There’s nothing quite like The Pervert. Challenging, melancholic, and honest to the point of discomfort, Michelle Perez and Remy Boydell combine their talents to create a wholly unique and original experience that sticks with you long after the pages have turned.

The writing style used in this novel is phenomenal. It perfectly encapsulates the everyday monotony of our protagonist’s lonely, disenfranchised life while managing to retain a lot of heart and soul in her interactions with people. The lens in which Michelle translates commodified sex is not damning or preachy, but just real. This feels like there’s a flesh and blood person behind it, giving the book this thrumming pulse that’s entirely it’s own. The fragmented narrative is really cool too, as it makes turns the story’s events unpredictable and engaging. There’s moments that shocked me, even as someone who’s seen a lot in my time.

Remy’s Art is also fantastic, as always. The simple watercolour style juxtaposes really well with the sobering, and frankly depressing content of the story. There’s lots of neat visual quirks that keep you interested, as well as the settings and places feeling so authentic and lived in. Character design is adorable.

All in all, this story is very obviously not for everyone, but shouldn’t be trashed because it’s risky and different. The Pervert, in my humble opinion, is damn near perfect, and deserves to be seen as such for what it does. more