Ben and Andreas struggle to sustain friendships with their peers and each other. Formerly close, they’ve drifted apart over the past two years. Ben’s girlfriend, Clara, recognizes that she became the third wheel, but noticing the tension between the boys, she tried hard not to “come across as the big divider.” But then Ben and Clara hit a rough patch too—he resented the fact that she felt unable to open up to him about an issue that was weighing on her. Loner Andreas is saving up for laser eye surgery. He feels stuck in an unhealthy, secretive relationship, and the story hints at his unrequited feelings for Ben. The boys juggle these issues along with constant questions about their futures after graduation. The story’s focus alternates between Ben and Andreas, providing personal insights into their situations. While the sophisticated, loosely drawn illustration style is minimalist at times, debut graphic novelist Fischels works intricate details into the characters’ facial expressions, creating highly emotionally resonant panels that invite readers to seek plot details that aren’t explicitly stated. At times, this can lead to some confusion about the storyline. The leisurely paced, subtly told plot wraps up with a sudden and tidy conclusion, an inconsistency that creates an uneven story structure. Nevertheless, the core themes of growth and transition remain resonant. Most characters present white.
