Psychiatric Tales: Eleven Graphic Stories About Mental Illness HC
Publisher: Bloomsbury USA
Release Date: February 2011
Price: $15.00
Creator: Darryl Cunningham
Format: 160 pgs.; B&W; Hardcover
ISBN: 978-1-60819-278-6
Age Rating: Teen+
ICv2 Rating: 4.5 Stars out of 5
Using a stark, black-and-white art style and a frank, open voice which are both reminiscent of Scott McCloud’s seminal work Understanding Comics, Cunningham flings open the doors of a psychiatric ward and invites readers inside to get a sensitive glimpse into the misunderstood world of mental illness. Rather than give a full retelling of all his years of experience in mental health--as a health care assistant on an acute psychiatric ward, as a student nurse studying psychiatry, and as a sufferer of severe depression--Cunningham tells stories that each highlight one aspect of an illness. These stories enlighten readers to the hardships faced by suffers and to the prejudices forced upon them by the wider world, as well as give some background on the causes (if known) of different mental illnesses. Though the images in a few panels seem unconnected to the larger story, overall Cunningham’s thin lined drawings and strong use of black are a perfect fit for his stories. His use of both negative shading and of altered photos offers a nice counterpoint and keeps the panels from becoming static. This moving work will speak to both teen and adult audiences, especially because of Cunningham’s final tale about his own personal struggles with mental illness.
--Snow Wildsmith: Writer and former teen librarian and ALA/YALSA committee member.
ICv2 Stars: 4.5 (out of 5)
Posted by ICv2 on December 9, 2010 @ 11:00 pm CT
MORE REVIEWS
ICv2 Stars: 4 (out of 5)
August 26, 2024
Here's a review of Start Here: The Introductory Roleplaying Game, published by Beach House RPGs.
ICv2 Stars: 4.5 (out of 5)
July 22, 2024
Here's a review of the board game Rock Hard: 1977, published by Devir.
MORE COMICS
First English Publication for Horror Manga-ka
September 27, 2024
This is the first time any of Koga’s manga have been translated into English.
'Hulk Teach!' Coming from Scholastic in 2025
September 27, 2024
Scholastic will publish Hulk Teach! in 2025.