Comic relief
A student turns a chemistry assignment into a graphic novel
By Pouya Mirzaei
During the fall semester, my honors general chemistry professor Dr. Llanie Nobile asked our class to create a children’s book about chemistry.
The purpose of the project, Dr. Nobile said, was for us to demonstrate our knowledge of complex chemistry processes in a clear, concise way. Like Albert Einstein famously said, “If you can’t explain it simply, you don’t understand it well enough.”
When it comes to visual art, I just can’t help myself — and I knew if I could, I would turn my chemistry “kid’s book” assignment into an art project.
We could choose any chemistry topic and the grade level, kindergarten through fifth grade. I originally wanted my book to appeal to toddlers, but whatever idea I came up with just felt terrible. Who knew writing books for children was so difficult? I spent a week working on a narrative, when it should have only taken a day.
When I finally showed Dr. Nobile my plans for what could be described as a “Dr. Seuss-esque book” with my attempt at some rhyme and rhythm, she seemed to like my concept. But I was still uneasy about the writing. I really wanted to use this project as an opportunity to showcase my passion for illustration and make this homework fun. But I wasn’t fully sold. I only had a week before the book was due. Could really write a new narrative in time? Is it worth pursuing my passions if it risks my grade?
That was when the idea came to me.
I have been dreaming of writing and illustrating my own comic book. This assignment could be the best chance to practice making one. So, I set out to make my first-ever graphic novel.
I have read a lot more graphic novels than children’s books, so writing this narrative came more naturally. With only six days left to work on the book, I started illustrating.
I soon realized why solo graphic novelists spend years and years of their time to make a single book. I didn’t have years, though, or even a full week. So I worked quickly.
I called my comic: Stuck with Atomic Bonds.
The storyline focuses on a frustrated chemistry student named Danny, who, with the help of his friend Noble and the shrink gun he invented, shrinks down to the atomic level to experience and better understand the behavior of atoms. The story closes out with quite the cliffhanger: Danny and Noble do not exactly know how to grow back to normal size.
After spending about three hours illustrating just the first page, I came to the tough conclusion I would have to simplify some of my initial ideas. I eliminated a lot of background details from the strips and even stopped coloring many of the elements of the comic book for time sake. Admittedly, the sight of some of the later pages makes me cringe. Even then, it took about an hour to sketch and draw line art for each page. Eventually, my line art marker ran out of ink, so I had to start doing line art with a colored pencil. It all felt rushed and disastrous.
On some occasions, I worked on my comic overnight into the next morning. My parents thought I was crazy. As for me, I was just upset that several days into the process, I still wasn’t done. Once, my parents even drove me to the bus stop because I was so tired from meticulously working on the project that I was in no condition to drive myself to school.
I finished the last few pages of my graphic novel in the final days leading up to the due date. There was no feeling quite like the one I felt when I finally stapled all the comic book pages together. I was proud to see my vision come to life — even if it wasn’t completely perfect in my eyes.
A work of art is never truly finished — and I think that definitely applies here.
The project served its purpose. I was able to apply my knowledge of chemistry in a creative way for kids to appreciate. Not to mention, I got a good grade and a few of my other professors recognized me and praised me for my work — which I deeply appreciate and never expected.
More than anything, though, this project taught me that some risks are worth taking. I could have gone the easy route with my original idea and completed the project much sooner. There might not have been sleepless nights, added stress or uncertainty.
But because I chose to go with my passion of graphic novels, I was truly dedicated and got to see my dream of making my own comic book become a reality. That made it all worth the while.
