When the title of a story contains the name of the main character, then it's probably a biography. However, when the first three letters of this name match the name of the famous cervical cancer screening method that has saved countless women, it becomes evident from the beginning that this specific biography could be of great interest to a lot of people.

Beginning in a small town in Greece at the end of the 19th century, the life of George Papanicolaou, leading to his final recognition and success in America, seems like an odyssey. Naturally, it stands as one of the most emblematic examples of achieving the American dream. But, nothing comes without a cost, and the life of someone who achieves something as remarkable may include difficult moments and challenging phases.

However, these elements are necessary components of an intriguing story, and my curiosity about the motives and traits of such a personality is the main reason behind my research for the creation of this graphic novel. While reading about him, especially through his own letters, I came to understand that he was marked by a sense of purpose. Was it the result of his classical education, a product of his family upbringing, or the influence of the end of the 19th century with the philosophical theories of Nietzsche and Schopenhauer that left their mark on him? What is clear from his actions is that he was characterized by a kind of perfectionism, which, at times, could become narcissism, I dare say. Of Course at the end he managed to control it through his dedicated commitment to his scientific work.

Making a good graphic novel isn't just about showing the main character's inner struggles. You also need some visual elements that help tell the story. One such element, I got from the part of Papanicolaou's life that was more adventurous, was all those panoramic establishing shots that I used, to illustrate his travels from place to place.

One visual metaphor that I used and played a crucial role in the development of the story was the analogy between the cells exfoliated by the body and the leaves that fall from trees during autumn.  The narrator uses this metaphor to explain to his friend Papanicolaou’s method, when at the same time  the fallen leaves being carried by the wind, create a kind of romantic feeling, like you see in romantic comedies set in central park where the couple is taking a walk.

What wasn't conventionally romantic was Papanicolaou's relationship with his wife, especially their early agreement not to have children so that he would be concentrated in his work. It's quite ironic for a scientist who, apart from his invention of the PAP Test, also helped a lot of women through cytological and hormone tests to have children. Nevertheless, Mache supported him always so much that, in my view, she deserves credit for part of her husband’s great work.

The graphic novel was published in Greece in 2023 by "Papadopoulos Publishing"