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Something Terrible
Something Terrible is a short autobiographical comic by Dean Trippe, about childhood trauma and the power of fictional heroes. It is intended for grownups.
18 pages, ebook
First published October 8, 2013
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
April 27, 2018
"You are who you choose to be. It's not what happens to you that makes you who you are, but what you choose to do with it. Use all your abilities to help everyone you can”--Trippe
“I’ll become a bat”—Bruce Wayne
Dean Trippe's comic of his own rape survival experience has been viewed—by his own account—up to two million people, including me. Now, thanks to a successful Kickstarter campaign, we have it in hardcover, with an additional epilogue about how the book got written and a more specific account of those events in his life. In addition to the sexual abuse, Trippe was also abandoned by his father at an early age. The comic is very short (too short in my opinion), but largely wordless, which I like.
Trippe says it was superhero comics in general and Batman in particular that in part saved him. Bruce Wayne overcomes childhood trauma and becomes a fighter for truth and justice. Sad, honest, but inspiring about the power of fictional heroes, and ultimately hopeful. For Batman fans, for sure, too.
I think this is primarily intended for adults, but it is not in the least too “graphic” with respect to the subject matter for younger readers, such as YA.
A link to a preview on Trippe’s website:
http://www.tencentticker.com/somethin...
A related story from Junot Diaz about similar childhood experience in The New Yorker:
https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/20...
This story reminded me of Paul Dini’s story of recovery that also features Batman as someone who pulled him through:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
“I’ll become a bat”—Bruce Wayne
Dean Trippe's comic of his own rape survival experience has been viewed—by his own account—up to two million people, including me. Now, thanks to a successful Kickstarter campaign, we have it in hardcover, with an additional epilogue about how the book got written and a more specific account of those events in his life. In addition to the sexual abuse, Trippe was also abandoned by his father at an early age. The comic is very short (too short in my opinion), but largely wordless, which I like.
Trippe says it was superhero comics in general and Batman in particular that in part saved him. Bruce Wayne overcomes childhood trauma and becomes a fighter for truth and justice. Sad, honest, but inspiring about the power of fictional heroes, and ultimately hopeful. For Batman fans, for sure, too.
I think this is primarily intended for adults, but it is not in the least too “graphic” with respect to the subject matter for younger readers, such as YA.
A link to a preview on Trippe’s website:
http://www.tencentticker.com/somethin...
A related story from Junot Diaz about similar childhood experience in The New Yorker:
https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/20...
This story reminded me of Paul Dini’s story of recovery that also features Batman as someone who pulled him through:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
February 1, 2022
I feel like whatever I say about this book won't do it justice. It’s sad and it’s beautiful. It took me a very short time to read, but it’s a book I will definitely read again. I recommend it to everyone, to see how one man recovers from one of the worst things that can happen to a child. I’d actually like to share all the reviews on the back, wonderful one sentence taken from each one. You should read this book and see for yourself.
September 16, 2020
It feels a bit shitty to not give full rating to someone who candidly opens up their heart to an audience about their trauma. Obviously the rating does not reflect the personal story, but only the form it’s presented in. It’s a moving, autobiographical story about a boy struggling with the aftermath of a horrible crime, and of how superhero comics helped him both as a kid and as an adult. The comic itself is short and simple and the message is clear, though I personally got more out of read Dean Trippe’s afterword which offered more details.
It’s a brave thing Trippe has done here, offering himself up in the hopes it will help others, but seeing the massive positive response he’s gotten, it clearly filled a hole. Well done.
It’s a brave thing Trippe has done here, offering himself up in the hopes it will help others, but seeing the massive positive response he’s gotten, it clearly filled a hole. Well done.
May 27, 2017
My reaction to this is somewhat mixed ...
On the one hand, it's a powerful story, well told. The decision to tell the story without dialogue (mostly) heightens the impact and draws the reader further in. The fantasy sequences don't feel forced or trite. The whole narrative flows well.
On the other hand, it's a predictable story. Given the cover and the title, it's not too difficult to suss out what that "Something Terrible" probably is, and what helps Trippe survive and thrive afterwards. It's still, I think, worth reading for the particulars of how it all plays out, but the suspense is emotional, not mental.
It's also quite short. Very short. As in "32 Pages, the Length of A Standard Comic Book" short. As a $15 hardcover, it feels a bit overpriced. The story could easily have been longer, which would have given Trippe more room for detail and nuance. Then again, I don't blame him for not wanting to relive his experience at greater length.
There is an Afterword, as well as a "Last Thoughts" section (and an Epilogue strip whch I don't think was part of the story when this originally appeared online) in which Trippe shares the genesis of the story, as well as some of the reactions he's gotten since it first appeared.
In all, this is a good book, despite its brevity. Some of the rave quotes on the back cover seem overblown, but I can appreciate that this is the sort of book that can make a huge impression on people. Recommended!
On the one hand, it's a powerful story, well told. The decision to tell the story without dialogue (mostly) heightens the impact and draws the reader further in. The fantasy sequences don't feel forced or trite. The whole narrative flows well.
On the other hand, it's a predictable story. Given the cover and the title, it's not too difficult to suss out what that "Something Terrible" probably is, and what helps Trippe survive and thrive afterwards. It's still, I think, worth reading for the particulars of how it all plays out, but the suspense is emotional, not mental.
It's also quite short. Very short. As in "32 Pages, the Length of A Standard Comic Book" short. As a $15 hardcover, it feels a bit overpriced. The story could easily have been longer, which would have given Trippe more room for detail and nuance. Then again, I don't blame him for not wanting to relive his experience at greater length.
There is an Afterword, as well as a "Last Thoughts" section (and an Epilogue strip whch I don't think was part of the story when this originally appeared online) in which Trippe shares the genesis of the story, as well as some of the reactions he's gotten since it first appeared.
In all, this is a good book, despite its brevity. Some of the rave quotes on the back cover seem overblown, but I can appreciate that this is the sort of book that can make a huge impression on people. Recommended!
January 3, 2014
First time I've ever reviewed my own work, but I'm rather proud of this one. I hope you'll give it a look. http://tencentticker.com/somethingter...
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July 27, 2017Don't really feel like rating it because it's someone actual experiences/life, but I just felt no connection to the story and lacked a lot of development.
July 23, 2016
This powerful short story is wonderful. Art vs. ones inter demons , how it (art,creativity) fills a hole in everyone . All different "holes" just go read it .
November 4, 2017
A short but powerful story about recovery and the power of heroes real and imagined.
January 5, 2014
A short but perfectly judged and nakedly honest comic on how fictional heroes can fight your real demons. Dean Trippe knows exactly when to let the art do the storytelling and when text can charge it with meaning.
I have never been through anything like Trippe and I cannot imagine the bravery needed to make this book but the same fictional heroes have pulled me out of very real pain too. 'I shall become a bat' changed my life and maybe even saved it, reading this I felt like I found a friend, a fellow member of the Bat family.
I have never been through anything like Trippe and I cannot imagine the bravery needed to make this book but the same fictional heroes have pulled me out of very real pain too. 'I shall become a bat' changed my life and maybe even saved it, reading this I felt like I found a friend, a fellow member of the Bat family.
Read
January 25, 2015A powerful piece about childhood sexual abuse. "No guns." Oh, I love it. I love the afterword most of all, since thoughtful discussion and dissection of the effects of this kind of abuse (and the very real fear it places in one mind that one will become an offender, too) are still too rare these days. If we want to keep getting information out to people, this is how we do it, by writing about it in more than just psych and talk show spaces, cross pollinating among many mediums.
February 2, 2015
A true story about a cartoonist's struggles after childhood abandonment by his biological father and sexual abuse. Very honest and sad but also, ultimately, hopeful and encouraging!
It seems weird and inappropriate to rate this piece... On an artistic execution level, some parts of the narrative were a little difficult to follow (the comic is largely world-less), but confusing bits were cleared up in the afterword. I don't think the concept or purpose of the piece can be faulted.
It seems weird and inappropriate to rate this piece... On an artistic execution level, some parts of the narrative were a little difficult to follow (the comic is largely world-less), but confusing bits were cleared up in the afterword. I don't think the concept or purpose of the piece can be faulted.
September 24, 2014
So incredibly powerful, and equally moving. I'm kind of at a loss for words right now. I think I have to sit with this for a bit, so, longer review to come...
February 23, 2021
This is a moving, powerful piece of work, the author's own story of his childhood trauma of sexual abuse and the ways in which that has affected him throughout life. Told mostly in pages of silent panels, the art tells the story. The author finds escapism and eventually hope through the worlds of comic books, especially in the story of Batman, whose own childhood trauma leads him to become who he is. Along the way, the author deals with the unfounded beliefs held by the general public and reinforced in media: that childhood victims often become abusers themselves, and that most abusers were abused as children - neither of which is true. Billed as "intended for adults," it seems to me that it could be useful for younger people (say, teens) who have experienced similar issues in their lives. All of which leads to the biggest question I have about the book: who is the intended audience here? It's a very short tale told in comic book format, but published as a $15 hardcover. That could keep it out of the hands (and minds) of those who might benefit from reading it.
May 13, 2018
Fictional characters and stories can provide great amounts of entertainment for us all, but it can also prove to be healing and therapeutic. For Dean Trippe, Batman was a character who helped him through a horrific rape, who helped him understand he wasn't to be defined by what happened to him. It was a great help, and is detailed through this heartbreaking and honest personal story. Wonderfully drawn, mostly wordless, a short tale that details what it needs to, and moves on. It's a beautiful tale that deserves to be read.
July 7, 2023
This is a beautiful and brave autobiography about the author's history of sexual abuse, and of breaking the cycle through finding hope through comics and the comics fandom. Absolutely heart-wrenching despite its length, and a must read!
My copy is actually an extended version with the epilogue from the hardcover (I assume, I've only read the ebook edition). The epilogue is fine, but the meat of the story is the main narrative.
My copy is actually an extended version with the epilogue from the hardcover (I assume, I've only read the ebook edition). The epilogue is fine, but the meat of the story is the main narrative.
June 29, 2017
Dean Trippe's comic of his own rape survival experience is deeply relatable and full of heart. A must read for everyone who has ever wondered if their circumstances would dictate the course of their life forever. "You are who you choose to be.It's not what happens to you that makes you who you are, but what you choose to do with it. Use all your abilities to help everyone you can."
February 5, 2020
A short and powerful memoir of abuse survival and of how fantasy and superheroes help people not just cope but also thrive after trauma. This is an important work to get in the hands of survivors of abuse, especially childhood sexual abuse. Not an easy topic but a necessary one and done so beautifully and compassionately.
August 23, 2020
just re-reading, wondering how many of us out there love batman so much for the same or similar reasons.
i think its impactful, simple, and well done. i like that there's practically no dialogue, and the purposeful use of color in one panel. you can tell its crafted carefully.
i think its impactful, simple, and well done. i like that there's practically no dialogue, and the purposeful use of color in one panel. you can tell its crafted carefully.
June 15, 2017
Hard to read, but incredibly powerful. We are all our own heroes.
June 28, 2017
Moving graphic novel about the author's experience with sexual abuse.
August 26, 2017
extremely powerful and moving
October 8, 2017
I was hoping for more story, but again, what is said is enough.
November 3, 2017
Very powerful and moving. An important book.
December 9, 2018
An intense, autobiographical comic about surviving abuse and superheros. It's very short and very good.
November 5, 2019
This one left me speechless. Trippe knows when to let the art speak, and when he does use text there are no wasted words. This one is a gut punch, but an important and brave story.
January 28, 2022
Was not expecting this to make me cry, but there you go.
August 30, 2022
A really powerful little book about a child who experienced horrific abuse--and the weight of that abuse throughout his life. Told from the author's own experience.
May 8, 2025
Some of us didn’t believe in superheroes. We thought love would save us.
March 23, 2017
Simple but effective. Leaves a bittersweet aftertaste upon finishing the book
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March 15, 2025Hard to leave stars that reflect someone's trauma. However, the story felt rushed and undeveloped.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews