Reliving trauma

At war with yourself

Throughout, Williams honors the manifestations of rupture in Matt’s life that are mystifying to the people closest to him.  He exposes the thought patterns behind some of Matt's recurring habits, including his tendency to map out exit strategies and hiding places at his neighborhood coffee shop, and to take sudden turns onto country roads when struck by the unshakable feeling that he’s being tailed.  

At war with yourself At war with yourself

Some of these moments are even unintelligible to Matt himself, who does not always understand the feelings of unease and terror that overcome him when he is reminded of his past.  Slowly, he begins to recognize the connection between the sound of heavy rain or the smell of public toilets and the experiences he had while serving. Accordingly, the downward slashing line strokes in panels depicting both Matt's post-tour experiences and his memories of service resemble each other, validating the ways his contemporary environment replicates past trauma. 

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