Review: Happiness Will Follow HC

Mark Twain once said “Write what you know’; therefore it makes sense to write your memoirs, after all, you were there!  That may be the reasoning for Mike Hawthorne, the writer /artist for Happiness Will Follow, a hardcover from Archaia via Boom! Studios.

Hawthorne details his childhood, the good, the bad and the ugly.  Reading the book there are elements that will break your heart.  There is also a sense of resolve to proceedings, as if he was brought up to know that at some point his happiness would come.  Being a Puerto Rican raised in America there are culture and religious elements that ensure that a young Michael would stand out.  This book then could also be seen as cathartic to some extent, not to demean Michael’s journey in any way.

Looking at the writing first, Hawthorne does well to explain things that might be out of the readers knowledge which is coupled with a high amount of self-awareness.  Throughout the book, he mixes up how he felt at the time of the various instances and a more present day reflection.  The juxtaposition works well as by using the two extreme poles allows the reader to form their own opinions rather than  buy into Hawthornes viewpoints.

The art is a tad basic, linear in places, scratchy in others, it is effective.  This is after all, a book that only has a couple of heroes, be it by deeds or through survival.  There is no need for capes!  Self-reflection and memories can alter perceptions and the art encapsulates elements of this, effectively bringing in the religious elements that as so important.  Colors are supplied by Sam Bowen in a style that uses muted colors to make the art’s point.  Clem Robins delivers an effectively odd font, that feels like story notes rather than the actual story.

This book may not seem to have relevance to a lot of readers; after all I am a white guy in the UK.  However, the book stands well as a snapshot of a life that was a battle.  Societal elements may have changed, though I would imagine that there is a lot of parallels from  Happiness Will Follow to the situations that a lot of people are dealing with today.  Therefore, this is an important book to read to help those who may be losing their faith, their belief that their own Happiness Will Follow.

Writing – 5 Stars
Art – 5 Stars

Overall – 5 Stars

Written & Art by;  Mike Hawthorne
Colors by; Sam Bowen
Letters by; Clem Robins
Published by; Archaia via Boom! Studios