Episode 54
Greetings, Explorers! Today we take a look at Wrinkles. Paco Roca wrote and illustrated the graphic novel. Originally published in 2007 by Fantagraphics, an animated film was made in 2011, both in Spanish and English languages. In Wrinkles, an elderly man named Emilio is suffering from Alzheimer’s. Emilio’s son admits him to an assisted living home after realizing he can no longer care for his father. Emilio meets Miguel in the facility. Miguel is of a sharp mind and uses it to take advantage of his surroundings and neighbors in the home. Additionally, Miguel has an acerbic outlook on life among the many loving relationships in the story. Miguel uses his wily ways to keep his new friend Emilio from being admitted to the dreaded “Top Floor” of the facility.
Dennis, Johnny, and Frankie begin the episode by comparing Wrinkles and Ken Kesey’s One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest. Next, they discuss their impressions about elderly care in America versus Europe. Finally, they talk about the ways Paco Roca shows Miguel’s growing love and sense of responsibility for Emilio. Additional topics include why it’s good to be a “Cheater”; grifting for good; going to the Second Floor for love; the heartwrenching finale; Johnny and Dennis’s future and last, but not least, the storytelling and art of Wrinkles.
Check out our reading lists for previous seasons by clicking here. We would love to hear your suggestions for future episodes of Graphic Novel Explorers Club.
Songe d’Automne by Latche Swing
