The low-down: Post York is a grim look at a dystopian (but very real) world in which the ice caps and glaciers have melted, resulting in a flooded world. Set in post-flood New York, it follows Crosby, a loner whose consistent companion is his cat, Kitsky. The graphic novel is split into three alternate possible versions of the future, with Crosby and his brief interaction with a young woman centering each story.

James Romberger serves as the main writer, artist, and letterer of this book, and his vision is both bleak and beautifully rendered in Post York. Romberger’s stark black-and-white artwork is arresting and meticulously detailed. The “silence” of the opening pages evokes the isolation of the main character as he traverses a flooded Manhattan in search of supplies, and when the first speech bubble pops up after a good 10 pages or so of atmospheric silence, it’s actually jarring. While the lines are rather sparse, the writing is intentional and clear. Romberger’s son, Crosby (The character is very loosely based on him.) served as a consultant and provided the rap verses that close out the book, along with a self-portrait collage.

Post York feels timely for topical and personal reasons. Obviously, climate change and how it leads to melting ice caps and widespread flooding comes to mind. On the other hand, one of the lesser-known consequences of climate change is the weakening of the jet stream which actually increases the likelihood of polar vortices escaping down south. As a current resident of Texas, I’ve kind of been living in a post-apocalyptic winter nightmare this week – a consequence of one of said rogue polar vortices – with no electricity or water for days. The sense of isolation and occasional desperation really hit home this week as I read this graphic novel. It also angered me when I thought about all of the inaction and constant discounting of the actual issue of climate change by a good swath of the public and our elected officials. At least in the United States of America, climate change/global warming is still not a fully accepted phenomenon, and this why I think that #StoriesMatter. Stories are the oldest teaching tool, and I think that media can be truly educational when utilized correctly, because they allow the humanity of the issues to shine through.

Overall, Post York plays it both as a “slice-of-life” story, as well as environmental commentary, and it’s a story that’s worth telling/reading.

Creative Team: James Romberger (writer, artist, colorist, letterer), Crosby Romberger (writer, artist)
Publisher: Dark Horse Comics
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