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WRETCHED (A surreal tale of vice and crime) By Henrik Rehr and Jan Solheim Printed Length: 142 pages (preview images below)  I was completely shocked when I received this graphic novel out of the blue a few weeks ago in the mail, along with another graphic novel I will also be writing a review of this week. However, I wanted to start with this one, not only because it was the first of the two I read, but also because it stuck with me after I finished it, so much so that I had to reread it to ensure I was fully grasping everything the creators were trying to communicate. So, let’s start from the beginning. WRETCHED is a graphic novel written by Henrik Rehr, “one of the most active Danish series creators over the last thirty years,” and illustrated by Jan Solheim, a Scandinavian artist “whose superior line work demonstrates why he is one of Scandinavia’s most sought-after illustrators.” The back of this hardcover graphic novel has a small teaser that reads: A nightmare, anxiety attack, or bad trip? A woman is seemingly trapped in a feverish dream, attempting to navigate through a distorted world in a stumbling language, struggling to comprehend what’s happening around her. “No one speaks my language here… I’m sweating, even though it’s actually quite cold. I think I have a fever…” “I see their smiles. I hear their friendly voices, but I KNOW what they feel!” And now, for the first time on this website, here is the trailer for this graphic novel as well. At first glance, this was slightly outside what I usually choose. While the cover instantly told me it was a dark graphic novel, the artwork isn't my typical style. However, as I read the story, the artwork perfectly matched the writing style and the story being told. The next thing that stood out to me was that this graphic novel challenges the status quo, not only with its imagery but also with its textual content. It’s a book that comments on a deeply human issue that most people seem to not just ignore but act as if it doesn’t exist. And the creators don’t just comment on this issue, they take you deep into the mind of one individual suffering through not just this one social issue, but other problems stem from that original issue. However, let’s start with the artwork. The artwork is what I would refer to as a somewhat simpler still, but not in a cartoony way. It is an excellent choice for the story being told. It is done exceptionally well in a way that doesn’t complicate or detract from the story with overdone illustrations that amount to busy images with irrelevant elements for filler, or bright, flashy colors that would completely negate the entire tone of the novel. Colors are muted and neutral. The line work is crisp and clean, with a dash of a Picasso-esque style lending weight to the altered perceptions and distortions of reality, leading the reader to a crystal-clear and unfiltered visual depiction of the main character and the experiences and life she is living in a way that makes it feel like one is experiencing the whole story through her eyes. This recipe concocts a visceral experience for the reader. And I love it. This graphic novel does an exceptional job at articulating the effects and consequence that come with substance abuse and other kinds of abuse in a way that is both accurate and honest, allowing those that have never been in such a position of struggle to get a small glimpse through a tiny window of actual reality, even though it is an ugly reality, while simultaneously giving a voice to those that have lived that struggle but cannot articulate the experience and those that did not survive the experience. It's been a couple-few weeks since I read this, and it still resonates with me, weighing on me in some weird, back-of-the-mind kind of way. And I believe that is the point. It is intended to prompt reflection, evoke emotions, and inspire endurance, thereby providing readers with an opportunity for understanding, inquiry, and compassion. It may also serve as a kind of call to action. By drawing this kind of raw attention to what is clearly an overwhelming issue in our society today, and by doing so in the form of creative, expressive media, presents a necessary conversation in a much more approachable, informed, and, in particular, compassionate manner. RATINGS Story 5/5 Artwork 5/5 Overall 5/5 I didn't receive any information on this graphic novel or the author because I never requested this graphic novel to be sent to me for review. I wasn’t sent any contact info with the publisher or agent, and therefore, I have no links to buy their preferred website. To me, that is important because I do not receive any compensation for these reviews, and I almost always obtain the materials through a volunteer community network or purchase them myself. Nobody is forced to send me anything, and I am not forced to give a dishonest review. That way, I have no obligations and am not beholden to anyone but my readers and myself, allowing me to give my honest, unvarnished, uninfluenced opinions. I have included a few general links below for those who would like to purchase this graphic novel or read more reviews from others on those sites. Thank you for reading! Buy (and read more reviews of) Wretched: Click HERE to purchase on Amazon Click HERE to purchase on Barnes&Noble       
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