Circus Saudade

From Colin:

The world of the traditional American Circus was always the appropriate backdrop for the story I want to tell in this comic.

The circuses of our youths and history are nostalgic and a little magical, but also contain a lot of darkness; all themes which are important to Circus Saudade’s story.

With its animals, the American circus was often the first place many children saw creatures like lions and elephants. Generously, maybe that broadened their minds and empathy to an animal world outside their own. But, more importantly, it was also a place that portrayed animals as subservient to humans and normalized abuse.

While not specifically a major theme of Circus Saudade’s story, the American circus’ history of animal abuse has long been something I wanted to treat correctly in the comic. I’m not going into great detail about the topic at this point (because in some ways it spoils some story beats), but suffice to say Circus Saudade has a different relationship with its animals for a lot of reasons yet to be shown.

So while not the purpose of the Circus Saudade story, more on this over time.

Thank you, readers.