Adam
Written with stark honesty and no fear, Time Under Tension provides an intimate glance at a season in the life of author/illustrator M.S. Harkness. We see her move from college graduate to aspiring artist and personal fitness trainer while dealing with the trauma of a sexually abusive childhood, a physical relationship with an MMA fighter who is dating someone else and her own life aspirations. She tries therapy and drugs to help sort through all she is feeling towards the people in her life and, ultimately, the direction her life is going. It is one of the better crafted autobiographical graphic novels I have read where the author has some real skeletons to deal with in their closet. She doesn't paint herself as victim or hero, simply protagonist trying to find the best way forward. The art style feels lifted from my favorite bygone indie newspapers and magazines. This is Harkness' 3rd full length book it benefits from her practice; the art feels polished in a way her personal life doesn't. Not always an easy read and not for all readers, this was a story I found both interesting and a little heartbreaking. I'm glad to know that in real life the author is well received, she certainly left an impression.
Written with stark honesty and no fear, Time Under Tension provides an intimate glance at a season in the life of author/illustrator M.S. Harkness. We see her move from college graduate to aspiring artist and personal fitness trainer while dealing with the trauma of a sexually abusive childhood, a physical relationship with an MMA fighter who is dating someone else and her own life aspirations. She tries therapy and drugs to help sort through all she is feeling towards the people in her life and, ultimately, the direction her life is going. It is one of the better crafted autobiographical graphic novels I have read where the author has some real skeletons to deal with in their closet. She doesn't paint herself as victim or hero, simply protagonist trying to find the best way forward. The art style feels lifted from my favorite bygone indie newspapers and magazines. This is Harkness' 3rd full length book it benefits from her practice; the art feels polished in a way her personal life doesn't. Not always an easy read and not for all readers, this was a story I found both interesting and a little heartbreaking. I'm glad to know that in real life the author is well received, she certainly left an impression.