Superheroes Team Up through Therapy in The Weirdos

Dennis Vogen is one of the nicest comic creators I have ever talked with. I have been following Vogen’s comics through social media and his self-published brand, Sleeping Kitty Productions. Back in October, he tabled at MSP FallCon, where I approached his booth. He talked about what inspired his comics The Weirdos and The Flying Squirrel. I’m the kind of comics fan who buys comics faster than I can read them. Come January, these comics were still sitting on my nightstand waiting to be read. After finishing all of the issues, I want more of The Weirdos and their therapeutic adventures.

The four weirdos from left to right: the Flying Squirrel, the Sketch, Das, and the Blue-Ringer. Sleeping Kitty Productions

The Weirdos is a team-up comic featuring four heroes: the Flying Squirrel, the Sketch, the Blue-Ringer, and Das. The Weirdos is like if the Avengers teamed up, but they were all in treatment for addiction. The Flying Squirrel develops alcohol dependence in the wake of a breakup, the Sketch has severe anxiety and depression after a bad breakup, and the Blue-Ringer was diagnosed with cancer and got powers from an octopus. While Das may not have a diagnosed mental illness, he grew up with an abusive uncle who took him into outer space. They all meet at a treatment center and fight this creature wanting to take Das back to where he came from.

My first impression while reading this series of comics was how realistic they are. The Sketch #1 details Axis’s feelings regarding going through a breakup. The way Vogen writes this in the panel reminds me of the feelings I had when I went through my first breakup: my ex consumed my thoughts and I didn’t find joy in common activities. Unfortunately, when I went through this breakup, I didn’t receive super powers. How disappointing. In The Flying Squirrel #1, Ashley Maypole uses alcohol to cope with his breakup. He eventually seeks therapy for his alcoholism, which sets the stage for The Weirdos. All the comics demonstrate the heroes being imperfect individuals who need to seek help by going to therapy.

Speaking of therapy, these comics also highlight how beneficial therapy can be. Mental illness and addiction are still stigmatized in our society. These comics show how these characters go to therapy because they need outside help and they’re struggling. I don’t remember the last comic I read that actively showed the main characters entering therapy.

All of Vogen’s comics can be purchased on his website; however, Vogen is going to discontinue printing the original issues because he’s currently working on a full-color version of his comics. While I enjoy the black-and-white art, the Blue-Ringer could really benefit from a colored comic. The octopus that gave the Blue-Ringer his powers actually exists and is a vibrant animal. Coloring could highlight the powers the Blue-Ringer has. The full-color comic should be released sometime in 2020.

The Sketch. Sleeping Kitty Productions

These comics were perfect to read while I was stuck indoors during a typical Minnesota snowstorm. I recommend reading The Flying Squirrel first, followed by The Sketch #1, and finishing with The Weirdos. Vogen is a Minnesotan, so supporting his work helps the Minnesota comic community. All of Vogen’s comics can be purchased on his website, Sleeping Kitty Productions, until they’re sold out. Updates regarding his full-color comic can be found by following Vogen on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.