“Off Season” (Drawn and Quarterly) starts off depressing and heads toward despair. In this new graphic novel from Vermont cartoonist James Sturm, co-founder of both the Seattle Stranger and the Center for Cartoon Studies, Mark is a carpenter working on a house that’s months behind schedule. When his boss much belatedly pays him his salary, he uses the money to pay for his kid’s judo lessons. Then the paycheck bounces. His wife is leaving him. He’s struggling with single-parenting his cranky children. Also, Trump just won the presidential election. Sturm’s slice-of-life story (populated by dog-headed people) is thoughtfully and precisely observed. It rings true—painfully so. Its relentless gloominess can be hard going. If you stick with it, though, hope glimmers.


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James Sturm, 2019. (Photo: Kaila Skeet Browning)
James Sturm, 2019. (Photo: Kaila Skeet Browning)
"Off Season" by James Sturm. (Courtesy Drawn and Quarterly)
“Off Season” by James Sturm. (Courtesy Drawn and Quarterly)
From "Off Season" by James Sturm. (Courtesy Drawn and Quarterly)
From “Off Season” by James Sturm. (Courtesy Drawn and Quarterly)
From "Off Season" by James Sturm. (Courtesy Drawn and Quarterly)
From “Off Season” by James Sturm. (Courtesy Drawn and Quarterly)
From "Off Season" by James Sturm. (Courtesy Drawn and Quarterly)
From “Off Season” by James Sturm. (Courtesy Drawn and Quarterly)
From "Off Season" by James Sturm. (Courtesy Drawn and Quarterly)
From “Off Season” by James Sturm. (Courtesy Drawn and Quarterly)
From "Off Season" by James Sturm. (Courtesy Drawn and Quarterly)
From “Off Season” by James Sturm. (Courtesy Drawn and Quarterly)

If this is the kind of coverage of arts, cultures and activisms you appreciate, please support Wonderland by contributing to Wonderland on Patreon. And sign up for our free, weekly newsletter so that you don’t miss any of our reporting.


Categories: Books