Max by Sonny

Sonny draws a graphic novel, much darker than he expects. Why is Max, his cartoon bread and butter, so keen for Sonny to finish it?
It brings new characters into Sonny's life:
Tony, newly widowed, facing retirement and with his plans in ruins;
Lisa, young, capable and attractive, facing hard truths about her career choices;
Elin, an art teacher struggling with negative equity and trying to do the best for her teenage daughter, Megan;
And Cheryl, a young PC, haunted by a murder that hangs over all of them.

But what connects them?