Featured here is work from my graphic novel, This Kid; a twisted take on adolescent mythology. A superhero story I conceived of as a teen and attempt to reexamine through an intersectional lens. What happens when we realize the heroes and fables of our youth have taught us the wrong lesson?

J. R. Kegan here, the author and illustrator of this here crazy little story. I created this story as an amalgamation of the adolescent fantasies I’d have while doodling superheroes and creating my own characters in high-school.  All of us creative young weirdos seemed to have entire volumes of stories and universes of characters; each with complex social structures and personalities developed passively from our constant consumption of popular media. I remember creating my own power ranger and ninja turtle characters, each with their own distinct color scheme, and complimentary skill set and weapons. I remember designing my own x-men with outlandish hair and enough pouches on their belts to hold the entire original line of kenner star wars action figures.

I had always wanted to tell my own tale of heroism, my own dream of gaining superpowers and of course falling in love with a cute girl whom I swooped in and saved at the last minute. Then, quite luckily as far as men in this world go, I grew up and became educated on the problematic allegorical meaning of the ‘damsel in distress’. I can think so clearly now, about how my sense of right and wrong was filtered through my own masculine privilege. That my desire to be heroic was undeniably related to my desire to be seen, particularly by the opposite sex.

It then became extremely important to re approach this story contained within me for decades. While attempting to tell it from the perspective of adolescent ignorance, simultaneously responding to these teenage woes as any adult should; with patience and care in order to deconstruct these feelings and let them inform our sense of maturity as a grown ass person. Along with this however, should also come a healthy amount of speculation and criticism

I’m not sure if this book is appropriate for children, teens sure but use your discretion. I learned a lot (probably some I shouldn’t have) from comic books, cartoons, and other media that was deemed “too adult” for someone my age but still made for me. In that regard, if you are concerned, consider this book something to be read in secret under covers at night with a flashlight hidden under one’s pillow. If that seems to risqué for more innocent eyes, please take this as a reminder that some truths must be taught at the right time and place, but others are learned more readily when thought to be entangled with the secret and mysterious forces of the universe, things that adults rarely understand.