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Who said that comic books are for kids? Here are some adult graphic novels now available at Peter White Public Library.
"Bear" by Staffan Gnosspelius (2023)
Staffan Gnosspelius's gorgeous illustrations tell the story of Bear, who finds himself in quite the predicament: His head is stuck in a cone! It's only when a hare comes along that the world starts to look a bit brighter. Gnosspelius's dynamic use of lights and darks effectively convey Bear's equally dynamic emotions. Although this book has no text (a picture is worth a thousand words, after all), it delivers a touching message about the importance of leaning on others and accepting help when you're in crisis, even if it feels a little scary to do so.
"Fart School" by Mel Stringer (2023)
Fart School is a short graphic novel about the author's experiences at an art school in Brisbane, Australia, in the early 2000s. Stringer takes a very slice-of-life approach in her storytelling, with each scene revealing new aspects of art school that she finds less than appealing. At art school, she struggles to love art and begins to question her dream. This book, with its adorable illustrations and relatable dialogue, is an excellent choice for anyone looking for a quick, inspirational read.
"This is How I Disappear" by Mirion Malle (2021)
In This is How I Disappear, French cartoonist Mirion Malle tells the story of Clara, a poet and book marketer whose depression begins to affect all aspects of her life. She's losing friends, her job is becoming unbearable, and writer's block is preventing her from finishing her new book of poetry. Clara believes her feelings are no big deal, and even quits therapy without a backup plan, but the narrative shows that depression can sneak up on you, and past traumas may be affecting you more than you think. As with Bear, this book leans heavily into the importance of recognizing (and even releasing) your emotions and seeking help when the world feels overwhelming.
"Beautiful Darkness" by Fabien Vehlmann (2014, 2022)
This graphic novel, despite its beautiful watercolors and fairytale characters, is deceptively dark. Described as an allegory about surviving the human experience, it follows a group of miniature people as they find themselves lost in the forest without food or shelter. Slowly, they begin to turn on each other and become apathetic to each other's suffering, sometimes even causing it. The gore and the cutthroat brutality of these characters juxtapose their children's book designs, which makes for an incredibly unique (and perhaps disturbing) read.
By Kelsey Matthews
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