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The War for Kaleb
The War for Kaleb is a story of one man's struggle through a crippling anxiety disorder.
Kaleb has been battling an anxiety disorder for quite some time. After meeting a woman who he falls in love with, he begins to question the validity of his relationship due to the fact that he is medicated. Watching over Kaleb is a silent hero, who keeps his well being in check. After a drastic decision is made, Kaleb finds himself confronted by a dark character waiting for the chance to consume him.
Kaleb has been battling an anxiety disorder for quite some time. After meeting a woman who he falls in love with, he begins to question the validity of his relationship due to the fact that he is medicated. Watching over Kaleb is a silent hero, who keeps his well being in check. After a drastic decision is made, Kaleb finds himself confronted by a dark character waiting for the chance to consume him.
104 pages, Paperback
Published August 1, 2018
1 person is currently reading
7 people want to read
About the author
Jason Pittman
6 books10 followersJason Pittman is a self-published writer/artist for comic books, such as The War for Kaleb, and Leftovers. His stories are about the issues that arise when people hang onto events in their lives, and refuse to let go. Leftovers examines these issues through multi-genre short stories.
His most recent book, The War for Kaleb is a critically-acclaimed story about an anxiety disorder told through the metaphor of clashing superheroes.
Other work includes independent books, Simon Says written by Matt Smith, and the Disposable Parts anthology. Jason attended both The Joe Kubert School of Cartooning, Dover NJ, and The School of Visual Arts, NYC. He studied under cartoonists such as Jessica Abel (Trish Trash: Roller Girl of Mars, La Perdida), and Adam Kubert (X-Men, Wolverine).Jason lives in Portland, OR with his artist wife, Desiree' Pittman.
His most recent book, The War for Kaleb is a critically-acclaimed story about an anxiety disorder told through the metaphor of clashing superheroes.
Other work includes independent books, Simon Says written by Matt Smith, and the Disposable Parts anthology. Jason attended both The Joe Kubert School of Cartooning, Dover NJ, and The School of Visual Arts, NYC. He studied under cartoonists such as Jessica Abel (Trish Trash: Roller Girl of Mars, La Perdida), and Adam Kubert (X-Men, Wolverine).Jason lives in Portland, OR with his artist wife, Desiree' Pittman.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
October 1, 2018
First, a thank you to the author, Jason Pittman for providing a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Review
The War for Kaleb is a brilliant, heartfelt snapshot into the mind and life of someone who suffers with an anxiety disorder. This book explores the effects of medication on behaviour and perception when Kaleb, our protagonist, begins to question the validity of his relationship because of it.
The narrative told entirely from Kaleb’s perspective is often internal and introspective. It follows Kaleb’s train of thought, inner turmoil and moments of peace in an authentic way and is easy to completely immerse yourself in.
The artwork is different to any I’ve read before and I loved it, and it fit the story perfectly. As mentioned previously, the artwork is superb throughout but I have to give special mention to the fight scenes between Kaleb’s mental manifestations because they were as awesome visuals as they were powerful narrative tools for the inner turmoil of Kaleb’s thoughts.
My favourite thing about the illustration were the layers of metaphor interwoven into it, as well as the story itself. From such a basic yet effective method of colouring the world black and white at time Kaleb clearly feels separate and disassociated from it to the distinctive yet subtle differences introduced to the appearance of Kaleb’s two imaginary superheroes, that are both clearly him, yet not him at the same time.
I’d highly recommend this to any reader, but particularly those battling an anxiety disorder or mental illness themselves or know someone who is and wish to better understand it's impact on their day-to-day life.
Writing Quality – 8/10
Image/Illustration Quality – 9/10
Character Development – 8/10
Overall – 8/10
Find my full review on my blog, Bloodthirsty Little Beasts.
Review
The War for Kaleb is a brilliant, heartfelt snapshot into the mind and life of someone who suffers with an anxiety disorder. This book explores the effects of medication on behaviour and perception when Kaleb, our protagonist, begins to question the validity of his relationship because of it.
The narrative told entirely from Kaleb’s perspective is often internal and introspective. It follows Kaleb’s train of thought, inner turmoil and moments of peace in an authentic way and is easy to completely immerse yourself in.
The artwork is different to any I’ve read before and I loved it, and it fit the story perfectly. As mentioned previously, the artwork is superb throughout but I have to give special mention to the fight scenes between Kaleb’s mental manifestations because they were as awesome visuals as they were powerful narrative tools for the inner turmoil of Kaleb’s thoughts.
My favourite thing about the illustration were the layers of metaphor interwoven into it, as well as the story itself. From such a basic yet effective method of colouring the world black and white at time Kaleb clearly feels separate and disassociated from it to the distinctive yet subtle differences introduced to the appearance of Kaleb’s two imaginary superheroes, that are both clearly him, yet not him at the same time.
I’d highly recommend this to any reader, but particularly those battling an anxiety disorder or mental illness themselves or know someone who is and wish to better understand it's impact on their day-to-day life.
Writing Quality – 8/10
Image/Illustration Quality – 9/10
Character Development – 8/10
Overall – 8/10
Find my full review on my blog, Bloodthirsty Little Beasts.
October 1, 2018
I’m not much of a graphic novel reader, so maybe take my opinion with a grain of salt. However, that being said, I could not put this book down. The more that was revealed about the characters, the more I wanted to know what happened.
Anxiety is a relatable story: we’ve all been there or felt anxious at some time. But severe anxiety is something fewer people deal with and needs to be better understood. There’s both hard love and soft love from the characters who surround Kaleb, encouraging him and offering up some of the realities he needs to hear, all while coming from a good place. The dialog is real while still conveying the message the author wishes to get across.
Comics/graphic novels have a strong visual component obviously and I was really impressed with the use of color to tell this story. Pittman made the clever choice to leave the real world monochromatic, while making his internal struggle in vivid color. Humans are so much their brains that it often feels like the outside world is melting past us while the one inside—with our emotions, conflicts and thoughts—is the space we’re really living in. That said, the monochromatic world does not lack for detail. Pittman has inked and detailed every space without it feeling overwhelming or distracting.
The end of the book does not disappoint and, to me, read as a beautiful and touching appreciation of the loved ones who continue to love and comfort their friends, family and partners who struggle with the tumult of anxiety. It is well worth the read and I can not recommend it enough.
Anxiety is a relatable story: we’ve all been there or felt anxious at some time. But severe anxiety is something fewer people deal with and needs to be better understood. There’s both hard love and soft love from the characters who surround Kaleb, encouraging him and offering up some of the realities he needs to hear, all while coming from a good place. The dialog is real while still conveying the message the author wishes to get across.
Comics/graphic novels have a strong visual component obviously and I was really impressed with the use of color to tell this story. Pittman made the clever choice to leave the real world monochromatic, while making his internal struggle in vivid color. Humans are so much their brains that it often feels like the outside world is melting past us while the one inside—with our emotions, conflicts and thoughts—is the space we’re really living in. That said, the monochromatic world does not lack for detail. Pittman has inked and detailed every space without it feeling overwhelming or distracting.
The end of the book does not disappoint and, to me, read as a beautiful and touching appreciation of the loved ones who continue to love and comfort their friends, family and partners who struggle with the tumult of anxiety. It is well worth the read and I can not recommend it enough.
November 16, 2019
A very visual representation of the inner voices that plague anyone with anxiety/depression. Great work by Pittman on visualizing it in a comic, too.
December 13, 2019
What a wonderful book. So glad to have had the chance to read it.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews