Shout out to Stahli for not forcing Bingus to go back with him and offering an out
Jude
2025-10-22 02:33:22 +0000 UTC
As they often do say: epic win πππ
WooHooLad
2025-10-14 16:23:14 +0000 UTC
Thanks Dawg, this made me cry (non-derogatory)
Aaron
2025-10-14 15:42:10 +0000 UTC
Painful stuff. Shoutout Stahli for trying so hard to show his love for all the people in his life. Extremely admirable
Billy Blocks
2025-10-14 10:46:16 +0000 UTC
I also think there's something to be said about the fact that relationships tend to naturally gravitate towards the direction that, if you want to maintain them, you have to offer respect. Bingus and Stahli respect each other, but Bingus doesn't seem to respect Stahli's family and Stahli's family doesn't seem to respect Bingus. So what was the consequence? They left. And probably there won't be a lot of contact. In a perfect fairy tale ending, both sides would learn to respect each other more, but the reality of relationships is that we hang around the people we like and don't hang around the relationships we don't, and sometimes it just stays broken like that.
NoStatus9434
2025-10-13 23:56:16 +0000 UTC
I also wanted to say that it's so rare to see a lesson that emphasizes the importance of context and evaluation. This wasn't black-and-white, and doesn't tell you what to say or think.
Bingus and Stahli handled this beautifully in the aftermath. They adapted to the situation and left. I also think there is a time and place for difference of opinions, and a holiday celebration gathering is the LAST place one should be doing that. It could also be argued that the context of a holiday gathering is to enjoy leisure time with family, so causing friction is pretty damn violating. The CONTEXT is, "we're enjoying a holiday," not "we're celebrating Columbus." But the "they hate us cuz they ain't us" comment paired with the laughing definitely made it lapse in that direction a tad.
I think this is very realistic, and I think the sad reality of being in a closeted relationship is that sometimes you pretty much have to stay closeted with some folks and there's not a lick of benefit to coming out to them. Yeah, in a perfect world, people *ought* to be able to, but sometimes you have to pick and choose your battles.
I was gonna say that it seems like Bingus is held to higher scrutiny than Angelo, but I did a reread and Stahli was very clearly chiding Angelo here and Stahli's mom did bark at Angelo too. Somehow I memory-holed it in my mind for a second that Angelo pulled the knife--I just got off work and I'm tired, haha
NoStatus9434
2025-10-13 23:51:51 +0000 UTC
You are an excellent artist, but I have to say you are also an excellent storyteller and you have a knack for dialogue and characters, too. This was just superb, thank you Dawg. One way you can tell that your characters have life is if they do things that you, the author, don't want them to do because that's just who they are. And I think perhaps you really felt that way when you were making this comic.
NoStatus9434
2025-10-13 23:27:53 +0000 UTC
Awesome job, man! This was a really cool comic.
I love how you approach relationship dynamics.
Love is not all gumdrops and daisies, especially when two people who are different from each other fall in love.
But differences are a good thing and sometimes a little compromise goes a long way in a relationship. None of us get everything we want in life and being in love can mean accepting that in order to keep having the good things we can get.
While Bingus and Stahli can be seen as having toxic elements, they also can be seen as growing and becoming more mature when they try and be understanding to each other, which ultimately can lead to a better relationship.
Yoshiba
2025-10-13 23:26:27 +0000 UTC
The man himself is irrelevant which the political discussion around this holiday never seems to understand. He's a symbol of Italian excellence, what he actually did and who he was is completely irrelevant to the people that hold this holiday in such high regard
John Ackerman
2025-10-13 23:17:17 +0000 UTC
Do Italian Americans hold Columbus with such reverence?
I always thought that at the time in Italy he was considered a chancer and a royal nuisance that got lucky and coasted on the the talent of his crew.