Tuesday, Nov. 15, in the Logos library, Union journalism Professor Ted Kluck sat down with illustrator Megan Baratta to celebrate the launch of their new graphic novel for children, “Flex 3: The Dog Lives!” along with a gathering of students, Union faculty and members of the community.
Kluck and Baratta answered questions from the gathered audience on topics concerning the writing and illustrating process over the course of the hour-long event. Their book is the third in a series of graphic novels authored by Kluck, but the first in which Baratta has illustrated.
“This is the book that I’ve really always wanted to write, and I’ve always wanted to write it with this artist,” Kluck said in his introductory remarks.
“[He] had a very hands-off approach,” Baratta said of working with Kluck, “As a creative, that’s the best kind of parameters to have, because I didn’t feel restricted. When I read [his] writing, the images came pretty effortlessly.”
The novel, which is among the numerous Kluck has published, follows the story of a young boy, Flex, and his cat. Throughout the story, Flex’s cat becomes accidentally lost. The story follows Flex as he attempts to find his lost cat.
“One thing I’ve become increasingly paranoid about the older I get, is the cat getting away. We have a beautiful indoor cat named Jane, Jane Kluck. Anyone who has pets knows that you love them with an unbridled part of your heart,” Kluck said, commenting on some of the inspiration for his work.
Throughout the celebratory event, Kluck explained how the story told in the novel is inspired, in part, by his own life, and many of the plot points and characters within are dedicated to real-life experiences and people to whom Kluck wanted to show appreciation.
“These books, the older I get, they just become sweet homages to people, people I want to give a little hat tip to,” Kluck said, following up with verbal hat-tips to his church, friends and other supporters of his work.
Photo by Laila Al-Hagal
