The Nimrod

    (Fantagraphics, 1998-2001)
™ and © Fantagraphics Books, Inc.

Those who already know Trondheim’s work know that he’s a funny guy. But this isn’t a book that showcases his talent as much as one that proves the old adage: The funniest stories are the ones that are true.

Trondheim, the dry wit behind such NBM titles as Oddballz and Dungeon, takes a shot at writing about the world outside his mind, rather than the one within. It’s a world that’s still dry but has a splash of sophomoric humor that North American audiences might mind a little more palatable than his typical European flavor. As when one of his drunken fellow creators disrupts a business meeting by threatening those present with a toilet brush. Or when a paranoid Trondheim lets his imagination get the best of him for fear of what a trip to America holds in store.

Trondheim portrays himself as a chicken, both literally and figuratively, and he uses his typical anthropomorphic caricatures to portray the other characters, as well. It’s unfortunate that this is a bit on the expensive side, but there’s plenty to make his existing followers happy, and the slice-of-life spin that’s put on this book might also attract the Optic Nerve/House of Java crowd.

— Jim Johnson
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