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What follows is the Left hemisphere attempts to rationalize the aftermath of Nax and the Space Time Continuum. If you like your interpretation of the story, consider solidifying it before reading the following interview.
Q: What was writing Nax like for you. It took 4 years before it was completed right?
A: Well, 4 years... yes and no. The story has always been bumping around since I was in middle school. So 7, 8 years ago? Just in different forms. Its not like the story that got made was the final one. I still put Nax into different situations in my head.
Q: So Nax is something of an angle for you.
A: Well... Yes. An imaginary friend... a creature I look up to. I look up to cats. I think they've got a epic view on existence.
Q: Then who is Troy. Is he you?
A: I'm not sure. He was me? The ego part of me? Maybe what I wanted to be when I started making the comic. I'm not entirely sure. He is definitely meant to represent the talking part of my brain.
Q: Strange...
Q: Do you mind if I ask some just very specific questions?
A: Ask away.
Q: What is the square rock that Birdy God shoots at Troy?
A: That is a material called Koncussive's stone. Its the only element that increases in velocity as it collides with things.
Q: So the stone did not give Troy his powers?
A: Correct. The stone just revealed his powers. He takes on the aesthetics of Koncussive's stone for the most destructive forms of that power.
Q: Interesting. Would you mind elaborating on the specifics of Troy's powers?
A: Sure, I guess I can. I'll describe his powers as Troy see them. Troy has the ability to control the space time continuum. That's why when he gets hit in the face, and basically dies, he is able to come back. That's also what makes conversation so strange in this story. Because he controls the narrative. He recognizes that he is inside a story.
Q: How would Nax describe his powers?
A: He would say that Troy talks to much. That he needs to listen more. Nax is good at listening. That's why he has big ears.
Q: So... correct me if I'm wrong. Troy and Nax are action and inaction, talking vs listening.
A: No you are complete wrong.
Q: Ah yes. I understand.
Q: The cover for Nax has the 5 main characters in the book embossed as sigils. Are they the 5 chaos gods?
A: Who knows. I think they are. Nax is part of the story too. So he must control the story in some way right?
Q: Sure? So all of the chaos gods control the space time continuum? I thought it was Troy who had exclusive power over that.
A: He thinks to himself that he is the controller of the space time continuum. That's what he thinks at the end of the second chapter.
Q: What does he think in the third chapter then?
A: That's when he falls apart, realizing that he has no control over the story. That's explicitly what nax is telling him.
Q: Ah I see. Because Nax listens, he has no control over things.
A: And realizes that the story was made outside of any explicit control.
Q: Well, you as the artist control the story right?
A: That's what Troy would have said. Its more complicated. What made me direct the story the way I did? What makes me choose to use ink and paper? These aesthetics are not something I chose to appreciate. I did not choose to use ink and paper. I was given these aesthetics. They come from the environment that exists around and through me. This story is inseparable from the environment and inspiration it came from. To say "who controls the story" is akin to asking what god is.
Q: And who can say what that is.
A: Indeed.
Q: What is the black box that Troy escapes into?
A: That is the subconscious. More specifically the "self world".
Q: Isn't this whole story a "self world"?
A: You really do talk like Troy don't you?
Q: Yes. I guess I do.
A: I guess to answer your question... the black box is Troy's defense mechanism. Troy is trying to convince himself that he is in control. Its his escapism.
Q: Yikes, where'd you pull that answer from.
A: Great question. Just spit-balling at this point.
Q: Well, lets see... Hmm.
A: Out of questions?
Q: Maybe. What's the name of the creature from chapter three? The dude with the bowl hat.
A: Sox. S. O. X.
Q: Why doesn't he say anything?
A: Cause he has a X for a mouth.
Q: Oh yeah. And Birdy God is from Oyasumi PunPun if i'm not mistaken.
A: Right.
Q: Does that have any significance to the story?
A: It does if you want it too.
Q: I see...
Q: Well i think our interview here has come to an end. Thank you so much for taking the time to make this happen.
A: My pleasure. I've always wanted to get interviewed like this.
Q: Really? In what way is that?
A: Oh you know. Its the post publish interview. You get to hear the artists point of view. See what their interpretation is. Or at least understand where the story came from.
Q: Some people don't what to see that though. They like their interpretation of the story.
A: Why do you think I left the disclaimer before this.
Q: Fair.
Q: ... Why did it take you so long to finish this iteration of Nax? One chapter a year for each art class makes sense. But then only 14 pages in 2 years? What happened.
A: There where times when I really didn't want to finish it. I worked on it on and off. As I felt was needed. This project was painful to work on. It stopde me from drawing outside of it. Or rather I stoped me. Getting to much in my head. I forgot that improvisation is important. Art is what happens when are capturing improvisation. I'm looking forward to the free mental space this novels completion will give me. Even if I have concerns over the ending. But no one needs to know about that.
Q: Awesome. I'll end us here then.
A: Yes, thank you.