My Friend Dahmer - Rambling Readers

Published Dec. 25, 2012 by Abrams Comicarts.

ISBN:: 978-1-4197-0217-4

(2 reviews)

You only think you know this story. In 1991, Jeffrey Dahmer—the most notorious serial killer since Jack the Ripper—seared himself into the American consciousness. To the public, Dahmer was a monster who committed unthinkable atrocities. To Derf Backderf, Dahmer was a much more complex figure: a high school friend with whom he had shared classrooms, hallways, and car rides. In My Friend Dahmer, a haunting and original graphic novel, writer-artist Backderf creates a surprisingly sympathetic portrait of a disturbed young man struggling against the morbid urges emanating from the deep recesses of his psyche—a shy kid, a teenage alcoholic, and a goofball who never quite fit in with his classmates. With profound insight, what emerges is a Jeffrey Dahmer that few ever really knew, and readers will never forget.

This new paperback edition will coincide with the release of the movie adaptation of My Friend Dahmer and will include additional …

You only think you know this story. In 1991, Jeffrey Dahmer—the most notorious serial killer since Jack the Ripper—seared himself into the American consciousness. To the public, Dahmer was a monster who committed unthinkable atrocities. To Derf Backderf, Dahmer was a much more complex figure: a high school friend with whom he had shared classrooms, hallways, and car rides. In My Friend Dahmer, a haunting and original graphic novel, writer-artist Backderf creates a surprisingly sympathetic portrait of a disturbed young man struggling against the morbid urges emanating from the deep recesses of his psyche—a shy kid, a teenage alcoholic, and a goofball who never quite fit in with his classmates. With profound insight, what emerges is a Jeffrey Dahmer that few ever really knew, and readers will never forget.

This new paperback edition will coincide with the release of the movie adaptation of My Friend Dahmer and will include additional bonus content from the author archives. Source: Publisher

3 editions

crabbygirl reviewed My Friend Dahmer by Derf Backderf

Review of 'My Friend Dahmer' on 'Goodreads'

2 stars

I'm not sure how I feel about this one. the subject is exploitative so I wasn't sure if this guy, Derf, was cashing in on something - even if it is 20 years later. the drawing style reminded me strongly of a particular segment of MAD magazine. at first this made the illustrations appear trite, but when I realized the timeframe of the story (the 70's) - that was the height of MAD magazine's popularity in my household too - then the drawing felt appropriate, and belonging to this era.
as for the actual plot, the author does a decent job of keeping it at the moment. he doesn't colour much of the content with foreshadow, or what Dahmer ultimately becomes. it is supposed to humanize Jeffrey Dahmer (but I read his father's memoir decades ago so it didn't need to do that for me) but there is a truth …

I'm not sure how I feel about this one. the subject is exploitative so I wasn't sure if this guy, Derf, was cashing in on something - even if it is 20 years later. the drawing style reminded me strongly of a particular segment of MAD magazine. at first this made the illustrations appear trite, but when I realized the timeframe of the story (the 70's) - that was the height of MAD magazine's popularity in my household too - then the drawing felt appropriate, and belonging to this era.
as for the actual plot, the author does a decent job of keeping it at the moment. he doesn't colour much of the content with foreshadow, or what Dahmer ultimately becomes. it is supposed to humanize Jeffrey Dahmer (but I read his father's memoir decades ago so it didn't need to do that for me) but there is a truth about how you act around your buddies - the mask you put on - and it is unique from how you behave around your parents/adults. so this book actually makes for a fuller picture.

Norah

rated it

Jan. 8, 2019