Marguerite struggles with the day-to-day expectations of the world around her. Her work is impeccable, but she has very particular ways of eating and existing that perplex her friends and coworkers. Unfortunately, her desire to keep to herself and just get through the workday irritates her colleagues who see her as anti-social and refusing to participate in office culture. Following all the written rules and fully expressed rules, she does fine. Following the unspoken rules of life is far more difficult. As Marguerite finds herself at a breaking point, she begins reading about Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and finds a familiar set of behaviors. Through trial and error, doctors testing, and meeting others with ASD, she soon receives a diagnosis. Life becomes more colorful, but she still endures uncomfortable comments and frustrations from those who either don’t believe she has the disorder or simply don’t understand it. Slowly, she builds a life she is proud of.
The graphic novel Invisible Differences perfectly captures the feeling of melting under the sheer weight of social expectations in a setting where you have no choice. We see Marguerite relax only at home, the place where she has control of her environment. With more and more women being diagnosed with ASD later in life, Invisible Differences is a must read. Marguerite’s exploration and search for answers, beset with male professionals who don’t believe her, is extremely relatable for many. The black and white art decorated with brief bursts of color captures the black and white thinking in the beginning, slowly adding more color overtime. As Marguerite receives an official diagnosis and begins to find ways to cope, her world turns to bright color. I appreciate that even when she does receive her diagnosis, the graphic novel doesn’t shy away from showing the disbelief and common insulting questions people with Autism may endure. For those familiar with “spoon theory” there is a great series of panels you can share with those who might not be familiar with the concept.
Whether you’re neurotypical, neurodivergent, or unsure of where you lie, writer Julie Daches and artist Mademoiselle Carolne absolutely capture what it means to examine your Invisible Differences. Marguerite’s story is just the beginning, as the graphic novel includes multiple resources for those who want to study ASD more in-depth.
Invisible Differences from Oni Press comes to stores September 10, 2025.
