2011-05-31
Explanation
This comic depicts two coworkers at a zoo or nature exhibit observing frogs. One points out the green frogs, and the other explains that what they are seeing is called "amplexus" -- the mating behavior where the male frog clings to the female and refuses to let go for any reason. She further explains that if the male can just hold on long enough and no better frogs come along, the female will eventually agree to mate.
After a pause, the woman laughs nervously and says, "Hehe... it must suck to be a frog." There is an awkward silence where both characters seem to recognize the uncomfortable parallel to human behavior. Then the man asks, "So, you wanna go out with me some time?" She replies, "I told you a thousand times, John, I don't want to ruin our friendship." He responds, "Yeah, but the first 999 times were before you turned 35" -- implying that now that she is getting older and her options may be narrowing, his persistence strategy (like the male frog's amplexus) might finally pay off.
The comic draws a pointed parallel between frog mating strategy and a certain type of human male behavior -- the "nice guy" who hangs around a woman, refusing to accept rejection, hoping that persistence and the woman's diminishing alternatives will eventually result in a relationship. The votey panel is a text message reading: "Dear Internet: Before you write me to tell me I've misunderstood amplexus, check below the comic for a citation. Oh, and since there's no joke here today, please enjoy these ascii balls: 8" -- Weinersmith preemptively defending his biology while sneaking in one last gag.