Cartoonist Cara Gormally, who's also a biology professor and researcher, resonantly transforms their journey from debilitating trauma to radical acceptance into their debut graphic memoir, Everything Is Fine, I'll Just Work Harder: Confessions of a Former Badass. Back in those "badass" days, Gormally woke early, ran many miles while making endless mental lists, then dashed to university to teach, direct projects, and continue research, only to continue working at home before going to bed late with a book. "On a day that began like any other day," that hamster wheel of achievement sputtered when their rapist sent a friend request. Their tenacious attempts to be their "regular badass self" proved impossible. Excuses of denial--"It was years ago," "I'm fine," "This shouldn't affect me"--finally culminated with a lifesaving recommendation: "Find a trauma therapist." Even when "the process felt neverending," Gormally persevered to "finally enjoy being and becoming."
Gormally works powerfully in simple black-and-white line drawings enhanced with shades of blue. When emotions overwhelm, the color deepens to resemble torrential water that threatens to flood the page, spreading over and breaking through borders and panels. Gormally cleverly depicts their head as an untethered balloon--detached and floating further away from their body--whenever they're caught in the vortex of must-dos, ignoring everything and everyone, including and especially their own needs. "The me who wrote this book is already a past-me existing only in my heart now," Gormally reveals in their author's note. Their survival and recovery undoubtedly provides both balm and inspiration that others, too, might reclaim their lives. --Terry Hong