Queer Love, Identity, And Breaking Free From Control – ‘In Between The Trees’ Kickstarter Is Live
by Brendan M. Allen
French comic artist Paul Winck is known for his bold exploration of unconventional themes. With a deep curiosity for human nature, he tackles topics he believes are overlooked or misunderstood, bringing them to life with striking visuals and emotional depth. His new book In Between the Trees is live now on Kickstarter.
In a previous anthology called Back Then, Winck delivered a poignant depiction of the 1980s, focusing on the struggles of London’s gay community during the HIV epidemic. Now, with In Between the Trees, he is taking on manipulation and the burgeoning feelings between two women within an isolated religious community.
This new graphic story will take readers into the psychologically complex world of a spiritual community. This commune serves as the backdrop for profound, personal transformation of the protagonist, Mathilde. The story unfolds in the picturesque, isolated region of Corbières in southern France in the early ’90s. It addresses themes of identity, love, and freedom in the face of manipulation and control.
When Mathilde enters the unusual world of a religious group, she is initially charmed by ashram life, but the strict rules and rigid hierarchy soon raise doubts. The situation is further complicated by her romantic feelings for Anita, the community’s cook. Will Mathilde stay for love or follow her instincts and leave?
The comic explores the mechanisms of psychological manipulation, which not only affect spiritual communities but also modern forms of social pressure. It’s a story about self-discovery, courage, and the fight for authenticity.
Winck’s pen-and-ink and pencil techniques blend realistic details with dynamic composition, creating an atmosphere that draws the reader in and stirs emotions. He draws inspiration from the French comic scene of the ’90s and 2000s, and this influence can be seen in every frame of the story.
In Between the Trees clocks in at over 72 pages, printed in full color on offset 6.69” x 9.45” paper. The comic will be published in both German and English, allowing it to reach a broader audience, and is expected to arrive in May 2025.
Backer rewards are fairly straightforward on this one, kicking in at €7 (about $8 USD) for a digital copy. Physical copies can be had for €15 (about $16 USD), plus shipping. I reached out to the folks at Moom Comics for approximate shipping costs, since this one comes from Europe, and they responded that shipping should cost US backers around €7 (about $8 USD). At higher levels, there are LCS bundles, backers’ names on the Thank You page in the book, and the opportunity to Zoom with the creators.
The campaign, which ends on Wednesday March 5th, 2025, can be found at this link.
