Visualising the (in)visible scars of child sexual abuse and post–traumatic stress disorder in the graphic novel The Tale of One Bad Rat

This article provides a close reading of The Tale of One Bad Rat (1994) by Bryan Talbot, presenting a visual discourse on Child Sexual Abuse (CSA) and Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Through the graphic text, Talbot makes the invisible psychological wounds of CSA both visible and emotionally transmittable through vivid visual narrative. This article focuses on long-term CSA and the impact of trauma through visual tools such as images, panel layouts, colours, and fonts. It also highlights the key symbols that act as real companions, providing strength and abilities to the survivor. This article also examines how colour, layout, and symbolism reflect the survivor’s emotional journey, including pain, memories, and a gradual movement towards recovery. According to this article, graphic narratives play an important role in raising awareness about trauma through visual storytelling. It also offers readers a better understanding of PTSD and survivor experiences.