Constantly by gg was released on January 7, 2020. — **Constantly** by gg was released on January 7, 2020.

By Kirin Xin — With a beautiful history of comics released by Koyama Press and Kuš!, gg is a powerhouse known to many a fan of visual storytelling. Debuted officially in 2017, her work presents itself as an artistic delicacy. Soft pinks and greys reminiscent of 1940s French illustrations pool against refreshing whites and crisp lines of black and navy. This simple palette effectively pulls viewers from peaceful mediums to cloistering lows with striking aesthetic contrast.

In the opening pages of her newest graphic novel, Constantly, gg uses this contrast in tandem with a dream sequence to present the comic’s overall message. It’s a concept that has been touched on in OGNs before, such as The Nao of Brown by Glyn Dillon, or Nothing Lasts Forever by Sina Grace. Grace referred to it as ‘the sads.’ Nao’s titular character denotes the impact of its arrival by a rating of 1-10/10. And in Constantly, gg depicts it as an ever-present, shadowy monster with a hydra-like ability to create two more problems as soon as one is dealt with. It is, of course, an experience known to many in and out of the comics industry: mental illness. And in particular to Constantly: anxiety and depression.

Depression is officially defined as ‘a group of conditions associated with the elevation or lowering of a person's mood.’ Anxiety is ‘a feeling of worry, nervousness, or unease, typically about an imminent event or something with an uncertain outcome.’ Together, they provide the perfect storm. A state that can drag a person through days with no energy to do important or enjoyable tasks, but somehow enough energy to feel as though your heart and brain are plugged directly into an electrical outlet. Days aren’t measured in hours, but in spurts of extreme darkness, with only occasional bursts of twilight. By page ten of Constantly, even the most emotionally-well reader would be able to parse that darkness out with the words, ‘I don’t want to eat, I don’t want to sleep, I don’t want to live, I don’t want to die.’

The story that follows backs up those lines and opening pages in swathes of dark and pastel. But don’t let the low page count of 48 pages or the lack of direct dialogue fool you. The picture gg manages to paint with her elegant style, calculated layouts, and poetically-timed statements gives the reader a look into the author’s mind with the subtlety of a scraped knee: not enough to draw tears, but enough to create emotional scratches that will be felt for days.

Feelings of depression and anxiety affect approximately 264 million people globally. Every day, there are those who struggle to do simple tasks like exercise or water their plants. Does gg offer any new perspective on this? Not really. Does she portray it in a deeply relatable way that will hit home to many who struggle with mental disorders? Absolutely.

So while Constantly may not be for everyone, especially those looking for a deep dive into mental health, it does exactly what it needs to do in terms of material: provide a viscerally detailed and relatable account of depression and anxiety to those searching for others who experience the world like they do: in shades of pink, black, and grey.

CONSTANTLY
Writer/Artist: gg
Publisher: Koyama Press
Price: $10
A poetic meditation rendered in beautiful pastels and black line on managing and struggling to get through the small tasks of every day. The claustrophobia of thought and the crippling of anxiety make any house haunted, any body possessed.
Release Date: January 7, 2020

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Kirin Xin is a graphic designer, band freak, and comics writer and illustrator working out of the Midwest. They could have been prom king but devoted their life to making comic books. They can be found at kirixin.com or on social media @kirixin