In the spring of 2023, my longtime friend and creative partner, Stephen, told me that he had been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease. That summer, during a 5-day workshop at The Center for Cartoon Studies facilitated by cartoonist Natalie Norris, I created a 4-page comic as I processed my emotions regarding this news. When I nervously shared “2 Alter Kakers Walk into a Bar…” with Stephen, he responded with overwhelming enthusiasm; soon enough, we began collaborating on a full-length graphic memoir.
Our approach to this graphic memoir is somewhat experimental – it is being created collaboratively in real time as Stephen’s condition steadily advances. What began as a personal response to devastating news has become a living document of our friendship and of Stephen’s ever-changing experience with the disease.
Eric Glickman is a cartoonist and art educator. His debut graphic novel is the epic coming-of-age tale “Camp Pock-a-Wocknee and the Dyn-o-mite Summer of ’77” (Black Panel Press). “2 Alter Kakers Walk into a Bar…” was originally published in BOOTH Literary Journal Journal, Issue 20, 2025.
Aww love this although don’t love your diagnosis Stephen. Hope you’re doing OK. LMK if you come to the city and I’ll meet you both for a beer 🙂