The Freak

Matt Lesniewski’s The Freak (2019–present, AdHouse Books) is a singular, self-contained comic that follows a homeless man navigating a hyper-detailed, grotesque urban landscape. In its single issue, Lesniewski’s visceral, scratchy art and sparse storytelling create a raw, empathetic portrait of survival and alienation. This debut marks the arrival of a distinctive new voice in alternative comics, showcasing a level of worldbuilding and emotional weight that feels far larger than its page count.