Topic: Damn You, Willis! (Dumbing of Age) PART 2 (Read 179212 times)

JoeCovenant · « **Reply #400 on:** 22 May 2020, 04:52 »

Today's strip...

OKay... You know what... for the sake of everyone's sanity/nerves, I'll probably stop commenting on this particular story.

I'm getting annoyed at Willis for taking obvious short-cuts to move forward the drama of these scenes, while wasting time with strips entirely given over to (IMO) pointless introspection at a time of high drama. Let alone the sudden impossibilities of physical spaces, the frankly unbelievable reactions of the characters in their current dilemma, the overuse of exposition to "explain" what almost amounts to 'off screen' events in an attempt to explain them, and the hugely swithering bravery/cowardice/action/inaction of the characters. (And thats without even going into examples!)

I just can't suspend my disbelief to these extremes.

All of this is reading like a "first draft" to me and I'm finding it very frustrating because I KNOW he's a better writer than this.

So, yeah, to save you having to scroll past lengthy diatribe upon lengthy diatribe... I'll just skip this particular topic for the moment.

Cheers.

dutchrvl · « **Reply #401 on:** 22 May 2020, 07:57 »

FWIW, I agree with you on most of what you have written about the current storyline. I am disappointed by many oddities in character reactions (many almost impossible to find believable), physical space impossibilities, weird and nonbelievable story developments, etc.
Frankly rather disappointed with this story line so far, which is too bad since most of his storytelling is so good.

LeeC · « **Reply #402 on:** 24 May 2020, 13:12 »

ruh roh

LeeC · « **Reply #403 on:** 24 May 2020, 22:30 »

Any guess on who is coming? I'm guessing Sal, or the cops.

Method of Madness · « **Reply #404 on:** 26 May 2020, 06:10 »

Did Malaya skitch there? Nice.

BenRG · « **Reply #405 on:** 27 May 2020, 04:26 »

My Prediction for the climax

As Sal and Mazie close the gap on the Ballpeenmobile, the van starts swerving. Inside, Joyce has recovered and is struggling with Faz (who is totally out of his depth with her). Blaine is having a hard time maintaining control with the two teenagers crashing around (and eventually launching onto the passenger-side seats. The van finally flips and slams into a tree or something (Blaine had got too many thrashing elbows to the face). Amazi-Girl (neither girl would ever be able to say who was the source of the impulse, maybe it was both) manages to prise open the door and pull Joyce out; after passing her to Sal, she pulls out Faz and the two are dragged to safety.

Amazi-Girl is about to go back for Blaine when the damaged van bursts into flames. She would have gone in after him but Sal holds her back. "Nothing could live through that," she tells her friend.

The arc ends with Amber (or maybe Mazie, the voice is suggestive) disposing of her Amazi-Girl costume. With Blaine gone and her and Sal reconciled (to a certain extent), there is no point carrying on with this. Instead, they want to heal, if they can. It's time to close the door on the past and the dead and it's time to look to the future.

JoeCovenant · « **Reply #406 on:** 27 May 2020, 09:30 »

Well...

Was that a 'merging of minds' we just saw???

Method of Madness · « **Reply #407 on:** 31 May 2020, 11:08 »

Quote from: Benergy on 27 May 2020, 04:26

(Prediction)

Ehhh, that's still too similar to the Toedad chase that happened like...a week ago in comic time?

Theta9 · « **Reply #408 on:** 31 May 2020, 11:55 »

I really need Blaine to be dead when this all shakes out.
Faz as well would be a nice bonus.

BenRG · « **Reply #409 on:** 31 May 2020, 12:26 »

Actually, I do believe that Faz is about to tell Joyce the whole sorry tale.

It wouldn't surprise me in the slightest if Faz ends up as Read Hall's pet highschool kid. He's hanging around Amber because she's his sister and, right now, his mother is unbearable to be around (basically blaming him for Blaine's death), so he wants to be somewhere else whenever he can. Yes, he's a bit of a letch and that's the comedy end of his character arc. However, most of it is Amber (and Amazi-Girl) as well as other characters trying to ensure that he doesn't end up suffering Amber's fate, being driven into mental illness by a parent who considers him worthless.

Yeah, I'm guessing that Yuri is basically going to blame Faz for Blaine's essentially-inevitable death or incarceration.

Method of Madness · « **Reply #410 on:** 05 Jun 2020, 07:22 »

Quote from: Becky

I can't do it all on my own, no, I know, I'm no Superman.

JoeCovenant · « **Reply #411 on:** 05 Jun 2020, 09:40 »

MMMph!!!

Mmm mmph momh mmm mmmuuu mphhh!!!

(Biting my tongue)

Method of Madness · « **Reply #412 on:** 05 Jun 2020, 16:46 »

That's way more annoying than just stating your grievances.

sitnspin · « **Reply #413 on:** 06 Jun 2020, 06:38 »

Seriously, Joe. We get it.

JoeCovenant · « **Reply #414 on:** 08 Jun 2020, 04:55 »

Quote from: sitnspin on 06 Jun 2020, 06:38

Seriously, Joe. We get it.

I refer the honourable member to my post at the top of the page....

Method of Madness · « **Reply #415 on:** 09 Jun 2020, 06:45 »

Yeah, and if you'd stopped there or added something new, that'd be fine, but telling us that you're not saying anything is still saying something.

sitnspin · « **Reply #416 on:** 09 Jun 2020, 09:16 »

Quote from: JoeCovenant on 08 Jun 2020, 04:55

Quote from: sitnspin on 06 Jun 2020, 06:38
Seriously, Joe. We get it.

I refer the honourable member to my post at the top of the page....

At this point you're just being a snarky git and it is not as cute as you think it is.

pwhodges · « **Reply #417 on:** 09 Jun 2020, 11:40 »

Global Moderator Comment Pax - don't let it get personal.

JoeCovenant · « **Reply #418 on:** 10 Jun 2020, 04:06 »

So you don't appreciate my humour?
Fair enough... can't please everyone.

Never thought this was the kinda place that was so fraught as to need a "J/K!" at the end of a post, but there y'go.
Dunno whether this is because people are PO'd that I'm daring to REALLY dislike the way this story is unfolding, or my frustrations are being latched onto as whipping boys for other posters' own annoyances...

SO, yeah, fair enough... I'll just keep posting my annoyances - the thread IS called "Damn You", Willis!" after all...

BUt hey-ho... My mum thinks I'm cute...

Method of Madness · « **Reply #419 on:** 10 Jun 2020, 05:47 »

Quote from: pwhodges on 09 Jun 2020, 11:40

Pax

We're busting out the Latin now?

sitnspin · « **Reply #420 on:** 10 Jun 2020, 08:39 »

You can dislike whatever you want, you can even voice your displeasure for it, but at a certain point continuing the negativity without adding anything constructive becomes tiresome.

JoeCovenant · « **Reply #421 on:** 12 Jun 2020, 04:19 »

Quote from: sitnspin on 10 Jun 2020, 08:39

You can dislike whatever you want, you can even voice your displeasure for it, but at a certain point continuing the negativity without adding anything constructive becomes tiresome.

Does that also relate to complaining about other people's posts??

JOKE!!!!

Method of Madness · « **Reply #422 on:** 12 Jun 2020, 07:13 »

She had overalls under there? That seems not very comfortable.

Tova · « **Reply #423 on:** 12 Jun 2020, 21:32 »

My hot tip for the day is that if you feel compelled to write J/K or similar at the end of your post, you're better off just rewriting your post so that you don't need to.

Especially when it's very clear that your post is #hahaonlyserious.

My 2 cents, in a thread I occasionally glance at for funsies but normally never post to, take it or leave it.

cesium133 · « **Reply #424 on:** 13 Jun 2020, 08:25 »

I can't be the only one who finds all the complaints about Joe's post more annoying than the original post...

pwhodges · « **Reply #425 on:** 13 Jun 2020, 10:06 »

I'm disappointed it continued after my moderator comment...

Cornelius · « **Reply #426 on:** 13 Jun 2020, 14:39 »

On the other hand, I thought it had a little more drama than the so long drawn out, yet in story time over in seconds, action scene.

Theta9 · « **Reply #427 on:** 14 Jun 2020, 06:59 »

Uh oh, Blaine knows the cop who's taking him away. this probably forebodes something not-good.

cesium133 · « **Reply #428 on:** 14 Jun 2020, 07:08 »

I am somewhat reassured by the cop's reaction, though. He's hesitant to admit he knows Blaine, perhaps because he knows Blaine isn't getting out of this one.

BenRG · « **Reply #429 on:** 17 Jun 2020, 07:15 »

Well, barring a miracle...

(click to show/hide)

JoeCovenant · « **Reply #430 on:** 18 Jun 2020, 04:36 »

Quote from: BenRG on 17 Jun 2020, 07:15

Well, barring a miracle...

(click to show/hide)
We're not going to be seeing the real Mike again in Dumbing of Age except during brief hospital visit scenes. Alter!Mike in Amber's head on the other hand...

I wouldn't bet on that being the case.
Given the ultimately anti-climactic conclusion to this...
(Assuming it *is* done?... {iris out} )

Method of Madness · « **Reply #431 on:** 20 Jun 2020, 05:57 »

I'm assuming this part's done, yeah. They seem to be wrapping things up. I wonder what's next.

Theta9 · « **Reply #432 on:** 23 Jun 2020, 07:41 »

Nicely done, Sarah.

LeeC · « **Reply #433 on:** 23 Jun 2020, 19:19 »

I am curious on what the fallout regarding her parents is going to be...especially after Sarah told them to fuck off. I have this strange feeling Joyce's parents are going to want to pull her from school (maybe just her mom) because they think its either dangerous or counter to their beliefs (especially her mom's).

BenRG · « **Reply #434 on:** 23 Jun 2020, 23:20 »

To which, Joyce's father may point out that almost every time danger has come Joyce's way, it's somehow due to people who share her mother's beliefs. Actually, I suspect that Joyce is about to have the additional trauma of her parents divorcing with the treatment of her being one of the causes.

Method of Madness · « **Reply #435 on:** 24 Jun 2020, 07:30 »

I hope that all that happened makes Joyce's mom realize she's been wrong this whole time, but maybe that's too much to hope for.

sitnspin · « **Reply #436 on:** 24 Jun 2020, 07:33 »

Never underestimate the human capacity for doubling down.

Theta9 · « **Reply #437 on:** 24 Jun 2020, 08:36 »

Quote from: Method of Madness on 24 Jun 2020, 07:30

I hope that all that happened makes Joyce's mom realize she's been wrong this whole time, but maybe that's too much to hope for.

I'm at least as pessimistic as sitnspin.

LeeC · « **Reply #438 on:** 24 Jun 2020, 08:56 »

Quote from: BenRG on 23 Jun 2020, 23:20

To which, Joyce's father may point out that almost every time danger has come Joyce's way, it's somehow due to people who share her mother's beliefs. Actually, I suspect that Joyce is about to have the additional trauma of her parents divorcing with the treatment of her being one of the causes.

I haven't read the other series, but I would be worried that they wouldn't divorce because its against their way. Separation may be okay though.

Quote from: sitnspin on 24 Jun 2020, 07:33

Never underestimate the human capacity for doubling down.

Its a painful, painful thing to witness, and yet it seems to happen so often IRL.

I would see more that Joyce's dad would point out that Joyce has been in danger twice when Becky's dad has been around. You know, the guy they all pulled for to get released after the first time. I could then see Joyce's mom doubling down that he had it right and Joyce would not have been in danger if she wasn't around heathens or some such reason. That Becky's dad had it right. I'm not sure how her siblings would react to all this. Mostly because I lost track of them.

dutchrvl · « **Reply #439 on:** 24 Jun 2020, 09:56 »

Well, Jocelyne would likely be supportive of Joyce and their dad, John is a dick who I could easily see take their mom's side, although there is a possibility he could be talked to, and Jordan..who knows?

Method of Madness · « **Reply #440 on:** 24 Jun 2020, 17:03 »

I completely forgot Joyce had other siblings besides Jocelyne.

Theta9 · « **Reply #441 on:** 24 Jun 2020, 20:08 »

Quote from: Method of Madness on 24 Jun 2020, 17:03

I completely forgot Joyce had other siblings besides Jocelyne.

I remember John being a revolving son-of-a-bitch; I remember nothing about Jordan.

BenRG · « **Reply #442 on:** 24 Jun 2020, 23:20 »

Known Brown siblings:

John - Missionary on Indian subcontinent; very much his mother's boy; married; possibly embezzling church funds for personal use;

Jordan - Black sheep of the family; left for reasons unknown but these events led to the parents being more morally strict with their other children

Jocelyn - Aspiring author/journalist; probably the closest to Joyce

Joyce - Baby of the family; some indication of some mental disorders; possibly destined to be a superhero

Do we know anything about any of the others? I think that Joyce has two other brothers - Justin and Jared - but they've only been mentioned in the Walkyverse so I'm not sure if they exist in DoA.

Theta9 · « **Reply #443 on:** 25 Jun 2020, 07:43 »

Quote from: BenRG on 24 Jun 2020, 23:20

Known Brown siblings:

Jocelyn - Aspiring author/journalist; probably the closest to Joyce

...and still known to the whole family, even to Joyce, as Joshua.

Method of Madness · « **Reply #444 on:** 02 Jul 2020, 15:00 »

So have any onscreen parents not been complete toilets?

Tova · « **Reply #445 on:** 02 Jul 2020, 16:13 »

I don't even read this comic and I still feel the urge to defend fictional characters UUGGHHHHHH

LeeC · « **Reply #446 on:** 02 Jul 2020, 19:39 »

Quote from: Method of Madness on 02 Jul 2020, 15:00

So have any onscreen parents not been complete toilets?

Amber's mom? Mike's parents?

Honestly, its a pretty common reaction. Someone hurt your baby and you want to hurt them back. Is it justice? Of course not, its revenge. Is it right? Hell no!

Theta9 · « **Reply #447 on:** 02 Jul 2020, 20:06 »

Quote from: LeeC on 02 Jul 2020, 19:39

Quote from: Method of Madness on 02 Jul 2020, 15:00
So have any onscreen parents not been complete toilets?
Amber's mom? Mike's parents?

Joyce's dad?

BenRG · « **Reply #448 on:** 02 Jul 2020, 23:15 »

Quote from: Method of Madness on 02 Jul 2020, 15:00

So have any onscreen parents not been complete toilets?

Dina's parents are accepting in their attitudes although maybe a bit too detached from their daughter's life and choices for my tastes. Dorothy's parents are deliberately shown to be the anti-Browns.

Method of Madness · « **Reply #449 on:** 03 Jul 2020, 05:50 »

Quote from: Method of Madness on 02 Jul 2020, 15:00

So have any onscreen parents not been complete toilets?

I appreciate the examples.

Also holy shit, am I proud of Walky.

THESE FORUMS NOW CLOSED (read only)

Author Topic: Damn You, Willis! (Dumbing of Age) PART 2 (Read 179212 times)