Dumbing of Age Book Twelve

Dumbing of Age

A college webcomic by David Willis
RSS
‹
›
  • Home
  • About/Read before posting
  • Archive↓
    • by calendar
  • Cast
  • Store↓
    • Main Store (books and stuff)
    • T-shirts
  • Patreon↓
    • Patreon (regular)
    • Patreon (NSFW)
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
it's good to pace yourself
First Previous Random 225Comments Share Next Latest
Reddit Digg Facebook MySpace Delicious Stumbleupon Buzz Up! Mixx Technorati Google Bookmarks Yahoo Bookmarks Yahoo MyWeb Windows Live Propeller FriendFeed Newsvine Xanga LinkedIn Blinklist Twitter
Discover more Hiveworks comics
Nerf Now!!
Josué Pereira
A cute webcomic about fanservice, video games, and... love. Mostly video games, though.
Cassiopeia Quinn
Gunwild, Psudonym
A cute, pantsless thief is pursued across the stars by a buttoned-up military officer in the spacey, laser-filled future.
Atomic Robo
Brian Clevinger, Scott Wegener
The robot punches monsters and bad robots and one time he was a cowboy.
Kiwi Blitz
Mary Cagle (Cube Watermelon)
Steffi thinks she can use her kiwi mech to become a superhero. This idea turns out to be very stupid.
Stand Still, Stay Silent
Minna Sundberg
A few generations after the end of the world, a small, poorly financed research crew is sent out to rediscover whatever is left of the forbidden old world in the south.
Astral Aves
Moon Cabal
A fantasy coming-of-age following the adventures of Astra The Black and friends, as they navigate the mysterious world around them. It's politics, adventure, and the supernatural; oh, and crazy hair.
Devil's Candy
Rem, Bikkuri
A lush fantasy about boy genius Kazu Decker, the girl he constructed for his 9th grade science project, and the world of devils and monsters they live in.
Widdershins
Kate Ashwin
A series of light-hearted Victorian-era adventure stories featuring grumpy bounty hunters, accidental thiefkings, and more, in England's magical capital city Widdershins!
Girl Genius
Phil Foglio, Kaja Foglio
In a time when the Industrial Revolution has become an all-out war, Mad Science rules the World...with mixed success.
Alice and the Nightmare
Misha Krivanek
Alice finally attends University to learn to collect the dreams of humans, meet new friends, and deal with a pesky reflection along the way.
Lighter Than Heir
Melissa Albino
A young Volant woman joins the military in an effort to upstage her war-hero father.
The Lonely Vincent Bellingham
Diana Huh
Vincent is an unkind man looking to disappear, and finds himself in the care of a vampire and her two wicked children.
Sister Claire
Yamino
In the troubled aftermath of a great war between Witches and her fellow Nuns, novice Sister Claire just wants a purpose.
Demon's Mirror
Harry Bogosian
Based loosely off of "The Snow Queen", a story by Hans Christian Andersen, we see things take a different turn as the demons become central characters, and the side characters stick around. Yup, that's the only differences. Enjoy!
This is Not Fiction
Nicole Mannino
What do you do when the person you're in-love with is an anonymous romance novelist? Get your best friend to hire your worst enemy for help!
Love Not Found
Gina Biggs
Abeille is on a quest to find someone who wants to do it the old-fashioned way in a time when touching has become outdated.
Cut Time
Juby
Rel and her trusty avian friend Fugue are on a quest to save a world that's lost track of time. Follow them and their new recruits, in a story written with help from the stars.
Tigress Queen
Allison Shaw
A barbarian warlord and a pampered prince try to avoid a marriage alliance that could end decades of violence.
Starhammer
J.N. Monk, Harry Bogosian
A teen girl inherits a powerful alien artifact and proceeds to make a series of increasingly poor decisions
Never Satisfied
Taylor Robin
Lucy Marlowe, a magician's apprentice, competes against other apprentices for an important, magical, Goverment Job.
Hazy London
Scotty
A story about messy relationships. From friendly foes to crazy families. Nothing is black and white, just full of color. But, all colors can get a little hazy...
Sam & Fuzzy
Sam Logan
Troubled by gangster rodents, lovesick vampire stalkers, or confused ninja assassins? Don't panic! Sam and Fuzzy are here to help. (For a reasonable fee.)
Dumbing of Age
David M Willis
Joyce has been homeschooled her entire life until now, when she's suddenly a freshman in college! Things don't go well.
Fireweeds Moors
Gato Iberico
A cat-headed man and a girl with a sandwich hankering accidentally end up in a myth-infused country where magic chalices are a really big thing.
Godslave
Meaghan Carter
Edith has been thrown into the dangerous world of modern-day Egyptian mythology. Fighting monsters and dealing with family drama of godly proportions.
Caramel Corn
Potchimew
Sarah is the only human left in a world full of mythical creatures and monsters. All she wants to do is live a quiet life, but everything changes when she meets her guardian angel, Jacob.
Monster Pulse
Magnolia Porter Siddell
Four kids run afoul of a creepy secret organization's experiments, which turn their body parts into fighting monsters. Part sentimental coming-of-age story, part monster-training shonen manga, with just a bit of sci-fi body horror.
Empowered
Adam Warren
A sexy superhero comedy (except when it isn't) about the never-ending struggles of a plucky but very unlucky young superheroine.
Wilde Life
Pascalle Lepas
Oscar decided to rent an old haunted house, and that's when things got weird...
El Goonish Shive
Dan Shive
WARNING: This comic often ignores the Laws of Physics
The Automan's Daughter
Mike Stamm
Aisha Osman and her uncle Siddig outwit bikers, spies and kidnappers while gearing up for a showdown with the formidable Widowmaker mecha.
Sufficiently Remarkable
Maki Naro
Two young women living in Brooklyn discover that you're always coming of age.
[un]Divine
Ayme
A highschool senior thought giving up his soul for a demon was a good idea. It wasn't.
Anarchy Dreamers
Emily Ree
Sparkly undead kids fight society's worst Nightmares in this pastel-punk urban fantasy coming-of-age!
Cyanide & Happiness
Explosm
Satire, dark humor and surreal humor.
Star Trip
Gisele Weaver
Jas is a human taken from her home planet on a trip across the galaxy she will never forget.
Ghost Junk Sickness
Studio CARTRIDGE, Laura Lee
Two hunters try to survive and end up being pushed to pursue a deadly bounty dubbed "The Ghost".
Wychwood
Varethane
When Tiara's pyrokinesis is finally noticed, she is captured by a magical research organization for study. If she cooperates, she could be helping to save humanity from a dire threat - but can she trust them?
Paranatural
Zack Morrison
Superpowered middle schoolers fight evil spirits in their rural hometown. Come for the jokes, stay for the cast, the creatures, and the mystery that ties them all together!
Kochab
Sarah Webb
A YA F/F fantasy comic about Sonya, a lost skier trying to survive a snowy wilderness and find her way back to her village; and Kyra - a fire spirit trying to fix the home that she let fall apart around her.
The Sanity Circus
Windy
Magic, monsters and mysteries await in the odd city of Sanity. It's up to Attley and a colorful group of characters to find out just what is going on.
Lilith's Word
inkPangur
If you had the power to make any wish come true using just one word, what would you say?
Awaken
Koti Saavedra/Flipfloppery
Superpowers, monsters and conspiracies. Piras, the spoiled Dameschi heir, fights to recover his identity after becoming a terrorist!
Guilded Age
T Campbell, John Waltrip, Florence Machina
Welcome to the saga of the working-class adventurer! Enjoy the complete story with new annotations daily!
Between Failures
Jackie Wohlenhaus
The low stakes adventures of an assorted group of 20 somethings trapped in the declining years of American retail. They are naughty and say lots of swears.
The End
August Brown, Cory Brown
Two aliens crash a sci-fi convention and accidentally take seven nerds on an adventure that spans the galaxy!
Jailbird
Charlie Davis
An all-ages comic about a recently escaped prisoner's struggle to understand the outside world, and vice-versa. Also, a magic cape!
Knights Errant
J.R. Doyle
Wilfrid's humble quest for revenge becomes bigger and bloodier by the day.
Star Impact
Jack McGee
A young, energetic woman fights her way up in the world of super-powered boxing after discovering the mighty gloves of her missing idol!
Real Science Adventures
Brian Clevinger
Spin off stories and other adventures from the world of Atomic Robo!
Whomp!
Ronnie
A depressed, portly, hirsute anime fan stumbles through life in the ever-pursuit of chicken nuggets and other life-shortening indulgences.
The Witch Door
Anni K.
Katariina Lehto discovers her neighbor is a witch called Jousia Muotka. Jousia introduces Katariina to the strange people and places beyond the witch door...
Goodbye to Halos
Valerie Halla
Cuddles, gay flirting, weird feelings, and magic-fueled knife fights - it's an adventure across the queer multiverse!
Go Get a Roomie
Clover
Experience the queer journey of an upbeat hippie and the friendships she makes along the way! A tale of self-discovery and love of many forms.
Monsterkind
Taylor C
Wallace Foster, a young, bright-eyed human social worker, has his entire world view rocked when he's suddenly relocated into a city primarily inhabited by monsters.
BOOKMARK
Click "Tag Page" to bookmark a page. When you return to the site, click "Goto Tag" to continue where you left off.
Goto TagClear Tag


BUFFER WATCH Comics are currently drawn and uploaded through:

May 12, 2026

Chips

by David M Willis on October 2, 2023 at 12:01 am
  • 01 – Everybody's Looking for Nothing
└ Tags: amber, dorothy, walky

Discussion (225) ¬

[ Comments RSS ]
  1. Ana Chronistic
    Ana Chronistic
    October 2, 2023 at 12:02 am | #

    What you gonna do when the chips are down
    Now that the chips are down
    Help yourself, to hell with the rest
    Even the one who loves you best

    …wait no?

    • Ana Chronistic
      Ana Chronistic
      October 2, 2023 at 12:02 am | #

      fastest solution might be to just restart the universe, idk

      • StClair
        StClair
        October 2, 2023 at 12:08 am | #

        or end it.

      • MM
        MM
        October 2, 2023 at 12:09 am | #

        It’s an old song, but we’re gonna sing it anyway.

      • Quirdry Tawks
        Quirdry Tawks
        October 2, 2023 at 1:10 am | #

        I think that’s been tried?

      • someone
        someone
        October 2, 2023 at 5:04 am | #

        Too risky. If they restart the universe, they’re gonna end up working retail or something.

      • Needfuldoer
        Needfuldoer
        October 2, 2023 at 7:33 am | #

        Have they tried turning it off and back on again?

        • Psychie
          Psychie
          October 2, 2023 at 1:13 pm | #

          IIRC that was part of the motivation for one of the antagonists of “It’s Walky”, or something. It’s been awhile, but I think it was involved somehow in the Great Cheese plotline.

          So, to answer the question, it has been attempted in an alternate universe involving these characters.

    • milu
      milu
      October 2, 2023 at 7:06 am | #

      Coincidentally,

      a) ive been off my antidepressant for a couple days because i failed to schedule a prescription renewal appointment with GP in time (im seeing them today), and I’ve just had the worst night, just this impossibly long and detailed nightmare that i woke up from absolutely drenched in sweat

      b) my friend who died a year and a half ago loved Hadestown

      And now im bawling

      Just one of these days

      • milu
        milu
        October 2, 2023 at 7:17 am | #

        (I’ll be fine. Dont want to worry people unduly. Im ok. Just emotional, it happens and i’m letting it happen)

        • Decidedly Orthogonal
          Decidedly Orthogonal
          October 2, 2023 at 12:18 pm | #

          Sympathy milu. I screw up my renewals too often. I mostly just get crazy dizzy and a little nauseous, but yeah, the emotions suck too. Way to go on just accepting what’s happening, being gentle with yourself, and giving yourself the space to handle this. You’ve got this qnd you’ll get there. Lots of love cuz.

        • EmCaCo
          EmCaCo
          October 3, 2023 at 10:46 pm | #

          I’m sorry, that is so rough. I hope your ad kicks back in soon.

      • pig
        pig
        October 2, 2023 at 7:46 am | #

        Bereavement is awful and grieving is hard. I wish I could give you a hug.

      • Needfuldoer
        Needfuldoer
        October 2, 2023 at 10:10 am | #

        Appropriate gesture of support.

        (Which I’ve always pictured as Obi-Wan’s Jedi mind trick.)

      • milu
        milu
        October 2, 2023 at 1:08 pm | #

        thanks, y’all. <3 i really appreciate the support <3 <3

        • elebenty
          elebenty
          October 2, 2023 at 11:33 pm | #

          Imagine I upvoted that. <3

    • kaitou
      kaitou
      October 2, 2023 at 3:05 pm | #

      “When the chips are down, the buffalo move on.”

  2. DarkoNeko
    DarkoNeko
    October 2, 2023 at 12:02 am | #

    hey, you said the sanctum of nothin’ was Over !

    • Cholma
      Cholma
      October 2, 2023 at 1:34 am | #

      “Over?! Was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor? No!”

      • clif
        clif
        October 2, 2023 at 2:20 am | #

        Damn! I switched time-lines. Again.

      • Mym
        Mym
        October 2, 2023 at 11:19 am | #

        Ah, Bill Murray

  3. NGPZ
    NGPZ
    October 2, 2023 at 12:02 am | #

    Dorothy… yeah getting her to do R&R is gonna be tough.

    *cues montage of Walky and Amber trying to teach her how to relax*

    *plays “Easy Breezy” by chelmico over said montage*

    • Laura
      Laura
      October 2, 2023 at 1:23 am | #

      Spliced with “Nothing,” by Edie Brickell and the New Bohemians.
      https://youtu.be/ZHRyBTShdGs

      “I toss and turn over Nothing.
      ‘Nothing’ keeps me up at night.”
      Story of Dorothy’s life.

      • Needfuldoer
        Needfuldoer
        October 2, 2023 at 7:36 am | #

        Why not just an endless loop of the sound of a record stuck in the runout groove?

        • Laura
          Laura
          October 2, 2023 at 1:25 pm | #

          Oh, perfect! I love that sound! I listen to it when I need help to focus.

    • Bogeywoman
      Bogeywoman
      October 2, 2023 at 6:26 am | #

      It’d be like the episode in She Ra when Bo and Glimmer try to teach Adora to relax

    • Decidedly Orthogonal
      Decidedly Orthogonal
      October 2, 2023 at 12:19 pm | #

      *cues SEXY montage of Walky and Amber trying to teach her how to relax*

      STFY

      (sexed-up that for you)

      • Hof1991
        Hof1991
        October 3, 2023 at 9:17 am | #

        They can hold her hand while she “relaxes”.

      • Dave the Inverted
        Dave the Inverted
        October 3, 2023 at 10:19 pm | #

        That would make an entertaining Slipshine. Or at least an image for the Other Patreon.

  4. Doctor_Who
    Doctor_Who
    October 2, 2023 at 12:02 am | #

    Dorothy, I’m not sure Walky’s parents are a problem you can solve, not unless you can lay your hands on a knife, a tarp, and a bag or two of cement in a hurry.

    There’s not a person in the comments who wouldn’t gladly provide an alibi.

    • Thag Simmons
      Thag Simmons
      October 2, 2023 at 12:05 am | #

      The Walkertons really suck but murder is perhaps a smidge excessive

      • Taffy
        Taffy
        October 2, 2023 at 1:18 am | #

        It’s not murder if she crosses her fingers behind her back.

        • Thag Simmons
          Thag Simmons
          October 2, 2023 at 1:51 am | #

          That’s a difficult case to make before a judge.

          • Taffy
            Taffy
            October 2, 2023 at 2:25 am | #

            The legal system of the United States of America does not apply to any hypothetical scenario I invent, on the grounds that it’s boring and dumb and only ever results in “Well, they’d go to prison”, which isn’t fun.

            • LiterallyJustSomeGuy
              LiterallyJustSomeGuy
              October 2, 2023 at 7:22 am | #

              How about a scenario that ends in, “And then Linda goes to prison?” That sounds fun. Let’s invent one of those.

          • someone
            someone
            October 2, 2023 at 5:05 am | #

            That entirely depends on how much money you can spend on lawyers.

    • Proxiehunter
      Proxiehunter
      October 2, 2023 at 12:47 am | #

      A pig farm is a better idea than a bag of cement.

      • Taffy
        Taffy
        October 2, 2023 at 1:40 am | #

        Anybody got Brock Top’s number?

        • Taffy
          Taffy
          October 2, 2023 at 1:41 am | #

          Brick Top.

        • Allandrel
          Allandrel
          October 2, 2023 at 8:30 am | #

          I really need to memorize that speech.

    • HueSatLight
      HueSatLight
      October 2, 2023 at 5:30 pm | #

      [Dorothy sculpts state in half-dry cement, using knife, tarp keeping the floor clean. Statue makes Linda aware of her implicit bias and self-absorption, Charles aware of how to stop enabling.

  5. Sirksome
    Sirksome
    October 2, 2023 at 12:03 am | #

    Ah, so Dorothy likes lost causes. Her attraction to Walky makes so much sense now.

    • True Survivor
      True Survivor
      October 2, 2023 at 12:06 am | #

      I can’t tell if this is joke or not, but I think I agree.

    • Angel
      Angel
      October 2, 2023 at 12:16 am | #

      maybe dating wise/romantically walky wouldn’t be ideal for most ppl but it’s not as if he’s rly sabotaged his relationship with his sister so i wouldn’t think he’s that much of a lost cause (plus he is also planning to still visit his parents again)

    • DashWallkick
      DashWallkick
      October 2, 2023 at 4:00 am | #

      She likes putting out fires. In another 15 years she’s going to be Princess Caroline.

      • cain
        cain
        October 2, 2023 at 7:48 am | #

        that’s the sickest burn i’ve ever read for dorothy but you’re right

      • Mym
        Mym
        October 2, 2023 at 11:30 am | #

        Daaaamn, you aimed for the jugular

  6. Doopyboop
    Doopyboop
    October 2, 2023 at 12:03 am | #

    Amber wanting Dorothy to stay and hang out is really cute. Do it Dorothy!! Hang out! Learn how to play video games! Get a creative outlet!! LET YOURSELF HAVE FUN

    • Coatl
      Coatl
      October 2, 2023 at 12:10 am | #

      There are still details. But hey, nothing comes right the first time, so I dare say that this could be the first good step for Dorothy.
      Amber is not my favorite, but I liked that gesture on her part.

    • Angel
      Angel
      October 2, 2023 at 12:36 am | #

      when was the last time dorothy actually had fun outside of hooking up with walky, anyways?

      • Coatl
        Coatl
        October 2, 2023 at 12:40 am | #

        I think this would be the first time, I mean, Amber is inviting her to a game of Mario Kart.
        Although I think that she had fun before, I feel that we should know the girl’s past

    • Jamie
      Jamie
      October 2, 2023 at 12:55 am | #

      I’m actually kinda impressed that Amber isn’t kicking her out immediately.

      • Coatl
        Coatl
        October 2, 2023 at 1:00 am | #

        It seems like he does have some consideration for her.

      • The Oracle
        The Oracle
        October 2, 2023 at 1:31 am | #

        Why would she? They like each other.

        • LiterallyJustSomeGuy
          LiterallyJustSomeGuy
          October 2, 2023 at 7:27 am | #

          Because Amber does not always want people around, and she was just deer-in-the-headlights for several pages when Dorothy suddenly came into her room, shouting and scolding?

    • Nicoleandmaggie
      Nicoleandmaggie
      October 2, 2023 at 6:10 am | #

      Yeah!

  7. Pocky
    Pocky
    October 2, 2023 at 12:03 am | #

    the universe is a big place

    gonna need a bigger dust pan for that

    • Aura
      Aura
      October 2, 2023 at 1:53 am | #

      Alternatively, she could take a leaf out Vaarsuvius’ book: “As the size of an explosion increases, the number of social situations it is incapable of solving approaches zero.”

      (I’m sure that’s a riff off something but can’t remember what, or maybe it’s been riffed off elsewhere…)

  8. Nono
    Nono
    October 2, 2023 at 12:03 am | #

    Amber offering social interaction with a non-Ethan person?!

    • RassilonTDavros
      RassilonTDavros
      October 2, 2023 at 12:15 am | #

      I mean, Mario Kart doesn’t have to be social interaction per se.

    • Angel
      Angel
      October 2, 2023 at 12:20 am | #

      welll they’ve had at least one heart to heart, tho not sure how it’ll go if dorothy word vomits out all her issues

    • Samniel
      Samniel
      October 2, 2023 at 12:22 am | #

      Social interactions hidden behind a screen are Amber’s jam, though. She strikes me as having more e-fights on Schrodinger’s-Twitter than Ethan has(had?) in the Transformers wiki Discussion section.

    • Mark
      Mark
      October 2, 2023 at 6:45 am | #

      Well, also, I think the game is paused mid-way? I reckon Amber would like to complete the winning.

  9. Thag Simmons
    Thag Simmons
    October 2, 2023 at 12:04 am | #

    well no wonder you’re having a crisis

    • Laura
      Laura
      October 2, 2023 at 1:14 am | #

      I thought it odd nobody followed up on Dorothy’s self-description as “a former honors student going through a protracted psychotic break.”

      • MM
        MM
        October 2, 2023 at 1:27 am | #

        To be fair, when one of the other people in the room has a history of split personalities, it probably doesn’t hit quite the same.

      • Thag Simmons
        Thag Simmons
        October 2, 2023 at 1:52 am | #

        people are sometimes hyperbolic and if you calmly state the horrible crisis you’re having it’s pretty easy to interpret it as less than completely serious

  10. Mr. Random
    Mr. Random
    October 2, 2023 at 12:04 am | #

    She wants to fix things.
    But she also needs a break.

    I never really thought Walky/Amber clicked, mostly because I thought their issues fed into each other too much.

    But for Dorothy and Amber… I think that’d be a weirdly healthy friendship. If slightly co-dependent at first.

    • Schpoonman
      Schpoonman
      October 2, 2023 at 12:28 am | #

      Amber is the sort of “I can relax with you to properly decompress” person Dorothy needed in Walky but can be more removed and not as responsible for helping take care of Dorothy.

      • HueSatLight
        HueSatLight
        October 2, 2023 at 5:51 pm | #

        1) And she doesn’t put Dorothy on a pedestal. That’s what Dorothy needs, someone who treats her like she’s ordinary, because she is.
        2) And she’s never been one of Dorothy’s fix-it projects. That’s a tough pattern to shed.

  11. not someone else
    not someone else
    October 2, 2023 at 12:06 am | #

    …I am increasingly starting to think that Dorothy has the less-media-friendly version of OCD, where instead of doing specific actions repeatedly (because you’re obsessively worrying about things outside of your control) you try to hyper-control your own life and everything around you (because you’re obsessively worrying about things outside of your control).

    If nothing else, she’s starting to remind me of people who do.

    • Jamie
      Jamie
      October 2, 2023 at 12:57 am | #

      … I don’t have a copy of the DSM handy and I don’t feel like actually doing the research tonight, but I feel like that behavior is covered by a different disorder.

    • Bogeywoman
      Bogeywoman
      October 2, 2023 at 6:42 am | #

      https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK519704/table/ch3.t13/
      Based on DSM Im not sure it is OCD, but we don’t really know if she has intrusive thoughts. It could be, she definitely seems to struggle with some strain of anxiety disorder.

    • Meeks
      Meeks
      October 2, 2023 at 3:55 pm | #

      Maybe OCPD instead? From what i understand, that’s a little closer to what you’re describing. It affects your social behavior and how you act around other people, rather than being something more or less detached from whether there are other people around.

      I don’t (think I) have it, but I can definitely relate to being overwhelmed by the immense variables of other complex people. It’s why I prefer cartoons to live action, and being alone or with one other person to being in a group. Then again, for me it’s mostly due to autism and fear of change and unpredictability.

      I don’t know if Dorothy wishes more control over others, or just more control over other people’s perceptions of her. Maybe she’s holding on to the idea that if everyone just believed she was the person she wants to be, then she would be it. And when someone blatantly sees through all that (I think a lot of her peers politely go along with it, or really believe in the version of herself she tries to project) – it breaks her, because she needs everyone to believe in it, for it to be real.

      • Meeks
        Meeks
        October 2, 2023 at 3:55 pm | #

        Sorry for the wall of text haha. I have lots of feelings

      • HeatherJean
        HeatherJean
        October 2, 2023 at 10:36 pm | #

        Since we’re tossing out off-the-cuff diagnoses of fictional characters like, umm, Booster seems to, I’ll toss in mine: Dorothy’s written to have some variant of Imposter Syndrome, where she’s afraid she’s not nearly as smart or competent as people think she is. And a fair bit of guilt about being one of the causes of some of the previous semester’s nastiness.

  12. True Survivor
    True Survivor
    October 2, 2023 at 12:07 am | #

    Is it weird to wish I was more like Dorothy?

    • StClair
      StClair
      October 2, 2023 at 12:09 am | #

      it’s not weird, but it may not be healthy.
      because Dorothy masks well, but she’s not healthy.

      • Coatl
        Coatl
        October 2, 2023 at 12:13 am | #

        The right thing for her is to find the balance of responsibility and fun, I think this will be the first step.

      • Segnosaur
        Segnosaur
        October 2, 2023 at 12:21 am | #

        I don’t think she is all that “unhealthy”.

        Yes, she is extremely goal oriented and work-obsessed. But some people can handle that and/or thrive on it. She is good under pressure (I believe she was the one who organized the escape from the basement when kidnapped). And unlike so many of the other characters in the comic, she recognizes the value of getting professional counselling to deal with her issues.

        I think she is probably better off than walky/amber (who never seem to deal with their issues and let them fester).

        • Johan
          Johan
          October 2, 2023 at 12:24 am | #

          She has to be in control of every situation and must be well liked and well received or she spirals.

          • Quirdry Tawks
            Quirdry Tawks
            October 2, 2023 at 1:05 am | #

            Those are two mutually exclusive aims, tho.

            • Johan
              Johan
              October 2, 2023 at 2:34 am | #

              That’s Dorothy!

        • Coatl
          Coatl
          October 2, 2023 at 12:26 am | #

          Sometimes I feel like we need to know a little more about Dorothy, that is, why she wants to be president. I mean, there are people who seek big goals and ambitions, but you have to see why.

          • Jeff K!
            Jeff K!
            October 2, 2023 at 1:13 am | #

            She answers that motivation right here, actually: she wants to solve every problem in the universe, and being President of the United States would give her the most leverage to accomplish that goal.

            • StClair
              StClair
              October 2, 2023 at 1:38 pm | #

              The position of God either doesn’t exist or is already taken.

              • Mark
                Mark
                October 2, 2023 at 5:43 pm | #

                Maybe He would like to take a few days off to go fishing.

        • Taellosse
          Taellosse
          October 2, 2023 at 11:37 pm | #

          Dorothy is the kind of person everyone else depends on. They assume she can handle anything and everything, because she works very hard to project that impression.

          She’s also the kind of person that blindsides everyone when she finally suffers a nervous breakdown from the accumulated stress of too many commitments and an inability to ask for help.

    • UrsulaDavina
      UrsulaDavina
      October 2, 2023 at 12:18 am | #

      There is aspect of Dorothy that I like but I wouldn’t want to be here it’s like I love Leslie Knope I don’t want to be Leslie Knope.

    • Angel
      Angel
      October 2, 2023 at 12:30 am | #

      well, maybe if the average person was like 5% more liek dorothy , but not the overachiever burnout. balance is important after all

      if anything i’d prefer ppl be more like dina 8D;

    • Mark
      Mark
      October 2, 2023 at 6:50 am | #

      You go right ahead and find the amount of more-like-Dorothy that’s right for you.

    • Bash
      Bash
      October 2, 2023 at 7:41 am | #

      I think a lot of us could use a little more drive and discipline towards accomplishing our goals and bettering ourselves. “More like” is fine, as long as you don’t want to be exactly like her

  13. Yotomoe
    Yotomoe
    October 2, 2023 at 12:09 am | #

    Dorothy you’re like the exact opposite of a fun time. Fun times end when you enter the room.

    • Angel
      Angel
      October 2, 2023 at 12:21 am | #

      She needs more of the party side of leslie knope and not the beaurcratic side

      • HueSatLight
        HueSatLight
        October 2, 2023 at 1:07 am | #

        she would love Cones of Dunshire.

    • Needfuldoer
      Needfuldoer
      October 2, 2023 at 7:45 am | #

      No they don’t! She has a strategy for computing exactly the correct amount of fun to be in any given social situation!

      … Waitaminute.

    • Devin
      Devin
      October 2, 2023 at 3:46 pm | #

      Not if it’s the laundry room!

  14. Sirksome
    Sirksome
    October 2, 2023 at 12:10 am | #

    I don’t think Walky did anything wrong, but I must say knowingly blowing off your girlfriend is not a good sign that relationship will last. A ship with this many cracks already is less secure than a homemade submarine steered by an off brand video game controller.

    • Taffy
      Taffy
      October 2, 2023 at 12:12 am | #

      “Also I just realized I left my phone in my room” doesn’t sound especially knowing. It sounds more like he’s a shortsighted dingus.

      • Sirksome
        Sirksome
        October 2, 2023 at 12:22 am | #

        I would give him the benefit of the doubt if he didn’t already say two separate times he was avoiding her and his family and again reaffirming that now.

        • Jamie
          Jamie
          October 2, 2023 at 1:07 am | #

          I feel like avoiding your family and avoiding your girlfriend are two different things.

          It’s just that he can conveniently do both by forgetting his phone.

          • Taffy
            Taffy
            October 2, 2023 at 1:23 am | #

            Do we even have confirmation he’s been “avoiding” anyone, or is that just the comments section getting whipped up into hysteria over nothing again? He didn’t immediately wake up and go hang out with every single person who might potentially like to see him, big deal. A couple of hours to himself first is hardly “avoiding” someone.

            • The Oracle
              The Oracle
              October 2, 2023 at 1:28 am | #

              Why does anyone even bother writing anything before “or” in that type of question? Of course it’s just the comments section being weird. These characters can’t have their eyes pointed a little bit away from each other without somebody writing a novel about how they’re hiding shit or betraying someone or exhibiting symptoms of some mental disorder.

            • Schpoonman
              Schpoonman
              October 2, 2023 at 4:00 am | #

              It was discussed explicitly earlier when Amber asked him why he was playing Mario Kart with her instead of goofing off with Lucy.

              • Taffy
                Taffy
                October 2, 2023 at 12:25 pm | #

                I took that more as him wanting to do something else before he went to hang out with her, since she’s got a billion expectations and can be kind of a lot. I’m not avoiding my girlfriend if I play a few rounds of Fortnite before I wake her up on the weekend.

            • Sirksome
              Sirksome
              October 2, 2023 at 4:31 am | #

              I’m not trying to read too much into events, honest. I don’t think him hanging with Amber was a big deal or “emotional cheating” or anything that’s been thrown around the comments. But in that same breath I feel like saying he is not avoiding Lucy is ignoring the subtext a bit. He’s viewing seeing his parents and Lucy as obligations. “Reenter society” Not great for a fledgling romance that should be in its honeymoon period. That’s already over.

              I understand every relationship is different and takes work and maybe Walky does deserve a break from Lucy. My concern us why he thinks time away from Lucy is a break after just a week? He sees doing nothing with her as still something. Why didn’t the idea of them both ditching his loser parents to play Mario Kart and eat nachitos on the sex raptor never cross his mind?

              • Mark
                Mark
                October 2, 2023 at 6:59 am | #

                Possibly because only Lucy sees their relationship as fledgling romance. I think Walky is willing to let it become so, but Lucy hurrying things along is kind of killing the mood?

                • Devin
                  Devin
                  October 2, 2023 at 3:49 pm | #

                  He’s referred to himself as Lucy’s boyfriend so I tihnk they’re in agreement about their relationship being a romance. I think you’re right about their ideas on pacing though.

              • Taffy
                Taffy
                October 2, 2023 at 12:32 pm | #

                The “emotional cheating” shit is just baffling to me. “He’s interacting with a woman he previously pointed his dick at, and might maybe possibly at some point do it again, which could result in the penis emotions coming back if he keeps doing it long enough! Maybe!” That’s how it comes across to me, anyway.

      • Mark
        Mark
        October 2, 2023 at 6:52 am | #

        And he has good reason to be short-sighted in this instance. He expected to be coming right back to his room with a console.

      • thejeff
        thejeff
        October 2, 2023 at 8:15 am | #

        Especially since he originally came to borrow the Switch, not to hang out with Amber for an extended time.

      • HueSatLight
        HueSatLight
        October 2, 2023 at 5:54 pm | #

        subconscious in the driver’s seat

    • DailyBrad
      DailyBrad
      October 2, 2023 at 12:18 am | #

      I don’t really know that I buy it, honestly. He’s avoiding shit with his parents as much, probably moreso, than her, and he’s allowed some space.

      I think what he does need to do, though, is communicate more. Lucy’s new to this and being clingy is very typical of a newbie to relationships. It’s not like Walky’s an old salt, but he still is more experienced here and it makes sense he wouldn’t be behaving in the same way he was with Dorothy last semester.

      Of course, it all might implode, obviously, I just think Walky and Lucy might have legs yet.

      • Sirksome
        Sirksome
        October 2, 2023 at 12:30 am | #

        I don’t think they’re truly doomed or anything, it just feels that if Walky is already this anxious to be with her this early in it’s not a great start. Amber and Dorothy both started off more relaxed. I feel like Walky gets stressed just thinking about Lucy. “Everything is something with Lucy.” “I probably got like 70 texts from Lucy.” His body language when saying these lines. None of it implies he’s enjoying himself. I wouldn’t bet on it. Just saying always be ready to sell your shares of Walky x Lucy.

        • HueSatLight
          HueSatLight
          October 2, 2023 at 12:51 am | #

          He can right the ship. He’ll have to communicate though. He’s avoiding her, and avoiding intimacy with her. But it could be as simple as some version of “I rushed into sex before, and I think it might have been a mistake, can we take it slower?” and/or how his huge crushing on Dorothy at the time contributed to that.
          But he also has to figure out if that’s what he wants, because at least twice he’s described what he was looking for, and it sounded a lot like low-pressure hanging out. https://www.dumbingofage.com/romantic-2/ https://www.dumbingofage.com/normal/ and Lucy’s high intensity.

    • Angel
      Angel
      October 2, 2023 at 12:24 am | #

      well he did say ‘reentering society’ so he’s prolly not going to flake on his parents even if he isn’t espeically looking forward to it

      • thejeff
        thejeff
        October 2, 2023 at 8:19 am | #

        I like how we’re taking anxiety that’s almost certainly mostly about his parents and shifting it to his relationship with Lucy.

    • Yeet
      Yeet
      October 2, 2023 at 10:02 am | #

      yeah
      I’m not sure he’s trying to do it consciously but you don’t need to be a genius to realise you should be checking in with your partner the day after doing a fake-dating scenario intended to make your parents like them

      • Devin
        Devin
        October 2, 2023 at 3:52 pm | #

        Even if he’s already checked in with her the same day he did it?

        I’m not saying it’s a bad idea, but given that they’ve had contact since it happened and this day is still young I don’t think he’s earned criticism on that particular score yet.

  15. Taffy
    Taffy
    October 2, 2023 at 12:11 am | #

    Oh wow he was there for a finite amount of time and the room he was in wasn’t the final room of his entire day wow who coulda guessed wow 💅

  16. DarkoNeko
    DarkoNeko
    October 2, 2023 at 12:12 am | #

    Dotty PLEASE get the clue and play Mario Kart for a bit. Amber is trying super hard, for pete sake

    • StClair
      StClair
      October 2, 2023 at 12:15 am | #

      The (sad) irony is that what Amber is offering is literally and exactly what Dorothy came there for.

      • Segnosaur
        Segnosaur
        October 2, 2023 at 12:25 am | #

        Well technically she came there because amber involved herself with various forms of pop culture. That could involve video games, but she might have also been interested in tv/movies/etc.

      • Bash
        Bash
        October 2, 2023 at 7:38 am | #

        Yes, but that was before she saw her ex that she still loves hanging out with a girl that he used to like.

    • DailyBrad
      DailyBrad
      October 2, 2023 at 12:20 am | #

      Right, she needs to chill, and Amber genuinely quite likes Dorothy, so yeah, the two hanging would be fun.

      • Quirdry Tawks
        Quirdry Tawks
        October 2, 2023 at 1:04 am | #

        >the two hanging

        omg I just got a mental image of the two of them on nooses WHAT IS WRONG WITH ME 😭

        • Jamie
          Jamie
          October 2, 2023 at 1:10 am | #

          I mean, dark humor isn’t bad if the people you’re sharing it with are down for it.

        • The Oracle
          The Oracle
          October 2, 2023 at 1:29 am | #

          You’re a misogynist and you think about extremely violent revenge fantasies against fictional characters, that’s what’s wrong with you.

          Or do you want a serious answer?

        • BarerMender
          BarerMender
          October 2, 2023 at 2:52 am | #

          Breath play is a common kink, but nooses might be a little too far.

        • eh, whatever
          eh, whatever
          October 2, 2023 at 3:52 am | #

          Been thinking too much about US politics lately?

        • Mark
          Mark
          October 2, 2023 at 7:04 am | #

          We’ve all been asking ourselves that question.

          Seriously, I suppose you’re in a punny mood just now.

        • StClair
          StClair
          October 2, 2023 at 1:39 pm | #

          Amber: “First time?”

    • Angel
      Angel
      October 2, 2023 at 12:28 am | #

      dorothy strikes me as an edu-tainment game kinda person but i imagine amber wouldnt’ have those unless she randomly torrents/pirates it if not on fre egames site

  17. Owlmirror
    Owlmirror
    October 2, 2023 at 12:13 am | #

    She who confronts slackers should see to it that she does not become a slacker. And if you gaze long into the Nothing, the Nothing also gazes into you.

    ( . . . we have nachitos . . . )

  18. BBCC
    BBCC
    October 2, 2023 at 12:15 am | #

    And after that?

    • Angel
      Angel
      October 2, 2023 at 12:56 am | #

      i’m sure she’d have a 100 step plan for it ;P

  19. UrsulaDavina
    UrsulaDavina
    October 2, 2023 at 12:16 am | #

    For frig sake Just pick up the damn controller Dotty!

  20. Icalasari
    Icalasari
    October 2, 2023 at 12:21 am | #

    Dorothy, do the sweeping because I know leaving it will bug you, then pick up a controller and relax a little. You NEED to turn your brain off for a bit so you don’t burn out

    • Angel
      Angel
      October 2, 2023 at 12:27 am | #

      i mean cleaning up can be ‘fun’ in dorothy terms if not a ‘turn off your brain and do chores’ kinda thing but i imagine dorothy probably has a meticulous system in place, surprised she wouldn’t be more distracted with becky’s ‘messes’ but other than actual litter/garbage i assume she wouldn’t mess with becky’s pile of clothes or so

    • StClair
      StClair
      October 2, 2023 at 1:43 pm | #

      The only people who burn out are those who aren’t good and motivated and organized enough.

      (she’s totally going to burn out, and it will probably be both sad and epic.)

  21. ABunchOTrees
    ABunchOTrees
    October 2, 2023 at 12:31 am | #

    There’s a little brown spot just below the M in the last sentence, and I literally tried to scrape it off my screen before I realized it was actually just in the comic.

    • Bash
      Bash
      October 2, 2023 at 7:36 am | #

      I read you comment and then I went to look and I was SURE that brown spot was my screen.

    • HueSatLight
      HueSatLight
      October 2, 2023 at 1:42 pm | #

      Nachito crumbs get everywhere, I tried to clean it off too, after reading this comment.

  22. Jon
    Jon
    October 2, 2023 at 12:41 am | #

    …did we make it?

    I thought for sure that interaction was going to feature a blowup. But no fireworks as yet…

  23. BadRoad
    BadRoad
    October 2, 2023 at 12:41 am | #

    That’s too many battles, Dorothy. Put some battles back.

  24. Quirdry Tawks
    Quirdry Tawks
    October 2, 2023 at 1:00 am | #

    I unno, y’all… overdeveloped sense of altruism?

    Or just a control freak?

    I find my needle edging more and more to the right.

    • Jamie
      Jamie
      October 2, 2023 at 1:16 am | #

      I find Dorothy easy to project onto, so I’d assume it’s an overdeveloped sense of responsibility, not altruism. It’s a “with great power comes great responsibility” line of thinking, where you are required to do all the good that you can. And Dorothy is not yet at the point where she has internalized that she can’t do everything.

      • Taffy
        Taffy
        October 2, 2023 at 1:33 am | #

        Uncle Ben died for your sins.

        • clif
          clif
          October 2, 2023 at 2:29 am | #

          Good thing too. There were a lot of them.

        • Mark
          Mark
          October 2, 2023 at 7:07 am | #

          Poor guy. He only wanted to cook rice for you.

    • Bash
      Bash
      October 2, 2023 at 1:46 am | #

      She originally came here for mindless fun. Now she wants to solve every problem because she’s upset about Walky. So no, I don’t think it’s about altruism.

      • HueSatLight
        HueSatLight
        October 2, 2023 at 2:07 pm | #

        When she got rejected by Walky, she decided to fix Joyce’s “has a romantic connection with Joe” problem.
        It’s an unhealthy response to feeling like her life is out of her control.

        But it also started long before the comic did. For a kid, the US president can take control of things and make decisions for everyone else for their own good. I’ve been thinking someone said something offhand about her ability to take control and solve a problem, and she hyperfocused on it. But now I’m wondering if there was some ur-event, where she felt especially like she had no control of something in her life.

    • NGPZ
      NGPZ
      October 2, 2023 at 5:27 pm | #

      You know how Joyce has biblical knowledge floating around in her brain from years of indoctrination for the goal of serving her cult, and can still call upon it on her own accord?

      Same basic principle, except Dorothy’s goal was self-driven — she has YEARS of garnered heuristics and skills revolving around the single goal of becoming president, and now that the goal is gone she has a kind of brain energy she gotta direct somewhere…

  25. HueSatLight
    HueSatLight
    October 2, 2023 at 1:01 am | #

    I’m pretty sure there’s video games where you have to save the universe. oo, she should play like final fantasy vi, ruin her perfect 4.0, and be liberated from that ridiculous standard. (also because you fail to save the world hahahaha)

  26. Blibdoolpoolp
    Blibdoolpoolp
    October 2, 2023 at 1:07 am | #

    First panel has me thinking Walky’s spitting some fire bars.

  27. Suet
    Suet
    October 2, 2023 at 1:17 am | #

    You can’t please everyone, thus you can’t fix everything. If you could, still, Nintendo now, Cognito later.

    Brushing those crumbs off on their room was still quite a move on him.

    • NGPZ
      NGPZ
      October 2, 2023 at 2:27 am | #

      re: Cognito, that a reference to Inside Job? :p

      • Suet
        Suet
        October 3, 2023 at 12:48 am | #

        It is an Inside Job reference 😄 We’ve got you covered, up!

    • Pergola
      Pergola
      October 2, 2023 at 11:58 am | #

      Nintendo, ergo cogito.

  28. Laura
    Laura
    October 2, 2023 at 1:34 am | #

    …I would appreciate any luck wishes that folks could share.

    Early Tomorrow morning I go downtown for an intake at the hospital’s TBI program. Gonna see if they can help me get better.

    Also, tomorrow evening I’m going to attend my 1st public event since before the pandemic began. A dear old childhood friend who lives 3,000 miles away is in town for 1 night only and is giving a concert. There’s outdoor seating available, and I got my new COVID booster last Thursday. Plus I have my N100 mask and rubber-rimmed protective goggles, gloves, and a face shield. So I’ll look like a space astronaut or a time traveler from 2020, and folks will keep their distance. Still a little nervous about it though. Everyone is getting COVID again these days.

    • Taffy
      Taffy
      October 2, 2023 at 1:42 am | #

      Luck.

      • Laura
        Laura
        October 2, 2023 at 1:50 am | #

        Thank you, Taffy! 🙂

    • Mark
      Mark
      October 2, 2023 at 7:10 am | #

      Best wishes, for improved health and a fun evening.

      • Laura
        Laura
        October 2, 2023 at 7:15 am | #

        Thanks, Mark! 😀

    • pig
      pig
      October 2, 2023 at 7:56 am | #

      Good luck and enjoy the concert! I hope you have fun.

      • Laura
        Laura
        October 2, 2023 at 1:26 pm | #

        Thank you, pig. I appreciate that. 🙂

    • Sirksome
      Sirksome
      October 2, 2023 at 9:24 am | #

      Good luck.

      • Laura
        Laura
        October 2, 2023 at 1:26 pm | #

        Much appreciated, Sirksome! 🙂

    • Laura
      Laura
      October 2, 2023 at 1:27 pm | #

      Intake appointment went OK. Now I gotta fill out a buncha forms. Ask my doc for maybe a referral. Attend some meetings. We’ll see… *ties a ribbon ’round the finger*

    • Kelibath
      Kelibath
      October 2, 2023 at 4:30 pm | #

      Hope everything goes okay on both sides x

      • Laura
        Laura
        October 2, 2023 at 11:31 pm | #

        Thank you, Kelibath! Mighty kind of you!

    • NGPZ
      NGPZ
      October 2, 2023 at 4:36 pm | #

      Wish you the best, Laura 🥲

      • Laura
        Laura
        October 2, 2023 at 11:32 pm | #

        Sweet of you, NG, hon’.

    • BBCC
      BBCC
      October 2, 2023 at 10:01 pm | #

      I hope it goes well and you have fun!

      • Laura
        Laura
        October 2, 2023 at 11:32 pm | #

        Much appreciated, BBCC!

    • Laura
      Laura
      October 2, 2023 at 11:34 pm | #

      I am hanging out in the vast empty space outdoors from the concert. They were super nice and brought me a nice chair outside, and propped open the door so I could hear better. Such sweet people!

      Wearing my sealed goggles and N100 mask pulled tight. Got my hand sanitizer on. All safe and happy!

  29. NGPZ
    NGPZ
    October 2, 2023 at 1:36 am | #

    How about a game if it ain’t too early.

    Dorothy seems like she would really enjoy management sim games. Something to redirect that “solve every problem” energy into something restorative, ya know?

    1. What’s your favorite management sim, or strategy game in general?

    2. What kinda management sim game do you think Dorothy would really like?

    • Laura
      Laura
      October 2, 2023 at 1:38 am | #

      2. Tetris. Or Lumosity. She’d make it a daily task to cross off her list.

      • Laura
        Laura
        October 2, 2023 at 1:39 am | #

        1. My brain can’t handle strategy games, but I do love Teris.

    • NGPZ
      NGPZ
      October 2, 2023 at 2:13 am | #

      My favorite management sim is Dinosaur Zookeeper. But by far my favorite strategy game / really favorite game of all time has gotta be Plants Vs Zombies. It’s one of my greatest special interests, I’ve memorized the stats for every plant and zombie as well as their almanac entries, like, inject it into my veins ~aaaaah~ 🥰🎮

      As for what Dorothy would like, she seems like the kinda person who would LOVE Eve Online — it’s an intergalactic spreadsheet simulator, it’s PERFECT for her! 🚀🌌☄️

    • Da Boy
      Da Boy
      October 2, 2023 at 4:07 am | #

      Oxygen not Included maybe. Colony development plus you need to take care of your little workers and it’s cute. There is also Timberborn where you build up and maintain a beaver colony, taking care of their needs and all.

    • Da Boy
      Da Boy
      October 2, 2023 at 4:09 am | #

      Could also play one of the Classics like the Anno or Civilization series. That should scratch her political itch.

    • Bogeywoman
      Bogeywoman
      October 2, 2023 at 6:51 am | #

      Spirit Farer is my favourite game full stop. You play a character who takes over for Charon, ferrying souls to the other side. You care for them on your boat and help them work through unfinished business and coming to terms with their life/death. The art is beautiful, the gameplay is low stress and the story is fantastic.

      Also Common’hood. You play a recently homeless person who starts squatting in the factory your parents worked in and establish an anarchist commune with the other people living there. It’s a bit glitchy, but free and really cool.

      • Bash
        Bash
        October 2, 2023 at 7:35 am | #

        I’ve been deciding what to play next and I might give Spirit Farer a try. How sad is it? Bittersweet is okay but I can’t deal with anything too sad right now.

    • Mark
      Mark
      October 2, 2023 at 7:13 am | #

      1. Chess.

    • Jess
      Jess
      October 2, 2023 at 9:52 am | #

      Probably not the game that Dotty would pick, but I like Max Gentleman: Sexy Business. It’s dumb and mindless and shippy, but you get to manage a business and defeat your enemies. Also, You can unlock in game fanfictions for all the characters. So you know, it’s hilarious.

    • Falcon
      Falcon
      October 2, 2023 at 12:56 pm | #

      1. My favorite strategy game is Command and Conquer: Zero Hour. Sadly, the modern version forces a camera zoom level that makes it impossible for me to play.

      2. Dorothy wants to save the world from big problems and be there for the tough decisions. She should play Frostpunk.

  30. Alex Boston
    Alex Boston
    October 2, 2023 at 1:50 am | #

    Gotta admit there is a part of me that would like to see what the universe even looked like after Dorothy solved every problem in it. What is her version of this Utopia?

    • Taffy
      Taffy
      October 2, 2023 at 2:00 am | #

      For some reason, it’s completely devoid of Icelandic people, and Belfast has been flipped horizontally.

    • Slartibeast Button, BIA
      Slartibeast Button, BIA
      October 2, 2023 at 2:56 am | #

      “overhead, without any fuss, the stars were going out.”

      • Taffy
        Taffy
        October 2, 2023 at 3:09 am | #

        Stars going out? So Dorothy stopped the Heartless too?

      • Mark
        Mark
        October 2, 2023 at 7:13 am | #

        🙂

      • StClair
        StClair
        October 2, 2023 at 1:44 pm | #

        A classic.

  31. Archieve
    Archieve
    October 2, 2023 at 2:28 am | #

    Walky was surprisingly mature and Amber is actually following his que. Too bad Dorothy’s having trouble keeping in the zone.

    • clif
      clif
      October 2, 2023 at 2:32 am | #

      Actually, Walky has successfully snapped Dorothy out of her death spiral and she’s ready to take on the world again.

      • Archieve
        Archieve
        October 2, 2023 at 3:16 am | #

        Wonder if that means Yale is still on the table.

        • Pergola
          Pergola
          October 2, 2023 at 12:02 pm | #

          It’s a long shot, but Yale would like very much to have another President in their alumni list.

          • NGPZ
            NGPZ
            October 2, 2023 at 8:03 pm | #

            Yale isn’t who needs to win.

            Dorothy needs to win, her friends need to win, after all they’ve been through. Oppressed minorities of all kinds all over the nation need to win in the same vein.

            To focus on presidency is framing the ultimate goal too tightly.

  32. Reltzik
    Reltzik
    October 2, 2023 at 2:34 am | #

    Well, Dorothy, you wanting to solve every single problem in the universe is definitely a problem. So solve that one first. It’s the most efficient way to do things, really.

  33. saltchocolate
    saltchocolate
    October 2, 2023 at 2:36 am | #

    Dorothy is fixed!! I was worried there for a minute…

    • Mark
      Mark
      October 2, 2023 at 5:55 pm | #

      Well…her governor seems to be disconnected. That’s probably where these left-over bolts belong.

  34. Da Boy
    Da Boy
    October 2, 2023 at 3:59 am | #

    Maybe Dorothy could benefit from playing some 4X games or a City Builder… Maybe something cute, like Timberborn.

    • Zaxares
      Zaxares
      October 2, 2023 at 6:49 am | #

      Oooh yes! I bet she’s actually LOVE a city/builder sim like Sim City or Cities XL. A blank canvas for her to put her own mark as she wishes, and there’s no shortage of problems for her to fix! It would be right up her alley. 🙂

  35. morhek
    morhek
    October 2, 2023 at 5:57 am | #

    “It’s alright to admit you never played Mario Kart.”

    “Thank you for understanding.”

    “You’ve NEVER PLAYED MARIO KART?!”

    “Congratulations on your cunningly laid trap.”

    • Thomas
      Thomas
      October 2, 2023 at 2:08 pm | #

      I played Mario Kart once. It did not go well.

      Also, I chose the little bug character that Sal likes. This was lentirely because of DoA.

  36. Plaaaaaa
    Plaaaaaa
    October 2, 2023 at 8:08 am | #

    How about thus problem: why use a broom and dustpan when dustbusters, sniffers and vacuums exist?

    • Needfuldoer
      Needfuldoer
      October 2, 2023 at 8:37 am | #

      Because that is What You Do when there are crumbs on the floor. Of course.

      • Needfuldoer
        Needfuldoer
        October 2, 2023 at 1:24 pm | #

        Also, Swiffers are awful at picking up anything that isn’t dust.

    • thejeff
      thejeff
      October 2, 2023 at 10:38 am | #

      Honestly, if it’s a small spill of crumbs, broom and dustpan is quicker and easier.

    • Pergola
      Pergola
      October 2, 2023 at 12:04 pm | #

      Sometimes the simple ways are the most satisfying.

  37. Amós Batista
    Amós Batista
    October 2, 2023 at 8:09 am | #

    This today strtip gave me peace.

  38. Plaaaaaa
    Plaaaaaa
    October 2, 2023 at 8:11 am | #

    Damnit autocorrect, learn swiffer!

  39. thumb
    thumb
    October 2, 2023 at 9:05 am | #

    So what you *should* do is play Mario Kart

  40. Yeet
    Yeet
    October 2, 2023 at 9:05 am | #

    oh hey, walky’s brain kicked in
    surprised he left his phone behind but it’s in character

    • Needfuldoer
      Needfuldoer
      October 2, 2023 at 11:29 am | #

      He expected to just borrow the Switch and go right back to his room, not hang out with Amber.

      • Yeet
        Yeet
        October 2, 2023 at 11:35 am | #

        true, but getting his phone then would’ve been the normal brain move

  41. Hambone Jones
    Hambone Jones
    October 2, 2023 at 9:27 am | #

    Why am I reading Dorothy’s voice in the last panel as if she’s Brain from Pinky and the Brain?

  42. HueSatLight
    HueSatLight
    October 2, 2023 at 9:42 am | #

    between sweeping the crumbs and solving every problem in the universe, they could hold hands and masturbate in a public place. They do share an interest after all.

  43. Pergola
    Pergola
    October 2, 2023 at 12:06 pm | #

    Talking with Walky has been good for Dorothy. She is now Energized. I expect a new smart-but-not-wise plan now. Look out world!

  44. Yakumo
    Yakumo
    October 2, 2023 at 1:39 pm | #

    She’s back and taking the new lead in the latest sequel to Never Ending Story (I mean, I think there was one already? Not sure). Fight the Nothing, Dorothy! You cannot resist the NEED to do so!

  45. Jdorr
    Jdorr
    October 2, 2023 at 1:50 pm | #

    Oof, that last line is mood

  46. Roborat
    Roborat
    October 2, 2023 at 3:07 pm | #

    Was kinda expecting to see orange fingerprints on Dorothy’s shoulder in the last panel.

  47. John
    John
    October 2, 2023 at 9:18 pm | #

    Go to therapy, Dorothy!
    …And you too Amber!!
    …And probably Dina, not sure she needs it, but it never hurts to talk to someone about your problems.

    • NGPZ
      NGPZ
      October 2, 2023 at 10:15 pm | #

      Given how Dina’s been betrayed by countless bigoted psychologists in her past, I can see why she’d be not so fond of the idea. T_T

  48. Hof1991
    Hof1991
    October 3, 2023 at 9:22 am | #

    Dorothy really needs the serenity prayer. She has the courage to change things but not the wisdom to know what things can’t be changed.

Who should be the default doodle for Book 14?

View Results

Loading ... Loading ...
  • Polls Archive
CONVENTION APPEARANCES


May 3, 2025 - FCBD @ Laughing Ogre Comics in Columbus, Ohio

©2010-2025 Dumbing of Age | Powered by WordPress with ComicPress | Subscribe: RSS | Privacy Policy | Back to Top ↑