The Process began with the idea to set up a narrative that gave me an occasion for experimentation in the art and story. Each chapter was going to be stylistically different while the reader traveled through my brain while passed out from hypoglycemia. After slipping away at the end of the pages above, my 'reality' would be revealed as a metaphorical stage before an audience of personified aspects of my mind. All are asleep but one. After the curtains close, there would be incredible crash and the one awake personification would leap to the stage to investigate backstage. The elaborate setting for 'reality' collapsed. It's splintered. Shattered. The stage is strewn with wreckage. In looking for survivors, one man was saved. Me. Likely in a coma. The personification volunteers to enter my mind to rescue my consciousness from within. From there on I would have complete license to put this character through any paces using any style of art with the larger 'bookending' quest being to resuscitate me.

Unfortunately it never got to that sweet spot. What you do have though, is 32 pages of me cranking on all cylinders at the time. Each page became such an epic venture to finish that burnout set in and the project has lain dormant since. Looking at these pages again in putting together this post, I can't deny that I felt a thrill at some of the pages and at memories of my plans for the Process. If I had my druthers I would force myself to do at least a page a month and just let it take me where it goes.

In the meantime, I'm thankful for the many great things that have come out of this project. I first had the idea for Ultra-lad in these pages. The strip was nominated for an Eisner under the Digital Comic category in 2008. I think it was through that nomination that I got in touch with Jeff Newelt who put me in touch with Act-i-vate. Countless great things have come out of joining Act-i-vate so I am definitely thankful for that, too. Thank you.

For more thoughts on the end of the Process, please read this great interview with Brigid Alverson over at Robot6.

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From the pages of Heeb magazine comes this one page story called, Workin' Girl Golem! Jeff Newelt, editor for The Pekar Project was my editor for this piece. In Jewish folklore, the Golem is an animated being made of inanimate matter. The process of imbuing it with life involves placing a small scroll or 'shem' inscribed with Hebrew letters into the mouth of the clay figure. Some variations of the myth have the 'shem' placed in the figure's forehead while others describe carving the word directly into the forehead. The traditional Golem myth tells of the creation of the Golem as a protector of the Jewish community. The monster is obliged to comply with the wishes of its Rabbi creator but if asked to do any task outside Jewish law or is left alive on the Sabbath it will go berserk destroying what it was created to protect. In my version, a little sexual harassment in the workplace is more than enough motivation for the office Golem to exact poetic revenge.

For more information about Golems, I recommend this Wikipedia article.

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