Credit: Drawn & Quarterly

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Drawn & Quarterly

The new graphic novel by French-Canadian cartoonist Julie Delporte opens with colorful illustrations of Brussels, cabbages, and bodies that are nude except for their loose socks. Delporte’s color-penciled cursive reveals, “I tried to get pregnant one summer… but when he came inside me… I panicked.” The couple talks about having a child, texting about a potential name. Delporte writes, “I would have liked him to say ‘I’ll take care of her. You’ll be able to draw. I’ll change diapers. I’ll even nurse her.’ But neither of us said anything and when he came, I felt betrayed.”

Suzette Smith is the arts & culture editor of the Portland Mercury. Go ahead and tell her about all your food, art, and culture gripes: suzette@portlandmercury.com. Follow her on Twitter, Bluesky,...