The three circles in the second tier are probably the most interesting thing about this story (the spotted blacks are really good, too). They work on two levels. On one level, they are telling the reader that this man cannot hear, speak, or read. On another level, they are telling the reader that there will be no sound effects, dialogue or words in the comic. 

The result is an ambitious piece of visual narrative that doesn’t quite gel at the end, but it worthy of praise for making the attempt.

(Heavy Metal issue #193, May 2001 – Page 84 The Pugilist by Follender)