Jose

Everyday after school I let my dog out into the backyard and head straight for the basement.

I walk down the half finished steps to my refuge. The slightly damp cool air, the old coffee table, and the worn out comfy couch seem to have waited all day for this moment too.

I open the closet and roll out a giant chest. My treasure chest is equipped with a lock and key so that my little brother, who is bound to find this someday, can never get into it.

Inside is a collection of  every comic I’ve ever read. Sure, it may not seem like treasure since tons of people have comics, and even bigger collections than this. But what they don’t have is 15 sketchbooks filled with the extended versions of the comics I’ve read.

No more “to be continued” …I've taken that into my own hands. I’ve mastered the drawing style, the story arcs and the dialogues. I’ve continued sagas, altered characters' powers and even created completely new superheroes.

One day, when I’ve successfully continued all of my comics I’m going to submit them to a real publisher. Everyone will be in awe and I’ll become the most well known comic creator in history.

Until then I’m here in my basement perfecting this secret project. The only person who knows about it is my Dad. I had to tell him so he knew I wasn’t doing anything crazy down here.

He’s ok with it as long as I finish all my homework, but he says I should study more to become a plastic surgeon like him so that I can one day make ”real” money. Money that no comic book creator could.

He doesn’t get it though.

I am a plastic surgeon but even better. I’m a storytelling plastic surgeon. Instead of a new nose. I’m giving these hero’s new roles, new identities, new superpowers so they can get the closure they deserve.