Blowjob Cat, people who I assume are the Problematic Dads Club?!?! Have you no sense of reverence?!
Greta Thunberg is going to drop from a tree and kick their asses.
I first read that as “lick their asses” and I was very, very confused.
Did you recently watch Demolition Man?
Get the fuck out of here Toe
Oh fuck.
Indeed.
So is this going to be Mike’s Big Damned Hero moment?
Well, Big Damn Antivillain, perhaps
“I am that jerkwad that exists to tweak other jerkwads. And on that fine day of which the McAwesome’s speak, but do not truly believe, when all jerkwads are destroyed forever, I, too, will descend into the pit, flipping the double birds at everyone. But until that day comes, I will continue to do your moms, for a nickle.”
God I hope so. I don’t know if he knows how to actually communicate and act upon his apparent desire to be a slightly better person without a conveniently timed redemption opportunity. Also, Amber and Becky deserve a break 🙁 And we already know Mike’s willing to step in for Amber when she truly needs it. Also he MAY have some pent up emotions to take out…
Also willing to swallow his emotions to protect Ethan
MIKE, gripping a steering wheel
“Act with integrity. No Regrets.”
Last Panel- MIKE, driving a 1994 GMC VANDURA G2500 painted red, with a tableau of MIKE handing a nickel to an NONSPECIFIC MOTHER airbrushed on the side is speeding towards ROSS.
👍👍👍👍👍
I looked for Blowjob Cat in the tags, which is how I noticed, “Wait, who is- OH NO”
Oh-oh.
There goes the neighbourhood…
Yeah, probably shouldn’t be lurking around a schoolyard with your legal status, matey.
I keep forgetting American universities have actual security measures on campus
This is offcampus, but Blowjob Cat’s in front of an elementary(?) school.
Doesn’t really affect Ross, I think. He’s out on bail and I doubt he’s got any restrictions about staying away from schools. Security might notice and check up on him – if there’s any security there at night, but the most they’d probably do is ask him to move along.
Bail conditions might include having to stay away from Becky, but likely no one officially knows Becky’s staying across the street.
The most
If I were Police Commissioner ( and had the funds ) I’d have security cams on BJC 24/7.
The security cam is much cheaper than any actual security.
Is… is that Dilbert doing unspeakable things to Blowjob Cat?
Dilbert no!
DILBERT YES
dang, beat my comment by 2 minutes
I ought to read all the comments before chiming in.
Is Ross dumb enough to assault a party with college teens, two violent alcoholics in recovery, an edgelord girl, a dinosaur girl, a right winger narcissist and a Sarah?!
Yes. Will he at this moment probably.
I can see him barge in like the Spanish Inquisition. Ruth, Billie, and Sarah look at each other.
“Beatdown?”
“Beatdown.”
“Beatdown is good.”
Sarah: “But it’s past midnight, my birthday was YESTERDAY.”
Also Sarah: “… And isn’t that just fucking typical. Ughhh.” *rolls up sleeves*
My first thought when I saw the silhouette was what’s Dilbert doing here and why isn’t he tagged?
I am calling Dogbert to get Dilbert out of jail for public sex acts.
Wait no, Dogbert better torment Dilbert for what he did.
It’s hilarious that Blaine is still terrified of Mike. Dude got owned by an 8th grader so hard he had to farm out his stalking to the world’s least subtle asshole.
Ah shit, that’s right, the gangrenous toe is hanging around. Mike, I’ll forgive all your less awful bullshit right now if you turn your crap on this asshole and his buddy.
…In reference to Shortpacked, all I can say to this comic is: Okay, who pulled the Drama Tag this time?!
DOA comes with its drama tag pre-pulled.
I was hoping he’d poke his head through the mouth, so it’d get stuck and he’d stay there until morning on display like medieval stocks
I KNEW IT, UGH. MIKE IS GONNA TAKE THE HIT FOR EVERYONE. I’M NOT READY FOR THIS 😭😭😭
Ohshit I bet you’re right. That’s why we saw genuine gentle feelings from him. Something horrible is about to happen to him, and Damn You Willis wanted to make us suffer that little bit extra.
Eh he’s as much the guy to do something reasonable and crafty like suspect something is amiss and then be reasonable like call the cops than something crazy like take a bullet for someone.
In response to your comment yesterday, Willis isn’t going to kill any main characters due to the time scale, the others would be in mourning forever. That applies to even Mike, as much as he’s an asshole no one in the strip actually wants to see him dead (except Blaine). Everything else is fair game though
It looks to me like Mike’s passed by without noticing and Ross is still focused on the house. Probably waiting for the crowds to clear out, if he’s not just doing surveillance.
I wonder where Blaine is. Is this a plan or has Ross slipped the leash?
Honestly, the person I’m most worried about here is Dina.
Dun dun dunnnn.
“what I am doing right now is reasonable and necessary”
God I hope so. I don’t know if he knows how to actually communicate and act upon his apparent desire to be a slightly better person without a conveniently timed redemption opportunity. Also, Amber and Becky deserve a break 🙁 And we already know Mike’s willing to step in for Amber when she truly needs it. Also he MAY have some pent up emotions to take out…
Impending party pooper at 10 o’clock.
Wonder if Mike’s gonna get roped into this situation.
it’s too old to leave your toedad out at night
Naw. Let him get hypothermia.
cold*
And then the party continues uneventfully and next morning, all is normal save for a little bit of a mysterious red liquid dripping from Blowjob Cat’s mouth.
upsetting but I hope he just gets whatever he’ll attempt over with instead of doing whatever Blaine’s slow plan is.
Unless of course this is part of Blaine’s plan.
Maybe Blaine wants to use Toedad as a distraction, or as a way to draw Amber out, or he got Toedad to be a lookout. No reason to think that this is Toedad acting alone/independently.
I think Mike is ans always has been to most “real” character in this series. It’s a shame this comment section has never seemed to appreciate his many subtleties until, to some extent, now.
and*
Hmm, depends what you mean by “real”. He’s always been cynical and realistic and thus able to see through to the badness in most people, and thus cope with it better than most.
At the start he felt like a cardboard cut out, a one dimensional source of snark and casual low grade cruelty. As Willis got better the cutout got an extra dimension, more depth and character growth, while cleverly retroactively still fitting with his core design all along. I don’t think that was masterminded in from the start, not that it really matters. Artist growth happens and is a thing.
He’s definitely the most genre-savvy, which I have always appreciated. But also honestly I just appreciate that he mostly just says what he’s thinking instead of talking around the point. He also had a great sense of comedic timing, even though his actual sense of humor is a little dark and a little mean. Idk, I’ve always liked him, but I also tend to enjoy people who are a little abrasive, as long as they’re intelligent, have some substance, and are willing to let you get at least a LITTLE close if you actually make the effort and are willing to look past the roughness.
I’ve found that often those who are abrasive in a certain way are partially so because they’re not super good at avoiding unintentional offense, so eventually they just start doing it casually all the time and acting like they don’t care, to hide the fact that they’re bad at social skills. But it’s not that they don’t WANT to be close to people, so if you’re willing to see past the gruffness and take it as it was intended – i.e., a protective shield, rather than a personal attack – they’re often some of the most kind, considerate, and loyal friends you can find. And frankly, way more interesting than a lot of generally very nice people.
…Anyway, I’m NOT saying these are Mike’s motives at all, although they very well could be. I AM saying that I have a little soft spot for unpopular snarky assholes as long as they’ve demonstrated at least SOME loyalty and moral compass, even if it’s a little skewed from most people’s. So, Mike is someone I’m really rooting for because I think he totally has the capacity to be a genuinely good person – I just think he doesn’t really know how to get there in a traditional manner, and I’d love to see him grow.
I hope everyone keeps in mind that this story is called Dumbing of Age – the implication being, in my eyes, that people will be growing into themselves, even though they are going to do it really painfully and idiotically most of the time. So… Is it too much to hope that even Mike has a chance for some growth here? I like to think that he does, and I look forward to seeing how he transforms himself for, hopefully, the better.
I’d say Mike has already shown some growth. It’s just hard to see it because his start was random enough that the apparent growth he’s shown could just be some more random.
I feel like the only characters who don’t have room for growth in this strip are the ones in the last panel.
He sucks
Is ToeDad going to ruin Dina’s mating night? That’s just rude.
also, it would be a rather short attack.
Ross: “Rebecka!!! I’m coming to take you ho… ack, there are a lot of things in this visual I’m not comfortable with.”
Dina: “Hssssssss”
Ross: “also, I’m currently being attacked by a tiny, naked woman with a raptor claw. Nothing in my life has prepared me for this.”
…and at that point, it would stop being cathartic in the “Joyce vs Ross” sense and start being scary in the “amber vs Ryan” sense.
I hadn’t considered this, but now that I’ve visualized it I want it more than I thought.
oh no
Now we’re about to see the proof that Ross wants to spend the rest of his life in prison.
What a hideous, little head.
(Not yours, Blowjob Cat. You’re perfect.)
Frankly, Blowjob Cat deserves better company
Blowjob Cat is going to file a restraining order just as soon as the courts open.
Wait a sec, didn’t Blaine convince Ross to delay their attack for another day?
I suppose this could be him just stalking them.
Technically it’s past midnight, so it’s another day now.
More to the point, what happened to their hot motel night? Got into a fight about the remote?
Yeah dude, do it. Force your way into a house owned by a sitting member of government that is full of college students when you have a criminal record. I’m sure that will work out.
Not just with a criminal record, but while on bail awaiting trial for stalking and armed abduction charges, regarding the victim you are currently doing the same to. That’s going to get you thrown back into prison without bail until your trial.
How was bail possible after he fired a gun on a campus anyway?
Apparently in Indiana the only crime that prevents you from getting bail is murder. I don’t know if even attempted murder prevents it.
They did however get around that by setting it higher than he and his community support could afford, which is troubling on other ways.
Ok, so basically, if you can raise enough money, you can get bail for anything that’s not (yet) murder and your victims aren’t informed of the fact you are in a position to hurt them further? That’s plain crazy.
Uh-oh. Creeper alert!
I didn’t notice Ross until I saw the tags. Damn it this isn’t gonna be good.
He’s in enough trouble as it is, but if he attacks an apartment rented by a Congresswoman then he’s looking at federal charges.
Howinthehell did Toedad know where to find Becky? She’s not a student, so IU wouldn’t know; and (again) since she’s not a student no casual student on campus would know her from Adam’s cat. And pretty much anyone who DOES know her was already at the party.
Knows from the news she’s working for Robin. Stalked Robin back and is waiting for her to lead him to Becky? Might not even know she’s there now.
He read DoA last week?
Shit…
And Ross isn’t gonna be phased by “No one is innocent.”
To answer “How did Toedad find her?”, let’s remember that Google maps is a thing. If this unit isn’t under Becky’s name, it’s under Robin’s. Becky working for Robin was publicized on TV.
Anyone else foresee Ross minus a couple of small organs he can lie quite well without after his second encounter with the now-armed Dina?
No I’m not giggling like a madman, you’re giggling like a madman. Oops sorry that was me.
For a brief moment, I forgot blowjob cat existed and thought Amber’s Dad was in some sort of wacky disguise.
We can’t say for sure that Blaine isn’t currently disguised as BJC, at this point.
The Toe is afoot.
See this is why seeing people walk alone at night gives me anxiety
Anyone else find it hilarious that ToeDad is hiding behind BlowJobCat?
I would like to think Mike is noticing Ross , but has Mike ever met Ross. Enough to ID him in the dark from half a block away? Is mike looking back at Ethan and his ruined plans or at Ross?
I desperately want Mike alert to this, despite his broken heart. With DYW, you live on hope, you die of starvation.
I think he’s just looking back at Ethan.
Tag search is your friend:
http://www.dumbingofage.com/tag/ross+mike/
Not directly, but it has been noted that he’s all over the news: http://www.dumbingofage.com/2016/comic/book-6/02-that-perfect-girl/cnn/
Mike seems like the type to keep up with current events, as a pretty firm believer in the concept of knowledge is power.
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)
Oh, no. This does not bode well.
(On another note, I am now thinking that Mike is actually sincere, and just maybe may be in the process of change/personal growth? I’d love for him to become an actual character as opposed to just a cardboard asshole.
regardless, I just hope he, and everyone else, get through this next chapter unharmed.)
Here’s possible outcomes:
1) Ross goes after Mike first. I’m sure I’m not the only one predicting that this would end badly for Ross. Even assuming he can beat up Mike (which is possible as he is bigger and taller than Mike), Mike will definitely do the smart thing and inform the right people of what happened.
2) Ross forces his way into the apartment. There are multiple witnesses and Robin calls the police. Ross goes back to jail for what will likely be a much longer time.
3) Ross goes back to Blaine so they can coordinate. This is the smartest option and therefore the one he is least likely to choose.
Blaine could also be with him, just off panel.
Mike’s taller than Toedad. Toedad is Sal’s height and Mike’s taller than Sal. Still a fair bit bigger than him though.
He closed the door behind him first, right?
No, because Meredith was smoking and the room needed ventilation.
Oh FUCK OFF