I know she's only appeared on a handful of pages, but if it's not clear, the bystander walking in is Madison. I considered a few different characters, but I felt it was best that it be someone who didn't really know Rain. Madison might know of Rain (as she's been seen talking to Rudy and Ana on previous pages), but she they haven't ever really met.
This... isn't over, by the way, so whatever you're thinking, there's more.
Rain - Volume 4 FINALLY came out this month! If you're interested, you can find that right here!
Or if you're not caught up, you can find all the books so far here.
I was half expecting Rain to say that, but I thought she might be too embarrassed to say it. I have a feeling Debbie and Todd are going to team up on team Rain, only Debbie will regret her actions right before her and Todd ruin something big
Actually I kinda hope this backfires on Debbie and everyone starts thinking shes the one "thats a boy". It'd make the Drag Queen comments from the halloween party even funnier
Maybe they'd be right... One of the comments on the previous comic got me thinking... If the chapter title refers to Debbie, could it be she's FtM but hasn't figured that out yet?
Spreading rumors isn't all that uncommon after all. I've heard some particularly vicious ones - especially from seniors. I'd say Rain is pretty safe, at least regarding the trans aspect. I can totally see everyone believing her dating Emily though.
Judging by Debbie's expression, I have the feeling that she still doesn't actually think Rain's a boy. I think she's just going for whatever gets the reaction at this point and will spread the rumour around, but doesn't actually believe that Rain's a boy. The problem is that if she spreads the rumour someone could take it seriously and figure out that Rain's trans.
I mean-- Debbie still refers to Rain with "she" and has a gleeful expression on her face. I think she's just taunting Rain because Rain's upset. Or, at least, I hope. Debbie doesn't look angry/shocked/whatever reaction you'd expect a transphobe who was about to out someone to have.
I mean, I'm sure we can all recall an incident similar to "oooh~ you're blushing~ you have a cruuush~" or whatever it was where people start taunting you just because of your response, and not because they genuinely would believe it or would taunt you if you weren't reacting that way. Debbie probably doesn't genuinely think that Rain is trans, and I don't think she realizes how bad it can get for Rain if this gets out. I don't think Debbie's a horrible person, and I don't think she'd truly want to ruin Rain's life, despite whatever she may think while her judgement is clouded by jealousy.
Alternatively, she might not understand how dangerous this situation is for Rain. Trans issues are kind of a bigger deal than they ought to be sometimes, so she might not realize the gravitas of what she's swinging around. To her this is just kinda funny-if Rain's a guy in a dress it's a weird secret she can tease her with (when in reality the fact she's aware and not friendly makes talking to her horrifying).
Still, while Madison may have prevented that scene from becoming a disaster for Rain, Debbie's still in the same place that left her clutching at dangerous straws. Methinks Emily and Debbie really need to talk...
What's interesting to me is Debbie's face in the last few panels. Her hostility appears to have vanished-it could just be sadism, but that doesn't seem in character for her. She stuck up for Rain to those two kids (her brothers, I assume? Has that been confirmed?) and she seems not to have held disdain for anyone beyond showing too much interest in rumors.
The last panel is what gets me. She doesn't look angry or anything, she just looks tired and a little sad. I actually kinda feel bad for her at this point, since her best friend (one of the only two we've seen her around, and her relationship with the other looks to be the hypotenuse in their posse-triangle) and can't seem to get any answers. Is she going about this in all the wrong ways? Yes. Is she being an ass? Yes. But I don't think she's being actively antagonistic on purpose anymore. The bitterness seems to have faded once she came to a conclusion that explained why her best friend suddenly cut her off-maybe I'm horribly wrong but to me that makes sense.
She's pressed buttons she shouldn't have gone near, but in her situation I can definitely see much worse happening. She obviously values knowledge-she's always on top of rumors, she snarks at everyone all the time, and she was friends with pre-Rain Emily. Suddenly having Emily, who I can't stress enough might be her /only friend\, suddenly turn away from her in favor of some girl that, last she checked, neither were fond of, would be a big frickin deal. It doesn't justify her actions, but I honestly think a lot of people would probably take this worse. Plus, as I've commented before, she obviously doesn't know much about trans people. She's some gossipy girl who goes to an at least somewhat regressive (or at least conservative?) Catholic school. There's literally no reason to expect she know any of this unless 1) she has friends that aren't cis or 2) she is, herself, not cis. I maintain that while she's being a bitch and Rain's responses are totally justified, this doesn't make Debbie a bad person.She doesn't understand why teasing Rain about that would be cruel (judging from her face she honestly thought it was funny and didn't understand why Rain got so worked up) and seems confused that it got the reaction it did.
THAT SAID, I have no defense for the "I'm not done with you yet!" That was indefensible (because seriously, has that shit EVER actually worked?) and honestly kinda stupid. Still though, she's clearly frustrated. She had a chance to get some answers and it didn't work-yes, that's because she fucked up (and by god did she fuck up), but she just wants to know why her best (and, I repeat, quite possibly only) friend (aside from Holly who didn't seem to have any real connection with her directly) would keep something so important from her but not from this...random person that she's suddenly spending all her time with. Her actions are not intended specifically to harm, she's just reacting badly because she's frustrated and confused.
Feel free to debate me if you wish, I'd love to have a civil discourse.
Debbie's look in the last panel? Deflated is the word that comes to mind.
That said I agree with you. She's lonely, confused and hurting. Lashing out at Rain was absolutely the wrong way to handle it, but it's also completely understandable why she did.
I just noticed... If panels 2, 4, and 6 are representative of Madison's view then she's looking in the wrong direction when addressing Debbie in panel 8. (as is Rain in panel 10)
I mean-- Debbie still refers to Rain with "she" and has a gleeful expression on her face. I think she's just taunting Rain because Rain's upset. Or, at least, I hope. Debbie doesn't look angry/shocked/whatever reaction you'd expect a transphobe who was about to out someone to have.
Still, while Madison may have prevented that scene from becoming a disaster for Rain, Debbie's still in the same place that left her clutching at dangerous straws. Methinks Emily and Debbie really need to talk...
Or she might be worse. Ha ha. Ha. Crap.
The last panel is what gets me. She doesn't look angry or anything, she just looks tired and a little sad. I actually kinda feel bad for her at this point, since her best friend (one of the only two we've seen her around, and her relationship with the other looks to be the hypotenuse in their posse-triangle) and can't seem to get any answers. Is she going about this in all the wrong ways? Yes. Is she being an ass? Yes. But I don't think she's being actively antagonistic on purpose anymore. The bitterness seems to have faded once she came to a conclusion that explained why her best friend suddenly cut her off-maybe I'm horribly wrong but to me that makes sense.
She's pressed buttons she shouldn't have gone near, but in her situation I can definitely see much worse happening. She obviously values knowledge-she's always on top of rumors, she snarks at everyone all the time, and she was friends with pre-Rain Emily. Suddenly having Emily, who I can't stress enough might be her /only friend\, suddenly turn away from her in favor of some girl that, last she checked, neither were fond of, would be a big frickin deal. It doesn't justify her actions, but I honestly think a lot of people would probably take this worse. Plus, as I've commented before, she obviously doesn't know much about trans people. She's some gossipy girl who goes to an at least somewhat regressive (or at least conservative?) Catholic school. There's literally no reason to expect she know any of this unless 1) she has friends that aren't cis or 2) she is, herself, not cis. I maintain that while she's being a bitch and Rain's responses are totally justified, this doesn't make Debbie a bad person.She doesn't understand why teasing Rain about that would be cruel (judging from her face she honestly thought it was funny and didn't understand why Rain got so worked up) and seems confused that it got the reaction it did.
THAT SAID, I have no defense for the "I'm not done with you yet!" That was indefensible (because seriously, has that shit EVER actually worked?) and honestly kinda stupid. Still though, she's clearly frustrated. She had a chance to get some answers and it didn't work-yes, that's because she fucked up (and by god did she fuck up), but she just wants to know why her best (and, I repeat, quite possibly only) friend (aside from Holly who didn't seem to have any real connection with her directly) would keep something so important from her but not from this...random person that she's suddenly spending all her time with. Her actions are not intended specifically to harm, she's just reacting badly because she's frustrated and confused.
Feel free to debate me if you wish, I'd love to have a civil discourse.
That said I agree with you. She's lonely, confused and hurting. Lashing out at Rain was absolutely the wrong way to handle it, but it's also completely understandable why she did.
She's just ignorant and acting out of hurt.
:(
I vastly prefer Madison shouting in rage and irritation at the wall though
Buuuut... this isn't the 80s anymore, and Rain wouldn't get away with it like my sister did when she punched out her ex-best friend.
Personally, my favorite line is: "Stop being mean and grow up." Coming from Madison, a Sophomore, this should sting. Go Madison!!