Kingbeast's Lair

-== What is it? ==-

Mom’s Cancer is a personal tale of how a family deals with the onset of cancer. It was written and illustrated by Brian Fies. Mom’ Cancer was published by Abrams Comicarts and has a cover price of $14.95. If you want to get more details on the book head over to momscancer.com.

The book has a color cover and predominately black and white interior pages. There are a few interior pages which are in color. Mom’s Cancer is 7.5″ x 5.5″ and is 115 pages in length. I am reviewing a print copy of Mom’s Cancer that I purchased from Brian Fies when he did a signing at Illusive Comics & Games. (FYI. Brian is a super friendly guy. 🙂 )

-== What I Like ==-

Mom’s Cancer is an incredibly honest story about how a family deals with the onset of cancer. The honesty and care in how the individual strips are presented is really refreshing. While reading Mom’s Cancer I felt like I was taking part in the families journey. I have not felt that way reading a graphic novel since Spiegelman’s Maus.

The story of Mom’s Cancer covers a wide range of emotions. The family goes through times of doubt, confusion, pain, sadness, joy, frustration, and relief. This is comic strip writing at its very best.

Several years ago my Mom went through a battle with a brain tumor that put my family through the wringer. While reading Brian’s story of how he dealt with his Mom’s cancer I immediately had flashbacks to my own experiences. I think many adults who have been through something like this would have the same reaction when reading Mom’s Cancer. In many ways my experiences make the story hit home even harder. This is powerful tale told in a graceful easy to digest manner.

The form factor of this graphic novel is very different. It is only 7.5″ x 5.5″ in size. I think the form factor and one strip per page layout makes Mom’s Cancer approachable. Even people who are not graphic novel readers will be able to enjoy it.

-== What I Don’t Like ==-

Mom’s Cancer is a very personal story. Even though it did not affect me I could see how some reader might feel like they are intruding on something that is private.

-== Summary ==-

Mom’s Cancer is an Eisner Award winner and I can see why. The story and art come together to tell an honest and powerful tale. After talking with Brian at the book signing my appreciation for the story only gets greater. We talked about our kids for several minutes and it was easy for me to see how much family means to Brain. When my kids get older I will have them read Mom’s Cancer. Mom’s Cancer gets my highest recommendation and a rare 10 out of 10 rating.

You can get copies at Amazon.com at this URL for $5.98. It is also available for the Kindle. For $5.98 this is absolutely a STEAL! I would also bet that Illusive Comics also has some signed copies in stock. Head over and buy it. 🙂

I give it 10 out of 10 paws.