“The Arrival” by Shaun Tan

What does it take to tell a wordless story? Today, the panelists explore that question as Jillian guides Matt and Scout through the fantastical immigrant story of The Arrival by Shaun Tan. Together, we muse on the power of reaching out and sharing our stories to bring us closer together, even when we feel worlds apart. (And also, discuss the immutable staying power of a weird little guy.)

• (00:00) - “The Arrival” by Shaun Tan
• (00:21) - Front Matter
• (01:52) - Our experience with The Arrival
• (04:17) - Zero words!
• (08:35) - The antique photo style
• (10:29) - Dark gutters!
• (12:13) - SPOILER ZONE
• (12:44) - Symmetry
• (14:35) - The creature
• (15:19) - Not the real world but very real
• (18:12) - Kinship with the main character
• (19:50) - Moments that stuck with us
• (27:16) - The final page
• (32:07) - Familiars
• (38:02) - Studying this book
• (42:51) - Further reading

• Tan has written and illustrated several other books, with his other most notable being “The Lost Thing”
• Tan’s essay on the picture book: https://www.shauntan.net/esssay-picture-books-who-for
• Daytripper by Fabio Moon & Gabriel Ba
• Nonfiction graphic novels about the experience of immigrants and refugees are a genre all in their own - there’s a lot out there for you to take your pick from! Here’s a brief list curated by the Chicago Public Library: https://chipublib.bibliocommons.com/v2/list/display/298488099/1717973901

A comics podcast for everyone, proud to be a part of The Worst Garbage network.

Find us on Bluesky or Tumblr.

This week’s panelists can be found at:
Scout
Matt

Jillian

Editing this week by AJ Fillari.
Cover art by Scout Wilkinson.
Intro/Outro music by Boqeh.