Preview: ‘But You Have Friends’ By Emilia McKenzie Deals With The Painful Loss Of An Irreplaceable Friend

Another powerful memoir coming from Top Shelf in August, the debut graphic novel from Emilia McKenzie about the loss of a friend.

Born to British/Finnish parents in 1984, Emilia Mckenzie’s been making and publishing comics since 2008, mainly making sci-fi comics under the alias Emix Regulus. But this, her first graphic memoir, published on 8 August by Top Shelf, is something far more personal, far more emotive and raw.

Because But You Have Friends is all about the death of a dear friend by suicide and Emilia’s response to that loss.

Throughout the book, Emilia tells of an intense and true friendship with Charlotte. The pair first met at school and their close friendship continued until Charlotte’s death in 2018 following a long struggle with depression.

It deals with their childhood, the difficult transition through teens and into adulthood, but more than anything it’s a love letter to a dear, much-missed friend and how the grief of such a loss is overwhelming.

Just seeing the few preview pages that are included below, it has a gloriously light feel, simple artwork that suits the narrative perfectly.

Here’s the Top Shelf PR for But You Have Friends…

“When a dear friend dies by suicide, Emilia is left with only memories. Full of humor and poignancy, this graphic memoir is a meditation on the meaning of friendship and a love letter to an irreplaceable friend.

Emilia first met Charlotte in their school locker room in the late ’90s. They quickly bonded over indie music, feminist literature, a love of purple, and a shared sense of outsiderness. Their joyful, intense friendship evolved through the years—until Charlotte died in 2018 following a long struggle with depression.

Now, Emilia assembles her memories into a graphic memoir reflecting on the bond they shared and the ways it shaped them. As they pass in and out of each other’s lives, teenage ideals collide with adult realities, prompting reflections about the meaning of friendship.

But You Have Friends is a tender tribute to an irreplaceable friend and a sharply observed, personal account of the aftermath of loss. It is also a humorous, candid memorial that will resonate with anyone who has ever loved.”

But You Have Friends by Emilia McKenzie
Published by Top Shelf on 8th August 2023

More on McKenzie – Instagram, Linktr, Twitter, Website.