ESCAPE FROM ST. HELL

A trans teen on the cusp of adulthood grapples with self-expression and acceptance in this graphic memoir.

The University of Manchester may be only a 30-minute drive away from St. Helens, the English town where white transgender teen Lewis grew up, but he’s so desperate to leave that it feels like traveling a million miles away. With the move fast approaching, Lewis’ anxiety skyrockets and he begins to obsess over finding a new look so that everyone will see him as a “real man.” But Lewis soon discovers that leaving home and transforming his style won’t solve all his problems. Guided by his future self, who drops in to offer advice, Lewis faces his challenges with his emotions, love life, and self-acceptance as if they’re levels in a video game. Convinced that no one understands his struggles, Lewis isolates himself, coping by hyper-fixating on his diet and working out. The more he tries to run from his problems (including academic struggles), the larger they become. The author doesn’t shy away from showing his own flaws and how his internalized transphobia has affected his relationships. Finding community with other transgender people and accepting help have both played important roles in his growth and well-being. Although the text can sometimes be difficult to follow across the page, the dynamic layout of the black-and-white panels helps communicate Lewis’ angst and discontent.

An unflinchingly honest portrayal of coming-of-age.