The Holy Tears
cartoonist: Michael DeForge
Publisher: Draw and quarterly
Publication date: March 2025
Some comments are difficult because the material is difficult to explain. The Holy Tears Explaining and experiencing can be a bit difficult, which may be the best, but that’s not the reason I’m having trouble. Some comments are hard to put in any comment at the moment, they are obviously not very obvious, and that’s the same Michael DeForge Latest book. But again, this is not the reason I’m struggling with this review. And this book is indeed timely, although time is now a matter. This review is hard because sometimes you just like an artist so much that you finish one of their books and say to yourself, “Yes. It’s good.” The thought stops there. It hits the attractions you know and you’re satisfied. That’s me and The Holy Tears.
So imagine I say this after each paragraph: I’m going to say more than “I like it.” I will review the book and explain what it makes me want you to read it. I’m not a colleague who just discovered you like comics and suggested a great book they’ve read, but when you ask what the book is about, “It’s so cool. You want to love it.” Take a deep breath.
However, this book is really cool and I think you’ll love it.
Deforge’s latest book is dating a musician named Jackie who was kidnapped by aliens because he is the most pathetic person in the world. Aliens want to know the feeling of sadness, just like all of us, please consult an expert. The rest of the plot goes through kidnapping, and Jackie ends up returning to Earth, which is most plots. However, the plot is not really fun, poignant, or meaningful in the book.
Most of the time, the book relies on the interactive moments between Jackie and the aliens, followed by Jackie and other self-proclaimed kidnappers. These conversations and connections that take place in the comics through art, dialogue and action really stand out from the book. From the conversation between Jackie and Alien Kara, who is an alien performing for other aliens, to the end of the book, to the possibility of the end of a long long walk, like an open possibility, a great advantage The Holy Tears Rely on what is being talked about.
Performing emotions, constantly being seen by others, wanting to belong to something (anything), and real connection means dripping everything into these pages. Kara’s study of Jackie’s grief is a great example of these ideas while showing a credible absurdity that alien races will transcend the stars and learn how to show emotions about their existence. Now it feels closely related to our life experiences. We like to see people express anger, love, satisfaction, wealth, joy, innerity, but when we push ourselves to experience the same things, we inevitably experience them as messy, imperfect things. So, we go back to the short videos and see how they perform well. We learn. Let’s try again. Deforge’s way of working with this idea and exploring development beyond it is beautiful.
This feels ridiculous in the comics, but not too much. In fact, the mirror that the narrative insists on (albeit an entertaining version) is a powerful view of various parts of contemporary life. Consider how we express, process and consuming emotions (things to be written) are worth it in itself.
In this absurdity, it’s also the comedy of all this. Like many Deforge’s works, this book retains a sense of humor and awareness of absurdity. Jackie is with people all comics, and I feel like I’ve seen people perform a lot in my life. In Jackie’s captured room, there are four slits in the wall. One is for eating, one for drinks, one for feeding (maybe it a waste? But I also like this, thinking it cares about something), and the last one is for sex. Kara provides her body because alien research on Earth concluded that many mentor/apprentice relationships involve sexual behavior between the two. This tongue at the cheek moment is one of many wonderfully crafty comments Deforge makes throughout the wild world.
Because it is Deforge, it is made more because of art. If you are not familiar with the art of Deforge, the best way I can describe is that there always seems to be some dripping water. He melts the world in an inconsistent but logical place. The lines are thin, but they have to support the hugeness of the world. Overall, there are a lot of thin states, especially in this book, as the shape of the alien changes. Many characters feel that they can absorb into the surrounding space, just as they accidentally have pointed heads. This is not the best description I admit, there may be some descriptions that can be done better, but the art of experiencing Deforge is a bit unique. No matter what you read, this not only makes his style instantly recognizable, but it is incredible to follow his style.
Art is also incredible imagination. The alien ship is the mouth in the mouth with an eyelash-like tongue that seems to have copied and pasted too many times, but I swear it’s accurate. These imaginative worlds are presented on the page before/after the coffee cup delicacy on the table, night sky or desolate streets. Of course, the strangeness next to it highlights this strangeness, but there is a way to make you desire this strangeness more. It doesn’t always feel like something different, it’s just something you want to imagine. In this book, it shows the deep connection between the thought/concept being studied and the accompanying art.
At the end of the day, The Holy Tears It’s a great book. The idea of observing and expressing emotions resonates so clearly with our contemporary existence, though perhaps not the current chaotic moment that draws our attention. Still, it makes sense, something meaningful and worth your time. While Michael Deforge’s art may not be everyone’s teacup (a thing I once refused to believe, they firmly show that it is true, but I’m still skeptical), it’s unique and stands out in many books that play their art cards. If you still find yourself struggling, repeat comments Kara said to Jackie when she woke up from being kidnapped, “Hmm! I’ll let you get your direction.” And you’ll do it well.
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