By Hunter T. Patrick
The Pervert is an original graphic novel full of sadness and gloom about a transsexual. The color choices are all dark and gloomy. The word choices too are not the most pleasant. It is full of LGBTQ’ slurs, with ‘fag’ popping up everywhere. The interesting thing about this read is the main character’s heartbreaking philosophy that their name does not matter, but instead love for others. As wonderful as that sounds they just do not matter to themselves and this is a theme throughout. Instead of a name, we see them get called ‘fag’ and various other slurs from various passersby’s. The devaluing of the protagonist helps keep this work uneasy and disheartening. For as many slurs we see the character get called, we also see her through various sexual activities as she lives as a prostitute.
This is not for kiddies as this has multiple panels full of nudity. The question is whether or not it works in the excessive amount, and it most certainly does. The devaluing of the protagonist gets all the more heartbreaking seeing the various times she is shown through various sexual encounters. This work also shows right at the start how edgy it will be and how people will not always be what they seem in their sexual wishes. Most all characters show what they want sexually and for those that do, they want the protagonist, even though she does not want herself. This piece is also full of violence. The protagonist is full of violence and so many mixed emotions. We see various violent outbreaks, adding more tragedy to her and the work. She is without a doubt a wonderful fully developed character and the best thing about this ogn. Everything about her is full of so much and her development is very strong.
The piece has just six panels per page, all being a good distance from one another, with two panels on top of two on top of two. I find it has a very newspaper comic vibe, even with the artwork. The contents will never be in any actual newspaper at any time soon and that is a tragedy as more transsexual awareness would be wonderful. As for the language chosen and the nudity that is the biggest thing setting it apart. The piece is divided into little vignettes with some connectedness. Each little chapter is a few pages long and is separated by full-page artwork which failed to wow myself. I left this feeling pain but having a sense that this is a story that feels too familiar though I cannot say why. It is a story needed, however. I cannot give it an average rating because people need to understand the pain and help build acceptance that this story will feel all too familiar to some individuals. The artwork felt small in scale which is good, it fit the story, just not the strongest. The writing was strong and the story itself felt too disconnected, but it is one that needs that. This is a story needed for our time.
Score 4/5
The Pervert
Image Comics