Babe in the Woods is a graphic novel and work of autofiction that captures the vulnerability and fever dream like state of post-partum depression.

A woman escapes the city heat and strained relationship with her husband by driving to and hiking in the mountains with her infant son. Struggling with the fresh grief of losing her parents, a stalled art career, and the various life traumas drummed up by becoming a mother—she gets lost in the woods, completely unprepared. Frankly and deeply negligent. What ensues is a tale of survival and mental fortitude immersed in the surreal inspiration that flows through her from the natural world. We watch as she cycles through artistic and personal reference points, gathering strength in unexpected places. The stories she tells her son to keep the quiet filled and him calm, feel on the brink of breakdown. Juxtaposed with Heffernan’s absurd and surreal paintings, it feels at once deeply concerning and vividly inspired. The tension of what she might do next; how she might put her son in harm’s way; what we might discover about her own past; what could go wrong, keeps a fear and dread thrumming below the surface.

A really compelling work of artistic inspiration, education, and tension.

I thought this was going to be the full graphic novel, but it's actually a preview of around the first third of it. Which is fine, but a teeny bit disappointing since most creators/publisher either state it's a preview or post the entire story for reviewers.

The art is gorgeous. Dreamy. Classic Flowy. The lettering was a bit difficult to read at times as someone who has mild vision problems. But it wasn't enough to take me out of the story.

From a netgalley ARC.

Not sure what this will look like in a physical form. But in a digital form this is gorgeous. But also a bit confusing. It reads like a memoir and it is not absolutely clear if it is a memoir or not fully fictional. The book is clearly set in a specific time and place.

The coloring is stunning. The lettering is beautiful but still readable. The story reads a bit like a horror story, though the hint is that it ends fine. The plot goes a bit off the rails is it backtracks into flashbacks and art history. And then it ends abruptly on page 82 with a message that says - can't wait to share more, send us an email.