When writing these reviews, I do my best to summarize what happens within a book or an issue without giving spoilers. Sometimes, my words fail and really it is best to rely on how the book describes itself. “Alpha's wife and son left Côte d'Ivoire months ago to join his sister-in-law in Paris, but Alpha has heard nothing from them since. With a visa, Alpha's journey to reunite with his family would take a matter of hours. Without one, he is adrift for over a year, encountering human traffickers in the desert, refugee camps in northern Africa, overcrowded boats carrying migrants between the Canary Islands and Europe's southern coast, and an unforgettable cast of fellow travelers lost and found along the way. Throughout, Alpha stays the course, carrying his loved ones' photograph close to his heart as he makes his perilous trek across continents.”

Comics as a medium can equally entertain as well as educate. I can say that I am guilty of landing on the entertainment side more often than not. Alpha is one of those books that everyone should read. The power of simple washed-out pen work combined with the harrowing true story lays you bare to the injustice we foist upon our fellow people and forces us to become uncomfortable in our own privilege.

Powerful works should shake you. They should leave you disturbed. Do you leave with more questions than answers? Alpha is as powerful as anything else I have experienced. I left feeling despondent, grateful, and full of so many questions about how any of this can be allowed to happen, and what can be done to prevent such tragedies from happening again. I implore you to read it and really sink into thoughts.