The Nobody

The Nobody is a graphic novel created by cartoonist Jeff Lemire. It was first published in a hardcover format by Vertigo Comics in July 2009.[1] It is a retelling of the 1897 H.G. Wells novel The Invisible Man, recasting the bandaged stranger as a modern-day drifter. His presence in a small-town American fishing village creates a frenzy that unwraps and exposes the scarred underside to their own secrets. Lemire believed Wells' character was an ideal way to "explore themes of identity, rural life, community and paranoia".[1] In a review for Oregon Live, Steve Duin said there was a "lot to like" about The Nobody, but that it was not as good as Lemire's previous work, Essex County.[2]

The Nobody
Date2009
Page count144 pages
PublisherVertigo
Creative team
WritersJeff Lemire
ArtistsJeff Lemire
PencillersJeff Lemire
LetterersSean Konot
ColouristsJeff Lemire
Original publication
Date of publicationJuly 7, 2009
ISBN1401220800

Synopsis

In 1994, the mysterious drifter John Griffen enters the small town of Large Mouth. As he walks through town, the passing townsfolk are shocked and somewhat disturbed by Griffen's appearance, as he is wrapped head to toe in bandages and wears pitch-black goggles over his eyes. He eventually reaches the local motel and requests a room, his appearance scaring the inn keeper June Jaques.

A few days later, June tells other locals at Big Reg's Diner of her encounter with Griffen, but is only met with skepticism. Reg, owner of the diner, and Teddy "Henfrey", another local, try to reason with her that Griffen can't be as bad as she claims, although she tries to explain that his secretive nature is very suspicious.

Characters
  • Victoria "Vickie": The narrator of the story and only friend of John Griffen
  • John Griffen: The main protagonist, resembles the title character of The Invisible Man by H.G. Wells. Griffen is a mysterious scientist who claims that he was once a university professor in Chicago before suffering an accident, although many of the townsfolks believe he is not who he claims.
  • "Reg" Reggie: Vickie's father and owner of the local diner Big Reg's who is one of few people who is sympathetic towards Griffen
  • Mrs. June Jacques: Keeper of the motel where Griffen stays
  • Teddy "Henfrey": A paranoid old man who is highly suspicious of Griffen and often tries to convince the townsfolk that Griffen is hiding something they don't want to see
  • Bill: Bartender at King's Tavern who is suspicious of Griffen
  • "Millie" Jeffers: A waitress at King's Tavern who later goes missing
  • Jack "Jeffers": Millie's husband
  • Mr. Tommy Marvel: An old man by the lake and owner of Howie. Griffen meets Marvel by the lake while on a late night stroll and the two strike up a friendly conversation with each other until Marvel's dog attacks Griffen, prompting him to flee.
  • Howie: Tommy Marvel's dog who attacks Griffen
  • Deputy Ayde: A lawman who ignores Teddy's outrageous claims against John Griffen
  • John "Kemp": Griffen's partner in Chicago and a minor antagonist of the story
  • "HER": The lady in Griffen's visions
  • Anna: Vickie's alibi friend who she uses as an excuse to see Griffen

References
  1. Thill, Scott (July 23, 2009), "Introspective The Nobody Takes Invisible Man to Twin Peaks," Wired. Retrieved July 26, 2017
  2. Duin, Steve (August 9, 2009), "Graphic Novel Review: The Nobody," OregonLive.com. Retrieved July 26, 2017
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