The Girl and the Gorilla

Aurelie is an aspiring young writer who receives a rejection letter and is ready to give up on her dreams when she stumbles upon a talking gorilla. Chasing the gorilla our protagonist finds the parallel world of ‘Creativity’ where she discovers a city made of books. Neil the Gorilla, the totem animal for literature, is kidnapped by the evil Schnurbad… leading to trouble for writers.

The Girl and the Gorilla is an unconventional comic book, whose whimsical tale is drawn in monotone brush and ink, without panel borders. Despite the publisher’s ‘all ages’ recommendation, the illustration style and general themes are better suited to readers aged 10 and up. In an age that often regards comics for boys only, The Girl and The Gorilla is as commendable for its female protagonist as it is for its female illustrator and writer. Charming and heartfelt, this is a reminder to stick with your craft even in the face of criticism.