There’s a surprisingly deep and meaningful tale being told throughout the double page spreads of graphic novel Christiania.

So, why exactly is that surprising, you ask?

Well, it’s surprising because Christiania is a tale told without any text at all, beyond that featured organically within its world.

Teenage creator Abi Behe has crafted an impressive warning of the dangers of social media here, with an eye for social commentary that goes well beyond her years.

She’s ably assisted by artist Taka’s street art-style illustrations, each of which helps to move the story along with lots of little details.

The blurb, however, does help to solidify a few of the details that the art doesn’t quite manage to convey, but despite there being a few gaps – which could have been plugged with text – the general gist of the story can be gleaned from the art alone.

That is, as long as you slow down and take the time to really absorb all of the happenings in each double page spread.

Perhaps due to this, I found Christiania to be an unusually involving story; the minimalist approach forces you to look closer, to step into the world that Abi Behe and Taka have created – for better or worse.

It’s a unique experience – and one that was much more affecting than I expected it to be.

You can find more information on Christiania at the Contraband website here.

Many thanks to Abi Behe for sending me a digital copy of Christiania for review purposes.