Dean Trippe

Dean Trippe draws superheroes — but not the kind you might expect. Their most famous creation, Something Terrible, uses the visual language of comic books to explore something deeply personal: the experience of surviving childhood abuse and finding hope through the stories of fictional heroes. It’s a work that proves comics can be more than entertainment — they can be therapy, salvation, and a lifeline for readers who need them most.

Something Terrible: A Masterpiece of Autobiography

Something Terrible is a 32-page autobiographical comic that accomplishes what most graphic novels can’t in hundreds of pages. Published by Iron Circus Comics after a successful Kickstarter campaign, the work follows Trippe’s journey from the horror of childhood abuse to the healing power of superhero fiction. As Trippe describes it: “Something Terrible follows the effects of childhood abuse into my adult life, with the conflicting ideas of the Cycle of Abuse theory and the message of all good superhero stories, ‘You are who you choose to be,’ battled in my mind until I was finally, completely set free by the fictional characters I’d modeled my life on.”

The comic was named one of the best comics of 2013 by both Wired and Mental Floss, and has been praised for its unflinching honesty and profound emotional impact. As Trippe told Sequart: “I drew a comic because of Batman and Grant Morrison comics, and it really did change my life. The magic is real, somehow, brother.” The work’s impact extends beyond critical acclaim — readers around the world have found solace and healing in Trippe’s story, creating a community of survivors who recognize their own experiences in its pages.

The comic’s power lies in its simplicity and emotional honesty. In just 32 pages, Trippe reaches “both a sick-to-your-stomach low (or two) and a very exhilarating high,” as Mike Phillips wrote for Sequart. The work demonstrates how comics can tackle the most difficult subjects with sensitivity, intelligence, and hope — a lesson that has influenced countless creators who followed.

Project: Rooftop and Superhero Redesign

Beyond their autobiographical work, Trippe has made significant contributions to the comics community through Project: Rooftop, a showcase for superhero redesigns that they co-founded. The platform has become an important space for emerging artists to demonstrate their skills and reimagine iconic characters, fostering creativity and community within the comics industry.

Project: Rooftop represents Trippe’s belief in the transformative power of superhero fiction — the same belief that drives their personal work. By inviting artists to reinterpret classic characters, the project celebrates the genre’s capacity for reinvention while providing a platform for voices that might otherwise go unheard.

Professional Work and Collaborations

Trippe’s professional work spans comics, illustration, and design. Their contributions to the Eisner and Harvey award-winning anthology Comic Book Tattoo demonstrated their ability to work within established frameworks while bringing their distinctive visual voice. Their work on Power Lunch Vols. 1 & 2 from Oni Press, a kids’ graphic novel series with writer J. Torres, showcased their versatility in creating work for younger audiences.

Their Butterfly webcomic, a superhero parody, revealed another side of their creativity — a playful, satirical approach to the genre that contrasts with the emotional depth of their autobiographical work. This range, from deeply personal memoir to playful parody, demonstrates Trippe’s ability to find different ways to engage with the medium they love.

The Philosophy of Superheroes

What makes Trippe’s work particularly compelling is their belief in the redemptive power of superhero fiction. As they explained to Sequart: “Every super-villain and super-hero has a pretty similar origin story. But it’s not if your parents are killed in front of you or metal arms get bonded to your nervous system, it’s what you do with it that defines you. Selfishness, greed, and a lack of empathy make you a villain, powers or not. Using all of your abilities to help everyone you can makes you a hero.”

This philosophy infuses everything Trippe creates, from their autobiographical work to their contributions to anthologies like All We Ever Wanted: Stories of a Better World. Their work reminds us that superheroes aren’t just entertainment — they’re archetypes that can help us understand ourselves and find hope in the darkest moments.

Perfect for fans of autobiographical comics, superhero philosophy, and anyone who believes that comics can save lives.