A tip of the hat to Matthew Dow Smith for the inspiration for this comic with an assist from Allison Shabet.

As Matthew was pointing out, given a panel layout of

A D
B D

where you have three panels, A, B and D (like the first three in today’s comic), it’s hard for the reader to decide which order to read them in – A, B then D or
A, D then B. Having a double height on the left is ok, that is:

D A
D B

As the order is obviously D then A then B.

Another questionable layout may be found here.