The Arrival (3 points)

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 "The Arrival" by Shaun Tan very impressed me! 

First of all, I have never read s full comic book story without words. I thought it would be very unusual for me, but it was an excellent decision for the new place's atmosphere where you don't know anything or anyone. Even a language for you is unknown. So the fact that this comic had no words significantly helped me understand the main character's feelings. 

As an international student, I am very aware of everything the hero of the book was experiencing. The memories of a home-place by some details or fragments. The painful family goodbye. The anxiety of the passport control on the border. Even finding a place to live and settle down in the new and exotic for your location. 

It is fascinating how well the artist conveyed all the stress and the excitement of moving to a new place into art. 

The gray scale with brown tins is perfect for this type of story, making you feel uncomfy but interested.

Realistic drawings to contrast all the unusual creatures and architecture make you believe that this fantasy country truly exists. And of course, all the design elements of the building, landscapes, details, and creatures are just breathtaking. I was feeling that I am watching something like a Hayao Miyazaki movie. 

"The Arrival" a very well drawn comic book. 

Finally, I like how the artist creatively tells us about the danger in the homelands. A government that sunk their citizens or the scary creature's tail can represent dangerous regimes from which the main characters try to run away. 

I enjoyed how the artist showed such an uneasy topic as immigration in such a beautiful masterpiece. 

- Aleksandra Ferentc

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