Recent History

Recent History by Christopher Williams
Plastic Flame Press
204 pages
6" x 9" perfect bound color graphic novel

"Recent History started as an idea I had while traveling during the pandemic, seeing all of the older roadside motels that were going unoccupied, shutting down one by one as the newer, fancier hotels were being built next door. I wanted to preserve the idea of them through a coffee table photo book.

I imagined myself doing it, though, and what I might encounter, studying maps and looking through photos online of old motels, and, on occasion, having the chance to drive a little out of my way to see some in my travels. A story grew in my head of someone doing the project, and I began to question whether it would be an actual project, or if they'd be using it as a cover, to avoid something they are too frightened to deal with.

As I plotted the story and began drawing, the story spread out, as I saw that, much like the landscapes out on the highways, it needed space to fully convey what the main character, Simon, was going through, all alone, traveling from motel to motel, without a home to return to."