Barking

Comic books or, if you want to be all “grown-up” about it, graphic novels, can be a powerful story-telling medium. In the right hands, of course. And with Lucy Sullivan's Barking you are certainly in the right hands.

A dark, intense, moving tale of mental illness and grief this books demands that you pay attention. Dramatic black and white artwork reminiscent of both Bill Sienkiewicz and Eddie Campbell combine with chaotic, jumbled lettering to tell the tale of Alix, who is sectioned after the death of her friend (lover?). And so we get a glimpse into the British mental health care system from the point of view of a patient.

Drawn from the author's own experiences and those of her friends, Barking is a living nightmare in ink. Alix's progress is slow as she tries to put the pieces of herself back together and make sense of the trauma and the guilt she suffers. The imagery is all swirling black shapes and there's a dream-like quality to Alix's memories of the incident, which may not have been what she thinks it was. And all the while the Black Dog harries and snarls around her, putting her down, feeding her guilt and shame. The title “Barking” works on many levels you see?

It's a book that will repay repeated readings. 10% of the author's revenue is being donated to the mental health charity MQ, so do yourself and them a favour and buy this book. Look for it at the Unbound website.

Highly recommended.