Edited by Shaven Raven Designs. Forewords by Kim Chin and Dominique Duong.
For as long as he can remember, Squid has drawn comics to process anxiety and confusion. Since his teens, Horse's friends and family have been puzzled by his depressive rages. After cataclysmic events, Squid and Horse go on a fragmented adventure with dream-like twists, encountering weird memories, past and present selves and magical discoveries.
You're invited to dip or dive into this quirky debut autobiographical collection of 37 self-contained yet interwoven short comic stories. Based on the unique (yet relatable) lived experiences of The Mollusc Dimension, a British-born Chinese, trans artist, this book is about surviving multiple hidden challenges and daring to tell one’s story in a world that refuses to believe you even exist.
Dialling in from the swamp of the model-minority myth, this adorable huddle of fragments features interactions with Chinese parents, awkward 90s goth teen times, romance, aliens and cats. Muddling through mental health journeys, playful, subversive moments and finding friends in unexpected places.
Recommended for ages 14+
Content notes: This book explores various traumas affecting mental health including discrimination, racism and sexual violence.
KEYWORDS: ADHD, Anxiety, Artist, Asian, Autobiography, Bereavement, British Asian, British-Chinese, Chinese, Coming out, Community, Creativity, Depression, ESEA, East and Southeast Asian, Family, Gender, Grief, Growing up, Intersectional, LGBT, LGBTIQA, Mental health, Neurodivergence, Non binary, Queer, Racism, Trans, Transgender
The Weird and Wonderful Surviveries of Squid Horse by The Mollusc Dimension
The Mollusc Dimension (he/him) is an award-winning multidisciplinary, project-based artist. He is British-born Chinese, trans-masc, non binary, queer, bisexual, neurodivergent and disabled. His musical comedy show "Asians Have Feelings Too" debuted at the Rich Mix in Shoreditch, London and the music video won an award from the Trans Pride Brighton Film Event. His poetry and art have been published by Aghh! Zine, Bluebird Anthology, The Feminist Library, Ink Sweat & Tears, Out on the Page and Snowflake magazine. He’s performed for: Bitten Peach UK (Royal Vauxhall Tavern), ESEA Sisters (Southbank Centre), FOC it up Comedy (Soho), London Trans Choir, Quiplash (Mighty Hoopla), Moonfest (Trinity Centre, Bristol), Trans Pride Brighton and many more.