Ballad for Sophie

Originally published in Portuguese as Balada para Sophie, this touching graphic novel tells the story of master pianist Julien Francois and the rivalry that shaped his life and career. Switching back and forth between his past and the present day, the bigger story slowly comes into focus before hitting you with an emotional culmination at the end. Superb work from writer Felipe Melo and artist Juan Cavia, whose loose, clean cartooning was a breath of fresh air.