Today in 3 Panels, by Dean Mang-Wooley

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

Dean is on a city bus, reading a book. Text reads: As I was reading 'Heart of Darkness' on the bus, I started listening to two women talk about the life they left behind in Botswana. Everything I do is trivial.

Microcosm

Sep 23, 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

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

Panel 1: Dean walks down the alley near their house and looks at the graffiti on their neighbours' garages. They think: So many vandalized garages. Panel 2: Dean puts a piece of paper in a neighbour's mailbox. They think: "I'll offer to paint over it and give them my information! Panel 3: Dean is at home, looking at the phone with a very worried expression, thinking: crap crap crap crap...

Vandalism

Oct 6, 2008

Dean, their dad, and their brother Jordan are all carrying water bottles at a tennis court. Dean's dad squints at his water bottle and says: "Do either of yours have floaties?" Dean and Jordan both answer: "No..." Jordan then says: "They probably came from the bottle, 'cause it kinda stank..." There is a note at the top of the comic page that says: "Jordan filled the water bottles."

Floaties

Aug 24, 2008

Dean, their dad, and their brother Jordan are all carrying water bottles at a tennis court. Dean's dad squints at his water bottle and says: "Do either of yours have floaties?" Dean and Jordan both answer: "No..." Jordan then says: "They probably came from the bottle, 'cause it kinda stank..." There is a note at the top of the comic page that says: "Jordan filled the water bottles."

Floaties

Aug 24, 2008

Panel 1: Dean does sit-ups. Panel 2: Dean lifts a dumbbell, sweating and looking exhausted. Panel 3: Dean sits on the couch and eats a slice of pie.

Working out

Sep 8, 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 and their dad are at Value Village, looking at a trophy with a country's flag printed on it. Dean asks their dad: "What country's flag is that?" Their dad replies: "Taiwan." Dean asks: "How do you KNOW this stuff?" Dean's dad shrugs and says: "I don't know!"

Value Village

Sep 13, 2008

Dean is talking to their mom on her birthday. Dean says: "You are 48 years old. How do you feel?" Dean's mom says: "Old. My sister didn't get to be 45."

Birthday blues

Oct 13, 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