Nick Pope: A Diary

By Laboni Das

Nick Pope: A Diary is an illustrated diary of a fictional sixteen-year-old boy named Nicholas Pope (hereafter Nick), who was born with disfiguring birthmarks around both of his eyes. This diary is an evocative blend of visual artistry and narrative storytelling that explores the life of a teenager in the late 1980s. Authored by Christopher Stanton and illustrated by Christopher Darling, this graphic novel is more than just a story; it is a poignant journey through the emotional and psychological landscape of adolescence.

Nick’s family has recently moved across town, and he is starting his sophomore year at a new school with new friends. At home, Nick feels isolated. His younger brother, Jamie, is in sixth grade, while his older sister, April, is away at college in Indiana. His father is often preoccupied with his theatre work, and his mother spends most of her time at her job in the mall. This leaves Nick with no one to confide in. Unfortunately, his new school experience starts poorly. Nick’s distinct birthmarks—large purple patches around his eyes—make him the target of relentless teasing, where he’s cruelly labeled as “raccoon” and “ugly guy”. Nick is a talented artist who fills his diary with doodles, using his drawings both as an outlet for his emotions and as a way to make sense of his chaotic world. He candidly expresses the deep vulnerability this brings: “I was born with birthmarks around my eyes. They are really big and purple and look like bruises that never go away. Everywhere I go, people look at me. Sometimes they point. But most of the time they laugh. I’ve been called every name you can think of. I try not to let it bother me, but most of the time, it does” [unpaginated]. The constant ridicule not only instills a sense of fear in Nick but also deepens his isolation, a feeling palpable throughout the diary’s pages.

However, the diary also highlights the importance of friendships and the support systems that help Nick through difficult times. In Nick’s world, his relationships are his lifeline, providing him with the strength to keep moving forward. For example, there’s Preston, whom Nick meets at his new school. Preston, a biology enthusiast and music lover, always wears the denim jacket that belonged to his late brother. As a supportive peer, Preston introduces Nick to new experiences, helping him break free from isolation. Their friendship offers Nick a sense of belonging and acceptance, easing his fear of social interactions. With Preston’s encouragement, Nick, who aspires to be an artist, is chosen for a committee of six students tasked with painting a mural downtown. Sharita is the only person who talks to Nick in study hall. She also accompanies him to the Neptune Dance, and her company makes Nick feel better about himself.

Just as Nick begins to feel that he has found his place, he realises that every relationship brings its own challenges, especially in the more adult-like world of high school. Stanton masterfully portrays Nick’s raw teenage angst and deep-seated insecurities through pivotal events.

Set in a pre-digital era, the book is a tribute to a time when life was simpler in many ways, yet fraught with the universal challenges of youth—identity, belonging, love, and the pursuit of self-worth. Nick Pope is a masterful blend of narrative and illustration that captures the essence of adolescence with all its complexities. The book also captures the cultural essence of the 1980s, from the music to the fashion, and even the technology. Stanton’s narrative is a subtle yet powerful commentary on how different the world was without the omnipresence of digital distractions. This nostalgic setting creates a rich backdrop that contrasts sharply with the internal turmoil Nick experiences.

Christopher Darling’s illustrations are a significant strength of the book. His work captures the essence of the 1980s with a mix of gritty realism and stylised artistry that brings Nick’s world to life. Darling’s ability to portray emotion through his art is exceptional. The reader can feel Nick’s anguish, confusion, and moments of joy not just through the words but vividly through the illustrations. The diary format of the book allows for a unique interplay between text and image. The handwriting-style font and the rough, almost sketch-like quality of the black and white drawings give the book an intimate, personal feel. It’s as though the reader is flipping through a real teenager’s diary, complete with the raw, unfiltered thoughts that such a format suggests. The design choices—such as the typefaces and the layout—enhance this effect, making the book feel like a cherished, albeit troubled, relic of Nick’s adolescence. Christopher Stanton and Christopher Darling have created something that transcends the typical graphic novel format, offering readers not just a story but an experience

Nick Pope is not just a book; it’s an emotional experience. The reader is drawn into Nick’s world, feeling his highs and lows, his hopes and fears. Stanton’s writing is honest and unflinching, making no attempt to sanitize the challenges of youth. This rawness is what makes the book so powerful. Readers who have ever struggled with similar issues—whether it’s fitting in, dealing with family dynamics, or simply trying to understand their place in the world—will find much to relate to in Nick’s story. The book also carries a deep emotional weight due to its posthumous dedication to Christopher Darling, who died in 2018. Stanton’s note about Darling adds another layer of poignancy to the book, transforming it from a mere story to a tribute to a friend. This dedication infuses the book with a sense of loss and remembrance, making the reader appreciate the artistic collaboration between the two even more.

Stanton, in the afterward, acknowledges that much of Nick’s journey is rooted in his own experiences, which lends an authenticity to the narrative. Such honesty makes the reader’s connection to Nick immediate and enduring. For anyone who has ever felt lost in the world or wrestled with the questions of identity, this book will resonate deeply. Nick Pope is a reminder that while the journey of life is often difficult, our connections that we make and the art we create that help us navigate it.

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Laboni Das is a PhD graduate student in the Department of Humanities and Social Sciences in National Institute of Technology, Tiruchirappalli (India). Her research concentrates on graphic medicine, health humanities and dementia studies.