This OGN is the first I’ve ever purchased and it was a buy that was not originally intended. I did get it and have been grateful ever since. It is a story that while moving is still a fun read. It’s something I can someday read with, or to, my son. Released in June 2009 it is written and illustrated by Brian Fies. So what’s it about? Come on in and see.
WHTTWOT is Fies’ follow up to “Mom’s Cancer” which won the 2005 Eisner Award for Best Digital Comic, the 2007 Lulu Blooker Prize, the 2007 Harvey Award for Best New Talent, and the 2007 German Youth Literature Prize for non-fiction. It was nominated for a 2006 Quill Book Award, a 2006 Cybil Literary Award, the American Library Association’s “2007 Best Books for Young Adults” Award, and two 2007 Eisner Awards. So you get the point on how good this man is as what he does.
It’s a touching story about a boy and his father and the relationship they share. The relationship changes as the boy gets older and it is these interactions that for me made this book great. The relationship changes so effortlessly over the course of the book and mirrors that of many father and son relationships. From starry eyed awe of his father to teenage rebellion and finally into accepting his father as a stand-up man.
A lot of the focus is on the boy and his never-ending imagination, which as time goes on is influenced by the time frame the chapters revolve around. The story starts in 1939 with the New York World’s Fair and progresses through the Apollo space mission in 1975. A pivotal moment or time is focused on in each chapter and with each pivotal moment a comic is placed inside the pages of the OGN. The best part of these comics within the OGN is the fact that their style and paper quality are
unique from the main OGN. Instead of the nicer glossier pages the OGN is comprised of the comics instead mirror older comic paper and even include a faded look or feel depending on the era. It really is a genius touch that I haven’t seen anywhere else.
Overall this isn’t an action story but instead an emotional journey of a father and son. It’s a story that at times will have you reminiscing for your younger days and at other times have you tearing up. Fies is truly a master of graphic storytelling and to miss this OGN would be a shame. If you enjoy a heartfelt story that will make you smile this is one for you. If you don’t enjoy this OGN you have no soul.
