SNAFU

Jennifer Hanling

Area: Graphic Design

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Thesis Statement

The damaging effects of childhood trauma is a hard to grasp concept, even for those well into their adulthood. Society’s inability to speak and educate adolescents who have endured trauma in a manner that can be understood by them creates an alienating environment in which they are forced to heal. This isolated environment, more often than not, only worsens or elongates the victim's healing process. Through the use of the comic book medium, in hand with common motifs drawn in art therapy created by those who have experienced adolescent trauma, one is able to open a new means of communication on this taboo topic. Although Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a common trope within superhero comic books such as Magneto, the Punisher and Nick Fury, the language and trauma are directed and associated with trauma from war. These comics are a great resource and comfort to those who experienced trauma due to war but are almost exclusively designated to the older military male point of view. This demographic does not include the majority of women or adolescents who may also be suffering from the after effects of trauma. Due to the comic book industry's demographic being primarily children, this makes this medium a practical way to help children who have experienced traumatic events process why they are feeling the way they are.