The Adventures of ASPIE MOUSE is a blog being developed into a Graphic Novel. Aspie Mouse is a character this author created when I was 12, then resurrected decades later when I realized he’d been Autistic all along; but I knew nothing about Autism, nor that I had it!

Thanks to my son’s pre-DSM V diagnosis of Asperger’s — which made me finally realize I too have always had Autism, albeit less pronounced — I decided to dust off that old comic character, and create a new set of adventures for Aspie Mouse to give pre-teens, teens & young adults with Autism a positive role model in this alter ego of mine.

Originally intended as a 250-page book of 15 chapters– about average for graphic novels — the chapters’ length kept creeping up as I revised the initial chapters and wrote new ones. I also decided to add chapter notes and questions for thought/ discussion. So I reduced the number of projected chapters from 15 to 10. Because of where it “fit” in the novel, the first chapter I wrote for this work (Ch. J) was changed to Ch. H (9th of 10). Then, a reviewer suggested I make this first-written chapter Ch. H (ex-J) the first “warm-up” chapter. I agreed, and thus re-lettered Ch. H once again, this time as Ch. A. But there was already a Ch. A, but because it was a preface disguised as a chapter, I turned that previous Ch. A into Ch. Pre-A. Because these changes left a “hole” in the chapter sequence, I decided to repeat Ch. A’s material as Ch. H (again) — where it belonged anyway. Ch. A is more like a “flashback –the first chapter in sequence was always intended to be Ch. B. To make Ch. A’s repeated material in Ch. H worth re-reading, I added a new sub-plot, doubling Ch. H’s length vs. Ch. A.

While finishing up a complete draft of all 10 chapters (Pre-A to I) after four years of work, I realized that my original intention for the Adventures of Aspie Mouse to be a single print volume of 250 pages would be unrealistic — even if the notes & questions were moved to be “blog only.” The length for the printed version with everything would end up over 500 pages! So in the spring of 2023, this author decided to break this material up into two separate volumes: Vol. I having Ch. Pre-A and Ch’s. A-E; and Vol. II, Ch’s F-J. The second volume will add a new Ch. J — so each of the two volumes will have five action chapters — which has yet to be written.

Once both volumes are published separately — adding Ch. J to Volume II will likely delay it to 2025 vs. 2024 for Volume I — then they can be combined into a single hardback. The main regret I have over releasing these Adventures as two volumes is that it’s one continuing story, with each chapter — except Ch. B is really first; Ch. A is a “flashback” — building on those before it. As a result, Ch. A and its “twin” Ch. H are in separate volumes, as are Ch. G’s re-introduction of characters first presented in Chapters B-E. Chapter I’s side plot of occurring during the early months of the COVID pandemic will seem quaintly historic if it’s not published until 2025!

It should be worth the delay, however. Two new Autistic characters will be introduced in the new Ch. J — one with Profound Autism; the other, his brilliant, irony-loving, savvy sister. They will allow readers whose Autism presents differently from the Autistic characters in earlier chapters perhaps to better identify with one “more like them.” More socially relevant situations involving race, class and real concerns about Earth’s survival as climate change gets worse occur toward the end of Vol. II, yet — as in the rest of these Adventures — these will all be pretexts for that chapter’s plot, not the central theme of any chapter.

In the blog, the latest chapter posted or substantially revised is placed first, then Front Matter, then the other 11 chapters in sequence. Ignore blue “Posted” dates listed on the “Chapters” page of the blog — they’re manipulated to keep the Chapters in their intended order. Look to dates shown in the Chapter headings for what’s actually “latest.”

As noted elsewhere in this blog, once either volume (I or II) of this graphic novel is published, completed chapters will be removed from this blog, except for Ch. Pre-A (or Pre-F) & the first page/ few pages of each of the “action” chapters in that volume. Once all 10 “action” chapters are complete, new chapters for any additional sequel will post to the blog as they are developed — until they too get published.

Any artist (especially one on the Autism Spectrum) who thinks s/he can improve upon the artwork in this blog is invited to contact the author (chris@aspiemouse.com) ASAP about submitting samples, potential compensation, etc.

Thanks for all the feedback I’ve received! Art upgrades; moving Chapter H (ex-J) material up to create a new Chapter A; paring down dialog — are among many suggestions made so far that have been implemented to some extent. I encourage you to keep them coming, even post-publication! It’s so easy for me as an author — when I get excited by an idea — to lose perspective as to how it might “land” on others. So I’ve learned I need feedback (from other wordy Aspie’s like me, as well as from those who get overwhelmed by too many words; and also from Neurotypicals trying to learn more about Autism). Having learned not to take criticism personally, I WELCOME ALL FEEDBACK — especially as to my IMPACT on others! I’m also learning to become a witness and not a judge of my own behavior and the behavior/ words of others (a Jungian concept that I’d heard for years before I “got” it). It reduces my feelings of anxiety, anger and shame, allowing me to learn from what I’ve done and move on –“let go” of what’s best not to keep holding onto, such as negative judgments — vs. getting “stuck.”

If I don’t implement one or any of your suggestions, you weren’t ignored; nor did I reject you as a person! When I was a textbook acquisitions editor, I observed that when my most successful academic authors were given “peer reviews,” they were superior at separating wheat from chaff vs. my less-successful authors. They knew what fit — or even improved upon — their vision, while passing on other well-intended reviewer suggestions that didn’t. As 12-step programs suggest, “Take what you like and leave the rest!” I also observed that less successful authors often (a) ignored reviewer suggestions, (b) were unable to implement them, or (c) tried to appease reviewers by doing everything they suggested, leading to an unwieldy mess.

My intention is to do what my successful authors did: take to heart what fits — and leave the rest! I hope I’m able to do what the target audience needs. I’m not writing this graphic novel, or asking others, “What’s the impact of my behavior or words on YOU?” for fame or money — though asking that question has been such a gift for me in my marriage and elsewhere in my life — but I do so for the greatest benefit of my newly discovered/ adopted “tribe,” fellow “Aspies!”

For more explanation of the author’s intent in writing The Adventures of ASPIE MOUSE, read past the Table of Contents below to the “Foreword”; also Chapter Pre-A (the Preface), and the notes after the early chapters (A-C especially), and in the section of the blog entitled “About Aspie Mouse Blog.

FEBRUARY 2, 2024

TABLE OF CONTENTS of the Chapters in each of three Volumes of the Adventures of Aspie Mouse

i-iv         Front Matter: Title Page; Dedication & Copyright Page; Table of Contents & Overview

Volume I (Chapters Pre-A through E)

34 pp.  Chapter Pre-A: Introducing Aspie Mouse (Preface – 4/20, redone 4/22, again 2/24)

12 pp. Chapter A: A New House, a New Cat (Final revision posted 7/31/2022)

26 pp.   Chapter B: Leaving the Nest for “MIT” (Final revision posted 8/31/2022)

30 pp.  Chapter C: There Goes the Smartest Cat That Ever Lived (Orig. 10/19; Final 4/9/23)

24 pp.   Chapter D: X is for Exterminator (Posted fully revised 10.7.20; final final est. 7/1/23)

20 pp. Chapter E: Therapy Dog Needs Therapy (1st fully posted12.31.20; final revision 1/18/24)

__ pp. “Preview pages” from Vol. II Chapters F-J (pp. F-, G-, H- I-, J-1

Appendix: Chapter Notes & Questions for Thought/ Discussion, References (Ch’s F-J) – Included after panels in Chapters in blog, at back of each volume in print version).

Volume II (Chapters F-J with a likely new short Pre-F)

__ pp. Chapter Pre-F: Summarizing Ch’s Pre-A to E from Volume I

24 pp. Chapter F: Klumsy Kat, But Only When Anxious (pp 1,2 8.20.20; done 1.28.21)

36 pp. Chapter G: Parade of Visitors: Feline, Canine, Rodentine & Humine (fully posted 4.15.21)

24 pp. Chapter H: New House, New Cat, New “Nay”bors (Posted 1/19 (J), Rvsd as H, 10.27.20; see A)

34 pp. Chapter I: At the Zoo During a Pandemic (1st 6 pp 5.18.20; full draft 34 pp., 6.6.21)

32 est. Chapter J: Excel, End Profound Homelessness During Environmental Multi-Crises – Proposed

Appendix: Chapter Notes & Questions for Thought/ Discussion, References (Ch’s F-J) – Included after panels in Chapters in blog, at back of each volume in print version).

Foreword by the Author (6/8/2023) (soon updated Jan. 2024)

The Adventures of ASPIE MOUSE started as a blog, has developed into a Graphic Novel in two volumes. This author first created the character now known as Aspie Mouse at age 12 with a different name — Stupid Mouse — to be the “hero” for a monthly hand-written 16-page comic book I continued to produce for a year and-a-half.

I’d started drawing comic books to give away to my friends when I was five, after seeing a “Looney Tunes” comic book at a barber shop. I went home and used the same format: five pages per story, with an occasional one-pager, 32 inside pages (and a 4-page “cover) — what I now know is one book “signature” — but I created my own characters and plots. I used to get very upset that Tweety, in particular, always bested Sylvester! In hindsight, I subconsciously recognized that Sylvester — like me — was socially clueless. So finally, at 12, I created a character, who — like Tweety — was a small, weak prey animal (albeit a mouse, not a bird). Though Stupid Mouse had his own version of confidence that he would stay alive, and even thrive — also like Tweety — in one key way he was more like Sylvester: he was socially clueless! Stupid Mouse’s favorite activity was “playing with cats” — every mouse’s #1 predator! That’s why I called him Stupid Mouse: any outside viewer — mouse, cat or human — would think he had to be stupid, crazy or have a death wish if he liked to play with cats! But he’d always escape — not by being clever — but by zigging when a cat zagged — in other words, by doing the unexpected. Only years later did I realize this behavior wasn’t stupid — it was Neuro-divergent, or Autistic.

Not being a particularly good artist — and ignorant about Autism — I put drawing comics aside in high school for more “serious” pursuits, as my father kept pushing me to have a profession — such as lawyer, medical doctor, engineer or teacher; then, if I wanted to be a writer, or an actor, or a public speaker, I’d always have that profession to fall back on if it didn’t work out. He meant well, and if I’d been more Neurotypical, he may have been right. I never pursued a graduate degree to have a “profession,” despite graduating from a really prestigious university (Yale), where I was one of only 16% of my graduating class NOT to have an advanced degree! After a false start in insurance (not many Autistic folks — or creative types — there), I had a successful college textbook publishing career for two decades — as long as I was willing to relocate and travel a lot for work. Turns out my “customers” as sales rep and editor — college professors — often were also Autistic and/or had ADHD.

Still, my creative imagination, not really satisfied, never went away. I would call publishing a special interest, helping to explain my initial success — I could remember gobs of product information and had a good instinct for how to help authors turn OK books into best-sellers. I continued to concoct planets, baseball leagues and subway systems in my head, daydreaming hours away — though less than in high school, college or as an insurance underwriter. One reason I never became an alcoholic or drug addict is that I could escape reality so easily in my head. But I never wrote any of it down. So, unlike what Temple Grandin recommends, I had no portfolio for my “daydreaming” special interest!

My publishing career then cratered, due to mergers and office politics I couldn’t navigate. My self-esteem — never as high as my resume implied — plummeted, and I just tried to survive. It never occurred to me that putting aside my comic book writing might have been a big mistake. Nor would I realize it until…

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I’d been placed in therapy in Third Grade, for “acting out” and “being a wee bit too sensitive.” I continued therapy and various self-help programs on and off throughout my life. The one that finally led me to learn who I am and make real changes in my life was the ManKind Project (mkp.org): 30+ years in that organization finally led me to trust myself and others enough to marry late in life, and finally — know who I am!

When my son started acting out in school, they knew a lot more than they did when I was in school. He was diagnosed with Asperger’s — just before the DSM V (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Psychiatric Disorders — ugh, hate that last word, disorders!) came out and said there is no Asperger’s: we’re all on one big Autism Spectrum. I was shocked, realizing I also must have high-functioning Autism! I never thought I was Autistic — even though one ex-girlfriend asked me if I was — because I never considered there might be two extremes in how Autism usually presents, given that Autism is a condition of opposites (everything is either black or white — no gray). I’d understood Autism meant low affect, speaking in a monotone, being a genius with computers, and showing no facial expression or reaction when others are crying, shouting, laughing or looking frightened. Turns out I’m on “the other end”: overly dramatic in expressing my feelings; highly verbal (chosen to give the graduation speech in both Junior HS & HS, as the best speaker of those who were top-five in grade point average, vs. just selecting the valedictorian); asking lots of questions; and while struggling with computers in child-like tantrums as an adult, eager to correct everyone’s grammar and spelling (not understanding why those I corrected weren’t grateful!).

After my son’s diagnosis, I decided to write this graphic novel as a way to give back to my newly discovered clan. I want to show younger Autistic folks how they can thrive, not just survive. Also, show ways to gain respect — not just criticism — for doing the “unexpected” (while avoiding the truly “unacceptable”).

I’m doing so by bringing back that mouse from my youth, renaming him Aspie Mouse, and showing that he’s proud to be Autistic, because it’s just who he is. I’m taking even the most negative parts of Autism — anxiety, social cluelessness, trouble identifying feelings, black and white thinking, and meltdowns — and show how the negative aspects can be reduced, and that even the most negative-seeming trait can have a positive side. The key is two-fold: (1) a willingness to grow and change; (2) a willingness to request and receive feedback, yet not take it personally. As Aspie Mouse goes through his life pursuing his “special interests” (ingenuity with objects; great Internet skills; and above all, “playing with cats”), hopefully he encourages others with Autism to respect their ability to see connections/ networks that others miss, and find true “out-of-the-box” solutions to problems that leave others muttering, “how’d you DO that?” So the name has changed, but the character hasn’t! He’s the same alter ego of mine that I created as a 12-14-year old. Now, however, I know who he is, because I finally know who I am!

Once I started writing, the ideas just flowed — no writer’s block! I realized I was engaging in two related passions I’d buried: a great child-like imagination to express things in words appropriate to a comic book — I never really “grew up” — and an ability to translate between the Neurotypical and Neuro-diverse worlds. As I looked over my earlier Stupid Mouse comic books, I soon realized that while the character — same personality, likes and dislikes — is just as relevant today as he was decades ago, the plots of the earlier comic books were too short — no more than five pages — and a bit too outlandish or contrived (flying to the South Pole on the back of an eagle, etc.). I found one plot from the original series worth keeping and expanding (Ch. D, “X is for Exterminator”). Otherwise, I decided it would be better to write new situations in the style of the earlier comic — except now Aspie Mouse is without the “superhero” powers I’d given Stupid Mouse that would be associated with stupidity — such as a hard head that steel would bounce off; or a resistance to being poisoned).

In these new “Adventures,” Aspie Mouse is seen by others as a “hero” given the many times he “saves the day.” However, he refuses to see himself that way. He is just being himself. And without super-powers, he’s not a superhero either — unless Autism is his “superpower.” That concept — “Autism is my super-power” — has been claimed by many, will be discussed in notes following Chapter C, and various references will be given as to who invented/ owns the term. I also know most Autistic kids are really into superheroes! I felt Aspie Mouse NOT having super-powers (other than his Autism), yet succeeding, would have more of a positive impact: “If he can do THAT, maybe I can do…!” The author believes, based on his own experience, that everyone with Autism can live a successful life on their own terms if they learn how to harness their special talents, while working to minimize the negative impact their deficits often create — especially if they ask for and then accept help.

A word on Aspie Mouse’s “special interest” of playing with cats. Of course the cats aren’t playing — with one exception — but trying to kill him! So how does he survive having such a perilous “special interest?” Just as “Stupid Mouse” did decades ago, Aspie Mouse zags when the cats expect him to zig! So he’ll unexpectedly stoop down to get a crumb off the floor while two cats are chasing him; the cats crash into each other and knock each other out! Aspie Mouse then gets up, scratches his head and says, “Wow! Cats sure sleep all the time!” Despite being really smart, clever and innovative, he also takes everything at face value (a key Autistic trait, often associated with honesty/ bluntness/ naivete)– literally. Even when others tell Aspie Mouse he’s being too literal, he thinks they’re talking about him reading a lot! He also has no “filter.” He says whatever pops into his head. Despite these frequent social “misunderstandings,” Aspie Mouse more than survives — he thrives! Still, his dilemmas are often of his own making, and readers are likely to see what he’s missing in social interactions before he sees it.

Throughout this graphic novel, 27 characteristics of Autism (admittedly an arbitrary number) are demonstrated by Aspie Mouse and other Autistic characters, with the emphasis placed on the positive side of each. Yes, Aspie Mouse and other Autistic characters get into certain awkward (or worse) situations due to their Autistic limitations; also, their poor executive function and low processing speed robs them of access to their learned resources– often at the worst times! On the other hand, their unique positive Autistic traits get them out of trouble, at least once they learn how to keep their anxiety at an “excitement” level, vs. a “paralyzing” or “freeze” level (explained in more detail in the notes for Chapter C).

The 27 traits are itemized in a chart on page Pre-A-8; explained briefly in the panels of Pre-A, the revised preface, then often covered in more detail in chapter notes following whichever chapter seems most relevant. The chart also appears at the beginning of each chapter’s question set in this blog, and at the beginning of the separate notes/ questions section in the print version when it’s published. The 27 traits are rarely mentioned directly within the panels of the 10 action chapters (A-E in Vol. I; F-J in Vol. II), so unless the preface or chapter questions are assigned, the “action” chapters can be read as entertainment — while rooting for one or more Autistic characters. The less this work looks like a “textbook,” the more likely it’ll be picked up and read for “fun.” That’s why in the published version — especially printed — the notes and questions will not appear between chapters: the panels of all chapters will run consecutively (each purposely has an even number of pages, and starts on an “odd” page).

Yes, Aspie Mouse displays a range of Autistic behaviors. However, Autism shows up so differently from person to person — and in this graphic novel, animal to animal. Remember that Autism is a condition of opposites. So while one ASD individual says very little and speaks in a monotone, another talks a lot, asks a lot of questions and speaks as if on stage all the time. Aspie Mouse can’t really be both. So while he says a lot of words, much of the time we’re reading his thoughts more than vocalizations — if no others are around, it may be via a “talk” balloon rather than a “thought” balloon. Still, Aspie Mouse is on the “talkative” side of those with Autism, as is the boy Bobby in Ch’s. C-G. Another outspoken “Aspie” with a good deal of self-confidence (except about her/ their gender identity/ orientation) is Hashtag (Toe) in Ch’s. B & G. “Aspies” who speak less and/or more quietly include Fumio Nakamura in Ch. C, Desiree (DeeDee) in Chapter E, and Catmancan’t (the Vietnamese River Cat) in Ch. I (who says almost nothing, but has active thoughts which Aspie Mouse can “read” and then respond in kind). A mouse character with Profound Autism — who doesn’t speak at all, but can be a life-saving problem-solver — will be introduced in Chapter J.

Four core characteristics related to problems those with Autism experience when trying to interact with the majority (Neurotypicals) in social situations are traits (characteristics) 5-8: high anxiety (leading to responses of fight, flight or freeze); all or none/ black or white thinking; difficulty identifying and expressing feelings “appropriately”; lack of social understanding. Non-autistic “others” may well have one or two of these traits — anxiety in particular is found quite widely in many personality types. Those with Autism most often have some variation of all four! Characters in this graphic novel exhibit these traits, while showing ways to overcome them — often by accident.

Traits #1-4 are visibly obvious (no eye contact; strange speech; stimming), associated in many folks’ minds as key Autistic traits, even though their degree varies widely from one Autistic individual to another; that’s why they’re listed first, ahead of the “social problem” traits 5-8.

Characteristics #9 to 16 are positive traits associated with Autism (acknowledging their negative sides also): honesty (telling the truth, even blurting things out when it would be wiser to stay quiet), special interests (a problem when done at the expense of other important things to do), pattern seeking (bad when it leads to discrimination against people), problem-solving, etc.

Traits #17 to 27 are subsets of key traits 5-8, usually seen as negative Autistic traits. They can also have positive aspects: unaware of one’s impact, ignoring emotions, low self-esteem, lack of trust, over-sensitivity/ over-reacting, disconnected from body, unfiltered extreme thoughts, can’t recall names. How can they be positive? Read Chapter Pre-A — and the notes that accompany chapters where positive aspects of these so-called negative Autistic traits play out. In brief, by focusing on solving problems instead of spending time trying to figure out social dynamics, those with Autism can get a lot more high-end problems solved.

While the target age for this graphic novel is 10-15 — as for similar graphic novels — older teens and young adults have responded well to the blog. Not surprising, as the emotional age of those on the Autism Spectrum is generally 2/3 to 3/4 of their chronological age.

The 10 action chapters (A through J) are designed to be read in alphabetical order. They are also sequential, in that each builds on the prior chapter or an earlier chapter. However…

(1) Chapter A is meant to be read first as a relatively simple “warm-up” featuring a cat-mouse chase, though it gets more nuanced toward the end. Ch. A’s events occur later; because it makes a good introduction, it’s here despite being “out of order.” To remedy that, Ch. A’s material is repeated “in context” in Ch. H (in Volume II) — with a major new subplot starting mid-p. 3 that doubles H’s length vs. A. How Aspie Mouse gets to where Ch. A & H begin — why he needs to find that new home — is explained at the end of Chapter G (which is also in Volume II!)

(2) Chapter Pre-A is really a preface disguised as a chapter, thus is not part of any “sequence.”

(3) If you’re reading these Adventures in the Aspie Mouse blog (vs. the printed or online published version), the latest chapter posted or substantially revised is placed first, then Front Matter, then the other 10 chapters in sequence. Ignore blue “Posted” dates listed on the “Chapters” page of the blog — they’re manipulated to keep the Chapters in their intended order. Look to dates shown in the Chapter headings for what’s actually “latest.”

(4) Chapters A through J have “Notes” and “Questions for Discussion/ Reflection.”

A good “sample” chapter illustrating how these chapters grew as they were written is Chapter D, “X is for Exterminator.” Starting off at 8 pages, it expanded to 24 by its fourth draft. More information about the evolution of these Adventures from what it seemed like initially to what it’s become can be found in the blog.

What’s current in society — especially events with direct impact on those with Autism — is covered within chapters, though not defined by a particular time period (except for Chapter I, which occurs early in the pandemic). Thus, Chapter E (Therapy Dog…) touches on Black Lives Matter concerns, albeit modestly, along with loneliness and the use of therapy animals. Race, social class and “difference” issues come up again in Ch’s. G, H & I (and likely J). In Ch. H, Aspie Mouse has uncomfortable interactions with four mouse brothers who initially don’t trust him; Ch. H also confronts bullying. Ch. F (Klumsy Kat) features a character with “multiple disabilities (challenges),” along with issues around separation/ being “sent away.” While Ch. I is set during the early days of the Covid-19 pandemic, the focus is on Aspie Mouse’s interaction with zoo animals — especially the often awkward social interactions those with Autism often have with peers (which for him is other rodents) — in that respect, building on the recent peer interactions in Ch. H. Ch. J will have climate change issues as a backdrop for introducing two new Autistic characters.

For more explanation of the author’s intent in writing The Adventures of ASPIE MOUSE, read Ch. Pre-A (the preface); the notes that follow Ch. A; and in the section of the blog entitled “About Aspie Mouse Blog.”

I hope I’m able to do what the target audience needs. I’m not writing this graphic novel for fame or money (though given my love for being on center stage, and after all the hours I put in, I won’t object to either). Still, I continue to ask anyone reading this graphic novel, “What’s the impact of my behavior or words on YOU?” Asking that question has been such a gift for me in my marriage and elsewhere in my life. Here I do it to gain the greatest benefit for my newly discovered/ adopted “tribe,” fellow “Aspies!”*

February 2, 2024 Christopher R. Conty

*Aspie/ Asperger’s are controversial words. See Chapter Pre-A for some limits and rationales for their use.

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