Dumbing of Age Book Eleven

Dumbing of Age

A college webcomic by David Willis
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September 20, 2023

Retire

by David M Willis on September 14, 2018 at 12:01 am
  • 01 - Flyin' to the Red

└ Tags: carla, joyce, sal

Discussion (219) ¬

[ Comments RSS ]
  1. Ana Chronistic
    Ana Chronistic
    September 14, 2018 at 12:02 am | #

    I thought Sal LIKED ruttin’

    • toby
      toby
      September 14, 2018 at 12:05 am | #

      she’s just not interesting in adding Carla to it

      • Pablo360
        Pablo360
        September 14, 2018 at 12:36 am | #

        Hey, once you go Carla, you’ll realize that nothing rhymes with Carla.

        • Rowen Morland
          Rowen Morland
          September 14, 2018 at 1:03 am | #

          Parlour?

        • Miri
          Miri
          September 14, 2018 at 1:32 am | #

          Darla? Koala? Moana?

          Once you go Carla, you’ll go as far aa Moana?
          Once you go Carla, you’ll feel more sexually frustrated than a koala? *falls down an agirlandherfed.com archive binge but doesn’t find the perfect Speedy page*
          Once you go Carla, you’ll stop searching the alphabet and won’t hit on Darla?

          • Delicious Taffy
            Delicious Taffy
            September 14, 2018 at 4:50 am | #

            She’s a fish killer.

          • El Chupacabre
            El Chupacabre
            September 14, 2018 at 3:17 pm | #

            Onve you go Carla you never join the South Carolina Administrative and Regulatory Law Association. Which is a real thing, you’re welcome.

        • Reltzik
          Reltzik
          September 14, 2018 at 5:54 am | #

          Marla.

        • Ana Chronistic
          Ana Chronistic
          September 14, 2018 at 3:52 pm | #

          Once you go Carla, you won’t go that far…la

          • Ana Chronistic
            Ana Chronistic
            September 14, 2018 at 3:53 pm | #

            Once you go Rutten, you gonna be headbuttin’

    • butts
      butts
      September 14, 2018 at 12:06 am | #

      slap-jackin’

      bonky-tonkin’

      • ShinyNeen
        ShinyNeen
        September 14, 2018 at 12:09 am | #

        Now you’re just making up words.

        • Tim
          Tim
          September 14, 2018 at 1:57 am | #

          To quote Thor, “All words are made up.”

      • Homer Sexual
        Homer Sexual
        September 14, 2018 at 10:51 am | #

        Boffing, knobbing

    • Plasma Mongoose
      Plasma Mongoose
      September 14, 2018 at 12:57 am | #

      Carla is like Beetlejuice?

      • HeySo
        HeySo
        September 14, 2018 at 3:49 am | #

        No, don’t be absurd.
        ..you have to call Beetlejuice’s name three times.
        Carla you only have to think about.
        Mike doesn’t even need that.

        • Reltzik
          Reltzik
          September 14, 2018 at 5:55 am | #

          I thought that was Bloody Mary.

          • Clif
            Clif
            September 14, 2018 at 8:19 am | #

            Your misunderstanding. Plasma Mongoose means if you say Beetlejuice’s name three times, _Carla_ shows up. Mike doesn’t work at all like Beetlejuice. If you want to meet Mike you have to go to your mother’s bedroom under the right conditions. Also Beetleju… Oh, hi, Carla.

            • Annonymouse
              Annonymouse
              September 14, 2018 at 3:48 pm | #

              The only name that you never live to say to completion is Candle Ja……….

              • Michael
                Michael
                September 14, 2018 at 4:12 pm | #

                It’s an older meme sir, but it checks out.

              • Thorn
                Thorn
                September 14, 2018 at 7:35 pm | #

                No, no, you can and HAVE TO say Candle Jack to completion, but once you…………….

                • HeySo
                  HeySo
                  September 15, 2018 at 1:04 am | #

                  This nesting has evidentally been Candle Hi-Jacked. :X

                  Too bad that we can’t fin-

  2. Nono
    Nono
    September 14, 2018 at 12:03 am | #

    That’s is a real Billie-like expression on Carla.

    • mrnoidea
      mrnoidea
      September 14, 2018 at 4:00 am | #

      I always thought Carla looked like Billie after seeing her on the cover for Book 6.

  3. Bagge
    Bagge
    September 14, 2018 at 12:03 am | #

    Sal: So Radical

    • Proxiehunter
      Proxiehunter
      September 14, 2018 at 12:10 am | #

      Totaly.

      • Dana
        Dana
        September 14, 2018 at 12:40 am | #

        Tubular even.

        • Delicious Taffy
          Delicious Taffy
          September 14, 2018 at 5:26 am | #

          “Totally tubular, dude.”

  4. TrueVCU
    TrueVCU
    September 14, 2018 at 12:04 am | #

    But is Carla incorrect?

    (She is not)

  5. lilyliv
    lilyliv
    September 14, 2018 at 12:04 am | #

    Well, now I have a plethora of questions. (First and foremost, why is Carla the actual best?)

    • Spaz
      Spaz
      September 14, 2018 at 2:16 am | #

      Faz has made a chart.

      And I, Faz, have also made this other chart, about how all other ships except Faz and Carla are obsolete.

      • Deanatay
        Deanatay
        September 14, 2018 at 8:17 am | #

        Not a pairing – two separate ships.

        The ‘Carla’ ship is self-explanatory – she is the best.

        The ‘Faz’ ship is people appreciating the fact that Faz is alone.

        • Annonymouse
          Annonymouse
          September 14, 2018 at 4:04 pm | #

          It is out to sea
          It has lost its rudder and gone to meet i’ts maker
          It is a lost ship
          Bereft of navigation
          It flounders in a Sargasso sea
          If someone hadn’t given him a chart it would be rusting in peace housing clown fish
          Its run down the straits of Hormuz and joined the Flying Dutchman
          Its off the books
          Its motive processes are now defunct
          Davy Jones called and got a not in service message
          This is an EX ship

  6. ShinyNeen
    ShinyNeen
    September 14, 2018 at 12:04 am | #

    Ooh, I’ve been dying to know about that Rutten jacket! It’s existence mystifies me. Probably because I don’t know enough about Carla.

    • laladoria
      laladoria
      September 14, 2018 at 12:13 am | #

      When was it seen before this?

      • ShinyNeen
        ShinyNeen
        September 14, 2018 at 12:24 am | #

        There’s a couple pictures on the DoA tumblr- a panel preview and a drawing of Sal (clothing reference, I think?).

        The Dumblr of Age has some great stuff on it!

    • Kamino Neko
      Kamino Neko
      September 14, 2018 at 12:47 am | #

      Carla’s parents own a tech company…Carla, at least, owns a phone made by them…it’s probably either corporate swag passed on to her, or licensed apparel she picked up before actually meeting Carla.

      • All-Purpose Guru
        All-Purpose Guru
        September 14, 2018 at 1:31 am | #

        See, that’s why DoA is fun. Technically, Carla is going to school here with people who are her parents in another timeline, who own a tech company, so we kept the tech company part and kinda “nudge nudge wink wink say no more say no more” the awkward bits.

      • Needfuldoer
        Needfuldoer
        September 14, 2018 at 1:58 am | #

        My guess would be the latter; Ruttech probably sponsors a superbike and/or or Formula 1 team.

  7. Dafydd
    Dafydd
    September 14, 2018 at 12:04 am | #

    Pull out the Catholic school outfit, Joyce!

    • abysswatcher1993
      abysswatcher1993
      September 14, 2018 at 12:14 am | #

      Two things Joyce doesn’t like: admiting that evolution is real, and Catholic paraphernalia. If she sees a genetically cloned dinosaur pope she is going to faint.

      • Dana
        Dana
        September 14, 2018 at 12:41 am | #

        To be fair, if I saw a cloned dinosaur pope I might faint.

        • Wizard
          Wizard
          September 14, 2018 at 12:49 am | #

          If I saw a cloned dinosaur Pope, I might convert to Catholicism.

          • Regalli
            Regalli
            September 14, 2018 at 12:59 am | #

            Depends, what’s Dino-Pope’s stance on clerical celibacy?

            • K^2
              K^2
              September 14, 2018 at 1:53 am | #

              That it’s a clerical error.

              • Clif
                Clif
                September 14, 2018 at 9:21 am | #

                Oooo. Can you go to purgatory for laughing at a bad joke if it’s a good one?

                • Annonymouse
                  Annonymouse
                  September 14, 2018 at 4:07 pm | #

                  Maybeee … its all for a bit of a giggle plus you get early release for good behaviour.

      • Makkabee
        Makkabee
        September 14, 2018 at 12:43 am | #

        A genetically cloned dinosaur pope in a plaid miniskirt and white knee-socks.

        And a miter. You can’t tell a dino-pope from a dino-cardninal without the miter.

        • Clif
          Clif
          September 14, 2018 at 8:27 am | #

          And all his dinosaur friends ask “What’s the miter with you?”

      • Reltzik
        Reltzik
        September 14, 2018 at 5:57 am | #

        Cloning is against Catholic doctrine. Most popes are just plain ol’ dinosaurs.

    • BBCC
      BBCC
      September 14, 2018 at 12:33 am | #

      Ahahahhahahaahaha you’re funny.

      Seriously though, things get too Catholic and Joyce’ll break out in hives.

      • ShinyNeen
        ShinyNeen
        September 14, 2018 at 12:40 am | #

        Yeah, I could only see Joyce pulling it out to throw it in the trash.

        But Sal hates the uniform too, right? Given where she got it from? Maybe there’s a way she and Sal could bond over that?

        • Reltzik
          Reltzik
          September 14, 2018 at 5:58 am | #

          BURN IT!

        • BBCC
          BBCC
          September 14, 2018 at 9:04 am | #

          Sadly, Sal still needs it for days her parents show up.

          • ShinyNeen
            ShinyNeen
            September 14, 2018 at 1:18 pm | #

            “Sorry, mah deranged neighbor went nuts an’ destroyed mah school uniform a while back. An’ I can’t ‘zactly get another from here, so… well, this is how ah dress normally. Ah guess you’ll just have to get used to me lookin’ like this.”

            … okay, yeah, fine. Wouldn’t work. : (

            • thejeff
              thejeff
              September 14, 2018 at 2:31 pm | #

              It’s not like the Catholic School uniform helped when she last saw them, so why not.

              • BBCC
                BBCC
                September 14, 2018 at 4:00 pm | #

                School uniform might not help but I guarantee Sal’s normal clothes will hurt.

  8. DailyBrad
    DailyBrad
    September 14, 2018 at 12:05 am | #

    Huh. Wonder why. I know her parents seem to be well off, hence why Mary really couldn’t retaliate, but I don’t recall what all they do, or why the name would be on the jacket.

    • King Daniel
      King Daniel
      September 14, 2018 at 12:07 am | #

      As far as we’re aware, Carla’s parents run some sort of multi-million-dollar (multi-billion-dollar?) tech company, and at least some of their stuff involves lasers – Carla borrowed some of their stuff and used it to spell out her name when she pranked Mary.

      • Regalli
        Regalli
        September 14, 2018 at 12:38 am | #

        Lasers, right. I probably should have checked the prank scene like I did the ‘and that’s what Ultra Car means to me’ one.

        We can also conclude that the Ruttens have some active role in creating and designing their products, between the ‘my dad scratch-built me this toy’ story and Carla being an engineering major. (As opposed to, say, accounting.)

    • Regalli
      Regalli
      September 14, 2018 at 12:31 am | #

      Her parents own a tech company called Ruttech, most notable for making smartphones with a built-in AI known as ‘Zoomer’. Carla’s indicated that some of the things she got for pranking (like the LEDs that spelled out her name during the Mary payback Rube Goldberg) were supplied by them, so we can presume they do more than phones. We also have the story of how Carla’s dad scratch-built her an Ultra Car toy as a kid that could transform into at least three different modes. That takes serious engineering and designing props plus access to good plastic and/or metal, plus the tools to cut and shape and assemble everything. (And we saw said Ultra Car in a Patreon strip, confirming she was on-model and pretty high quality. Again, for a scratch built toy, that is impressive. Wouldn’t be surprised if Mr. Rutten’s a hobbyist.)

      So I’m guessing that while they have a lot of Zoomer money, they’re also a very prolific tech company in general. Why Sal has clothes with (presumably) their branding, no clue, but they probably sponsor shit the way Verizon or Samsung do.

      • BBCC
        BBCC
        September 14, 2018 at 12:34 am | #

        Mrs. Rutten helped build it too. Carla’s from an engineering family!

        • Regalli
          Regalli
          September 14, 2018 at 12:42 am | #

          I saw the strip and missed that somehow. Even sweeter! (And clearly the two of them are an engineering powerhouse couple.)

          • BBCC
            BBCC
            September 14, 2018 at 9:39 am | #

            Yep, Carla’s family are tech giants.

            • Dean
              Dean
              September 14, 2018 at 10:44 am | #

              Not literal giants, though. But Carla’s pretty tall…

      • Liquid Len
        Liquid Len
        September 14, 2018 at 8:01 am | #

        Ruttech probably has the latest in 3D printing technology. Even 10 years ago, you could do some amazing things with the right 3D printers.

        • Regalli
          Regalli
          September 14, 2018 at 10:50 am | #

          Entirely possible, yeah, and that was my first instinct before I checked the strip, but the term ‘scratch build’ isn’t really associated with 3D printing, just model making. I feel like if that was used to a significant degree, Carla would have mentioned it.

          • Liquid Len
            Liquid Len
            September 14, 2018 at 1:21 pm | #

            True enough on the term “scratch build.” My thought is that this was a shorthand way of describing “non-commercial toy”

            But speaking as an engineer who’s been doing this sort of thing for a while, I’d probably have drawn it all up in a CAD program, and then it would be relatively simple to feed that into an SLA, SLS, or other industrial type 3D printer. I’ve also worked with model makers who could do amazing things with basic materials.

            • Annonymouse
              Annonymouse
              September 14, 2018 at 4:16 pm | #

              I have seen enough on creativity using CNC milling machines right down to hacksaws and a set of files to make elaborate prototype parts and assemblies – nothing in that realm surprises me – not even the Z-scale vehicles on a friends layout.

      • Roborat
        Roborat
        September 14, 2018 at 3:05 pm | #

        I assumed they sponsored a motorcycle race team, like Redbull does, but in their case, they also make the tech that is used by the team.

  9. Stephen Bierce
    Stephen Bierce
    September 14, 2018 at 12:05 am | #

    *plays Spin Doctors’ “Two Princes” on the hacked Muzak*

    • Stephen Bierce
      Stephen Bierce
      September 14, 2018 at 12:07 am | #

      And Carla must be related to Lenny and/or Squiggy. Certainly not both though. That would be too darn weird. Even for this strip.

  10. King Daniel
    King Daniel
    September 14, 2018 at 12:05 am | #

    Guess Carla’s previously-displayed ability to apparate when her name is spoken wasn’t a one-time deal.

    • King Daniel
      King Daniel
      September 14, 2018 at 12:31 am | #

      http://www.dumbingofage.com/2017/comic/book-8/02-this-is-the-way-that-we-love/hobble/

    • Reltzik
      Reltzik
      September 14, 2018 at 6:03 am | #

      …..

      ….. okay, we need to turn this into FTL tech, like, yesterday.

  11. Madock345
    Madock345
    September 14, 2018 at 12:05 am | #

    Rutten?

    I don’t get it

    • Madock345
      Madock345
      September 14, 2018 at 12:06 am | #

      Wait is it actually Carla’s name? Thought that was a joke.

      • Regalli
        Regalli
        September 14, 2018 at 12:06 am | #

        Nope. Carla’s last name is Rutten.

        • Roborat
          Roborat
          September 14, 2018 at 3:09 pm | #

          Yup, if she goes to vacation in a Scandinavian country, and happens to fall into some garbage while rollerblading inappropriately, you can say that something is Rutten in the state of Denmark.

          – I will just show myself out, shall I?

      • Amazi-Stool
        Amazi-Stool
        September 14, 2018 at 4:01 pm | #

        You can see the full names of the members of the main cast on their individual cast pages.

        Example: Carla Rutten

  12. butts
    butts
    September 14, 2018 at 12:05 am | #

    everything’s better with Carla

    • Cute Carla
      Cute Carla
      September 14, 2018 at 11:22 am | #

      Carla is the best

  13. Regalli
    Regalli
    September 14, 2018 at 12:06 am | #

    I reiterate my comments about Joyce and boundaries.

    Carla however is a delightful force of nature. (Also, apparently Sal likes Zoomer phones or something? OR HAS JOINED THE ROLLER DERBY? Hopefully we find out tomorrow!)

    • Jamie
      Jamie
      September 14, 2018 at 12:19 am | #

      … look, Joyce does have a lot of problems with crossing boundaries, but she did fine in this strip. She asked permission before doing anything and didn’t do anything she didn’t get permission for.

      • BBCC
        BBCC
        September 14, 2018 at 12:35 am | #

        I think they’re referring to the general recurring issue of ‘treating Sal like a life size barbie’.

        • drs
          drs
          September 14, 2018 at 12:38 am | #

          I think Sal can take care of herself in this respect. If she wanted to lay down the law she could.

          • Regalli
            Regalli
            September 14, 2018 at 12:50 am | #

            Her expression suggests she’s not totally fine with it, any more than she’s totally fine with Joyce waking her up in the morning. At best that says ‘resigned’, and Joyce clearly won’t stop despite clear indications she’s unwelcome. (Also, I’m not certain Sal’s ever been able to develop really good boundaries around her physical appearance, given the age she was straightening her hair around and her conflicted feelings about it. That says to me Charles and/or Linda pressuring her started pretty early.)

            • BBCC
              BBCC
              September 14, 2018 at 9:07 am | #

              The only boundary we really know she’d be good at enforcing is the gloves stay on (and even that we only know from Willis’ comment about how in the slip shine, Jason was originally going to try to take them off and Sal was going to smack his hand away).

              • Roborat
                Roborat
                September 14, 2018 at 3:12 pm | #

                You know, every time the glove thing is mentioned, I always wonder how bad her hands must smell, always being encased in gloves like that.

                • BBCC
                  BBCC
                  September 14, 2018 at 3:18 pm | #

                  …I mean, I assume she showers.

    • Delicious Taffy
      Delicious Taffy
      September 14, 2018 at 5:02 am | #

      This is entirely unrelated, but who’s that character in your gravatar, Regalli? She looks extremely familiar, and I swear she’s Marvel-related.

      • Regalli
        Regalli
        September 14, 2018 at 10:52 am | #

        Amethyst of Gemworld, from the animated miniseries that aired back in 2012! (Man I wish Cartoon Network and DC had realized what they had there. The short was fun and cute and we could’ve gotten playsets.)

        • Delicious Taffy
          Delicious Taffy
          September 14, 2018 at 6:43 pm | #

          Oh, cool, I’ve seen a few issues of her comic at the local collectibles store. It seems interesting, if it’s anything like that short.

        • BBCC
          BBCC
          September 14, 2018 at 6:50 pm | #

          I’m surprised they didn’t. Maybe they thought “War on a homeworld where all the nobles are from houses named for gemstones’ was too much like Steven Universe plus Game of Thrones?

  14. MatthewTheLucky
    MatthewTheLucky
    September 14, 2018 at 12:07 am | #

    I guess Sal’s a fan of one of her parent’s motorcycle design skills.

  15. Derek
    Derek
    September 14, 2018 at 12:10 am | #

    I thought Joyce would volunteer to sew up the jacket

    • MatthewTheLucky
      MatthewTheLucky
      September 14, 2018 at 12:13 am | #

      But that would require giving it back after, instead of keeping it once Sal throws it out.

      • Dean
        Dean
        September 14, 2018 at 12:29 am | #

        She will sleep with it on henceforth.

    • Regalli
      Regalli
      September 14, 2018 at 1:06 am | #

      It’s a pretty big tear, and the jacket might be leather. Might be harder to patch up than Joyce has the skills or resources for.

      • Regalli
        Regalli
        September 14, 2018 at 1:16 am | #

        Actually probably not leather looking closely, but heavier material isn’t out of the question. Plus I think the tear is on a seam for a sleeve? Probably a good idea for that to be able to withstand heavier use.

        • Inahc
          Inahc
          September 14, 2018 at 2:16 am | #

          It being on a seam actually makes it easier to fix discreetly, but the one basic stitch that most people know won’t be strong enough. Gotta sew that up real tight and make sure it can’t stretch or fray out. I don’t know the actual names of any of the stitches, but the one I’d use is like a bunch of little knots around the tear (on the inside, of course).

          • Regalli
            Regalli
            September 14, 2018 at 10:59 am | #

            Yeah, I figured it was doable, but certainly beyond my ability and probably one of those things you want someone with more than basic knowledge doing.

            Actually though, IU has an Apparel and Textiles either major or school. Take it there, Sal! Someone there will do it for a reasonable rate and won’t ask questions!

            • BBCC
              BBCC
              September 14, 2018 at 8:01 pm | #

              *Academics nerd*

              Yep, Indiana U has a fashion design major.

      • Needfuldoer
        Needfuldoer
        September 14, 2018 at 2:13 am | #

        Depends on whether the material tore, or the seam let go. Sewing isn’t too difficult to figure out, but good looking seams take practice. Thicker materials like canvas and leather are kind of a pain in the ass, too. Sal could probably have a tailor fix her jacket for a lot less than an equivalent new one would cost.

  16. abysswatcher1993
    abysswatcher1993
    September 14, 2018 at 12:12 am | #

    Is this the part where Joyce discovers Carla is the daughter of bazillionaires or the part where Joyce develops a linking for motor culture?

    • tim gueguen
      tim gueguen
      September 14, 2018 at 12:16 am | #

      I’m worried this is the part where Joyce discovers Carla is a trans woman and blabs it to everyone.

      • Nono
        Nono
        September 14, 2018 at 12:40 am | #

        Eh, ‘everyone’ probably only means Becky at this point. The rest of the dorm seems to already know. At the very least, Mary and Agatha/Mandy do.

        • Proxiehunter
          Proxiehunter
          September 14, 2018 at 1:16 am | #

          And I can’t see Mary knowing without outing her to everyone in an attempt to cause trouble.

          • Delicious Taffy
            Delicious Taffy
            September 14, 2018 at 1:31 am | #

            Mary knows.

            • King Daniel
              King Daniel
              September 14, 2018 at 1:39 am | #

              Yeah, Mary knowing – and intentionally misgendering – Carla a while back was a whole…thing, to put it lightly.

              • Knayt
                Knayt
                September 14, 2018 at 10:02 pm | #

                I’m pretty sure what Proxiehunter was saying is that because Mary knows we can assume everyone knows, because her first move would have been to tell everyone. The rest of her tactics came from that failing to actually do anything.

            • Kamino Neko
              Kamino Neko
              September 14, 2018 at 2:41 am | #

              She knows, and is an absolute fuckhole about it. Warning for transphobia. (Might be obvious, given context, but better safe than blindsiding somebody with that.)

              • Delicious Taffy
                Delicious Taffy
                September 14, 2018 at 4:48 am | #

                Stop trying to hornswoggle me into binging Willis’s comics, people. I already spent the past week in a Shortpacked! hole, I don’t need to reread this one on top of that.

                • Inahc
                  Inahc
                  September 14, 2018 at 1:08 pm | #

                  Me too! (Somedude is kiiinda reminding me of the comments section there)

            • Proxiehunter
              Proxiehunter
              September 14, 2018 at 4:14 am | #

              My point was that with Mary knowing I’m sure damn near everyone knows, because Mary would have made sure of it.

              • thejeff
                thejeff
                September 14, 2018 at 7:54 am | #

                Mary wouldn’t necessarily.
                Mary doesn’t blab. Mary hoards. Mary saves for blackmail. Mary waits until she can do real damage.

                • tim gueguen
                  tim gueguen
                  September 14, 2018 at 4:12 pm | #

                  Exactly.

                • Amazi-Stool
                  Amazi-Stool
                  September 14, 2018 at 4:14 pm | #

                  So like Mike regarding this!

  17. Mollyscribbles
    Mollyscribbles
    September 14, 2018 at 12:15 am | #

    First guess, sponsorship deal when Sal did some legit motorcycle racing?

    • tim gueguen
      tim gueguen
      September 14, 2018 at 12:25 am | #

      I think it’s more likely to have some connection to Sal’s robberies.

      • Delicious Taffy
        Delicious Taffy
        September 14, 2018 at 12:51 am | #

        Oh, please, everything is connected to Sal’s robberies. If Sal, Marcie, Ethan, Amber, Blaine, Leland, Ryan, Walky, Ken, Mr. & Mrs. Walkerton, Billie, Mike, Stacy, Yuri, or Faz are involved, it’s going to be related to those specific incidents. That’s the law, don’t blame me, I voted against that bill, I don’t make the rules.

        • Dana
          Dana
          September 14, 2018 at 1:01 am | #

          The robberies also feature prominently in Galasso’s plans for world domination.

  18. Koms
    Koms
    September 14, 2018 at 12:17 am | #

    I don’t understand Joyce’s expression in the last panel.

    • BarerMender
      BarerMender
      September 14, 2018 at 12:35 am | #

      I speculate Joyce is wondering why Sal would have a Carla jacket, and since Joyce never gets laid, her mind goes straight to sex. “Oh, my God, were Sal and Carla lovers?” Even though Sal is straight and we have no clue which way Carla swings.

      • Dana
        Dana
        September 14, 2018 at 12:54 am | #

        Orientation is constant across universes. Carla is asexual homoromantic, unless her being “trans-chassis” in the other universe complicates the general rule. The homoromantic bit has been strongly hinted at in her behavior vis-a-vis Malaya.

        • King Daniel
          King Daniel
          September 14, 2018 at 1:04 am | #

          Carla’s trans-chassis status in the other universe (as Ultra-Car) translates into her being trans in this ‘verse – her orientation is unaffected by it.

        • thejeff
          thejeff
          September 14, 2018 at 8:09 am | #

          Her behavior with Malaya was creepy and weird. It came out of nowhere, was completely blatant, in front of Marcie, who she should know is interested and Sal who’s feuding with Malaya and on the outs with Marcie.
          It seemed to be begging for emotional abuse, which was also out of the blue, not really hinted at by anything we’ve seen before.

          I’m completely reserving judgment on what it might mean until we see some followup.

      • Regalli
        Regalli
        September 14, 2018 at 12:55 am | #

        Asexual, homoromantic. (Note her interest in Malaya and her ‘I agree with you, girls are super cute’ or something similar line during one of her chats with Ruth” while expressing distaste for the sexy stuff.) Confirmed in the old universe, indicated through dialogue and Willis’s ‘no Slipshine for Carla’ rule here.

        • BarerMender
          BarerMender
          September 14, 2018 at 7:04 am | #

          I couldn’t groove on the other universes, but I had the impression in this one that Carla might be ace.

          • BBCC
            BBCC
            September 14, 2018 at 4:12 pm | #

            Yep, ace, homoromantic and sex-repulsed.

    • BenRG
      BenRG
      September 14, 2018 at 2:08 am | #

      It is surprise, I think. I don’t think that she made the connection between the logo on the bike jacket and Carla. Heck, I doubt that she even knew that it was Carla’s name before Sal pointed it out.

  19. Rukdug
    Rukdug
    September 14, 2018 at 12:23 am | #

    Carla has clearly invented and makes use of a personal teleportation device. Or has created a stealthfield from her observations of Dina’s sneaking skills.

    • Marsh Maryrose
      Marsh Maryrose
      September 14, 2018 at 12:38 am | #

      At some point, do Carla and Joyce face off in some kind of teleportation contest? And what even is a teleportation contest? (I.e., what kind of metrics are used to evaluate proficiency in teleportation?)

      • Delicious Taffy
        Delicious Taffy
        September 14, 2018 at 12:46 am | #

        Clearly, a teleportation contest compares speed, accuracy, cooldown time, bypassable materials/energies, and visual coolness.

      • ShinyNeen
        ShinyNeen
        September 14, 2018 at 12:47 am | #

        Based on what they’ve been using their teleportation for, their competition would probably be about ability to be wherever is most narratively relevant.

        Billie could get in on the competition, if she were allowed to arrange for people to whisper “booze” over and over.

        • Dana
          Dana
          September 14, 2018 at 1:05 am | #

          Alcohol powered teleportation is a thing.

      • Proxiehunter
        Proxiehunter
        September 14, 2018 at 1:18 am | #

        And then Dina steps out from behind a door and wins.

    • HeySo
      HeySo
      September 14, 2018 at 3:57 am | #

      I mean, a more rational perspective would be that Joyce left the door open when she barged in, and curiosity-driven Carla decided to peek in or was just randomly running back and forth through the halls to relieve boredom (as she is wont to do) and happened to pass by at the right moment.

      Of course, this is Carla, so high-tech hijinks do in fact seem more likely.

      • thejeff
        thejeff
        September 14, 2018 at 8:12 am | #

        Though Joyce most likely barged in through the half-bath, not the hall door.

        • HeySo
          HeySo
          September 15, 2018 at 1:02 am | #

          That’s true. Makes you wonder which room Carla barged in through, then. 😛

  20. Kernanator
    Kernanator
    September 14, 2018 at 12:25 am | #

    Speak of the Carla and she will appear.

    • King Daniel
      King Daniel
      September 14, 2018 at 12:31 am | #

      She’s displayed this ability before: http://www.dumbingofage.com/2017/comic/book-8/02-this-is-the-way-that-we-love/hobble/

  21. Pl0x
    Pl0x
    September 14, 2018 at 12:28 am | #

    Sal x Carla, yes please

    • Roger
      Roger
      September 14, 2018 at 12:31 am | #

      Nice

    • BBCC
      BBCC
      September 14, 2018 at 12:36 am | #

      This is basically what we were all screaming about on Patreon last night, yes.

      • Pl0x
        Pl0x
        September 14, 2018 at 12:56 am | #

        When I saw the jacket on Tumblr, I thought it was Carla’s and had lent it to Sal.

      • Marsh Maryrose
        Marsh Maryrose
        September 14, 2018 at 1:10 am | #

        The heart ships what it ships, but canon…ah, the hell with canon.

        • Delicious Taffy
          Delicious Taffy
          September 14, 2018 at 4:27 am | #

          Canon is just a cheap tactic to make weak ships stronger.

          • Amazi-Stool
            Amazi-Stool
            September 14, 2018 at 4:19 pm | #

            Cannon, on the other hand, is a heavy tactic to make ships sink!

        • BBCC
          BBCC
          September 14, 2018 at 10:38 am | #

          This is shipping. What’s canon got to do with it? 😛

  22. Alaztyr
    Alaztyr
    September 14, 2018 at 12:30 am | #

    Okay Willis, how much to I have to pledge to get Joyce in Sal’s old jacket? Or even in the 9th book; I’ll wait if I have to

  23. JessWitt
    JessWitt
    September 14, 2018 at 1:20 am | #

    Sal’s a Barbie Girl
    In Joyce Brown’s world.
    A leather jacket.
    And she’s fantastic.

    Joyce can brush Sal’s hair.
    And lend her clothes to wear.
    Oh, irritation
    Sal’s close to frustration.

    • Delicious Taffy
      Delicious Taffy
      September 14, 2018 at 5:08 am | #

      Come on, Fuckface
      Let’s go-

      What rhymes with “Fuckface”? Duck face? Car chase? Pod race?

      • ǝ snow ʍousɐ
        ǝ snow ʍousɐ
        September 14, 2018 at 9:41 am | #

        “Suck face”, like kissing?

        • Delicious Taffy
          Delicious Taffy
          September 14, 2018 at 6:44 pm | #

          That’s bestiality.

  24. Keulen
    Keulen
    September 14, 2018 at 1:40 am | #

    So is this going to be Joyce dresses everyone today part 2?

    • BenRG
      BenRG
      September 14, 2018 at 2:07 am | #

      I doubt it’s everyone; only the girl she’s got a crush on.

      • Delicious Taffy
        Delicious Taffy
        September 14, 2018 at 5:08 am | #

        No, Dorothy’s studying.

        • Bagge
          Bagge
          September 14, 2018 at 10:34 am | #

          Right, so she will TOTALLY need a fetching studying outfit.

    • Emperor Norton II
      Emperor Norton II
      September 14, 2018 at 2:08 pm | #

      So it is going to be another day full of hoodies?

  25. cbwroses
    cbwroses
    September 14, 2018 at 1:59 am | #

    So my guess is Sal used to work for Carla’s parents’ company in some fashion (or was sponsored by them as someone else suggested) and that was how she was able to afford her motorcycle.

    • Needfuldoer
      Needfuldoer
      September 14, 2018 at 2:20 am | #

      If it’s something like a used Kawasaki 300R, it wasn’t terribly expensive in the grand scheme of things. Certainly attainable working a summer job when you don’t have any other expenses.

  26. cbwroses
    cbwroses
    September 14, 2018 at 2:02 am | #

    So was I the only one who couldn’t pull up the site in the last few hours?
    I had to reset my iPad before I could get here.

  27. BenRG
    BenRG
    September 14, 2018 at 2:06 am | #

    So, I’m thinking that Carla’s dad’s company sponsors and/or owns a motor racing team.

    Carla’s response time is freaky. I’m guessing that she’s hanging around the room still hoping that she can impress Sempai (Malaya) and guessed from hearing Sal’s reaction that she’d pulled out her Rutten Motorcross team jacket.

  28. Spaz
    Spaz
    September 14, 2018 at 2:14 am | #

    To be fair, she IS a motherfucking goddess

  29. Needfuldoer
    Needfuldoer
    September 14, 2018 at 2:21 am | #

    H- hi, plaid Carla.

    • Delicious Taffy
      Delicious Taffy
      September 14, 2018 at 4:24 am | #

      Plaid is a confusing, mind-boggling phenomenon, and most people would rather avoid drawing it. Willis, the madman, flaunts it about as wrapping paper for his overpowered queer girls.

      • BBCC
        BBCC
        September 14, 2018 at 10:39 am | #

        It’s an artistic power move.

        • Roborat
          Roborat
          September 14, 2018 at 3:19 pm | #

          It’s also the fastest warp speed possible.

          • Roborat
            Roborat
            September 14, 2018 at 3:19 pm | #

            Which explains how she got there.

      • Needfuldoer
        Needfuldoer
        September 15, 2018 at 8:02 pm | #

        Plaid just makes girls even cuter. That’s scientific fact.

  30. Stoodmuffin
    Stoodmuffin
    September 14, 2018 at 2:56 am | #

    Missed you, Carla!

    Days I’ve been struggling with disphoria, Carla’s cameos always help me through

    • Stoodmuffin
      Stoodmuffin
      September 14, 2018 at 2:58 am | #

      Tbf, Sal, you made that outfit work.

  31. Eldritch Gentleman
    Eldritch Gentleman
    September 14, 2018 at 3:30 am | #

    It takes an engineering degree to construct an ego as massive as Carla’s without it collapsing under its own weight.

    • thejeff
      thejeff
      September 14, 2018 at 8:16 am | #

      Very likely, it takes an elaborately engineered apparatus to keep Carla’s fragile ego propped up to the point no one realizes how flimsy the foundation is.

      • Eldritch Gentleman
        Eldritch Gentleman
        September 14, 2018 at 10:46 am | #

        Quite, considering what kind of life she had (even if her parents were loving and supportive), yeah she needs quite a scaffolding for that.

  32. BenRG
    BenRG
    September 14, 2018 at 4:27 am | #

    Here’s a prediction: Joyce isn’t going to let that leather jacket have a quiet retirement. She is a seamstress (I can’t see Carol letting her lack that critical home-making skill), so she’s going to fix the jacket and wear it whenever she needs to feel cool and confident. The fact that it mildly smells of Sal will be a bonus, although she’d never admit that to herself.

    • thejeff
      thejeff
      September 14, 2018 at 8:17 am | #

      And by “mildly smells of Sal”, we mean “strongly smells of cigarettes”.

      • BenRG
        BenRG
        September 14, 2018 at 8:37 am | #

        Yeah, that occurred to me too and, yes, I’m not sure that Joyce would differentiate.

        • RIK
          RIK
          September 14, 2018 at 10:01 am | #

          We have evidence that she doesn’t.

      • ValdVin
        ValdVin
        September 14, 2018 at 4:48 pm | #

        The smell of ‘cool’ that never goes away.

        (Wish I had a Sarah grav for this one.)

  33. Zaxares
    Zaxares
    September 14, 2018 at 4:37 am | #

    I know this is just a gag and I shouldn’t read too much into it, but that’s… actually not good, Carla. Thinking that everybody’s always talking about you and possibly secretly judging you is pretty much buying an express ticket to Paranoia/Anxiety/Depression Town.

    • Ainara
      Ainara
      September 14, 2018 at 6:03 am | #

      I took the joke to be more about self-centeredness. “Everyone’s talking about me all the time because I’m great” and all.

      • Emperor Norton II
        Emperor Norton II
        September 14, 2018 at 2:10 pm | #

        Not great.

        A motherfucking goddess.

        (This reply paid for by the ‘Carla Is a Motherfucking Goddess and Don’t You Forget It’ Committee.)

        • thejeff
          thejeff
          September 14, 2018 at 2:33 pm | #

          Carla is great and I stand in her shadow as a bug a terrible pitiful bug.

    • Jago
      Jago
      September 14, 2018 at 9:20 am | #

      Yeah I think for her it’s the other way around. Which is also a thing. Egocentrism and all.

      • Zaxares
        Zaxares
        September 15, 2018 at 5:37 am | #

        Which is also not a good thing. XD Case in point, the egocentric sitting in the White House right now…

  34. emmavoid
    emmavoid
    September 14, 2018 at 4:45 am | #

    I love Carla <3

    • BarerMender
      BarerMender
      September 14, 2018 at 6:47 am | #

      Me, too. She’s had to build a bulletproof ego because of all the abuse she took as a trans kid, and she wants to be an asshole so she doesn’t have to care, but she cares all the same.

      • thejeff
        thejeff
        September 14, 2018 at 8:18 am | #

        And wants to be known as an asshole so when people hate her it’ll at least be for the fake asshole persona, not for her real self.

        Cause that doesn’t hurt nearly so much.

        • BenRG
          BenRG
          September 14, 2018 at 8:38 am | #

          Which is a shame because, if she was less defensive, I suspect that Amber and Joyce would gladly befriend such a smart and helpful woman. Of course, that’s the tragedy of just about every introverted personality, isn’t it?

        • Clif
          Clif
          September 14, 2018 at 9:11 am | #

          What you said exactly, except applied to Mike. And without the fake part.

          • Clif
            Clif
            September 14, 2018 at 9:12 am | #

            Reply to thejeff ninjad by BenRG.

        • BarerMender
          BarerMender
          September 14, 2018 at 9:42 am | #

          Well said.

  35. Darkoneko
    Darkoneko
    September 14, 2018 at 9:26 am | #

    She’s like Beetlejuice

    • Remmington Steele
      Remmington Steele
      September 14, 2018 at 12:41 pm | #

      I’m sorry but who’s that?

      • autogatos
        autogatos
        September 14, 2018 at 3:11 pm | #

        Old cartoon/movie in which a wacky guy appears when you say his name (three times?)

        • Roborat
          Roborat
          September 14, 2018 at 3:22 pm | #

          You aren’t playing the game properly.

          • Khyrin
            Khyrin
            September 14, 2018 at 3:52 pm | #

            Betelgeuse has an associated game? I thought it was just the movie and Cartoon!
            or is this more like a Candlejack thi-

  36. Jago
    Jago
    September 14, 2018 at 9:29 am | #

    …oh, at first I thought that was Carla’s and she was there because she and Malaya… but that’s actually Sal’s jacket, right? (How many motorcycle clothes can a person have? How many do you *need*?)

    • BBCC
      BBCC
      September 14, 2018 at 9:39 am | #

      One suit of actual motorcycle gear and then just lots of leather clothes.

  37. fire_daws
    fire_daws
    September 14, 2018 at 10:20 am | #

    My question is which families richer, Ellicott-Chatham or Rutten?

    • tim gueguen
      tim gueguen
      September 14, 2018 at 4:21 pm | #

      Probably Ellicot-Chatham, since Hannerdad apparently is responsible for a large chunk of what makes sentient AI in the QCverse possible, and Beatrice has the business ethics of a James Bond villain.

    • Daisy
      Daisy
      September 14, 2018 at 7:01 pm | #

      If you count the Ellicott-Chathams as two families, as Hannerlore’s parents are separated, I think Ruttech will have the edge. And Carla is definitely more Rich Kid than Hanners, but then Carla’s parents in the old universe were very supportive despite their flaws whereas Beatrice is A Problem.

      Now I’m off to see if Carla has ever met Joe…

      • Daisy
        Daisy
        September 14, 2018 at 7:02 pm | #

        The answer is not especially!

        Also Hannerdad spends his time and funds developing things like space pizza delivery so I’m not sure about his profit margins.

        • King Daniel
          King Daniel
          September 14, 2018 at 11:34 pm | #

          On the other hand, if he has the time and money to develop things like space pizza delivery…

    • Secret foreigner
      Secret foreigner
      September 14, 2018 at 11:56 pm | #

      Hanners dad helped invest AI and has a damn space station. I don’t know much about Carlas parents, but Hanners parents should have them topped, at least if you consider their combined wealth.

  38. Emperor Norton II
    Emperor Norton II
    September 14, 2018 at 12:32 pm | #

    Well, if that Carla comment isn’t 100% absolute classic Carla, I don’t know what is.

  39. Remmington Steele
    Remmington Steele
    September 14, 2018 at 12:41 pm | #

    “There is only one thing in life worse than being talked about, and that is not being talked about.”

  40. SpaceshipPilot
    SpaceshipPilot
    September 14, 2018 at 12:59 pm | #

    A Rutten brand racing outfit? For some reason I’m reminded of that
    scene in Iron Man 2.

    I wonder what Rutten Tech builds other than smart phones. Suits of powered armour? Wouldn’t be surprised.

  41. Regalli
    Regalli
    September 14, 2018 at 1:31 pm | #

    By the way, Fart Captor, shout outs for dealing with yesterday’s Asshole who is now Today’s Twitter Asshole who is just doubling down on his homophobia. Appreciated. He won’t learn anything but I appreciate not seeing him call us all sycophants for saying ‘yeah no, queer people get tired of straightness as societal default when we must be hidden For The Children, leaving our community’s young to suffer, and we’re all kind of Done With That Shit.’

    • Emperor Norton II
      Emperor Norton II
      September 14, 2018 at 1:56 pm | #

      Fart Captor has no patience for assholes.

      Think about it.

      • Regalli
        Regalli
        September 14, 2018 at 4:22 pm | #

        *Fingerguns*

    • adjudicus
      adjudicus
      September 14, 2018 at 10:39 pm | #

      Oof. Yeah, that guy’s a real piece of work.

  42. Regalli
    Regalli
    September 14, 2018 at 4:28 pm | #

    And he just keeps going on, too. It’s almost impressive how he keeps bringing up new, exciting validations for getting into the moderation queue forever.

    • BBCC
      BBCC
      September 14, 2018 at 5:08 pm | #

      Take a shot every time he cries censorship.

      It’s five o’clock where I am, it’s okay.

  43. Grikath
    Grikath
    September 14, 2018 at 6:27 pm | #

    Being a dutchman, that name **, given proper inflection to account for the last “N” , would be any and all reason not to ever wear that jacket.
    No, not even sarcastically…

    Pox on our prime minister and his party of Goons….

    (yes unintentional, but what is the actua chance…..)

    ** including the misspelling you get in anglophonic newpapers who don’t spell….. wait … check. period.

  44. BBCC
    BBCC
    September 15, 2018 at 12:41 am | #

    Late, but I love Sal’s beleaguered older sister-ness here. Like “*sigh* okay, okay, you can pick something out but I get final say’ is such a big sister thing to say.

  45. Rartorata
    Rartorata
    October 11, 2018 at 6:43 pm | #

    Carla must love it when a plan comes together.

Who's that guy over there?

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