Nathaniel Clark – A&E Editor

nuc5002@psu.edu

“Ghost World” is a dark, satiric, somber dive into late adolescence from a cynical perspective. 

Coming from the mind of American cartoonist Daniel Clowes, “Ghost World” started serialization in 1993. Finding its home in “Eightball,” Clowes’ anthology comic book, the series ran from June 1993 to March 1997. Shortly after the ending of its run, “Ghost World” was published in book form by Fantagraphics Books. This graphic novel edition of the series is what is currently available on the market. 

“Ghost World” follows protagonist Enid Coleslaw and her best friend Rebecca Doppelmeyer. Meeting the two characters shortly after the high school graduation, the reader follows the duo throughout their day-to-day lives. In between their bouts of cynical, pseudo-intellectual, and intermittently witty dialogue, the characters will usually criticize and ponder the culture and townspeople around them. 

While these spells of criticism can be quite amusing for the reader, it seems as if Enid finds solace in these discussions with Rebecca as a way to escape from the harsh realities of life. With adulthood fast approaching, the two characters begin to wonder what they will do for the rest of their days. 

This ambiguity between the characters’ futures is one of the most compelling elements of the plot. While the two characters may enjoy each other’s company as they harass the town’s denizens or discuss their attraction to boys, these actions are all pathetic distractions from their looming futures. 

These distractions are where the novel’s name comes from. While “Ghost World” seems to be spray painted throughout the town by an unnamed character, the term alludes to Enid and Rebecca in their current lives. Both characters are ghostly figures who leave no real impression on the individuals and concepts they criticize. With no real futures currently planned, every action the characters take has no real consequences. 

As the story progresses and the two characters begin to plan their futures, the reader watches as the once close best friends begin to separate. This takes a toll on Enid, as the character must begin to act on her lonesome. 

One interesting connection is between Enid and Clowes. Enid Coleslaw is an anagram of “Daniel Clowes”. In 2007, Clowes said that “[Enid] was just more vocal than I was, but she has the same kind of confusion, self-doubts and identity issues that I still have – even though she’s 18 and I’m 39!”

In 2001, Clowes’ graphic novel was adapted into a film of the same name starring Thora Birch as Enid and Scarlett Johansson as Rebecca. With writing help from director Terry Zwigoff, the film’s script got Clowes a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay. In May 2017, the “Ghost World” film was inducted into the Criterion, a collection of important classic and contemporary films from around the world. 

As I previously mentioned, the graphic novel edition of “Ghost World” is still available at major book retailers. The graphic novel does have a special edition which can easily be found on secondary resale sites. This edition comes with the original graphic novel and the screenplay for the 2001 film adaptation along with other supplemental artwork and materials. 

With wit and craft, Daniel Clowes created one of the best pictures of late adolescence in a perfect cult form with “Ghost World.”