Black Hole

Black Hole

Black Hole by Charles Burns, ISBN 978-0-375-71472-6, Pantheon Books 2005

Plot Summary:

This edition is made up of what had been 12 small installments of the story. The setting is Seattle in the mid 1970s and the main characters are four teenagers named Eliza, Chris, Rob, and Keith.  The story begins with Chris contracting a sexualy transmitted disease from Rob. Chris is unaware of Rob’s disease until it’s too late; they’re already having sex. Chris is understandably upset and she stops speaking to Rob for a while. Around the same time, Keith meets Eliza while he’s at a friend’s house buying marijuana. The two have sex and Keith contracts the disease from her. Keith noticed that Eliza had a tail, but did not realize that it was a symptom of the disease until Keith begins noticing some mutation himself. Other teens in the town begin showing signs of the mutation and take shelter in from society in order to protect them from repercussions. The story continues from there with the teenagers trying to deal with the manifestation of their disease.

Critical Evaluation:

This story works for teenagers on so many levels. The Bug, as the kids call it, seems to have a 100% infection rate, which means none of the kids are spared from the mutations if they have sex with someone who’s infected. What’s interesting about the infected kids is that nobody seems too invested in solving the mystery of why a sexually transmitted disease causes any kind of physical mutation. These kids had considered themselves outcasts before, and this new addition to their bodies only strengthens their feelings of not fitting in. The AIDS metaphor is clear, especially given the setting. The 1970s are remembered as a time of sexual experimentation, and the beginning of the AIDS crisis in the United States. What Burns makes more intentional is the metaphor of the mutations for the normal changes that a teenager already goes through; the mutations can take on a physical manifestation of the emotional toll of puberty and being a teenager. The dialogue is frank and raw, and the pictures are big, well drawn and help the reader understand the fear and isolation the characters feel. The first person narrative switches between the perspectives of each of the four main characters, so readers are given insight into many different reactions to the disease. This book is definitely for older teens and will surely ring true with any teenager who’s felt like they don’t belong or has ever felt like a “freak.”

Reader’s Annotation:

Four kids in Seattle thought that being a teenager was tough already. Wait until they see what happens next…

Information about the Author:

From the author’s page on the Lambiek Comiclopedia site:

Charles Burns has always been interested in graphic arts. Before starting to do comics, he worked in a gallery, created a campus magazine, made photographic novels and did other photographic experiments. Burns' career in comix started with him meeting Art Spiegelman, the founder of Raw magazine, and being invited to contribute to it. He contributed to the magazines from its third issue in 1981 and from these earliest works on, Burns combined crisp, fresh-looking line work with dark horror themes. This tension between innocence and evil, accessibility and gore, are at the heart of Burns' comix.

Genre:

Graphic novel, mystery

Curriculum Ties:

Sex education, fitting into society

Challenge Issues:

This book is mainly about teenagers having sex, so add that to the drug use and clearly this book has been and will be challenged.

Creating a Defense:

• Make sure you have thorough knowledge of the library’s selection policy as well as a copy on hand. Your insight as well as pointing out specific portions of the policy will be helpful in discussion with the patron.
• Always have the library Bill of Rights close to show the patron your library’s commitment to providing all kinds of information.
• Have some reveiws on hand, both good and bad, from respected sources like YALSA or Amazon so both you and the patron can gain an understanding of both sides of the issue.
• Make sure you’re familiar with the books that might be challenged. Be prepared to discuss the book’s intended audience, its educational significance, purpose, and also some alternative titles to read.
• Don’t get defensive. The librarian can’t take the challenge personally and either party getting upset will cause the discussion to devolve into a fight.
• LISTEN. Even if you don’t agree with the patron, their views are as valid as yours and should be respected.

Reading Level:

Grades 9-12

Booktalking Ideas:

Have you ever felt like you needed to run away? Have you ever felt like a freak? What do you know about STDs and how they’re transmitted and how to keep yourself safe?

Why is the material included?:

I read this book as part of a graphic novel class I took in my undergrad studies. I was so impressed with the not at all delicate handling of the subject matter. Almost every teen feels like a freak at some point, and this will be very relatable. 

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