Looking at the cover of “Habibi,” you might think you were looking at an ancient tome. The arabesque patterns on the cover only hint at the extraordinary artwork that fills the pages of the book. The calligraphy and superb drawings embellish a tale that feels like a fairy tale, albeit one for mature readers. “Habibi,” which means “my beloved” in Arabic, is the story of two orphans, Dodola and Zam, whose relationship explores familial and erotic love.
“Habibi” delves into a number of other themes as well: exploitation of the weak, environmentalism, the shared origins of Christianity and Islam, among others. Thompson’s narrative frequently employs passages from the Qur’an and Muslim mysticism. The tale is profound, heartbreaking, at times painful and at other times uplifting. The artwork alone is reason to read “Habibi,” but the story Thompson weaves is just as unforgettable.
This graphic novel is destined to be a classic, and one of the most important works of the decade. Thompson is at the height of his creativity and ambition with this latest work. “Habibi” is beautiful, powerful, and erotic. If you only read one graphic novel this year, make it this one.
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