Virus Tropical

Powerpaola’s family is a frayed patchwork of tension and love in this debut from the Colombian-Ecuadorian cartoonist. The members steal one another’s chocolate, move to Colombia from Ecuador, pierce their ears, and sob along to telenovelas. Passive-aggression runs rampant, a simmering stew of squabbles and endearments. This is all well-trod ground, as far as autobiographical comics go, but the details ring true, and this heartfelt honesty enlivens every page. The sisters are snotty, the mothers are overbearing, the fathers are foolish, but isn’t that messiness the very meaning of family? Visually, Paola delights in contrast: areas of heavy texture (hair, floorboards, fabric) are set against empty, open shapes. This gives the book a wonderfully worn-in appearance, reminiscent of Jennifer Hayden’s recent and similarly successful autobiographical comic, The Story of My Tits. Though it could use a little pruning, this is a fond look at family and friendship that benefits from keeping both of its feet firmly planted on the ground. (July)