Today in 3 Panels, by Dean Mang-Wooley

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 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

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 image: a car parked outside of ACAD. Panel 1 text: My little brother picked me up from school today. Panel 2 image: Dean loads their school supplies into the back seat of the car. Panel 2 text: Which is about as embarrassing as it sounds. Panel 3 image: Dean sits in the passenger seat of the car, looking out the window. Their brother Jordan is in the driver's seat. Panel 3 text: I NEED to get my friggin' license!

License shame

Oct 1, 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

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

Dean and their friend Joelle are drinking milkshakes together. Dean starts coughing. Joelle puts her hand on Dean's shoulder and asks: "You ok?" Dean stops coughing and says: "Yeah, I just cough when I drink cold things and hiccup when I drink hot things. Joelle puts her head on Dean's shoulder and says: "I like that you're such a sensitive person and you have such a sensitive system."

Sensitive system

Jul 25, 2016

Petting manta rays: "This is the happiest I've ever been"

Vancouver rays

May 9, 2016

Panel 1 text: A note about Stampede season. Panel 2 image: 3 police officers standing together. Panel 2 text: Cops: scary. Panel 3 image: the same 3 police officers standing together, wearing cowboy hats. Panel 3 text: Cops in cowboy hats: exponentially scarier.

Stampede season

Jul 16, 2018

Dean's mom is serving the family a casserole. She says to Dean's dad: "Be careful of the casserole...It's got a lot of--" Dean's dad interrupts and says: "Nails?"

Interruption

Sep 6, 2008

Panel 1: Dean is taking a shower. Panel 2: Dean is out of the shower, putting on their clothes. They think to themself: My clothes smell like sour dandruff. Panel 3: Dean looks up, sniffing the air. They think: The whole house smells like sour dandruff.

Reek II

Sep 25, 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