Today in 3 Panels, by Dean Mang-Wooley

Dean, aka Rita, is sitting in front of a campfire with their uncle. Their uncle tells them: "you're so skilled. I really...respect you." Dean rests their chin on their hand and thinks to themself: "wow."

The uncle who never talks to me

Aug 2, 2008

Dean is walking down a residential street. They say to themself: "whoa." They think: "This year, Jordan turned 16 on the 16th and Hannah and I turned 20 on the 20th." They smile wide and think: "COSMIC!"

Cosmic

Sep 18, 2008

Panel 1 image: Dean stands between 2 anonymous people, holding the strap of their shoulder bag with both hands. Panel 1 text: I stick out like a sore thumb here with my blue jeans and ratty shoulder-bag.... Panel 2 image: 3 people sit together at a table and talk. There is food in front of them, and table settings that include many utensils. Panel 2 text: Surrounded by important people who know which fork to use for which course. Panel 3 image: Dean sits alone, looking uncomfortable. Panel 3 text: Funny that I feel so alone and out of place at a lecture on identity.

Class (self) consciousness

Oct 3, 2008

Dean is sitting across from their friend David in a restaurant, holding their wallet in one hand. Their wallet is bulging with receipts. David says: I love your fat wallet. Dean says: I can't make it any thinner. David says: Those are load-bearing receipts.

Fat wallet

Jun 1, 2018

Dean is at the cashier's desk at an art supply store. Image text reads: "At the art supply store, I suddenly began to pass out. As the room shifted around me, I sank to the floor in a cold sweat. The clerk was good about it." The clerk says to Dean: "Are you hiding?"

Fainting in the aisles

Aug 6, 2008

Panel 1 image: a dead bumblebee on a sidewalk. Panel 1 text: I've seen dead bees on the sidewalks since June. Panel 2 image: a live bumblebee stumbling on the ground, flapping its wings. Panel 2 text: Most of the live ones I see don't fly, but hobble around like they've had a stroke. Panel 3 text (no image): I am terrified of what this might mean.

Bees

Sep 5, 2008

Becoming our dads

Becoming our dads

Jul 7, 2016

Dean is volunteering at a one day camp for 9 to 13 year olds. They are standing near two children who are smiling and laughing. Dean thinks: "Man, these 9 to 13 year olds are awesome. Wait! When did I get so old? When did I get so boring?"

Peace camp, Calgary Unitarian Church

Aug 12, 2008

Panel 1 image: a life-drawing model undoes their robe. Panel 1 text: There's a brief moment of tension right before a model takes their clothes off. Panel 2 image: the model sits naked on a fabric-covered block, holding a walking stick. Panel 2 text: But once they're naked, it's fine. Panel 3 image: the model stands facing a student. The two are talking to each other. Panel 3 text: Still, it's bizarre to see the other students talking to them.

Life drawing

Sep 24, 2008

Panel 1: Dean is turning compost with a pitchfork at night, looking sad. Panel 2: Dean leans on the pitchfork and starts crying, saying: "huh..huh...oh god..." Panel 3: close up of an unopened bottle of celexa, an antidepressant, with cobwebs all over it.

Adventures in pharmaceuticals II

Sep 11, 2008

Dean and their mom are making grilled sandwiches in the kitchen. Dean picks up a container of mayonnaise and says: "What's the date on this?" Dean's mom looks at the container and says: "2008...", then she gets a concerned look on her face and continues: "April...10th."

Mayonnaise

Sep 15, 2008

Panel 1 image: Dean lying down on a couch. Panel 1 text: Is it 2006 or 2016? Am I 28 or 18? Panel 2 image: A record playing on a turntable. Panel 2 text: I feel like I've been repeating the last 10 years without any aim or intention. Panel 3 image: Dean's hands taking the record off the turntable. Panel 3 text: Feeling guilty about not moving forward.

Time loop

Aug 1, 2016