LDC ONLINE COMICS FAIR 2025! It seems that every time I think we have finished up with our LDC Online Comics Fair coverage for this year that I find one more comic to cover. Shape of Sadness by destinationplutoo (aka artist Arushi Mathur) is one such example. Work that takes a serious subject but makes it all the more relatable for presenting it in terms of the playful and the visually vibrant.
Shape of Sadness introduces us to a lump of sadness that lives within its narrator’s body. The lump constantly shifts, changes and evolves throughout their anatomy. This anthropomorphised collection of negative emotional energy becomes a character in its own right, having different effects on its host’s mood and physicality depending on its ever mutable aspect. Will it become an all-controlling presence or can the narrator learn to accept and adapt to this part of themselves?
Sitting somewhere in the mental health awareness strand of graphic medicine Shape of Sadness is a charming take on a difficult subject that has a considered message to impart about realities that we will all face at some point in our lives. What destinationplutoo provides here is essentially one long visual metaphor but it’s presented with such an accessible visual approach – all pliant visual characterisation and inventive page layouts – that it will instantly connect with its audience.
Colour choices here are particularly interesting. On the one hand they echo the early themes of the maudlin and the somewhat despondent and yet, simultaneously, they somehow become soothing and reflective as the story progresses. Because this is very much a tale of hope. One of self-acceptance and coming to terms with our feelings. Further investigation reveals that my suspicions that this was autobiographical work were not unfounded which makes it all the more important as a testimony to lived esperience.
If you have the financial capacity for one more LDComics offering before the fair ends later this week then this should be the one. It’s hugely impressive work and a reminder of just how much a sense of discovery has been a part of this event this month. I will certainly be investigating the work of destinationplutoo with a view to further coverage at Broken Frontier in the future. You should do so too.
destinationplutoo (W/A) • LDComics Online Comics Fair, £5.00
Review by Andy Oliver
The LDComics Online Comics Fair runs across the month of July. Read all our coverage of the comics on offer here at BF.
Such a beautifully crafted comic. Shape of Sadness is a powerful and tender reflection of emotions we all carry, and Arushi Mathur (destinationplutoo) brings it to life with such honesty, creativity, and heart. The way the visuals and metaphors flow together makes the experience feel deeply personal yet universally relatable. Truly deserving of all the praise – looking forward to seeing more of her work in the future!
Truly amazing comic!!