cover image Rocky, Volume 2: Strictly Business

Rocky, Volume 2: Strictly Business

Martin Kellerman, . . Fantagraphics, $12.95 (112pp) ISBN 978-1-56097-852-7

This second English-language collection of the lighthearted, loosely autobiographical Swedish comic strip gives readers an endearing look into the slacker lifestyle of writer and artist Kellerman. The strips are usually one-off gags that occasionally link together into short vignettes. Kellerman depicts everyday events in the lives of himself and his friends, who are portrayed as anthropomorphic animals. Rocky, the dog that represents Kellerman, accurately describes his comic's usual content at one point, calling it “Cute funny-animals who f*** and drink!” Other topics touched on include attempts at fame, relationships and having kids. Kellerman isn't trying to preach or encourage deep thoughts; he's honestly and unapologetically celebrating the lifestyle he and his friends live, and the comic strip is written to connect with others living that life and to get them to laugh along with Rocky and his pals. The similarity of many of the jokes means that, as a book, it's repetitive in a way that it wouldn't be if read over time as individual newspaper strips. But Kellerman's portrayal of Rocky, faults and all, is so genuine and unflattering to himself that it's difficult not to feel a real human connection with this cartoon dog. (Dec.)