9/11 Heartbreaker is about as “indie” as you can get when it comes to comic books.  Written and illustrated by Craig Staufenberg the short comic reads more like an illustrated personal journal than a comic driven by plot.  Driven by his memories of 9/11, Staufenberg set out on a journey to see what others his age remember about that day, and how it’s impacted him since.

What could have been exploitative or overtly cheesy and sentimental instead comes off as personal.  This are memories and views that aren’t forced upon the reader.  The rough art ads to that personal touch.  This really feels like an illustrated journal entry.  The writer has something to say, and needed to get it off his chest.

More of a long form poem than story it’s focus is on loss.  Focusing on the good instead of the bad, it shows how people have moved on in their own ways.  This is about how we remember the moment and the history of the world around us.

This is rough, but in the end that’s what makes it so charming.

Plot: Staufenberg has a pretty personal tale here.  My reading felt like I was picking up his journal with poetry.  The short comic isn’t so much about the events of 9/11 but how we deal with events, loss and memories.  It’s an interesting read and shows a lot of promise from this writer.  Rating: 7.5

Art:  The art is rough here, but that’s also what makes it so charming.  There’s nothing that makes me run out and get this for the art, but this isn’t one you buy and read for the art.  But interestingly, the art adds to the story’s charm.  Rating: 4

Overall: This isn’t a book about the art, it’s about the story.  Set in a place I spent a lot of my life, I probably am a bit more nostalgic over the locations I recognize and the foot steps I’ve walked.  This is poetry in comic form.  Something very unique and worth the read.  Overall rating: 7

Recommendation:Read

Page count: 28 pages    Price: $4.99    Release Date: Out now

Craig Staufenberg provided Graphic Policy with an advance copy of this issue for FREE for review.