I have always loved reading both classical and modern literature, especially the fantasy and science fiction genre. But a few years ago, thanks to a course in my college, I started enjoying comics too. Before that I thought, that it was inferior to the "normal" literature, but after reading some of the best works that comics has to offer, I changed my mind. I am right now in the middle of my fourth comics-related course in my college, this time centered around the issue of graphic novels... And that is why I read "Black Hole" by Charles Burns.
"Black Hole" is a series of twelve comic issues, which are one, consistent story. Although they were issued separately, they have been published in one book. Due to this fact, as well as overall serious approach taken by Burns, it is considered to be a graphic novel. The story is quite simple - "Black Hole" is set in Seattle in mid 70s. The plot centers around a group of teenagers. While they go on their daily routines in a socially-changing landscape of the 70s, a strange, veneral disease starts to spread among them. It causes terrible deformations of the body, some of which are clearly visible to everyone and some aren't.
Although this disease is an important plot, the story centers more about the topic of maturation. Main characters drink booze, take drugs and have their first sex, all in the atmosphere of fear and loneliness. "Black Hole" is a somewhat deppressing take on the teenagers drama and Burns is deconstructing a lot of prominent motifs present in the genre. I really liked the story, it reminded me of a great Czech novel "… a bude hůř" by Jan Pelc, which is probably the most underwhelming and nihilistic thing that I have ever read. I don't think that Pelc's novel is available in English, though, but if it is, you should really give it a try.
"Black Hole" isn't as seditious as it's counterpart from behind the iron curtain, but it still is very powereful, mostly due to great usage of symbolism. Burns graphical style is very unique - everything is in a shade of gray and the author does not hesitate to use a lot of disgustingness. In a lot of the frames you can also see symbols related to both male and female sex organs, which corresponds to the topic of fear and discomfort associated with first sex. The titular "Black Hole" isn't really there, but the title adds another layer of metaphorical meaning to the story. I really liked it.
"Black Hole" is a great work and one of the best graphic novels that I have ever read. It's weird and sometimes excessively strange, but it still is a powerful work that is worth recommending! I rate it 8/10.