Published by Graphics Lab 2, Kye in the Valley of Gold follows Kyle Hurlbut‘s tech career as it highlights how semiconductor innovation give rise to new opportunities although it does not come without a risk. The story details Hurlbut’s experience building a career and getting a job at Hewlett-Packard during the silicon revolution of the late twentieth century. The graphic novel came out on December 3, 2024 and has already received positive reception from critics.
Hurlbut cites his love for comics from his father who “read the comics [from our local Seattle newspapers] like they were dessert.” One of Hurlbut’s earlier casual projects came from creating a loose collection for a family graphic novel that came from the comics he created for his father’s birthday cards before he decided to make the pivot to talking about his career in the Silicon Valley.
Check out the sample pages below:
Hurlbut described how barren the tech field was when he began his career and how it was like “being on the first ship discovering the New World.” Things like media, electrical engineering, university courses in the math department were all slow and basic. “With that backdrop, I wanted to share how fast, crazy, and fun it was to be at the right place at the right time. I’m hoping my readers can learn some general ideas on how to navigate a career or a life surrounded with all of the tech I was around to see invented. It continues to change the world.”
The 66-page count graphic memoir is priced at $16.99 for a physical print while it can be purchased digitally for $9.99. Fans can find Kye in the Valley of Gold in Barnes & Noble and Amazon.
Source: Graphic Labs 2
