Why This Comic Book Memoir About a Trans Runner Is for Everyone

(Mylo Choy)

There are some artists who really seem to do it all, and Mylo Choy is one of them. Choy, who uses they/them pronouns, is a true multi-hyphenate, performing music across the country and training as a long-distance runner. But visual art was always there, drawing as one of their earliest forms of expression. Now they’ve published a visual memoir of all their exploits called Middle Distance, out now with Abrams Press. They’re as independent as ever, though, pushing this project forward while continuing to explore their relatively new home of the Hudson River Valley. “I am not a part of comics culture,” Choy jokes. “I live under a rock and draw.”

On March 7, Choy will come to San Francisco to read from the book in conversation with Rina Ayuyang, who called the book on LinkedIn “a sweet, heartfelt, and honest exploration into one’s journey of self-discovery, reflection, and acceptance.” The event is at Green Apple Books on the Park, free-to-attend, and begins at 7 p.m.

The new book is about running, but also the body and being in the body. Maus, Persepholis, and Fun Home are major inspirations. Though some have proper relationships with words, Choy says they have a personal distrust of language and prefer music and comics as a way to get their message across. And while the book is decidedly about a trans athlete, Choy feels the story is accessible to all and, moreover, could be an opportunity for readers to learn about a community they may not identify with.

Choy’s book “Middle Distance: A Graphic Memoir” captures their life as a none too traditional runner. (Abrams)

After deciding to take comics seriously as of 2010, they knew they had a full book in them, but needed practice, time to get eight panels to four, then four to one. At the height of the pandemic they were let go from their job, and, as was the case for so many, it was the inception of the big passion project. A grant through running company Tracksmith looked for proposals at the intersection of creativity and running, and Choy proposed a 30ish page graphic novel on running. Winning that grant made the baby version of “Middle Distance” a reality; Finding a publisher wasn’t hard from there.

What’s next for the multi-talented artist is anyone’s guess. For now, coming back to the Bay made sense since Choy sees art as a way of connecting with people.  They have family in San Francisco — though Choy is from Wisconsin, their mom’s family is from Hawai’i — so this event is a chance to visit and see friends. Choy’s family has mostly read the book and are all supportive and excited about the project. Whether or not another book is on the horizon remains to be seen. “They’re time-consuming things to create,” Choy says. “This is not a get-rich-quick scheme.”

Choy’s reading at Green Apple Books on the Park is March 7 at 7 p.m. and free-to-attend.