Off Season

James Sturm's graphic novel Off Season explores the personal impact of the 2016 election on a couple, navigating separation, single parenthood, and the disorienting months that followed. Using anthropomorphized characters, the book offers a raw and relatable portrayal of human emotions amid political upheaval, showcasing Sturm's masterful pacing and storytelling. Originally serialized on Slate, the expanded edition turns timely vignettes into a timeless and deeply affecting account of one family's off-season.

Format: Hardback
Length: 216 pages
Publication date: 05 February 2019
Publisher: Drawn and Quarterly

In James Sturm's captivating graphic novel Off Season, the year 2016 takes on a deeply personal dimension, delving into the tumultuous separation of a couple amidst significant political events. The story unfolds against the backdrop of Bernie Sanders's loss to Hillary Clinton, Clinton's defeat to Donald Trump, and the disorienting months that followed. Through the eyes of a father navigating life as a single parent, we witness the unraveling of a life-defining relationship. Amidst the turmoil, tender moments with his children emerge, capturing the essence of childhood innocence and the resilience of the human spirit. These moments include carrying a sleeping child from the car, the anticipation of Christmas morning, the comfort of a late-night cookie after a temper tantrum, and the raw emotions of grief, rage, loss, and overwhelming love that permeate the characters.

Sturm employs anthropomorphized characters as a strategic tool to temper the emotional intensity of the narrative, resulting in a raw and unaffected portrayal. Off Season is steeped in the specificity of its time, yet it resonates with a broader cultural moment. This expanded edition, originally serialized on Slate, transforms timely vignettes into a timeless and profoundly affecting account of one family and their off-season.

Through his masterful pacing and storytelling, Sturm showcases conscious and confident growth as an artist. Moving away from historical fiction, he delves into contemporary settings, delivering a long-form narrative that captivates readers. Off Season is a testament to Sturm's talent and ability to connect with audiences on a deeply human level.

Weight: 642g
Dimension: 205 x 85 x 27 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781770463318