Today in 3 Panels, by Dean Mang-Wooley

Dean, aka Rita, describes what they observe at a church service. Image text reads: Staring at what looks like malignant melanoma on the neck of the woman in front of me. Listening to a surprisingly beautiful rendition of Ave Maria on the trombone. Watching a flash of light dance in time to the music.

One Sunday in Melville

Aug 3, 2008

Dean's mom and dad are stting together at the kitchen table. Dean's mom is sweating, and is putting a cold pack on her head. She says to Dean's dad: "This feels really good." Dean's dad replies: "It looks very good too. Mrs. Gumby."

Hot flash

Sep 22, 2008

Panel 1 image: Dean is staring at a blank sketchbook with a pencil in their hand. Panel 1 text: Trying to think of something--anything--to draw about.... Panel 2 image: close up of actor Hugh Laurie's face. Panel 2 text: But all I can think about is Hugh Laurie in 'Blackadder.' Panel 3 image: Dean smiles dreamily, resting their chin in their hands. Panel 3 text: Damn that British funnyman and his wide horsey smile.

Distraction

Sep 2, 2008

Panel 1 image: a cricket in a sink, near the drain. Panel 1 text: There was a cricket in the studio sink. Panel 2 image: Dean, with their hands clasped in front of them, looking concerned. Panel 2 text: I scooped it up in my wet hands and headed outside. Panel 3: A close-up image of the cricket lying on its side on the ground. Panel 3 text: It died before I reached the door.

Cricket

Sep 26, 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

Dean's friend Alison is standing in the back of a parked U-Haul truck, covering one eye. Alison's brother Liam is lying on the ground beside the truck. Alison's dad approaches the scene and says: "What happened?" Alison says: "He elbowed me in the eye!" Liam says: "She eyed me in the elbow!"

Assigning blame

Aug 23, 2008

Panel one image: a person with an under bite and a person with an over bite try to kiss each other. Panel one text: "I was going to draw about something interesting today...(imagining strangers with orthodontic problems kissing)." Panel two image: an x-ray of a person's head and neck. The back of the head is cracked. Panel two text: "but I've got a headache so bad I want to puke." Panel three image: two dogs barking loudly. Panel three text: "And it only gets worse."

Migraine

Aug 15, 2008

A stranger starts talking to Dean on a path. The stranger says: "Excuse me, does this path lead to the water?" Dean replies: "Yes. I think so? The water is kind of...diagonal from here." The stranger says: "But I can get to the boats from here?" Dean replies: "Yes. Maybe? Douglas...uh, Dallas street...Dallas road will take you there." Dean starts sweating and thinks to themself: "6 years I've lived in this city and I still can't give directions."

Directions

Sep 9, 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

Dean and Jordan are talking to each other in their living room. Dean says: "They should make a movie with Michael Caine and Maggie Smith as a brother-sister crime-fighting duo!" Jordan adds: "Disguised as butlers!"

Pitching a script

Aug 30, 2008

Dean, aka Rita, is in a car with their mom. A bug hits the windshield and splatters. Dean says to their mom: "I wonder how many bugs we've killed in our history of traveling." Their mom replies: "most of them."

Driving to Swift Current

Aug 1, 2008

Dean is watching the news with their family. Panel 1: the newscaster on TV says: "Large Hadron Collider..." Panel 2: The TV shows a simulation of what would happen if a black hole opened up on Earth. The Earth's crust is crumbling and the core is exposed. Panel 3: Close up of Dean's face. They are sweating with fear.

Doom

Sep 10, 2008