I want to break this blog in talking about a comic I’ve been eagerly awaiting since last fall, Flung Out of Space by Grace Ellis and Hannah Templer. Here’s why you should read this comic: 1. Patricia Highsmith was a groundbreaking author - Strangers on a Train, Talented Mr. Ripley - as well as being a deeply problematic human being. Her story is an interesting one. This comic covers her journey to writing The Price of Salt/Carol, the first novel of its kind and life changing for many. Look it up. You should know about it. I’m not here to do your representation homework. 2. This art is incredible. I expected nothing less from veterans Grace Ellis (Lumberjanes, Moonstruck) and Hannah Templer (Cosmoknights, Captain Marvel). The panels are cinematic and the use of (or the lack of) color brings more focus to the characters and their development. The only color we really see in this comic is from a spectrum of oranges and browns and it works so well. It highlights the fact that Pat spends most of this comic feeling such a deep self-loathing that at the best of times is self-sabotage, at its worst convincing herself she must be clinically insane. For lovers of a good memoir comic.
