Dumbing of Age Book Twelve

Dumbing of Age

A college webcomic by David Willis
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May 22, 2026

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by David M Willis on November 28, 2012 at 12:01 am
  • 01 - If the Shoe Splits
└ Tags: danny, dorothy

Discussion (113) ¬

[ Comments RSS ]
  1. TheOthin
    TheOthin
    November 28, 2012 at 12:03 am | #

    So does Dorothy actually know Amber’s name or is she using the adjective?

    • Max G.
      Max G.
      November 28, 2012 at 12:45 am | #

      That … is a surprisingly good question.

    • begbert2
      begbert2
      November 28, 2012 at 10:56 am | #

      Wasn’t her name given in that scene where Joe claimed they were clones?

      • David
        David M Willis
        November 28, 2012 at 11:20 am | #

        Yup. http://www.dumbingofage.com/2011/comic/book-1/05-media-rumble/composited/

        • begbert2
          begbert2
          November 28, 2012 at 2:44 pm | #

          Interestingly, in that very comic Dorothy expresses the exact same possessive sentiments that Danny has expressed here, differing primarily in that Danny is also disdainful of Dorothy’s new squeeze. Oh, and the fact that she dumped him.

          Of course when Dorothy does it it’s okay, but when Danny is annoyed at the speed of moving on, he’s a terrible, terrible person.

          • AndaisQ
            AndaisQ
            November 28, 2012 at 5:24 pm | #

            Unfortunately, Danny has been rather unpleasant about various aspects of this already. And almost immediately after Dotty got upset, she shook it off, remembered that it didn’t actually matter, and moved on. And Danny is more “whining eternally” than “annoyed”, and he’s less “a terrible person” than “a bit of a prick”.

            So, thanks for playing, but nope.

            • begbert2
              begbert2
              November 28, 2012 at 5:54 pm | #

              Dorothy was saved from embarassing herself further by being immediately interrupted by Joe, who thoroughly routed the conversation elsewhere. Danny, on the other hand, has just had this sprung on him in an intentionally (by Mike) off-putting manner, and Dorothy has pushed him into his room and hasn’t offered him an opportunity to let the conversation go, because she’s that committed to shamelessly using him as a shoe store.

              And Danny’s “eternal whining” has been going on for maybe three minutes. Don’t let the comic timeframe mess with you; he’s made maybe three rude comments in rapid succession, with Dorothy actively (and knowingly!) ripping off the band-aid and provoking his ire. If Dorothy would just stop trying to abuse Danny’s generosity and get the hell out of there, this would end right quick and Danny would get back to happily being Mr. Lois Lane.

              So yep. Dorothy was no better.

              • Gordon Blvd
                Gordon Blvd
                November 28, 2012 at 7:22 pm | #

                +1 for begbert – keep in mind Donny just got
                Mike-blindsided about all this, y’all. He was in his dorm
                minding his own business when all this came to him ……….

                • gangler
                  gangler
                  November 28, 2012 at 8:47 pm | #

                  Which kind of seems to be a theme. Before she just kind of dropped in unannounced to interview his roommate. Danny had a perfectly pleasant evening planned before he got home and found his surprise visitor. He started whining once Dorothy drove Amber away with her questions about Amazigirl.

                  Today again. Guy’s not even dressed yet. Just trying to eat his cereal in peace when he answers the door and finds all this waiting for him. Maybe

                • gangler
                  gangler
                  November 28, 2012 at 8:49 pm | #

                  Gee. Didn’t mean to click submit. The scroll wheel on this mouse is finicky.

  2. David Herbert
    David Herbert
    November 28, 2012 at 12:04 am | #

    Danny, think carefully, you now have the upper hand in this argument. Don’t ruin it.

    Tomorrow, he ruins it. Wonder how, though.

    • Frostbite
      Frostbite
      November 28, 2012 at 6:34 am | #

      Based on my experience as a 18year old male trying to make a girl jealous. It’ll be by speaking. It doesn’t matter what he says soon as he tries to make a point hes doomed

  3. Plasma Mongoose
    Plasma Mongoose
    November 28, 2012 at 12:04 am | #

    You better watch it Danny, she’ll be wanting your pants next.

    • GrrArg42
      GrrArg42
      November 28, 2012 at 2:13 am | #

      But he’s too tall, they wont fit her at all.

      • Ryorin
        Ryorin
        November 28, 2012 at 2:23 am | #

        That comment goes shockingly well with your Gravatar.

        Mongoose’s Gravatar, on the other hand, just goes HILARIOUSLY with the comment. I’m now going to pretend that Chiaki and Elan totally had this conversation.

  4. IPGComic
    IPGComic
    November 28, 2012 at 12:05 am | #

    Panel 2 Dorothy: Dem Charlie Chaplin eyebrows

    • Plasma Mongoose
      Plasma Mongoose
      November 28, 2012 at 12:07 am | #

      All she needs now is the bowler hat and hook cane.

      • Yotomoe
        Yotomoe
        November 28, 2012 at 12:10 am | #

        I really want to hear Dorothy talking with a fast paced comic from the 50s now.

    • Wack'd
      Wack'd
      November 28, 2012 at 1:32 am | #

      My first thought was Groucho, actually.

      • IPGComic
        IPGComic
        November 28, 2012 at 5:01 am | #

        Yeah…in my haste I wrote the wrong one down.

        Oops?

    • Pinja
      Pinja
      February 7, 2013 at 1:25 pm | #

      Dotty’s expressions in this comic are great

  5. CT
    CT
    November 28, 2012 at 12:05 am | #

    Dorothy needs to put something on the table for this to even start to look like bargaining.

    …count down to this wretched hive of scum and villainy turning this to something dirty in 3… 2… 1…

    • Madock345
      Madock345
      November 28, 2012 at 1:02 am | #

      Put something on the table? Do you mean money? I don’t understand…

  6. Sensedog
    Sensedog
    November 28, 2012 at 12:06 am | #

    1.) *facepalm*

    2.) Well, good job Danny. Good job. This will not end well.

    3.) Again…*facepalm*

    4.) Dorothy’s face in the second panel will make a nice gravatar image.

    • Leorale
      Leorale
      November 28, 2012 at 12:07 am | #

      Yes to all of these.

    • Jehosaphat
      Jehosaphat
      November 28, 2012 at 1:34 am | #

      In regards to #4. Yes, yes it does.

      • GrrArg42
        GrrArg42
        November 28, 2012 at 2:15 am | #

        Down the hall and on the left, can’t miss it.

  7. Yotomoe
    Yotomoe
    November 28, 2012 at 12:07 am | #

    And, for once, Danny’s got Dorothy by the balls.

    • Plasma Mongoose
      Plasma Mongoose
      November 28, 2012 at 12:18 am | #

      OH MY, Walky WILL be surprised by that fact. 😀

      • Ancestral Hamster
        Ancestral Hamster
        November 28, 2012 at 1:15 am | #

        Now I’m thinking of the ending of the song, “Lola”. 😀

        http://www.lyricsfreak.com/k/kinks/lola_20079021.html

  8. Leorale
    Leorale
    November 28, 2012 at 12:08 am | #

    Also, super-enjoying Danny’s haughty face. (yeah I know faaace)

    • Yotomoe
      Yotomoe
      November 28, 2012 at 12:12 am | #

      Hey Amazi-girl! Leorale just called your boyfriend a Hotty!

  9. Doctor_Who
    Doctor_Who
    November 28, 2012 at 12:09 am | #

    Just keep holding out, Danny. She’ll want your penis as well eventually.

    • Plasma Mongoose
      Plasma Mongoose
      November 28, 2012 at 12:22 am | #

      I hope for his sake that she doesn’t get it, otherwise slow Friday nights will become that much more boring.

      • Yotomoe
        Yotomoe
        November 28, 2012 at 12:24 am | #

        it’s never said he won’t get a replacement.

      • Yotomoe
        Yotomoe
        November 28, 2012 at 12:26 am | #

        Panel 3 Dorothy is freaking out because the background’s gone.

        • Yotomoe
          Yotomoe
          November 28, 2012 at 12:31 am | #

          dang that wasn’t supposed to be a reply

        • Doctor_Who
          Doctor_Who
          November 28, 2012 at 12:32 am | #

          With the fourth wall gone, she’s looking out and seeing all these commenters discussing her sex life. Her expression is very appropriate.

        • Plasma Mongoose
          Plasma Mongoose
          November 28, 2012 at 12:33 am | #

          Someone repair the Fourth Wall, STAT!

          • hmrc4evr
            hmrc4evr
            November 28, 2012 at 3:04 am | #

            We need to get someone atop the fourth wall to fix it! Someone who’s an expert at fourth walls!

            Uhm….

            I know- Jesu Otaku!!

            (just kidding Linkara!)

            • Chronos
              Chronos
              November 28, 2012 at 6:48 am | #

              He’ll teach *you* a lesson you won’t learn…

  10. Wonder Wig
    Wonder Wig
    November 28, 2012 at 12:09 am | #

    Dorothy has nearly all the makings of a Clark Kent.

    • Historyman68
      Historyman68
      November 28, 2012 at 8:07 am | #

      I dunno, she seems a bit more Lois Lane to me. Though Danny’s also kind of Lois. It’s like they split her attributes down the middle.

  11. Aeron
    Aeron
    November 28, 2012 at 12:09 am | #

    tehehe, Dorothy’s disadvantage in this situation is just getting worse and worse…

  12. DanielleM
    DanielleM
    November 28, 2012 at 12:10 am | #

    Danny do not ruin your new relationship so Dorothy can have a story! Do not! DO! NOT!

    He’s totally going to.

    • Yotomoe
      Yotomoe
      November 28, 2012 at 12:13 am | #

      I don’t think Danny’s that kind of guy.

      • DanielleM
        DanielleM
        November 28, 2012 at 12:16 am | #

        I hope not and it says a lot about Dorothy that she would even ask this of him.

        • Sensedog
          Sensedog
          November 28, 2012 at 12:27 am | #

          Indeed, she does seem to be the type who would be willing to ruin relationships and hurt people (at least emotionally) for the sake of her personal success. I am disappointed (though not surprised) that Danny would let a secret slip like that as well, however, even if he is not “dating” Amazi-girl in the strictest sense of the word.

          …And either way, the guy is still the single most dense character in the whole comic.

    • JK9000
      JK9000
      November 28, 2012 at 12:24 am | #

      Danny will keep quiet. If not to protect his relationship with Amazi-girl, than to protect this feeling of superiority over Amber.

      • begbert2
        begbert2
        November 28, 2012 at 10:45 am | #

        And over Dorothy.

        Danny is superior to many, many people.

  13. Kernanator
    Kernanator
    November 28, 2012 at 12:12 am | #

    Second panel Dorothy scares me.

    • Chronos
      Chronos
      November 28, 2012 at 6:51 am | #

      Third panel Dorothy is hilarious.

  14. Nexev
    Nexev
    November 28, 2012 at 12:12 am | #

    Danny you arent supposed to tell people your girlfriend is a superhero, next thing you know you get a chainsaw shoved up your ass.

    • Plasma Mongoose
      Plasma Mongoose
      November 28, 2012 at 12:19 am | #

      Or stuffed into a fridge.

    • TPman
      TPman
      November 28, 2012 at 1:55 am | #

      Well he can’t fit into one of those little dorm fridges until his limbs are pared of can he?

      • GrrArg42
        GrrArg42
        November 28, 2012 at 2:17 am | #

        No! Not my mini-fridge! He’ll get blood all over my pudding cups.

      • Rex Hondo
        Rex Hondo
        November 28, 2012 at 2:20 am | #

        Well, that’s generally how it works, regardless.

    • Aegon01
      Aegon01
      November 28, 2012 at 3:21 am | #

      The first rule of dating a superhero is that you do NOT tell anyone you are dating a superhero.

      • Historyman68
        Historyman68
        November 28, 2012 at 8:09 am | #

        Second rule is that you inevitably WILL.

      • Vincent
        Vincent
        November 28, 2012 at 4:28 pm | #

        I am not dating a superhero.

        Wait, I’m confused. Did I get that right?

  15. JK9000
    JK9000
    November 28, 2012 at 12:13 am | #

    Danny’s face is amazing every panel of this strip, but I think I like panel 4’s the best.

    • Geegles
      Geegles
      November 28, 2012 at 12:41 am | #

      Very pouty-eight-year-old.

  16. Andy
    Andy
    November 28, 2012 at 12:17 am | #

    Well played, sir.

  17. NCP19
    NCP19
    November 28, 2012 at 12:21 am | #

    I like how Danny doesn’t even open his eyes to chat with Dotty now. Indifference level up!

    • Effie
      Effie
      November 28, 2012 at 12:44 am | #

      He’s maxed out his indifference bar! *level up music from Fire Emblem starts playing*

  18. Aizat
    Aizat
    November 28, 2012 at 12:35 am | #

    Danny, she could do anything for the information.Let the sinister thoughts and machinations begin.

  19. Effie
    Effie
    November 28, 2012 at 12:46 am | #

    Dotty what is the secret of your magic eyebrows? they get large, then disappear, then reappear above your head. Teach me your ways.

    • Fernando
      Fernando
      November 28, 2012 at 5:18 am | #

      They were launched to outer space in the 3rd panel, only to land on top of her head in the 4th.

  20. Twirls
    Twirls
    November 28, 2012 at 12:54 am | #

    “With the Glasses!”

  21. Uniqueantique
    Uniqueantique
    November 28, 2012 at 1:10 am | #

    Considering that the only place he is ‘dating’ Amazi-girl is in his head, he needs to shut up now. Enjoy those trump cards while you got ’em Danny boy.

    • DanielleM
      DanielleM
      November 28, 2012 at 1:18 am | #

      I don’t think it’s exactly delusional for him to say they’re dating. They’re spending a lot of time together and they have a romantic interest in each other. Amber is using her alter ego to get close to him. Amber didn’t deny him being her Lois Lane after all. Just because they aren’t getting physical yet doesn’t mean there’s nothing between them.

      • bunivasal
        bunivasal
        November 28, 2012 at 1:25 am | #

        Even if Amber is into Danny, the presumptive “We’re dating, even though I haven’t asked you out” has spooked speculative partners in real life and the “How dare you ask out the person I was disguised as!” is a wackiness-ensues type trope older than Shakespeare.

        • DanielleM
          DanielleM
          November 28, 2012 at 1:43 am | #

          Amber seems pretty into this whole being with Danny as Amazi-Girl thing though although I’m sure she’ll get tired of it eventually as she grows increasingly jealous of herself but they both have that fantasy of him eventually figuring out who she is after having kissed them both.

    • Dicrel Seijin
      Dicrel Seijin
      November 28, 2012 at 1:57 am | #

      It’s too late. It doesn’t matter if Danny says anything more. Dotty’s going to stalk him waiting to see if Amazi-Girl shows. All Dotty has to do then is throw Danny’s words back in his face.

  22. PrincessCarlos
    PrincessCarlos
    November 28, 2012 at 1:21 am | #

    I don’t like it when Willis makes ’em all faz like. Creeps me out.

    • T Campbell
      T Campbell
      November 28, 2012 at 4:11 am | #

      Faz doesn’t OWN the “closed-eyes” look. Jughead had it first.

      • Zeptometer
        Zeptometer
        November 28, 2012 at 1:24 pm | #

        Faz bought it from Jughead’s mother.

  23. Zeptometer
    Zeptometer
    November 28, 2012 at 1:36 am | #

    Willis you fucking bastard, you made his face look like Faz’s on purpose

    • todd
      todd
      November 28, 2012 at 3:04 am | #

      I can’t wait until we meet DoA Faz

      • Elricaltovilla
        Elricaltovilla
        November 28, 2012 at 5:39 pm | #

        Every time someone says that, Willis pushes Faz’s debut in DoA back another week. As a Faz despiser…

        I can’t wait to meet DoA Faz 😛

  24. MLBlue
    MLBlue
    November 28, 2012 at 3:14 am | #

    My hatred for Danny seems to be growing with each strip. Hes reaching Roomies Joyce levels of insufferableness.

    • Dr.Z
      Dr.Z
      November 28, 2012 at 3:57 pm | #

      You need a hug.

      Virtual HUG. Engage!

      • MLBlue
        MLBlue
        November 29, 2012 at 3:14 am | #

        Hug received. Urge to kill fading…fading…RISING!…fading…gone. 🙂

  25. Plasma Mongoose
    Plasma Mongoose
    November 28, 2012 at 3:46 am | #

    It’s not going to work Dotty, Amazi-Girl’s chest puppies are bigger than yours.

    • Portmaneau
      Portmaneau
      November 28, 2012 at 4:18 am | #

      This

    • Rex Hondo
      Rex Hondo
      November 28, 2012 at 4:45 am | #

      But we should get them to smoosh them together for close comparison.

      Just to be sure.

      • George
        George
        November 28, 2012 at 5:26 am | #

        For science!

        • Portmaneau
          Portmaneau
          November 28, 2012 at 7:52 am | #

          Make-outs in the name of SCIENCE

  26. Guy
    Guy
    November 28, 2012 at 5:51 am | #

    If only Danny could decide between Amazi-Girl and Amber…hey you know they look kinda alike. You don’t think…naaaaah!

  27. Jimmy
    Jimmy
    November 28, 2012 at 6:16 am | #

    Funny a lot of people seem to be hating Danny now. I’m actually liking him more and more.

    • Genera
      Genera
      November 28, 2012 at 6:35 am | #

      I was thinking the same thing. He finally stops being a doormat – how dare he? Dorothy has been flat out trying to use him, first for shoes then for her personal ambition, since first thing this morning.

      I’m not sure if I’m more displease about the using or about it being 7 AM. I am not a morning person.

      • Dr.Z
        Dr.Z
        November 28, 2012 at 3:52 pm | #

        “I’m not sure if I’m more displease about the using or about it being 7 AM. I am not a morning person”

        With Dorothy, there is no need to choose! 🙂

      • Vincent
        Vincent
        November 28, 2012 at 4:44 pm | #

        7 am for me. I am not a morning person.

  28. AJBulldis
    AJBulldis
    November 28, 2012 at 6:17 am | #

    Why do you people keep saying that everyone with closed eyes looks like Faz? First off, there is a specific smile that goes with the closed eyes look! Second of all, you’re silly nincompoops!

    • Yotomoe
      Yotomoe
      November 28, 2012 at 7:41 am | #

      Faz with no smile is no Faz at all. (except that one time)

  29. Dr.Z
    Dr.Z
    November 28, 2012 at 8:32 am | #

    Oh boy.

    You know, I think I’ve figured Dorothy out a bit.

    She’s spoiled.

    She is used to getting what she wants, when she wants it, and doesn’t understand ‘no.’ Things need to be on her terms, and she does not fathom offering compromise or negotiate.

    You notice that she offers a lot of ultimatums, but does not offer things to other parties they might want? No effort to compromise? It doesn’t even come to her mind.

    She just threatens Amzi-Girl:
    http://www.dumbingofage.com/2012/comic/book-2/04-time-keeps-on-slippin/side/

    And she threatens Walky:
    http://www.dumbingofage.com/2012/comic/book-2/05-saturdays-all-right-for-slighting/no/

    • DaJoshMaster
      DaJoshMaster
      November 28, 2012 at 10:26 am | #

      Which is why Walky is perfect for her, he ain’t gonna let no woman cramp is manliness. That’s why he chooses the Jeans over her in your example. 😛

      • Dr.Z
        Dr.Z
        November 28, 2012 at 3:54 pm | #

        Hee, hee. Yeah.

        He seems to just be a puss to other men (or at least just Mike).

        Perhaps this will be a good influence on her. At least until she gets her invite to Harvard or Yale, or some such (if she can hack it).

    • begbert2
      begbert2
      November 28, 2012 at 10:51 am | #

      Dorothy knows that she’s right about everything. Why should a person who’s right about everything bother with negotiation? Other people should simply recognize that she’s right and do what she wants.

      • Dr.Z
        Dr.Z
        November 28, 2012 at 3:55 pm | #

        Lol.

        It fits her actions perfectly.

  30. jimbo
    jimbo
    November 28, 2012 at 8:49 am | #

    i love danny’s “closed eyes the whole time” facial expressions

  31. Blob Marley
    Blob Marley
    November 28, 2012 at 9:31 am | #

    DOES
    SHE
    HAVE
    CHEST
    WINDOWS?

    8-F

  32. JBO
    JBO
    November 28, 2012 at 9:46 am | #

    WHY IS DANNY KEEPING HIS EYES CLOSED THE WHOLE TIME?
    Seriously its so creepy its feaking me out.

  33. Bill Murphy
    Bill Murphy
    November 28, 2012 at 10:55 am | #

    Contribution. It’s all about contribution. 😉

  34. davidbreslin101
    davidbreslin101
    November 28, 2012 at 11:42 am | #

    Comics in all caps confuse my poor tiny brain sometimes. I read Danny’s line as “So you want my shoes and my amazi-girl”, like amazi-girls are a common, generic sort of item.

    • begbert2
      begbert2
      November 28, 2012 at 2:50 pm | #

      The possessive he put on her name does have a rather casually possessive vibe which is only enhanced due to being put right alongside the shoes, which I assume he’s deliberately doing for the sake of having a little haughty humor while pointing out that Dorothy is only here to ask him for things.

      tldr: I think you actually read it right the first time.

    • Jackson
      Jackson
      November 28, 2012 at 6:37 pm | #

      Well, we already have two universes, each with its own Amazi-Girl. Given the precedent set by superhero comics for parallel realities, if David Willis keeps doing comics for long enough, we could be positively swimming in Amazi-Girls.

  35. ArkhamTexan
    ArkhamTexan
    November 28, 2012 at 3:49 pm | #

    “Reading” this strip by ignoring the word bubbles and just looking at the art is pretty darn hilarious on its own. Great expressions.

  36. Dr.Z
    Dr.Z
    November 28, 2012 at 5:19 pm | #

    This is awesome!

    My spouse saw the random header pic of Dorothy kissing Walky, and wondered why two girls were kissing.

    You have successfully made a caramel bishie, Mr. Willis.

    (Applauds.)

  37. Derek
    Derek
    November 28, 2012 at 6:46 pm | #

    THIS SUBJECT IS NOT RELATED TO THE CURRENT STRIP
    TRIGGER WARNING FOR SEXUAL ASSAULT

    I was recently reading of the terrible story of the 11-year-old girl who was gang raped in a trailer by men ranging from middle-schoolers to 26-year-olds.
    The New York Times ran an article where they described the victim as “dressing as a 20-year-old” and “hanging out with older boys” (stay classy NYT).

    This is of course an aspect of rape culture: blaming the victim for the clothes she was wearing and who she was with.

    How it’s related to DoA: when Joyce was assaulted, she wasn’t drinking alcohol and she wasn’t dressed provocatively. And yet she was still attacked.
    So I wonder: did David Willis do that on purpose? To show that regardless of how one is dressed and what one is doing, a person can always be victimized?
    Or maybe he did so no one in the comments could say “well she WAS showing shoulders, the hussy”.
    What are your thoughts?

    Either way, my respect for Willis has increased now that I have realized this. He is the only webcomic artist (and comic artist in general!) that has tackled the subject of sexual assault without brushing off the controversial issues that come with it.
    I know this is terribly belated, but bravo Willis.

  38. Drew
    Drew
    November 28, 2012 at 7:45 pm | #

    Ok first off, love this comic. I just found it a couple days ago, and I read the whole thing so far. But has it really taken Willis two years to get us a month into the first semester of college?

    • begbert2
      begbert2
      November 28, 2012 at 9:45 pm | #

      Wait, we’re a month in? When did that happen? What year is this?

  39. averystrangeplace
    averystrangeplace
    December 18, 2012 at 11:30 pm | #

    “YOU CAN TELL HOW SERIOUS I AM BECAUSE WHAT I’M SAYING IS BOLDED.”

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