The following is an interview with cartoonist and storyteller Damian Alexander regarding the upcoming release of his graphic novel, Absolutely Everything, through Lerner Publishing’s Graphic Universe. In this interview, Fanbase Press Editor-in-Chief Barbra Dillon chats with Alexander about his creative process in bringing the impactful story to life on the page, what he hopes that readers may take away from the story’s depiction of an individual with ADHD, and more!
Barbra Dillon, Fanbase Press Editor-in-Chief: Congratulations on the upcoming release of Absolutely Everything! For those who may be unfamiliar, how would you describe the story’s premise?
Damian Alexander: Absolutely Everything is the story of Marcella, a twelve-year-old starting middle school who doesn’t realize she has ADHD yet. This begins getting in the way of schoolwork, keeping up with friends and everything else, making her incredibly anxious. The worst part is she doesn’t know why she feels this way, so she begins to think very negatively of herself.
BD: What can you tell us about your creative process in bringing this story and its characters to life on the page, and how much of your own experiences influenced your narrative?
DA: My creative process for Absolutely Everything was very messy. Doodles in sketchbooks, notes in the Notes app on my phone, sticky notes across the wall. And then eventually they all got stuck together into a script and the team at my publisher, Graphic Universe, helped me rearrange the pieces. Marcella’s story is a much more focused version of my own sixth grade experience, from the perspective of a kid eventually learning she has ADHD. Whereas in my own life, I didn’t find out until well into adulthood.
BD: What makes Graphic Universe™ the perfect home for this story?
DA: Graphic Universe publishes great graphic novels, many of which deliver serious subject matters in an accessible way for young readers. I think Absolutely Everything fits well alongside these other stories.
BD: Graphic Medicine is an emerging genre that combines the field of medicine with the medium of comics. How do you feel that Graphic Medicine stories like this one can not only help to better depict the lived experience of an individual with ADHD, but also help to destigmatize mental health issues?
DA: I think Graphic Medicine is a great area of books that help translate serious issues into a very personal, visual, and accessible format. While working on Absolutely Everything I tried to illustrate how ADHD made me feel growing up, and I wanted to be specific about this form of ADHD that’s often overlooked and help others understand it better. Marcella is like I was, where I didn’t present as having typical ADHD; I wasn’t jumpy or disruptive but quietly struggling inside my head. The problem was others couldn’t see how I was feeling, and through this book, I’m able to have readers see how Marcella is. I’m hoping this story might help teachers, parents, and medical professionals see the signs in kids experiencing it similarly.
BD: At Fanbase Press, our #StoriesMatter initiative endeavors to highlight the impact that stories can have on audiences of various mediums. How do you feel that Marcella’s story may connect with and impact readers?
DA: I’m hoping Marcella’s story will help young readers going through a similar experience feel seen and understood. I also hope older readers who maybe had their ADHD and anxiety overlooked as kids feel a sense of comfort reading this story, as well.
BD: Are there any other projects – past or current – that you would like to highlight for our readers?
DA: My first book, Other Boys, is a graphic memoir and a firsthand account of my own experiences in seventh grade. It’s about parental loss, bullying, unconventional families, and coming out. Absolutely Everything was partially thought up while working on it when I realized some of my struggles were due to ADHD, as well.
BD: Lastly, what is the best way for our readers to find more information about Absolutely Everything?
DA: You can find more about Absolutely Everything on my website, damianimated.com. I’m also on most social media under damianimated, as well, where I’ll be posting more about it as it gets closer to release! Or check out my publisher’s website, lernerbooks.com, for more on Absolutely Everything and other Graphic Universe titles.
