I think some of us are a little hard on Amanda because we’re adults and/or just older than the emotional age of the character. Amanda hasn’t done anything here other than act cranky in Heather’s presence which is completely understandable and if I was in her current position re:Heather (i.e. whether or not I was in the wrong, presently being unable to apologize and warn my friend about some goddamn brats who are emotionally manipulating her: because they are emotionally manipulating her) I would also be cranky.
And some of Amanda’s acting out is just because of her age. Selkie gets a lot of slack because she’s the protagonist and Amanda is a part-time antagonist, but Selkie is actually more “mean” in terms of losing her temper in situations she’s partly responsible for causing. Both characters are written like girls of that age, and both should be given a certain amount of slack for their immaturity because they’re kids.
Those goddamn brats that decided to play with Heather’s feelings as part of organized revenge against all the kids without parents, on the other hand, are just plain sociopathic and deserve no sympathy.
I think the “Grinch” joking is more of an attempt at lightheartedness than being truly hard on Amanda – at least, it is for me. I completely recognize that she has a whole lot of emotional turmoil driving her actions, PLUS she’s a kid so won’t know how to best handle said feelings/will act out as a result. But as a main character, and one whose personal turmoil/weak moments we get to see, I have faith that, in the end, her heart will ‘grow ten sizes someday’. 🙂
I personally have no issue with Amanda. She’s a child in an impossible situation herself that no child should have to be stuck in the middle of. My literary anger is reserved for the adults of the comic that act like antagonists.
Ever have the feeling when you were a kid when you were out for a day or a week, that when you got back, you didn’t fit in and you didn’t know what was going on?
Dave- I just want to say, the second-to-last panel is brilliantly emotive, and I really like it. You have evolved wonderfully as an artist, but I have loved the way you show emotion in your characters right from the start of this strip.
Thank you for making a fantastic comic!
And Keisha is put in the unenviable position of being the friend in the middle. Not fun.
Hey! It’s up midnight est, I call that a WIN
All in favor of henceforth referring to Amanda as “the Grinch” say ‘aye’
Man, that is soooo childish. . . oh wait, they ARE children. Never mind.
You’re a mean one, Amanda,
You really are a heel,
I think some of us are a little hard on Amanda because we’re adults and/or just older than the emotional age of the character. Amanda hasn’t done anything here other than act cranky in Heather’s presence which is completely understandable and if I was in her current position re:Heather (i.e. whether or not I was in the wrong, presently being unable to apologize and warn my friend about some goddamn brats who are emotionally manipulating her: because they are emotionally manipulating her) I would also be cranky.
And some of Amanda’s acting out is just because of her age. Selkie gets a lot of slack because she’s the protagonist and Amanda is a part-time antagonist, but Selkie is actually more “mean” in terms of losing her temper in situations she’s partly responsible for causing. Both characters are written like girls of that age, and both should be given a certain amount of slack for their immaturity because they’re kids.
Those goddamn brats that decided to play with Heather’s feelings as part of organized revenge against all the kids without parents, on the other hand, are just plain sociopathic and deserve no sympathy.
I think the “Grinch” joking is more of an attempt at lightheartedness than being truly hard on Amanda – at least, it is for me. I completely recognize that she has a whole lot of emotional turmoil driving her actions, PLUS she’s a kid so won’t know how to best handle said feelings/will act out as a result. But as a main character, and one whose personal turmoil/weak moments we get to see, I have faith that, in the end, her heart will ‘grow ten sizes someday’. 🙂
(Although, if you asked me, there are so many adults these days who have never emotionally matured beyond the high-school level. :/ )
I personally have no issue with Amanda. She’s a child in an impossible situation herself that no child should have to be stuck in the middle of. My literary anger is reserved for the adults of the comic that act like antagonists.
I love Selkie’s reaction here. She’s like, “Someone was actually concerned for me? That’s weird.”
Naw, she knows her friends care about her – she just always lumped Heather in with the bullies, not with her friends.
All this talking about Amanda as the Grinch reminds me of a comment from back before the “Doctor” storyline:
“And all the kids down in Kidville say, Heather’s spine grew three sizes that day.”
Oh my God, she does look like the Grinch! XDD
Ugh, being in the middle is no fun. Poor Keisha.
I love love the last panel.
Ever have the feeling when you were a kid when you were out for a day or a week, that when you got back, you didn’t fit in and you didn’t know what was going on?
Dave- I just want to say, the second-to-last panel is brilliantly emotive, and I really like it. You have evolved wonderfully as an artist, but I have loved the way you show emotion in your characters right from the start of this strip.
Thank you for making a fantastic comic!
Thank you!
HOW……SUBTLE.
YOU CAN SEE HOW *HINTING* THE “GO AWAY” PART OF THIS IS LIKE.