Dumbing of Age Book Twelve

Dumbing of Age

A college webcomic by David Willis
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May 8, 2026

Blue

by David M Willis on September 18, 2024 at 12:01 am
  • 01 – Love Dares You To Change
└ Tags: carla, charlie, fuckface, malaya

Discussion (122) ¬

[ Comments RSS ]
  1. shadowcell
    shadowcell
    September 18, 2024 at 12:04 am | #

    not if she can’t make a giant cartoon hand and its incredibly dexterous fingers pop out of her chest

    • Doctor_Who
      Doctor_Who
      September 18, 2024 at 12:06 am | #

      It’s Carla, how much you wanna bet she couldn’t?

      • clif
        clif
        September 18, 2024 at 2:01 am | #

        I thought it was Malaya

      • Shadowsnail
        Shadowsnail
        September 18, 2024 at 11:43 am | #

        What evidence do we have that Carla is not bionic?

        • WillowD
          WillowD
          September 18, 2024 at 5:18 pm | #

          Actually, in the earlier David Willis comic Carla is known as Ultra Car. Ultra Car looks like Carla. Here is her bio:

          Ultra Car was created to be an interstellar vessel for the Martian War of ’04, but her artificial intelligence was transferred into a smaller hybrid hatchback chassis shortly thereafter. A breakthrough in technology, she was the prototype for a series of intelligent cars which are increasingly filling the roads.

          Now she’s been put into the body of a rollerskating humanoid robot. She still hates humans and possesses the same bruised ego, both of which has made her an obvious partner for Malaya. A partner of some sort, anyway. They’re still figuring it out.

  2. Dara
    Dara
    September 18, 2024 at 12:04 am | #

    ahhhh we finally have a reason for the name

    I learned something today! About iguanas!

    • Dara
      Dara
      September 18, 2024 at 12:05 am | #

      Something that an ex-girlfriend of mine who had an iguana never mentioned to me, but then, she didn’t name him like that, so it’s not like it was likely to come up.

    • Newlland(Henryvolt)
      Newlland(Henryvolt)
      September 18, 2024 at 12:13 am | #

      Ironically I never really questioned it until now.

      • Queezle
        Queezle
        September 18, 2024 at 1:52 am | #

        Me neither, I just though “Sure that is a name the Malaya would pick alright, makes sense no further questions” and that was that.

        • mindbleach
          mindbleach
          September 18, 2024 at 8:39 am | #

          We do not question The Malaya.

        • Felian
          Felian
          September 18, 2024 at 3:47 pm | #

          haha exactly. i just thought that is just the exact level of “idgaf“ attitude i’d expect from Malaya 😀

    • Dante
      Dante
      September 18, 2024 at 12:36 am | #

      +1, I’m delighted. I just thought it was Malaya being rude omg

      • Mark
        Mark
        September 18, 2024 at 7:24 am | #

        Same.

      • Dara
        Dara
        September 18, 2024 at 2:43 pm | #

        Oh yeah me too, I’m like way happier about it now.

    • Decidedly Orthogonal
      Decidedly Orthogonal
      September 18, 2024 at 2:08 am | #

      [Citation Found]

    • Needfuldoer
      Needfuldoer
      September 18, 2024 at 7:23 am | #

      I think it first came up in a bonus strip.

      • Lars
        Lars
        September 23, 2024 at 3:56 am | #

        Nope. It was part of Shortpacked!

    • Michael Steamweed
      Michael Steamweed
      September 18, 2024 at 8:02 am | #

      Fuckface lore! But I have questions: What is the tale of when Malaya got Fuckface? Did she name him that at first, or was she surprised when he went blue?

  3. Thag Simmons
    Thag Simmons
    September 18, 2024 at 12:04 am | #

    Carla had (has?) a crush on her, that counts as a something.

    • staszu13
      staszu13
      September 18, 2024 at 12:19 am | #

      Had I think. Looks like she’s working on Charlie now

      • Decidedly Orthogonal
        Decidedly Orthogonal
        September 18, 2024 at 2:09 am | #

        Not ‘working on’. Charlie herself has confirmed they’re dating.

      • Felian
        Felian
        September 18, 2024 at 3:48 pm | #

        you can have a crush on several people tho ^^ so who knows ^^

    • HueSatLight
      HueSatLight
      September 18, 2024 at 8:34 pm | #

      An interest in her, maybe not to the level of a crush. Based on how she reacted when Joe and Malaya hooked up, and when she clued Malaya into Marcie’s crush.

  4. True Survivor
    True Survivor
    September 18, 2024 at 12:04 am | #

    I learned something about iguana’s today. Thus, today is a good day.

  5. Sirksome
    Sirksome
    September 18, 2024 at 12:05 am | #

    From what I understand Carla’s not much into fucking of any kind. If Malaya were her ex they’d know that.

    • Jo_cubstar
      Jo_cubstar
      September 18, 2024 at 12:08 am | #

      I’m not sure I understand your comment. Charlie was asking if Malaya was her ex, what does that have to do with Malaya knowing what Carla’s sex preferences are or not?

      • Sirksome
        Sirksome
        September 18, 2024 at 12:12 am | #

        Malaya says “Don’t fuck me.” in the first panel. She means that in the “don’t inconvenience me by compromising my possession of Fuckface that violates the rules.” I chose to interpret that more literally for humor.

        • Jamie
          Jamie
          September 18, 2024 at 12:15 am | #

          I mean, that’s how Carla clearly interpreted it, so.

          • Dante
            Dante
            September 18, 2024 at 12:37 am | #

            She’s biting her lip in fear and all

        • staszu13
          staszu13
          September 18, 2024 at 12:18 am | #

          Yes, if I were translating a better phrasing would be “don’t fuck with me”

          • BarerMender
            BarerMender
            September 18, 2024 at 12:29 am | #

            That’s what I thought she said. My brain must’ve done a page load.

          • Yumi
            Yumi
            September 18, 2024 at 12:31 am | #

            “Don’t fuck me over” is what I landed on.

            • Needfuldoer
              Needfuldoer
              September 18, 2024 at 7:25 am | #

              Same. Malaya doesn’t want Fuckface too be too much of an open secret.

            • Mark
              Mark
              September 18, 2024 at 6:39 pm | #

              Why am I hearing this to the tune of “Hey, Look Me Over”?

          • Felgraf
            Felgraf
            September 18, 2024 at 7:01 am | #

            I’m leaning more towards “don’t fuck me over”, but yeah.

          • Vulcanodon
            Vulcanodon
            September 18, 2024 at 1:10 pm | #

            I never hear that phrase without it being in Sarah Connor’s voice

        • Michael Steamweed
          Michael Steamweed
          September 18, 2024 at 8:04 am | #

          “Don’t fuck me on this.”
          “Don’t screw me on this.”
          “Don’t screw me now.”
          “Don’t fuck me over.”
          “Don’t screw me over.”

    • Sirksome
      Sirksome
      September 18, 2024 at 12:10 am | #

      Also is Charlie’s question a reference to Shortpacked or It’s Walky?
      I’ve kind of figured through comment context some characters were couples like Walky and Joyce. I think Carla was actually a robot based on art I’ve seen. Alt text also implies Malaya and Carla were a thing, maybe.

      • staszu13
        staszu13
        September 18, 2024 at 12:16 am | #

        The Carla thing is complicated. Once upon a time in the Walkyverse (sounds like a weird animated Sergio Leone movie but I digress) there was an Ultra Car, an automobile with an AI, created by Joe and his significant other Rachel (I said it was complicated). At Ultra Car’s request, it was made into a gynoid, a female presenting robot. In the Dumbiverse, Ultra exists as a fictional character, specifically the star of a short lived animated series. Carla grew up idolizing the character and patterns her life after her. She even dyes her hair, wears glasses and roller skates in emulation of Ultra. I suspect the name Carla was selected as a reference too.

        • John Campbell
          John Campbell
          September 18, 2024 at 2:17 am | #

          Joe’s significant other, Rachel, not to be confused with Joe’s significant, Other Rachel.

        • Michael Steamweed
          Michael Steamweed
          September 18, 2024 at 8:06 am | #

          “Carla” is her middle name. Full name is “Ultra Carla Rutten.”
          (i’m totally making that up but it’s my headcanon so there.)

        • Felian
          Felian
          September 18, 2024 at 3:49 pm | #

          How did i not realize the CARla thing yet???? LOL

          • HueSatLight
            HueSatLight
            September 18, 2024 at 4:57 pm | #

            CARLA RUTten
            CAR LARUT
            ULTRA CAR

      • Dana
        Dana
        September 18, 2024 at 12:16 am | #

        Malaya and Ultracar were a couple in Shortpacked!, yes.

    • Thag Simmons
      Thag Simmons
      September 18, 2024 at 12:10 am | #

      Carla still had a thing for Malaya and clearly does desire romance, even if she thinks physical intimacy is gross.

    • Colin McKenzie
      Colin McKenzie
      September 18, 2024 at 9:57 am | #

      I thought Carla was chasing after Booster, and settled on Charlie?

      TOO MANY NAMES! TOO BIG A CAST!

      • Taffy
        Taffy
        September 18, 2024 at 12:55 pm | #

        Carla and Booster have never interacted.

        • a/snow/mous/e
          a/snow/mous/e
          September 18, 2024 at 7:03 pm | #

          All their interactions have been about Carla’s anxiety in approaching Charlie. (Almost feels like some variant on the Bechdel test.)

      • Nymph
        Nymph
        September 18, 2024 at 12:56 pm | #

        If you mean romantically, then no. Carla was never chasing Booster and didn’t settle for Charlie. Carla is canonically into women, which IRL can sometimes extend to nonbinary people, but frequently does not and in this case we have seen no sign of it.

        • Fuzzy
          Fuzzy
          September 18, 2024 at 1:58 pm | #

          Carla still seems at least a little into Malaya, who’s several months into not identifying as a woman and publicly using they/them pronouns, so there’s that sign of it at least.

          • Nymph
            Nymph
            September 18, 2024 at 10:20 pm | #

            That’s valid. I had forgot she actually was kinda into Malaya early on (and certainly still is.

  6. Charles Phipps
    Charles Phipps
    September 18, 2024 at 12:06 am | #

    Carla is ace romantic I believe from shortpacked.

    Assuming she and Ultracar share the same QUANTUM CONSCIOUSNESS.

    • staszu13
      staszu13
      September 18, 2024 at 12:11 am | #

      Ace as in asexual or as in very capable?

      • Yumi
        Yumi
        September 18, 2024 at 12:12 am | #

        Yes.

        • clif
          clif
          September 18, 2024 at 1:53 am | #

          That is correct.

    • Shade
      Shade
      September 18, 2024 at 12:21 am | #

      I believe Davis said those carry over yes.

      • Taffy
        Taffy
        September 18, 2024 at 2:26 pm | #

        My favorite webcomic author, Will Davis. Creator of the famous comic Overstocked?, very active in the Cabbage Patch Kids fandom, always tweeting about exotic foods.

        • bejouled
          bejouled
          September 18, 2024 at 11:28 pm | #

          Snorting in bed trying not to wake my husband

    • Dante
      Dante
      September 18, 2024 at 12:34 am | #

      This Carla, going by some of her comments about liking pretty girls being mean and stepping on her, could mayhaps be a kinky ace. (Many such cases.)

      But yeah, she’s been stated to be an Ace Lesbian in specific :33

  7. Ray
    Ray
    September 18, 2024 at 12:07 am | #

    Blue-headed horny lizards and multiverse ex’s….
    “The More You Know…”

  8. staszu13
    staszu13
    September 18, 2024 at 12:10 am | #

    It does take some time but Charlie does eventually notice things

    • Mark
      Mark
      September 18, 2024 at 7:28 am | #

      I’m still not 100% convinced that she isn’t doing a bit, to support Carla’s assurances to Malaya and have a bit of fun with her own reputation at the same time.

  9. DailyBrad
    DailyBrad
    September 18, 2024 at 12:15 am | #

    I am very glad Charlie’s got a continued presence. I enjoy her and Carla’s dynamic quite a bit.

  10. Dean
    Dean
    September 18, 2024 at 12:19 am | #

    Panel 2 Charlie is great. Clearly, having lizards on your head is just a thing that sometimes happens when you’re Charlie.

    • Bogeywoman
      Bogeywoman
      September 18, 2024 at 1:11 am | #

      As a Charlie I can confirm this to be true (genuinely, except it was a wild Goanna and they considerably heavier and less chill than iguanas). Has also happened with spiders (multiple), the python that lived under my house, and ceiling mice.

      • S.R.
        S.R.
        September 18, 2024 at 1:57 am | #

        Okay, I gotta hear the Goanna story.

        • Aura
          Aura
          September 18, 2024 at 6:22 am | #

          Me too, how does one get a goanna on their head that’s wild!

          • Opus the Poet
            Opus the Poet
            September 18, 2024 at 5:53 pm | #

            Really mess up criminally in the Magellenverse
            https://magellanverse.com/
            The creator of the comic is a transAustralian, and updates are intermittent since she transitioned, also one of the heroes is codenamed Go!ana. Hence the link to the comic.

        • Bogeywoman
          Bogeywoman
          September 20, 2024 at 7:59 am | #

          The Goanna story boils down to
          > Camping with lesbians
          > Kiwi dyke had a little dog
          > Goanna was on her car
          > Dog went for the Goanna (who was much bigger than the dog)
          > No one wanted to get between the two
          > I have no sense of risk and went to pick up the dog
          > Goannas will climb whatever is nearest and tallest
          > It jumped from car to my backpack
          > Everyone screaming
          > Didn’t know it was on me until its tongue stuck out against my ear
          > Calmly, but quickly walked to a gum for it to climb

          I wouldn’t have been as keen to get close to it if it was fully grown, and was lucky not to get cut up by the claws. I just felt like a heavy weight and thought someone had grabbed me to pull me away

      • Michael Steamweed
        Michael Steamweed
        September 18, 2024 at 8:11 am | #

        TIL that “goanna” and “iguana” have the same linguistic origin. :O

  11. Yumi
    Yumi
    September 18, 2024 at 12:34 am | #

    I like seeing Charlie’s perception in this moment! She might not register everything one would expect, but she does pick up on some things.

  12. AGV/Ruby
    AGV/Ruby
    September 18, 2024 at 12:39 am | #

    See, you think that Charlie is just being absent minded, but what’s happening is that she’s accidentally tapping into other universes.

    • mindbleach
      mindbleach
      September 18, 2024 at 8:44 am | #

      Everything Some Places Occasionally.

      Like outside this off-brand Racoocoonie situation, there’s a lot more retail than you’d expect.

      … wait would that mean Fuckface is the one with relationship insights?

    • Shadowsnail
      Shadowsnail
      September 18, 2024 at 11:49 am | #

      New headcanon: Charlie is a Primary (12 Monkeys (the show, not the movie)).

  13. Lingo
    Lingo
    September 18, 2024 at 12:49 am | #

    Ha, thank you alt-text! I completely forgot about that relationship.

  14. Jonah (firelight_waltz)
    Jonah (firelight_waltz)
    September 18, 2024 at 12:51 am | #

    after seeing how cute that 4th panel is i now need a spin-off series for the adventures of charlie and fuckface

    • RocketRelm
      RocketRelm
      September 18, 2024 at 8:47 pm | #

      Honestly I never noticed, but yeah, fuckface is smiling notably more than in any comic before.

  15. Vaishino
    Vaishino
    September 18, 2024 at 12:55 am | #

    Charlie can observe other timelines, it’s just like Donnie Darko

    • Michael Steamweed
      Michael Steamweed
      September 18, 2024 at 8:13 am | #

      The main reason why Charlie is so distracted. She’s got heavy responsibilities for keeping the timelines straight (people, no, but timelines, yes) and multiverse healthy. Booster’s keen perceptions are focused on people in their social circles, but Charlie’s keen perceptions are focused elsewhere.

  16. EpochFlame
    EpochFlame
    September 18, 2024 at 12:57 am | #

    so there’s a reason for the name!

  17. Jerach
    Jerach
    September 18, 2024 at 12:58 am | #

    Charlie is alarmingly observant for somebody who didn’t notice a lizard on her head.

    • Michael Steamweed
      Michael Steamweed
      September 18, 2024 at 8:14 am | #

      Booster and Charlie seem to share similar keen social perceptions. That is, once Charlie is paying attention to _this_ timeline instead of others.

  18. Freezer
    Freezer
    September 18, 2024 at 1:03 am | #

    “Not in this universe, anyway.”
    “Huh?”
    “Nothing!”

    • Freezer
      Freezer
      September 18, 2024 at 3:47 am | #

      And this is why you should check the alt text before making jokes.

  19. Radiance
    Radiance
    September 18, 2024 at 1:05 am | #

    I see insightfulness runs in the family.

    Also, now I’m imagining Charlie as the protagonist of a detective series. Sort of a Columbo* type where her mannerisms mean people habitually underestimate her – until she offhandedly asks exactly the right question at exactly the right time to bring the whole case to a close.

    *I have never actually seen an episode of Columbo, I just know it from memes.

    • Michael Steamweed
      Michael Steamweed
      September 18, 2024 at 8:18 am | #

      I have seen all of them (I think; might have missed a few). But indeed, they follow the same format, and it goes just like that. His famous phrase is “Oh, just one more thing.”

      (it’s still difficult for me to watch Princess Bride without seeing Grandpa as the detective Columbo.) 🙂

      • Daibhid C
        Daibhid C
        September 18, 2024 at 2:36 pm | #

        Every time I watch The Great Muppet Caper and Peter Falk appears and launches into a stream of nonsense about a glass slipper factory to Kermit’s increasing bemusement, I half expect it to end “Oh, just one more thing, Mr the Frog…”

        • Michael Steamweed
          Michael Steamweed
          September 19, 2024 at 7:48 am | #

          Hah! Yes, exactly!

      • thejeff
        thejeff
        September 18, 2024 at 2:47 pm | #

        Head canon is now that it’s actually the same character. Just an older retired Columbo being nice to his grandson.

        • butting
          butting
          September 19, 2024 at 12:07 am | #

          And at virtually the same time (the two films wrapped in December ’86, but the Princess Bride shoot started a month or two earlier) he was hanging out with acrobats and fallen angels in Berlin.

          Columbo wasn’t a character, he’s just Peter Falk doing Peter Falk things on camera. Truth.

  20. Golden Yak
    Golden Yak
    September 18, 2024 at 1:15 am | #

    Or in the other universe, hopefully. Last I read they were still a thing.

  21. Arianod
    Arianod
    September 18, 2024 at 3:10 am | #

    Maybe in another universe 😀

    • Arianod
      Arianod
      September 18, 2024 at 3:11 am | #

      Dammit, that was practically what the alt text said :c

      • Michael Steamweed
        Michael Steamweed
        September 18, 2024 at 8:19 am | #

        No worries! Just means you’re thinking in the right direction. 😀

  22. HueSatLight
    HueSatLight
    September 18, 2024 at 3:42 am | #

    Name explanation too funny to keep in bonus strip only.

  23. BorkBorkBork
    BorkBorkBork
    September 18, 2024 at 3:56 am | #

    FAAACE!!!

  24. IntangibleMatter
    IntangibleMatter
    September 18, 2024 at 4:14 am | #

    Carla’s never mentioned having an ex in the strip.

    That said, I somehow doubt it would be Malaya in this context

    • RocketRelm
      RocketRelm
      September 18, 2024 at 5:38 am | #

      I think it’s both A, a reference to Shortpacked, and B, noticing that Carla very much does like Malaya.

      https://www.dumbingofage.com/2018/comic/book-8/03-faz-is-great/friendly/
      https://www.dumbingofage.com/2018/comic/book-8/03-faz-is-great/crowds/

  25. Bryy
    Bryy
    September 18, 2024 at 5:26 am | #

    Ah, there’s the Booster in Charlie.

    • Amós Batista
      Amós Batista
      September 18, 2024 at 2:53 pm | #

      …that sudden boost of clarity.

  26. Deanatay
    Deanatay
    September 18, 2024 at 7:43 am | #

    Malaya: Ha! Carla WISHES!

    Carla: … It’s true, I do.

  27. Deanatay
    Deanatay
    September 18, 2024 at 7:53 am | #

    I feel like Charlie isn’t stupid, just… slow. She takes time to fully grok the situation before acting. To paraphrase one of my favorite authors, “she can think her way through a brick wall, if you give her time.”

    • Michael Steamweed
      Michael Steamweed
      September 18, 2024 at 8:23 am | #

      Dangit! I wanted to hit reply but hit the report comment. My apologies! Please disregard!

      Reply: Who is the author? I like that quote.

      • thejeff
        thejeff
        September 18, 2024 at 2:49 pm | #

        Tolkien.
        It’s Gandalf of course: “You don’t know much…if you think old Barliman is stupid…He is wise enough on his own ground. He thinks less than he talks, and slower; yet he can see through a brick wall in time…”

        • Deanatay
          Deanatay
          September 19, 2024 at 12:22 am | #

          Actually, my quote was from Robert Jordan’s Wheel Of Time, describing Perrin.

          • thejeff
            thejeff
            September 19, 2024 at 9:07 am | #

            Interesting. Jordan referencing Tolkien? Or a more common idiom than I though?

          • Michael Steamweed
            Michael Steamweed
            September 20, 2024 at 7:25 am | #

            Ah, I have not read those texts! I must look into correcting that.

  28. Michael Steamweed
    Michael Steamweed
    September 18, 2024 at 7:59 am | #

    “Is that some blue paint on your face, or are you happy to see me?”

  29. motorfirebox
    motorfirebox
    September 18, 2024 at 9:11 am | #

    Hahaaaaaa. Pick up on maybe one nonverbal social cue in a thousand, and it’s always the most awkward one.

  30. darkoneko
    darkoneko
    September 18, 2024 at 9:41 am | #

    well, is she ? 😀

  31. JepMZ
    JepMZ
    September 18, 2024 at 9:51 am | #

    So Charlie can see thru timelines🤔

    • NGPZ
      NGPZ
      September 18, 2024 at 11:49 am | #

      Fuckface amplifies her autism superpowers ^^

      • Taffy
        Taffy
        September 18, 2024 at 2:28 pm | #

        She only seems absent-minded because she devotes a huge portion of her brainpower to rotating pictures of sea animals in her brain.

        • Jeremiah
          Jeremiah
          September 18, 2024 at 2:59 pm | #

          Honestly better that most people do with their brains.

  32. Yeet
    Yeet
    September 18, 2024 at 11:20 am | #

    seems like charlie’s more perceptive than people are giving her credit for

  33. Pat Myers
    Pat Myers
    September 18, 2024 at 11:39 am | #

    “… unless it’s with an extending robot hand from across the room”

  34. Mr. Random
    Mr. Random
    September 18, 2024 at 12:14 pm | #

    Probably a one night stand or something and Malaya wasn’t interested in going any further.

    • Taffy
      Taffy
      September 18, 2024 at 8:42 pm | #

      When decorating, one can never have too many nightstands.

  35. Imp
    Imp
    September 18, 2024 at 12:22 pm | #

    Not for lack of trying on Carla’s part!

  36. LiterallyJustSomeGuy
    LiterallyJustSomeGuy
    September 18, 2024 at 6:01 pm | #

    Yeah, Carla! Is Malaya, like, your ex or something?

  37. elfroyalty
    elfroyalty
    September 18, 2024 at 10:27 pm | #

    charlie you can’t acknowledge the fourth wall/alternate universe like that

  38. minerharry
    minerharry
    September 19, 2024 at 5:07 pm | #

    Just realized Carla and Malaya are looking at each other from across the strip 🥰

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