Toxic was a raw and powerful graphic novel about the greed of oil companies and the environmental and social consequences of their actions. The book has an intriguing art style, which elevates the story. Toxic follows a local tour guide and a group of tourists who are learning about oil production in Ecuador and the catastrophic effects it has had on the land and its people.

I found the graphic novel to be highly educational on the history of Oil companies in Ecuador and other parts of Latin America. I found it clever how the art style had smudges of what looked like oil to represent how the extraction of oil has sullied every aspect of people's lives. The story focuses on the consequences revolving around the lives of locals, indigenous communities, farmers, children, and nature. The graphic novel serves both as a voice for these communities that for decades have been victims of oil companies and as a warning to the readers to fight such injustices. I found the book to be interesting and a valuable text that brings awareness of the various companies that destroy nature and the quality of life for animals and people with no remorse.

No matter how good a journalist is, sometimes reading a news story or listening to a podcast creates a distance between the consumer and the events portrayed. In Toxic, Amelia Fisk and Jonas Fischer close this distance by taking the reader on a "toxic tour" in Ecuador - depicted through comic/graphic storytelling. And instead of relying entirely on exposition, Toxic uses a show *and* tell method where the reader follows a tour guide (the author's actual tour guide when she went on the toxic tour IRL) who points out various examples of the environmental devastation caused by oil exploitation in Ecuador. The tour guide explains the history, the impact on local communities, and fields questions from several tourists. And throughout the book, we see the tourists begin to recognize the massive scope of the devastation and bemoan the intractable problem of relying on fossil fuels as the key to modern life - the exact same experience that the reader will likely feel when reading.

I'd recommend this book to educators and people looking for an entrypoint into environmental activism.

#Toxic #NetGalley

this work of graphic nonfiction was very interesting, and i appreciate the research that went into creating it. however, it was not presented in a way that was engaging. there was a lot of exposition and large blocks of text, and while the information presented was very important, i felt like i genuinely couldn't get interested because of the density of the text. it feels like if this is intended for YA audiences that a lot of the stuff would go over their head, especially because they'd be more apt to skim the biographical portions of text with no illustration. i liked the art and the message, the application was just a little rusty.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read an advanced copy of this graphic in exchange for my honest opinion. This graphic novel was actually so heart-wrenching to me. Knowing that it is fictional, yet based on real events, just seems unreal to me. I cried several times throughout this novel, learning the stories of characters in relation to their health and the environment they live in was devastating. I read this on my mobile phone, so the only thing I found lacking was with the artwork sometimes being very dark or making it difficult to read the text. Other than that, I would recommend this to anyone who cares about the environment and the stories of people effected by the oil industry.

An incredible and dynamic graphic novel depicting the consequences of oil drilling in the Amazon. The art is fresh and colorful and I really enjoy the use of the inky black strokes that act as shadows but also as a metaphor for the oil spills and contamination. It's a really clever use of the illustrations to help the story.

The graphic novel follows Donald Moncayo's Toxic Tour showcasing people, places, and communities that have been impacted by the oil companies. The guest's conversations and banter is not only enjoyable but also informative and well-written.

An incredibly important read.

Toxic is a cli-fi graphic novel that offers a unique and enlightening perspective on the environmental impact of the oil industry in the Ecuadorian Amazon. With a large focus on indigenous communities and fantastic art design, the novel provides a refreshing angle on the consequences of oil contamination.

The informative content is skillfully presented through a seamless comic book format, blending detailed explanations with evocative illustrations. The dark and melancholic art style effectively conveys the gravity of the subject, with oil stains serving as a powerful visual motif throughout.

Realistic dialogues and relatable characters add depth to the narrative, showcasing the direct impact of the oil industry on local populations. The novel succeeds in balancing education and entertainment, making it a must-read for those interested in ecology, climate change, or toxicology. The inclusion of a glossary and further readings enhances its value as a comprehensive and accessible resource.

Thank you Net Galley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Explore the dangers of oil spills and its impact on the environment as you go on a tour throughout the town. No, moving isn't an option when the impact includes devaluing your home. A great graphic novel for collections needing more social justice and advocacy materials

"Toxic" takes readers on a poignant and visually striking journey through the environmental challenges faced by the Ecuadorian Amazon, blending research and fieldwork into a compelling graphic novel format. The book introduces the concept of "Toxic Tours," a powerful tool used over the past decade to educate and raise awareness about oil contamination in the region.

Through the lens of three fictional participants – a diverse group including students, lawyers, environmental activists, journalists, and foreign tourists – the graphic novel provides a visceral depiction of the environmental degradation in the Amazon. It vividly portrays the waste pits, gas flares, and the precarious lives of the people living amidst these toxic landscapes.

The strength of "Toxic" lies in its ability to blend personal experiences with local knowledge, effectively conveying the immediacy of environmental issues. The visual storytelling captures the attention and emotions of the reader, creating a connection that goes beyond statistics and reports. The graphic novel challenges readers to confront the harsh realities faced by those living in areas burdened by industrial toxicants.

The narrative not only focuses on the environmental consequences but also delves into the social dynamics and struggles of the affected communities. It prompts readers to reflect on the profound implications of living in a time where the burden of proof often falls on those directly impacted by pollution.

By drawing parallels between the Amazon and the readers' own lives, "Toxic" serves as a powerful mirror, encouraging introspection on our roles in the production, consumption, and exposure to pollution. It challenges us to consider how we are implicated in a global system that often prioritizes profit over environmental and human well-being.

I received a copy of this from NetGalley.

Well, I feel like I just got tricked into reading a long article about the oil industry. It was a lot of exposition, to the point where some panels were just things to read. In top of that, I didn't really like the graphics. Not the worst I've seen, but just ok.

I think I probably wasn't the right audience for this one. I assume this was meant for kids that you're trying to trick into learning things by including pictures. And the points made - which were that, of course, pollution from the oil industry is completely awful- were just overdone. I just don't need or want so much redundancy. Also, if this is how toxic tours are really done, that's awful, too. People paying for these things could sometimes fall into the contamination? And after hearing about all the sickness and spills and whatnot, they're still going to eat there? This one just wasn't for me.

An important graphic novel explaining the oil industry consequences in the Ecuadorian Amazon - how it is everywhere, how negatively affected people are there, and people brought there by the industry and how it is still polluting today as the mistakes and flimsy infrastructures were never fixed, cleared or cleaned. This really shows how everyone has a part to play and is a part of this as long as you use plastic and take oil transports.
The art particularly supports the text as the heavy black brushstrokes reminds us all the time of oil spills and the prevalence of oil in that environment, painting a terrible film over the beautiful nature, and reminding us that people there are breathing, drinking and eating oil.
I liked the school exercises suggestions at the end, and as a parent definitely feel like that adds to the experience of thinking about the book longer and starting conversations with the kids - even if they are more on the artistic side.

An incredibly interesting look into the side effects of the oil industry in Ecuador. The trickle effect of the disregard of nature, wildlife and humanity by big oil companies is haunting and upsetting. This graphic novel is the perfect introduction to this topic and should be required reading. Loved the inclusion of a glossary and further readings.

The art was so evocative, and the way all of our characters were always covered in oil showed us how when oil contamination touches you, it’s there forever. Eye-opening and real, this is an educational tool that everyone should read.

As an Ecuadorian I had no idea this is going on in the amazon region, and honestly, a graphic novel was the best way for me to get to know about this. Many times, it is said that these ideas are lies. That the companies involved in this industry haven’t done anything wrong and that they take care of everything so they won’t pollute the environment. So it is nice to “see” what the actual situation is. I even got interested in taking the toxic tour myself.

I think this is a story of great value not only to inform about what happened in the region but to help the people who are currently living in this awful situation that threatens their lives.

I liked that all throughout the graphic novel there were these black spots like stains that represented how oil is everywhere, even felt that it was smudged everywhere.

One thing that I feel is missing in this story are the wild animals. Snakes, spiders, bugs. One reason I’ve never set foot on the Oriente is because I’ve heard of the animals you can find there, mostly of the size of them. Which is an instant no for me. So nice to get to know the place at least through the story.

All in all, I liked the story which is rather forward with its message. The story was a smooth path to follow and extremely enlightening about this issue.

Over the past decade, people have learned about oil contamination in the Ecuadorian Amazon through "Toxic Tours" in which a guide brings participants – students, lawyers, environmental activists, journalists, or foreign tourists – to visit contaminated sites.

This was extremely informative and very well put together. We are really shitty to this planet and it deserves better than us.

Very informative while also keeping the reader engaged with the story. A good read to understand the damage being done to the environment.

The graphic novel was beyond informative. I like the focus on indigenous folks. I learned so much. Not only did the illustrations suck me in so did they story. The format specifically just flowed so well.

Thanks NetGalley for the Arc

What to say besides the fact that it is the perfect way to learn in a playful way a complicated and mostly unknown subject ?

First, the illustrations; simplistic enough to make more room for texts, which is normal because the texts and explanations are long. The drawings are far from ugly and I like this very dark, melancholic, and dull side that reflects that the subject is serious, and that it is far from being a children’s comic ! There's also so much shade, it almost looks like oil stains are part of every drawing.

Now on the content; My best friend is in biology and is passionate about ecology. For me, who already listened to her monologues for hours on the fauna and flora and the danger of oil/ deforestation/ mines, it was a real rediscovery! I love the fact that the authors explain the subject in a serious and literal way, not being afraid to use scientific names (indeed, the readers are not stupid). For details that are difficult to understand, they use the child’s character to explain certain terms, which I also find intelligent and well thought out.

The dialogues do not feel forced and the characters all the same realistic (who would not want to take a picture in an oil pit for their instagram ? #guilty). I also like that we can see how, through characters native to the region, we can see the evolution and direct impact of these industries on humans, and the disdain of the state towards these inhabitants just to race capitalism.

In short, it was a very complete and informative reading, even if I consider that you still have to be interested in the subject to be able to read it, it was still touching and playful.

Must read if ecology interests you !

I went into this not knowing much about the Ecuadorian Amazon or the toxic tourism / any of the issues that are ongoing, this book definitely gave me more insight and knowledge into not only what is going on but how we can help by looking at our own consumption.

Alright, I literally just finished reading Crude: A Memoir by Pablo Fajardo, one of the lead counsels involved in UDAPT cases, so when I saw this I had to check it out. So, I'll admit there is a little comparing going on here because they are both powerfully illustrated graphic novels discussing the indifference that Chevron/Texaco has for the damage that they have done to the Ecuadorian Amazon, but where Crude is more about the law side of things, Toxic really discusses how the environment and the people were and are still effected by the oil contamination in the area.

Some of us will never be able to afford a trip to Ecuador to go with Donald on a toxic tour, but this graphic novel gives us an idea of what it would be like to go with him. Amelia Fiske has carefully created a narrative for us around the many tours that she took while working on an anthropological study in the area, so while this exact talk may have never taken place, she does a good job of giving us the important bits in a natural way. However, it does read a bit pedagogic at times. There is just so much information packed into the toxic tour that we're provided within these pages that it is hard to take it all in.

The images provided by Jonas Fischer are a bit blocky and industrial feeling with large segments of black, which are meant to represent how the oil contamination spreads to everything (I think). They're interesting and convey the feelings of horror and misery that people feel upon learning about the contamination, but also the people living through it. Also, the character designs were all very distinctive, and with such a small cast, it felt intimate.

Overall, I think that if you're interested in learning about UDAPT and the people impacted this is a great and quick read to pick up. It gives readers a lot of the important information, while also making them feel like a tourist going on one of the toxic tours, but without the plane trip. That being said, if you're interested, they give all the information that you could need to book one in real life, which if I ever go to Ecuador, I am totally doing. So many people don't know about this issue and I hope that this book is read and shared widely so that more people will become educated on it.