DirkJan #1

This first collected volume of Mark Retera's beloved Dutch comic strip brings together the deadpan misadventures of DirkJan in a package that fans of wry, understated humor will want on their shelf. The story title alone — "Dirkjan zit vast wegens kabouterpesterij" (roughly, "DirkJan is stuck due to gnome harassment") — gives a perfect taste of the absurdist wit Retera delivers throughout. A charming 1996 release from Big Balloon, this is a fine entry point into one of the Netherlands' most warmly regarded comic strip series.