Welcome, fellow book lovers! Today, I’m going to talk about a book that’s equal parts creepy, sad, and surprisingly funny in places. This is my review of My Friend Dahmer. If you want a light read, you might want to look elsewhere—unless, of course, you think high school mixed with true crime sounds like a good time (kinda like that time Gary tried to start a heavy metal band to impress his crush, but with less noise complaints and more existential dread). Buckle up, because this one’s a wild ride through awkward teens, missed signs, and the weirdest nostalgia trip I’ve had since finding my old Tamagotchi in a sock drawer. Let’s see what makes this book tick!
My Friend Dahmer Book Review
In a nutsheel
My Friend Dahmer is a graphic memoir that sits somewhere between true crime and coming-of-age. The author, Derf Backderf, tells the teenage years of Jeffrey Dahmer, one of America’s most, uh, well-known criminals. But don’t run away yet. It’s not your typical shocking true crime story. Nope! It’s more about high school awkwardness, loneliness, and missed warning signs.
Backderf actually knew Dahmer in school (wild, right?), so he brings a personal view that you don’t get from TV shows about serial killers. The art is rough and moody—fitting for the story. Themes of alienation, peer pressure, and how adults often look the other way all bubble up here. If you’re into graphic novels or want a chill down your spine without sleeping with the lights on for a week, this one’s worth a look.
How ‘My Friend Dahmer’ Shows Dahmer’s Teenage Years
Let’s grab our time machine and set it for high school in the 1970s. My Friend Dahmer takes us there, but don’t expect disco balls—expect awkward kids, sad lunches, and some dark clouds. Derf Backderf, the author and actual Dahmer classmate, uses his firsthand memories to show us young Jeff’s life. It isn’t a monster movie. Instead, Backderf draws a lonely kid just trying to make sense of his world. If you’re expecting wild violence and TV drama, pump the brakes. This book focuses more on hallways and home life than horror.
Dahmer shuffles through class, not making friends so much as being a weird mascot for a group of pranksters. I felt a chill reading how classmates treated him. They even formed the “Dahmer Fan Club,” egging him on to do strange things. It’s like that friend you had who would eat glue for laughs, but with a much sadder backstory. The teachers? Pretty much clueless. The parents? Also not winning any awards. The adults barely notice the warning signs. That part hit close to home—who hasn’t seen adults ignore stuff they should catch?
But the real power of My Friend Dahmer is how ordinary everything feels. There’s no spooky music playing, and nobody knows they’re in a true crime story yet. That’s what makes it both sad and terrifying. As a reader, you’ll find yourself wishing someone stepped in or asked Dahmer if he was ok. I couldn’t help but wonder if things could have been different if even one adult had cared more.
Next, I’ll take a look at the art style and how those gloomy pictures help tell this haunting story—so grab your sketchbook!
Art Style and Visual Storytelling in My Friend Dahmer
Let me tell you, My Friend Dahmer stands out because of its gritty and sometimes awkward art style. Derf Backderf, the guy behind the book, draws the world of young Dahmer in thick, wobbly lines that make everyone look a little out of place—kind of like we all felt in high school. The pages have a hand-drawn, almost messy feel that fits the story’s mood. It’s like someone doodled all the weirdness of teenage life on the corner of your school desk, then brought it to life. There’s nothing glossy or Hollywood here.
Backderf’s visual storytelling is top notch. He uses black-and-white illustrations to paint Dahmer’s loneliness, and every panel seems heavy with something off in the background, like you’re always waiting for something to go wrong. Panels stretch out moments where nothing is happening—just Dahmer standing, or someone staring into space—making you feel how boring and strange things were for everyone. There’s a scene where Dahmer shuffles through the woods with a stick, and you almost hear the leaves crunch. It’s chilling how the art can make even a simple hallway look spooky.
One thing I noticed is there’s not much color, and that adds to the creepy, sad vibe throughout the book. It’s a lot like those old school yearbooks that never seemed happy. If you want art that makes you feel a little uneasy but glued to the page, this is your book. And trust me, you’ll see how Backderf’s personal connection with Dahmer adds even more layers in the next section—I’ll untangle that wild web like it’s my last plate of spaghetti!
The Author’s Fascinating, Tangled Past With Jeffrey Dahmer
If you ever wanted proof that truth is stranger than fiction, look no further than My Friend Dahmer. The guy who wrote and drew this book, Derf Backderf, wasn’t some random author who just googled Dahmer and started scribbling. Nope, Backderf actually knew the future infamous serial killer when they were both just awkward teens bumbling around Ohio in the 1970s. That gives the whole story a weird, personal flavor, like a peanut butter and pickle sandwich—surprising, sort of unsettling, but you can’t stop reading (or chewing, I guess?).
Backderf fills My Friend Dahmer with small, everyday details only someone who was there could spot. He shares stories of riding the school bus with Dahmer, being in the same class, and even goofing around with him on the fringes of their high school’s social circles. The nostalgia is so real that, for a second, you almost forget you’re reading about a teenager who would one day become a household name for all the wrong reasons. His mix of regret, curiosity, and dark humor gives the whole book a unique voice. It’s like watching a car crash in slow motion, and Backderf’s personal touch is your seatbelt.
Most true crime books feel cold and distant—Backderf’s memoir hits closer to home in more ways than one. Stay tuned, as next we’ll see if the book can juggle its heavy, sensitive topics without dropping the ball (or dropping us right in the deep end)!
How ‘My Friend Dahmer’ Handles Creepy Stuff With Surprising Honesty
If you are squeamish about dark stories, let me tell you upfront: ‘My Friend Dahmer’ does not shy away from the disturbing bits. This book is about Jeffrey Dahmer’s high school years and, let’s be honest, that’s a tough story to pull off without making the reader want to hide under the couch. But somehow, Derf Backderf (yes, that’s the author’s name—no, I did not make it up) manages to keep things honest without being gross just for the heck of it.
The book steers clear of showing any actual violence or crime. There is no blood splatter. No shock scenes for shock’s sake. Instead, it focuses on the stuff that led up to Dahmer’s crimes—the weird, lonely moments, the social awkwardness, and all those warning signs adults ignored. I played spot-the-red-flag with my friends, and let me tell you, we found a lot. The book treats these disturbing details with respect. It never feels like it’s making excuses for Dahmer, but it also doesn’t turn him into a movie monster. That’s a tricky balance to pull off.
One thing I liked is that the book makes you think—about bullying, about fitting in, about what schools and parents miss. It’s a little uncomfortable at times, but that’s what makes it real. If you want a crime thriller, look elsewhere. But if you want a story that gives you the creeps in a thoughtful way, ‘My Friend Dahmer’ is worth your time. Just don’t read it before bed.
My verdict: I recommend it, but only if you’re ready for a walk on the strange side of suburbia.
Conclusion
If you’re looking for a book that’s both creepy and real, My Friend Dahmer is a top pick. It’s not your normal comic—it’s dark, honest, and it made me feel weird for days (in a good, thoughtful way, not like when I eat questionable gas station sushi). The art looks messy but matches the story, and the fact that the author actually knew Dahmer gives it extra punch. It’s not perfect—sometimes the gloom gets a bit heavy, and I kinda wished for more about the other kids. But hey, no book is perfect. This wraps up my review. If you’re in the mood for something true and spooky (and don’t mind having to sleep with the lights on), you should give this a try.
