Holy Lacrimony
Holy Lacrimony by Michael DeForge, published by Drawn & Quarterly Publications on March 11, 2025, is a unique exploration of post-alien abduction trauma. This 120-page work delves into the life of Jackie, who is deemed the “saddest living person” by a group of alien abductors. As Jackie grapples with his emotional status, he is compelled to perform his sadness for his captors, leading to a return to his old life filled with confusion and a quest for understanding.
Readers will find a blend of humor and socio-political commentary as Jackie navigates a support group populated by conspiracy theorists and fellow abductees. The narrative oscillates between abstract visuals and engaging storytelling, showcasing DeForge’s distinctive artistic style. Holy Lacrimony presents a thought-provoking examination of human emotion through the lens of an extraordinary experience, making it a notable addition to the comics and graphic novels genre.
Official synopsis Publisher
The post-alien abduction trauma memoir we’ve all been waiting for
“Ah, there’s that famous lip quiver!” says Jackie’s abductor and student. Jackie has been determined to be the “saddest living person in the entire world” by a mysterious team of alien abductors. His earthly musical celebrity is nothing compared to his emotional superstar status in the eyes of these curious and peculiar shape-shifters. Jackie is forced to perform his sadness over and over again on command, so his captors can study and master this very puzzling, very human emotion. Until just like that, Jackie is returned to his old life. Trying to comprehend what has happened, he joins a support group. It’s a sea of conspiracy theorists, emotional vampires, and simpatico “real” abductees. As each person tells their story, he realizes he may never know.
Holy Lacrimony is classic DeForge–oscillating between shockingly dirty, casually funny and earnestly engaged in the socio-politics of his fictive worlds. Part abstract shape blending and part hieroglyphic storytelling, each image is a discrete and tightly designed object of beauty that never loses the forward motion of the best personal cartooning. DeForge continues to prove that he’s the single most innovative and empathetic cartoonist in the past twenty years.
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