Dumbing of Age Book Twelve

Dumbing of Age

A college webcomic by David Willis
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May 12, 2026

Successful

by David M Willis on November 27, 2019 at 12:01 am
  • 01 - Birthday Pursuit
└ Tags: becky, dina, grace, mike

Discussion (76) ¬

[ Comments RSS ]
  1. BBCC
    BBCC
    November 27, 2019 at 12:02 am | #

    Oh, Becky. Self esteem is hard.

    • Reltzik
      Reltzik
      November 27, 2019 at 12:05 am | #

      That it is.

      … but it’s easier if you tie up Ana in the basement so you can nab first post, right? ;p

      • auroki
        auroki
        November 27, 2019 at 12:07 am | #

        It’s ok. She has a good supply of cheetos and what we assumr is drinkable liquid down there.

        • Doctor_Who
          Doctor_Who
          November 27, 2019 at 12:13 am | #

          It’s drinkable at least once.

      • Yumi
        Yumi
        November 27, 2019 at 12:09 am | #

        *banging pots and pans together* Let her out! Let her out!

        • Marsh Maryrose
          Marsh Maryrose
          November 27, 2019 at 12:35 am | #

          Leave Ana alone!

      • BBCC
        BBCC
        November 27, 2019 at 12:18 am | #

        You can’t prove anything and I want my lawyer.

        • Clif
          Clif
          November 27, 2019 at 12:47 am | #

          And even if they can, it isn’t impeachable.

          • He Who Abides
            He Who Abides
            November 27, 2019 at 5:03 am | #

            And even if it is, the economy will tank if you try.

            • thejeff
              thejeff
              November 27, 2019 at 7:18 am | #

              BBCC’s loyal followers won’t stand for it. There’ll be civil war if you try!

              • BBCC
                BBCC
                November 27, 2019 at 12:20 pm | #

                Ain’t i a stinker though? 😛

      • Julez
        Julez
        November 27, 2019 at 12:34 pm | #

        …huh… still no sign of Ana. Maybe this was more true than initially thought.

        • BBCC
          BBCC
          November 27, 2019 at 1:56 pm | #

          I repeat: You can’t prove anything and I want my lawyer.

    • Deathjavu
      Deathjavu
      November 27, 2019 at 12:06 am | #

      Her self esteem seems pretty soft here, actually.

    • Yumi
      Yumi
      November 27, 2019 at 12:06 am | #

      What is self-esteem if not the feeling that you provide adequate services for others?

      …What?

      • Mustachio
        Mustachio
        November 27, 2019 at 6:03 am | #

        What are we if not slaves to this torment?

  2. Doctor_Who
    Doctor_Who
    November 27, 2019 at 12:03 am | #

    Any party that features free pizza, Dina, and a cat is already perfect, so don’t strain yourself, Becky.

  3. ValdVin
    ValdVin
    November 27, 2019 at 12:03 am | #

    “I do not worry about rehearsing my conversations with you”, said the smoothtalker. I mean, it is very on-brand.

  4. Reltzik
    Reltzik
    November 27, 2019 at 12:04 am | #

    …. maybe a bit more communication is in order, here.

  5. Gallio
    Gallio
    November 27, 2019 at 12:04 am | #

    Mike having an existential crisis on the sofa in the background.

    • Reltzik
      Reltzik
      November 27, 2019 at 12:05 am | #

      A very carefully-couched crisis.

      • Stephen Bierce
        Stephen Bierce
        November 27, 2019 at 12:07 am | #

        Looks like his state bird is a rumpled grouse.

    • Sunny
      Sunny
      November 27, 2019 at 12:08 am | #

      What are the odds of him trying alcohol and becoming nice?

      • Doctor_Who
        Doctor_Who
        November 27, 2019 at 12:14 am | #

        I wonder if this Mike knows about his affable alter ego yet. That would be a fun journey of discovery to witness.

      • Keulen
        Keulen
        November 27, 2019 at 12:24 am | #

        Is there even alcohol at this party?

        • Delicious Taffy
          Delicious Taffy
          November 27, 2019 at 12:34 am | #

          There’s always alcohol at a party. Even if nobody brought any, it’s somehow still there.

          • JessWitt
            JessWitt
            November 27, 2019 at 2:06 am | #

            It’s the work of those dang alcohol pixies.

            • 0kami
              0kami
              November 29, 2019 at 8:26 pm | #

              What’s this about Billie?

        • Lingo
          Lingo
          November 27, 2019 at 12:34 am | #

          Nope.

        • Wizard
          Wizard
          November 27, 2019 at 12:36 am | #

          There’s not supposed to be. Whether that holds or not is another question.

      • Icalasari
        Icalasari
        November 27, 2019 at 9:06 pm | #

        Could be the start of an arc for him. He becomes an alcoholic because he wants to be liked, and then there is a whole, “Well he’s hurting himself by drinking, but then he becomes an asshole if NOT drinking” thing where we see which characters do the right choice and which do the selfish choice

  6. Miri
    Miri
    November 27, 2019 at 12:04 am | #

    Aaw I love how confident in their relationship Dina is, but do wish Becky could reciprocate it and stop putting ridiculous pressure on herself!

    Also, Mike’s face is partially hidden and I want to know if he’s having an epiphany, or a sad, or just being Mike…

    • Stephen Bierce
      Stephen Bierce
      November 27, 2019 at 12:08 am | #

      Why not all of the above? Your options are not at all mutually exclusive.

    • Gallio
      Gallio
      November 27, 2019 at 2:30 am | #

      In the first panel, his shoulders are sagging. In the last panel, he looks as if he’s about to cry. Amazing that Willis can convey so much emotion in a character who’s only minimally visible.

  7. Kyrik Michalowski
    Kyrik Michalowski
    November 27, 2019 at 12:04 am | #

    I want to give Becky a hug because she is clearly trying very hard, but I also want to avoid human contact.

    • Doctor_Who
      Doctor_Who
      November 27, 2019 at 12:15 am | #

      Perfect avatar.

  8. Teddae
    Teddae
    November 27, 2019 at 12:06 am | #

    this comic made my skin clear, my grades high, my crops watered, my children happy

  9. Emperor Norton II
    Emperor Norton II
    November 27, 2019 at 12:08 am | #

    First, Dina:

    DOOOOOOOOOFUUUUUUUUUUS!

    That is all.

    • Bagge
      Bagge
      November 27, 2019 at 2:39 am | #

      That is all.

  10. Stephen Bierce
    Stephen Bierce
    November 27, 2019 at 12:09 am | #

    And today’s strip is sponsored by Playstation 4 and the new Crash Bandicoot game.

    • Delicious Taffy
      Delicious Taffy
      November 27, 2019 at 12:16 am | #

      Woah.

  11. Nono
    Nono
    November 27, 2019 at 12:10 am | #

    Wow, panel 6 Becky, without her fringe in her face, looks pretty boyish.

    • Opus the Poet
      Opus the Poet
      November 27, 2019 at 3:20 am | #

      Specifically like Archie Andrews. One wonders where Betty and Veronica are hiding.

      • Khyrin
        Khyrin
        November 27, 2019 at 6:54 am | #

        Betty is blonde, Veronica is raven-haired, therefore Joyce is Betty, Dina is Veronica.

        • Roborat
          Roborat
          November 28, 2019 at 4:06 pm | #

          Well, since Betty and Veronica are identical aside from the hair, it would be Walky (Betty) and Sal (Veronica).

  12. 0kami
    0kami
    November 27, 2019 at 12:12 am | #

    Ah, the sweet adorkable innocence of Becky/Dina.

    Too bad they’re already showing signs of shaking apart.

    • Yumi
      Yumi
      November 27, 2019 at 12:17 am | #

      I have a Dina magnet that I’ve kept on my car for a while, and I have a Becky magnet that I got more recently but I can’t put it on my car because what if they break up and then my car makes me sad and I have to remove one of the magnets

      • Delicious Taffy
        Delicious Taffy
        November 27, 2019 at 12:41 am | #

        Funny enough, I just got the same characters as magnets. If you keep ’em separated because you’re scared they’ll break up, you’ll only hold back your car’s gay potential.

    • Marsh Maryrose
      Marsh Maryrose
      November 27, 2019 at 12:38 am | #

      It’s the first relationship for both of them, and let’s just enjoy them enjoying it for now.

    • Fart Captor
      Fart Captor
      November 28, 2019 at 4:01 am | #

      Shaking apart my ass, they’ve got the healthiest relationship of anyone in the comic, and I’m including friendships in that

  13. Suet
    Suet
    November 27, 2019 at 12:15 am | #

    After the first 2 hours of any party, it’s just a joy free-for-all for everyone.

    That includes you two. Chill out and sink in this night

    • Suet
      Suet
      November 27, 2019 at 1:20 am | #

      And since Willis’ buffer has just increased by 3 weeks…

      *dastardly plays Jars of Clay’s Unforgetful You on the Hacked Muzak*

  14. Keulen
    Keulen
    November 27, 2019 at 12:21 am | #

    Dina looks extremely adorable in panel 2. Though to be fair, she almost always looks adorable.

  15. RacingTurtle
    RacingTurtle
    November 27, 2019 at 12:28 am | #

    Becky now that you have a job and a roof, perhaps the next rung on your ladder of needs should be a therapist?

    Haha sad Mike

  16. Pocky
    Pocky
    November 27, 2019 at 12:29 am | #

    Becky continues to be the best

  17. abysswatcher1993
    abysswatcher1993
    November 27, 2019 at 12:33 am | #

    So much cuteness… Can Blaine and Toedad die on their way to their planet-I mean this party?

    • Bagge
      Bagge
      November 27, 2019 at 12:39 am | #

      They started a fight over the remote and had to spend the night in motel prison.

      So sad.

    • Marsh Maryrose
      Marsh Maryrose
      November 27, 2019 at 12:39 am | #

      Uh…you do know who writes this comic, right?

    • BenRG
      BenRG
      November 27, 2019 at 5:23 am | #

      It isn’t time for Ross and Blaine to emerge from their evil lair (motel room) just yet. I think that we need to hear what I suspect will be the pillow talk between Sal and Asher first to set up that confrontation.

    • Lone Duck
      Lone Duck
      November 27, 2019 at 6:25 am | #

      I mean, if the party was at the dorm, sure. But Becky’s apartment (paid by Robin) would probably be hard for Blaine and Toedad to look up especially given their tech savviness.

  18. Bagge
    Bagge
    November 27, 2019 at 12:38 am | #

    Pictured: Becky does not unreservedly feel that she does not need to prove herself to Dina.

  19. NF
    NF
    November 27, 2019 at 12:41 am | #

    Painful feels of relatableness about this one.

  20. PB
    PB
    November 27, 2019 at 1:56 am | #

    First and second panel: Yay Dina!

    Fourth and fifth panel: Oh no Becky

    Fifth panel: Oh no Mike

    • Roborat
      Roborat
      November 28, 2019 at 4:08 pm | #

      Sixth panel: Oh Yea! (Koolaid man bursts through wall).

  21. BenRG
    BenRG
    November 27, 2019 at 2:10 am | #

    A sweet little conversation and a reminder that Becky has a truck-load of insecurities all of her own! I wonder how long she’s going to have to struggle with the fear of not being good enough? Quite possibly forever because lots of people naturally get hit by that fear in different parts of their lives.

    • Zaxares
      Zaxares
      November 27, 2019 at 6:10 am | #

      Speaking from personal experience, yeah, it’s sadly a lifetime deal. 😛 If you’re lucky, you’ll find a partner who’s understanding of your insecurities and will make the effort to soothe that wretched demon whenever it rears its head. You never completely exorcise it though. It’s like a little voice that’s always whispering in the back of your skull that you’re not good enough for them, you’ll never be good enough, and one day they’ll see through you for the fraud you are and leave you. And you know it’s all BS, that it’s just your neuroses speaking, but it can still be hard not to let it affect you.

      • Happilychaotic
        Happilychaotic
        November 27, 2019 at 6:18 am | #

        Speaking from personal experience, It doesn’t necessarily need to be a lifetime deal. Although it did require a lot of patience and reassurement on the part of my boyfriend and also a lot of therapy.

      • Happilychaotic
        Happilychaotic
        November 27, 2019 at 6:22 am | #

        (and that wasn’t meant to dismiss your personal struggles in any way, only to reassure those suffering from this feeling.)

      • He Who Abides
        He Who Abides
        November 27, 2019 at 7:56 pm | #

        Good to know I’m not the only one who has this problem.

  22. Alfie
    Alfie
    November 27, 2019 at 4:03 am | #

    Becky being her usual adorable baby butch self

  23. DarkoNeko
    DarkoNeko
    November 27, 2019 at 7:23 am | #

    *look at first panel* oh gods Mike is joining the party
    *think for 3 seconds* he was talking to Danny last time, dumbarse, of course he’s in the party. -_-

    • Twirls
      Twirls
      November 27, 2019 at 11:48 pm | #

      I also forgot that Danny was at the party, so…

  24. Deanatay
    Deanatay
    November 27, 2019 at 8:24 am | #

    Poor Becky, she has a ToeDad in her head, doesn’t she?

  25. Rabisch
    Rabisch
    November 27, 2019 at 8:34 am | #

    Is so hard to be happy.

  26. Megan Rivera
    Megan Rivera
    November 27, 2019 at 11:07 am | #

    Dina is easily my favorite. Her relationship with Becky is so sweet.

  27. Elsendor
    Elsendor
    November 27, 2019 at 5:19 pm | #

    I LOVE THEM AAAAAA

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