“Perfectly Imperfect: How One Robot is Rewiring the Heart of Humanity”

 

Out of Sync, But Never Out of Place: The Humanity in a Robot Named Bolt

When I set out to create Bolt Voltage: Out of Sync, I thought I was writing a story about a robot in a post-human world learning to feel. I thought I was crafting a philosophical fable—part comic, part coloring book, part reflection—about artificial intelligence and emotional awakening.

What I didn’t realize was that this story would reflect us so completely—our struggles, our resilience, our constant reaching for hope.

And then came Alec.

Alec is developmentally delayed. And Alec found himself in a robot named Bolt.

In a world that often treats difference like a flaw, Alec saw something extraordinary in this robot with crooked wiring and a glitchy emotional core. He saw a character who didn’t need to be “fixed” to be worthy. A being who was, at times, confused, clumsy, and out of sync with the world around him… and yet—he kept going.

“He’s like me,” Alec told his family. “He doesn’t get it right. But he still keeps going. And he’s good.”

That stopped me cold.

Because that right there—that soft, soul-piercing truth—is the heartbeat of this entire book. It’s not about circuitry or sci-fi or some dystopian fantasy. It’s about what it means to keep showing up in a world that doesn’t always make room for you. It’s about the radical courage of staying soft in a culture that celebrates sharp edges. It’s about how humanity can show up in the most unexpected places—like in a robot made of scrap parts, aching circuitry, and curious compassion.

Who Is Bolt?

Bolt isn’t perfect. He wasn’t designed to lead. He wasn’t even sure what “feeling” was when we met him on Page One.

But he’s trying.

Bolt is a robot wanderer. A thinking robot. A being of gears, wires, and questions. He’s caught in a world that left humans behind, unsure of what happened—and more importantly, of what to feel about it.

As readers, we watch this robot stumble through beauty and loss, connection and confusion. We see him evolve. But not toward “perfection”—toward presence. Toward awareness. Toward something real.

And that’s exactly what Alec saw.

He didn’t see a character who had it all together. He saw a robot who, like him, often felt misunderstood—but still kept trying. Still kept caring.

Why That Matters

Representation isn't just about race, gender, or identity markers. It’s also about showing people that their emotional truth is valid. That their experiences matter—even the messy, nonlinear, tender ones.

Bolt Voltage: Out of Sync became more than just a book the moment Alec saw himself in this robot.

I didn’t write this story for Alec. But now I see that in some strange, beautiful way, it was his all along.

We often think stories need to be loud to be powerful. But sometimes, the most resonant truths come from quiet characters, slow journeys, and emotions that don’t arrive on schedule.

Bolt doesn’t rush his growth. He doesn’t solve the world. He doesn’t have a triumphant “hero” moment. But he changes—and he invites others to change with him.

The Rhythm the World Hasn’t Heard Yet

If Bolt has taught me anything, it’s this:

Being “out of sync” doesn’t mean being broken. Sometimes, it just means you’re listening to a rhythm the world hasn’t learned to hear yet.

And that rhythm? It’s catching on.

One reader at a time.
One coloring page at a time.
One Alec, one robot story at a time.

If you’re curious to explore this beautifully offbeat journey for yourself, you can grab a copy of Bolt Voltage: Out of Sync directly here: Get the Book

Whether you’re 12 or 65, a thinker or a feeler, neurotypical or not, this robot will meet you exactly where you are.

The Bigger Picture: Building Belonging Through Art

Bolt’s story doesn’t stop on the page. It continues through everything we’re building this month—new collaborations, wearable art, and real-world community projects designed to bring people together.

At Michaels, I’ve been leading a massive mural project with my team. We salvaged a damaged 4’ x 4’ canvas and turned it into a collaborative paint-by-number experience that everyone in the store gets to help complete. Every coworker contributes their touch, their creativity, their story—just like every robot in Bolt’s world brings its own flavor of function and feeling.

It’s Bolt's message in action: connection through imperfection. Community through creativity. Meaning through making.

Want to Wear the Message?

We’ve also just launched new fashion from the Bolt Line—wearable art that carries real meaning. These aren’t just hoodies or caps. They’re statements that make statements.

One of my favorite new drops is the Bolt Cap—clean, simple, and bold. It’s not loud. It doesn’t scream. It simply says something without saying anything at all.

Because sometimes, authenticity is the most stylish thing you can wear. And sometimes, the boldest statement you can make is showing up as a robot who feels.

Real Conversations. Real Impact.

And this month, I had the chance to sit down with Dave Lennon on the Lost in the Groove Podcast. What started as a conversation about a robot named Bolt quickly spun into a nostalgic, philosophical dive into movies, music, and what it means to create something meaningful in a chaotic world.

We explored how cinema and storytelling help shape how we process life—and how characters like this robot can spark something deeply personal in the people who meet him.

It was warm, weird, honest, and unforgettable—exactly the kind of conversation I hope every robot story inspires.

To Alec, and Everyone Who’s Felt "Out of Sync"

Alec’s story, shared with love and permission from his family, is a reminder that books are never just books.

They’re mirrors.
They’re lifelines.
They’re blueprints for understanding.
They’re robot tales that remind us we don’t have to fit in to belong.

And when someone like Alec sees themselves reflected—not as a problem to be solved, but as a soul to be celebrated—it’s a moment worth everything.

So if you’ve ever felt “offbeat,” out of place, or unsure of how to fit in this fast-moving world… just remember:
You’re not broken.
You’re just dancing to your own rhythm.
And the world will catch up.

One beat at a time.
One robot at a time.

With heart, hope, and voltage,
John Wandzilak
Creator of Bolt Voltage: Out of Sync
@JDubsArts | jdubsarts.com