Clare’s Comics Catalogue – Out of the Woods
I was contacted last week to see if I’d be interested in reviewing a new comic. Called Out of the Woods by Brent Williams, the email described it as a graphic memoir dealing with depression and anxiety. That alone piqued my interest. It also included a couple of images that made me say yes. Take a look at these.
I am so glad I took the chance on this one. What I found was a detailed, bittersweet, at times all-too-relatable story put across in a medium that takes you on the journey rather than just lecturing you.
Turkish Illustrator Korkut Öztetkin (RoboCop: The Last Stand) uses watercolours to great effect. When it comes to anxiety and depression, and feeling like you are losing yourself, the last thing you want is heavy lines and bold colours. The simple washes of colour convey the changing moods without bashing you over the head with it.
Not an easy read
It’s a hefty book, weighing in at over 150 pages of content. But while reading I never felt bored, or that the story slacked at all. It’s not an easy read, particularly if you have struggled with mental health. Having said that, I do think it’s a valuable one. I’m not going to say I underwent any kind of revelation, but it certainly made me think pretty hard at times. It’s certainly a tough book to write a review for. I think everyone who reads it will react to it differently, depending on their own experiences.
Some insight from the author
After reading I had a few questions for Brent and he was kind enough to provide the following answers.
FN: What made you decide to tell your story in comic book format rather than, say, a prose piece?
BW: When I was at my worst in depression I couldn’t read, or process written information and advice. When I was a little stronger the first things I did read were personal memoirs from people writing honestly about their own depression. And while my cognitive functions were impaired my emotions were wide open and I had no trouble receiving information through them – too much so in fact.
I felt that the GN format could address these realities and have a better chance of reaching people when they were most in need of information and support. It’s also a format that was very amenable to my depression journey with all its ups and downs, the need to jump around in time and combine both personal memoir and educational information.
I think visually and part of understanding my depression was to give it a form, see it and have a conversation with it. And so much of depression happens in the mind, so the core GN element of thought bubbles was perfectly suited to this.
FN: The comic depicts an interesting relationship with nature. I’ve spent a fair amount of time in the back country of New Zealand myself and found it very beneficial, does nature help you find peace?
BW: NZ’s native forests are both oppressive and magnificent. For me they represented both the tangled gnarly place of depression where I used to run and hide, but they also nurtured and protected me. Being in nature is still hugely healing and a big part of me staying well. I now love being around people but I can never be too far away from the beauty and power of nature.
FN: If someone reads your story and it makes them realise their own situation, do you have any further advice beyond what is already on the page?
BW: Depression and anxiety are doing a pretty good job holding you down, beating you up and isolating you. It is hard to see and counter them on your own when you are exhausted and lack motivation. So, take one small step at a time, reach out for support and be kind to yourself. This way you have a far better chance of building your own recovery.
FN: Is the older man who guides the main character through based on someone in your own experience?
BW: He represents what I have learnt through reflection, therapy, research and the years of writing – first journals and then the book. His wisdom still guides me everyday, especially when I come up against new challenges in life.
Out of the Woods is available to buy through Amazon now.
