Dumbing of Age Book Eleven

Dumbing of Age

A college webcomic by David Willis
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September 20, 2023

Groove

by David M Willis on September 11, 2020 at 12:01 am
  • 01 - This Bright Millennium


└ Tags: becky, dorothy, joyce

Discussion (222) ¬

[ Comments RSS ]
  1. Ana Chronistic
    Ana Chronistic
    September 11, 2020 at 12:04 am | #

    Fake beef: like real beef, but saltier!

    Come to think of it, after my first year, I never had the same roommate in college more than one semester

    idk how I managed the year with the first one, either

    (I assume she got pulled out after the botched-forgery-she-never-paid-me-for incident)

    • BarerMender
      BarerMender
      September 11, 2020 at 12:36 am | #

      In the Air Force, I soon had a room to myself. No one could live with me. I loved it.

    • Rae Callaway
      Rae Callaway
      September 11, 2020 at 3:36 am | #

      My first college roommate got married (I attended). My second college roommate was all gaga for a guy, but several years after I left that school, she came out with a girlfriend. I told her, it was awesome ( I had both a roommate that accepted her status and a friend that found her first marriage partner, so I didn’t care about the sex of said partner at ALL) Unfortunately, I don’t think she believed that I really didn’t care what her identity was and just accepted her, so I haven’t heard from her since she moved to CA. I still miss her. No one in my life could respond with the sarcasm that she had. 🙁 One of these days I will find her again. Friendship is important to me.

  2. Spencer
    Spencer
    September 11, 2020 at 12:06 am | #

    I can’t believe Sierra is dead.

    • Bicycle Bill
      Bicycle Bill
      September 11, 2020 at 12:09 am | #

      She had to leave.

      • Bagge
        Bagge
        September 11, 2020 at 12:15 am | #

        Heh!

      • All-Purpose Guru
        All-Purpose Guru
        September 11, 2020 at 1:45 am | #

        Nooooooooo

      • Chronos
        Chronos
        September 11, 2020 at 3:53 am | #

        …her planet needed her…?

        • Felix
          Felix
          September 12, 2020 at 3:03 am | #

          Best reply, have an internet cookie. Though I wouldn’t eat it, it’s pretty old.

    • Kyrik Michalowski
      Kyrik Michalowski
      September 11, 2020 at 12:15 am | #

      Sierra got eaten by an allosaurus.

      • Bagge
        Bagge
        September 11, 2020 at 12:16 am | #

        Dina: “Whaaaaaat?”

      • BarerMender
        BarerMender
        September 11, 2020 at 12:37 am | #

        Sierra got eaten by Gra– You know what? Never mind.

        • Slartibeast Button, BIA
          Slartibeast Button, BIA
          September 11, 2020 at 1:21 am | #

          She might have been eaten by a Grue.

        • Roborat
          Roborat
          September 15, 2020 at 4:01 pm | #

          Or Mandy

      • Ace
        Ace
        September 12, 2020 at 12:10 pm | #

        Sierra is Pizza Girl?

    • Cattleprod
      Cattleprod
      September 11, 2020 at 12:21 am | #

      I assume related to walking around barefoot in January?

      • Reltzik
        Reltzik
        September 11, 2020 at 2:27 am | #

        She was going to move in with Grade and Mandy, but she got cold feet.

        • FacelessDeviant
          FacelessDeviant
          September 11, 2020 at 10:06 am | #

          Heyoooo!

          • clif
            clif
            September 11, 2020 at 1:58 pm | #

            Cymbal/Drum.

  3. MatthewTheLucky
    MatthewTheLucky
    September 11, 2020 at 12:06 am | #

    In which Dorothy begins her campaign of psychological torment towards Becky.

    • BarerMender
      BarerMender
      September 11, 2020 at 12:38 am | #

      Is that your coat tossed on the floor? I assume you meant for me to wipe my feet on it. *wipe, wipe*

      • MatthewTheLucky
        MatthewTheLucky
        September 11, 2020 at 1:02 am | #

        No, no, she has to keep up friendly appearances until Becky finally loses it at her inability to phaze Dorothy, then befriend Becky for real.

        Then she plunges in the knife.

        • clif
          clif
          September 11, 2020 at 1:59 pm | #

          Order is important.

  4. Bicycle Bill
    Bicycle Bill
    September 11, 2020 at 12:06 am | #

    Called it — Becky has her own room (and roommate).
    Now, who was Dorothy’s old roommate, and what happened to her?

    p/s – site was up early today.

    • MatthewTheLucky
      MatthewTheLucky
      September 11, 2020 at 12:07 am | #

      Sierra.

      • Deanatay
        Deanatay
        September 11, 2020 at 10:20 am | #

        She will be Missed.

      • clif
        clif
        September 11, 2020 at 2:02 pm | #

        She went back to Nevada.

        • thejeff
          thejeff
          September 11, 2020 at 3:05 pm | #

          Or back to her madre.

      • Juanoku
        Juanoku
        September 11, 2020 at 4:52 pm | #

        Can’t believe Sierra is fucking dead

        • clif
          clif
          September 11, 2020 at 11:58 pm | #

          Is that anything like the walking dead?

  5. Chris
    Chris
    September 11, 2020 at 12:06 am | #

    I’ve lost track. Who was Dorothy’s previous roommate?

    • DarkoNeko
      DarkoNeko
      September 11, 2020 at 12:07 am | #

      ….Amber ? Crap, did she really drop out ?

      • General Tekno
        General Tekno
        September 11, 2020 at 12:08 am | #

        No, Amber was Dina’s roommate.

      • JetstreamGW
        JetstreamGW
        September 11, 2020 at 12:09 am | #

        Amber is Dina’s roommate.

      • DarkoNeko
        DarkoNeko
        September 11, 2020 at 12:09 am | #

        Oh, Spencer points to Sierra and now that they mention it, I remember her beeing booted out of the room that ONE time hahaha

      • Meanderling
        Meanderling
        September 11, 2020 at 12:09 am | #

        Nah, Amber is Dina’s roomie. Sierra is Dorothy’s, maybe she’s moved off campus.

      • MatthewTheLucky
        MatthewTheLucky
        September 11, 2020 at 12:09 am | #

        It was Sierra.

      • Octo
        Octo
        September 11, 2020 at 12:10 am | #

        No Amber is with Dina. Dorothy was with Sierra

      • Nathan West
        Nathan West
        September 11, 2020 at 12:11 am | #

        I thought so at first, but no Amber was through the shared bathroom.

        • CrazyJ
          CrazyJ
          September 11, 2020 at 12:21 am | #

          I hope this doesn’t mean we lost Sierra though.

          • Dara
            Dara
            September 11, 2020 at 12:31 am | #

            Sierra could’ve joined a sorority, too. At least some places, you can’t move to the house until either 1) there’s room or 2) at least one quarter (or semester I guess) has passed.

            • BBCC
              BBCC
              September 11, 2020 at 12:47 am | #

              That would still fulfill requirements for living at IU in freshman year (I think) so that would be cool!

      • BarerMender
        BarerMender
        September 11, 2020 at 12:40 am | #

        Maybe Willis ran out of story for Amber and got rid of her. She died falling from a building. Right onto Sierra.

        • a/snow/mous/e
          a/snow/mous/e
          September 11, 2020 at 12:48 am | #

          D:

      • Opus the Poet
        Opus the Poet
        September 11, 2020 at 1:03 am | #

        Amber is third silhouette to the right of Joyce in the cast reveal poster under the comic, next to Mike.

    • Schpoonman
      Schpoonman
      September 11, 2020 at 12:29 am | #

      Sierra.

  6. Astaphe
    Astaphe
    September 11, 2020 at 12:07 am | #

    inb4 Dorothy and Becky wind up running against each other in the Democratic primary 20 years from now

    • abysswatcher1993
      abysswatcher1993
      September 11, 2020 at 12:13 am | #

      Then Becky separates from the Democratic Party to create her own “awesome gay party”.

      • monica
        monica
        September 11, 2020 at 12:16 am | #

        Then she remembers how much of a pain political campaigns can be and decides to go into business throwing “awesome gay parties”

        • Astaphe
          Astaphe
          September 11, 2020 at 12:36 am | #

          and then still somehow wins the nomination.

        • Captain Oblivious
          Captain Oblivious
          September 11, 2020 at 12:38 am | #

          And ends up being, not only the first independent since Washington to win the presidency, but the first candidate to win after withdrawing, because the parties are just that awesome and gay!

        • Smiling Cat
          Smiling Cat
          September 11, 2020 at 3:22 am | #

          As a straight man, if I had to choose between throwing awesome gay parties or going into politics, I’d choose the gay parties all the time.

    • Jamie
      Jamie
      September 11, 2020 at 4:39 pm | #

      I wish it were plausible that we’d have more parties than just the two, 20 years from now.

      • Kamino Neko
        Kamino Neko
        September 11, 2020 at 7:00 pm | #

        As someone in a place that theoretically has three or more viable parties in most elections, it’s not actually much better. I don’t think we’ve had anyone but the Liberals or whichever version of the Conservative party is currently active at the federal level in my lifetime, and here in Ontario, it’s been almost 30 years since the NDP have won. (And any other party that’s ever actually won no longer exists.)

  7. DarkoNeko
    DarkoNeko
    September 11, 2020 at 12:07 am | #

    After the next timeskip Becky’s side hair will reach her knees

  8. Doctor_Who
    Doctor_Who
    September 11, 2020 at 12:08 am | #

    Dorothy: Becky, what are you doing with that chalk?

    Becky: Dividing our room down the middle, so we can each have a side, like when roommates fight in a sitcom!

    Dorothy: But we have bunk beds, that’s not going to…Becky, you can’t claim the bathroom!

    Becky: Too late!

    • Bagge
      Bagge
      September 11, 2020 at 12:17 am | #

      #Headcanon

      • Bagge
        Bagge
        September 11, 2020 at 12:18 am | #

        Wait, it’s a double bath. They share it with…

        …oh dear.

        Dorothy and amber: “Hurry up in there, we need to pee!”

        Becky and Dina: “You will not enter dinotopia uninvited.”

        • Kyrik Michalowski
          Kyrik Michalowski
          September 11, 2020 at 12:29 am | #

          That moment when Becky decides to have sexy times, and Amber is forced to spend time with Dotty.

    • BBCC
      BBCC
      September 11, 2020 at 12:20 am | #

      They don’t have bunk beds, they have loft beds.

      She can totally claim the bathroom though.

    • BootsyBoom
      BootsyBoom
      September 11, 2020 at 12:29 am | #

      Bunk beds is why the line is separating the bottom half of the room from the top half like that episode of Clone High.

  9. Schpoonman
    Schpoonman
    September 11, 2020 at 12:08 am | #

    Oh n–OH YEEAAAHHHH.

    This is going to be incredible.

  10. brionl
    brionl
    September 11, 2020 at 12:09 am | #

    Wacky Hijinks incoming in
    3…
    2..

    • Bagge
      Bagge
      September 11, 2020 at 12:18 am | #

      To be fair, they started already in panel 2

  11. Slartibeast Button, BIA
    Slartibeast Button, BIA
    September 11, 2020 at 12:09 am | #

    Becky has been reading too much TVTropes.

    • Doctor_Who
      Doctor_Who
      September 11, 2020 at 12:19 am | #

      Nonsense, there’s never too much TVTropes!

      (guiltily closes 37 tabs)

      • Captain Oblivious
        Captain Oblivious
        September 11, 2020 at 12:39 am | #

        37? You got out early.

      • vlademir1
        vlademir1
        September 11, 2020 at 1:01 am | #

        In a row?

  12. JetstreamGW
    JetstreamGW
    September 11, 2020 at 12:10 am | #

    … That Dotty picture in the banner doesn’t make sense. Fuckface hasn’t shown up yet.

    • SuperFroakie82
      SuperFroakie82
      September 11, 2020 at 12:18 am | #

      Fuckface is always here, in our hearts and minds.

      • Bagge
        Bagge
        September 11, 2020 at 12:19 am | #

        More often on someone’s head, but sure.

    • Opus the Poet
      Opus the Poet
      September 11, 2020 at 2:16 pm | #

      Fuckface is there then their owner must also be there. Malaya will be reintroduced at some point.

  13. abysswatcher1993
    abysswatcher1993
    September 11, 2020 at 12:11 am | #

    Joyce: “I like odd couple escenarios, like with me and-”
    Sarah: “Shut up, I am studying.”
    Joyce: “Yes, miss.”

    That Simpsons joke is a classic.

  14. Sirksome
    Sirksome
    September 11, 2020 at 12:11 am | #

    Aw. I was really expecting Dorothy to get super shredded over the time skip.

    • Jon Rich
      Jon Rich
      September 11, 2020 at 1:09 am | #

      This is the wrong genre for that. DoA isn’t a battle shonen.

      • BBCC
        BBCC
        September 11, 2020 at 1:15 am | #

        Well not with THAT attitude.

        • Hoboturtle
          Hoboturtle
          September 11, 2020 at 10:38 am | #

          Anything can be a battle shonen with the power of fanfiction.

      • Sirksome
        Sirksome
        September 11, 2020 at 1:23 am | #

        Well I’m still holding out hope that someone went from flab to abs in the past three months. And not someone we expect to be ripped like Joe, or Ethan, or Jacob! I wanna see like a Danny or a Ruth to come back with a six pack a scar and a tattoo!

        Speaking of tattoos actually Sal had mentioned something about wanting more additions to her spider tat so I’m gonna predict that happened along with maybe letting her hair go natural.

        • Nymphie
          Nymphie
          September 11, 2020 at 2:22 am | #

          Sal seem to be the furthest to the left in the character poster. I was bouncing in excitement seeing that she let her hair stay natural.

          • Sirksome
            Sirksome
            September 11, 2020 at 5:51 pm | #

            Oh! Now that you pointed it out I kind of see it! I guess that’s also Walky next to her also maybe sporting a new hairstyle. I only think it’s him cause his silhouette has untied shoes which is kind of embarrassing for someone his age.

  15. Rose
    Rose
    September 11, 2020 at 12:13 am | #

    joyce’s smile is very adorable here

    • Bagge
      Bagge
      September 11, 2020 at 12:20 am | #

      Not that Becky has noticed or anything…

      …noticed how adorable Joyce’s smile is when she looks at Dorothy…

      …who Becky immediately antagonizes…

      …not noticed at all.

      • clif
        clif
        September 11, 2020 at 10:55 pm | #

        Mmm.

  16. Kyrik Michalowski
    Kyrik Michalowski
    September 11, 2020 at 12:13 am | #

    Becky, you are so determined to be enemies with Dorothy, it’s almost impressive. Can’t you just accept that Dorothy cares and wants to be your friend? Or is this the hill on which you will die?

  17. Stephen Bierce
    Stephen Bierce
    September 11, 2020 at 12:14 am | #

    The boogie down, down, on down–
    Let’s Groove tonight!

  18. Bagge
    Bagge
    September 11, 2020 at 12:15 am | #

    Hah! Great passive aggresive move in the last panel, Dotty. Becky will have her work cut out for her.

    I love this room mate pairing almost as much as Becky does. Can someone smell shenanigans? I can sure smell shenanigans. Before Joyce knows it, it will be Becky who does subterfuge within certain outlined parameters with Dorothy.

    • Kyrik Michalowski
      Kyrik Michalowski
      September 11, 2020 at 12:17 am | #

      Dotty will win Becky over yet, or at least put up a hell of a fight.

      • Bagge
        Bagge
        September 11, 2020 at 12:19 am | #

        In truth I think Dotty won Becky over when she bought her sushi. This is just Becky doing a bit because she think it’s funny

        • He Who Abides
          He Who Abides
          September 11, 2020 at 5:59 am | #

          Well, she’s wrong about that. This bit has gotten old.

          • clif
            clif
            September 11, 2020 at 2:18 pm | #

            The old bits are the best bits.

            • Agemegos
              Agemegos
              September 11, 2020 at 4:56 pm | #

              My family are still prodding sore points that are sixty years old. Not good.

      • Deanatay
        Deanatay
        September 11, 2020 at 10:25 am | #

        I prefer to think Becky will win Dotty over as her best nemesis.

        • Bagge
          Bagge
          September 11, 2020 at 11:29 am | #

          That WOULD be the alternative with higher potential for hijinks.

    • Regalli
      Regalli
      September 11, 2020 at 12:22 am | #

      IT IS THE MOST WACKY.

      Until proven otherwise I’m choosing to believe Sierra, Grace, and Mandy all got a suite or something together and while Sierra likes Dorothy, is relieved to be farther away from the Drama Nexus so she can focus on studying and her girlfriends. (Though I do wonder what she does if it’s snowing. Hope she at least wears socks then!)

      • thejeff
        thejeff
        September 11, 2020 at 8:16 am | #

        No. Socks are the worst, they just get wet and cold and stick the cold to your feet. With shoes they’re fine, but just by themselves? Ick.

  19. Tarpo
    Tarpo
    September 11, 2020 at 12:17 am | #

    So that “cast reveal” poster in the news post. Is anyone notable missing in the greyed out cast?

    • Kyrik Michalowski
      Kyrik Michalowski
      September 11, 2020 at 12:19 am | #

      Not that I notice, I do see Mike which gives me hope that he and his asshole-ish ways will return.

      • thejeff
        thejeff
        September 11, 2020 at 8:17 am | #

        Could be Amber’s brain Mike.

    • JessWitt
      JessWitt
      September 11, 2020 at 12:19 am | #

      I think Ethan’s not among them.

    • Some1
      Some1
      September 11, 2020 at 12:20 am | #

      I’ve noticed Ethan appears to be missing.

      • clif
        clif
        September 11, 2020 at 3:14 pm | #

        Is that not Ethan behind Becky and Joyce? If not, who else would be that tall?

        • SuperFroakie82
          SuperFroakie82
          September 11, 2020 at 6:59 pm | #

          Joe

    • synnerman
      synnerman
      September 11, 2020 at 12:23 am | #

      Okay, I’m not hallucinating.

      • Captain Oblivious
        Captain Oblivious
        September 11, 2020 at 12:42 am | #

        No other Mike, you *are* the hallucination.

    • Deanatay
      Deanatay
      September 11, 2020 at 10:38 am | #

      I see Danny, but no Joe. (Unless that’s him next to Carla?)

      I see Ruth, but the silhouette next to her doesn’t look like Billie (I think it’s Dina, actually). I don’t see any Billie-like silhouettes, to be honest. Maybe next to Amber.

      Carla looks shorter than she usually is, but pretty sure that’s her.

      The one behind Joyce could be Sarah, if she’s redone her hair. Otherwise, I don’t see her.

      • Dr. T
        Dr. T
        September 11, 2020 at 8:57 pm | #

        Carla is definitely in the center back next to Joe (she has on her skates) and that is almost certainly Sarah behind Joyce sans her omnipresent-to-this-point headscarf.

  20. JessWitt
    JessWitt
    September 11, 2020 at 12:18 am | #

    I didn’t even consider the changing of the roommates as a novel thing for the time skip.

    So where did Sierra move to and why? Can first-years move off-campus in IU?

    • MacareuxMoine
      MacareuxMoine
      September 11, 2020 at 6:42 am | #

      I think Sierra is a sophomore

      • JessWitt
        JessWitt
        September 11, 2020 at 11:15 pm | #

        Huh, I always assumed she was a freshie. The fact she’s still yet to be jaded by college was one part of that assumption.

  21. CMasta1992
    CMasta1992
    September 11, 2020 at 12:19 am | #

    Why does Dorothy have Fuckface?

    • BBCC
      BBCC
      September 11, 2020 at 12:22 am | #

      Willis said on patreon it was because it fit her head best out of the ones on the poster.

  22. danielle
    danielle
    September 11, 2020 at 12:20 am | #

    fuckface is on dotty’s head?????????

    • clif
      clif
      September 11, 2020 at 11:48 pm | #

      Within certain defined parameters.

  23. BBCC
    BBCC
    September 11, 2020 at 12:21 am | #

    Dorothy, this bit will never end. Accept it.

    And her smile on the news post is adorable.

    Wonder where Sierra is off too. I’d say maybe she moved in with some friends (or Mandy and Grace) but freshmen are required to room at IU. Unless she’s not a freshman?

    • Green
      Green
      September 11, 2020 at 12:25 am | #

      I was wondering too! She’s one of my top five, and it’s not like we got to see her a whole lot to begin with! I hope we get to see her soon (and soon in real time, not in comic time :9 )

    • MacareuxMoine
      MacareuxMoine
      September 11, 2020 at 6:49 am | #

      I think Sierra is a sophomore

    • thejeff
      thejeff
      September 11, 2020 at 8:20 am | #

      The bit can be adorable as long as it stays just a bit. If Becky starts/keeps doing things to irritate Dorothy (like the jacket on the floor), then it will start building resentment, which is not cool. They do have to live together.

  24. Bagge
    Bagge
    September 11, 2020 at 12:21 am | #

    Heh, I always say that the main draw for me in this comic is Joyce and her two ladies, but this banner rather promises BECKY and her two ladies (well, two of her three ladies, I assume).

    I’m totally on board with this. Bring it on!

  25. synnerman
    synnerman
    September 11, 2020 at 12:22 am | #

    Is it sad that I’m looking at the slowly revealing cast image and I’m wondering where the Ethan shaped image is. I wonder if he got a haircut?

    • Jamie
      Jamie
      September 11, 2020 at 12:35 am | #

      I’m struggling to pick out one of those images as Walky and failing.

      • Some1
        Some1
        September 11, 2020 at 12:41 am | #

        Walky is second from the left, you can tell by the untied shoelaces.

      • Bicycle Bill
        Bicycle Bill
        September 11, 2020 at 12:43 am | #

        Second one from the left with the untied shoelaces, of course.

      • Lingo
        Lingo
        September 11, 2020 at 12:45 am | #

        I think he’s the second from the left, next to his sister. Interestingly, it seems that both of them as well as Sarah may get some interesting new hairstyles!

      • BarerMender
        BarerMender
        September 11, 2020 at 12:50 am | #

        Second from left. Check the shoe laces.

      • Jamie
        Jamie
        September 11, 2020 at 4:43 pm | #

        Thank you everyone. That is a hell of a detail and I missed it.

  26. Green
    Green
    September 11, 2020 at 12:23 am | #

    I do love Becky, so much, but I am definitely tired of the enemies shtick. I get why she does it, I get why it’s entertaining to her, but it just kind of exhausts me at this point? I’m not super fond of when folks go out of their way to be, idk, aggressive sounds too harsh… Go out of their way to create negative energy? Even when it’s a joke, and especially if it’s unwarranted. I don’t entirely know how to explain it, but it’s one of my least favorite traits a person can have, given how much experience I have on both sides of that coin.

    Anyway. Point is, I’m ready for the joke to finally get old, either for Becky or for Mr. Willis, but I also understand if it never does. At the end of the day, I do just want to see her happy, and if Dorothy (and Joyce) don’t mind than it’s fine. And I do genuinely believe that if Dorothy really had a heart-to-heart about it with Becky, that Becky would tone it down.

    • StClair
      StClair
      September 11, 2020 at 12:28 am | #

      Same.

    • BigDogLittleCat
      BigDogLittleCat
      September 11, 2020 at 12:45 am | #

      Ditto. Even if there is zero hostility and she truly means it only as a joke, she’s the only one who enjoys it. It’s just tiresome.

      I hope she doesn’t push Dorothy past her patience. Although what really needs to happen is Dorothy needs to tell her, “I know you mean it as a joke, but it’s run its course. Please stop. And my name is Dorothy, not Dotty.”

      • Agemegos
        Agemegos
        September 11, 2020 at 1:24 am | #

        Yeah. If it were a joke it would be funny. And even then, something that is funny can still be a microaggression.

        • Geneseepaws
          Geneseepaws
          September 11, 2020 at 8:26 am | #

          How many microaggressions in an aggression? Is it still 1,000.- or is it down to 100.- at this point?

          • Needfuldoer
            Needfuldoer
            September 11, 2020 at 9:41 am | #

            The “micro-” prefix suggests one million.

      • Green
        Green
        September 11, 2020 at 1:32 am | #

        Yes, oh gosh, the name thing especially! I grew up with an extreeemely uncommon name, even among other people in our community/language, and I dealt with yeaaaaars of people coming up with crappy nicknames, none of them wanted. Especially since it wasn’t ever even someone I was close with; it was just people not wanting to put in the two minutes worth of effort to learn how to pronounce it. And sometimes those nicknames signaled hostility, in the same way Becky’s does. It was only after I changed my name to Green that the torment ended. (though, I went from one unusual name right to the next so, still got a lot of questions lol :p )

        But yeah, definitely also not fond of folks using unasked for nicknames.

        • thejeff
          thejeff
          September 11, 2020 at 8:25 am | #

          I don’t think “Dotty” is intended to signal hostility. Becky uses nicknames for everyone. “Ambster” “Jakes”

          • Green
            Green
            September 11, 2020 at 4:19 pm | #

            OH, fair point! I forgot all about the other nicknames Becky uses. I guess in this case, at least to me, it does feel hostile, since it’s coming along with a deliberate intention to cause negative energy.

            • clif
              clif
              September 11, 2020 at 11:01 pm | #

              Kind of at random, I’m assuming you’re not a big fan of Mike’s.

      • Aviana
        Aviana
        September 11, 2020 at 8:19 am | #

        I generally agree with you, but Dorothy hasn’t given any indication that she minds Dotty and her name is as white and common as they get. There aren’t some of the same undertones that go with “your name’s too difficult, can I call you some other name?” For me, Becky calling her Dotty reminds me of how some people call me Jess even though I generally go by Jessi (instead of Jessica). It doesn’t bug me if people shorten my name to Jess, but I’ll never introduce myself as Jess.

        Tl;dr I agree with everything else about the bit being old and frustrating but I’d wait for indication that Dorothy objects to Dotty before worrying too much about that piece.

        • Green
          Green
          September 11, 2020 at 9:29 am | #

          Oh, I’m sorry – I didn’t mean to say they’re equivalent experiences, just that the passive-aggressive nature of the Dotty nickname bothers me for such and such reason.

    • regina phalange
      regina phalange
      September 11, 2020 at 12:59 am | #

      YES, 100%, couldn’t have said it better myself. I’m actually kind of disappointed to see that they’re roommates, because that means we’re going to see them interacting more, and the shtick was tiring when they had the bare minimum interaction going on. Clearly Becky isn’t interested in dropping this even after several months, so even if this arrangement ends up okay, I’m really not looking forward to going on the journey.

      Like, I genuinely feel sorry for Dorothy that she has to LIVE with this everyday now. I’m sure we’ll find out the score eventually (random assignment? Becky asked? Dorothy offered?), but frankly I almost think less of Dorothy for going along with/being cheerful about it….

      • Green
        Green
        September 11, 2020 at 1:43 am | #

        Yeah, seeing that they’re roommates now kind of made my stomach drop, very much in the “oh, here we go again” kinda way. I get that Dorothy wants to be polite and respectful and understanding of Becky’s situation, but at the same time… she’s kind of just letting Becky get away with some Very Uncool Behavior? And I don’t want to see Dorothy having to deal with that so endlessly. It’s so freakin hard to share a living space with someone who jabs and pushes and makes underhanded comments. It’s so stressful; you learn to hate being in your own home, the one space where you should feel comfortable and safe. That tension and negativity, it’s so relentless. Sometimes you can’t do anything to change it, but Dorothy can, and I wish she would.

        Like I said, I do think Becky will drop it whenever Dorothy gets to the point of no longer being able to tolerate it, I want to believe she’s mature enough for that, but you put it perfectly: “I’m not looking forward to going on the journey.”

    • Nenja
      Nenja
      September 11, 2020 at 1:50 am | #

      I feel this.

    • Keulen
      Keulen
      September 11, 2020 at 3:33 am | #

      Yeah, it bugs me too.

      • clif
        clif
        September 11, 2020 at 11:39 pm | #

        So, I’m kind of hearing is, “I like Becky but I hate her personality.”

    • Spencer
      Spencer
      September 11, 2020 at 10:31 am | #

      I’m down with it as long as it leads to some interesting story bits.

    • Alaric
      Alaric
      September 11, 2020 at 5:56 pm | #

      Here’s the thing, though. Becky’s a very likable, fun, and interesting character, but she also has an aspect to her personality where she can enjoy being genuinely annoying. I think she enjoys taking this kind of thing past the point where she should stop. I don’t expect her to magically lose that aspect of her personality any time soon.

      • SuperFroakie82
        SuperFroakie82
        September 11, 2020 at 7:08 pm | #

        What do you mean? Continuing a joke for extended periods of time only gets funnier the longer it goes on! Especially after people tell you to stop doing it because it’s annoying and you keep on doing it anyways, that’s when it’s funniest!

        • clif
          clif
          September 11, 2020 at 11:06 pm | #

          Oh, hush. And have some troll food.

  27. Foxhack
    Foxhack
    September 11, 2020 at 12:32 am | #

    Looking at the cast photo… is that Sal on the left-most side?

    With her natural unstraightened hair?

    • Dr T
      Dr T
      September 11, 2020 at 12:45 am | #

      Since it is next to who is clearly Walky (note the shoelaces), I would say so.

    • Lingo
      Lingo
      September 11, 2020 at 12:46 am | #

      Certainly looks like it … and Walky next to her with a new ‘do too.

    • Captain Oblivious
      Captain Oblivious
      September 11, 2020 at 12:47 am | #

      I think it’s just Sal’s hair blowing in the wind. No it’s not blowing for the others, it only blows for her.

      • Green
        Green
        September 11, 2020 at 1:55 am | #

        Everyone knows that the Cool Chick always has steady breeze following her wherever she goes so her hair can always dramatically blow in the wind! It’s how she maintains her Cool Chick status!

        • Needfuldoer
          Needfuldoer
          September 11, 2020 at 9:44 am | #

          Or does that mean she’s an evil Toon, like Judge Doom?

        • Roborat
          Roborat
          September 15, 2020 at 3:56 pm | #

          And whenever she enters a room, everybody else freezes and can’t move until she speaks.

  28. neptune432
    neptune432
    September 11, 2020 at 12:39 am | #

    After all those jokes about Dorothy and Joyce hooking up, you know what would be amazing? If Dorothy ended up dating Becky instead.

    As long as Becky and Dina are poly tho.

    • Hoboturtle
      Hoboturtle
      September 11, 2020 at 10:47 am | #

      Well it has been established that Walky and Becky are very much a like…. and actually at the same time it has been established that Joyce and Dorothy are a like. In retrospect its hilarious that Koyce and Becky end up hating people who have the same temperament as their best friend.

  29. Kravis
    Kravis
    September 11, 2020 at 12:41 am | #

    Get a room, already, you two!

    Oh, yeah, right… Guess you just did…

    • Bicycle Bill
      Bicycle Bill
      September 11, 2020 at 12:43 am | #

      Perfect gravatar for that comment…..

  30. brute
    brute
    September 11, 2020 at 12:43 am | #

    sierra now lives with mary and mary will disintegrate from the stress within a week

    • BBCC
      BBCC
      September 11, 2020 at 12:46 am | #

      She will succeed where Roz failed!

      • brute
        brute
        September 11, 2020 at 12:54 am | #

        we can only hope

    • Hoboturtle
      Hoboturtle
      September 11, 2020 at 11:04 am | #

      Honestly people like Mary feed on people to arguing. She’s like Carla if Carla if Carla consistently failed her Charmisa checks. Sierra and Mary would be like that one middle age problem customer at a grocery store, constantly getting madder and madder that the polite, unfazed employee who probably finds it hilarious. I think the only person who could truly needle Mary in a aggresive manner is Mikayla just because she is perceptive enough to figure out how Mary ticks.

      • Hoboturtle
        Hoboturtle
        September 11, 2020 at 11:05 am | #

        Argue with*. Stupid me, not proofreading.

  31. Lingo
    Lingo
    September 11, 2020 at 12:48 am | #

    THE HAIRPOCALPYSE IS UPON US! WILL NO ONE HAVE SHORT HAIR AND AN UNOBSTRUCTED VIEW EVER AGAIN? WILLIS SAVE US!

    • Keulen
      Keulen
      September 11, 2020 at 3:28 am | #

      I’m assuming at least one of the cast got a haircut during the last 2 or 3 months that Willis skipped over.

    • Needfuldoer
      Needfuldoer
      September 11, 2020 at 9:45 am | #

      Joyce and Dorothy both have about the same hairstyle as before, don’t they?

      • Lingo
        Lingo
        September 12, 2020 at 12:34 am | #

        Looks a little longer to me, and they already needed cuts!

  32. saltchocolate
    saltchocolate
    September 11, 2020 at 12:51 am | #

    I like the incremental reveal of the gang’s Spring semester looks!

    • Green
      Green
      September 11, 2020 at 1:57 am | #

      Oh god I didn’t even notice that was what was happening until basically just now! lol

    • Barf Ninjason
      Barf Ninjason
      September 11, 2020 at 1:59 am | #

      Neither Dorothy nor Joyce look different to me… are they? I mean, not that they have to change drastically to count as “gradual reveal.”

      • BBCC
        BBCC
        September 11, 2020 at 2:44 am | #

        Looks to me like they just have new outfits, which I do like seeing!

        • Green
          Green
          September 11, 2020 at 4:17 pm | #

          I think Joyce’s hair has become fuller, in a way? Or like it falls differently now? It definitely feels different to me, at least, but at the same time I also can’t put my finger on it.

  33. Barf Ninjason
    Barf Ninjason
    September 11, 2020 at 2:00 am | #

    How ’bout an inaugural room-clearin’ fart, Becky? That oughtta amp up the antagonism while maintaining the symmetry with the beginning of the comic.

    • Needfuldoer
      Needfuldoer
      September 11, 2020 at 9:47 am | #

      Maintain eye contact while doing so, to establish dominance.

      • clif
        clif
        September 11, 2020 at 11:52 pm | #

        You mean I’ve been doing it wrong?

  34. BenRG
    BenRG
    September 11, 2020 at 2:25 am | #

    At some point, Joyce needs to tell Becky that openly stating her intention to bully and harass Dorothy isn’t cute, it isn’t funny and it isn’t something that she can let her get away with. At some point it could ruin their friendship and Becky needs to know that.

    • StClair
      StClair
      September 11, 2020 at 2:34 am | #

      Ditto if Becky is still trolling Joyce to get those “hilarious” “wacky” reactions out of her.

  35. PiotrW
    PiotrW
    September 11, 2020 at 2:38 am | #

    Wondering about the obscured cast image: are they going to be any surprising changes in appearance etc.? Otherwise, not sure what’s the point?

    • BenRG
      BenRG
      September 11, 2020 at 2:42 am | #

      Someone has suggested that Sal has stopped straightening her hair. I’ll be interested to see if this is the case.

  36. Keulen
    Keulen
    September 11, 2020 at 3:27 am | #

    I thought for sure Becky would be rooming with Joyce. So now I’m wondering who Sierra is rooming with.

    • BenRG
      BenRG
      September 11, 2020 at 4:27 am | #

      I’m sort of hoping that she’s been put with Mary. She’s zen enough to be able to shrug off whatever Mary says but is an Evangelical too and so I suspect that, much against Mary’s desires, they may start building bridges with each other.

  37. TheHierophant
    TheHierophant
    September 11, 2020 at 3:28 am | #

    I swear I heard the studio audience applaud when Dorothy entered the room.

  38. sliver
    sliver
    September 11, 2020 at 6:41 am | #

    Becky needs to find a new shtick; the nemesis thing is getting old. :\

    Also, I can ID everyone in the poster but three. Besides Ethan being AWOL, I’m not sure if the silhouette next to Dorothy is Billie or Lucy. There’s a silhouette next to between Joe-silhouette and probably-Mike-silhouette that I have no clue about. (Who in the cast has dreads? Because that what the hairstyle looks like.) And the silhouette next to Amber-silhouette looks to be Leslie but… she’s not a student? Or is _that_ Ethan and he shrank over break?

    • thejeff
      thejeff
      September 11, 2020 at 8:33 am | #

      It’s likely Sarah by Joe. Without her usual headscarf.

      Probably Dina by Dorothy. Short-haired Billie next to Amber and maybe Lucy next to Malaya.

  39. BenRG
    BenRG
    September 11, 2020 at 6:53 am | #

    My guess on the unrevealed characters (left to right) are:

    Sal, Walky, Ruth, Lucy, Billie, Joe, Sarah, Danny, Amber, unknown, Mike, unknown, Malaya. Anyone else have any guesses at the fourth and second from right?

    • KJ
      KJ
      September 11, 2020 at 8:34 am | #

      Dina and Marcie, I think

      • Blob
        Blob
        September 11, 2020 at 9:34 am | #

        I had Sal, Walky, Ruth, Dina (seems to be wearing the hat), Carla (note roller skates), Joe, Sarah, Mike, Amber, Unknown, Danny, Roz, Malaya. Wondering if it’s Billie with short hair?

        • TheKelliestKelly
          TheKelliestKelly
          September 11, 2020 at 11:04 pm | #

          I agree with you but I’m convinced your unknown is Billie. The figure and personality of the stance is right. Plus there’s no way any of the other figure is Billie. Her narrative has been fairly intertwined with Ruth’s so I’d be surprised to have Ruth and not Billie

  40. Sporky
    Sporky
    September 11, 2020 at 7:41 am | #

    Dorothy just wants to be friends with everyone 🙁

  41. Eric
    Eric
    September 11, 2020 at 8:14 am | #

    March.

  42. Schpoonman
    Schpoonman
    September 11, 2020 at 8:21 am | #

    I wonder how many people complaining about Becky would just love to see Mike and his “hurtful truths” come back.

    • StClair
      StClair
      September 11, 2020 at 8:04 pm | #

      I’m fine with neither.

      • He Who Abides
        He Who Abides
        September 11, 2020 at 8:42 pm | #

        Same, but different reasons for each (Becky because this bit’s worn out, Mike because no he is not trying to make people better, he’s just a fucking dick).

        • thejeff
          thejeff
          September 11, 2020 at 11:05 pm | #

          I do want to see Mike come back, but that’s because I want to see how he’s changed.

          • clif
            clif
            September 11, 2020 at 11:26 pm | #

            Bets that the new Mike is even more awesome than the old Mike.

  43. The Pletch
    The Pletch
    September 11, 2020 at 8:57 am | #

    cleverly drawing the scene seconds BEFORE they shake hands to avoid having to draw the handshake

    an ingenious technique that could only come from decades of cartooning experience

    • clif
      clif
      September 11, 2020 at 11:28 pm | #

      Always good to see a pro in action.

  44. Rabisch
    Rabisch
    September 11, 2020 at 9:10 am | #

    I’m sitting quietly, waiting for a disaster to appear.

  45. hof1991
    hof1991
    September 11, 2020 at 9:31 am | #

    So, the poster will fill in as the characters appear in a strip? Oh, the drama! Was wondering why they hadn’t popped up on Tumblr by now.

  46. Deanatay
    Deanatay
    September 11, 2020 at 10:47 am | #

    Dorothy: Becky, I know we’re friends.

    Becky: Nope, clearly enemies.

    Dorothy: No way! We’re FRIENDS.

    Becky: Enemies.

    Dorothy: FRIENDS!!!

    Becky: Enemies.

    Dorothy: rrrRRRR! *storms out*

    Becky: Toldya.

  47. brasca1
    brasca1
    September 11, 2020 at 11:06 am | #

    My theory on the roommate change is Sierra was in a poly relationship with the 2 other girls whose names elude me and they just opted to get an apartment for this semester.

    • a/snow/mous/e
      a/snow/mous/e
      September 11, 2020 at 1:51 pm | #

      First part I’m pretty sure is canon (not sure if Willis ever confirmed it but there were very strong implications), but yeah getting an apartment makes sense.

      • thejeff
        thejeff
        September 11, 2020 at 3:06 pm | #

        Sierra was seen making out with one of them and claimed she sometimes did with the other. Theoretically that could have been to troll Joyce, but it’s unlikely.

        • Needfuldoer
          Needfuldoer
          September 11, 2020 at 11:01 pm | #

          Yup, in this one it’s suggested that Grace, Mandy, and Sierra are a polygon.

          https://www.dumbingofage.com/2017/comic/book-7/03-the-thing-i-was-before/unraveling/

        • TheKelliestKelly
          TheKelliestKelly
          September 11, 2020 at 11:25 pm | #

          The three of them are almost certainly in a polyamorous relationship, yes

          https://www.dumbingofage.com/2017/comic/book-8/01-face-the-strange/peeking/

  48. Falcon
    Falcon
    September 11, 2020 at 11:59 am | #

    Dorothy is rocking that collared shirt to woo Joyce with, I see.

  49. Jenny Islander
    Jenny Islander
    September 11, 2020 at 12:07 pm | #

    Oh, cookie, this is called “pre-emptively defining the terms of your relationship as negative because you think that it’s inevitable that you’ll end up that way so you are taking control of the presumed narrative,” and I hope somebody catches on soon.

    Also, pick up your darn coat.

    • thejeff
      thejeff
      September 11, 2020 at 3:04 pm | #

      It’s more a routine. It’s a gag Becky’s been pulling since her initial reaction to Dorothy as Joyce’s new best friend. She’s not actually serious about it and she doesn’t expect Dorothy to dislike her.

      Dorothy knows all this, but it still irritates her, so it’s a problem for them to deal with.

      • Eldritchy
        Eldritchy
        September 11, 2020 at 6:16 pm | #

        Wait a minute…. how did I not realize it earlier… Becky is a Boyle! Hmm would that make Dotty Caleb the Cannibal…

  50. showler
    showler
    September 11, 2020 at 12:57 pm | #

    I wonder if Willis is going to drag this out. Tomorrow we find out that Sierra is rooming with Grace, which leaves Mandy out. Mandy is rooming with Other Rachel now, which leaves Rachel out. Rachel is living with Roz, which leaves Mary out. And so on so that we don’t find out who actually left until the entire cast is reintroduced.

    • LiterallyJustSomeGuy
      LiterallyJustSomeGuy
      September 11, 2020 at 3:43 pm | #

      I’m cool with it staying at “which leaves Mary out” for a long while, and after a long time of wondering “who gets stuck with Mary?!” it turns out Mary’s parents pulled her out of such a secular school because Mary was doing so poorly in her art classes.

  51. Spriteless Girl
    Spriteless Girl
    September 11, 2020 at 2:40 pm | #

    Geeze Becky, Dorothy isn’t interested in a kismesis at this time, take a hint.

  52. bcb
    bcb
    September 11, 2020 at 2:52 pm | #

    It’s been exactly 11 months since Sierra’s last appearance:
    https://www.dumbingofage.com/2019/comic/book-10/01-birthday-pursuit/slightly/
    Where is she now?

  53. Passchendaele
    Passchendaele
    September 11, 2020 at 4:28 pm | #

    these nerds started their first semester when I was in middle school and they’re starting their second while I’m starting my fifth

  54. Sombrero
    Sombrero
    September 11, 2020 at 5:53 pm | #

    So Sierra went to live with Robin, right?

  55. Dracke
    Dracke
    September 11, 2020 at 5:58 pm | #

    Before Dorothy finishes her education Beckys teasding will push her into super villain status…Becky was never seen again

  56. Seregiel
    Seregiel
    September 11, 2020 at 7:06 pm | #

    My silhouette guess L to R:

    Sal, walky, ruthless, dina, dorothy, carla, becky, joe, joyce, sarah, mike, amber, (Leslie?), Danny, roz, mikayala

  57. Oberon
    Oberon
    September 11, 2020 at 8:24 pm | #

    The Odd Couple theme, sung by Homer Simpson:
    Do duff do dah do duff, duff duff duff do.
    Do duff do dah do duff, duff duff duff do.
    Duff! Duff Duff Duff, duff!
    Duff, Duff duff duff duff duff duff
    Trailing off into more repetitions of Duff without much rhythm…

  58. Toes14
    Toes14
    September 11, 2020 at 10:04 pm | #

    A week or so from now we get to see Walky going in to repeat his math class . . .

  59. Toes14
    Toes14
    September 11, 2020 at 10:07 pm | #

    Try 9 months. Dec 11, 2019 to Sept 11, 2020. Sierra was out having a kid?

    • clif
      clif
      September 11, 2020 at 11:18 pm | #

      She was having Grace and Mandy’s baby.

  60. Josh Spicer
    Josh Spicer
    September 13, 2020 at 9:42 pm | #

    That…sounds like foreshadowing.

  61. Roborat
    Roborat
    September 15, 2020 at 4:04 pm | #

    So Becky shares a bathroom with Dina now, how long before Dorothy or Amber swaps rooms so the two can have the same room?

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