Sad, But Beautiful: Reviewing Ellice Weaver’s ‘Big Ugly’
by Anton Kromoff
Summary
Big Ugly reads like a collection of minimalist paintings that tell a story of anxiety, depression, and family drama that you can’t let go of because it feeds you as much as it breaks you down.
Overall
8/10Welcome to the table,
I don’t have a sibling. I have a friend I would take a bullet for that I have known more of my life than I have not known them. There are points I see things in this book that make me glad that we went the paths we went because if ever there was a selling point for not living with family Big Ugly is the flashing billboard sign of that sentiment.
Renowned illustrator Ellice Weaver brings her crisp gallery-worthy artwork to a graphic novel format in this emptional and fairly sad story of family, friendship, and symbiotic relationships.
Big Ugly reads like a collection of minimalist paintings that tell a story of anxiety, depression, and family drama that you can’t let go of because it feeds you as much as it breaks you down.
The story follows Mel and Matt, a brother and sister who live together and go through some very mundane but honest exploration of their symbiotic relationship. The art is beautifully crafted and the story is very frank and a little depressing but it feels like it does an amazing job of capturing something honest and true.
This 128-page full-cover hardcover graphic novel is out from Avery Hill now and can be purchased at this link.
It’s not a fun read, but it feels honest and there is something to be said for an art experience that makes you feel things.
Until next time, if your husband hand letters your comic like Till Lukat did for his wife Ellice Weaver, you probably have a pretty cool home life.
