A BIT ABOUT DOUGLAS KNIGHT

This article was taken from my feature in A Blind New World!

My name is Doug Knight, founder and creator of Cross Eye Comics. Thanks to childhood cancer, I’m legally blind – and that experience informs the three titles that I write, draw and publish all on my own:

• CHIASM is a sci-fi retelling of my life as a childhood cancer survivor – it takes place in a universe where, instead of chemotherapy, I was treated with Alien Molecules.

• SUPER WICKED WHITECELL SQUADRON is my all-ages project. It is an ode to all the wonderful 90’s cartoons and shows that made me AWESOME! Mechs, monsters, fun action! All the characters were named after the doctors who had a hand in keeping me standing upright and breathing! It was designed with the intention of getting as many copies as possible into children’s hospitals! (And has done very well so far – over 300 copies donated!)

• My new title, ApocSKAlypse NOW!, is about the last ska trumpeter in the zombie apocalypse. It’s fun, violent and packed with the spirit of punk rock! This project is obscene and for the reader that just wants to flip through two dozen pages of pure madness!

How I got here: the Cross Eye Comics origin story

At four years old, I began experiencing severe visual loss.  Six months after a misdiagnosis it was confirmed, a brain tumour was sitting on my pituitary gland and had attached itself to my optic-nerves.  The tumour was treated with 18 months of chemotherapy (no radiation) and remains dormant: nestled deep in my brain. The damage done to my optic nerves left me legally blind. My sight might be awful but my vision is great!.

After my second chemo-session, I was bored.  With my dad’s help we wheeled my chemo pole into the crafts room where I saw an older child, skillfully drawing some of my favourite cartoon characters.  I became obsessed in the pursuit of drawing Biker Mice from Mars.

What I quickly learned, was it was tiring, looking VERY close to the paper. My depleted eye sight caused fatigued from the strain.  I LOVED it.  The more I drew, the better I got.  In the early 90’s there were Saturday morning cartoons & STACKS of super hero comic books that I LOVED.  To watch TV I had to sit DIRECTLY in front of the television (unimpressed siblings).  Instead of READING my favourite comic books, I could easily follow the visual story storytelling.

I struggled through conventional school because of the visual load.  Wining an award for being an exceptional demonstration of youthful perseverance under extraordinary circumstances was a highlight.  Post secondary education was not something I was prepared to spend my eye strain on, but apprenticing in tattoo artistry was exactly what worked (that's an entirely different story).  

At the same time as I was doing my treatments, The Mighty Morphin Power Rangers were HOT.  While on my “wish” to meet them, I saw fit to propose marriage to the pink ranger… a fact my WIFE reminds me of whenever my sons are watching MMPR today.  More importantly when I was kicking and screaming, telling everyone on the Oncology floor at the Hospital for Sick Children how much I HATED them for making me get needles and be sick, my mom with a flash of realization took my hand and said;

“Hey buddy! You know the white ranger right?”

“Uh-huh” I replied through red, teary eyes.

“Think of chemo as an ARMY of white rangers, marching into your body to FIGHT the evil monster in your brain”

I sniffled, bravely held my 4 year old arm forward palm out and let Janice tap my vain.  That was   my mom cracked the code and planted a seed in my brain, 26 years later.  

In 2019 I created my sci-fi retelling of life as a childhood cancer survivor called CHIASM.  It’s designed to connect to the young teen and older audience, on THEIR journey.

Next I created SUPER WICKED WHITE CELL SQUADRON!  An all ages, all inclusive monster mashing love letter to the action packed programs that contributed to my childhood as a sick-kid.  Character creation addresses fears of large hospital machines like EMAR-I; a giant fighting robot, which is aimed to help children not be afraid of the MRI that is a needed diagnostic.

The Squadron is about self identification.  What makes YOU special.  Each issue will end with a small section that “spoils” or sets up the next issue.  This is in case, the person reading it for the first time, might also be reading it for the last time.  I grew up in a bi-racial family.  What does that make me? Half black? Half white?  Just mixed?  Light-skinned?  I have created a cast of characters that cross many cultural barriers.

Creating this work was designed to bring the reader on a half-hour detour from their present circumstances.  Looking through a window and not participating in the outside world needs a distraction. The hope is to inspire others to realize that getting the all clear from your doctor, doesn't end the chapter, it’s the beginning.

While I cannot cure anyone's illness I believe in self advocacy.  Spreading positive energy across many platforms showing, YOU are possible - dare to dream.

2024 and 2025 have been whirlwinds of productivity and creation.  I partnered up with STARTStreetArt Toronto to help mentor digital creators format files that could be printed at a large enough scale to be featured on art installations around Toronto.  This also lead to me being selected to submit the pilot art for a Zamboni design project that did  not move forward 

 I toured internationally using the PROJECT CIRCULATION Grant from Ontario Arts Council I received in April 2024 to tour and participate in over ten different events ranging from comic cons to art exhibitions! 

 I began instructing low vision clients of the Canadian National Institute for the Blind (CNIB) in illustration classes that connect vital lessons I have learned in 20 years as a professional artist to build an exciting and sustainable future for them as artists. 

I participated in the Put Down Your Roots artist residency for artist members of the IBOC, Deaf/blind/disabled/MAD community held on Toronto Island.

ApocSKAlypse NOW! My ska/punk rock zombie apocalypse comic.  It steps away from the heavy sentimentality of my previous work, explores a gritty and fun viewing experience and celebrates a bright and vibrant community of musicians!  This project has lead to cross continental partnerships with members of some pretty prolific bands and has allowed me to develop a (top secret) project with another musician!  More on that soon!

I successfully ran my 4th crowd funding campaign raising over 200% of my goal, grew my social media by nearly 1000 followers and am now developing opportunities with a major voice in accessibility rights in Canada.

Currently, I speak conversational Spanish and am learning French also. The design is to be able to communicate as broadly as possible across North/Central and South America.

I have outlined my “life plan” the clear factor being: I want my skill as an artist and my undeniable gift for communication to create a legacy that contributes to a better world when I leave it behind.