Carolannewantedaperfectwedding,aperfecthusband,aperfectfamily.Shecarefullyperformsherownroles(galpal,bestie,girlfriend,wife,andexpectantmother)andintryingtoenactagencyoverherlife,sacrificesitcompletely.Herdesiretocontroltheuncontrollableultimatelybecomesherundoing.Whenthingsdon’tgoherway,sheexertsdominanceovertheonethingshedoeshavetotalcontrolover:herbody;untilthat“betrays“her.Aftersufferingahorribleloss,Carolannespiralsintoaliteral,all-consumingdelusionthatwillengrosscomicsreadersandhorroraficionadosalike.ChicagocartoonistandeducatorBethHetland’sgraphicnoveldebutisabrilliantpsychologicalthrillerthattearsdownthewallofagenre--bodyhorror--sooftenidentifiedwithmalecreators.Headyandvisceral,Tenderuseshorrifictropestoconfrontwomen’ssocietalexpectationsofself-sacrificedespitethosetraditionalrolesoftencomingattheexpenseoffemalesexualityandempowerment.
