This is the debut of Howard Cruse (of Stuck Rubber Baby fame) in the pages of this publication. Again, the layout makes it seem like the pages were split to provide two-thirds of a page to Cruse and a third of a page to one of the columnists. The opposite page had the opposite effect – two-thirds of the page was taken up by text and a third was occupied by Cruse’s art. It’s not clear if Cruse drew his story that way upon request or if the story was sliced that way by the art directors – a close reading suggests the former.

The story itself speaks directly to the fears and insecurities of the main character (and, thus, the artist), going so far as to provide a whole spectrum of sycophant gremlins to surround him and prop up his ego. The only dissenting voice is an off-panel (and thus unattributed) character who calls him all manner of terrible things. It’s kind of a disturbing story, all things considered.

(Heavy Metal issue #35, February 1980 – Page 52 How’m I Doin’? by Cruse)