My Favorite Comic

I often think about the perfection of this one "Nancy" comic by Ernie Bushmiller

There’s an entire book devoted to the genius behind a single Nancy comic, so I’ll try not to tread the same territory. Instead I’ll just say: I love this. A stuffy bank teller finding the circus to be irresistible? That’s my exact level of silly right there.

Look how stern he appears at first, with not one but TWO telephones? What an important adult! The power dynamic is clear - his desk is so imposing, Nancy can barely peer over it. He’s mid-memo-writing, no time to stop his work for this frivolous little girl. And then the economic reversal of his entire expression- a few furrowed brow lines are removed and dotted pupils are turned into happy curves - suddenly the bank teller is transformed. He’s a kid again!

Let’s also take a moment to appreciate that clown drawing. Undeniably a drawing of a clown. But somehow also a unique design, not the cliche image that comes to mind when I think “clown.”

This might be a stretch, but I’d argue the clown is larger and at the forefront of that panel so our eye goes to him first. The next natural place to look is towards Nancy and the bank teller, and I think that slight delay in getting to the punchline is key. Or maybe Bushmiller just wanted to draw a big weird clown.

Sadly, these Nancy comics are getting harder to find. The great Fantagraphics books are out of print, and buying them used is stupid expensive. Still, Nancy continues to inspire.