3639

I just want to say, I just signed up on Patreon. I've been following this comic for about 8 years now, and it's always been my favorite. This storyline hit close to home because my mother was a lot like this- using people to get her way, making it sound as though she wanted to help, when the only person she ever looked out for was herself. I no longer have contact with her, either.

*hug*

Andrew Tate

Of course, she has needed human contact from very nearly the beginning. Remember, it was she who was following Marten around in what? The third or fourth strip perhaps? In spite of her fear and anxiety, she has sought out human connection in her own way from the beginning.

Holly Nelson

Of course they do! Tilly has done her homework!

Brad Knowles

This is just amazing. Derisory analysis: Hannelore breakthrough #3. She hugged her father despite her phobias because she was doing so much better and she wanted to show him love. She pushed her mother despite her phobias to break out of the cycle of abuse and focus her mother on their change in status. She hugs Tilly here because Hannelore is broken up inside and needs human contact. Reread that. Hannelore needs human contact. I mentioned she was broken up inside. That should not take away from what she has broken through.

Eric Burns-White

It's true, this might be the first time Hannelore has hugged anyone of her own initiation!! OMG!

Hannelore and Tilly have matching shoes!

DP

A very good point and one I had overlooked.

Populuxe

And it doesn’t have to be permanent if the toxic person changes. Look at Dora and her brother.

Populuxe

I was just about to ask if, in the midst of all this pathos, it was inappropriate of me to point out how much I like Hanner’s red shoes with her black suit?

Populuxe

Um, am I the FIRST one to say: Ship Hanners and Tilly now? Usually I'm at the back of the pack. (Except when trying to ship Pintsize with ANYBODY, up to and including Deathbot 999.)

Possible ways of conveying my reaction: * ... * "Fuuuuuuck" * "Wow" * "I don't know what to say" * ::click heart icon:: * ::sob into keyboard, random characters written:: * Silence * Lists.

Geo (Overand)

I noticed that too and THE SHOE GAME IS STRONG

This one got to me. I finally put down communication boundaries for my abusive mother when I was 30ish, and even though it was the right thing to do, it was emotionally devastating. This comic made me tear up.

KellyZ

It's the little details in Jeph's characters that get me. Consider, just for a moment, Hannelore and Tilly. Dressed somewhat similarly, but Hanners is... sharper. Look at the collars of the two white blouses. Tilly's collar has rounded ends; Hannelore's are sharp points. Check out the ends of their red shoes. Tilly's toes are rounded, Hannelore's toes are pointed. Tilly's coat is all soft and rounded; Hannelore is wearing a sharply-tailored suit jacket.

Jason Zions

Suggested title: "Denouement". The let-down after the climax, dramatically speaking.

Jason Zions

Awww they've got the same shoes.

Wait a minute, is Hanners wearing the clothes Tilly picked out for her the other day???

miniplane

Ruby slippers to confront a witch?

Lightsabr2

Good for Hanners on being fierce and overriding her aversion to human contact when necessary (shoving her mother as well as hugging Tilly). Also, her mother has a real supervillain-style lair... dark metallic walls, no decor, not even a place for her minions to sit outside the door...

Hugh Eckert

I doubt that was the way her mother intended it. Some other people in the company might have taken notice, though...

Bagge

Way to go standing up to her Hannelore. So glad you brought Tilly for that needed hug.

Tina Pegar

Aww Hannelore D:

Cole Blackblood

Hanners needs hugs.

Ack

Seriously, a title or whatever you call the little tag at the bottom of the comic, either one would have been superflous.

My heart. As someone who hasn't spoken to my mother for more than two minutes in the past decade, I feel it in my bones.

Anton

Title thoughts: "Fallout" "Blowback"

Todd Beaubien

Hanners is my hero.

Your comment made me cry. This storyline is really hitting home for me and my relationship with my dad, and this thought that you articulated so well is one that has helped me a lot in the last 15 years.

Rebeca Oliveira

I was wondering up until now why she brought Tilly along.

Rich Holmes

At least she cried. Others might have thrown up after that and considering how Hannelore reacts to blood she'd be even more unnerved dealing with vomit.

Brent Catherman

Sounds like my father and your father should get together and go bowling.

Nicki Faulk

I love that in the end she was standing up for Tilly.

Ralph

As someone who has a ...poor relationship with her own mother, I empathize with Hannelore a lot.

PBManning

Hannelore... you stood up to the bully. To the inconsiderate person who terrified and upset you throughout your developing life. And you did it, not just for yourself, but for someone who, same as you, was being manipulated and used as a tool for whatever purpose. Your overwhelming anguish will pass. But for Beatrice, I would say, her remorse will consume her, if there is any justice.

David Paul

It doesn’t need one. It’s powerful enough as it is. Poor Hanners. I can kind of relate to her, and if she didn’t normally shy away from physical contact I’d gladly give her a hug.

Will Weaver

“The Come Down?” Followed by “The Aftermath”

I can't engage with my father any more. He comes off as a nice guy, but has done some really horrible shit. I cried all day when I came to that realization.

Toxic people suck, especially if they are your parents. Well done Hanners.

Denise Webber

This is so real.

Gillian Brown

This may have all been a test to see if Hannelore was ready to take on the mantle of CEO some day. I think she passed but she might not have wanted to.

Vince Averello

and the crying continues...

Patty

Cutting out toxic people is hard, Hanners. You're doing great. We believe in you <3

Dylan T

Tilly is a good TA

Bagge

Wow.

Gary Walker

F I X E D <a href="https://twitter.com/Unanimous_D/status/943419917185028096" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">https://twitter.com/Unanimous_D/status/943419917185028096</a>

Unanimous D

.. oh .. wait .. except the scale sorta fucked up. Those dudes should be closer to where the paralax diagonal lines meet the back wall. Right now they look like tiny tiny people and Hanners is a fucking Eva. .. hm ..yeah nvm. Eva Hanners is fucking cool!

Unanimous D

LEAVE IT!! SERIOUSLY!!

Unanimous D

Jeff, you said you had a purpose for Tilly. I think you did. Tilly was the catalyst that helped Hanners grow, mature, and throw off HannersMom's influence. And if I have one question... How many of Hannelore's real problems can we trace back to her mother? It wouldn't surprise me to find that there is a LOT of ugly back in Hanner's childhood.

Oh I thought that 3639 was the hallway they were in

Kyle Major

oh man, she is a cinnamon roll and must be protected ❤️

JD

Nuuuu... I can't deal with sad Hannelore...

Kyle Jenkins

This is so real. Hanners was putting on such a brave front for so long! Of course there had to be emotional release :( Not sure Tilly will be ready for it aftr 2/3 days though. :(

Sian

Poor Tilly is so short, Hanners will put her back out crying on her shoulder :(

MikeT

For real though.

Don't think it needs a title, super serious moment here.

Drakoo Dreamer

I subscribed just to see this post. But I'll definitely stay. Great work, keep it coming!

Robert Giebel

I think I speak for all of us when I say this: I want to give Hanners all the hugs. I'm glad Tilly is there for her, though. I hope they remain friends.

Celine Chamberlin

Wow, first a shove and now crying on Tilly. Hannelore seems to have improved in regards to her issues with physical contact.

Snippytorque

Physical contact, eek

ysth

AWWWWW - hugs phone to try and hug Hanners-

Aw, Hanners! (...I like both their shoes!)

Diptych

Thanks for sharing your PIN code, Jeph!

Alexander 'Kav' Kashev

Aaaaw

Stoodmuffin