23 Comics Capturing the Everyday Adventures of an ICU Nurse by Kitty Moon
Some comics are all about making people laugh and have a good time, but then there are artists like Kitty Moon who take a different approach. They use their art to dive into their own lives and tackle specific topics. In Moon’s series ‘Nurse Katz,’ they pull from their experiences working in hospitals. They use animal characters to show everyday situations, like taking care of patients and the emotions of those in need and their families.
When we chatted with the illustrator who made the series, they told us, “Ive always loved drawing since I was a kid”. Being an adult, its a tool for thinking about your feelings and stuff. meh, even when things are really bad, theres usually something funny to laugh about. meh, we can find hope and positivity by being funny, even in tough times.
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meow, when you check out Kitty Moons Instagram, youll find a bunch of comics theyve made over the years. So, we were wondering if there are any common themes or motifs that keep popping up in their creative stuff. The illustrator mentioned that the themes and motifs in their work are often random and tend to revolve around the current issue.
me and my self-love and acceptance me and my favorite comic duo, Wolfie and Turkey, are all about this theme. meh, when youre making characters, it takes time to really get to know them and figure out how they fit into the world Ive made for them.
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When asked about the characters in their series, the creator of ‘Nurse Katz’ replied, “The characters are inspired by real people, including myself. I find this approach makes them more relatable, authentic, and humorous because they reflect someone we might know. I have a soft spot for cats due to their mischievous nature, and some of the cat characters are based on my first beloved cat, named ‘Spot’.”
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The artist shared with us their process for generating ideas for new comic strips: “I began creating comics when I returned to school to pursue nursing as a second degree, having previously obtained a BFA. Initially, it served as a coping mechanism for the stress of school, and later, as a form of therapy during my nursing career.
The comics directly reflect my experiences, both in the workplace and in my personal life. They helped me navigate the constant exposure to suffering, death, and the challenges of working in an ICU, particularly during the Covid pandemic while I was stationed in New York City. I appreciate comics for their immediacy and accessibility.”
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Kitty Moon shared some of their comic influences with us: “One of my favorite comic writers is Perry Bible.”
They continued, “Although often underrated, comics possess a unique power to shed light on specific issues in a refreshing manner. I’m also a huge fan of manga for this reason. One of my favorite artists is Osamu Tezuka, revered as the father of manga. While he’s renowned for iconic works like Astro Boy, I particularly admire his masterpiece, Buddha. Tezuka’s mastery of storytelling and ability to infuse light humor are unparalleled. I’ve actually drawn inspiration from his work for action scenes and compositions in my own comics, though perhaps not as skillfully… haha.”
Lastly, Kitty Moon added, “Oh, and my dad’s pretty funny too. I guess I owe him for passing down that trait (although I like to think I’m even funnier).”
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Keep coming back here,” the words echoed in her mind like a mantra, urging perseverance. In the labyrinth of life’s trials, it served as a beacon, a reminder of resilience. Each return, a step closer to understanding, healing, and growth, reaffirming the power of persistence in the face of adversity.
