EDITOR'S NOTE - STATUS HAT "TIME"

When I started reading through the submissions for this month's TIME issue, I noticed the vast majority of them revolved around the destructive nature of time. Decay, broken down and abandoned places, and even death were popping up again and again. While it is certainly the case that time eventually consumes everything, it also plays a role in creation. The changing seasons bring spring flowers and the fall harvest. Through the medium of comics stories stretch across extended periods of time, unfolding gradually and providing enough progress to keep people coming back issue after issue. Creative music and movement create stories of distant futures and the timeless nature of the urge to dance.

This month, Status Hat shares these many aspects of time. We have the fascinating non-fiction essay "Slowing Down" by Bill Petz, in which he shares with us the changes brought about by Parkinson's disease. In the poetry of Maude Larke, we see the sometimes beautiful, sometimes somber changes that time brings to places and landscapes. Christina Collins' story "Dottie" is a moving look at the way time can change our perception of other people. Finally in the written offerings, comic book artist Monty Stikkman and comic book writer "The Mongoose" share their thoughts on comics, art, and storytelling.

We also have two visual showcases for you this month. Photographer Katie Herbst shares some of her stunning pictures of abandoned places. By making use of color and shape, the photos seem to give new life to places that appear past their prime. And New Orleans belly dance troupe Hip-ocrisy shares a post-apocalyptic piece about the rediscovery of music and dance.

Thank you for joining us in this exploration of TIME. I hope you enjoy viewing it as much as I enjoyed putting it together!

Liz McCollum
Guest Editor, Fall 2011