Former Hill Staffer Pairs Parenting with Writing Comic Books

by Karen Plourde, Editor, Weavers Way Shuttle

What project did you take on during covID? Former Weavers Way staffer and Chestnut Hill resident Nikolai Fomich decided to learn how to write comic books a few months after becoming a dad. His efforts led to a published book, “Flowers for Henry,” which is available through him and at select bookstores and comic shops.

Fomich, 34, worked in grocery and on the front end in the Chestnut Hill store from 2015-2018. Afterward, he taught English as a second language in Center City and worked at the Parkway Central branch of the Free Library of Philadelphia before the pandemic lockdown eliminated both jobs. In March 2020, his wife, Min Wang, gave birth to their son, Dmitri, and Fomich became a stay-athome dad. Although he was busy with childcare, he still felt like he needed a creative outlet.

He soon discovered an array of online classes that were available through Comics Experience, and enrolled in one for writing for comics. His teachers included Andy Schmidt, founder of the company, along with writing instructors Paul Allor and Fred Van Lente. “Flowers for Henry” was developed in one of the classes.

The story centers on Henry Brixton, a frail, nineyear-old boy who lives with his father in Bedford Square, London during Victorian times. He longs to get out of the house and explore the city, but his father insists on keeping him indoors because of his poor health.

One night, Henry is visited by Edwin, a nine-yearold ghost from Southwark who died in a fire in 1852 while working as a chimney sweep. Edwin befriends Henry and promises to take him to the circus in Southwark the following week, when Henry’s father will be out of town. They sneak out and Henry has a wonderful time but he comes down with whooping cough.

After a few weeks of confinement, Henry is itching to leave the house again and sneaks out with Edwin. But