Using Comics in Therapy: The Power of “The Pedestrian”

Author: Ariel Landrum

Comics have long been a medium that blends visual and verbal storytelling, making them a valuable tool for therapists looking to engage clients in creative and nontraditional ways. One standout title for therapists aiming to foster mental health discussions is The Pedestrian, a new superhero comic by Joey Esposito and Sean Von Gorman. This series offers unique opportunities for exploring themes like responsibility, boundaries, and the influence of external forces on personal well-being—all through the lens of a silent, rule-abiding hero.

A Different Kind of Hero

The Pedestrian breaks away from the typical superhero mold. The central character, who remains mostly silent, follows strict rules to do good without the emotional or dramatic backstory seen in most heroes. This concept of a neutral figure patrolling Summer City is a powerful metaphor for therapists working with clients who feel pressure to adhere to societal norms or maintain boundaries despite personal challenges.

In therapy, this can open up conversations about the emotional toll of “following the rules” and help clients explore how their sense of duty or responsibility might affect their mental health. The Pedestrian’s rigid adherence to traffic signals and quiet intervention in everyday life invites discussions about personal control, external expectations, and the tension between individual needs and social obligations.

Exploring Mental Health Themes

The comic’s setting—Summer City—may seem like an ordinary urban environment, but underlying this world is a sense of unease and a growing conflict, embodied by the villainous Klutch, who manipulates the minds of its residents. This can be an excellent metaphor for therapists discussing how external stressors, like societal pressures or intrusive thoughts, can influence a client’s mental state​. For clients struggling with anxiety, depression, or trauma, this parallel provides a way to externalize their challenges and better understand how to combat negative influences.

Moreover, The Pedestrian introduces characters like Detective Sherwood, who tries to understand the enigmatic hero, creating a dynamic where questions about identity, understanding others, and the desire for control over one’s environment can be explored. This is particularly useful for clients who are navigating issues related to self-awareness and identity formation.

The Power of Visual Storytelling

The comic’s striking visuals, with art by Sean Von Gorman, create a rich, immersive world that blends everyday life with fantastical elements​. The juxtaposition of the Pedestrian’s silent speed-walking through the streets with the surreal conflicts and growing external threats in Summer City makes for a visually compelling narrative that can help clients connect abstract concepts like control, responsibility, and identity to their own experiences. This medium offers a unique approach for clients who struggle to articulate their feelings verbally, giving them a new way to engage in therapy.

For clients who find traditional verbal expression challenging, the visual art in The Pedestrian provides a new avenue to process complex emotions. By presenting these ideas through a visual medium, the comic can help clients better understand and articulate their internal conflicts.

Practical Uses in Therapy

1. Exploring Identity and Boundaries: The Pedestrian’s neutral, rule-abiding nature can spark discussions around personal boundaries and identity. Therapists can ask clients how they navigate situations where they feel compelled to follow rules or maintain boundaries and how that impacts their mental health.
2. External vs. Internal Forces: The villain Klutch’s ability to manipulate others is a great metaphor for discussing how external pressures or intrusive thoughts affect a client’s decision-making process. Therapists can use this to help clients identify and manage these influences.
3. Art Experiential: Clients can create their own comic panels or visual representations of how external and internal forces impact their lives, similar to how The Pedestrian balances these elements. This approach can be particularly beneficial for clients who feel more comfortable expressing themselves through art rather than words​.

The Pedestrian is more than just a quirky superhero story—it’s a powerful tool for mental health exploration. By weaving together relatable themes of responsibility, external influence, and personal identity, the comic offers therapists a fresh way to engage clients in meaningful conversations. Whether used in individual sessions or group therapy, The Pedestrian can help clients better understand their own mental health journey, all through the lens of an unconventional hero.

For therapists looking to explore these themes, The Pedestrian #2 will be available in shops and digitally on September 11, 2024. For more information, visit Magma Comix.