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It's true, readers! Before Dumbing of Age, I drew other webcomics! With that in mind, may I draw your attention towards this Kickstarter for the first collection of It's Walky! material, which was a comic featuring some early versions of Dumbing of Age characters fighting aliens under the employ of the government. Yeah, I know, weird, whatever.
I drew this webcomic from Christmas 1999 through late 2004, but the story in the book is a collection of the first few months. Also the book features the redrawn version of this storyline which I drew in 2005 and 2014.
there are also some character magnets, if you're into that sort of thing
208 thoughts on “Helping”
Ana Chronistic
creepiest reveal EVAR
and already pledged!
Stephen Bierce
How Cheshirean.
Doctor_Who
I knew I recognized that grin from somewhere.
Reltzik
Cheshirean?
….
…. I KNOW I know that word from somewhere, but the memory’s faded. How peculiar.
HeySo
Chesire Cat, Alice in Wonderland.
On that topic, an excellent song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ueZo5i6GPg
Nobody
She was making a joke because the Cheshire Cat fades out to a smile then vanishes, like her memory
jeffepp
It’s official! She can teleport! Cheshire style!
AnvilPro
Oh God I just noticed she loads in. First her head, then the top half, then she’s all there. That’s so much creepier than her just standing there waiting for Malyla to notice
Bicycle Bill
It’s actually as Malaya lowers the box … like Joyce comes out of the box itself, or the box wipes away the invisibility screen.
Reltzik
Maybe she’s leaning forward with that manic grin, and the rest of her body catches up from the neck down coincidentally as the box is being lowered? All without her1 head lowering or raising due to the slant of her body?
Wright
It’s like Malaya owns Mary Poppins’ freakin’ handbag, and hides overly cheerful people inside it.
… which is pretty darn creepy.
foamy
It’s the reverse Marty McFly.
AnvilPro
Time for a battle of epic proportions. The two titans of their temperaments going at it!
Doctor_Who
Watch, they’ll actually get along super well.
Jed!
Realistically though, Joyce is Lucy 2.0. The only difference is that her fandom is God. And Monkey Master.
Haven
I suddenly get the sense that Joyce was destined to be in the dorm with a welcoming committee, but ended up here by mistake.
And then at the end of the book she says “THIS is Forest Quad!” And Ruth just cackles.
Needfuldoer
At least she’s a neighbor instead of a roommate, so to Malaya this is a step up.
Reltzik
Except Malaya doesn’t like Sal either, so…
Eldritch Gentleman
[snorts] You reminded me of that one clip with a guy talking about how religious people are the true nerds… using a Blood Raven Space Marine as an example.
Liliet
One difference is that Joyce just shares a half-bath with her, not a room…
Kernanator
I see Dumbing of Age has already perfected teleporter technology.
tim gueguen
Nah, Joyce is practicing one of the techniques of Brown Ryu Ninjitsu.
(No, I don’t know how conservative Christians ended up practicing ninjitsu, so don’t ask.)
Eldritch Gentleman
A ninja might seen their family throw shuriken-shaped crucifixes at the enemy and decided they were worthy of Ninja training. You know, like Dr. McNinja’s ancestral village.
Deanatay
Christian Ninjas!?!
…
I did NOT expect that!
Eldritch Gentleman
I mean, Hellsing has a bayonette using Wolverine Priest as well as a katana wielding nun so why not!? Or are you referring to Dr. McNinja?
Deanatay
Actually, i was paraphrasing a line from Grrl Power. A girl who, in the past, had said “ALWAYS. EXPECT. NINJAS.”, was surprised by fashion ninjas, who took her measurements without her seeing them.
Kaunisenkeli
Still more predictable than the Spanish Inquisition.
Mephron
Well, apparently there’s sufficient congruence in the belief systems so you can have an orthodox Jewish Rabbi who could be a ninja, so…
…now I’m sad and no one can understand why.
tim gueguen
There might have been some ninja who became Christians before the Tokugawa Shogunate suppressed Christianity in the 17th Century.
Marsh Maryrose
We already knew Joyce can magically teleport 5 feet.
What we just learned is that can not only teleport into dorm rooms, but she can do so while instantaneously changing her clothes.
Needfuldoer
Not until it makes the TNG transporter sound effects.
MM
Do I want to know how Malaya knows what unicorns smell like?
Plasma Mongoose
They smell like horny horses of cause.
(((Mkvenner)))
you the comments.
Nono
What does a unicorn smell like?
tim gueguen
Like a horse. What else would it smell like? It’s just a horse with pretentions.
Fart Captor
Like a horse that farts rainbows and glitter
Jamie
What do rainbows sm– why am I asking.
ProfessorDetective
Scientifically: probably water vapor. NOT scientifically: either Skittles or different types of flowers corresponding to the different colors.
Deanatay
What do Skit- ya know, gonna stop right here.
N0083rp00F
I thought it was ice-cream [references to a WC accessory commercial]
N0083rp00F
Aha – found it https://i.imgur.com/d2yrVVr.jpg
N0083rp00F
OoooooKay – lets try that gain ^_^!
https://youtu.be/KlEovr29KBU
Lapin
Speaking as a barista for Starbucks: mango, blue raspberry Warheads, and sugar.
3oranges
About halfway between a horse and a pronghorn.
3oranges
Or alternately: a mix between a Japanese sea urchin dish and maize.
Dellaran
I see what you did there.
And now I can’t unsee it.
Bicycle Bill
I don’t know — but I do know what Unicorn Tears smell like.
StClair
Ask Bubbles.
ValdVin
And Roko Basilisk. https://www.questionablecontent.net/view.php?comic=3427
tofuman
Like horny ponies.
Andrew_C
Starfish & coffee, maple syrup & jam.
foamy
Pancakes: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j9BiKeSerSY
SpeckleSnowflake
Oh. Oh God. This belongs in a horror movie.
Reltzik
Substitute in Amber’s smile (from her fight with Ryan).
NotPiffany
I picture this scene as having a soundtrack. It’s the theme from jaws played on a soprano recorder. Or possibly an accordion.
wheelpath
How does her body….? Y’know what, I don’t need to know.
butting
Dina’s a good teacher.
Reltzik
When did she teach? WE NEVER SAW HER TEACH JOYCE ANYTHI-….
…..
…. oh, she’s a REALLY good teacher….
Some1
Panel 2
Where is the everlasting fuck is Joyce’s body?
4,000 spiders
she hasn’t finished teleporting in at the scent of NEW POSSIBLE FRIEND yet
Marsh Maryrose
This caused me to contemplate the parallels between Joyce and Fluffmodeus from “Something Positive.”
“HUGS NOW!”
jeffepp
“Hello, New Friend!”
ValdVin
Nice take!
Dara
yeah I am genuinely confused by that
Some1
My best guess is she’s developing powers similar to the Cheshire Cat
Tacos
She just hasn’t finished phasing into reality. nbd.
Leorale
She just hadn’t finished downloading yet.
Passchendaele
I think she’s stepping in from out-of-panel? But yeah, teleportation could explain it. :p
King Daniel
Part of her body is also missing in panel 3.
podian
In the box.
butts