Underestimated
Posted on July 13, 2016 by David M Willis

225 thoughts on “Underestimated”

  1. butts

    Oh, Walky, foiled by a ladder.

    1. inqntrol

      Isn’t he tall enough to grab the ledge of the bed and pull himself up?

      1. Dean

        You mean… A CHIN-UP?

      2. Doctor_Who

        If he can’t lift the ladder, I doubt he can lift himself.

        1. butts

          blaaargh too much effort

        2. Clif

          She ain’t heavy, she’s your Dorothy.

        3. Dalek SUPREME

          ELEVATE!

        4. TachyonCode

          GDI, who let the Daleks into this universe?

      3. Reltzik

        You have a rather lofty opinion of him.

        1. magicallady

          he just might be able to rise

        2. Reltzik

          Totally bunk.

        3. magicallady

          well, at a ladder date

        4. Leorale

          These puns are fairly Elevated, so they won’t make my Head Bored

        5. Binky

          The quality of the puns is all that mattress.

        6. N0083rP00F

          Thrying to think outside the box but nothing springs to mind.

        7. Van Jealous

          Please tread lightly with these puns.

        8. Slartibeast Button, BIA

          No, everyone keep racking them up.

        9. Van Jealous

          Time for me to trundle off to bed!

        10. Leorale

          If he doesn’t give it a rest, that twin will end up single.

        11. magicallady

          its time to double up!

        12. Reltzik

          Not until Walky has a ladder rung to put his futon.

        13. magicallady

          then he’ll feel like a king

        14. GreyDefender

          I delightfully ashamed of all of you.

        15. ozzi

          If he can evelate himself from a student to a king then he will get his queen.

        16. magicallady

          grey defender: i feel no shame in these puns

      4. Darkoneko

        On the other hand, he could tickle her from there.

    2. Darkoneko

      For other heroes, it would have been stairs [/claptrap]

    3. Linguini

      It’s actually a “step ladder”

      1. Rognik

        Honestly, stop judging things with such narrow-minded cultural biases…

    4. kittens

      holy shut, someone commented before ana!

  2. miados

    that’s heavy? man how week is walky? seriously?

    1. Cacturne

      On a scale of Monday to Sunday, probably a Tuesday afternoon.

      1. Reltzik

        On a scale of Monday to Sunday, he’s not going to be scaling any ladders on Sunday.

      2. Rognik

        On a scale of Monday to Sunday, I thought Walky was last week.

    2. Just Karen

      He’s two weeks.

      1. magicallady

        nah, three weeks!

        1. zoelogical

          mid third trimester

    3. Doctor_Who

      Dude is 70% McNugget by volume, it’s a wonder he can climb out of bed in the morning. Also, he just fought a velociraptor, so his MP is a little low right now.

      1. magicallady

        is the other 30% other junk food?

        1. Doctor_Who

          Caramel is a junk food, so yes.

        2. Umbrellan Garor

          No, the rest is free gay pizza.

        3. Palamdrone

          I assume Nachitos also exist in the Dumbiverse.

        4. magicallady

          they should exist in every universe

        5. Reltzik

          Confirmed.

          …. and also tagged.

        6. Reltzik

          Also! I finally got links to work! BOOYAKA!

    4. Bad Monkey

      Now, see? THIS is how all internet typos should be treated. One mistyped vowel gave me at least 30 seconds of smirk time!

      1. miados

        same honestly. i get out of work at 11 pm on tuesdays so i came home relaxed saw the comic and posted. I made a type and got a laugh.

        1. Betty Anne

          It’s the best type of mistake to make. :3

        2. begbert2

          The best type o’ mistake to make. :p

    5. Pope William T Wodium

      If it’s solid wood, then yeah, it kinda is.

  3. Spenser

    Breakup imminent.

    1. quietpeas

      I doubt it. I wouldn’t be surprised if this was a slipshine lead up. “Satisfaction”? Not that I haven’t been wanting them to break up since the pajama jeans thing.

      1. Cerberus

        I think their relationship is fascinating.

        Largely because he is what she’s after right now. He’s a hunky low stress guy she can cuddle when stressed and bang for some happy glowy feelings. It works rather nicely for her.

        However, we’re also seeing signs of where it’s largely going wrong at the same time. Despite herself she’s developing feelings for him and Walky at this current level of maturity has got a lot of growing to do to be worthy of a more committed long-lasting relationship.

        Additionally, she noted back in the bathroom strips with Joyce ( http://www.dumbingofage.com/2013/comic/book-3/02-guess-whos-coming-to-galassos/basting/ ) that she intensely feels the social pressure of being a woman and how our political society treats women who prioritize sexual satisfaction in their interactions or even acknowledge that they like sex. Hell, Mike even harassed her over this, putting photos of her waking up very chaste like but still after a sexual interaction and evoking the thing she fears that her sexuality will be used to destroy everything she’s worked for.*

        *This is somewhat ironic seeing as how that’s usually a character arc given to a queer character, but we’re seeing it here relating to a straight character and I’m kinda loving how it’s being used.

        As such, it feels like she feels intense pressure to instead girlfriend it up in more socially acceptable ways to almost disguise her actual intentions to the relationship. So she’ll get all invested in his family dynamics or improving him or doing the “let me protect your ego and just accept a certain level of dynamic and not call you out directly for stuff” thing a lot of straight women feel social pressure to do.

        And I think the more that that friction occurs, the more likely they’ll be to break up, but if they can resist the narratives of what boyfriend and girlfriend are supposed to look like and that arc of a relationship notion that sunk her and Danny, they might actually have a chance to build a nice healthy short-term relationship.

        1. Bagge

          I agree, their relationship has a lot of nuances, and it’s interesting to see them navigate their different narratives.

          They are also super adorable together.

    2. JS

      This does feel like a Willis lead in to feels.

  4. SailorCakes

    And the chase is over with a kick of a ladder

    1. miados

      its less of a chase to me and more of a barricade.

      1. Betty Anne

        Dorothy has “to punish and enslave” tattooed on her ass? Sweet! 😀

        1. begbert2

          Well, she is planning to be president, so yes.

  5. Jackson

    Nice going, Walky. She was right; you will never be satisfied.

    1. Totes anonymouse the first

      Well, it looks like he’s throwing away his shot…

  6. Hwajaemae

    You know a character is impressively obnoxious when he makes you wish Mike was back.

    1. SgtWadeyWilson

      Yeah, Mike does make me wish Mike was back…

    2. Darkoneko

      Even Mike looked shocked he did that in yesterday’s panels.

  7. Doctor_Who

    There’s something very Bond-villain about Dorothy’s calmness. “No, Mr. Walkerton, I expect you to die”.

    Then she flips a switch and a trapdoor drops Walky into a piranha tank.

    1. inqntrol

      Too bad she’s not wearing a hat.

    2. Slartibeast Button, BIA

      Needs more white cat.

      1. Darkoneko

        Yes.
        Well, or any cat, rally.

    3. zoelogical

      this is why she wants to become president

      why haven’t there been any james bond villain american presidents

      1. Betty Anne

        There will be after this next election.

        1. zoelogical

          i walked right into that one but like i really doubt hillary’s gonna be a bond villain and anyways doing this concept Good would mean grappling with the west’s imperialism and like that’s ever gonna happen

  8. Saru

    *Cue end of relationship
    “Aww, but that’s heavy” – Walky 2016

  9. Stephen R. Bierce

    *plays Kenny Loggins’ “Gravity” from the Cocoon soundtrack on the hacked Muzak*

    1. Daddy Finger

      STOP

    2. Slartibeast Button, BIA

      Yoko and Maaya did it better.

      1. Darkoneko

        *Plays fat guitar from the Gachaman crowds OST.

  10. buddy

    thats what she said

  11. Urukak

    Okay so this is definitely foreplay now right?

    1. Dean

      I’m getting that vibe.

    2. Reltzik

      They’re between sexings, so yes.

    3. magicallady

      …this is what foreplay looks like?

    4. Cerberus

      Foreplay or kind but firm dressing down. Honestly, it could go either way at this point.

      1. magicallady

        just when i think i understand sex, a new confusing thing pops up

        1. Roborat

          That just means you are doing it right.

        2. Osopescado

          …..oh my lord.

    5. Orion Fury

      That’s what I figured, and I’m horrible at that stuff.

  12. Opus the Poet

    I was really expecting a “mis-underestimated” on this one.

  13. spriteless

    So now we need to change scenes, right?

  14. tim gueguen

    “He ain’t heavy, he’s a ladder.”

  15. magicallady

    i thought the door and wall had been scratched by the stair

  16. Stairmasternem

    Walky is like your typical NPC, unable to circumvent a tiny climb able surface.

    1. Betty Anne

      Nobody put him in a pool without a ladder. :O

      1. Osopescado

        Or let him stargaze on the lawn, for that matter.

  17. Just Me

    What exactly was he planning on doing if he made it up to Dorothy? I don’t think he thinks these things through.

    Good thing he’s such a wimp.

    1. Pope William T Wodium

      Tickle her, obviously.

  18. Cattleprod

    “And it’s holding the door shut. Guess we’re gonna die in here.”

    “There’s a hall door AND a bathr–”

    “Better settle in for the long haul.”

  19. Guairdean

    Amber responds: “It ain’t heavy, it’s my ladder.”

  20. Zaidyer

    There’s that word again, “heavy”! Why is everything so heavy in the future, is there a problem with the earth’s gravitational pull?

    1. Slartibeast Button, BIA

      Yes, but that’s a worst case scenario.

    2. Cephalo the Pod

      The sun’s expanding too much! Helium is coming towards Earth and increasing its mass!

      1. Council

        Also since it’s that close we live in domes and we are still dying of brain damage from heatstrokes.

        That’s why it’s the Age of Dumbing.

  21. allmyinvisiblemonsters

    I don’t dislike Walky but he really annoys me in this storyline.

  22. Umbrellan Garor

    The persistence of David Walkerton, aka, the persistence of a sloth high on marijuana.

    1. trlkly

      And I’m happy that people know the difference between those two. I’m having to learn that people sometimes use “hate” to mean “temporarily irritated.” To me, “hate” is a really strong word.

      I mean, I grew up being told it was the same thing as murder. (1 John 3:15). I’ve lessened a bit on that, but still I consider it pretty harsh.

  23. LimeSheep

    just digging your ditch deeper, walky

  24. Kay

    Maybe he can have the satisfaction of knowing she’ll have to *jump* down.

  25. Chandra

    You cannot give up just yet . . .
    Walky! You must stay determined . . .

  26. Reltzik

    I like Dorothy’s complete “I know all your secret weaknesses” total nonchalantitutde.

    ….

    THAT IS TOO A WORD!

    1. Bad Monkey

      It’d better be! I intend to use it from now on!

      1. Disloyal Subject

        Well, you could just use ‘nonchalance.’ That is what it’s for.

  27. Rukduk

    Really? That ladder, that wooden dorm bunk ladder, is heavy? Ok, Walky, in addition to learning how to study and doing regular walking/jogging, you really need to do something about your arms to change your perception of weight. Heck, even if it’s as little as lifting some of those little practice 5 lb (American standard) Dumbbells a couple times in a once a week session, just freaking do something!!! Stop risking your health and the apparently good looks you have!!! Pretty soon you won’t look like you’re “sculpted from caramel” but instead that you were “pressed from caramel”.

    1. magicallady

      nah, not pressed, squeezed

    2. Reltzik

      To be fair, he DID just run a ways (like… probably half a hallway). He’s probably feeling pretty rung out.

      …..

      *absconds*

    3. Random832

      Plus you only have to lift half of it. The other half is on the ground.

    4. Silly Name

      He’s not weak. He’s lazy. I bet he could lift that ladder with little to no effort, but that’s doing WORK! the horror, the horror!

  28. Mkvenner

    Walky you lazy c£*#*

  29. Bagge

    Well, you caught her Walky. Now what?

    1. Cerberus

      I dunno. She’s on the bed. The door’s locked, the bathroom door is now blocked from external intrusion. And she’s up on the bed while he’s down on the floor. She might not be the one who’s being caught here.

      1. Bagge

        But she’s having a serious face!!!

      2. Jason

        I could be wrong, but I think that’s a closet door.

        1. Rutee

          Walky’s still standing next to it, so probably not.

        2. Rutee

          No, wait, you’re totally right, mb.

        3. Bagge

          Nah, there are no more closest. Becky blew them all up.

          (that joke is not stale yet, right?)

        4. Cerberus

          Oh shit, yeah, you’re totally right. Never mind then.

      3. Darkoneko

        Been meaning to ask, but it’s the cloest door (which opens sideways) the ladder is against, not the bathroom door, isn’t it ?

        1. Darkoneko

          Argh, foiled by Jason.

        2. SgtWadeyWilson

          Things you wouldn’t hear in a horror movie.

    2. Tomas

      Time to hunker down for a long siege.

    3. trlkly

      Please, please tell me that was a reference to when this happened (If you’re super impatient, the punchline is at 1:30).

      1. Slartibeast Button, BIA

        VIDEO NOT FOUND
        OUT OF CHEESE ERROR
        REDO FROM START

        1. trlkly

          Aw. Wish I’d come back sooner. Don’t know what went wrong. I’ll post it without the HTML:

          https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KJJW7EF5aVk

  30. THEBOONDOCKS

    walky, you are failing math

    1. Reltzik

      Maybe he just needs some practice with combinatorics.

      Wait, he’s failing calculus.

      He should study some curves and inflections. Especially the critical points and concavities.

      1. Cerberus

        He should brush his teeth regularly to prevent concavities. Especially since those can be inflected if you’re not careful.

        Yes, I know, I’m going to pun hell.

        1. Slartibeast Button, BIA

          Pun Hell? Don’t be so hyperbolic. Pun Heck, maybe. Don’t be an asymptote.

        2. Cerberus

          Ah shucks, I guess I was a-sin-ine to go hoping for symmetry about my re-log-ious plight.

        3. magicallady

          the pun-ishments must be ready to multiply exponent-ially

        4. TheGrammarLegionary

          I was interpreting it as a parabola, metaphorically showing a transformation from trigonometry to teeth.

        5. Reltzik

          Pun hell for the company.

          … which means pun hell would be in a state of perpetual pun war. Hmmm. Is that supposed to be a punishment for punsters?

        6. Silamy

          I assume this would be some sort of ….Punic war?

        7. Darkoneko

          Punics, that what romans and greek wore in the old days, wasn’t it ?

        8. Clif

          Only the ones that were criminals. Hence the saying, “Let the Punicment fit the crime.”

  31. Cephalo the Pod

    Ehh, they’ll be out in 10 days.
    …real time.

  32. Amyra

    Wait, do people actually use the ladders on their bunk beds? Everyone I know just climbs up from the bottom bunk or the frame. The ladder is the slowest and least direct way up.

    1. Reltzik

      There isn’t a bottom bunk or frame. All the beds are top bunks and have work areas under them.

    2. Leorale

      When I had a loft bed, I made a rope ladder for it, and ended up sorta trapeze-faceplanting into it every night… I miss it, it was like living in a jungle gym.

    3. magicallady

      when my cousins had a bunk bed, id use the ladder to get to the top.

    4. Bicycle Bill

      I don’t think there is a bottom bunk.  Other strips show that these seem to be loft beds (two to a room), and the area underneath is given over to a study desk area.  Regardless, a real man — or even Walky, given his adrenaline-fueled passion — should still be able to grab the frame rail and hoist himself up without the ladder.

      1. Needfuldoer

        Walky subsists off of junk food and laziness. That takes its toll even before your metabolism throttles down from teenager levels.

    5. Disloyal Subject

      Oh good, I’m not the only one who discarded the ladder.
      Finding a place to keep it is a pain, though.

    6. Sam

      I know when I had a bunk bed that I always used the ladder because while it is the slowest way, it is also the safest way.

      Plus, these are loft beds rather than bunk beds – even if he manages to get his arms on it, that doesn’t mean he’ll have enough upper body strength to lift himself up. That’s kind of why they give you a ladder instead of expecting you to be able to climb like a monkey.

  33. cmd1095

    She may have underestimated him…. but not by much

  34. Ray

    And here I thought they’d resolve the disagreement by demanding a little MUTUAL satisfaction…..

    1. Bagge

      They might be working themselves up to that.

      1. Darkoneko

        I’m still not sure her roommate isn’t in the room, just off screen.

        1. Bagge

          Sierra needs to leave.

        2. LWS

          Or turn a fire hose on them…

  35. Romanticide

    Dorothy knows him so well. 😛

  36. Victor Riley

    Eh, satisfaction is overrated.

    1. Roborat

      Only when you can’t get any.

  37. Reltzik

    And tonight the grav roulette gives me Jacob….

    I don’t have anything against him. He’s hunky, a dedicated student, fairly considerate…

    Look, I’m not rooting to get a Walky grav because I think he’s a wonderful person or because I’m a huge fan of the character. I’m rooting for a Walky because I acknowledge myself to be a privileged smart lazy dense goofball who has trouble dealing with in-person serious feels.

    Jacob just doesn’t represent me. So, back to the roulette wheel tomorrow.

    1. TheGrammarLegionary

      I kinda wish I had Walky too, for those exact reasons. That said, my inability to grasp certain social cues is almost on par with Dina, I’m just a little more extroverted with it.

    2. miz

      I’ve completely forgotten why you’re doing the roulette at this point. Just so you don’t have to register an account, or something? Because, like…if it’s effort that you’re trying to avoid, I have some bad news for you…

      1. Reltzik

        It’s no longer about effort. It’s about proving that I’m more stubborn than the system.

        And, you know, the epic journey.

    3. Council

      I’m trying to get Joyce myself; – ; It’s just not happeningT-T

      1. Council

        Oh wow totally different meaning with that avatar isn’t it

        1. Darkoneko

          Oh lord…

        2. Spencer

          It’s a sign.

          JoJo is nigh.

        3. Darkoneko

          Mudamudamudamuda

    4. trlkly

      So are you just giving a slightly different email each time? For example, exploiting the + sign aspect of gmail?

      I wish I my throwaway email account was on Gmail. But Google now requires me to confirm using a cell phone, which defeats the purpose.

  38. StClair

    Ah can’t GET no

    1. Needfuldoer

      Dun-naa-naaaaa

      1. Pope William T Wodium

        SatisFACtion

  39. pjeseb

    Dorothy-wan: It’s over Walky! I have the high ground!

    Walky: You underestimate me and the power of the nerd rage!

    Five minutes later…

    Walky: *pant* Oh god, is this what sweating feels like? I can’t feel my legs!

    1. Reltzik

      Ten minutes and one slipshine later:

      Walky: *pant* Oh god, is this what sweating feels like? I can’t feel my legs!

    2. magicallady

      there is a gym on campus im assuming! he could use the treadmill! or the elliptical!

      1. Reltzik

        Walky strikes me as the sort of “exerciser” who realizes that he can set the treadmill to top speed, then lift himself up on the hold bar and occasionally let his feet touch his belt while miming running.

        …. not that I have any experience in that sort of thing.

        …. see, this is why I need a Walky grav.

        1. magicallady

          theres tomorrow to get the walky grav

        2. Needfuldoer

          If you do it right the belt will kick your feet back for you.

          Of course this means you just have to support your body weight with your arms.

  40. Tacos

    Good thing he has no gym class cuz he’d be failing that too in addition to his math class.

    1. Reltzik

      I could see him taking Bowling for an easy credit. And regular access to the lanes’ fast food.

      1. magicallady

        that would be very walky

  41. Ryan

    Heart the Persepolis poster

    1. Cerberus

      It’s her favorite movie: http://www.dumbingofage.com/2011/comic/book-1/04-the-bechdel-test/movies/

      1. magicallady

        it is a pretty great movie!

        1. Cerberus

          I love that movie a lot!

        2. Ryan

          Best use of “Eye of the Tiger” in cinema history

        3. magicallady

          excuse! the ending scene of rocky 3 was just as good a use of “eye of the tiger” !!

        4. Ryan

          I respectfully disagree but acknowledge that your opinion is valid

        5. magicallady

          thank you

      2. SgtWadeyWilson

        I want to say the book was better, but I’m not actually sure.

      3. Stairmasternem

        Props to Willis remembering this detail he gave his character like 5 years ago now.

  42. zmm

    well if this is realistic. His ire for satisfaction on the cartoon will turn to a distractionary tactic of satisfaction

  43. GoogerGeiger

    “bend over”

    ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

  44. Jake

    that first panel looks like it could almost be a Jojo pose

  45. Darkoneko

    Hey, don’t wear your shoes on your bed will ya ><

  46. Spencer

    It looks like Walky can’t get no satisfaction.

    1. Slartibeast Button, BIA

      If he tries, sometimes, he gets what he needs.

    2. Joshua Petersen

      …satisfaction. Walky can’t get no satisifaction.

      GAH, that earworm…

  47. NinjaNick

    Never give up, Walky.

    1. SgtWadeyWilson

      Never surrender.

      1. inqntrol

        Don’t let your dreams be dreams.(oh wait, wrong motivation)

        1. Darkoneko

          Something something integrity, no regrets.

  48. C

    Hmm. Monkey master is tagged.

    1. David M Willis

      Walky’s Monkey Master toy that he threw at Dorothy’s head is on Dorothy’s desk, right above Walky’s right elbow in panel two.

      1. Stairmasternem

        Sometimes the tags just end up being a game of I Spy, huh? I still look for that little bit of Amber in this comic:

        http://www.dumbingofage.com/2015/comic/book-5/03-the-butterflies-fly-away/ruthless/

        1. Nymphie

          You see the tiniest sliver of her beige pants behind Danny

  49. Slartibeast Button, BIA

    He used his real name!

    Could be worse. At least he left out his middle name. (If he has one.)

    1. Darkoneko

      Uh oh. !
      (maybe that was an episode quote, too)

  50. Falling Star

    Laziness is always a setback.
    Unless it’s not.
    …wait.

  51. Captain Napalm

    I’ve been reading Multiplex trying to write down all the movies mentioned in posters, and Persepolis is jumping out of the page at me now. O_O

  52. EddDrop

    Walky on the 3rd panel…
    Phrasing? Or a tie-in for the next slipshine?
    Let’s see how it plays out.

  53. Zenix

    Is this still about cartoons? Because I’ve read the slip shine comics and this doesn’t feel like it’s about that anymore.

  54. Joshua Petersen

    He can’t get his… Satisfaction.

    1. Silly Name

      Can’t get no… girl reaction.

  55. Fariha

    I’m more impressed by how easily she kicked the ladder off. If it was me I’d end up getting caught on it and probably falling off the bed.

  56. Darkoneko

    It’d be hilarious if next time we see the room, they ended up studying.

    (…something else than human anatomy, that is)

    1. Rognik

      Yeah, like that’ll ever happen…

    2. Spencer

      Coming soon to Slipshine: Walky Performs a Study.

  57. rachel

    I guess it’s uhh just walky but anyone else feel like what he’s saying is rather violent?

    1. chris73

      Naah I say that to my wife when I’m feeling in the mood and feeling in a strange mood all at the same time

      Strangely enough it never leads to sexy times…

      But seriously its the intent of the words and the relationship between the two that’s more important then the actual words said

      1. Spencer

        Yeah, this would be incredibly creepy in any other context, but considering the massive amounts of goofball nerd rage that’s led up to it, it’s hard to think of it as anything other than Walky trying to be frisky.

        It’s just, you know, Walky.

        1. chris73

          Kind of like how when guys to talk to each other, it sounds quite bad if you were to take it of context

    2. Reltzik

      You will receive satisfaction? Them there’s DUELING WORDS!

      But seriously, context is everything here. Everything about their respective attitudes is playfully coy, teasing, or silly. Even Dorothy’s “cat on a windowsill” attitude is very much a tease here, given the sudden switch of emotional presentation from two strips ago.

      Also, I’m guessing that half of what Walky is saying comes from D&MM. Just a hunch.

  58. Tasha

    Persepolis poster!!

Leave a Reply to Reltzik Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

*

*

*

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