Today in 3 Panels, by Dean Mang-Wooley

Dean sees a newspaper on a table. Dean says: "Hmm?" The newspaper headline reads: "Angry kids may suffer defiance disorder." Dean gets angry and slams their fist down on the table, saying: "Oh, what the HELL?"

Defiance

Aug 5, 2008

Dean and their friends are playing Pictionary. Dean is drawing a picture and their friend Joelle is guessing what it is. Dean draws a picture of a baby, a plus sign, a downward-facing arrow, and a person with a prominent butt sitting down. Joelle guesses: "Baby butt? Baby...bum? Baby...Ass baby?" Dean looks at Joelle and says: "ASS BABY?"

Pictionary

Oct 12, 2008

Hannah is watching Dean play the game Earthworm Jim on the Super Nintendo. Hannah says: "I think Earthworm Jim is an ESFP. With seriously un-diagnosed ADHD."

Earthworm Jim

Sep 21, 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 using a tablet in a classroom at school. There is a loud, repetitive "pow" sound coming from the adjacent room. Dean thinks: That hammering is driving me NUTS! Dean walks to the adjacent room, thinking: What are they doing? When they get to the room, they see the source of the noise: a video projection of balloons popping, with popped balloons scattered on the floor in front of it. Dean thinks: Oh.

Wall of noise

Sep 30, 2008

Dean walks down a residential street, looking happy. Suddenly, they look a little worried. Image text: "I walked home without shoes. As soon as my feet touched the cool concrete, I felt a sudden electric surge of joy. Until I realized I was walking down the wrong street."

Barefoot bliss

Aug 16, 2008

Dean is sleeping face-down in their bed. Jordan comes into their room and says: "Hey Rita! It's 3 o'clock!" Dean looks up and says: "That's ridiculous!"

3 in the afternoon

Oct 14, 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

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: Dean as a child looking toward the right with an awed expression. Panel 1 text: When I was really young, I had a very strong emotional response to Rick Moranis. Panel 2 image: 3 portraits of actor Rick Moranis portraying Seymour in Little Shop of Horrors; Doug McKenzie on SCTV; and Wayne Szalinsky in Honey, I Shrunk the Kids. Panel 2 text: Seeing him evoked a feeling that was simultaneously positive and negative--a mixture of reverence, recognition, and embarrassment. Panel 3 image: a portrait that is half Dean as a child, half Rick Moranis. Panel 3 text: I felt like we were the same person, living two different stages of the same life.

Rick Moranis

May 5, 2018

Panel 1: Close up image of Dean's left hand. Lightning is striking the area in between Dean's thumb and forefinger, symbolizing pain. Panel 2: Dean is looking at their hand. Dean says to themself: "My thumb-pit is burning." Panel 3: Dean hods their left hand with their right, looking worried. Dean thinks: "spontaneous combustion."

Chili peppers

Aug 28, 2008

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