Mothballs

By Sole Otero. Published by Fantagraphics. 

Softcover, 336 pages, Colour, 2024. 

In this moving family saga, a teenage woman uncovers the hushed history of sexual violence that shattered her grandmother's life.

San Martín, Argentina, 2001. Upon her estranged grandmother Vilma's death, 19-year-old Rocío moves into a house haunted by memories. Seeking a deeper understanding, Ro delves into her family history and uncovers the episodes of violence and betrayal that shattered Vilma's dreams. All the while, the familiar scent of mothballs permeating the estate serves to remind Ro of the ineluctable spell of the past that she must break in order to forge her own path in life. Tender, heartrending, and leavened with biting humor, Mothballs is at once a moving family saga and a poignant reflection on the need to hold fast to one's identity, despite how painful it can be. A showcase of tour de force cartooning that marks Sole Otero as a major talent in the global comics scene.

"Otero's brightly colored characters are doll-like yet full of passion, outrage, and schemes, and her storytelling is just as bold and memorable as the drawings. It's an impressive achievement." — Publishers Weekly Starred Review

"Otero's Mothballs is an unflinching look at family, love and choosing your own path. It stayed with me long after I read it." — Eleanor Davis (The Hard Tomorrow)

"A moving family saga from Sole Otero about uncovering violence and betrayal in one's family tree, with humor and heart-warming moments permeating throughout." — Lydia Turner - Broken Frontier

"Mothballs is a profound, captivating work, which tells us about family, guilt, fears and the search for a way that prevents repeating the mistakes of the past." — Jon Spinaro - El Diario de Navarra

"An exciting and colorful reflection on family and identity." — Gemma Veiga - Elle Spain