Reinventing The Graphic Novel Once And For All

 October 2, 2026

   I'm still seeking the Id in the Grid.

Random Narrative Grid #31

   Yesterday I laid out my ideas about where I thought the graphic novel was headed back in 1976 and I received this thoughtful feedback:

"I think your Illustrated Life & Times books are the road to redesigning the graphic novel. As a self-described graphic novel connoisseur, I will never forget seeing The Illustrated Life & Times of Billy the Kid for the first time and thinking it was the most original graphic storytelling idea I'd ever seen. Keep expanding on the idea; you're damn near there. Reimagine it without the historical verbiage and just the raw visual emotion of the story. Look at Milo Manara's Indian Summer. If you removed the word balloons, you still understood the story; it's the most beautiful and emotional graphic novel I've read. Let your art tell 75% of the story: find the human story and damn trying to mine every fact. Have some fun; you've more than earned it! Best wishes!!"

—Bradley Ireland

   Thanks Bradley for the positive feedback and insight. Yes, I have the Milo graphic novel you reference, but I must say, the emotion it conveys to me is wildly promiscuous and perhaps even a little horndoggy?

Milo Manara's Indian Summer

(I keep my copy off limits to my grandkids)

   Meanwhile, back on the road to providence. . .

Daily Reworked Whip Out (2016):

"Headin' Home"

   Gee, I wonder what ol' Georgia has to say about all this?

"Whether you succeed or not is irrelevant. There is no such thing. Making your unknown known is the important thing."

—Georgia O'Keeffe