Derf Backderf tells the story of Jeffrey Dahmer as he knew him: A weird kid in high school who was welcomed into his friend group. My Friend Dahmer is a sympathetic view of the notorious serial killer during his formative years of being disturbed and lonely. He was ignored by parents who fought constantly before divorcing and leaving him alone at the family home. He struggled with his sexuality. He came to school drunk and kept extra liquor in his briefcase. He performed wildly in front of his classmates. It’s all a very sad story, but Backderf is adamant that his sympathies for Dahmer end the second he commits his first murder, and that’s where the story ends.

From the Best Comics We Read October–December 2020 at Book Riot.