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Exits
Claire Kim hates herself and the world she lives in. Working at a mirror store, she shows customers their reflections and daydreams about erasing her own. One night, on her way home, she gets her wish. Follow Claire as she wanders invisibly through the city and her own psyche.
Daryl Seitchik was born in 1989 and currently lives and works in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She is best known for her semi-autobiographical comic series, Missy, which earned her a nomination for the Ignatz Award for Promising New Talent in 2014. She is nocturnal.
Daryl Seitchik was born in 1989 and currently lives and works in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She is best known for her semi-autobiographical comic series, Missy, which earned her a nomination for the Ignatz Award for Promising New Talent in 2014. She is nocturnal.
220 pages, Paperback
First published September 13, 2016
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
February 13, 2017
Existentialist writer and philosopher Jean-Paul Sartre wrote No Exit in 1944. In it three people are stuck in a room, which may be like existence, or the afterlife, maybe Hell. In it one of the characters asserts, "Hell is other people." These three damned souls are just waiting, in some sense as Becket's Didi and Gogo wait, in Waiting for Godot, for meaning. These works came about during WWII, amidst the loss of millions of lives as fascism or at least chaos reigns, in that political landscape.
And it is interesting (to me) that I just read this graphic novel as I am rereading Camus' The Stranger, featuring a man, Meursault, who is mostly disconnected from other people, possibly a nihilist. It gave me a frame of reference for what Exits is, and is not.
Exits features a woman, Claire, who quits her job and becomes increasingly invisible. She's fading away from herself and others. She does show up at events with other people, but sometimes the only evidence of her being there is a bandage for her hand or something. The drawing, too, which is usually clear and bold, is sometimes sketchy, pen-drawn over hardly disguised pencil drawings.
The effect of the tale is absurdist or surrealist, but it's not exactly Sartre or Camus. We come to care for Claire in her dilemma. And she does seem to want to reach out to others who "tend to invisibility." I was drawn in by this quiet, thoughtful comic, and found it truthful and moving, an allegory for our own times, our own fight with the forces of various kind of oppression, maybe, that tendency to want to withdraw when things get overwhelming. Maybe it's a book about introverts, finally. But the vibe for me is in part that Old Time Existentialism, too. That search for meaning in sometimes difficult daily existence.
And it is interesting (to me) that I just read this graphic novel as I am rereading Camus' The Stranger, featuring a man, Meursault, who is mostly disconnected from other people, possibly a nihilist. It gave me a frame of reference for what Exits is, and is not.
Exits features a woman, Claire, who quits her job and becomes increasingly invisible. She's fading away from herself and others. She does show up at events with other people, but sometimes the only evidence of her being there is a bandage for her hand or something. The drawing, too, which is usually clear and bold, is sometimes sketchy, pen-drawn over hardly disguised pencil drawings.
The effect of the tale is absurdist or surrealist, but it's not exactly Sartre or Camus. We come to care for Claire in her dilemma. And she does seem to want to reach out to others who "tend to invisibility." I was drawn in by this quiet, thoughtful comic, and found it truthful and moving, an allegory for our own times, our own fight with the forces of various kind of oppression, maybe, that tendency to want to withdraw when things get overwhelming. Maybe it's a book about introverts, finally. But the vibe for me is in part that Old Time Existentialism, too. That search for meaning in sometimes difficult daily existence.
August 8, 2017
Somewhat on the artsy side, but fun.
Claire Kim works in a mirror store. One day, she finds herself becoming invisible. At first, it's pretty cool. She plays pranks and spies on people, but soon begins to miss having her existence acknowledged ...
This is a quiet and thoughtful book. Seitchik keeps text to a minimum, preferring to let the visuals carry the story. There are visual echoes--repeated themes, shapes, and panels--that heighten the surreality of it all. I really felt Claire's alienation and distance. There's an overall pensive mood to this book. It's like some half-remembered dream ... I'm not sure I would flat-out recommend this to just anyone, but if artsy, alternative comics are your thing, you might find this interesting.
Claire Kim works in a mirror store. One day, she finds herself becoming invisible. At first, it's pretty cool. She plays pranks and spies on people, but soon begins to miss having her existence acknowledged ...
This is a quiet and thoughtful book. Seitchik keeps text to a minimum, preferring to let the visuals carry the story. There are visual echoes--repeated themes, shapes, and panels--that heighten the surreality of it all. I really felt Claire's alienation and distance. There's an overall pensive mood to this book. It's like some half-remembered dream ... I'm not sure I would flat-out recommend this to just anyone, but if artsy, alternative comics are your thing, you might find this interesting.
June 3, 2017
Exits is far outside of world of DC/Marvel comics, with loose, experimental cartooning and a protagonist filled with ennui. This is a definite successor to the indie comics of yore, dealing with the tragedies and daily stresses of today's world. Claire works at a mirror store. She hates her boss, her job, and increasingly, she hates her life. Then one day she turns invisible. She's still alive, but no one can see her. So she tries to find meaning in a life where she exists at the outskirts, observing. It's a compelling story of depression and isolation. I would have enjoyed a bit more exploration of how Claire moved on from that part of her life, but it was a satisfying read nevertheless.
October 13, 2016
A very fine debut graphic novel that does a great job balancing its weighty themes with deft humor and tying everything. It's not a talky book and as a result I ended up blitzing through it because I have no self control and I look forward to rereading it in six months or so and taking my time. It's just that Daryl Seitchik's art was so awesome I felt compelled to consume it as rapidly as possible. She is an incredible illustrator and is absolutely locked in here. It's outstanding work, and a great read.
October 30, 2019
I didn't realize this book dealt with invisibility when I got it. I'm reading a book called Invisibility right now. (Well, listening to it anyway.)
I'm also reading Toni Morrison's The Bluest Eye, which deals with invisibility in its own way.
This graphic novel isn't the same, though. It's absurdist, whereas the book Invisibility makes sense within the world that's created, and The Bluest Eye is realistic. But themes overlap.
Sometimes in absurdist literature the author will take a metaphor and write it as real. (Like Ionesco's Rhinoceros, for instance...) I'm not sure if that's what' happening here, or if I'm inserting meaning.
If that's the case, I guess it doesn't matter because that's what we do whenever we read a book, look at art or live our lives.
I'm also reading Toni Morrison's The Bluest Eye, which deals with invisibility in its own way.
This graphic novel isn't the same, though. It's absurdist, whereas the book Invisibility makes sense within the world that's created, and The Bluest Eye is realistic. But themes overlap.
Sometimes in absurdist literature the author will take a metaphor and write it as real. (Like Ionesco's Rhinoceros, for instance...) I'm not sure if that's what' happening here, or if I'm inserting meaning.
If that's the case, I guess it doesn't matter because that's what we do whenever we read a book, look at art or live our lives.
April 7, 2017
I had the intentions of reading this throughout the weekend, and then just couldn't stop. The illustrations are simply spot on, and are exactly what I'm looking for in a graphic novel. Simple, yet complex. I feel biased because I love characters like Claire and identify with the angsty vibe she puts out. I highly recommend this lovely little novel.
November 12, 2016
A quiet, darkly humorous glimpse into the life of an isolated woman. Her experiences of metaphorical invisibility morph into literal invisibility.
July 30, 2017
I almost never read graphic novels but picked this one up because I connected to the theme. I'm exploring and trying to overcome ways I've become comfortable with being invisible in my life and was curious to see how this story addressed its central premise. While the book's tone is often whimsical, it does also offer some sober insight into what causes some people to become invisible to others, and the upsides and downsides of not being seen.
I love the art style, especially the use of rich, deep blacks. It somehow manages to be minimalist and vivid at the same time. As I read Exits, I frequently found myself smiling at visual puns, funny images, or in recognition of how a shape or a word would connect multiple scenes across the book thematically. I often felt like I could see beyond the drawings to what the real-life version of the scene would look like. Dream imagery and the surreal carry over well; I especially liked the dream sequence with the underwater plane.
I also enjoyed how invisibility was treated not as something supernatural, but a condition accepted by others without too much wonder—something that could be looked up on "Webdoc." Seitchik does a great job building a world that echoes our own, making it easy to draw metaphorical connections between the magical realism of his narrative and the emotional realism of things many of us experience every day.
This was heading toward a quick four-star read for me but lost a star due to its ending. The narrative just peters out. Seitchik built so much potential into the character of Claire and the thematic content of this story and could have ended Exits in a way that would have made a powerful statement. I wanted to see Claire grapple more with what she had learned and realized from being invisible. She could have embraced or rejected her condition, and either one would have been powerful; instead, she just tacitly accepts what has happened to her and continues her adventure.
The noncommittal ending kept this book from having much of a final impact on me. Instead, it remains something of a wisp in my mind, a mystery, something I might recall and wonder about from time to time, but little more. Like a meandering thought that builds to no conclusion; a single remembered line from a song with a chorus you've forgotten; or a ghost that didn't even bother to say "boo," the book is almost like Claire herself—the impression it makes is faint and oblique.
I want to check out more of Daryl Seitchik's worlds and stories; I felt an emotional resonance as I read Exits that almost even bordered on nostalgia. It was certainly worth a read and has me thinking about my own experience in different ways. But I am left feeling like I never got to the end of the story.
I love the art style, especially the use of rich, deep blacks. It somehow manages to be minimalist and vivid at the same time. As I read Exits, I frequently found myself smiling at visual puns, funny images, or in recognition of how a shape or a word would connect multiple scenes across the book thematically. I often felt like I could see beyond the drawings to what the real-life version of the scene would look like. Dream imagery and the surreal carry over well; I especially liked the dream sequence with the underwater plane.
I also enjoyed how invisibility was treated not as something supernatural, but a condition accepted by others without too much wonder—something that could be looked up on "Webdoc." Seitchik does a great job building a world that echoes our own, making it easy to draw metaphorical connections between the magical realism of his narrative and the emotional realism of things many of us experience every day.
This was heading toward a quick four-star read for me but lost a star due to its ending. The narrative just peters out. Seitchik built so much potential into the character of Claire and the thematic content of this story and could have ended Exits in a way that would have made a powerful statement. I wanted to see Claire grapple more with what she had learned and realized from being invisible. She could have embraced or rejected her condition, and either one would have been powerful; instead, she just tacitly accepts what has happened to her and continues her adventure.
The noncommittal ending kept this book from having much of a final impact on me. Instead, it remains something of a wisp in my mind, a mystery, something I might recall and wonder about from time to time, but little more. Like a meandering thought that builds to no conclusion; a single remembered line from a song with a chorus you've forgotten; or a ghost that didn't even bother to say "boo," the book is almost like Claire herself—the impression it makes is faint and oblique.
I want to check out more of Daryl Seitchik's worlds and stories; I felt an emotional resonance as I read Exits that almost even bordered on nostalgia. It was certainly worth a read and has me thinking about my own experience in different ways. But I am left feeling like I never got to the end of the story.
July 27, 2017
Girl works at mirror store, is chased by man-baby, and turns invisible. The stuff in her house turns invisible too, and then she has a dream about an underwater plane-fish.
By which point you're probably so bored by the lack of story (or sense) that you put the book down.
By which point you're probably so bored by the lack of story (or sense) that you put the book down.
October 31, 2017
Interesting idea, about willing oneself to disappear. Not entirely clear why though.
Would have given 3-stars, but I loved the use of sketch-book raw-drawings look used on the pages about dreams and contemplation.
Would have given 3-stars, but I loved the use of sketch-book raw-drawings look used on the pages about dreams and contemplation.
December 23, 2020
This book isn’t really very easy to explain. It’s some sort of powerful metaphor. Or maybe it’s an allegory. But it’s nice that something can be so symbolic and also a nice story and a strong character study. Up the goths.
July 6, 2017
Beautifully simple yet memorable.
October 8, 2017
Will not be recommending this to patrons who are just reading graphic novels for the first time, but might be perfect for some hipster or angsty teenager.
November 9, 2017
via NYPL - Intriguing premise, nice artwork, with some nice beats but not quite living up to its ambition.
December 18, 2017
I don't get it...
October 13, 2018
"It's hard to keep track of invisible people."
April 2, 2019
I am not the target audience for this book.
May 14, 2019
The art was good but I'm not really sure what it is that I read.
September 11, 2019
Good for middle of the night reading. I'll be checking out more by the author.
October 6, 2019
Interesting take on existentialism. Quick read.
February 17, 2020
I liked recognizing Philadelphia and LA in this book, and the strange vibrating / erased look it takes on when we are, say, on a plane underwater.
April 11, 2020
This is a * that I'm giving a second star simply because it was genuinely philosophical and didn't make me angry- but it annoyed me silly with its extended vagueness.
September 14, 2022
Upwards of 3/5 stars. Weird and not particularly moving but still a fun poetic thought exercise.
March 29, 2023
This is definitely not for everyone. I am one of those people.
April 4, 2024
My favorite illustrator and comics!! Beyond recommend Exits!
July 1, 2025
this was a cool concept
February 17, 2022
Giving four stars for the total originality of this premise. Finding something I've never seen, heard about, or thought of is such an awesome rarity and I felt my mind expand while pondering the core concept.
I can relate to feeling unseen, but I don't know that I've ever succeeded in being completely invisible like the characters in this book that contract this unique "condition".
I enjoyed following the storyline of our protagonist and seeing how they existed outside of the "normal" world.
A moment that sticks in my mind is when they break a mirror at their job (at the mirror store) and then quit.
I can relate to feeling unseen, but I don't know that I've ever succeeded in being completely invisible like the characters in this book that contract this unique "condition".
I enjoyed following the storyline of our protagonist and seeing how they existed outside of the "normal" world.
A moment that sticks in my mind is when they break a mirror at their job (at the mirror store) and then quit.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 3, 2017
A wan, eerie, occasionally spellbinding tale about an alienated young woman who becomes invisible–which causes her to become even further adrift. I'll be wanting to revisit this one sometime in the months ahead.
November 8, 2023
I thought this book would be terribly depressing. Not only was I incorrect, but I am left with a beautiful feeling after completion.
September 27, 2016
This is my first exposure to the work of Daryl Seitchik. This is a fascinating book, especially in its thematic (and iconic) handling of appearance, vision, and eyes.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews