The saddest thing? Today, I think kids have it even worse. Their schools are even more test-focused, their classes are even larger, and the teachers are getting burnt out. And going to college to “find yourself” is an adventure strictly for the rich or those who can nail great scholarships. Not to mention that college went from a $30k ticket to the middle class to a $150k chance at MAYBE getting a job that’ll get you out of debt slavery before you’re 40.
And I’m certain principals suck as much as they always have.
I like how Joel’s jacket is wrapped around his waist in this strip. I don’t know if that was some kind of symbolism of something (like him feeling free from his life at school) but I like it
Ah, FINALLY! Dear Lord, did that toupee-wearing ignoramus ever have that coming. Revenge is a dish best served with Mountain Dew.
In other news, Michelle continues to be Best Girl.
@TheJayster49: Excellent critique, my good man. Thoughtful, respectful, well-written, with good points noted and bad points listed and explained but not whined about. Two thumbs up! Hey @Mole204, take note: THIS is how you write constructive criticism!
Burning your bridges, but living the dream.
Mulroney’s right that Joel needs a proper education. What, is Mulroney holding back on teaching it until the last year? That there was none in the previous 10? What will 3 more years get Joel that just reading the textbooks won’t?
If you’re gonna leave, leave in style. Get fucked, Mulroney. And technically, Joel is gonna get an education, Mulroney. Just not in your shit-hole of a high school.
Overall, this was a good storyline for delving into Joel’s troubles with school and him finally finding a different school where he will (hopefully) be accepted. Honestly, it was nice we got some focus on Joel’s troubles since the comic has been sidelining them for a while; though it took a while to find some footing, one of the strengths of the original comic was how focusing on Joel’s problems deepened his character. Especially after the first year-and-a-half where he was too unlikeable to root for as the protagonist.
The reboot, however, has been putting Joel off to the side in favor of focusing on other characters (primarily Lindsay, Aaron, Jocelyn, and Tina). Of course, it is not a bad thing to give the other characters some depth, but I have recently noticed how Joel has not really had a leading role in a long while. This storyline with its focus on Joel and his insecurities feels like a return to form.
My one criticism is that I thought there was too much focus put on the concerns of Joel’s friends and family rather than Joel himself. I think it would have helped the storyline if we got to see more of Joel’s point of view, like perhaps a scene of him unleashing his negative emotions or having him interact with other classmates going through the same problems as him. Also, Mulroney’s apathy was too on-the-nose for me to swallow, which made parts of the storyline a chore to read if I am honest. My best recommendation would be tone down the apathy and maybe to extend the length of the storyline beyond two weeks. I would say at least three weeks, so we can see more of Joel himself while still showing his friends and family wanting to help him.
Other than that, I enjoyed seeing more of Joel’s character in this storyline that we have not seen already.
Looks like Joel bid Mulroney “a-Dew!”
The saddest thing? Today, I think kids have it even worse. Their schools are even more test-focused, their classes are even larger, and the teachers are getting burnt out. And going to college to “find yourself” is an adventure strictly for the rich or those who can nail great scholarships. Not to mention that college went from a $30k ticket to the middle class to a $150k chance at MAYBE getting a job that’ll get you out of debt slavery before you’re 40.
And I’m certain principals suck as much as they always have.
I like how Joel’s jacket is wrapped around his waist in this strip. I don’t know if that was some kind of symbolism of something (like him feeling free from his life at school) but I like it
Ah, FINALLY! Dear Lord, did that toupee-wearing ignoramus ever have that coming. Revenge is a dish best served with Mountain Dew.
In other news, Michelle continues to be Best Girl.
@TheJayster49: Excellent critique, my good man. Thoughtful, respectful, well-written, with good points noted and bad points listed and explained but not whined about. Two thumbs up! Hey @Mole204, take note: THIS is how you write constructive criticism!
Floaty hearts _and_ humiliating the Principal in one strip. What more could you ask for? 😁
Wait, Mulroney has 4 more suits? I thought he only had one… and I assume they all make him look like a hobo version of a knock-off Skinner?
Well, this is over, and it was about time Joel got back as the main protagonist even if it was only for this story.
@ JIMENOPOLIX: It was revealed in the arc that introduced Steve.
I didn’t know Mulroney had a wig.
OK….not exactly a shot to the gut but…good enough.
Suck it, Mulroney. And nice flex, Michelle.
@Sean Status quoda.
Burning your bridges, but living the dream.
Mulroney’s right that Joel needs a proper education. What, is Mulroney holding back on teaching it until the last year? That there was none in the previous 10? What will 3 more years get Joel that just reading the textbooks won’t?
If you’re gonna leave, leave in style. Get fucked, Mulroney. And technically, Joel is gonna get an education, Mulroney. Just not in your shit-hole of a high school.
Good on you for shaking up the status quo! It’s gonna be weird going forward with this change, but I’m excited for the unknown!
God that was satisfying. Pure wish fulfillment right here.
I wrote this critique in advance:
Overall, this was a good storyline for delving into Joel’s troubles with school and him finally finding a different school where he will (hopefully) be accepted. Honestly, it was nice we got some focus on Joel’s troubles since the comic has been sidelining them for a while; though it took a while to find some footing, one of the strengths of the original comic was how focusing on Joel’s problems deepened his character. Especially after the first year-and-a-half where he was too unlikeable to root for as the protagonist.
The reboot, however, has been putting Joel off to the side in favor of focusing on other characters (primarily Lindsay, Aaron, Jocelyn, and Tina). Of course, it is not a bad thing to give the other characters some depth, but I have recently noticed how Joel has not really had a leading role in a long while. This storyline with its focus on Joel and his insecurities feels like a return to form.
My one criticism is that I thought there was too much focus put on the concerns of Joel’s friends and family rather than Joel himself. I think it would have helped the storyline if we got to see more of Joel’s point of view, like perhaps a scene of him unleashing his negative emotions or having him interact with other classmates going through the same problems as him. Also, Mulroney’s apathy was too on-the-nose for me to swallow, which made parts of the storyline a chore to read if I am honest. My best recommendation would be tone down the apathy and maybe to extend the length of the storyline beyond two weeks. I would say at least three weeks, so we can see more of Joel himself while still showing his friends and family wanting to help him.
Other than that, I enjoyed seeing more of Joel’s character in this storyline that we have not seen already.