126

Mad at me
Posted on May 4, 2024 by David M Willis
The Dumbing of Age Book 13 Kickstarter is in its final FOUR days!  It ends Tuesday night at 11:45pm Eastern, and as of this writing we’re under $1000 from unlocking LYLE, the twelfth character magnet!  It might even unlock today!  And a potential bonus thirteenth magnet unlocks at $55K, but that might be cutting it closer. Anyway: My Peer Group’s Smoochy Chart Is Basically Now An Ouroboros will collect “Year Thirteen,” spanning the four storylines that start on August 22, 2022, and complete on August 15, 2023. This includes new commentary, behind-the-scenes artwork, and new character designs into a 218-page tome with luxurious glossy paper all bound up into a sturdy, full-color presentation.   It’s fancy!   There’s 24 Patreon bonus strips collected!  There’s rejected strips!  There’s… laundry! Ends Tuesday night!  Pledge today.

126 thoughts on “Mad at me”

  1. Ana Chronistic

    Becky: “oh there won’t BE a next time…”

    Dotty: “…”

    1. NGPZ

      She probably gonna try and make Joyce jealous by getting tattoos with Dina or something LOL

      1. Sajuuk-Khar

        SCIENCE THEMED TRAMP STAMPS

        1. NGPZ

          Dino egg tattoo would ROCK ^^

      2. RassilonTDavros

        So before I read your comment in full I thought you were gonna suggest Becky and Dina go on their own drunk night out, and now I’m wondering what Drunk Becky and Dina would be like. The latter did have some alcohol-related escapades back in the Walkyverse, but uh… this Dina’s would probably be a lot less disturbing. I hope.

        1. NGPZ

          From what relatively little I’ve seen of old Walkyverse compared to DoA, the Dina from back then seems like a totally different person if I’m being honest?

          But yeah I can see how that kinda thing could be difficult for readers to unsee.

        2. Marvelman

          link?

        3. Ana Chronistic

          thinking of this storyline http://www.itswalky.com/comic/you-changed-your-mind-again/

      3. RoyanRannedos

        Here’s my headcannon for this tattoo: https://www.reddit.com/r/shittytattoos/comments/15cf0cp/cover_up_ideas_for_poor_nugget/

  2. Doctor_Who

    If you’re wondering why Dorothy didn’t need to turn around, it’s because she could hear the Jaws theme playing.

    Does that mean that Becky was deliberately playing it as she approached, or that it was just naturally playing? The answer is yes, one of those.

    1. True Survivor

      Personally I saw the sandworms from Dune, but yours is better.

      Still, THE DRINKS MUST FLOW!

      1. Steamweed

        “Drink without rhythm, so you won’t attract the Becky.”

        1. Sajuuk-Khar

          “You slam-drink like a drunken raptor, Muad’Dorothy!”

  3. shadowcell

    poop is probably still unwelcome, to be honest

  4. Shakes

    THIS CONTRACT IS SEALED

    1. Sajuuk-Khar

      Becky will remember this.

    2. Schpoonman

      One of the best comics ever put on the internet.

  5. NGPZ

    oh noes. she angy :p

    1. HueSatLight

      Sometimes those feelings don’t go 100% away, and I think Dorothy+Joyce really piques her jealousy. That’s why she’s so supportive of Joe+Joyce. Even if Joyce were with some random other woman, I don’t think it would make her as jealous as of Dorothy.
      I also bet she’s picked up on Dorothy’s feelings for Joyce, even if Dorothy hasn’t.

      1. Throwatron

        I think it’s a little simpler than that.

        If Joyce is straight, then Becky never had a chance with her, so she can continue going full-blown avoidance-mode towards actually processing her life-long crush on Joyce, and how she feels about it.

        But only if Joyce is straight.

        If Joyce is not straight? That either means Becky had a chance, which is a mind-fuck of regret…or it means Becky never had a chance, which begs the question, “what the hell is wrong with me, that my bestie wouldn’t love me?”

        1. Matticus

          I’ve seen the theory that the reason Joyce doesn’t feel for Becky the same way as she does for Dorothy is that Joyce considers Becky *family* and always has. Attraction never entered the equation because that would like being attracted to her own sister.

        2. Vincent

          This honestly makes a lot of sense.

  6. IntangibleMatter

    I mean yeah, what did Joyce think would happen leaving her childhood best friend out???

    Side note I need to see Becky and Dina inebriated as soon as possible s’il vous plait.

    1. True Survivor

      I am still unsure if Becky’s jealousy comes from a perceived rivalry for Joyce’s friendship or for her romantic affection, or both. I know Becky is happily in a relationship with Dina and likely does not know if Dorothy has romantic feelings for Joyce (heck I am still not sure about that one), but Joyce was her first crush and best friend, so I wonder if some of that remains subconsciously.

      1. StClair

        “Yes.”

    2. Coatl

      I think that if this were to happen, it would be a double-edged sword, fun and dangerous at the same time.

    3. Bob

      Yes, how dare Joyce’s desire to cheer up her best friend through an existential crisis take precedence over her annoying childhood friend for one night! What an unreasonable choice!

    4. furubatsu

      Considering that Joyce’s goal was to get Dorothy to open up, Becky whose almost made being as annoying as possible to Dorothy her personality, would be a huge detriment to that.

  7. Taffy

    Becky is misbehaving somehow.

    1. Jeremiah

      Truly she is such bad person for experience normal irrational human fellings. How dare she.

      1. wwwhhattt

        Why can’t she be utterly perfect in every way, just like we are?

        1. Clif

          I have never been perfect. You apologize immediately!

        2. Casi

          The grav and comment do not align lol. Carla would never admit to being imperfect

      2. Sajuuk-Khar

        But what if: Becky is a good person with human flaws???

        No no no I KNOW it’s impossible but hear me out, what IF

        1. Jeremiah

          You are speaking nonsense. You are either a bastion of rationality and emotional maturity or you are a toxic selfish asshole, everyone knows that. Except the ones I like, those ones flaws humanize them because I said so.

    2. Coatl

      It was inevitable

    3. Mturtle7

      Becky: No more running…I aim to misbehave.

  8. morhek

    “No, I’m sure YOU’LL come next time!”

    Somewhere, a finger the Sapphic Nostradamus monkey’s paw curls.

  9. Yotomoe

    Euphemism?

  10. John Campbell

    The panel setup reminds me of when an old-school film gets misaligned.

  11. Pocky

    poor Becky

    but hey; I bet drinks with Dina would be more fun anyway

    1. Coatl

      Even she is capable of finding the best angles for a photo and rubbing them in Joyce’s face.

  12. Jonah (firelight_waltz)

    channeling some skywalker angst for may the 4th i see

    1. Marianne

      “This is outrageous! It’s unfair! How can you be on the Council, and not be taken out for drinks!?”

      1. Sajuuk-Khar

        Dotty: “Have a SEAT, young MacIntyre.”

        Daisy: “But what about the droid attack on the lesbian Wookiees?”

        1. Thomas

          “I mean, you just *know* they’re lesbians because they don’t shave!”

          (The same goes for the tribe of short, stubby tribades on the forest moon.)

  13. Sajuuk-Khar

    Becky is mad because she could have FINALLY done a keg stand with Joyce but NO, fuckin’ DOTTY had to probably do it first, the HOMEWRECKER

  14. Adam Black

    “HussyfriendstealerSaysWhat?”

    Says, BTW I taught Joyce how to Masterbate.

    BECKY: ” …..! !”

    1. NGPZ

      Yeah something tells me Becky still ain’t quite over Joyce. 🙁

      1. Shaith86

        Understatement of the year right there…

  15. Dday

    “Joyce took *you* out? Oh, in that case i feel better and not jealous anymore”

  16. Coatl

    Of course, it was obvious that Becky would try to throw a tantrum so soon, but luckily Dorothy managed to calm things down.

    Honestly, she looks prettier without her glasses.

    1. Eric

      Maybe, but she doesn’t look like Dorothy!
      (no lens-shaming, please)

      Of course, I noticed the ‘feet’ under the blanket in Panel 1, but Becky didn’t register until #4. . . SMH

    2. Amós Batista

      And Joyce looks hotter WITH glasses. How to explain it?

    3. Needfuldoer

      I beg to differ.

    4. RocketRelm

      I would say less “calm down” and more “redirect”, I fully expect all that pent up anger to still go somewhere.

  17. shrub

    What Dorothy should say is: “look Becky it’s perfectly simple, Joyce trusts me more than you and I brought her to her first orgasm but you’re still her best friend”

    I can’t see how that wouldn’t calm things down

    1. Dday

      Im sure Becky can come next time

      1. CJ

        Dotty‘s new career as a sex-positive consultant….

        1. Miri

          “Come on, I’ll teach you how to ‘do laundry’ too… Whaddaya mean, you and Dina already get eachother’s rocks off and a washing machine ain’t got diddly squat on the scientific method??”

    2. Da Boy

      Becky would instantly transition to Super Saiyan 4 mode

  18. Reltzik

    … so there’s going to be a next time.

    1. Sajuuk-Khar

      The ongoing saga of Girls’ Night Out

  19. Dday

    You know, it occurs to me… it must be awfully painful for Becky to have to room with Dotty as she and Joyce turn into the Ambiguously Gay Duo in excruciatingly slow motion

    1. Throwatron

      Yyyyyyyyup.

    2. Reltzik

      Except that Becky is completely happy and satisfied with Dina and so why would she be jealous because isn’t that sort of contradictory irrational feeling completely alien to the human experience?

  20. HueSatLight

    Don’t these kids have class? Oh, I bet it’s the weekend, nevermind. ; )

    1. David DeLaney

      it has been established, as the chapter title indicateth, that it be Tuesday this day

  21. Qube

    duuuh NUH

  22. shrub

    I find Beckys actions here (and other incidences of jealousy) quite disrespectful to Dina

    Appreciate what you have

    1. Coatl

      If Becky allows her jealousy to escalate more and more, the damage she does to Dina will be fatal and there will be no turning the page.

    2. Jeremiah

      In what way? And what actions?? She has done nothing so far but looking at Dorothy while felling stuff. She is allowed to fell stuf, even if those feelings aren’t completely rational.

      1. Da Boy

        The problem is that she keeps obsessing over Dotty and Joyce’s relationship and generally Joyce. Dina is quite clearly a rebound relationship for Becky and I’m just worried she might be hurt if Becky ever thinks she has a chance with Joyce and jumps on that.

        1. shrub

          This

      2. Stanistani

        You’re a lumberjack and you’re ok!

    3. Bash

      I think she’s also jealous because she is no longer Joyce’s main female friend, which is a complicated thing to untangle.

  23. Marianne

    Shark mode: Activated

  24. DashWallkick

    Becks doing the Sephiroth stare over the bed right now.

    1. NGPZ

      “One Winged Angel” intensifies…

  25. Ophidiophile

    I am uncertain whether Becky is upset because she thinks her roommate Dorothy invited Joyce to go out drinking without inviting her, or because Joyce went drinking with Dorothy first instead of with Becky.

    1. Rotunda

      Becky can have more than one motivation swirling around in her head—people often do.

    2. Needfuldoer

      Becky would’ve blown their cover.

    3. Amós Batista

      also, 1% I still believe Becky’s still in love with Joyce

  26. Amós Batista

    hi mom, sorry I went to the bar

  27. CrazyJ

    I’m sure Becky will be also be invited to hide behind the curtain with Joyce to watch Dotty have sex with Walky.

  28. Suet

    Joyce still has not learned how to do a kegstand, so that’s still on the table for Becky

    If she wants it so bad, let’s see if Mr. Clean will let her in the club

    1. Sajuuk-Khar

      Becky fucks up by looking right at the bouncer, who forgot his contacts again, and saying sotto voce “It’s cool, I’m a lesbian.”

      As a result she is redirected to The Gay Hooch Place, while Dorothy and Joyce remain at the non-gay one

      1. Da Boy

        Banished to the Gay Zone

      2. Mturtle7

        Nah, I’m sure Dorothy and Joyce would try to come along with Becky.

        They’d have a whole plan ready to cleverly trick the bouncer there into believing they’re a lesbian couple, but for some reason she just waves them right on through before they get to say anything.

        1. Sajuuk-Khar

          Becky is then caught the entire night between stewing about her rival “having” Joyce and genuine joy that she gets to do cool shenanigans with her bestie and also Dotty is there

  29. Felgraf

    this comic just made me think of the Birthday Skeleton

    “A…an Xbox?”
    “This contract is sealed.”

    1. Schpoonman

      “Greetings, small human.”

  30. Da Boy

    Not quite pinned to the bed with bloodshot eyed Becky demanding “TELL! ME! EVERYTHING!” but close enough I suppose XD

  31. Nick Piers

    *Jaws theme* Beck-ee. Beck-ee…

  32. Bleuryder

    I get the feeling Becky wasn’t invited because honestly, she probably would’ve wrecked the whole experience with her one sided rivalry with Dorothy and found some preachy reason to not let Joyce drink. Not to mention it was all about cheering Dorothy up. I’m not saying she shouldn’t be mad, but someone needs to tell her it’s not about her all the time.

    1. shrub

      Should have been told that a long time ago

      1. spriteless aunty

        Pretty sure this is a holdover from a situation where whe was told it’s never about her, but how she reflects on her xtian parents and community. So she does have to work on finding a happy medium.

        1. StClair

          I don’t believe that she or Joyce have a “medium” setting.

        2. David DeLaney

          “but, see, _our_ bi-sexuals go up to eLEven!”

    2. Adam Black

      alt Verse: becky is invited,

      It blows up into drunken fight when Joyce learns Becky already knew and kept it secret from her.

      ditto again when bwecky learns what a dryer is

  33. DarkoNeko

    you BETTER keep Dina happy, Becky.

  34. Yeet

    Inevitable really

  35. Aslan

    I’m glad to see Dorothy responding in a way that doesn’t feel like she’s bending over backwards to play diplomat to Becky’s childishness. It seems like a sign that she might be feeling a little better.

    1. Aslan

      Very much giving “I’m riding the high of a good night and I’m not with the bullshit, red”

    2. Daibhid C

      Honestly, I’d say Dorothy is being more diplomatic than usual here. Her standard approach is, quite understandably, “I accept that you are going to continue with this “nemesis” bit but I refuse to engage with it or take it seriously.” Here, she aknowledges why Becky would be mad and makes a peace offering. It’s like she thinks Becky being mad about this is, if perhaps not reasonable, exactly, at least understandable, and different from her usual nonsense.

      1. Needfuldoer

        Yeah, she has a genuine grievance here. Becky’s usual “best frenemies” schtick is funny because it’s generally unjustified.

        1. Adam Black

          I doubt Joyce would think so, especially since the entire night was meant to find out serets Becky kept from her.

      2. Aslan

        That’s a good point. I was considering it more from the perspective that Dorothy wasn’t springing into action to fix the problem, but you’re right that she diffused the situation in a smooth, diplomatic way

      3. Bash

        Yes, but there is more attitude than usual. Dorothy usually just tolerates whatever Becky is doing, but here she’s specifically saying she’s not at fault and she won’t accept Becky being mad at her.

        1. shrub

          It’s about time as well because Becky needs to learn boundaries and Dorothy needs to stiffen up her spine

  36. Amós Batista

    I think I am confortable to all of you to say some truths, like: Joyce don’t consider Becky a friend anymore. Perharps just a collegue, but nothing more like this.

    1. Daibhid C

      Joyce considers Becky to be “A fellow member of a profession, staff, or academic faculty”? How strange, considering neither of them are any of those things.

      But yes, the logic’s clear. Joyce didn’t invite Becky to her “make Dorothy feel better” night, therefore Joyce doesn’t like Becky. Or Sarah. Or Joe. In fact, looking at the long list of people Joyce didn’t invite, it seems she doesn’t like most people much.

      1. Da Boy

        Yeah, Becky has this one-sided rivalry going with Dotty. Inviting her to an outing designed to make Dotty feel better would be a horrible idea.

      2. Mark

        Perhaps in the broader sense: persons bound together by some commonality — classmate, fellow student, etc.

        I disagree. I think that the outing was an impulsive decision based on Joyce’s perception of an urgent need in Dorothy. She didn’t think of it as just a girls’ night out, but as helping a friend in distress. She’ll probably be surprised and perhaps apologetic if Becky confronts her.

    2. Jeremiah

      @Amós Batista You back must had been pretty sore seeing that huge stretch you did there.

    3. Bash

      It does seem like they’re not as close anymore. We see Joyce seeking out Dorothy, but we see Becky mostly in group scenes. Maybe it’s just the dynamic of the comic and they hang out off-panel, or maybe their friendship has cooled. They did have that big fight about religion that didn’t feel fully resolved. Or maybe Becky’s rivalry is a little tiring to deal with.

      1. Mark

        Perhaps it’s just that Joyce arrived at IU knowing no one except her childhood best friend who came along for a last time together before going off to Anderson. Now she knows and cares about some of the people around her here too.

    4. NGPZ

      Maybe?

      It seems more like just a part of a general trend where Becky seems to really want what she can’t have, be it Joyce or Dina being just as horny as she is 🙁

    5. DailyBrad

      https://www.dumbingofage.com/2023/comic/book-13/02-turning-saints-into-the-sea/truthfirst/

      You reading a different webcomic than the one the rest of us are reading, or…? This was like, a week or two ago or something in-universe.

      1. Amós Batista

        Fine, let’s see the next two weeks if Joyce will invite her for something…

  37. Nothri

    “Wait a minute what do you mean by-“

    “I’m saying you can come next time. That’s come with an “O” not a “U”.

    1. Sajuuk-Khar

      Becky: “Dotty can’t tell ME what to do! Dina, help me pick out a dildo that I can take to a BAR!”

      Dina: “…I am horrified, but also intrigued. Very well.”

  38. Rabisch

    Agree. It’s not the case for Becky to be resentful and envious. But Dorothy looks a little sad and I don’t think it’s just the hangover. I wonder what it is

  39. HueSatLight

    It doesn’t come across well in this medium, but Dorothy has been filling the room with silent-but-deadly farts all morning. She’s just pretending that Becky didn’t notice.

  40. David DeLaney

    +deep+ cut:

    “…don’t make _frogs_ at me, Glory!”

  41. MightyPinto

    *Looks at the alt text*

    All Dorothy has to do is buy some meat from a nearby cave and give it to Becky. Then she’ll move out of the way.

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