Epileptic

David B.'s Epileptic (originally published in France as L'Ascension du Haut Mal by L'Association before its English-language release from Jonathan Cape in 2005) is a landmark graphic memoir that chronicles the artist's childhood and young adulthood alongside his older brother's struggle with epilepsy. Over the course of its single, substantial volume, Pierre-François Beauchard (who signs his work as David B.) weaves a deeply personal narrative that blends stark realism with fantastical, dreamlike imagery to explore family dynamics, illness, and the search for meaning. Translated by Kim Thompson, this work is celebrated for its raw honesty and innovative visual storytelling, cementing its place as a touchstone of autobiographical comics.