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A review by pvp_niki
Let Me Out by Emmett Nahil, George Williams
adventurous
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Queer teens as scapegoats in 70's satanic panic in a horror graphic novel is a very strong and promising pitch.
What I most enjoyed in this book is the carefully and slowly built mass hysteria though enjoy is not the best word as actually it is frustration, bitterness and rage what's perfectly built in me. In this story there's a conspiracy behind the carefully constructed web of lies and planting fear in townspeople then give a direction to this fear towards the queer kids, the punks, the weirdos. But it's very easy to imagine the same scenario happening without a conspiracy because it's not like one spokesperson standing out and saying "those queer kids are cultist murderers, und'stood?"" you just need a zeitgeist of ignorance, bigotry, and the fear of anything different then you'll only need to plant some seeds and the media and the people will do the rest.
After finishing the book, I felt confused about the plot and the themes and intentions at first and I think this might be due to a lack of focus. In more than half of the book the plot mainly consists of the everyday life of these teens and how every time they are assaulted it's them fingers are pointed at. The whole satanic conspiracy in the background - though hinted very early that it is real - seems insignificant, could be any other reason for fearmongering. Also the plot sometimes jumps to inconsistent or confusing steps. then the last third of the book takes a very unexpected turn with all the satanic thing and in the end everything makes sense.
I really liked the art style, especially how it utilizes the light and lineart. Also, I loved the design of the devil especially its cute face :D
If you ever felt frustrated and powerless facing the bigotry, ignorance and hatred in the world, by how certain groups are marginalized, villainized and persecuted, by voices considered to be right just because they are loud enough regardless all the bullshit they utter, and felt you'd just want to take it all down with your rage, then this is your book!
Thank you to NetGalley, Oni Press and the creators for providing the ARC.
What I most enjoyed in this book is the carefully and slowly built mass hysteria though enjoy is not the best word as actually it is frustration, bitterness and rage what's perfectly built in me. In this story there's a conspiracy behind the carefully constructed web of lies and planting fear in townspeople then give a direction to this fear towards the queer kids, the punks, the weirdos. But it's very easy to imagine the same scenario happening without a conspiracy because it's not like one spokesperson standing out and saying "those queer kids are cultist murderers, und'stood?"" you just need a zeitgeist of ignorance, bigotry, and the fear of anything different then you'll only need to plant some seeds and the media and the people will do the rest.
After finishing the book, I felt confused about the plot and the themes and intentions at first and I think this might be due to a lack of focus. In more than half of the book the plot mainly consists of the everyday life of these teens and how every time they are assaulted it's them fingers are pointed at. The whole satanic conspiracy in the background - though hinted very early that it is real - seems insignificant, could be any other reason for fearmongering. Also the plot sometimes jumps to inconsistent or confusing steps. then the last third of the book takes a very unexpected turn with all the satanic thing and in the end everything makes sense.
I really liked the art style, especially how it utilizes the light and lineart. Also, I loved the design of the devil especially its cute face :D
If you ever felt frustrated and powerless facing the bigotry, ignorance and hatred in the world, by how certain groups are marginalized, villainized and persecuted, by voices considered to be right just because they are loud enough regardless all the bullshit they utter, and felt you'd just want to take it all down with your rage, then this is your book!
Thank you to NetGalley, Oni Press and the creators for providing the ARC.