Graphic Novels Reviews: Side Effects

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Title: Side Effects

Published by: Aftershock Comics

Written by: Ted Anderson

Illustrated by: Tara O’Connor

ISBN: 9781956731088

Ages: 16+

Results may vary with these prescriptions.


Side Effects dramatizes one LGBTQIA+ college student’s anxiety as she exits her comfort zone and enters adulthood. Hannah begins college and therapy. Her medications seem to help her anxiety; however, they have unusual side effects like astroprojection, telepathy, and levitation. How is she supposed to ask out her crush and lead a normal life?


Although the concept of therapy medication resulting in extra-human abilities is interesting, the narrative may over-emphasize medications. However, Hannah does make the effort to create and maintain friendships that help her throughout the narrative as she involves her friends in her life.
The narrative advocates respect and empathy with other people regardless of their confidence or mental and emotional states. This is a graphic novel that supports compassion. Hannah realizes that the real superpower is love for others and oneself.


The artwork is straightforward line art without color. The characters are diverse and relatable.
The narrative does not resolve a minor character’s dilemma when a professor mistreats her. While the anxiety and doubt depicted is understandable, the lack of resolution fails to empower and strengthen readers. For a graphic novel whose main focus is self-empowerment – literally – this lack in the plot is glaring.


Side Effects is not quite enough of a superhero story and not quite enough of a drama, but the graphic novel has heart.


Older teens or adults who have read authors such as Telgemeier or Svetlana Chmakova may also enjoy this story.

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Angela Dabrowski
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