Review: Fatal Distraction by Sonja Ahlers
At first read, Canadian artist Sonja Ahlers’ graphic novel Fatal Distraction (Insomniac Press) doesn’t seem to be much of one, especially if you’re used to graphic novels that resemble big fat comic books. In Fatal Distraction (a loose play on the Fatal Attraction story), some pages feature only a small drawing or doodle and a few scribbled words. Others have scraps of text lifted from other places: books, newspapers, movies. Fatal Distraction resembles more of a handmade artist or altered book, as opposed to a “traditional” graphic novel, incorporating collages, original drawings, random words and lots of other scraps assembled and re-assembled. It’s almost like a fictional Found magazine.

Work through Fatal Distraction, and you will discover the story. It’s part self-examination (I know I survived the hard times by being obsessed or I strike when the iron is unplugged); part of a catalog of a relationship falling apart (Not only am I a fool 4 love I’m a fucken idiot and The stupidest thing I ever did was you and I had to sit on my hands not to call you); and part reflections on being in a rock and roll band and the surrounding rock criticism (I don’t want to be in the opening bad singing about the artist working in the art supply store). Finally, Ahlers’ “fierce bunny” returns, embodied in the protagonist.

For many people, Fatal Distraction will not be an easy read until you become comfortable with Ahlers’ style and flow. It doesn’t read like a comic, it doesn’t read like a novel. It’s poetry, not prose. Overall, a challenging project and interesting literal interpretation of the graphic novel form.

Fatal Distraction by Sonja Ahlers, Insomniac Press
- posted by Synd-e @ 7:36 PM