The Arrival

A story told wordlessly, as only a masterful comic book artist could do.

The beautiful images placed next to one another form a visual thread that is easy to follow and understand. The story about the different experiences of immigration was poignant and felt realistic despite the fantastical setting. This authenticity was achieved through meticulous research and inspiration from real events without merely replicating them. (Shaun Tan's note at the end mentioned photos of post-war Europe and Ellis Island, among others as reference points)

A thought-provoking and captivating work of art, Shaun Tan's The Arrival is a graphic novel I highly recommend to anyone seeking to explore the possibilities of the medium.