Dumbing of Age Book Twelve

Dumbing of Age

A college webcomic by David Willis
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meanwhile jacob is staring at the blocked light under the door and sighing
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BUFFER WATCH Comics are currently drawn and uploaded through:

July 11, 2026

Spray

by David M Willis on September 22, 2023 at 12:01 am
  • 01 – Everybody's Looking for Nothing
└ Tags: sarah

Discussion (117) ¬

[ Comments RSS ]
  1. Ana Chronistic
    Ana Chronistic
    September 22, 2023 at 12:05 am | #

    futile! CSI:IU will find the trace evidence

    • temporalshrew
      temporalshrew
      September 22, 2023 at 12:05 am | #

      ENHANCE.

      • Kimi
        Kimi
        September 22, 2023 at 1:52 am | #

        I can’t believe how often they use enhance, and in ways that is almost ridiculous.

        • Harmony
          Harmony
          September 22, 2023 at 9:26 am | #

          We’re really only one step away from

          “Before the murder took place, the murderer disconnected the camera, so all we have recorded for that place and time is static.”

          “Okay, enhance the static, let’s clear it up and see who’s hiding?”

          “Oh, it’s John, the coke-dealing actor/politician!”

        • Icalasari
          Icalasari
          September 22, 2023 at 7:50 pm | #

          It was literally a game for script writers, to see how far they could push it before execs would call them out

          Turns out, execs are not very bright

      • 0kami
        0kami
        September 24, 2023 at 12:16 am | #

        Enhance 224 to 176.
        Enhance… stop.
        Move in… stop. Pull out, track right… stop.
        Center in, pull back. Stop. Track 45 right. Stop.
        Center and stop. Enhance 34 to 36.
        Pan right and pull back. Stop. Enhance 34 to 46.
        Pull back. Wait a minute, go right… stop. Enhance 57 to 19.
        Track 45 left. Stop. Enhance 15 to 23.
        Give me a hard copy right there.

    • Nono
      Nono
      September 22, 2023 at 12:06 am | #

      Featuring the Lesbian Love Sleuths?

    • Angel
      Angel
      September 22, 2023 at 12:12 am | #

      imagine if jacob was watching through the peephole the whole time (tho the blue dot is prolly a pushpin holding it up/in versus being able to see lol)

      • Bicycle Bill
        Bicycle Bill
        September 22, 2023 at 12:27 am | #

        I think it’s a peephole.  There’s one in a similar position on Joyce and Dorothy’s door, and it appears that the Grace/Mandy/Sierra trio have their whiteboard mounted higher so that it blocks the peephole.
         
        One other thing to remember is that peepholes view both ways.  Someone on the outside of the door can put their eye up to the hole and get a fish-eye view of what’s going on inside.

        • SeanR
          SeanR
          September 22, 2023 at 12:29 am | #

          I believe someone on the outside, looking in, would get a pin-prick view of what’s going on inside.
          I’ve seen special optics for sale to reverse a peephole, but the thing was pretty bulky.

          • eh, whatever
            eh, whatever
            September 22, 2023 at 4:40 am | #

            Correct. That it only works in one direction is the point of a door peephole.

      • Thag Simmons
        Thag Simmons
        September 22, 2023 at 2:18 am | #

        He doesn’t even need to, as the alt-text says he can just see her shadow in the doorframe and make a wild guess.

  2. Nono
    Nono
    September 22, 2023 at 12:06 am | #

    Gee Sarah, say it, not spray it.

    • clif
      clif
      September 22, 2023 at 12:32 am | #

      She practically had an invitation from Jacob to hang out. She obviously hasn’t considered the effect that this would have on Raidah.

      • Nono
        Nono
        September 22, 2023 at 6:25 am | #

        Why would it? Jacob and Raidah aren’t dating anymore.

        • Mark
          Mark
          September 22, 2023 at 7:16 am | #

          Because it’s Sarah.

          • clif
            clif
            September 22, 2023 at 7:27 am | #

            Exactly. Raidah has tried to isolate Sarah and Joyce by pulling their friends into her orbit. She’s tried it with Jennifer, Dorothy, and now Walky. A few selfies of Sarah and Jacob having fun together would drive her nuts.

            • Nono
              Nono
              September 22, 2023 at 1:55 pm | #

              Raidah’s spat on Dorothy and her dream, not try to pull her over to her side.

              And part of pulling Jennifer over was because of Jennifer’s parents.

  3. NGPZ
    NGPZ
    September 22, 2023 at 12:06 am | #

    hehehehe 😆

    BTW @Rose and other pagans here, happy Autumn Equinox!!!

    How you celebrate? 🥳

    • RassilonTDavros
      RassilonTDavros
      September 22, 2023 at 12:07 am | #

      By spending about a week feeling horribly congested and phlegmy, after which things more or less even out.

      • Needfuldoer
        Needfuldoer
        September 22, 2023 at 3:15 am | #

        It’s goldenrod season!

    • not someone else
      not someone else
      September 22, 2023 at 12:14 am | #

      Oh fuck it is

      Fuckeriffic, apparently with blueberry-banana fritters and pain meds!

    • Kyrik Michalowski
      Kyrik Michalowski
      September 22, 2023 at 12:40 am | #

      I celebrate by watching a movie in bed, and drink a margarita during the movie.

    • Amós Batista
      Amós Batista
      September 22, 2023 at 2:45 am | #

      First of all, I’m turning on my fan, because we are getting a heat wave, similar than these we have in Europe.
      So, I’ll get ice cream and watch the blossoms in the neighborhood, because it’s spring.

    • morleuca
      morleuca
      September 22, 2023 at 4:20 am | #

      By having an appointment with my doctor about my hormones and the possibility of getting a needed eyelid tuck

    • clif
      clif
      September 22, 2023 at 7:34 am | #

      By conducting arcane shadow rituals to open the gateway for the return of the old ones and the outer darkness.

      That and consuming pumpkin pie.

    • Rose by Any Other Name
      Rose by Any Other Name
      September 22, 2023 at 8:04 am | #

      Personally, I celebrate the equinox by having vigorous sex.
      But then, that’s how I celebrate most things.

      • clif
        clif
        September 22, 2023 at 8:31 am | #

        It’s good someone knows how to celebrate!

    • Bogeywoman
      Bogeywoman
      September 22, 2023 at 8:15 am | #

      I’m in the southern hemisphere, so it’s spring equinox for me. I’ll collect some flowers and wild herbs in the morning and do a house cleansing. I actually just have to clean the house, but it’s a good time for it.

    • Bittersweet
      Bittersweet
      September 22, 2023 at 8:34 am | #

      Stuffed squash, fresh bread, and a nice vigorous cleansing of my home! This is the first year my daughter can really help with things (like decorating and baking), so it’s been fun.

    • Laura
      Laura
      September 22, 2023 at 8:50 am | #

      Thank you for this holiday celebration reminder, NG! I had completely forgotten about this important autumn holiday!

      …and to all our friends who observe Jewish holidays, too: Good Yom Tov! May this weekend be a time of inspiration and hope to all of us. Please remember to prioritize your health and well-being, whether you choose to fast or not. Sending support to all.🕯🌱

  4. RassilonTDavros
    RassilonTDavros
    September 22, 2023 at 12:06 am | #

    …well played. Gotta love that delayed punchline gag.

  5. UrsulaDavina
    UrsulaDavina
    September 22, 2023 at 12:06 am | #

    Turns out she accidently grabbed fabreez.

  6. Stephen Bierce
    Stephen Bierce
    September 22, 2023 at 12:06 am | #

    *plays The Beach Boy’s “Four Oh Nine” on the hacked Muzak*

  7. Animedingo
    Animedingo
    September 22, 2023 at 12:06 am | #

    Nailed it

  8. Kyrik Michalowski
    Kyrik Michalowski
    September 22, 2023 at 12:07 am | #

    Does Sarah qualify as a tsundere character? Or is she just a cranky and spiky person?

    • SDRainbow
      SDRainbow
      September 22, 2023 at 12:17 am | #

      You could definitely make a case for her being tsundere, yeah.

    • Angel
      Angel
      September 22, 2023 at 12:17 am | #

      i mean that venn diagram would over lap a lot lol

    • bemisawa
      bemisawa
      September 22, 2023 at 12:20 am | #

      I would say yes, she counts as a tsundere, but it occurs to me that someone who is a tsundere is not necessarily tsundere in relation to everyone. Joyce? Oh yes, Sarah is a major tsundere. Jacob? Yes as well. But to other people who Sarah isn’t showing her sweeter side to at all, she wouldn’t.

    • DailyBrad
      DailyBrad
      September 22, 2023 at 7:38 pm | #

      I’d say she counts as tsundere towards Joyce, Jacob, Liz, and maybe Dorothy, depending. Maybe Dina, though those two seem to kind of just enjoy each other’s bluntness. Walky appreciates it, too, but I think she doesn’t really get especially “dere” with him, though she does seem to consider him a friend still.

  9. DailyBrad
    DailyBrad
    September 22, 2023 at 12:07 am | #

    We have a dry erase board at work, and we use both dry erase markers for that, and permanent markers for other things, and I am honestly expecting someone’s going to fuck up and use one on the dry erase board any day.

    • Doctor_Who
      Doctor_Who
      September 22, 2023 at 12:13 am | #

      As 50,000 people posted back during the Dingdong Door Bandit saga, you can clean that crap off a whiteboard by drawing over it with a dry erase marker, then erasing as normal. The ink will stick to the other ink, which can be wiped away.

      • PirateTawnee
        PirateTawnee
        September 22, 2023 at 12:15 am | #

        Inkception?

      • True Survivor
        True Survivor
        September 22, 2023 at 12:19 am | #

        I’d forgotten about that trick. Thank you for the useful knowledge.

      • clif
        clif
        September 22, 2023 at 7:43 am | #

        Not an expert, but I was under the impression it was more that going over it with the dry erase marker introduced the solvent that made it erasable. Given enough time for the solvent to slowly evaporate, the erasable ink becomes pretty unerasable.

      • Tobias
        Tobias
        September 22, 2023 at 11:32 am | #

        Or just add alcohol directly.

        • thejeff
          thejeff
          September 22, 2023 at 2:20 pm | #

          The solution to (and cause of) most college problems.

    • Bicycle Bill
      Bicycle Bill
      September 22, 2023 at 12:15 am | #

      Had a dry erase board I used at work (as we were supposed to be a paper-free environment).  I left some notes on it when I retired and cleaned out my workspace about two years ago, and came upon it again about a month ago.   In that length of time the dry-erase marks had become pretty-much permanent – almost like they had baked themselves into the coating.

      • Dinajoyce
        Dinajoyce
        September 22, 2023 at 12:51 am | #

        There may be exceptions, but I have had significant success going over it with fresh white board marker and then wiping it off. Even with marker several years old. Good luck!

        • Miri
          Miri
          September 22, 2023 at 4:23 am | #

          I was going to advocate going straight to a drop of alcohol hand gel on a cloth/paper towel but I’m not sure if you’re talking about permanent pen or dried whiteboard pen now… although definitely worth a try either way

          • Miri
            Miri
            September 22, 2023 at 4:24 am | #

            That might have been intended as a reply to vlademir1

            https://www.dumbingofage.com/2023/comic/book-14/01-everybodys-looking-for-nothing/spray/?replytocom=1744273#respond

            Too migraine for a href tagging

    • vlademir1
      vlademir1
      September 22, 2023 at 1:10 am | #

      If you do the trick with going over using dry erase marker, clean it with isopropyl after. Same way if you let dry erase marker dry to the point all the solvent is gone. The solvent in dry erase markers is alcohol, and adding more makes it easier to cleanly remove.

  10. BBCC
    BBCC
    September 22, 2023 at 12:07 am | #

    Can’t take any risks of being discovered! Destroy all evidence.

    • Kyrik Michalowski
      Kyrik Michalowski
      September 22, 2023 at 12:13 am | #

      Sarah understands the importance of destroying evidence and leaving nothing behind. She wants to work in law? Well the best way to learn the law is to put it to the test; such as jaywalking, littering, murder, or loitering.

      (Don’t actually test the law, it is bad advice.)

      • clif
        clif
        September 22, 2023 at 7:45 am | #

        Yeah. What happens if you test the law and it flunks.

        • Kyrik Michalowski
          Kyrik Michalowski
          September 22, 2023 at 11:15 am | #

          Nice one lol.

  11. foducool
    foducool
    September 22, 2023 at 12:08 am | #

    LMFAO going the extra mile with this XD

  12. Alanari
    Alanari
    September 22, 2023 at 12:09 am | #

    Wouldn’t she draw more attention to herself if she is visibly crouching in front of a public door instead of standing there?

    • Big
      Big
      September 22, 2023 at 12:12 am | #

      She is crouching so Jacob can’t see her through the eye-hole window thingy.
      But yea… I doubt he is actively looking through it at the moment.

    • Angel
      Angel
      September 22, 2023 at 12:14 am | #

      depends on how heavy the foot traffic is there but i imagine ppl are busy doing their own thing to rly do more than a passing glance unless tehy’re aquainted with jacob and being like “hey man i saw osme girl messing with your white board”

    • Needfuldoer
      Needfuldoer
      September 22, 2023 at 3:18 am | #

      But she’s out of frame…

    • Big Z
      Big Z
      September 22, 2023 at 8:56 am | #

      At least when I was in college, being weird in the hallways was just sort of expected behavior that mostly went unremarked-upon.

      Course, I lived in the weird dorm with all the honors college kids.

    • HueSatLight
      HueSatLight
      September 22, 2023 at 1:53 pm | #

      It’s ok if like Evan or other Ken sees. They don’t suspect she has feelings.

  13. Thag Simmons
    Thag Simmons
    September 22, 2023 at 12:10 am | #

    This bit remains cute and endearing

    • True Survivor
      True Survivor
      September 22, 2023 at 12:18 am | #

      Yeah, I like it.

  14. Leadsynth
    Leadsynth
    September 22, 2023 at 12:10 am | #

    The whiteboard dingdong bandit strikes again!

    • Quirdry Tawks
      Quirdry Tawks
      September 22, 2023 at 10:00 am | #

      The whiteboard dingdong *cleaning* bandit, compadre.

  15. SeanR
    SeanR
    September 22, 2023 at 12:11 am | #

    And the only person who saw it, and will remember it for when it is the most useful, is Mary.
    Quite contrary, that Mary.

    • Angel
      Angel
      September 22, 2023 at 12:15 am | #

      other than her visiting peter(?) would she rly be in the boys hallway?

      • SeanR
        SeanR
        September 22, 2023 at 12:19 am | #

        You make a good point. Probably not, unless, as you suggest, she happens to be visiting her, “it’s totally not a sin when I do it, just when everyone else does it”, boyfriend, or if she spotted Sarah obviously up to SOMETHING, and decided to follow to gather leverage.
        But, most likely, no.
        Unless the plot demands it. And then all bets are off.

      • Agemegos
        Agemegos
        September 22, 2023 at 1:29 am | #

        Witnessing.

      • Thag Simmons
        Thag Simmons
        September 22, 2023 at 2:32 am | #

        Are she and Peter even still dating?

        • Needfuldoer
          Needfuldoer
          September 22, 2023 at 3:19 am | #

          I hope he wised up by now.

          • Abel Undercity
            Abel Undercity
            September 22, 2023 at 5:55 am | #

            Well, they both kinda suck, so better that they’re still together rather than inflicting themselves on other people.

  16. Yotomoe
    Yotomoe
    September 22, 2023 at 12:13 am | #

    https://imgur.com/a/HibFTX1
    I drew this in like a minute before work. This arc has made me really wanna draw a lot of Sarah.

    • True Survivor
      True Survivor
      September 22, 2023 at 12:16 am | #

      Ha! Thanks this made me smile.

    • PirateTawnee
      PirateTawnee
      September 22, 2023 at 12:16 am | #

      Oh that’s good. That’s very good.

    • NGPZ
      NGPZ
      September 22, 2023 at 12:20 am | #

      Awe wow in a minute? That’s impressive! And sexy! 😍

      • Yotomoe
        Yotomoe
        September 22, 2023 at 12:29 am | #

        Haha maybe not literally a minute. Probably closer to 15 minutes

        • NGPZ
          NGPZ
          September 22, 2023 at 12:30 am | #

          Still pretty impressive to someone like me who can’t art for shit :3

        • clif
          clif
          September 22, 2023 at 12:37 am | #

          It was a productive minute, no matter how long the minute took.

    • HueSatLight
      HueSatLight
      September 22, 2023 at 12:58 am | #

      I like how their eyes are different.

      • Yotomoe
        Yotomoe
        September 22, 2023 at 1:31 am | #

        Nothing more startling than finishing a kiss and opening your eyes to Joyce’s piercing baby blues staring into your soul.

        • Mark
          Mark
          September 22, 2023 at 7:23 am | #

          I could go for that!

    • eh, whatever
      eh, whatever
      September 22, 2023 at 4:47 am | #

      Who put the age restriction on it!?! There’s no “erotic imagery” there, only cute imagery. SFW!

      • clif
        clif
        September 22, 2023 at 7:51 am | #

        Oh come on. We all know that girl on girl smooching is a threat to the moral fiber of our youth.

        That is, if it’s done right.

    • Amós Batista
      Amós Batista
      September 22, 2023 at 3:46 pm | #

      Jesus, make this canon. Amem.

  17. brute
    brute
    September 22, 2023 at 12:19 am | #

    oh good that bothered me

  18. Suet
    Suet
    September 22, 2023 at 2:19 am | #

    Glass cleaner, rubbing alcohol, but if that mess gets even messier, don’t fret about Joyce’s beau now.

    *writes a DOA Minus DOA idea: “5 panels of just a dirty board”*

    • NGPZ
      NGPZ
      September 22, 2023 at 3:46 am | #

      Appreciate a mundane strip, for it is better than a cringe strip. 0.0

      • clif
        clif
        September 22, 2023 at 8:11 am | #

        Every strip is someone’s cringe strip.

        • HueSatLight
          HueSatLight
          September 22, 2023 at 5:35 pm | #

          Today’s strip is about history’s greatest monster’s crimes.

  19. Taffy
    Taffy
    September 22, 2023 at 2:23 am | #

    Every day without an appearance by Ruth is a day I’m praying for an appearance by Ruth.

  20. Amós Batista
    Amós Batista
    September 22, 2023 at 2:38 am | #

    The alt text is a huge spoiler and I loved it

  21. AGV
    AGV
    September 22, 2023 at 3:54 am | #

    No proof shall remain of Sarah’s feels

    • Taffy
      Taffy
      September 22, 2023 at 4:00 am | #

      Look on her works, ye pretty, and bleach hair.

      • clif
        clif
        September 22, 2023 at 8:12 am | #

        Yeah, you usually hear that misquoted.

  22. Bobcat
    Bobcat
    September 22, 2023 at 4:14 am | #

    Way to ruin a perfectly working whiteboard, Sarah

  23. DashWallkick
    DashWallkick
    September 22, 2023 at 5:00 am | #

    “THERE WILL BE NO EVIDENCE OF MY HUMANITY” (squeak squeak squeak)

  24. Osopescado
    Osopescado
    September 22, 2023 at 5:08 am | #

    I literally had the thought that if she haphazardly erased with her sleeve there might be intelligible marks left if one were to look in the right light. Glad that her paranoia exercises the same level of scrutiny that I do.

  25. Rabisch
    Rabisch
    September 22, 2023 at 5:32 am | #

    Go Sarah! Clean that whiteboard as carefully as you would if it were a part of Jacob’s body!

  26. Abel Undercity
    Abel Undercity
    September 22, 2023 at 5:56 am | #

    Leave no trace.

    • ValdVin
      ValdVin
      September 22, 2023 at 6:54 am | #

      Sarah should be wearing gloves to make sure her DNA is not left at the scene.

  27. spriteless aunty
    spriteless aunty
    September 22, 2023 at 7:47 am | #

    Well at least Sarah isn’t obsessing over Joeyce for now

    • clif
      clif
      September 22, 2023 at 8:25 am | #

      You underestimate her. I feel she is fully capable of obsessing over two things at the same time.

      • spriteless aunty
        spriteless aunty
        September 22, 2023 at 11:16 am | #

        Duobsession

    • Rotunda
      Rotunda
      September 22, 2023 at 8:23 pm | #

      It might not have all been about Joyce/Joe in the first place. In Sarah’s life, if Joyce is occupied with a romantic relationship, it dilutes Sarah’s main friendship, which she perceives as one of guarding and protecting.

  28. Quirdry Tawks
    Quirdry Tawks
    September 22, 2023 at 9:56 am | #

    sighs…

    …oh, Sarah. 😣

  29. Makkabee
    Makkabee
    September 22, 2023 at 11:08 am | #

    Well, at least she’s neat.

  30. WizardPantaloon
    WizardPantaloon
    September 22, 2023 at 12:41 pm | #

    ALRIGHT WE GET IT.

    • Taffy
      Taffy
      September 22, 2023 at 4:05 pm | #

      So you want another full week of Sarah screaming about Joyce’s vagina?

  31. John
    John
    September 22, 2023 at 12:49 pm | #

    Go to therapy, Sarah.

    • Taffy
      Taffy
      September 22, 2023 at 3:32 pm | #

      She could benefit greatly from it.

    • spriteless aunty
      spriteless aunty
      September 22, 2023 at 6:15 pm | #

      Get the same therapist as Dotty she’ll just say “You’re doin fine!”

      • NGPZ
        NGPZ
        September 22, 2023 at 10:10 pm | #

        It was a guidance councilor technically?

        Unless there is another one?

  32. FaerwenOfValenwood
    FaerwenOfValenwood
    September 22, 2023 at 4:40 pm | #

    I wheeze-laughed at this. A++ 10/10 would wheeze again

    • NGPZ
      NGPZ
      September 22, 2023 at 9:43 pm | #

      I’m glad, happy equinox!!! 😊

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