Happy almost-release day! And what a book this is. O my god.

Baby Blue is about Betty, who lives in a near-future version of Sweden, a fascist world where mental health is strictly policed. Being what they call a burden to society is punishable, and displaying behavior deemed abnormal gets you flagged and dealt with.

Thanks to NetGalley and Fantagraphics Books for providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for a review. This is my honest opinion and entirely my own. I recommend this to readers who want to stay politically engaged through fiction, but also to those who can appreciate dark dystopian stories in which queer people aren’t forgotten.

During the first 20 pages of this book, I mostly found myself thinking “what the actual fuck”, while still getting used to the art style. But once you push through that initial bewilderment and adapt to the style, you’ll still be shocked — because it’s probably not what you expected. I personally found it quite creepy at times. The art style helps with that: it’s very consistent, but it doesn’t try to be aesthetic or pleasing to the eye. Instead, it helps you focus on the story itself and works hard to carry that weight.

Baby Blue delivers powerful commentary on one-sided and censored news coverage, on what it means to participate in a society you don’t fit into, and for some readers it might be a bit of an eye-opener when it comes to our current world.

While at times both incredibly funny and extremely dark, I think this is an easily accessible read about the shift in our political climate, how our actions matter, and how queer people still have the right to exist — and be happy doing so — even if that means fighting against everything we’ve ever known.

Here is a (incomplete) list of trigger warnings, which could be seen as spoilers:
Suicide, depression, violence, and medical horror/torture.

Scandinavian authors have a particular knack for creating disconcerting dystopias, very European in their coldness and efficiency - here's another one! And it's actually not that cold, with a lot of outsiders finding and supporting eachother. This is all very timely, of course, with real life turning into, or already being, a dystopia, with a constant 'othering' of people and trying to erase them from existence.

That all sounds quite heavy, but the book is much lighter, with a beautiful surreal tinge and lots of humour. In fact, the book might even be a bit too positive for my tastes, with a too hopeful ending, but on the other hand, that's probably what we need now; a message of hope.

The art is absurd and wonderful, really quite excellent. Overall, an excellent book for our time.

Baby Blue by Bim Eriksson is about identity and the need to express yourself in a world that dictates what is considered normal or abnormal. Going in, I wasn't aware of how dark the comic would've been, which definitely caught me off guard a bit. The graphic novel is easy to get into and the story was delivered well. There were some moments where it felt like the characters were relaying info in chunks rather than in bits and pieces of how society works or how the resistance works but the pacing moves pretty fast, so I understand the need to fill in the reader as quickly as possible. I'd say I'm not used to a very unique artstyle as I'm only used to a more anime or superheros styles, so this was a nice change of pace for my eyes. It conveyed the story effectively, which is the part that really matters. Overall, I breezed through it, and I have no other qualms about it. The topic of the book might be a bit heavy for some people, so that's something to keep in mind. To note, this is not a romance graphic novel, as the romance plays a very miniscule part in the story.

𝘔𝘢𝘯𝘺 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘬𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘕𝘦𝘵𝘎𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘺, 𝘍𝘢𝘯𝘵𝘢𝘨𝘳𝘢𝘱𝘩𝘪𝘤𝘴 𝘉𝘰𝘰𝘬𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘉𝘪𝘮 𝘌𝘳𝘪𝘬𝘴𝘴𝘰𝘯 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘈𝘙𝘊 𝘪𝘯 𝘦𝘹𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘢𝘯 𝘩𝘰𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘳𝘦𝘷𝘪𝘦𝘸. 𝘈𝘭𝘭 𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩𝘵𝘴 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘳𝘦𝘭𝘺 𝘮𝘺 𝘰𝘸𝘯 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘮𝘢𝘺 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘳𝘦𝘧𝘭𝘦𝘤𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘷𝘪𝘦𝘸𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘴.

Thanks to Fantagraphics and NetGalley for this eARC. It is a interesting dystopian story with very unique art regarding masks and proportions.

I requested and received this book from NetGalley. My opinions are my own.

"Baby Blue" is dark and relatable, especially especially for right now, and for people like me. People like Baby, Berina, (and others not mentioned in the blurb). The art style is so unique. I loved it, it's a reminder that I'm not alone. That people like me are not alone. In fact we're everywhere.

Betty feels like a total outsider - she lives in a society where everyone is happy all the time, and she is not. When the wrong people find out Betty's emotional state, she is taken by the government for "treatment." In the hospital, Betty meets a mysterious woman in a dog mask who she connects with. Betty is quickly introduced to a new way of life, a resistance to the status quo.

Thank you Fantagraphics Books | Fantagraphics for granting my request wish!

Baby Blue is a funky little dystopian nightmare in a fascist Sweden that shoves those that even seem vaguely mentally abhorrent into the medication machine... except for few secret enclaves of resistances. In "Baby"'s story too is a little sapphic love story and the beginnings of what could be a sort of new found family, people like her that can't so easily conform to the system.

The art is pretty wild but it grew on me over time, and the heart of the story is enough where it didn't really detract for too long (but also I read a lot of graphic novels so it's easy enough for me to acclimate). Well worth a read, especially how the world is leaning at the moment.

Thank you to NetGalley for allowing me to read this.

This was an okay read, though very timely.
As an introduction to reading about fascism it is good, but in comparison to similar stories, it doesn't do anything new.

The art style is very unique. While not being something I want on my wall, I know it will be loved by many people.

On the back it is described as 'haunting' and a 'thriller'. In my opinion, neither of these words are very accurate. Because I have read similar stories it was all quite predictable, therefore taking away any and all thrills and nerves. I also found there were some plot holes/ lacking plots. Though these will probably be rectified if there are follow ups.

I think this was very good. The art was a really interesting style that I enjoyed and I found the pacing to be great which kept me engaged throughout the story. It was a good read

netgalley ARC - a way too relevant dystopian comic with an intriguing art style and a concept that hooks you right away. Berina is kind of everything.

Baby Blue has a drawing that catches your attention because of the very personal style, with men and women with disproportionately large chests.

The title is a declaration of intentions, since we are facing a group of adults who live in a dystopia in the style of Brave New World, with their medical treatments to stay within what is expected of them, and therefore, they never face negative emotions that can turn them into mature adults. But it also refers to the loneliness of the different and how difficult it can be to adapt or, at least, live knowing that you’re not like the others, that you doubt and have feelings.

The ending seemed to me quite forced, though, but not in itself, but in the way it was brought about.

As a dystopian piece, I found this engrossing--I've read some graphic novels like this that try to be too esoteric and end up alienating the reader, but this world actually seems plausible (scarily enough). The art style isn't my favorite, but the proportions are very fun.

60/100 or 3.0 stars

I think it might be an issue that there is no dialogue in the entire thing. I wanted to see what the story was saying as much as I could with just the art. I enjoyed what Erikkson was doing with this story, but the lack of dialogue made it difficult. The artwork was also not working for me at all. I won't be posting this on Goodreads since a good part of the story in this ARC version is missing.

thank you netgalley & fantagraphic books for a copy of this book in return for an honest review ! <3
i have to say, i liked this a lot more that i thought i would on first glance.
“baby blue” follows betty, as she is caught crying in public, and is captured by peacekeepers and administered treatment in this dystopian society. whilst undergoing this treatment, betty meets berina, a loud, brazen, and carefree lady, who betty instantly shares a connection with. together they explore the dark truths of their society, they explore the world of the resistance, and they explore each other.
now i have to say… i really didn’t like the art style at first. the art of betty almost makes her look grotesque, and the fact berina has a bunny-head really confused me at the beginning. but the more i read the art style started to grow on me, especially due to berina. ugh she’s so cute. i just had to get the hang of eriksson’s unique and zany art style, and whoo boy was it fun to look at.
now back to betty…. she was um…. a bit boring if im honest. she didn’t seem to have too much substance, especially compared to berina who was well fleshed out. i’m not too mad that betty was surface-level though as she acted as a great audience surrogate to introduce readers to the world of “baby blue”. shout out berina ugh i loved her. also shout out gay people i love gay people 🔥
the plot was pleasant. i felt like the story didn’t go anywhere at the start, and i was a bit worried, but once the resistance plot kicked off all my worries were erased. it was honestly great from that point onwards. no complaints about the plot. the only teeny tiny complaint i did have is that i wish the social commentary went deeper. topics were touched on but it didn’t feel like they were explored much deeper. but also this is a graphic novel so im not expecting mf crime and punishment or something in terms of social class. i think this is just a case of me being pedantic, but ill be honest and mention it because honestly that’s the only reason this wasn’t a 5-star for me ! if i was someone who rated on quality, easy 5-star.
lowkey this was great. this superseded my expectations, and i had a great time . it was fun, it was brutal, it was sad, it was joyous. it was a lovely experience.

Bim Eriksson’s dystopia feels uncomfortably close to reality, set in a Stockholm-like city where the Public Health Authority works to eliminate negative emotions—but without addressing the root causes. In this society, the ideal citizen is healthy, strong, and emotionally numb. Betty, however, doesn’t fit in. She hides in the bathroom at Espresso Mouse during breaks, sneaking smokes and googling “How to be happy?” Eventually, her "norm-breaking behavior" lands her in a clinic, where she meets Berina, a mysterious figure in a rabbit mask who knows more than she lets on.

The story draws clear inspiration from Karin Boye’s Kallocain, with echoes of totalitarian surveillance and a chilling focus on public health that recalls early 20th-century eugenics rhetoric. The narrative also explores how concepts of "deviance" are shaped by gender, class, and cultural norms.

As a satire on mental health discourse with a feminist angle, it’s hard not to root for the resistance. But reading it as an allegory for recent pandemic-related restrictions and mass vaccinations adds an unsettling layer. The repeated public announcements urging citizens to "smile" and "cooperate" are particularly eerie.

The book shines most in its intimate moments—like Berina’s awkward attempts at trust-building and the raw depiction of a panic attack—contrasting with some of the more dramatic plot points. While I wasn’t initially drawn to the art style, especially the hollow-eyed characters, I grew to appreciate it, with Berina’s rabbit mask standing out as a favorite visual element.

Some details, like the apparent ease of moving around the city masked, stretched believability. Still, the open-ended conclusion leaves room for a sequel, and despite a few reservations, I’d be curious to see where Eriksson takes the story next.

An interesting story for sure, a not-so-distant possible future. The art is very stylized, and so it felt like it took away from some of the more important moments in this, but that is just my personal preference.

4⭐
In a fascistic society in the not-so-near future, where mental health is grossly policied, lives 20 something year old Betty.

Enjoyed this book more than I thought I would. Loved the characters, something about the art work scratches my brain, and with how it ended, I can't wait to get in to the next one!

Thank you NetGalley and Fantagraphics Books for this ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

First off, many thanks to NetGalley for letting me read this book as an ARC! I greatly appreciate it!

While it took me a while to warm up to the weird, grotesque art style of this graphic novel, I came to really love the story and the characters! Betty/Baby is super relatable, and it's feeling more and more like we're approaching a world like hers. It's upsetting that it's so similar to the real world, but it's also inspiring to see Berina and the gals fighting back! This story felt like a prelude, though it's not marked as a volume one, and I'm wondering if there's gonna be a sequel. I'd love to read more about this world!

Five stars out of five for Baby Blue!

I received an eARC copy from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

I fear this is a must read graphic novel for the current social climate. I can't express how captivated I was with Baby Betty's story and the dystopian society she lived in. It was so interesting to see because while it felt different to other dystopian novels I have read from in the past, this also felt so familiar - a little bit like 1984, a little bit like our current reality. It's looking at a world where we are watched continuously by the powers that be who want to ensure we are "happy","stable" and therefore "okay" with the leaders in charge. Baby is relatable because she wants to belong to something, but struggling mentally with societal pressures (be it a physical manifestation of "peacekeepers" or within her own head) weighing down on her. I was a little put off by the art style; it is at once both creepy and uncanny and while I get that this is the style needed for the story, I was just a lil uncomfortable while reading lol. Regardless, I think it's important for readers to see a small, queer resistance movement within a fascist regime and I highly recommend it!

thanks to NetGalley and also Fantagraphics Books for granting my wish with this one!

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i didn't know what this was about, i saw that it was a graphic novel and it was queer and i clicked WISH PLEASE.

first of all, i loved the art in this. you're not getting your standard graphic novel fare of cartoonish characters, the way that people were drawn was really cool and really eerie, i thought the art lended itself so well to the plot.

so betty lives in a world not unlike 1984. there's officers on every street, hunting down people who might be displaying any emotion that isn't blank acceptance and affability despite the fact that there's still poverty in spite of the circuitous grind of meaningless labor. capitalism is in full swing and people have lost their rights to complain about it. betty expresses emotion when she sees her friend jump in front of a moving train. she's taken to a facility and pumped full of iv drugs. there, she meets berina, who the drugs don't seem to be working on.

betty ultimately goes down a rabbit hole with berina, secreting away to places where laws are ignored, queerness is rampant and joyful, and people are bright and expressive and full of emotion and life.

kind of a harrowing read considering the state of the world currently and various acts by politicians to exhibit the kind of control that stamps out the uniqueness and beauty in us all, but i loved reading a work that was so joyfully full of resistance. a great, quick read.