Hex Loader, written by Dan Whitehead, is a story about the potential death of creativity itself. It follows Dave, a programmer who makes video games, and his relationship with Declan Miller, a famous game programmer. There are other elements that show up as well, such as Jig and the organization known as the Golden Bough. She helps open his eyes to the world of creativity. And with the help of the members of the Golden Bough he makes new discoveries about himself. The comic jumps through time, going back to the past to show Dave and Declan’s lives in high school. Through this, Dave is able to find the courage to make games that he wishes to make for himself. He learns that he does not just have to focus on profit.
Conceptually, Hex Loader tells a strong, albeit on-the-nose, story. The idea of a whole secret world, one made of imagination itself, is an interesting idea. The story calls the physical representations of the death of creativity “the fugue”. These can invade your mind, clouding your thoughts until you cannot come up with an original idea. The decision to personify the lack of inspiration that all creatives become plagued with at some point is an interesting choice. However, the way it gets combated is rather fanciful.
Every day magic also becomes important for the story. But the difference between magic as a concrete thing that can be practiced and magic as the inspiration that goes into creative work is not well-explained. This story also contains some in depth conversations about code, which could go over a reader’s head. Along with this, the timeline can come across as confusing. The characters look much older than people a few years out of high school. Also, for a story that focuses on creativity and imagination, it stays very tame. The boundaries between the world of the mind and the physical world could be pushed more. The mind contains endless possibilities and true creativity of what people imagine could be portrayed in a much more colorful manner.
Despite these points, Hex Loader approaches an interesting concept in a unique manner that tells an original story. The focus on imagination and creativity, and the lack of these important parts of the creative process, is something which all people who create can empathize with. It can be easy to lose sight of one’s inspiration when it seems like the world only focuses on the monetary value of your skills, and Hex Loader fully explores this concept. While the manner in which the story examines its themes can seem hamfisted at times, it does tell a tale which manages to stay personal even though the themes are sweeping. Choosing Dave as the protagonist of this story is also interesting. He experiences real growth over the course of this story, and confronts his past in a manner that does not feel forced.
What kind of creative project would you make? For more information about Hex Loader, it’s all available on its Kickstarter page. Sound off in the comments or send us your thoughts on Facebook or Twitter!
