STINK.

My comic book series, STINK; was organically made. Much like most of what I do. When I started it, I didn’t have a clear idea of what I wanted to make. What I wanted to convey. What I wanted it to look like.

It all started when I was messing around with drawing different fonts. Out of no where, I began to really be drawn to a specific font, and for whatever reason, the font reminded me of comic fonts from the 90’s , punk mags, skateboarding mags, and so on. I began to build on it, and eventually I ended up with not just a font I loved, but what would end up being the name of my comic series.

I built from the font and before I knew it, I ended up with a character concept, and the style of the comic. It all happened faster than my head could grasp; almost felt like my hands were moving before I finished my thoughts. Maybe the best things sometimes grow from less thought and more action. Maybe not. Who knows, I’m not the boss of these things. Maybe I am.

I recall listening to Radiohead (as I often do in order to accompany any feeling I’m feeling. I could listen to them forever and be content). I remember drinking copious amounts of water. It was hot out. I remember my partner standing behind me and cheering me on; showering me with compliments and encouragement. I remember that night vividly.

After finishing the front cover, I went right into it. I started and finished the first page of Vol.1

At this point, I kindof knew I wanted the comic to be very personal, and very much relatable. I went with the topic of learning self love. Something I was slowly starting to experience myself. Making STINK most certainly helped me get through some tough internal emotions. To see myself drawing these intimate moments both felt like freedom and hell. I hadn’t fully conceptualized the comic beyond it being about self love, and overcoming something big with the act being small. I didn’t yet know the plot. I finished that first page, and immediately was drawn to create another, but alas, my bed yearned for my body to be in it and I had to oblige.

As the comic continued to unfold before my eyes, I realized how important of a message this was going to be and I couldn’t wait to share it with the world.

Time did what it does, and so did I.

I finally had vol.1 of STINK, and boy was I ecstatic. I mean, I was completely beside myself. I read it and wept. Both out of pride of what I had created, and because I was able to convey what it felt like to have breakthrough moments when dealing with a PTSD flashback. I was staring back at myself, at my triumph. What followed was a greater moment of self love, as I realized that slowly but surely, I was implementing the very thing I set out to highlight in STINK. This was a real page from my mental diary. I DID wake up and check my phone; only to see bad news. I DID walk to my bathroom and go to grab my toothbrush and brush my teeth; of course dropping it on the floor. I DID pick it up, I DID attempt to brush my teeth. I started to have a flashback and almost walked away from the sink, but I didn’t. I DID pick the brush back up, and I DID brush my teeth that morning. Going from someone who was looking to die, to being someone who can manage life sober, and in therapy. I had taken all of this life experience and now here I am, putting it out there for all to see. I felt vulnerable. I felt nervous. I felt pride. I felt assured. I felt ready to share.

What would follow would be an amazing response, full of people messaging me how much it helped them, how they also experience PTSD flashbacks, and how hard it can be to do something as simple as brushing your teeth. This kind of feedback would leave me elated. It made me feel so certain that I needed this comic; that others might need it too.

I released Vol.1 & Vol.2 as a soft copy, and got a similar response. This catapulted me into starting Vol.3 and then Vol.4 and now I will be releasing my first official physical hard copy of all the volumes, in addition to one page comics from other artists. There is more to be said, but maybe I’ve given you all I got for the time being.

If you got this far, thanks so much for caring about what I have to say. Thanks for caring about STINK.

Look out for the official hard copy release of STINK - coming Fall 2023.