Zen Pencils—Creative Struggle

Starred review from April 1, 2018

"I can't do this--I'm a failure--I'm so depressed," moans many a scientist, writer, or artist. But so lamented the world's great creators, reports Than (webcomic Zen Pencils) in this puckish ennui disrupter. Albert Einstein, Frida Kahlo, John Coltrane, Mary Shelley, Stephen King, and ten more leading lights of history all doubted their own abilities and endured plenty of setbacks. Yet all developed and honed their persistence until--after much toil--genius art and science emerged. For each famous creator, a short graphic narrative dramatizes inspirational quotes about an ultimately triumphant challenge. Than then adds his own commentary. Several graphic "creative pep talks" pop up as intermezzos offering tips from Than and several other writers. The winsomely satirical art follows in the tradition of Kate Beaton's Hark a Vagrant or Fred Van Lente's Action Philosophers, with broad color schemes lending individuality to the selections, all taken from Than's popular Zen Pencils blog. VERDICT These vignettes will bring entertainment and dam-busting inspiration to tweens through retired folks seeking self-reinvention. A solid choice for classroom use, too.--MC

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