Charles Burns’ meditation on the confusion, uncertainty and, at times, cruel alienation of high school. Set in suburban Seattle in the ’70s, a venereal disease that turns the infected into grotesque mutants is spreading through school. The infected have fled to the woods and created their own community of outcasts.

The story centers on several students as they journey through the school year coming into contact with those infected or on their way to infection. Then the murders start.

It’s a surreal, mysterious and spot-on look at teenage life. Despite it being a tad too long, it’s a truly original work and worthy of praise.

Grade: A-

Black Hole is currently available.