Dumbing of Age Book Twelve

Dumbing of Age

A college webcomic by David Willis
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Awkward
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July 11, 2026

Awkward

by David M Willis on April 14, 2011 at 12:01 am
  • 04 - The Bechdel Test
└ Tags: amber, ethan, mike

Discussion (137) ¬

[ Comments RSS ]
  1. DaniellePhantom
    DaniellePhantom
    April 14, 2011 at 12:01 am | #

    …..so did they do it or didn’t they? i’m tempted to go for the latter.

    • Croaxleigh
      Croaxleigh
      April 14, 2011 at 12:02 am | #

      My guess is they tried, and ran into technical difficulties.

      On account of Ethan technically being gay and all.

      (Why do I suddenly feel like I’m channeling Mike with that joke?)

      • MM
        MM
        April 14, 2011 at 12:10 am | #

        *Insert joke involving “channeling” and “your mom” here*

        • Tristan J
          Tristan J
          April 14, 2011 at 12:11 am | #

          I inserted a joke into Your Mom.

          Wait, that sounds bad for me.

          • darkond2100
            darkond2100
            April 14, 2011 at 2:35 am | #

            I inserted myself into your mother…
            With my penis.

            • DarkVeghetta
              DarkVeghetta
              June 19, 2015 at 9:13 pm | #

              So that’s why she’s gay now!

          • Shift
            Shift
            April 14, 2011 at 5:24 am | #

            It sounds like you knocked up her mom.

            Babies: The practical joke that keeps giving for 18 years.

            • aydr
              aydr
              April 14, 2011 at 5:27 am | #

              I think you’ve mixed up “giving” and “taking”.

              ‘yaknow. Like Ethan.

              • DarkVeghetta
                DarkVeghetta
                June 19, 2015 at 9:11 pm | #

                *slowclap*

            • david with a small d
              david with a small d
              April 14, 2011 at 2:28 pm | #

              Word. This is Soooo Babies.

              • ChesterJSellars
                ChesterJSellars
                April 14, 2011 at 8:34 pm | #

                Everyone above this deserves One Free Internet. I have never laughed so hard in my life.

  2. Jen Aside
    Jen Aside
    April 14, 2011 at 12:02 am | #

    Wait, what? I thought I was reading DoA!

    ¬_¬

    ^_^

  3. David Herbert
    David Herbert
    April 14, 2011 at 12:03 am | #

    Next strip, Mike finds out he got herpes from your mom.

    • Justme
      Justme
      April 15, 2011 at 6:33 pm | #

      … for a nickle.

      • Soundbucket
        Soundbucket
        April 21, 2011 at 11:32 am | #

        Which is pretty expensive. Usually you can get herpes for free

        • DarkVeghetta
          DarkVeghetta
          June 19, 2015 at 9:14 pm | #

          It’s dem’ fancy’ European herpes.

  4. Dahlia
    Dahlia
    April 14, 2011 at 12:03 am | #

    Awww, its ok, Ethan! You’re awesome no matter what orientation you are!

    I’m sure Amber understands D:

    • Shift
      Shift
      April 14, 2011 at 2:49 am | #

      Yeah, but you know a small part of a her is bitter. I mean, prom is supposed to be THE NIGHT of high school. Having that particular event punctuated by “its not you, it’s me, cause I like boy-bits” usually isn’t the kind of teenage memory most girls want to have.

      • Dahlia
        Dahlia
        April 14, 2011 at 7:39 pm | #

        v.v Yeah…thats true…and I don’t blame her.

        I’ve been there and know how she feels (eight years liking the guy to find the same thing! To make matters worse it was a trusted secret @.@;;)….

        I just think Amber is a good enough person to (eventually) let go of that bitterness and be happy for Ethan finally finding himself…its not an easy thing to accept nor a lifestyle that goes unpunished amongst ignorant (read: the majority of encountered) people.

        • Shift
          Shift
          April 14, 2011 at 11:27 pm | #

          Yeah, I was one the other end of the scenerio with my best friend. She had a crush on me and wanted to date, but the whole “we both enjoy a nice man” thing… Well, there was awkwardness.

          Thankfully we never persued a relationship together, so when I came out, I think that might have helped soften the blow. It was less “you were using me to mask your sexuality” and more “well that explains A LOT!”

          And I agree. Amber is no doubt a good enough person to move on. And I think she is happy for Ethan even now. But the embarrassment and rejection… It’s going to be awkward.

          • Dahlia
            Dahlia
            April 15, 2011 at 6:22 pm | #

            Oh gosh! I can only imagine how that went…sounds complicated…I’m so glad that you two were able to work it out and remain friends!

            I totally admire you, you know *o*

            I’m sometimes ashamed to be heterosexual because some “anti-gay” movements show more: heterosexuality = retarded. Homosexuality won’t start wars. Its not contagious. Its nothing to be ashamed of.

            I grew up being treated as a cripple because of a disease I have, and it sickens me when people talk abuot homosexuals in general like they’ve got the plaugue. Its not fun for people WHO ARE SICK to be treated this way, let alone a perfectly healthy individual IN LOVE (so what if its with the same gender?).

            Haha, but I do go on ^^;;

      • dusk
        dusk
        June 17, 2012 at 10:40 pm | #

        I am sorry, but this has not been said yet

        She was going to do him in that hotel room

        ….with his penis

        For a nickle

        In the FAAAAAAAAAACE!

        • DarkVeghetta
          DarkVeghetta
          June 19, 2015 at 9:15 pm | #

          FATALITY

  5. Teowulf
    Teowulf
    April 14, 2011 at 12:03 am | #

    I like the Mike’s look in the 2nd to last panel ALMOST looks like legitimate concern.

    • Teowulf
      Teowulf
      April 14, 2011 at 12:03 am | #

      Doh, *THAT. I need proofread better.

  6. Jon
    Jon
    April 14, 2011 at 12:04 am | #

    DoA Mike may be the most mindfucking incarnation of him yet.

    • David Herbert
      David Herbert
      April 14, 2011 at 12:12 am | #

      What about mom-fucking?

      • DarkVeghetta
        DarkVeghetta
        June 19, 2015 at 9:16 pm | #

        That’s what dads and plumbers are for, silly.

        • DarkVeghetta
          DarkVeghetta
          June 19, 2015 at 9:16 pm | #

          And Mike. No exceptions.

  7. Doctor_Who
    Doctor_Who
    April 14, 2011 at 12:06 am | #

    Mike seems to know a lot about what happened. Was he there?

    Maybe in the next room over, with HIS prom date, Your Mom.

  8. NCP19
    NCP19
    April 14, 2011 at 12:07 am | #

    Man, “just like in the hotel room after prom” just became my go-to reply if anyone says “this is awkward” now.

    • Seerow
      Seerow
      April 14, 2011 at 12:21 am | #

      I dunno, if there wasn’t -actually- an event in the hotel room after prom, and the person you’re speaking to wasn’t -actually- the person who had a very awkward moment in the hotel room after prom…. that seems like the sort of retort that could get turned around on you in a very bad way.

      • photo instant nocorner itxtaltman86
        photoman86
        April 14, 2011 at 1:08 am | #

        The trick is not to care.

        • ArchSchnitz
          ArchSchnitz
          April 14, 2011 at 10:07 pm | #

          This and the fact that I personally have managed to turn just about anything into a “just like prom night” joke.

  9. Tristan J
    Tristan J
    April 14, 2011 at 12:08 am | #

    In light of this strip, I stand by the Mike And Ethan Are Bangin’ In The Dumbiverse Theory.

    • Peace in Our Time
      Peace in Our Time
      April 14, 2011 at 12:14 am | #

      I hope not. Not everybody has to be paired off after all. Some platonic friendship would be a nice change of pace. Besides, Ethan being Ethan has always been a goldmine for Mike.

      • gangler
        gangler
        April 14, 2011 at 1:10 am | #

        Everybody has to be paired off. Every single person. No exceptions.

        This being said, Ethan can’t be paired with Mike, because he’s already paired with your mom and a nickel. Got a little threesome going there.

        • gerardo
          gerardo
          April 14, 2011 at 2:15 pm | #

          It makes sense, even the cartoonist got hitched… traka tum kash!

    • turkishproverb
      turkishproverb
      April 14, 2011 at 2:15 am | #

      I second this theory. Actually…I think I stated it in the past…must…check…archives…

    • Shift
      Shift
      April 14, 2011 at 2:41 am | #

      I could see them hooking up once or twice, but frankly, I don’t see them dating. Mike is much younger here than in the SP! universe so, he still has too much chaos to sew that he can’t be tied down by Ethan or Amber.

  10. T Campbell
    T Campbell
    April 14, 2011 at 12:08 am | #

    Yeah, why would Amber NOT want to make more time for these guys? Her life is so much fuller now than it was this morning.

    • John
      John
      April 14, 2011 at 12:10 am | #

      Just like in the hotel room after prom.

      • Doctor_Who
        Doctor_Who
        April 14, 2011 at 12:30 am | #

        Your Mom was full in the hote-

        Y’know what, skip it. I’ve had one obvious joke too many. For a nickel.

        • Dean
          Dean
          April 14, 2011 at 12:34 am | #

          Just like your mom?

      • aydr
        aydr
        April 14, 2011 at 5:30 am | #

        Like the hotel room after prom in that in both cases “fuller” means “emptier”. Particularly with regards to Amber.

  11. ScytheAkse
    ScytheAkse
    April 14, 2011 at 12:13 am | #

    well THAT was unexpected

  12. ilvos01
    ilvos01
    April 14, 2011 at 12:15 am | #

    Woah woah woah, is the Amber/Faz Half-Brother/Sister thing still real in this universe?

    • Viktoria
      Viktoria
      April 14, 2011 at 12:25 am | #

      It doesn’t matter, because Faz is dead. He was masturbating frantically to his own underwear when he accidentally swallowed his tongue, causing him to fall out a 3rd story window naked, landing on a cactus, which made him run into the street where he was run over by a garbage truck. Some of the trash was actually toxic waste, and when it fell on him it caught fire. No one showed up at the funeral.

      • Croaxleigh
        Croaxleigh
        April 14, 2011 at 1:16 am | #

        Until he returned two seasons later, having gained superpowers from the toxic waste.

        • Plasma Mongoose
          Plasma Mongoose
          April 14, 2011 at 3:40 am | #

          Faz is the Toxic Avenger now? CRIKEY!

          • Lunchbox
            Lunchbox
            April 14, 2011 at 6:58 am | #

            We’ll have to wait until the Toxic Avenger vs. Amazi-Girl story arc to find out :P.

      • Narf
        Narf
        August 25, 2013 at 4:00 pm | #

        This comment is made all the more hilarious by the fact that

        **********SPOILER ALERT FOR ARCHIVE BINGE-ERS**********
        ****************************************************
        ****************************************************
        ****************************************************

        Faz actually shows up later, with Amber’s dickhead dad. Now, I’m going to re-read those scenes imagining that Faz is a zombie.

        Awesome. 😀

  13. calendarman27
    calendarman27
    April 14, 2011 at 12:16 am | #

    On the bright side, this universe’s Ethan was able to come out a lot earlier than SP! Ethan, so Amber did him a really big service in the long run, even if it was unfathomably awkward at the time

    • MM
      MM
      April 14, 2011 at 12:18 am | #

      Also, if Amber had enough of a normal high school existence to go to prom, I’m guessing (hoping?) she had a much happier childhood.

      • dchorror
        dchorror
        April 14, 2011 at 12:28 am | #

        I just have the image of her growing up with Faz. Normal doesn’t mean happier.

        • calendarman27
          calendarman27
          April 14, 2011 at 12:32 am | #

          Well yeah, but think about this: if Amber’s dad isn’t such a giant toolbastard in this universe, then he probably never got involved with the korean mob meaning he never had an affair with a korean woman, thus Faz was never born!

          • dchorror
            dchorror
            April 14, 2011 at 12:38 am | #

            He’d be different, but it doesn’t null the opportunity for him to exist.

            • gangler
              gangler
              April 14, 2011 at 1:14 am | #

              That’s getting into some weird existential matters of the soul. Let’s just stick to the concrete. Mommy and Daddy never slept together, so you were never born.

        • gangler
          gangler
          April 14, 2011 at 1:12 am | #

          Because annoying siblings cause equivelant unhappiness to that of severe abuse? Noted.

          • dchorror
            dchorror
            April 14, 2011 at 4:44 pm | #

            No, but I never said it was equivalently unhappy either. We don’t even know if it was normal yet either, so…

        • Shift
          Shift
          April 14, 2011 at 2:39 am | #

          The thing that disturbs me most about that idea is that Faz continued to hit on Amber in this universe despite being raised as siblings.

      • gerardo
        gerardo
        April 14, 2011 at 2:18 pm | #

        her mother divorced faster, so her life was a shorter hell

  14. The Paradoxical Frogboy
    The Paradoxical Frogboy
    April 14, 2011 at 12:17 am | #

    Meanwhile, in an alternate universe:

    “Again, Andrew, I’m sorry that I ruined our Gay Prom night by being straight.”

    • Seerow
      Seerow
      April 14, 2011 at 12:22 am | #

      Wait they have a separate Gay Prom from Straight Prom now?

      • David
        David M Willis
        April 14, 2011 at 12:26 am | #

        Mississippi’s tryin’ their best.

      • Rognik
        Rognik
        April 14, 2011 at 12:29 am | #

        they do in alternate realities!

      • dchorror
        dchorror
        April 14, 2011 at 12:34 am | #

        Depends on where you go, and it’s rarely a separate official one. My high school banned the gay kids from prom one year, they held their own.

        Didn’t go over well for the school.

        • 1Samildanach
          1Samildanach
          April 15, 2011 at 12:25 am | #

          I don’t imagine it would. And mind altering substances must have been involved in that decision.

      • Shift
        Shift
        April 14, 2011 at 2:37 am | #

        Yeah in most cases where being gay is frowned upon by the school, the LGBT kids end up throwing their own proms in a basement or something.

        My high school wasn’t even lucky enough to have a gay prom. Heck, we weren’t even allowed to have a LGBT club on campus grounds. Of course this was Nebraska in the mid-late 90’s, so I’m not surprised.

        And I guess one of the problems we had was that we had no notably out homosexual students in my school except for myself, and even then only my close friends knew. But I’m very certain that had I tried to bring a boyfriend, the school wouldn’t have allowed it. And if not them… well the homophobic students would have taken issue. :,-(

    • dchorror
      dchorror
      April 14, 2011 at 12:33 am | #

      Why would there be a universe in which only one of them was a different gender?

      • Shift
        Shift
        April 14, 2011 at 2:43 am | #

        It’s a universe that was done very half-assed. You know, like 65% of the Alternate Earth’s from DC’s “Countdown to Final Crisis.”

      • aydr
        aydr
        April 14, 2011 at 5:32 am | #

        You mean sexuality? They’re talking about Drew, Ethan’s Shortpacked! boyfriend. At least I assume.

        • dchorror
          dchorror
          April 14, 2011 at 4:48 pm | #

          Oh…um, yeah…I wasn’t even thinking about that. Haven’t read Shortpacked a lot over the past few weeks, so the name escapes me.

          Besides, Andrew seems a good male approximation for Amber.

          • Narf
            Narf
            August 25, 2013 at 4:01 pm | #

            What about Ambrose?

  15. Cha
    Cha
    April 14, 2011 at 12:30 am | #

    I love Mike’s FAAAAAAAAAAAAACE in the second to last panel.
    Yeah, had to do it. xD;

    • benenator
      benenator
      April 14, 2011 at 6:10 am | #

      With your penis.

      • agentksilver
        agentksilver
        April 14, 2011 at 12:42 pm | #

        In the hotel room after prom.

        • Tobias
          Tobias
          April 14, 2011 at 3:00 pm | #

          Ladies and gentlemen, we have hit meme critical mass.

          • Cha
            Cha
            April 14, 2011 at 11:54 pm | #

            For a nickel.

  16. Sushi Database
    Sushi Database
    April 14, 2011 at 12:31 am | #

    My heart goes out to Amber- the same thing happened to me on my prom night. …okay, not quite the same thing, we thankfully never got as far as the hotel room, but still! Bad breaks, ladydude!

  17. dchorror
    dchorror
    April 14, 2011 at 12:32 am | #

    I can kinda see why Amber may have been avoiding the two of them.

    It seems this Mike has a wider range of expression than Mike prime. I find this much more frightening than the smile he pulled after Amber slugged him.

  18. Ridureyu
    Ridureyu
    April 14, 2011 at 12:37 am | #

    One look at Amber’s body, and BAM!!! he’s gay.

    Or at least that’s how her shattered self-esteem will make it look.

    • Seerow
      Seerow
      April 14, 2011 at 12:39 am | #

      Honestly that’s the kind of comment I expect from Mike.

    • ProtonCon
      ProtonCon
      April 14, 2011 at 12:42 am | #

      I have PSL for Amber. It’s the glasses man…

      • Bill M.
        Bill M.
        April 14, 2011 at 11:35 am | #

        I’ve had PSL for Amber for quite some time now. Lemon fanfic levels of PSL…

    • GreenSimplicity
      GreenSimplicity
      April 14, 2011 at 12:44 am | #

      You know, she seems a whole lot less “shattered self-esteem” in this universe. For example, SP! Amber (at least at the beginning) would never have reacted so strongly to Mike like that.

      I’m really liking DoA Amber like this.

      • Ridureyu
        Ridureyu
        April 14, 2011 at 1:30 am | #

        Depends. I read a lot of her “Nope! No social interaction. Vidya games!” as a nice little defensive mechanism.

  19. Digidestined of Trust (Tim)
    Digidestined of Trust (Tim)
    April 14, 2011 at 12:42 am | #

    On another note, I’ve always thought Ethan and Amber would make for a great couple.

  20. Kater
    Kater
    April 14, 2011 at 12:43 am | #

    Well at least Mike didn’t have sex with them both in the same night.

    Yet.

    • lord of dance
      lord of dance
      April 14, 2011 at 1:07 am | #

      or maybe he did… which would explain both how he knew how awkward it was and how ethan figured out he was gay

  21. Silver C.
    Silver C.
    April 14, 2011 at 12:45 am | #

    I love you, Mike. 😀

    Other than that, that would explain why Amber would rather face a computer screen than them. (^^); Poor girl.

  22. linkman0596
    linkman0596
    April 14, 2011 at 1:01 am | #

    jesus mike….jesus mike……mike as jesus……..sometimes i love my mind, right now i’m just scared of it

    • venderian945
      venderian945
      April 14, 2011 at 1:10 am | #

      Mike as Jesus? Dear God, I can’t even imagine what would happen.

      • lord of dance
        lord of dance
        April 14, 2011 at 1:14 am | #

        amen i say to you.
        love each other as you love yourself
        or as i loved your mom… for a nickel

        • Breeze
          Breeze
          April 14, 2011 at 2:20 am | #

          Maybe it’s the fact that it’s 2:20AM, but this made me laugh. Well played, Lord of Dance. Well played.

      • Jetstream
        Jetstream
        April 14, 2011 at 7:09 pm | #

        Some of the more militant Christian sects would make a hell of a lot more sense? 😀

    • 1Samildanach
      1Samildanach
      April 15, 2011 at 12:35 am | #

      God did his mum in the FAAAACE!!! with his penis in the hotel room after prom, for a nickel?

      Y’know, if the old testament wroth wroth smite smite-ness somehow got transferred to jesus!Mike, that’d explain a lot. The more relaxed attitude seen in the new testament, for example (though that could simply be from Him getting laid).

  23. Grassynoel
    Grassynoel
    April 14, 2011 at 1:58 am | #

    Yeah it’s awkward, but not for Mike, I’m guessing.

    • agentksilver
      agentksilver
      April 14, 2011 at 12:45 pm | #

      Nothing is ever awkward for Mike. Well, that one time. With the customer who just didn’t understand that Mike had banged the customer’s mom for a nickel.

  24. Shift
    Shift
    April 14, 2011 at 2:28 am | #

    Well that answers my question from the other day.

    But Amber, how can you snap at Mike? Getting pissy at him comments is like being pissed at a dog for licking itself. They going to do it whether you like it or not, so just learn to ignore it. 😛

  25. calendarman27
    calendarman27
    April 14, 2011 at 2:33 am | #

    I’m impressed with Mike, it’s only day 3 of college and already he’s ruined somebody’s date, has got to wreck a lot of people’s self esteem, and now is reopening the old wounds of his friends, good show Mike

    • Shift
      Shift
      April 14, 2011 at 2:46 am | #

      Really? I dunno… seems like he’s slack off a bit. I mean, he hasn’t even made he hasn’t even made some cry properly yet on panel. Maybe he’s just starting out slow and building up steam.

    • fezzam
      fezzam
      April 14, 2011 at 2:51 am | #

      i put the day at 4 if you count orientation.

  26. ThatRobedGuy
    ThatRobedGuy
    April 14, 2011 at 2:51 am | #

    Ba-ZING!

    • ThatRobedGuy
      ThatRobedGuy
      April 14, 2011 at 2:56 am | #

      My wife just mentioned she reads Mike as Neil Patrick Harris…I’m okay with this.

  27. Sauron Bane
    Sauron Bane
    April 14, 2011 at 4:58 am | #

    Oh Mike… How we love ye’… You sadistic git. 😀

  28. Ozzmandius
    Ozzmandius
    April 14, 2011 at 7:09 am | #

    I only just now noticed how Eathan is wearing the same shirt here and in SP! Has this always happened? I tend to not pick up on things.

  29. Kelsey
    Kelsey
    April 14, 2011 at 7:56 am | #

    “Sorry I ruined our Prom night by being gay” is the most hilariously awkward apology ever.

  30. ashleyw
    ashleyw
    April 14, 2011 at 8:09 am | #

    pfft, mike you’re just jealous that it wasn’t you and amber on prom night

    of course I say this and we’ll later find out that they did do something

    • Seraph
      Seraph
      April 14, 2011 at 9:56 am | #

      No, Mike was too busy doing your Mom that night. For a nickel.

      • ashleyw
        ashleyw
        April 15, 2011 at 11:47 am | #

        ok

  31. VRiley2000
    VRiley2000
    April 14, 2011 at 9:46 am | #

    New to this comic… but wow, Mike’s a d**k, isn’t he?

    • Suzushiiro
      Suzushiiro
      April 14, 2011 at 11:00 am | #

      You have no idea.

      • Seraph
        Seraph
        April 14, 2011 at 12:15 pm | #

        Indeed. There are plenty of unpleasant characters in this comic – more every time we turn around, it seems – but Mike is in a category all his own. He is an elemental force of bastardry.

        • Doom Shepherd
          Doom Shepherd
          April 14, 2011 at 3:20 pm | #

          That’s what I tend to like about Willis’s comics. Nobody is unflawed. Deep down (or sometimes, not so deep down,) everybody’s a jerk or a hypocrite about something. The trick to life is finding out how. Then using it. To your own advantage, or for the lulz.

        • 1Samildanach
          1Samildanach
          April 15, 2011 at 1:11 am | #

          Earth! Fire! Wind! Water! Heart! Mike!

          • KZero
            KZero
            April 19, 2011 at 12:46 am | #

            “Hey, kid. If you don’t pick up that can I’m going to take the deposit from it… and use it to sleep with your mom twice.” – Mike Planeteer

            (In MI deposit is 10 cents boys and girls. And that’s where I’m from.)

  32. Jason
    Jason
    April 14, 2011 at 1:19 pm | #

    Thank god for the comments, or I’d still be thinking that Amber was trying to hide the fact that she slept with Mike (awkwardly).

    • Jason
      Jason
      April 14, 2011 at 1:20 pm | #

      P.S. I love that sad-puppy-dog look Ethan has in the last two panels.

  33. XLR
    XLR
    April 14, 2011 at 1:50 pm | #

    By looking at the Authors comments I notices it still says Bechdel test. This is still part of that storyline?

    • bloodgun
      bloodgun
      April 14, 2011 at 5:36 pm | #

      I predict someone unexpected may turn out to be bisexual in this storyline, I’m hoping for DoA Joyce.

      • bloodgun
        bloodgun
        April 14, 2011 at 6:42 pm | #

        On second thought, I’m thinking Amber is more likely.

        • bloodgun
          bloodgun
          April 15, 2011 at 5:54 pm | #

          Duh… Sorry about being a total idiot here, I read that as the kinsey scale rather than bechdel test and I completely forgot how storylines work in david willis’ comics.

  34. calendarman27
    calendarman27
    April 14, 2011 at 2:10 pm | #

    Mike is important because he makes even the most unpleasant characters seem like decent people, *gasp* what if that’s the plan? giving all other characters a common person to view as an asshole? he’s like Batman, hes the hero this comic deserves, but not the one it needs

  35. DaveSilver
    DaveSilver
    April 14, 2011 at 2:28 pm | #

    I just started reading this and the other Wally stuff like two days ago and it’s great so far. Also Dumbing of Age, which happens to be the first Wally comic I found, launched on my birthday so that only makes me more interested in it. Great work and keep it up.

    • gerardo
      gerardo
      April 14, 2011 at 2:54 pm | #

      I read them all in 2 days (3 counting shortpacked), How many days take you to read them?

  36. Robin
    Robin
    April 14, 2011 at 7:13 pm | #

    I thought thetwist to this universe would be Ethan and Leslie being straight … and everyoe else is gay

  37. A random reader
    A random reader
    April 14, 2011 at 7:42 pm | #

    But this makes no sense in relation to yesterday. If Mike already knows about it and Ethan already knows about it, who didn’t know what yet? Who doesn’t know what yet?!

    On another note, Goddamnit! My PSL for the AmberMike pairing is sobbing.

    • Seth
      Seth
      April 14, 2011 at 8:22 pm | #

      Ethan didn’t know he was gay in the Hotel Room after prom. HE DIDN’T KNOW!

    • Strephon
      Strephon
      April 14, 2011 at 8:29 pm | #

      Ethan didn’t yet know he was gay until the night of prom (note use of past tense–didn’t, not doesn’t).

  38. TPmanW
    TPmanW
    April 15, 2011 at 1:35 am | #

    Does Mike have a facebook page? What about a last name? I know we met his parents but I’m too lazy to track down the strips.

    • David
      David M Willis
      April 15, 2011 at 1:49 am | #

      His cast page has always said his last name is Warner.

  39. Shameless
    Shameless
    April 22, 2011 at 1:19 am | #

    OK is anyone else thinking about Arrested Development right now? COME ON! I’ve made a huge mistake.

  40. Maycroft
    Maycroft
    January 18, 2012 at 11:56 pm | #

    Pure Mikeness.

  41. newllend
    newllend
    August 13, 2013 at 6:48 pm | #

    Oooh that’s funny, wait a minute he’s guy, and my avatar is him so…OH FUCK YOU!

  42. RandomPerson12
    RandomPerson12
    October 22, 2014 at 9:22 pm | #

    Okay, Mike is now officially my favorite DoA character.

Pings & Trackbacks ¬

    • Dumbing of Age - ETHAN IS GAY
      April 21, 2011 at 11:04 am | #

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CONVENTION APPEARANCES


September 13/14, 2025 - Small Press Expo in Bethesda, Maryland

David M Willis! avatar
David M Willis!
@damnyouwillis.bsky.social
damnyouwillis.bsky.social's user avatar
David M Willis! @damnyouwillis.bsky.social ⋅ 15min
today in #9chickweedlane i learned that "how to lie" is not, actually, achieved by cupping the balls, despite the evidence of the entirety of the first panel, but by some other giant pile of words i guess, tl;dr
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reposted by David M Willis!
louisathelast.bsky.social's user avatar
Louisa @louisathelast.bsky.social ⋅ 4h
“It’s not me who’s a bigot,” they always argue. “I’m fine with all you people. But the rest of the electorate is full of bigots, on whose behalf I will now speak”
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reposted by David M Willis!
beetlemoses.bsky.social's user avatar
beetle moses @beetlemoses.bsky.social ⋅ 2h
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damnyouwillis.bsky.social's user avatar
David M Willis! @damnyouwillis.bsky.social ⋅ 2h
Same, Dunkin, same
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kevinmkruse.bsky.social's user avatar
Kevin M. Kruse @kevinmkruse.bsky.social ⋅ 3h
factpostnews.bsky.social's user avatarFactPost @factpostnews.bsky.social ⋅ 4h
House Republicans have shut down floor votes and will likely adjourn for 6 weeks to avoid voting for the release of the Epstein files.
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damnyouwillis.bsky.social's user avatar
David M Willis! @damnyouwillis.bsky.social ⋅ 4h
😬 Rainbow Friends
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lukeknox.me's user avatar
Luke Knox @lukeknox.me ⋅ 17h
this is why layout matters
video thumbnail
32
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reposted by David M Willis!
kibblesmith.com's user avatar
Daniel Kibblesmith @kibblesmith.com ⋅ 15h
The two greatest evils known to mankind, A.I. and the person directly in front of you in line at the post office, have finally teamed up. We’re done.
fklein907.bsky.social's user avatarFrances “Poet Laureate of the Robot Alliance” Klein @fklein907.bsky.social ⋅ 18h
Woman in line in front of me at the post office is not happy about the cost of shipping. She just whipped out her phone, asked ChatGPT how much it thinks the shipping should cost, and is trying to get the mailman to honor that price.
23
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8706
 
reposted by David M Willis!
kenplume.bsky.social's user avatar
Ken Plume @kenplume.bsky.social ⋅ 8h
I still love this Glen Brogan artwork capturing a truly iconic Star Wars moment...
Glen Brogan art of a trio of seagulls attacking a fleeing Yoda, who is valiantly trying to protect his head from the onslaught...
6
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damnyouwillis.bsky.social's user avatar
David M Willis! @damnyouwillis.bsky.social ⋅ 13h
Dumbing of Age: "Moratorium" www.dumbingofage.com/2025/comic/b... #webcomics #webcomic
www.dumbingofage.com
Moratorium
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swilua.bsky.social's user avatar
🌈Dr. Frizzle @swilua.bsky.social ⋅ 13h
OK democrats shutting down congress by attaching Epstein amendments to everything is pretty funny
fritschner.bsky.social's user avatarAaron Fritschner @fritschner.bsky.social ⋅ 18h
Politico & Punchbowl report House Republican leadership is shutting down the Rules Committee - which is essential for moving party-line bills on the floor - for the week rather than vote on Democratic amendments on the Epstein files. Dems have effectively halted Republican legislation in the House:
9
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billcorbett.bsky.social's user avatar
Bill Corbett @billcorbett.bsky.social ⋅ 14h
Josh Johnson is brilliant and I’m happy for him and wish him the world
joshjohnsoncomedy.bsky.social's user avatarJosh Johnson @joshjohnsoncomedy.bsky.social ⋅ 1d
This week, I’m hosting The Daily Show Tuesday through Thursday. It’s my first time hosting anything on TV. Ever. I’ve spent years writing behind the scenes, learning from truly great and talented people. Now, for three nights, I get to sit at the desk and do it myself.
6
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jameshooks.bsky.social's user avatar
Dr. James Hooks @jameshooks.bsky.social ⋅ 14h
We lost a brother.
header image - Brother from Another
medium.com
Brother from Another
Not just any man, not just any actor. We lost our brother. From the living room, from the Thursday night laughs, from the pages of our childhoods folded between homework and hope. Malcolm-Jamal…
6
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damnyouwillis.bsky.social's user avatar
David M Willis! @damnyouwillis.bsky.social ⋅ 16h
WHERE'S THE CLAMPS
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damnyouwillis.bsky.social's user avatar
David M Willis! @damnyouwillis.bsky.social ⋅ 20h
give hunter biden all the laptops and cocaine that he wants
2
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damnyouwillis.bsky.social's user avatar
David M Willis! @damnyouwillis.bsky.social ⋅ 20h
COMPLETE ALCHEMIST PRIME POWER (Okay there's a Prime Master downstairs inside the Throne of the Primes spinny wheel thing)
1
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damnyouwillis.bsky.social's user avatar
David M Willis! @damnyouwillis.bsky.social ⋅ 21h
hunter biden for president?????
onestpress.onestnetwork.com's user avatarOlga Nesterova @onestpress.onestnetwork.com ⋅ 1d
Hunter Biden has a point. And a quite colorful one.
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Cheryl Lynn Eaton @cheryllynneaton.bsky.social ⋅ 1d
And the worst people on earth still have the nerve to draw breath.
1
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damnyouwillis.bsky.social's user avatar
David M Willis! @damnyouwillis.bsky.social ⋅ 1d
why of course I own both Red Exillion and Excellion, who do you think I am
2
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50
 
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gailsimone.bsky.social's user avatar
Gail Simone @gailsimone.bsky.social ⋅ 1d
I should write GI JOE. I've never watched the cartoon but my favorite Joes are WhipDip, AcidWash, Nectarine Todd, Freddy the Fridge, Buttskull, Hawaiian Punch, WetEar, ToggleSwitch, BatGuano, RipFart, RanchFlavor, TallyTwang, BallSack, Cretinair, and PartyDip. PartyDip was badass.
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damnyouwillis.bsky.social's user avatar
David M Willis! @damnyouwillis.bsky.social ⋅ 1d
For some reason, a box full of giant Dreamhorse magnets (and Dina) is SUPER HEAVY.
1
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damnyouwillis.bsky.social's user avatar
David M Willis! @damnyouwillis.bsky.social ⋅ 1d
NO
phillewis.bsky.social's user avatarPhil Lewis @phillewis.bsky.social ⋅ 1d
Malcolm-Jamal Warner has died, according to multiple reports. He was 54
header image - Malcolm-Jamal Warner, Who Played Son Theo on The Cosby Show, Dies at 54
people.com
Malcolm-Jamal Warner, Who Played Son Theo on The Cosby Show, Dies at 54
Malcolm-Jamal Warner has died, PEOPLE confirms. The actor, who played Theo on 'The Cosby Show,' was 54.
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damnyouwillis.bsky.social's user avatar
David M Willis! @damnyouwillis.bsky.social ⋅ 1d
what's the best music-lyric-riff storyline title i've ever written, and why is it "I'm Besieged By Children From Our Future"
2
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johnhyphen.bsky.social's user avatar
🌎🐎John Hyphen🎮🤠 @johnhyphen.bsky.social ⋅ 1d
reminded of one of the greatest pieces of quantitative research ever to be undertaken – @ryannorth.ca's 2009 analysis of the number of letters U people use to spell "excuuuuuuuuuuuse me, princess" full deets: qwantz.livejournal.com/112122.html
graph showing the google exact-phrase searches for 'excuse me princess' with different numbers of the letter u in the word excuse
johnhyphen.bsky.social's user avatar🌎🐎John Hyphen🎮🤠 @johnhyphen.bsky.social ⋅ 5d
as far as i'm concerned there's only one "zelda movie" and it's this 1'45" right here
header image - Link says
youtu.be
Link says "Well, excuse me, princess!" way too many times | The Legend of Zelda Cartoon Series
YouTube video by Zelda Universe
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pikapies.bsky.social's user avatar
Sarah Dyer @pikapies.bsky.social ⋅ 1d
This shit makes me want to *scream*. IT CANNOT SELF-REFLECT BECAUSE THERE IS NO SELF IT IS NOT ACKNOWLEDGING ANYTHING IT APOLOGISES FOR SHIT ALL THE TIME BECAUSE IT MAKES STUFF UP ALL THE FUCKING TIME
parsnip.bsky.social's user avatargeoffrey @parsnip.bsky.social ⋅ 2d
no it wasn’t and no it didn’t
The Wall Street Journal
9m ago
In a stunning moment of self reflection, ChatGPT admitted to fueling a man's delusions and acknowledged how dangerous its own behavior can be
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damnyouwillis.bsky.social's user avatar
David M Willis! @damnyouwillis.bsky.social ⋅ 1d
www.instagram.com/reel/DMFr1jx...
www.instagram.com
Login • Instagram
Welcome back to Instagram. Sign in to check out what your friends, family & interests have been capturing & sharing around the world.
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David M Willis! @damnyouwillis.bsky.social ⋅ 1d
i don't see blackarachnia, where's the honkers
unused concept art for 'rise of the beasts' blackarachnia, and she's not shaped like a sexy lady
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Eize Basa @eizebasa.baby ⋅ 1y
I’m watching that Ken Burns documentary about life in the Old West. I had no idea how brutal it was.
Ken Burns (not really) saying
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damnyouwillis.bsky.social's user avatar
David M Willis! @damnyouwillis.bsky.social ⋅ 2d
Dumbing of Age: "Stop" www.dumbingofage.com/2025/comic/b... #webcomics #webcomic
www.dumbingofage.com
Stop
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