A "metaphor" is a comparison of two unrelated items that does not include the words "like" or "as." Despite the fact that Max knows otherwise, Grim, Max's grandpa, claims that "the poison never touched his lips." Grim is equating alcoholic beverages to poison in this remark. In addition to this example, several other metaphors can be found in the book. For example: "The thorn stuck in his side" compares pain from a thorn to pain from an arrow; and "To feast on misery" compares eating food to drinking alcohol - it gives one energy! Grim also says that "all cats are gray in the dark," which means that no matter what color cats are always gray. Finally, there is one more metaphor used in the book: "To turn one's back on happiness." This analogy explains why someone would want to drink alcohol - because they are unhappy! Now you know how to read a comic book! If you want to learn more about comics check out our Comic Books 101 page on the Stanford University website!