The sequel to Christopher Stanton’s graphic novel, Nick Pope, has arrived—and it’s brimming with even more summer-filled ‘80s charm and movie references.

Nick Pope, a brilliant artist in his prime high school years, is just trying to stay afloat amidst the chaos of his turbulent life. With conspicuous birthmarks around his eyes that make him look like a raccoon, he’s a constant target of bullying at school. To make matters worse, he’s grappling with his sexuality in a time when being openly gay was considered a social black mark. Add on family issues at home and a concerning lack of self-esteem, and you’ve got a recipe for near-constant mental anguish. Without a therapist, Nick resorts to penning his feelings out in a diary in the hopes that he’ll be able to understand himself better and make it through the summer.

First of all, I have to give tremendous praise to Stanton’s writing prowess; having read a great deal of his prose over the years, it’s nothing short of remarkable how seamlessly he’s able to integrate his storytelling chops into the medium of graphic novel writing. He fully utilizes what makes comics so special, with each page ripe with scribbled lettering that truly feels like the diary of a teenager growing up in the ’80s. There is an evident love of the time period, as well, with references to movies, arcade games, and political figureheads that could only be remembered as well as it’s illustrated here by having lived through it all.

Stanton’s ability to step into the shoes of an anxiety-ridden adolescent is unparalleled, and his narrative style naturally suits a more self-reflective, epistolary approach. There’s a poignancy to his creative voice that shimmers with confidence, despite the insecurities displayed by his main character.

The addition of Raymond Klecker to the cast of Nick Pope is also paramount to the success of the series, with his illustrations bringing a sense of verisimilitude that rings true to the doodling of an angsty teenager living through the Decade of Decadence. Klecker perfectly encapsulates the raw sensitivity of Nick, bleeding out on the page in all his confusion, joy, sadness, and jealousy. His artwork deserves nothing more than the grandest of accolades for his incredible work here.

Nick Pope: Summer of ’88 is a delicate time capsule of the human condition and a must-read trip down memory lane for fans of the Eighties.

Creative Team: Christopher Stanton (writer), Raymond Klecker (artist)
Publisher: Independently Published
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