Fungae is a graphic novel published by F. U. Press, a unit of Fantagraphics Books that showcases the talents of writer Wojtek Wawszczyk and artist Tomasz Lew Lesniak as we follow a small family (father, mother, and son) through the most ruthless, dangerous journey one is likely to encounter. The family is making its way through the densest, most unforgiving of jungles. There are killer birds and other animals, but worst of all is the fungus that sprouts from every conceivable inch of the jungle. Every move and inch gained is a struggle against the fungus. Spit on the ground and fungus instantly sprouts where it lands. Even worse, the fungus has begun to grow on the family, too.
Buy FungaeThere is fungus everywhere and the fungus grows fast. The father is covered in the nasty, green stuff, and becomes more and more plant-like as the story progresses. He is the leader, always pushing forward, though he has no answers as to why they have chosen the direction he is so clearly set on. The mom does her best to help her son grow into a survivor while keeping the father from being too rough with him. The son wants to show his father that he is a man, but he is definitely just a young boy trying to cope in the harshest of atmospheres.
There is a long sequence in which the family is so desperate for food that they sacrifice the son’s skin to be able to eat. In a rare clearing in the jungle, the boy takes off his shirt and lies spread-eagle out in the open. It takes mere moments before he is covered in massive blood-sucking flies that start to drink greedily. Mom and Dad run out from the trees with clubs and beat the hell out of the flies, their future food. However, Mom and Dad take this activity a little too seriously and it looks like the little boy will be beaten to a pulp along with the flies.
There are some very dark notes spattered throughout the graphic novel. At one point, the family comes across a similar family heading in the opposite direction. The new family is convinced that only death lies behind them and the way the first family is coming from is the path to nirvana. This could not be more unsettling as our family, that we have come to care for as we watch their struggle and root for them, decide to continue on their original path despite the warning.
The storytelling and art are wonderful throughout this fantastic adventure. While there is minimal dialogue, this adds to the desperation of the family: there seems to be nothing to discuss except food, shelter, and continuing to move forward. The illustrations are bleak, but the family is portrayed as a loving, coherent unit who love each other enough to die for one another.
Fungae is a powerful look at a family in constant crisis mode. The dialogue/storytelling is sparse but scary, and the artwork is absolutely top-notch. Wawszczyk and Lesniak have produced a truly engaging thriller deep in the dark, dangerous jungle.
Fungae will be available on May 19, 2026
