Our Expanding Universe

Three close friends and their wives confront the realities of adulthood as kids, money troubles, work, infidelity, and confidence issues begin to fray the seemingly unbreakable bonds of friendship. As they ponder the universe around them, these men and women will face tough choices, make big mistakes, and stumble towards the future as best they can.

Our Expanding Universe is a funny, dark, and realistic look at how friendships and relationships grow and evolve as parenthood and children enter the picture. The simplistic art and conversational dialogue allow the stories and the character decisions to take center stage.

A cheating storyline feels tacked on for extra drama, and the planetarium speech is a little heavy-handed, but otherwise, the narrative rings true. Little incidents blow up into huge issues, friendships are strained, and some relationships survive the test while others lapse (or collapse).

This is a graphic novel that makes everyday life feel weighty and important, utilizing its black-and-white imagery to great effect, drawing out anxiety and uncertainty from each and every stroke of the pen. Our Expanding Universe is a slice-of-life, but a slice that may not leave a best taste in your mouth.