My Friend Dahmer: A Graphic Novel

By Derf Backderf

Book Overview

A national bestseller, Derf Backderf's Alex Award winner My Friend Dahmer is the bone-chilling graphic novel that inspired the major motion picture.

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, "Jeff" was a 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 Derf Backderf creates a portrait of a disturbed young man struggling with the morbid urges emanating from the deep recesses of his psyche.

With profound insight, what emerges is a Jeffrey Dahmer that few ever really knew, and one readers will never forget.

Also available by Derf Backderf:
Trashed
Kent State: Four Dead in Ohio

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1419702173
• ISBN13: 9781419702174
• Release Date: March 2012
• Publisher: Abrams Comicarts
• Length: 224 Pages
• Weight: 1.40 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 6.0" x 9.3"

Customer Reviews

Disturbing

Today's read: My Friend Dahmer by John "Derf" Backderf (graphic novel) Creepy. Stomach churning. Disturbing. In this memoir/autobiography, the author reflects on his highschool "friendship" with serial killer Jeff Dahmer. Except, they weren't really friends. Dahmer was a strange boy they accepted as more a mascot, a subject of their bullying. In the book, Backderf seems to attempt to excuse his own behavior and make Dahmer into a somewhat sypathetic tragic figure. Or perhaps Backderf is seeking to bring sense to the madness of such gruesome behavior. He explores the increasing strangness and estrangement of Dahmer's years in high school leading up to his first murder, admitting that signs were there that something was very wrong and asks the important question: "where were the adults?" Why did no teacher, counselor, policeman, or parent question Dahmer's behavior, his drinking at school, his inappropriate outbursts, his being bullied, his obsession with dead things. What are we excusing and ignoring in those around us who need help? Regardless of (because of?) it's disturbing subject matter, the work has won awards, notably the Alex Award, and received nominations for the Harvey, Rueben, snd Ignatz. It is also listed by the American Library Association as on the top 10 graphic novels for teens and reluctant teen readers (2013).

A very humane look into Jeffrey Dahmer's life before he became the "Milwaukee Cannibal", before he was anyone but a troubled teen who needed guidance; Jeffrey Dahmer never had empathy, but he--like every human who has felt alone--does deserve understanding to this extent. 10/10; a very compelling, and truly Humanly Questionable read.