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Finished reading through Barking, by @LucySullivanUK. A narrative about the failings of the UK MH system, it was a tough read!
I think this is a book that will excel in physical editions, not digitally on a phone screen.
I think this is a book that will excel in physical editions, not digitally on a phone screen.
The art style is very intentional and interesting. On my screen it looks like it was drawn with a blunted pencil, which adds to the scratchy, unreal, overwhelming nature of the mental health state of Alix Otto, our main character. It keeps the chaos undefined and out-of-focus.
As a clinician, there are examples of language and body language that immediately flags the MH staff of having no trauma-informed or person-centered prerogative. The agency example here is one I’d actively want to avoid working with or making referrals to.
Yet, the art style and the lettering serves as an interesting frame of reference. It’s hard to describe the sensation of a mental health crisis, but I hope this imagery sits with me. The world might be crisp and full of colors to me, but staticky and scribbled to my clients.
Barking can be bought from Lucy directly here: https://lucysullivanuk.com/buy-comics
