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PTSD
Singelin's PTSD is an adult fiction graphic novel that grapples with the reality of being a war veteran about a traumatized war vet who must fend for herself against all odds.
After returning home from an unpopular war, Jun becomes an outsider in an indifferent world. Alone, desperate, and suffering from wounds both mental and physical, she seeks relief in the illicit drugs she manages to purchase or steal. Jun’s tough exterior served her well in combat, but she’ll need to nurture her vulnerability and humanity to survive at home. With the support of her fellow vets, the kindness of a stranger who refuses to turn away, and the companionship of a dog named Red, Jun learns to navigate the psychological trauma that she experienced in the war.
After returning home from an unpopular war, Jun becomes an outsider in an indifferent world. Alone, desperate, and suffering from wounds both mental and physical, she seeks relief in the illicit drugs she manages to purchase or steal. Jun’s tough exterior served her well in combat, but she’ll need to nurture her vulnerability and humanity to survive at home. With the support of her fellow vets, the kindness of a stranger who refuses to turn away, and the companionship of a dog named Red, Jun learns to navigate the psychological trauma that she experienced in the war.
208 pages, Hardcover
First published March 1, 2019
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 285 reviews
October 19, 2019
The story of Jun, a female soldier returning home from some war in a world not unlike ours. This is my third PTSD book in a week. It's (admittedly, by the author), just a kind of preliminary study of the traumatic effects of war, and (maybe because the book is smallish and there are so many small panels packed in with lots of dark detail) I wasn't as affected by it or as engaged with Jun as I should have been. The illustration style is strong, but needs more space, I think. Singelin is a good artist and I want to see more of his work.
January 12, 2021
First I think it’s really important to note that Guillaume Singelin is not portraying any war that we know of and is not depicting real cities that we know. In his author’s note he states that, while he was initially working on this during his time in Tokyo and was very inspired by the city, the world the characters live in is totally fictional as is the war they were returning from. Coming from a multicultural background it was also important for him that setting be multicultural too. So while it’s easy for those of us familiar with, and those of us living with PTSD (particularly those of us who received it from war), it’s not the same wars and not the same places. I wanted to make that note upfront because I know this material can be very triggering and the last thing anyone should do is make it a story about the war a loved one came from and rush to put this in their hands or faces without carefully thinking that out.
For my part, everyone in my immediate family (now just me, my grandpa, and my mom) experience and sometime struggle with PTSD. My mom and grandpa’s developed on battlefields in Iraq and Vietnam. So for me it was extremely important that this topic be handled with care, and Singelin clearly researched this thoroughly. It’s not just one of those simple-minded action, summer blockbuster types. And there are so many important perspectives here, and it really means a lot to see that well done. I was reading this every second of the day that I could. As far as the art, it’s so beautiful. The colors, tonality and the background work (which often reminded me of Cowboy Bebop) as well as the art style were perfect for the story being told and the way it was being presented. I felt like I could feel the texture of the place, that I truly smelled all the scents, heard all sounds and noise, and felt the hot humid air on my skin and in my lungs. I was fully immersed in this. Every page is perfectly laid out and expertly guides the reader through the action and flow of the story. I borrowed this from my local library, but will definitely be buying it for my personal, home library as soon as I can. It will be one of my favorite recommendations to give going forward.
For my part, everyone in my immediate family (now just me, my grandpa, and my mom) experience and sometime struggle with PTSD. My mom and grandpa’s developed on battlefields in Iraq and Vietnam. So for me it was extremely important that this topic be handled with care, and Singelin clearly researched this thoroughly. It’s not just one of those simple-minded action, summer blockbuster types. And there are so many important perspectives here, and it really means a lot to see that well done. I was reading this every second of the day that I could. As far as the art, it’s so beautiful. The colors, tonality and the background work (which often reminded me of Cowboy Bebop) as well as the art style were perfect for the story being told and the way it was being presented. I felt like I could feel the texture of the place, that I truly smelled all the scents, heard all sounds and noise, and felt the hot humid air on my skin and in my lungs. I was fully immersed in this. Every page is perfectly laid out and expertly guides the reader through the action and flow of the story. I borrowed this from my local library, but will definitely be buying it for my personal, home library as soon as I can. It will be one of my favorite recommendations to give going forward.
June 10, 2020
I wasn't the biggest fan of this at the start - the art is dark and sketchy in a way that's more confusingly gritty than atmospheric - but the more I read on, the more I enjoyed this. The ending is pretty uplifting; I enjoyed the themes of community - how to break it, how to build it, the role it plays in our lives - and even with my problems with the art initially, I do really enjoy this style! Beautiful color palettes, dynamic lineart, and plenty of panels that made me think of really good cinematography.
My biggest complaint is that overall, I feel like Singelin has a veryyyyy basic grasp of PTSD, its effects, what it can do to someone - Jun's struggle feels almost like he read a WebMD article on PTSD and treated it like a character sheet.
Still... I liked it!
My biggest complaint is that overall, I feel like Singelin has a veryyyyy basic grasp of PTSD, its effects, what it can do to someone - Jun's struggle feels almost like he read a WebMD article on PTSD and treated it like a character sheet.
Still... I liked it!
May 5, 2019
Set in alternate reality with similarities to our own, war veterans wander the streets neglected by the government and the city, homeless and looking for their next fix. One woman, Jun, a former sniper, becomes an odd mash-up of the Punisher, Robin Hood and Florence Nightingale as she stumbles into declaring a war on the drug dealers taking advantage of the situation. In his afterword, the creator cites only movies like First Blood and Hurt Locker for his research on PTSD, which may be why none of this felt particularly realistic to me. There were some interesting elements, especially in the flashbacks to war, but I never connected with Jun in the present day or bought into her evolution as a character.
February 19, 2019
I wasn’t much a fan of the artwork; it was too sketchy and busy, without adding any definition. I’m not sure if this was the final style or not, since this was an advanced copy I read, but I think even if it’s polished up, it’s just still not my thing.
The story was not exactly what I was expecting when I requested the book, but it was engaging and powerful nonetheless. Jun is living in a post-war world where veterans are treated as third-rate citizens, having to live on the streets and having to deal with their mental injuries without proper support systems. Some turn to violence, others to drugs, some to both, all making it more difficult for passers by to sympathize for them, despite doing their best with the nothing they’re given.
Jun’s story is one of healing, but it’s not without the dark, dark corners and dead ends that come with the process of healing. She eventually does come out of the maze, and the story ends on a relatively positive note, but it didn’t seem to address the underlying issues with the system as a whole not treating veterans as humans and understanding their need for support (at least I didn’t feel it did).
Despite the fact that I didn’t like the art style, it was an engaging story to read for a few hours, and it raised quite a few important issues. I can see it being an interesting addition to a literature or psychology class that focuses on PTSD and/or war trauma.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with a free copy to review!
(Cross posted on my blog.)
The story was not exactly what I was expecting when I requested the book, but it was engaging and powerful nonetheless. Jun is living in a post-war world where veterans are treated as third-rate citizens, having to live on the streets and having to deal with their mental injuries without proper support systems. Some turn to violence, others to drugs, some to both, all making it more difficult for passers by to sympathize for them, despite doing their best with the nothing they’re given.
Jun’s story is one of healing, but it’s not without the dark, dark corners and dead ends that come with the process of healing. She eventually does come out of the maze, and the story ends on a relatively positive note, but it didn’t seem to address the underlying issues with the system as a whole not treating veterans as humans and understanding their need for support (at least I didn’t feel it did).
Despite the fact that I didn’t like the art style, it was an engaging story to read for a few hours, and it raised quite a few important issues. I can see it being an interesting addition to a literature or psychology class that focuses on PTSD and/or war trauma.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with a free copy to review!
(Cross posted on my blog.)
August 25, 2024
4.5/5
such a lovely and engaging art style combined with a fascinating storyline. nice! im so here for the random graphic novel finds from the library 🧡
such a lovely and engaging art style combined with a fascinating storyline. nice! im so here for the random graphic novel finds from the library 🧡
July 18, 2019
I received this ARC in exchange for an honest review
PTSD combines a chibi-like art style with a little bit of grit and backdrops it against a Japanese-inspired environment, where modernity, traditional ramen shops, sacred landscapes, and rich history come together to form a dynamic world. It combines some of my favorite elements from different mangas and reminds me of a fusion between Ghost in the Shell and Seconds. This graphic novel is about Jun, a pill-poppin' vet, who returned from a nameless war. She sleeps under a bridge isolated from other veterans and the world, but that changes when she meets Leona and her son, Bao, who run the nearby ramen shop.
Despite Leona's desire to be her friend, Jun refuses to interact with the woman and further isolates herself. It is clear from flashbacks that Jun was an excellent marksman in the army, and many of her fellow troops relied on her skills. However, she eventually lost her eye and now lives on the streets, where conflicted by feelings of general resentment, she shuts out everyone and everything. This eventually changes when Grey, another vet, gives Jun an adorable Shibu-Inu named Red, who refuses to give up on her. Jun attempts to sort out her life through violence and eventually, finds peace in healing.
I was absolutely enthralled with PTSD. It has a simple structure, but an overall timeless feel. Singelin accomplishes this by making some very smart choices that really allow the reader to dig into Jun's character and follow her story without any distractions. Firstly, I think the inclusion of what I refer to as a nameless war with invisible enemies is an overall brilliant choice. Not only does this make the story feel like it could have happened in the past or even now, but it also does not weigh down the narrative with text bubbles explaining the circumstances of the war, the origin of the conflict, or villainizing the enemies. Instead, it centers on Jun and how she is coming to terms with what happened during this event. In addition, this choice allows the focal point to be healing instead of gory warfare. We have enough movies, books, and even graphic novels depicting the chaotic and gruesome realities of war.
Finally, at the heart of this story, we have Red, a beautifully rendered Shiba-Inu, who illustrates the best quality of dogs, and that is unwavering loyalty. Red sticks by Jun's side even as she forces everyone else out through verbal abuse and her questionable actions. However, her beloved companion refuses to leave her even when she screams profanities at him and tells him to leave her. In this way, Red shows Jun that she is worthwhile, keeps her on a path to recovery, and generally is all around adorable. Overall, Singelin crafts a dynamic and morally ambiguous female character, a rich and complex environment, as well as, side characters, who show the impossibility of saving someone when they don't want to be saved. PTSD is a remarkable story that captures a unique perspective on the effects of war, and how individuals deal with coming back to an unrecognizable life.
PTSD combines a chibi-like art style with a little bit of grit and backdrops it against a Japanese-inspired environment, where modernity, traditional ramen shops, sacred landscapes, and rich history come together to form a dynamic world. It combines some of my favorite elements from different mangas and reminds me of a fusion between Ghost in the Shell and Seconds. This graphic novel is about Jun, a pill-poppin' vet, who returned from a nameless war. She sleeps under a bridge isolated from other veterans and the world, but that changes when she meets Leona and her son, Bao, who run the nearby ramen shop.
Despite Leona's desire to be her friend, Jun refuses to interact with the woman and further isolates herself. It is clear from flashbacks that Jun was an excellent marksman in the army, and many of her fellow troops relied on her skills. However, she eventually lost her eye and now lives on the streets, where conflicted by feelings of general resentment, she shuts out everyone and everything. This eventually changes when Grey, another vet, gives Jun an adorable Shibu-Inu named Red, who refuses to give up on her. Jun attempts to sort out her life through violence and eventually, finds peace in healing.
I was absolutely enthralled with PTSD. It has a simple structure, but an overall timeless feel. Singelin accomplishes this by making some very smart choices that really allow the reader to dig into Jun's character and follow her story without any distractions. Firstly, I think the inclusion of what I refer to as a nameless war with invisible enemies is an overall brilliant choice. Not only does this make the story feel like it could have happened in the past or even now, but it also does not weigh down the narrative with text bubbles explaining the circumstances of the war, the origin of the conflict, or villainizing the enemies. Instead, it centers on Jun and how she is coming to terms with what happened during this event. In addition, this choice allows the focal point to be healing instead of gory warfare. We have enough movies, books, and even graphic novels depicting the chaotic and gruesome realities of war.
Finally, at the heart of this story, we have Red, a beautifully rendered Shiba-Inu, who illustrates the best quality of dogs, and that is unwavering loyalty. Red sticks by Jun's side even as she forces everyone else out through verbal abuse and her questionable actions. However, her beloved companion refuses to leave her even when she screams profanities at him and tells him to leave her. In this way, Red shows Jun that she is worthwhile, keeps her on a path to recovery, and generally is all around adorable. Overall, Singelin crafts a dynamic and morally ambiguous female character, a rich and complex environment, as well as, side characters, who show the impossibility of saving someone when they don't want to be saved. PTSD is a remarkable story that captures a unique perspective on the effects of war, and how individuals deal with coming back to an unrecognizable life.
January 12, 2021
I really enjoyed the art style and colour palette in this comic - it helped to point out the gritty reality of the vets in this world, who have been fighting in a war and are now abandoned and left alone to fend for themselves. The city this takes places, is made up, as is the war, the aftereffect and consequences of being a soldier however are not.
Overall I didn‘t feel any emotional connection to anyone here, despite the heavy topic. And while I do love a strong, but vulnerable female lead character, her one woman war felt off and unbelievable, her flashbacks almost clinical in their distance, so her „redemption“ ark fell flat for me.
The topic PTSD was dealt with rather generic and although we see the grim and sometimes gruesome aftereffects, it always stayed rather shallow.
But I very much enjoyed the aspects of animal therapy in here.
Overall I didn‘t feel any emotional connection to anyone here, despite the heavy topic. And while I do love a strong, but vulnerable female lead character, her one woman war felt off and unbelievable, her flashbacks almost clinical in their distance, so her „redemption“ ark fell flat for me.
The topic PTSD was dealt with rather generic and although we see the grim and sometimes gruesome aftereffects, it always stayed rather shallow.
But I very much enjoyed the aspects of animal therapy in here.
August 20, 2020
I love Guillaume Singelin's art style, it is a cross between a particular French style and manga stylization. And the coloring is nice, has a watercolor feel to it. The cityscapes and street scenes in the comic are fantastic, wonderfully detailed with grimy, gritty atmospherics. Fits the story perfectly.
The story itself is about a war vet with PTSD. There are both some touching scenes and some excellent action scenes (cinematic). Overall themes focus on community and the importance of helping others. It's a bit heavy-handed, sometimes laying it on super thick, but a nice message nevertheless.
The book measures 6x9. Could have benefited from a slightly larger size, like 8x11, would have showcased the art better and read a bit more easily (lots of panel sequences are wordless and little visual details you are meant to pick up on regarding the storytelling).
The story itself is about a war vet with PTSD. There are both some touching scenes and some excellent action scenes (cinematic). Overall themes focus on community and the importance of helping others. It's a bit heavy-handed, sometimes laying it on super thick, but a nice message nevertheless.
The book measures 6x9. Could have benefited from a slightly larger size, like 8x11, would have showcased the art better and read a bit more easily (lots of panel sequences are wordless and little visual details you are meant to pick up on regarding the storytelling).
September 30, 2020
PTSD, by Guillaume Singelin, is a well styled graphic novel that takes place in a sem-fantastical city in a modern era. A war has recently been fought, and now the city is filled with out of luck veterans who are homeless and use drugs as a means to cope with their mental health issues. The protagonist, a woman who lost her eye in battle while her squad was massacred, suffers from PTSD, and tries to shy away from the world. However, the world does not shy away from her. She meets another young woman, a mother who owns a noodle shop, who helps her out of some tough spots. She also meets a grizzled and homeless veteran, who gives her a dog as a companion. The protagonist eventually takes to the streets as a medic and to take down the drug gangs that run the streets and harass her fellow veterans.
A well animated book that is dripping with atmosphere, this was a fun read. The story felt rather weak in some respects, although I did on the whole enjoy this one. Female protagonist and an interesting world to boot. Worth a read for those looking for an interesting graphic novel, and those interested in PTSD as a topic.
A well animated book that is dripping with atmosphere, this was a fun read. The story felt rather weak in some respects, although I did on the whole enjoy this one. Female protagonist and an interesting world to boot. Worth a read for those looking for an interesting graphic novel, and those interested in PTSD as a topic.
November 18, 2019
PTSD had me captivated with the artwork from the very beginning because it reminded me of the Scott Pilgrim series, which I really enjoyed. However, I quickly found out that the nice artwork was pretty much the only appeal of this book and it certainly isn't enough to carry the whole thing. The story is boring and incredibly generic. The subject matter, PTSD, is covered in a very clinical way with very little feeling. I wouldn't recommend it to anyone, because there are so many more stories out there about dealing with PTSD and trauma that have more depth , emotion, and empathy. This felt like an after school PSA, where all of the characters were disposabe and flat.
May 17, 2021
Disegni meravigliosi
Due personaggi femminili speculari e interessanti per quanto accennati.
Due personaggi femminili speculari e interessanti per quanto accennati.
July 1, 2023
W świecie niedalekiej przyszłości weteranka niepopularnej wojny walczy o przetrwanie na ulicach anonimowej metropolii.
April 6, 2022
✨ "I gave them a part of my soul. And all they gave me was this nightmare. This loneliness."
It's not often you see speculative fiction + graphic novel + PTSD in the same sentence so this was definitely a unique read. I loved the detailed artwork and dystopian setting in a Tokyo-like universe. The story was slightly confusing and hard to follow at some parts, but I liked how the author used different colour palettes to tell the dual timelines of past and present.
On the downside, I felt like there was a lot of gratuitous violence and bloodshed (not the wartime flashback, but the present-day timeline). I get that the book is trying to explore trauma and the long-lasting effects of war, but it just seemed like there was a lot of senseless killing on the protagonist's part. The opioid addiction storyline didn't feel fully explored either.
Great premise and amazing art, but the execution felt lacking and there was no emotional pull.
✨ "You have to live with your past. But don't let it become a prison."
It's not often you see speculative fiction + graphic novel + PTSD in the same sentence so this was definitely a unique read. I loved the detailed artwork and dystopian setting in a Tokyo-like universe. The story was slightly confusing and hard to follow at some parts, but I liked how the author used different colour palettes to tell the dual timelines of past and present.
On the downside, I felt like there was a lot of gratuitous violence and bloodshed (not the wartime flashback, but the present-day timeline). I get that the book is trying to explore trauma and the long-lasting effects of war, but it just seemed like there was a lot of senseless killing on the protagonist's part. The opioid addiction storyline didn't feel fully explored either.
Great premise and amazing art, but the execution felt lacking and there was no emotional pull.
✨ "You have to live with your past. But don't let it become a prison."
July 2, 2020
i was caught between giving this a 4 star or 5 stars but decided that its worth the 5 stars! it is something that i have never read before in a graphic novel. and yes, as the title says PTSD - the main character named jun has post-traumatic stress disorder. in the story, jun faced some struggles and then met leona whom showers her with love and kindness. also knowing that shes not alone with struggles much later, the ending was something unexpected. ((i shall not spoil too much hahaha)) its also nice to read the author's note where guillaume mentioned how he got inspired to write this book. maybe its just me but i absolutely fell in love with the art style - they were SO detailed!!!
September 19, 2019
PTSD is intense. And dark, both literally and figuratively. This graphic novel follows Jun, a war veteran suffering after her return from war (the war is unnamed. It's unclear if Jun's experience is meant to be a particular war in history, future, etc. However, I don't think it really matters). She's isolated, and homeless, making ends meet by selling drugs. Throughout the novel, you learn about her life in combat, and the parallels/explanations for some of her current state of being.
-Amanda
http://librarycatalog.pwcgov.org/pola...
9781626723184
-Amanda
http://librarycatalog.pwcgov.org/pola...
9781626723184
February 9, 2023
UGHHH THIS BOOKS ART. THE ARTTTTTTTT IS SOOOOOO BEAUTIFUL. The amount of DETAIL is incredible, each panel is an entire illustration on its own, I cannot IMAGINE how LONG this must of took. I loved it all, the character designs, earthy toned watercolour art, poses, fight scenes, the architecture.. even just the guns they looked so freakin cool. This was the dystopian scifi graphic novel of my dreams and I ates it up. I am so glad I have a copy because I could do some real studying from the art itself.
For the plot, it was really solid and I can’t really see much wrong with it to be honest. Just a great book overall however I could totally see this not being some people’s kind of book because of the amount of gore, fighting, shooting, drugs, explosions etc etc.
For the plot, it was really solid and I can’t really see much wrong with it to be honest. Just a great book overall however I could totally see this not being some people’s kind of book because of the amount of gore, fighting, shooting, drugs, explosions etc etc.
January 11, 2023
2.5⭐️
Bardzo nie podobała mi się kreska w tym komiksie - dawała wrażenie niechlujności i często nie mogłam dojrzeć co się dzieje w danej scenie. Syndrom stresu pourazowego przedstawiony bardzo rzetelnie - widać że autor zrobił research. Jun jako główna bohaterka jest bardzo wyrazista i silna, samotna, ale ciągnie ją do innych ludzi. Ale tutaj jest też problem, bo przez to, że ona wybijała się aż tak na pierwszym planie, cała reszta postaci wypada blado i nijako. Nie czułam żadnej więzi emocjonalnej, wszystko jest tutaj po prostu okej, ale nic więcej.
Bardzo nie podobała mi się kreska w tym komiksie - dawała wrażenie niechlujności i często nie mogłam dojrzeć co się dzieje w danej scenie. Syndrom stresu pourazowego przedstawiony bardzo rzetelnie - widać że autor zrobił research. Jun jako główna bohaterka jest bardzo wyrazista i silna, samotna, ale ciągnie ją do innych ludzi. Ale tutaj jest też problem, bo przez to, że ona wybijała się aż tak na pierwszym planie, cała reszta postaci wypada blado i nijako. Nie czułam żadnej więzi emocjonalnej, wszystko jest tutaj po prostu okej, ale nic więcej.
July 8, 2024
(3.2) There’s compelling storytelling and artwork to guide the reader through what the author perceives as a war veteran returning home. I think the author’s research could have expanded by interviewing war veterans, not just relying on war related media.
August 14, 2023
Spoko ładne slej slej
May 6, 2024
The art in this book just sucked me in, the detail the colors and how they contributed to the story was everything I want from a graphic novel. The story and research that went into portraying PTSD and the treatment of veterans I think was very well done as well.
June 12, 2024
A graphic novel about, well, post war PTSD. With a round, muted, and simplistic style, the gore and action feel shocking. This contrast really worked to make the story intense— overall I really liked the message and illustration, but the dialogue was too straightforward for me.
March 7, 2025
Les dessins de Singelin sont superbes, beaucoup d'amour dans les décors et les détails nous transportent dans ce monde cyber-solar-punk. Par contre j'ai vu une certaine faiblesse dans les dialogues redondants et l'histoire plutôt ténue. On peine à sentir une connection avec les personnages qui semblent tous être une caricature unidimensionelle. Une belle oeuvre quand même!
October 25, 2019
A unique graphic novel with manga-style art mixed with rough lines that perfectly fit the gritty story of returning soldiers who are shunned by society and forced into homelessness. The main character, Jun, is a war vet who copes with demons of the past the only way she knows how. Through it all, however, she is at heart simply someone who wants to save people. Can she save herself as well? Exploring mental illness, substance abuse, homelessness, and alienation all with a side of violence, PTSD holds no punches (literally) as we journey with Jun to the bitter end. Recommended.
February 26, 2019
My background in neuroscience drew me to PTSD. I expected something insightful and well-intentioned and I feel that I got that! This book is moving, and provides some practical steps toward healing from any difficult event. No matter what a reader is going through, I think this story could help them feel seen.
The story follows Jun, an ex-sniper from a fictional war. She lives in a fictional country that blends together some cultural elements from southeast asia and Laos. I think it’s important to go into this book with that knowledge in mind. The author is never trying to compare Jun’s struggle to any real life veteran’s hardship. I loved that Singelin included companion animals in the story. That addition really made Jun come alive for me as a character.
It may have been due to the format I was reading (digital), but the art was a bit choppy for me. Some panels felt overcrowded, or unclear, though that did mesh well with the storytelling. So much of Jun’s world is overpopulated, and crammed full of things and people she doesn’t feel equipped to deal with. I would like to pick up a physical copy of the book to see how it compares.
Jun left the war, but the war never left her. PTSD tracks her journey post-war, and the myriad ways she tries to relate to the world after leaving the battlefield. It’s not a happy book, but that’s one of the many things about this work that calls to mind poignant pieces of animation like Grave of the Fireflies, or Princess Mononoke. All of these works have a fairly straightforward message but they explore it with great purpose. In PTSD the focus is on building a community of people who share the same struggle.
The story follows Jun, an ex-sniper from a fictional war. She lives in a fictional country that blends together some cultural elements from southeast asia and Laos. I think it’s important to go into this book with that knowledge in mind. The author is never trying to compare Jun’s struggle to any real life veteran’s hardship. I loved that Singelin included companion animals in the story. That addition really made Jun come alive for me as a character.
It may have been due to the format I was reading (digital), but the art was a bit choppy for me. Some panels felt overcrowded, or unclear, though that did mesh well with the storytelling. So much of Jun’s world is overpopulated, and crammed full of things and people she doesn’t feel equipped to deal with. I would like to pick up a physical copy of the book to see how it compares.
Jun left the war, but the war never left her. PTSD tracks her journey post-war, and the myriad ways she tries to relate to the world after leaving the battlefield. It’s not a happy book, but that’s one of the many things about this work that calls to mind poignant pieces of animation like Grave of the Fireflies, or Princess Mononoke. All of these works have a fairly straightforward message but they explore it with great purpose. In PTSD the focus is on building a community of people who share the same struggle.
February 27, 2023
Jun es una veterana de guerra que, tras dejar el frente después de sufrir graves heridas, es abandonada a su suerte sin ningún tipo de ayuda. Pero una nueva guerra tiene lugar en lo que se supone que es ahora su hogar. La guerra de las calles, la de las bandas de narcotraficantes, y la que libran cada día los veteranos de guerra.
El miedo. Los recuerdos de muerte y desesperación. La imposibilidad de conciliar el sueño. El hambre. El dolor. La soledad. La adicción.
Los calmantes y las drogas son lo único que consiguen que las manos de Jun dejen de temblar, que el mundo se anestesie, que la guerra se detenga, que todo deje de tener sentido. Y es que, en un mundo como ese, en el que solo eres un despojo de la sociedad, el hecho de no sentir nada es un regalo.
Un cómic duro como toda obra que trata el horror de la guerra. Pero a pesar de la violencia y las muertes, es también un canto a la vida, a la amistad y a la búsqueda de la paz interior, de aceptar que no siempre puedes conseguir salir adelante por ti mismo por muy duro que creas ser. Que a veces tienes que dejar que alguien te dé la mano y te muestre el camino. A fin de cuentas, la soledad solo es una droga más que te va consumiendo hasta que no hay remisión.
Una obra super recomendada, que además cuenta con un dibujo recargado a acuarelas que tira más al manga pero sin llegar a serlo. Un despliegue de color y belleza que no le resta crueldad al tebeo, pero sí consigue transmitir muy buen rollo, hacerlo visual y dotar de vida a las escenas de acción.
El miedo. Los recuerdos de muerte y desesperación. La imposibilidad de conciliar el sueño. El hambre. El dolor. La soledad. La adicción.
Los calmantes y las drogas son lo único que consiguen que las manos de Jun dejen de temblar, que el mundo se anestesie, que la guerra se detenga, que todo deje de tener sentido. Y es que, en un mundo como ese, en el que solo eres un despojo de la sociedad, el hecho de no sentir nada es un regalo.
Un cómic duro como toda obra que trata el horror de la guerra. Pero a pesar de la violencia y las muertes, es también un canto a la vida, a la amistad y a la búsqueda de la paz interior, de aceptar que no siempre puedes conseguir salir adelante por ti mismo por muy duro que creas ser. Que a veces tienes que dejar que alguien te dé la mano y te muestre el camino. A fin de cuentas, la soledad solo es una droga más que te va consumiendo hasta que no hay remisión.
Una obra super recomendada, que además cuenta con un dibujo recargado a acuarelas que tira más al manga pero sin llegar a serlo. Un despliegue de color y belleza que no le resta crueldad al tebeo, pero sí consigue transmitir muy buen rollo, hacerlo visual y dotar de vida a las escenas de acción.
May 12, 2019
While I will say that the author/illustrator Singelin took a more arm-chair approach to the nature of post-conflict veterans and PTSD, an opinion they more or less admit to themselves, this doesn't dilute the appeal of the piece for me. PTSD's main character Jun is a frustrating character to like at first, in that she's a proto-typical "lone angry vet" for the majority of the book. However I can appreciate that Singelin balances this by illustrating that Jun's "John Wick" style tirades of violence have consequences on the world around her. She thinks she's doing the world a favor by drawing fire, until she realizes that the collateral she's bringing down is doing more harm than good.
I appreciated her ultimate arc and trying to find her own simple peace, and I also enjoyed the narrative flow between her post and in-war life.
The art, I should mention, is an uber-stylized treat to behold on nearly every panel. A sort of modern day Akira by way of Metal Slug. Singelin has a knack for establishing wide intricately detailed shots while keeping the action tight and kinetic. I definitely recommend this more for its art than for its narrative.
I appreciated her ultimate arc and trying to find her own simple peace, and I also enjoyed the narrative flow between her post and in-war life.
The art, I should mention, is an uber-stylized treat to behold on nearly every panel. A sort of modern day Akira by way of Metal Slug. Singelin has a knack for establishing wide intricately detailed shots while keeping the action tight and kinetic. I definitely recommend this more for its art than for its narrative.
February 13, 2019
From the colors to the types of lines in the art, there are so many details that play with the story that I couldn’t help get excited over. One key element that makes Jun’s character interesting is that during her panic attacks or moments of stress, her eye goes from being a perfectly shaped oval, to an oval that appeared to almost have been drawn by something with shaking hands, giving this look of disarray and terror on her face. They are amazing little details, but to the plot they are extremely important in portraying the struggles and emotional strain Jun and these other veterans are going through. I completely recommend this graphic novel and think it is a unique and important read to incorporate in the much needed discussion about the subject.
October 5, 2021
(Note: I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley)
Guillaume Singelin uses a gorgeously vivid art style that only needs a few pages to speedily immerse you deep into the book's world and its tale about finding one's way while bearing the scars of war. Once you're submerged, you'll share with the characters' pain, frustration, and their dogged determination so intensely that by the time it's all over (at least if you're anything like me), you won't help but feel a little disappointed that you won't be able to further journey along with everyone for at least a little while longer longer.
Guillaume Singelin uses a gorgeously vivid art style that only needs a few pages to speedily immerse you deep into the book's world and its tale about finding one's way while bearing the scars of war. Once you're submerged, you'll share with the characters' pain, frustration, and their dogged determination so intensely that by the time it's all over (at least if you're anything like me), you won't help but feel a little disappointed that you won't be able to further journey along with everyone for at least a little while longer longer.
May 30, 2021
I find this work astoundingly rare in its literary richness compared with the comic world dominated by superheroes and school romance.
what most struck me within this graphic novel is the character development aspect of the story.
I would recommend it even to people who are usually not interested in comics. It combines amazing artwork and deep life conversations with an easy-to-follow structure.
what most struck me within this graphic novel is the character development aspect of the story.
I would recommend it even to people who are usually not interested in comics. It combines amazing artwork and deep life conversations with an easy-to-follow structure.
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