Thunderhead Underground Falls

by Joel Orff

Joel Orff's graphic novel Thunderhead Underground Falls tells the story of Jack, a young army reservist who has one weekend left before shipping out for combat in the Middle East. He and a friend find themselves behind the wheel of his parent's car, driving farther and farther west into a snowy landscape. The book is an impressionistic exploration of Jack's flight from his future, as well as an exploration of this place that he's pledged his life to fight for. Jack and his friends want to experience the simple freedom of taking a drive, of seeing familiar things before his outlook is changed forever by the violence that he knows he will soon face. As the hours go by, Jack begins to consider desertion, but he knows that if he stays to hold onto the life that he knows, it will still be changed forever.

Genres: Graphic Novels, Comics, Graphic Novels Comics

128 pages, Paperback

First published February 1, 2006

Reviews

[Wilde Sky]

A young man and his girlfriend discuss his decision to join the army.

A very simple story but the narrative was a bit confusing (is it part of a series?).

My overall rating is 2.5.

[Emilia P]

I feel a little bad. This book was sort of in the same vein as Red Colored Elegy, but its middle American setting and sensibility hit home. And I love this illustration style, very indie-mid-90sish and full of action and life and feeling. A sweet little half-story not trying too hard to be more.

[Robin]

A bland read. The book dragged on and on without shifting emotions, and seemed like it would have been more effective had it been reduced to two pages. There are far better reads out there about soldiers, war and losing innocence.

[Temecka]

The story was a bit confusing at times because of how little text was used, but I still enjoyed the concept of the boy off to war. I think with another reread I would grow to enjoy it more and maybe get more out of it

[Lindy]

Jack meets a young woman he really connects with on one of his last days before he ships out with the army. It is bitterly cold outdoors and they spend as much time together as possible. She tells him, "If only you'd met me sooner. I would have talked you out of joining the army." Jack admits to being afraid. His greatest fear is that, "I won't see things the same when I get back. It's all gonna be different. I'll be different."

A quiet story told almost entirely in pictures, Thunderhead Underground Falls rewards patient examination of the black and white artwork. In a dream sequence, for example, a nightmarish toy store displays bags marked 'missing persons,' unknown animals' and 'strangers with beards.' Grade 10 - adult.

Similar comic-format stories that examine how it feels to come of age: Ghost World by Daniel Clowes; Summer of Love by Debbie Drechsler; Sloth by Gilbert Hernandez; Night Fisher by Kikuo Johnson; Perfect Example by John Porcellino; Swallow Me Whole by Nate Powell and At a Crossroads by Kate Williamson.

[Cale]

This is another by Joel Orff that focuses on relationships and slice of life story. A man going off to the army takes some time with his friends before leaving. That's basically the story. But the artwork, especially the cityscapes, are wonderfully done. The story captures melancholy a bit more than Waterwise did, but doesn't quite get the relationships as well. Still, another very nice tone piece.

[Meghan]

The only thing I remember from this right now (2-3 weeks post-reading) is a sequence where a guy and girl are walking around town really late at night and they go into a house with an unlocked front door and imagine living there until they hear voices from upstairs and have to leave.

[fiza nasri]

Banyak ilustrasi yang tak perlu ada, lukisan pun pada aku sedikit cincai dan membosankan. Poin jalan cerita sebenarnya agak bagus- sepatutnya ia jadi satu kisah yang sedih tapi tak tahulah kenapa penulis biarkan penamat yang simple macam tu. Ringkas dan sangat tawar.

[Jacob]

Public library copy.