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.

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