The Arrival

The Arrival, by Shaun Tan is probably one of the most interesting sequential art books I’ve read so far this year. It’s compelling how a series of images, without need the aid of written words can communicate such gripping narrative. This is the first time I’ve ever read storytelling without the use written words. However, the illustrations are so amazing composed that it could never have the same impact it did by adding these. Every single page seems so carefully throughout, from the use action-by-action panels to the use of full page illustrations showing establishing shots and dramatic key points in the story. The images themselves are extremely well depicted, using a style that captures character expressions, showing their struggles along with the use of surrealism and beautiful creature designs.

I loved the character development. Although The Arrival’s main character endures his own struggles, giving resolution to his problem by the end of the narrative, there are also other characters introduced, each whom has a different story to tell and different kind of visuals to carry them with. It’s through these characters, who share the same struggles the main characters is going through, that is, immigrating to a new country and settling, that make this wonderfully surreal world that much more believable. Not only that, but the narrative, through the use of an invented language shown written throughout the story, allows the reader to relate to the main character, who also has no clue how to read this. This allows to not only see what the character is going through, but to sympathize with him and root for him until the very last page.