Theresa Chen Arzola

Graphic Novelist & Storyteller

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Beyond the Road

Successfully funded on Kickstarter!

A graphic novel memoir about rediscovering adventure with chronic illness, told through a four-day RV trip down California’s Big Sur coast.

Years ago, travel was central to who I was. But in 2015, a chronic illness changed everything and I had to trade my spontaneity for control, learned to manage my triggers, and slowly made peace with a reality that wasn’t going away.

In 2021, I set out with my partner Juan and our Pomeranian Titan in a rented RV, navigating the winding Pacific coastline alongside the challenges of my health. It was the 1st step in my journey back to adventure, one cautious mile at a time.

Beyond the Road is a story about perseverance. It’s ultimately about learning to live with chronic illness without letting it define you and seeking adventure despite life’s barriers.

So whether you love thoughtful travel stories, reflective memoirs, or just need a reminder that it’s okay to take the long way around, Beyond the Road may just be the cozy read for you.

Sample Pages

Page 6 from Beyond the Road graphic novel. Text reads "February 10, 2020. I am not someone would call outdoorsy. I don't like camping. I'm not a jet-setter. For the last few years my hobbies have been drawing and video games.
Page 7 from Beyond the Road graphic novel. Text reads "I am admittedly a product of my tech-filled world. So how did end up here?" Top of page displays a cycle of mobile phone, computer, and TV usage in a desaturated palette. bottom panel shows Theresa standing facing away from the reader and looking at a vast landscape of brightly colored green fields and a blue sky with white clouds.
Page 26 from Beyond the Road graphic novel. Theresa looks at the setting sun as she is packing items for the roadtrip. She thinks, "The sun is already setting. Will we even have time to get anywhere tonight?" On the last trip into the home, she sees a bouquet of flowers with a card. It reads, "To Theresa. I wanted to make sure you got these before we left. Happy Valentine's Day." She thinks, "Thought. But we're so late. No time to trim the stems. Just water them. I hope they'll still have blooms left when we get back."
Page 26 of Beyond the Road the graphic novel. A single splash image of the RV driving down the highway as the sun sets. The sunset sky is depicted with purple, red, orange, and yellow lines.
Page 80 of Beyond the Road graphic novel. Theresa has arrived at a river with no bridge an attemps to wade through it. Text reads: "The trail started paved and well maintained, but we soon ran into our first obstacle. The bridge was out, but people were finding ways to wade across anyways." Juan: "Do you want to turn around?" Theresa: "No. I want to try this too."
Page 81 of Beyond the Road the graphic novel. Theresa is shocked by the cold river, but is excited by it. Text reads: "It was shockingly cold. Wading up to my knees in uneven riverbed rocks. It actually hurt!" Theresa: "Eep!" Juan: "You ok?" Theresa: "Yea-- aaeeee!" More text: "But there was also a rush... feeling that crisp icy water pull at my feet. We made it to the other side and kept walking." Theresa: "I have to pee." Juan: "Turn around?" Theresa: "No way."

Press

“This is somebody who knows how to make a comic.” – The Comics Crowd

Fanbase Press – Interview with Theresa Arzola

Where to Buy

Beyond the Road is currently available for purchase:

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