Dumbing of Age Book Fourteen

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


BUFFER WATCH Comics are currently drawn and uploaded through:

October 20, 2026

Tags

agatha amazi-girl amber art asher becky blaine booster carla carol charles danny dexter dina dorothy ethan fan art faz hank jacob jason jennifer jocelyne joe joyce leslie linda liz lucy malaya marcie mary mike monkey master patreon rachel raidah robin ross roz ruth sal sarah sierra walky
amber just wants to go back in time to the convenience store and pants sal now
CONVENTION APPEARANCES


September 13/14, 2025 - Small Press Expo in Bethesda, Maryland, Table F2


Roomies! It's Walky! Joyce and Walky!
The Transformers Wiki

Comics Curmudgeon
College Roomies from Hell!!!
Dinosaur Comics
Dork Tower
Fleen
Girl Genius
The Golden Boar
Maximumble
Medium Large
Octopus Pie
PhDcomics
Power Nap
Jeph Jacques Taint Hour
Real Life
Saturday Morning Breakfast Cereal
Bad Machinery
Scenes from a Multiverse
Sheldon
Something Positive
Sorcery 101
Two Lumps
Wapsi Square
Wonderella
Wondermark
Yellow Brick Ramble!


Frumph.NET
‹‹ First ‹ Prev Comments(98) Random Next › Last ››

Default

Posted In: comic
└ Tags: amber, jennifer, ruth, sal

Discussion (98) ¬

[ Comments RSS ]
  1. Ana Chronistic
    Ana Chronistic
    February 4, 2019 at 12:02 am | # | Reply

    because fear is irrational

    I was afraid of being bisected by flat surfaces for a long time (though tbf “sharp” things like pencils pointed at me still cause me some anxiety)

    anyway uh, demystification!

    • Yumi
      Yumi
      February 4, 2019 at 12:06 am | # | Reply

      I grew up in a very safe, suburban neighborhood, yet every day when I stood outside in the morning waiting for the school bus, I was afraid I’d be the victim of a drive by shooting.

      • Doctor_Who
        Doctor_Who
        February 4, 2019 at 12:12 am | # | Reply

        For me it’s ladders. I’ve never fallen off one in my life, or even been in a close call with one.

        I’m not even afraid of heights. I’ll gladly go up anywhere high if I can take the stairs. I just hate being on goddamn ladders.

        • Hoodiecrow
          Hoodiecrow
          February 4, 2019 at 12:30 am | # | Reply

          I’ve overcome fear of the dark and fear of spiders, and both those have evolutionary value.

          I’m still scared witless by sculptures or architecture that has or suggests big, round, staring eyes.

          Maybe I’m one of the demons that those “evil eye” symbols are supposed to ward off.

          • LoFiLowTide
            LoFiLowTide
            February 4, 2019 at 7:20 am | # | Reply

            Honestly, this one might be weird, but any time I walk between two pole-like objects, such as trees, I’m always afraid that someone has set fishing line at head level, just waiting to decapitate me. I’m kind of tall, so most people wouldn’t hit anything set for my neck.

            • Hoodiecrow
              Hoodiecrow
              February 4, 2019 at 1:24 pm | # | Reply

              That’s a perfectly rational thing to be afraid of!

              Do an image search for “scissor arches wells cathedral” to see a place I would never enter willingly. For the rest of you, that’s an ingenious and beautiful solution to brace up the building after an earthquake weakened it. I see a monster staring at me from the chancel.

        • BarerMender
          BarerMender
          February 4, 2019 at 12:35 am | # | Reply

          It really does suck when a ladder skates out from under you. People have been killed. As a house painter, I had one skate and drop me on a door by the ribs. And when I bounced off the door I fell on the ladder. The boss had told me not to go up that ladder until someone was there to foot it up.

        • Bruceski
          Bruceski
          February 4, 2019 at 8:17 pm | # | Reply

          I get that feeling for ladders. It was so amazing when we got a Little Giant adjustable ladder, those things are stable as heck and turned some terrifying jobs into cakewalks. The main one I remember is pruning the mulberry tree, which was on uneven ground with large roots complicating things further. I could easily dial the ladder to where I wanted to go rather than having one place to safely put it and needing to reach. One of those TV products that actually works.

          As far as my own fears, it’s claustrophobia for me. Partially rational because I’m a large guy and have actually gotten stuck in some places, but even for closets I prefer to stay outside and reach in and caves are right out no matter how big they are.

    • Ob
      Ob
      February 4, 2019 at 3:03 am | # | Reply

      I was afraid of Orcas for the longest time. It was actually sometimes triggered whenever I saw a shiny object with black&white colors.

    • Derpistics
      Derpistics
      February 4, 2019 at 3:59 am | # | Reply

      oh dang, AnaChronistic, i had the exact same fear! does your reaction manifest physically?

      • Ana Chronistic
        Ana Chronistic
        February 4, 2019 at 10:14 am | # | Reply

        It’s like, I don’t like sitting or standing where a flat surface continues, like what if it spontaneously somehow keeps going and splits me in half?? ?

        Somehow this fear didn’t extend to desktops, mostly walls.

    • Zee
      Zee
      February 4, 2019 at 7:54 am | # | Reply

      For me it’s moths (I hate even saying the name). No real reason, I know any more I see around can’t hurt me (venomous creatures are rare in my country), I know they’re just flying dudes but they scare me so much. Something about the flying motion is just so gross and unnatural. Idk, it’s an annoying phobia

      • Fuzi
        Fuzi
        February 4, 2019 at 10:34 am | # | Reply

        I’m afraid of moths too! I thought I was the only one. I have a theory it’s because, when I was little, my grandmother told me that moths eat sweaters, so I imagined what they could do to ME. But that horrible flapping, fluttering .. I can’t stand it.

      • Ana Chronistic
        Ana Chronistic
        February 4, 2019 at 1:25 pm | # | Reply

        Insects/spiders/works/etc. all fit into that category of “too easy to smear into unrecognizable paste” (even mice at least leave corpses), which for me ties into a tangental fear of nobody being able to tell that I died…

        So thanks for reminding me about that! ??

      • Inahc
        Inahc
        February 4, 2019 at 3:00 pm | # | Reply

        I can understand that. Swarms of them are creepy as fuck. Swarms of anything are creepy as fuck.
        Luckily, individual moths still look kinda cool to me, although I will kill the fuckers if they get into my apartment – they ate holes in some of my favourite clothes a few years ago :p

        Me, I used to worry about forgetting I was The Girl and walking into the men’s washroom by mistake. Then it happened, was mildly embarassing, and… It didn’t bother me any more.

    • Harvey Janus
      Harvey Janus
      February 4, 2019 at 2:35 pm | # | Reply

      Elevators, all thanks to one that needed some WD-40 on the door, the sound of them grinding open is burned into my brain.

      • Roborat
        Roborat
        February 7, 2019 at 5:38 pm | # | Reply

        WD-40 is not a lubricant, it is a penetrating oil and water displacer.

    • Ed Rhodes
      Ed Rhodes
      February 4, 2019 at 3:21 pm | # | Reply

      Bees! I hate bees, Jock! I hate ‘em!

    • Ana Chronistic
      Ana Chronistic
      February 4, 2019 at 11:21 pm | # | Reply

      dang, missed the chance to link this instead of what I said!

  2. AnvilPro
    AnvilPro
    February 4, 2019 at 12:02 am | # | Reply

    Hell yeah, this friendship is already top-tier

    • BigCaveMonster
      BigCaveMonster
      February 4, 2019 at 12:44 am | # | Reply

      I was gonna say the same thing. Sniping at each other like that has been a core tenant of some of my longest lasting friendships XD

  3. BBCC
    BBCC
    February 4, 2019 at 12:02 am | # | Reply

    Yes, but Sal’s not invested in you being scared of her. YOU KINDA NEED PEOPLE TO Not KNOW YOU’RE AG.

    Especially since Sal can always remove the helmet. You can make people un-know about this Amber.

    • BBCC
      BBCC
      February 4, 2019 at 12:27 am | # | Reply

      *can’t. Damn typos.

    • Drunk Mike
      Drunk Mike
      February 4, 2019 at 1:02 am | # | Reply

      She could always have someone else wear the costume to throw people off. Joyce would probably jump at the opportunity to repay the person who caught Ryan.

      • Lingo
        Lingo
        February 4, 2019 at 1:27 am | # | Reply

        Sal dons the costume once as a favor for Amber.

        Billie: I KNEW IT

        • BBCC
          BBCC
          February 4, 2019 at 1:52 am | # | Reply

          I mean, it SHOULD hold up for about two seconds once people compare the photos but that would require more competence than the police have shown thus far in this comic so sure, may as well.

          Only I really really hope not because Sal is going to have a MUCH harder time getting the sort of acceptance and leniency the public’s shown Amber as AG. Joyce is probably the safer idea.

  4. Lia47
    Lia47
    February 4, 2019 at 12:03 am | # | Reply

    wait are they gay now

    • Lia47
      Lia47
      February 4, 2019 at 12:04 am | # | Reply

      holy crap theyre gay now

      • BBCC
        BBCC
        February 4, 2019 at 12:06 am | # | Reply

        Good. That makes it easier to shove Sal at Marcie and/or Carla fanfic wise.

        • ShinyNeen
          ShinyNeen
          February 4, 2019 at 12:19 am | # | Reply

          Wait, having an excuse makes a tangible difference?

          • BBCC
            BBCC
            February 4, 2019 at 12:26 am | # | Reply

            Not really, no, I’m just lazy and like it when things are easier. 😉

      • Doctor_Who
        Doctor_Who
        February 4, 2019 at 12:08 am | # | Reply

        Well, the alt text does say Amber wants to get Sal’s pants off.

        • Clif
          Clif
          February 4, 2019 at 1:37 am | # | Reply

          That’s the way I read it.

      • Mr D
        Mr D
        February 4, 2019 at 12:09 am | # | Reply

        It’s the internet. As far as the fandoms are concerned, EVERYONE is gay.
        There is no friendship, only offscreen banging.

        • Yumi
          Yumi
          February 4, 2019 at 12:10 am | # | Reply

          You can be gay friends and bang.

        • Lia47
          Lia47
          February 4, 2019 at 12:12 am | # | Reply

          As far as the fandoms Lia47 is concerned,

        • BBCC
          BBCC
          February 4, 2019 at 12:31 am | # | Reply

          Oh there are friendships. But who is friends and who are banging changes from fan to fan.

      • Drunk Mike
        Drunk Mike
        February 4, 2019 at 1:11 am | # | Reply

        ‘Everyone’s a little gay’- Ron White

    • Dark
      Dark
      February 4, 2019 at 12:17 am | # | Reply

      At most they’d be bi.

    • Plasma Mongoose
      Plasma Mongoose
      February 4, 2019 at 12:27 am | # | Reply

      This is a Willis comic, gay is an inevitability.

      • Needfuldoer
        Needfuldoer
        February 4, 2019 at 1:53 am | # | Reply

        [Shocked_Joyce_Face.png]

        • Ana Chronistic
          Ana Chronistic
          February 5, 2019 at 4:14 pm | # | Reply

          You mean this one

  5. ShinyNeen
    ShinyNeen
    February 4, 2019 at 12:05 am | # | Reply

    Look, I dunno… they kinda both look like dorks right now.

    • Marsh Maryrose
      Marsh Maryrose
      February 4, 2019 at 12:22 am | # | Reply

      Speak for yourself. Appropriate safety equipment makes people look cool.

      • ShinyNeen
        ShinyNeen
        February 4, 2019 at 12:24 am | # | Reply

        Ennh, if you say so. I’m more in the ‘coolness is overrated’ camp myself, is all.

        • Plasma Mongoose
          Plasma Mongoose
          February 4, 2019 at 12:28 am | # | Reply

          Once you get to my age, coolness becomes a rare commodity.

    • Zatar
      Zatar
      February 4, 2019 at 1:50 am | # | Reply

      “Look like.”

  6. Stephen Bierce
    Stephen Bierce
    February 4, 2019 at 12:05 am | # | Reply

    *looks for an only designer jeans jingle to play*

    • Architex
      Architex
      February 4, 2019 at 5:55 am | # | Reply

      Oh come on! Rage Against the Machine, it’s right there in the first line.

  7. Cattleprod
    Cattleprod
    February 4, 2019 at 12:07 am | # | Reply

    There was a point early on in DoA where I had trouble remembering that Amber and Dorothy were distinct characters. When I did remember them both I forgot Joyce. So she’s got a degree of anonymity.

  8. Doctor_Who
    Doctor_Who
    February 4, 2019 at 12:07 am | # | Reply

    In her dorm room, Other Rachel sighs and deletes today’s mountain of fan emails from people who are convinced she is Amazi-Girl.

  9. William Leonard Reese Jr.
    William Leonard Reese Jr.
    February 4, 2019 at 12:07 am | # | Reply

    Dippy. . . Dippy? I have NEVER heard that used as a insult before. Also these two shall become the best of vitriolic best friends.

    • BarerMender
      BarerMender
      February 4, 2019 at 12:40 am | # | Reply

      “Dippy” is an insult American girls have been using since the early ’60s when “dip shit” came into style. Girls in those days were too finicky to say “shit”, so they would call you a dip, and, by adjectification, “dippy.”

      • Clif
        Clif
        February 4, 2019 at 1:40 am | # | Reply

        Ha! A use of adjectification in the wild. You made my day.

  10. AutobotDen
    AutobotDen
    February 4, 2019 at 12:09 am | # | Reply

    honestly, if I knew it wouldn’t fuck me over big time, I’d join a roller derby team.

  11. Sporky
    Sporky
    February 4, 2019 at 12:15 am | # | Reply

    is Amber’s line in the last panel what progress looks like?

    • ShinyNeen
      ShinyNeen
      February 4, 2019 at 12:17 am | # | Reply

      Y’know, they are kinda having a mostly normal conversation. I think… I think this is what progress looks like!

      • Nevermaker
        Nevermaker
        February 4, 2019 at 1:18 am | # | Reply

        YAY PROGRESS

  12. Tacos
    Tacos
    February 4, 2019 at 12:17 am | # | Reply

    Nice to see Sal and Amber interacting in a more-or-less positive manner snarking at each other.

  13. Rabid Rabbit
    Rabid Rabbit
    February 4, 2019 at 12:21 am | # | Reply

    I absolutely love Sal’s snarky smile.

    And honestly, Amber, even leaving aside how dippy you yourself look in that helmet, dressing up as A-G doesn’t really give you any latitude for mocking how other people look. And yes, seeing as you starting out as integrated, it is fair to make fun of you for that.

  14. DailyBrad
    DailyBrad
    February 4, 2019 at 12:22 am | # | Reply

    This is friendship for them, so, woot.

  15. Reltzik
    Reltzik
    February 4, 2019 at 12:25 am | # | Reply

    I am hesitant to define this as progress, but also hesitant to define this as not-progress.

    • Needfuldoer
      Needfuldoer
      February 4, 2019 at 1:56 am | # | Reply

      If scientific progress goes “boink”, what sound does social progress make?

      • Tacos
        Tacos
        February 4, 2019 at 2:22 am | # | Reply

        “Moo”

      • Hoodiecrow
        Hoodiecrow
        February 4, 2019 at 4:55 am | # | Reply

        Not sure, but paranormal investigations progress goes “zoinks”.

  16. Mada
    Mada
    February 4, 2019 at 12:26 am | # | Reply

    Honestly, more people knowing who Amber is will make Blaine’s return to the scene even more comically inept.

    “LET ME TELL YOU…THE TRUTH ABOUT ‘AMAZI-GIRL’….”

    “Yeah she’s Amber. We know. Please leave before we call security? You’re not supposed to be here.”

    • BBCC
      BBCC
      February 4, 2019 at 12:30 am | # | Reply

      All I want is for Billie to call Sal AG in Amber’s hearing JUST ONCE.

      • Yumi
        Yumi
        February 4, 2019 at 12:42 am | # | Reply

        An alternative version of Mada’s scenario, then:
        [Most of the cast is gathered when Blaine appears]
        Blaine: “Let me tell you all… the truth about Amazi-Girl…
        Billie: “Yeah, she’s Sal, I’ve known for forever. What do you care?”
        Everyone: *turns to stare att Billie*
        Ruth: *snort laughs*

      • BarerMender
        BarerMender
        February 4, 2019 at 12:43 am | # | Reply

        I imagine Amber falling about laughing.

        • BBCC
          BBCC
          February 4, 2019 at 12:51 am | # | Reply

          Either that or ‘Oh, COME ON’.

      • Lingo
        Lingo
        February 4, 2019 at 1:56 am | # | Reply

        Billie (to Ruth): What was that all about?
        Ruth: Oh well I should be discreet, but those two like to, um, dress up at night and get into fights…
        Billie: …Oh! You’re talking about “Amazi-Girl”? (snort)
        Ruth: Oh you know about her?
        Billie: Of course! How could I not, living in such proximity?
        Ruth: … Yeah, I guess she couldn’t keep it secret forever.
        Billie: And I practically grew up with her brother, of course.
        Ruth: Oh really? That weird little kid?
        Billie: … Well, he IS weird and immature, but …
        Ruth: Are they even related? I thought he was her step-brother….
        Billie: WHAT? C’mon, they’re TWINS!
        Ruth: Oh give me a break, they don’t look that much alike ….
        Billie (stares open-mouthed)

  17. John
    John
    February 4, 2019 at 12:49 am | # | Reply

    Don’t worry, Amber, I’m sure Danny has come up with some way to un-know.

  18. Drunk Mike
    Drunk Mike
    February 4, 2019 at 12:52 am | # | Reply

    Wait, Dorothy ratted her out? Not cool!

    • BarerMender
      BarerMender
      February 4, 2019 at 1:22 am | # | Reply

      Dorothy ratted her out to Ruth to save Amber and Sal from themselves, and to get Ruth to cut them some slack.

      • Drunk Mike
        Drunk Mike
        February 4, 2019 at 1:37 am | # | Reply

        That was why she told Ruth they were fighting I don’t see why she had to expose her being AG. She couldnget in real trouble and Dorothy owes her her life.

        • BBCC
          BBCC
          February 4, 2019 at 2:20 am | # | Reply

          I believe Dorothy told Ruth about it so that she understood WHY it was important Amber and Sal not get in trouble with the school.

  19. abysswatcher1993
    abysswatcher1993
    February 4, 2019 at 12:57 am | # | Reply

    Sal, don’t take secret identities as something useless as in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Amber’s dad could have a lot of information about Amber that he could use to put her in jail. That bastard should burn in hell.

    • Delicious Taffy
      Delicious Taffy
      February 4, 2019 at 1:43 am | # | Reply

      Blaine has one thumb drive confirmed* to be full of extremely naked dudes doing all sorts of sex at each other. That’s not illegal, at least in America.

      *by me, just now

      • newllend(henryvolt)
        newllend(henryvolt)
        February 4, 2019 at 3:14 am | # | Reply

        I never actually stopped to think about all the slashfics he’s reading through right now.

    • BBCC
      BBCC
      February 4, 2019 at 1:50 am | # | Reply

      Sure, but that’s kinda her point – Amber’s identity isn’t very hard to uncover. The fact that is dangerous is what is making her lucky that she’s got a relatively generic appearance thus far.

  20. stoodmuffin
    stoodmuffin
    February 4, 2019 at 1:03 am | # | Reply

    Omg if they actually become friends, I will be so fucking happy

    • newllend(henryvolt)
      newllend(henryvolt)
      February 4, 2019 at 2:20 am | # | Reply

      From Frenemies to Vitriolic friends maybe-
      https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/VitriolicBestBuds

  21. newllend(henryvolt)
    newllend(henryvolt)
    February 4, 2019 at 1:16 am | # | Reply

    You know after seeing that trailer for the fast and furious movie spin off about the two longtime enemies going on this buddy buddy cop Adventure, this strip kind of makes me wonder what it would look like if somebody made a parody trailer about it where these two where the two main characters.

  22. Lingo
    Lingo
    February 4, 2019 at 1:24 am | # | Reply

    Apparently MARCIE’s identity is secret … at least to Amber.

  23. Danielle
    Danielle
    February 4, 2019 at 1:33 am | # | Reply

    thats a hair-met

  24. BenRG
    BenRG
    February 4, 2019 at 2:01 am | # | Reply

    This is probably the first time that I’ve seen Amber and Sal interact like two teenage girls. To summarise:

    “I think people find it unbelievable that a chubby girl like you is Amazi-Girl.”

    “Yeah, well your safety gear is unbelievable and chubby!”

    • BBCC
      BBCC
      February 4, 2019 at 2:04 am | # | Reply

      That’s not what Sal is saying. Sal’s saying that Amber is lucky that there are a million chubby, short white girls because it makes it easier for Amber to slide under the radar. She’s not calling it unbelievable – she’s saying nobody would bat an eye at Amber because AG and Amber don’t really have any unique characteristics that would make them stand out in a crowd. Or, in AG’s case, a police line up. Not like if she had, say, ridiculously long hair or a tattoo which is why SOME PEOPLE really should have worn SOMETHING to obscure those things, SAL.

    • JessWitt
      JessWitt
      February 4, 2019 at 3:14 am | # | Reply

      Sal’s not wrong about the default part. AmaziGirl could’ve easily been Rose or Other Rachel or even Dorothy with padding.

  25. fire_daws
    fire_daws
    February 4, 2019 at 2:25 am | # | Reply

    Ahhh….Twu Fwiends

    • BenRG
      BenRG
      February 4, 2019 at 5:00 am | # | Reply

      Possibly setting up to be sisters-in-law. 😉

  26. Bagge
    Bagge
    February 4, 2019 at 2:56 am | # | Reply

    I’m pretty sure Billie doesn’t know.

  27. Keulen
    Keulen
    February 4, 2019 at 3:00 am | # | Reply

    Glad to see Amber and Sal are getting along.

  28. JessWitt
    JessWitt
    February 4, 2019 at 3:12 am | # | Reply

    Well for starters, Daisy doesn’t know or she’d be after Amber for her number.

  29. newllend(henryvolt)
    newllend(henryvolt)
    February 4, 2019 at 3:12 am | # | Reply

    The hover-text has me intrigued, I would be tall for these two have a good friendship where they’re just constantly Punking each other.

  30. BenRG
    BenRG
    February 4, 2019 at 5:12 am | # | Reply

    I’m sort of thinking that Billie will worry that Amber and Sal are arguing. Ruth will reply as dryly as possible: “I’m pretty sure that they’re just bickering. I’m told that stuff like that is common in a healthy personal connection but I have no personal experience of that.”

  31. DarkoNeko
    DarkoNeko
    February 4, 2019 at 5:30 am | # | Reply

    Sarcastic sidekiiiiicks

  32. JBento
    JBento
    February 4, 2019 at 9:01 am | # | Reply

    Hey, new word. Thanks, Willis.

  33. ǝ snow ʍousɐ
    ǝ snow ʍousɐ
    February 4, 2019 at 4:15 pm | # | Reply

    Imagine an alternate universe where Amber pantsed Sal instead of stabbing her, but the trauma was the same on both sides. Sal was wounded emotionally instead of physically by the humiliation of the incident. It’s a whole big thing.

Reply to ShinyNeen ¬
Cancel reply

NOTE - You can use these HTML tags and attributes:
<a href="" title=""> <abbr title=""> <acronym title=""> <b> <blockquote cite=""> <cite> <code> <del datetime=""> <em> <i> <q cite=""> <s> <strike> <strong>

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Pages

  • About
  • Archive
  • by calendar
  • Cast
    • David “Walky” Walkerton
    • Joyce Brown
    • Sarah Clinton
    • Dorothy Keener
    • Jennifer “Billie” Billingsworth
  • character Twitter feeds
  • Dumbing of Age porn
  • Polls Archive
  • Q*bert tramp stamp

Categories

  • Blog (473)
  • News (10)
  • Uncategorized (2)

©2010-2026 Dumbing of Age | Powered by WordPress with ComicPress | Subscribe: RSS | Privacy Policy | Back to Top ↑