Dumbing of Age Book Twelve

Dumbing of Age

A college webcomic by David Willis
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July 9, 2026

Effort

by David M Willis on June 6, 2012 at 12:01 am
  • 04 - Time Keeps on Slippin'
└ Tags: jennifer, ruth, walky

Discussion (77) ¬

[ Comments RSS ]
  1. Sensedog
    Sensedog
    June 6, 2012 at 12:05 am | #

    Billie can indeed handle this on her own, or die trying.

    Walky owes her nothing.

    • Wack'd
      Wack'd
      June 6, 2012 at 1:11 am | #

      Besides, perhaps, a smack in the face.

      • TheBenenator
        TheBenenator
        June 6, 2012 at 10:11 am | #

        No, not her FAAAAACE!

        • Roborat
          Roborat
          June 6, 2012 at 6:51 pm | #

          Yea, saw that coming, at least you got it over with quickly.

      • dusk
        dusk
        June 24, 2012 at 5:00 am | #

        With a penis for a nickle

  2. Yotomoe
    Yotomoe
    June 6, 2012 at 12:05 am | #

    Later just seems more convenient in this situation

    • wererat
      wererat
      June 6, 2012 at 12:50 am | #

      best thing about later; it’s never now.

      • Zoey
        Zoey
        June 6, 2012 at 3:06 am | #

        lol

      • Plasma Mongoose
        Plasma Mongoose
        June 6, 2012 at 4:59 pm | #

        That is pretty much the whole idea behind procrastination.

  3. Jacob
    Jacob
    June 6, 2012 at 12:05 am | #

    And we see some of Walky’s generally-untapped intelligence come out.

  4. Wack'd
    Wack'd
    June 6, 2012 at 12:06 am | #

    SO FUCKING CLOSE.

  5. fellixe
    fellixe
    June 6, 2012 at 12:07 am | #

    Having already faced Ruth I’m wondering why Billie would assume Walky would be any help.

    • Yotomoe
      Yotomoe
      June 6, 2012 at 12:09 am | #

      having known Walky for as long as she has she shouldn’t assume he’d be any help.

    • Doctor_Who
      Doctor_Who
      June 6, 2012 at 12:17 am | #

      It’s the old “running from a lion” scenario. If you have a friend with you, you don’t have to be faster than the lion. You just have to be faster than your friend.

      • Dragon Nataku
        Dragon Nataku
        June 6, 2012 at 2:20 pm | #

        You keep using the word friend. I don’t think it means what you think it means.
        😛

    • TacosForever
      TacosForever
      June 6, 2012 at 1:33 am | #

      Well, he is sculpted out of caramel. Sounds like he has some possible beating-up-Ruth muscles.

      • fellixe
        fellixe
        June 6, 2012 at 1:49 am | #

        And if the lion has a sweet tooth she’s home free.

    • ryan
      ryan
      June 6, 2012 at 9:08 am | #

      based on panels 1 and 2, i think billie wants walky to offer himself to ruth. perhaps show ruth his pajama jeans?

  6. Wonder Wig
    Wonder Wig
    June 6, 2012 at 12:07 am | #

    Cornered between a Ruth and a hard place.

    • Tan
      Tan
      June 6, 2012 at 1:26 am | #

      Pajama jeans.

  7. InternetDbag
    InternetDbag
    June 6, 2012 at 12:07 am | #

    Oh wow, you mod your comments. I didn’t expect that David, well played. So, since i presumably have you attention i just want to say that dumbing of ages is a refreshing and fun comic to read. Also, i love your professionalism and dedication to posting comics regularly and at regular intervals. You’re awesome Willis <3

  8. Yotomoe
    Yotomoe
    June 6, 2012 at 12:08 am | #

    Let me berate you on relationship advice you don’t need and then ask you to fight my battles.
    Billy= friend of the year.

  9. SkepticJ
    SkepticJ
    June 6, 2012 at 12:09 am | #

    Is Ruth somehow aware of Billie’s recent adventure with alcohol?

    • Wack'd
      Wack'd
      June 6, 2012 at 12:09 am | #

      Billie! In an Adventure with Alcohol

      I’d watch it.

      • SkepticJ
        SkepticJ
        June 6, 2012 at 12:14 am | #

        It would certainly spawn a plethora of sequels.

      • Jackson
        Jackson
        June 6, 2012 at 7:01 am | #

        Narrated by Dina.

        • Raiser
          Raiser
          June 6, 2012 at 1:44 pm | #

          Pulling the most adorabad David Attenborough impression the entire time, entirely straight-faced.

          • Gundi
            Gundi
            June 6, 2012 at 7:12 pm | #

            Is Walky Pinky?

            • Vabolo
              Vabolo
              June 7, 2012 at 12:16 am | #

              Billie is the Brain.

      • Anon
        Anon
        June 6, 2012 at 2:46 pm | #

        No, no.. You have to do it in the style of Indiana Jones!
        It goes, “Billie and the Alcoholic Adventure!”

    • Yotomoe
      Yotomoe
      June 6, 2012 at 12:12 am | #

      Ruth reads Dumbing of Age and gives herself a 3-4 week buffer.

      • Kernanator
        Kernanator
        June 6, 2012 at 12:32 am | #

        Ruth is DoA’s Deadpool.

        Suddenly everything makes sense. Like how she knew Billie was going to be in the male dorms.

        • Plasma Mongoose
          Plasma Mongoose
          June 6, 2012 at 2:32 am | #

          She ain’t deadpool until she starts talking to the little yellow narration boxes.

  10. Wack'd
    Wack'd
    June 6, 2012 at 12:09 am | #

    “Walky, I want you to stay as far away from me as possible so I can make new friends and treat you like a non-entity, and I’m only helping you get laid so you’ll spend less time with me.

    Now help me with my problems.”

    • Yotomoe
      Yotomoe
      June 6, 2012 at 12:10 am | #

      Billy=FRIEND OF THE YEAR!

      • Plasma Mongoose
        Plasma Mongoose
        June 6, 2012 at 2:33 am | #

        You misspelt fiend.

  11. iSaidCandleja-
    iSaidCandleja-
    June 6, 2012 at 12:15 am | #

    Hasn’t Ruthless already taken a liking to Walky? That might just save Billie from her impending doom.

    • Yotomoe
      Yotomoe
      June 6, 2012 at 12:17 am | #

      Or maybe she needs to keep up a tough girl front with Billie. She was only nice once Sal and Billie left.

    • Leorale
      Leorale
      June 6, 2012 at 3:29 am | #

      I think she just doesn’t see him as any kind of threat, nor does she have anything to gain by terrorizing him.

  12. Cholma
    Cholma
    June 6, 2012 at 12:16 am | #

    Okay, we know why Billie is in the men’s wing, but why is Ruth there?
    My guess: booty call with Joe.

    • Yotomoe
      Yotomoe
      June 6, 2012 at 12:18 am | #

      I’d ship that

    • TacosForever
      TacosForever
      June 6, 2012 at 1:38 am | #

      Man, can’t a girl walk through a hallway these days, looking for people to torment, without people assuming she’s sleeping with someone?!

      Alternatively: She’s looking for Mike so she can one day have his angry hatebabies.

  13. DiDi
    DiDi
    June 6, 2012 at 12:16 am | #

    LOL…

    I don’t need to say anything else. Everything good has already been said.

  14. Blob Marley
    Blob Marley
    June 6, 2012 at 12:17 am | #

    And that ship’s been torpedoed.

    • Plasma Mongoose
      Plasma Mongoose
      June 6, 2012 at 2:34 am | #

      That ship wasn’t exactly sea-worthy in the first place.

  15. Caffienated
    Caffienated
    June 6, 2012 at 12:17 am | #

    Oh hey there Ruth, nice to see you ^^

  16. Kernanator
    Kernanator
    June 6, 2012 at 12:30 am | #

    Wait. Why is Ruth here in the male dorms? Isn’t that a bit outside of her jurisdiction?

    And if she’s here for Billie, how did she know Billie was here? Is she a teleporter? A mind reader? A psychic?

    • NCP19
      NCP19
      June 6, 2012 at 12:46 am | #

      Ruth exists in all places at all times.

      • Kernanator
        Kernanator
        June 6, 2012 at 1:06 am | #

        It all makes sense. Ruth is the ultimate phenomenon of the universe.

        My god. It’s full of stars.

        • Andiemus
          Andiemus
          June 6, 2012 at 2:18 am | #

          If she and mike were to have children, they would be literally omnipresent.

          • MrSmiles
            MrSmiles
            June 6, 2012 at 12:41 pm | #

            and scary!!

    • iSaidCandleja-
      iSaidCandleja-
      June 6, 2012 at 12:49 am | #

      Perhaps she wanted to talk the the RA of the male dorms? They could be planning a joint event to warn about the dangerous vigilante running around.

      • Kernanator
        Kernanator
        June 6, 2012 at 1:08 am | #

        Hm, I guess that makes sense.

        I still think my ideas are better, though.

    • Wack'd
      Wack'd
      June 6, 2012 at 1:11 am | #

      Yes.

      • Kernanator
        Kernanator
        June 6, 2012 at 1:24 am | #

        Yes to what? The jurisdiction, or the speculation?

        • Plasma Mongoose
          Plasma Mongoose
          June 6, 2012 at 2:35 am | #

          YES!

          • Joseph Harner
            Joseph Harner
            June 6, 2012 at 11:12 pm | #

            ALL THE THINGS. Every last one of them.

  17. John Walter Biles
    John Walter Biles
    June 6, 2012 at 12:39 am | #

    They can at least both be glad Ruth didn’t get on the Elevator while Walky was busy changing pants.

    • Leorale
      Leorale
      June 6, 2012 at 3:31 am | #

      That’s true! Although it would’ve been wacky hijinks, I guess it was too contrived to fly.

    • Aydr
      Aydr
      June 6, 2012 at 3:32 am | #

      yes…. glad….

  18. Henry
    Henry
    June 6, 2012 at 12:54 am | #

    …aaaand shit just got real.

  19. teasugarsalt
    teasugarsalt
    June 6, 2012 at 2:04 am | #

    Ruth has a wrist-withering gaze. Panel One. Panel Four. Compare.

    • kyojikasshu
      kyojikasshu
      June 6, 2012 at 8:14 pm | #

      Nah, it’s just turned. Wide side in panel 1, narrow side in panel 4.

  20. Uniqueantique
    Uniqueantique
    June 6, 2012 at 2:08 am | #

    Interesting. Neither one of them belong in that hallway, and yet there they are. And I won’t bet on Walky running, he’s unpredictable.

  21. Plasma Mongoose
    Plasma Mongoose
    June 6, 2012 at 2:36 am | #

    Walky better get out of there before he gets caramelised.

  22. GenericScreenName101
    GenericScreenName101
    June 6, 2012 at 2:57 am | #

    I think I have figured out Billie’s angle. Be the “friend” of the desired sibling in order to get with the desired sibling. Billie… You sly dog

    • Raen
      Raen
      June 6, 2012 at 8:25 am | #

      …?

      You mean Walky and Sal? They grew up together before she even met Sal, and she doesn’t seem to much kinder than ever before.

  23. Maycroft
    Maycroft
    June 6, 2012 at 5:09 am | #

    Ruuuuun tooooo the Hiiiiiiiiillllllssss!!!!!

  24. Jesse
    Jesse
    June 6, 2012 at 5:18 am | #

    Man, Billie is really slow at getting the message.

  25. GenericScreenName101
    GenericScreenName101
    June 6, 2012 at 9:13 am | #

    I apologize if I am being..obtuse…here but all I am suggesting that it was an angle not necessarily the…right angle. But that does not rule out the possibility of an…acute reaction
    …I feel dirty

    • GenericScreenName101
      GenericScreenName101
      June 6, 2012 at 9:14 am | #

      This is supposed to be a reply to Raen… and now I feel incompetant

  26. Jimbo
    Jimbo
    June 6, 2012 at 9:29 am | #

    i was beginning to wonder when we’d see Ruth again!

  27. Kernanator
    Kernanator
    June 6, 2012 at 11:17 am | #

    Nobody expects the Ruthless Inquisition!

    • Hannover Fist
      Hannover Fist
      June 6, 2012 at 12:04 pm | #

      NOBODY expects the Ruthless Inquisition!… Amongst her weaponry are such diverse elements as: fear, surprise, ruthless efficiency, an almost fanatical devotion to the dorm, and nice red uniforms.

      • L
        L
        June 6, 2012 at 5:42 pm | #

        Put Billie on the rack! (No not that one the OTHER one you silly twit!)

        • Andiemus
          Andiemus
          June 6, 2012 at 6:18 pm | #

          Place Billie in…. The COMFY CHAIR!!!!

  28. Charles RB
    Charles RB
    June 6, 2012 at 4:52 pm | #

    I feel sorry for Billie – she honestly can’t fathom that Walky doesn’t need her advice

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