GVN Talking Comics Interview: Creator Damian Alexander For The Graphic Universe Book, ‘Absolutely Everything’

Life teaches many lessons, often involving adapting to new people and environments. These challenges are especially tough during the early years of growing up. In school, it feels like every year brings new adjustments and social hurdles to overcome, which can be even more difficult for those with Attentive ADHD. It is this challenge that talented creator Damian Alexander sheds light on in his insightful new book “Absolutely Everything.”

Coming out September 9th through Graphic Universe, an imprint of Lerner Publishing Group, Absolutely Everything looks through the eyes of Marcella, who is now beginning Sixth grade.

For Marcella, Sixth grade seems complicated on purpose. She keeps forgetting her homework or getting distracted while she’s doing it. Plus, her bestie has new friends, and her parents even want to move apartments. She’s trying to keep track of the changes—but absolutely everything is stressing her out! Does Marcella just need to force herself to “be better”—or is there another way for her to create a path to the life she wants?

Written from his own experiences, Damian explains:

“ABSOLUTELY EVERYTHING was inspired by my own childhood experiences with inattentive ADHD in middle school and finding direction through art. Marcella is actually a character I doodled in my notebooks back then. I hope her story will connect with young readers today, especially those who may be feeling a lot like I did.”

Recently, we sat down with Damian and discussed his early creative beginnings, the support he received from his family, and how “Absolutely Everything” came to fruition. So, let’s welcome Damian Alexander to GVN’s Talking Comics.

Talking to Damian Alexander

GVN: Thank you, Damian, for sharing a part of your day. Since this is our first opportunity to visit, let us start with your creative beginnings. When did you first take an interest in writing and illustration, and whose work motivated you to explore that venue?

DAMIAN: Thank you so much for having me! I’ve been interested in illustrated storytelling for as long as I can remember, so it’s hard to pinpoint where it began. I believe my interest in comics started with my grandfather cutting out “The Peanuts” comic strips for me from the Sunday papers in the 1990s. I loved the mix of humor and sorrow these cartoon kids had. Around sixth grade is when I first started creating characters, like Marcella, the main character of my graphic novel, “Absolutely Everything.” Around then is when I really decided I wanted to pursue being an artist and storyteller.

Living around Boston

GVN: You grew up in the Boston area, surrounded by all the history and stories that region has to offer. Did that environment at all shape your creative muse, and how supportive were your family and friends in your creative pursuits?

DAMIAN: “Absolutely Everything,” is set in a fictional Boston suburb, like where I grew up. I didn’t realize until I was much older, that Boston and New England in general is a very literary-centric area with many iconic authors. In high school, I lived a hop, skip, and jump from the Louisa May Alcott house and my high school English class gave extra credit to stop by Walden Pond. Some of my favorite illustrators, like Marc Brown, who created the Arthur books, and Edward Gorey, lived within an hour of my elementary school. My grandfather was also an artist in his free time, and I think that influenced my families encouraging of me pursuing art.

Working in Both Traditional and Digital

GVN: You work in both traditional and digital media in your work. Did you have any reluctance to embrace the digital side, and how has your expertise in traditional media aided your digital efforts…or visa versa?

DAMIAN: Oh, I struggled quite a bit with the transition from traditional to digital art! I almost exclusively used watercolor and pens for outlining on textured paper, so I found drawing on a sleek tablet much more constricting. It wasn’t until I got an iPad Pro with a textured screen protector, simulating the feeling of a sketchbook, that I started to get the hang of it. Though, I prefer to keep a rougher, handmade look to my digital artwork.

Attentive ADHD

GVN: Your latest book, “Absolutely Everything,” comes out September 9th through Graphic Universe. ™ It’s a thoughtful and at times resonating look at a young girl who copes with inattentive ADHD and the challenges it presents. I couldn’t help but think of my own experiences in early grammar school, trying to keep up when things seemed to overwhelm. Was any of this delightful story based on your own experiences in those informative years?

DAMIAN: I was a lot like my main character Marcella and struggled with the transition from elementary to middle school, keeping up with classes and an alternating schedule. I found as I grew up that I had undiagnosed ADHD and simply slipped under the radar because I was introverted and well-behaved. “Absolutely Everything,” really blossomed from the question, “What if somebody noticed and I had gotten help?”

Working with Graphic Universe

GVN: As I mentioned, you are working with Graphic Universe, which is an imprint of Lerner Publishing Group, for this book. How did this collaboration come about, and what has that experience been like?

DAMIAN: Marcella and the characters of “Absolutely Everything,” have been in my head since middle school, and I wrote versions of this story many times before it became what landed at Lerner Publishing Group. I was so excited when my editor, Greg Hunter decided to take a chance on Marcella’s story and helped me “focus” it, so to speak. Working with the team at Graphic Universe™ and Lerner has been a great collaborative experience.

Upcoming Projects

GVN: I want to thank you once again for your time, Damian. Before I let you go, I want to give you one last chance to discuss the release of “Absolutely Everything” and any other upcoming projects you have.

DAMIAN: Of course, and thank you so much for taking this time to chat with me! I’m currently working on a few graphic novel projects in early stages, and have another graphic memoir, titled “Hand-Me-Down,” set for July 2026. “Absolutely Everything,” comes out this September, and I have a handful of all-ages and kid-friendly events around the New England area to commemorate its release. If you’d like to learn more, I’ll be posting on my website, DamiAnimated.com, as well as on social media @DamiAnimated everywhere. You can also order signed (and personalized) copies of “Absolutely Everything at my local independent bookstore, silverunicornbooks.com

“Absolutely Everything” by Damian Alexander will be released on September 9th through Graphic Universe, an imprint of Lerner Publishing Group. You can find it at your favorite bookstores.