I just wanted to note that both Doctor_Who and RassilonTDavros have responded to this comment. Is it therefore possible that Mike *regenerated* into Booster?
Seriously, I’m really wondering what Ethan is up to post time-skip. Mike’s death must have hit him harder than anybody else in the comic. I’m expecting a big, dramatic reveal.
Meh. I don’t miss him. He wasn’t really doing anything and was more just around to witness events more interesting characters were a part of. Even in the kidnapping he didn’t really talk or have any stand out moments. He’s always felt like more of an accessory to Amber’s story than having one of his own. Maybe Ethan will come back but his presence has been shown not to be very vital unless you’re starved for some male, queer rep which….yeah that’s fair.
Somehow, that spin of the wheel left me way worse.
(Robin’s redemption is like four years in the making but SHE’S NOT IN THE CLEAR FOR ME YET. Unless she somehow manages to make Leslie realize she can do better than a negging asshole out of sincerity and not because she wants the sweet caress of Leslie’s womanly hands .)
As one of those folks starved for queer male rep, DoA Ethan doesn’t really do much for me for much the reasons listed above: He’s just Amber’s Gay Best Friend dealing with his Sad Gay Angst. I don’t hate him, I just barely know anything about him. Bad shit just keeps happening to him so other people can be sad about it, and then he just dithers around fretting over Amber instead of dealing with his own stuff. It’s a compromise, I think, from the fact that the definitive story of Ethan’s character already happened in his own webcomic, so DoA Ethan can’t really redo that in this context.
Shortpacked Ethan was his own man and looking at Shortpacked in hindsight and as a whole collective, I don’t think that Ethan was someone we really get to see often. Yes he was “the character who just so happened to be gay”, but that was less a way to downplay his sexuality and more how Ethan himself dealt with it. He never really cared about sex and romance to begin with, he just wanted to complain about toys on the internet, and he let his relationship with Drew end because he wasn’t willing to compromise who he was, maybe to a fault? Who knows, it just felt really adult and humanizing when a lot of Queer drama in webcomics goes with “what’s a lesbian bring to a third date? A U-Haul.” Manny was by admission a boring blank slate, but like, that is exactly the kind of relationship Ethan would want. He doesn’t want drama, he doesn’t want his partner to fuck his mom to propose to him, he doesn’t want to jump into an alternate universe to save Rachel so he can win back his partner, he just wants to vibe and pursue his hobbies and get paid enough to keep going.
One of these days I’m going to write that big spiel on how I think Danny is one of the most significant and best bisexual male narratives going on in any work of fiction.
It’s that everything relating to Ethan as a character somehow has to do with being a gay dude.
Which of course it does, because he’s 18 and had his life uprooted, and not 28 with a stable career. It’s just that it’s been a decade and Ethan still feels like a really static character, which, again, of course he does, he’s not one of the headlining cast the way Joyce, Dorothy, Walky and Becky are. He’s on the second or third tier where he gets involved in stories about him, instead of stories happening around him, if that makes any sense as an explanation.
My take on Ethan is that near the end that was really the completion of his character. In the beginning he was so ashamed of being gay that he went back into the closet and even that story was more focused on analyzing Amber and Joyce instead of him. Ethan being comfortable with his sexuality and out and enjoying it is kind of all you could really do with him. Maybe he had some interesting romance options, but Mike’s dead and at this point I’d rather see Danny with someone else. Besides he was ultimately only banging non essential side characters anyway. Finger guns guy, I’m sure he’ll be real important to the story some day! I think Booster’s already gotten more panel time.
It speaks volumes that despite him being intrinsically connected to probably the biggest running story of the first semester, involving the resolution of multiple storylines he wasn’t even there when Blaine got taken down for good and he contributed next to nothing towards it. Mike died fighting him, Becky publicized his kidnapping, Amber/AG saved the day. Ethan kind of stood around I guess. I think it’s really telling that in a situation where he nearly died his parents didn’t even show up afterwards.
It’s not just that. The Sal story resolved in a similar way for Ethan. As did most of his potential stories. He already came out to his parents before the comic started so no real drama there. What could he do? Talk about transformers? He didn’t really have any of his own drama or angst to get interested in until Mike died. So I really don’t think there’s much there. DoA just isn’t Ethan’s story.
There could be character development in him moving out of his casual sex phase and into an actual romance. Which could include character conflict with Danny, especially a reconciliation after Danny’s comments about Mike.
There’s definitely drama with his parents – though they know, they certainly haven’t accepted.
Considering her revelation when Amber told her about the subtext carried by her “dig it” shirt, I’m not sure Dina would read Walky’s comic any deeper than face value.
At this point Lucy’s best hope of confessing her feelings is telling Dorothy about them so Dotty can approach Walky with a chart and several graphs on “Why You And Lucy Should Fuck Immediately, Also Did I Mention She’s Into You”.
I could see this, but man, I hope it’s not true. 🙁 That’d make me sad. At least if Walky’s just oblivious if he’s not interested they could both laugh off the mistake and be friends.
It is a well known and established fact that men are basically simple automaton, barely possessing sentience, and will never amount to anything unless puppeteered by a woman.
She seems to have failed so far to realize just how oblivious Walky is to her feelings for him. Hopefully she starts being a lot more direct soon, because otherwise it’s gonna be a long time until they get together.
I mean if Lucy is aware that Walky dated Dorothy, and moreover that he was kind of head over heels for a minute, then she must realize that impressing him with her smarts is her best strategy. and rn, she’s slaying it imo
…..despite all of y’all who seem to think having tits is her best asset, or the only one likely to pique Walky’s interested >.>
Honestly, you’re right, like, showing off her brainpower is probably the key to Walky’s boner, dude has a Type and it’s cute nerds several power levels above him
I agree with her analysis as regards absurdist comedy, but it’d probably be less visually compelling with human characters; that does provide a hook for people who would otherwise skip over it automatically. Maybe keep the monkey or the dinosaur, instead of dropping both.
Then again, it’s not as though the artwork is really one of Walky’s strengths… But as a visual medium, it really should be a consideration.
But wait; considering it’s slapstick, I’ll hate it regardless of what improvements he makes, so why am I even thinking this hard about it? It’s not like he’s writing a deep and compelling work like the Grayverse…
On one hand, I agree with Lucy. On the other hand, I think there can be a lot of comedy if you get rid of the Dinosaur and keep the monkey, since the fact that it’s a MONKEY doing the drop kick ADDS to the comedy. After all, monkeys are inherently funny.
This is a separate thing but like… I really want Lucy to be with someone who’s more on her level. Not saying Walky doesn’t have his strengths! But… Y’know, Dorothy at least got some level of respect from him. I’m with Booster than Lucy deserves better.
A strong argument, but I think having the one pointing and laughing being an oddity and then one to do the dropkick is “Normal” would increase the absurdity.
One has an absurd nature, but is acting fairly typical.
While the other has a typical nature, but is acting absurd.
Lucy: I can only hope you don’t sublimate these feelings of anger at my correct analysis into some sort of passionate episode where you grab me by the shoulders, kiss me roughly, and we have raw, animal sex in the privacy chairs, like in my fanfics. That would be awful.
I know Walky’s been through a fair bit lately and is just trying to better himself, within the contexts of things he knows anyway, but damn. Lucy’s still too good for him and he’s lucky to have someone into him who’s that genuine.
Lucy is someone who sees a request “constructive criticism” and actually gives it.
Also, part of me is just thinking it’d be funny if Dorothy and Lucy somehow end up making the comic, despite neither one of them expressing a desire to do so previously.
If people keep saying it so much I’m going to start expecting it and honestly I don’t know if I’m ready to think about what a cute first lady Lucy would be.
Walky: *makes jerky comment about Lucy being incompetent*
Lucy: SiLLy BoY. I cOuLd DeStRoY YoU. …instead, watch me prove you devastatingly wrong, then be humble about it.
Walky: I feel laughed at then kicked in the balls
I’m pretty sure I have ADHD (apparently it’s tightly linked with Autism? Who knew, I rejected that because “I can’t have two things, that’s silly”) so googling this certainly does explain why I hate take criticism like tissue paper takes water.
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DontExplainTheJoke.jpg
…what’re the odds Walky redraws the characters as some old bearded law-looking guy and Mike
Walky just doing all of Mike’s insults as a way to cope with his grief would be fascinating.
LAWsome is about to become one massive Funny Aneurysm Moment, isn’t it.
I think Mike would have appreciated being immortalized as a serial kicker of junk.
I just wanted to note that both Doctor_Who and RassilonTDavros have responded to this comment. Is it therefore possible that Mike *regenerated* into Booster?
Booster is Mike reincarnated.
Mike Mark II.
don’t you normally start off as a baby when you get reincarnated? based on, you know, the well-established laws of metaphysics
This is apparently an Isekai Universe, so not commonly.
Wow.
I will acknowledge your cunning and well crafted Doctor Who fandom joke, UniqueSnowflake2.
Acknowledged.
Mike was Booster’s Wario.
HOLY SHIT THAT’S BRILLIANT
Walky: I have a new idea.
Lucy: Which is?
Walky: There will be this tall thin guy who will get harassed at a toy store by this short and rotund guy about stupid fandom things.
Lucy: Can I work at the toy store?
Walky: No.
Seriously, I’m really wondering what Ethan is up to post time-skip. Mike’s death must have hit him harder than anybody else in the comic. I’m expecting a big, dramatic reveal.
I choose to believe he’s working at Galasso’s talking about how pepperoni pizza specials shouldn’t be mixed with pineapple.
Meh. I don’t miss him. He wasn’t really doing anything and was more just around to witness events more interesting characters were a part of. Even in the kidnapping he didn’t really talk or have any stand out moments. He’s always felt like more of an accessory to Amber’s story than having one of his own. Maybe Ethan will come back but his presence has been shown not to be very vital unless you’re starved for some male, queer rep which….yeah that’s fair.
Amber and Mike’s story. He was their enabler, and precious little else, more often than not.
We still demand closure, dangit!
We’ll probably get hints via Amber. His absence must be affecting her more than she might be willing to let on.
“starved for some male, queer rep”
Funny story, I’ve actually had a theory developing in my head for a few weeks now that Jennifer/Billie is a trans guy in deep denial.
Hang on, I really wanna read this. Please go on 8D
GO GRAV ROULETTE GO, I love Amber but once again I’m begging for Booster.
Somehow, that spin of the wheel left me way worse.
(Robin’s redemption is like four years in the making but SHE’S NOT IN THE CLEAR FOR ME YET. Unless she somehow manages to make Leslie realize she can do better than a negging asshole out of sincerity and not because she wants the sweet caress of Leslie’s womanly hands .)
WndrLnx, you may have missed some equals signs between the 8 and D.
no. go to horny jail
As one of those folks starved for queer male rep, DoA Ethan doesn’t really do much for me for much the reasons listed above: He’s just Amber’s Gay Best Friend dealing with his Sad Gay Angst. I don’t hate him, I just barely know anything about him. Bad shit just keeps happening to him so other people can be sad about it, and then he just dithers around fretting over Amber instead of dealing with his own stuff. It’s a compromise, I think, from the fact that the definitive story of Ethan’s character already happened in his own webcomic, so DoA Ethan can’t really redo that in this context.
Shortpacked Ethan was his own man and looking at Shortpacked in hindsight and as a whole collective, I don’t think that Ethan was someone we really get to see often. Yes he was “the character who just so happened to be gay”, but that was less a way to downplay his sexuality and more how Ethan himself dealt with it. He never really cared about sex and romance to begin with, he just wanted to complain about toys on the internet, and he let his relationship with Drew end because he wasn’t willing to compromise who he was, maybe to a fault? Who knows, it just felt really adult and humanizing when a lot of Queer drama in webcomics goes with “what’s a lesbian bring to a third date? A U-Haul.” Manny was by admission a boring blank slate, but like, that is exactly the kind of relationship Ethan would want. He doesn’t want drama, he doesn’t want his partner to fuck his mom to propose to him, he doesn’t want to jump into an alternate universe to save Rachel so he can win back his partner, he just wants to vibe and pursue his hobbies and get paid enough to keep going.
One of these days I’m going to write that big spiel on how I think Danny is one of the most significant and best bisexual male narratives going on in any work of fiction.
Hadn’t Ethan kind of gotten past his Sad Gad Angst – at least overtly?
Last we saw he was playing the field and his plots had much more to do with Mike and Danny than with Amber – before the kidnapping at least.
It’s that everything relating to Ethan as a character somehow has to do with being a gay dude.
Which of course it does, because he’s 18 and had his life uprooted, and not 28 with a stable career. It’s just that it’s been a decade and Ethan still feels like a really static character, which, again, of course he does, he’s not one of the headlining cast the way Joyce, Dorothy, Walky and Becky are. He’s on the second or third tier where he gets involved in stories about him, instead of stories happening around him, if that makes any sense as an explanation.
My take on Ethan is that near the end that was really the completion of his character. In the beginning he was so ashamed of being gay that he went back into the closet and even that story was more focused on analyzing Amber and Joyce instead of him. Ethan being comfortable with his sexuality and out and enjoying it is kind of all you could really do with him. Maybe he had some interesting romance options, but Mike’s dead and at this point I’d rather see Danny with someone else. Besides he was ultimately only banging non essential side characters anyway. Finger guns guy, I’m sure he’ll be real important to the story some day! I think Booster’s already gotten more panel time.
It speaks volumes that despite him being intrinsically connected to probably the biggest running story of the first semester, involving the resolution of multiple storylines he wasn’t even there when Blaine got taken down for good and he contributed next to nothing towards it. Mike died fighting him, Becky publicized his kidnapping, Amber/AG saved the day. Ethan kind of stood around I guess. I think it’s really telling that in a situation where he nearly died his parents didn’t even show up afterwards.
It’s not just that. The Sal story resolved in a similar way for Ethan. As did most of his potential stories. He already came out to his parents before the comic started so no real drama there. What could he do? Talk about transformers? He didn’t really have any of his own drama or angst to get interested in until Mike died. So I really don’t think there’s much there. DoA just isn’t Ethan’s story.
Fair that it’s not really his story, but …
There could be character development in him moving out of his casual sex phase and into an actual romance. Which could include character conflict with Danny, especially a reconciliation after Danny’s comments about Mike.
There’s definitely drama with his parents – though they know, they certainly haven’t accepted.
I thought he and Danny would have been a cute couple.
The Ethan, Danny, Amber triad potential was an important lightning rod for Danny, Sal, Walky.
Willis has said on Tumblr we’ve not seen the last of him so I’m sure we’ll find out one day.
Ethan lives of Campus now. IU didn’t allow him to keep his new cat. A little Kittie, hairless vietnamesian breed by the name of Sir Ngular.
Plus drawing two guys is easier than a dinosaur and a monkey. Probably.
Dina is disappointed because she assumes the monkey and dinosaur are representative of evolution and the guy represents Creationism.
Becky: I think they’re just a monkey and a dinosaur.
Dina: You are blinded by your upbringing.
Considering her revelation when Amber told her about the subtext carried by her “dig it” shirt, I’m not sure Dina would read Walky’s comic any deeper than face value.
Can you help me bury this?
So, what accidental innuendo will Joyce slip into the Grayverse, and how unintentionally sapphic will it be?
Bless her heart, Lucy is trying to actually help Walky and not just tell him it’s good to make him happy.
So how long until Lucy confesses to Walky?
too long. She seems to have settled on the ‘cutsie schemes’ route rather than the ‘just friggin’ ask him for a date’ plan.
Walky: Sorry, I’m not attracted to small quirky girls. The movie Garden State ruined me for those.
Counterpoint: Dorothy.
Counterpoint: sliding time scale = Garden State is some millenial crap Walky has no intention of ever seeing
Perhaps she realizes he isn’t interested and would rather just be his friend than not be anything to him.
Good point.
Counterpoint:
https://www.dumbingofage.com/2020/comic/book-11/02-look-straight-ahead/walkertontwins/
At this point Lucy’s best hope of confessing her feelings is telling Dorothy about them so Dotty can approach Walky with a chart and several graphs on “Why You And Lucy Should Fuck Immediately, Also Did I Mention She’s Into You”.
I still think Walky gets it just fine and just isn’t that into her.
But for as long Lucy actually doesn’t ask him and gets rejected, she can keep the hope up.
Or alternatively, Walky’s not very into her but really likes the attention.
Which brings us back to why I hope she will ask him, get rejected and then focus her attention on something more worthy of her time.
Lucy can do better, is what I’m saying.
I could see this, but man, I hope it’s not true. 🙁 That’d make me sad. At least if Walky’s just oblivious if he’s not interested they could both laugh off the mistake and be friends.
Likewise, she could gradually grow on him over time because that’s the path of least resistance. And Walky is, above all, Walky.
Doesn’t that sort of imply that Walky shouldn’t have autonomy beyond being puppeteered by his ex?
what the fuck, no?
This is a joke about how Walky is an oblivious himbo who doesn’t know how hot he is and the smart girls who are into that, not a weird value statement
It is a well known and established fact that men are basically simple automaton, barely possessing sentience, and will never amount to anything unless puppeteered by a woman.
Ask any long term wife of a successful man.
or John Allison.
She seems to have failed so far to realize just how oblivious Walky is to her feelings for him. Hopefully she starts being a lot more direct soon, because otherwise it’s gonna be a long time until they get together.
I mean if Lucy is aware that Walky dated Dorothy, and moreover that he was kind of head over heels for a minute, then she must realize that impressing him with her smarts is her best strategy. and rn, she’s slaying it imo
…..despite all of y’all who seem to think having tits is her best asset, or the only one likely to pique Walky’s interested >.>
Honestly, you’re right, like, showing off her brainpower is probably the key to Walky’s boner, dude has a Type and it’s cute nerds several power levels above him
On his track record, her best strategy would seem to be to be explicit and to take the initiative. That’s what worked for Dorothy.
aaaaaaalpha sweeeeeetie
YAH GIRL
kill him with kindness
Expressing One’s feelings in an honest manner is a sign of maturity.
I am actually proud of last-panel Walky,
Don’t be too proud. He admits his feelings, but he’s still going to go through the motions of the performative bullshit.
Baby steps.
This is why it helps to drag a big comic nerd into your comic making plan, dude. 😛
I agree with her analysis as regards absurdist comedy, but it’d probably be less visually compelling with human characters; that does provide a hook for people who would otherwise skip over it automatically. Maybe keep the monkey or the dinosaur, instead of dropping both.
Then again, it’s not as though the artwork is really one of Walky’s strengths… But as a visual medium, it really should be a consideration.
But wait; considering it’s slapstick, I’ll hate it regardless of what improvements he makes, so why am I even thinking this hard about it? It’s not like he’s writing a deep and compelling work like the Grayverse…
But slapstick is the best for of comedy. D:
Nonsense. Puns are the best form of comedy and the highest form of humor. As is well known.
What about… slapstick followed by a pun?
I prefer the pun into slapstick style of humor myself.
Harpo: SFX: (Honk)
Groucho: “And one egg.”
Absurdity is good too.
I actually agree here. I think the fact that there was a dinosaur and monkey caught me eye and had me more interested than if they were simply human.
On one hand, I agree with Lucy. On the other hand, I think there can be a lot of comedy if you get rid of the Dinosaur and keep the monkey, since the fact that it’s a MONKEY doing the drop kick ADDS to the comedy. After all, monkeys are inherently funny.
“Monkeys are the ideal go-kart opponents. Funny enough to give the finger, but not smart enough to win.”
*plays George Michael’s “Monkey” on the hacked Muzak*
I see you and raise you “Shock the Monkey”
Ape the ape! (or the Monkey Master)
(Everybody’s got something to hide) “Except for Me and My Monkey.
This is a separate thing but like… I really want Lucy to be with someone who’s more on her level. Not saying Walky doesn’t have his strengths! But… Y’know, Dorothy at least got some level of respect from him. I’m with Booster than Lucy deserves better.
I think everyone agrees that Lucy deserves better. The problem is that she’s not looking for better, at the moment.
I think Walky respects Lucy just fine! Like, I don’t think he mistreats her or doesn’t see her as a person or something.
He just doesn’t understand that she’s Horny with a capital H for him.
Also, like, he’s a ball of maturity-related post-gifted-child issues, but we knew that.
Maybe it would work if it was EVEN MORE ABSURD
You mean replace the monkey with a dead guy?
Huh, then both of the characters would be dead.
Have the suitcase guy drop kick the dinosaur.
FuNnY fOnTs AnD tYpEfAcE aRe WhAt YoU nEeD tO bE fUnNy.
Everything is funnier in Comics Sans. That’s science
I am currently editing a curriculum document for 4th graders that was sent to me in Comic Sans. I disagree.
But that’s hilarious.
i’d say Comic Sans is about due for some kind of hipster chic reappraisal though
A strong argument, but I think having the one pointing and laughing being an oddity and then one to do the dropkick is “Normal” would increase the absurdity.
One has an absurd nature, but is acting fairly typical.
While the other has a typical nature, but is acting absurd.
Thus calling attention to oddities in both.
Right. A gentleman with a suit, bowtie, bowler, and umbrella runs up and jump kicks. Then brushes his coat with the backs of his hands.
Hmm. Dinosaur and Mike? I think that could work
Lucy: I can only hope you don’t sublimate these feelings of anger at my correct analysis into some sort of passionate episode where you grab me by the shoulders, kiss me roughly, and we have raw, animal sex in the privacy chairs, like in my fanfics. That would be awful.
Walky: What?
Lucy: What? *flutters eyelashes*
I know Walky’s been through a fair bit lately and is just trying to better himself, within the contexts of things he knows anyway, but damn. Lucy’s still too good for him and he’s lucky to have someone into him who’s that genuine.
Lucy is someone who sees a request “constructive criticism” and actually gives it.
Also, part of me is just thinking it’d be funny if Dorothy and Lucy somehow end up making the comic, despite neither one of them expressing a desire to do so previously.
If people keep saying it so much I’m going to start expecting it and honestly I don’t know if I’m ready to think about what a cute first lady Lucy would be.
Maybe keep the monkey, but have the one pointing and laughing be a superheroine with a chest window? Daisy would like that aspect.
And it would be topical and socially relevant.
Do student-operated campus newspapers still court controversy?
Walky: *makes jerky comment about Lucy being incompetent*
Lucy: SiLLy BoY. I cOuLd DeStRoY YoU. …instead, watch me prove you devastatingly wrong, then be humble about it.
Walky: I feel laughed at then kicked in the balls
appropriate gravatar is appropriate.
*Lucy gravs high-five*
What does she see in him?!
Abs?
goofiness, snark, self-confidence, compatible nerd interests, hotness…?
Hehe, fair enough!
Surprisingly mature reaction from Walky there. Is this progress?
“And also because rejection sensitive dysphoria is a classic, if little known, symptom of ADHD.”
Ummmm, what? Really?
I’m pretty sure I have ADHD (apparently it’s tightly linked with Autism? Who knew, I rejected that because “I can’t have two things, that’s silly”) so googling this certainly does explain why I hate take criticism like tissue paper takes water.
I gotta give props to Lucy for being so patient with Walky and Walky for being able to take feedback so well.
Lucy has a nice way with words..
WHAT A KILLJOY! But I’m impressed Walky understands. Maybe, they could be a good couple after all.
Good on Walky for acknowledging that his anger is at her being right as well as letting her know
Lucy reveals hidden depths!
Ooooo Lucy said just cuz I’m in love with you doesn’t mean I’m gonna blow smoke up your ass take this constructive criticism.
Also loving the rejection sensitive adhd on Walky here, a whole mood
She officially cute. Shipped.
God help me, I’m starting to ship this.
Walky in the last panel reminds me of the Strange Planet comics.