Rocky, Vol. 2: Strictly Business

Rocky #2

by Martin Kellerman

Against all odds, he's making something of himself! Rocky's autobiographical strip grows in popularity by leaps and bonds, and he even gets himself a graphic novel out of it. And yet he's still (for the most part) a miserable, screwed-up son of a bitch, as the second English-language collection of Martin Kellerman's gut-bustingly hilarious, hugely successful daily strip dutifully chronicles.

To start things off, Rocky manages to wheedle himself a free trip to New York as a reporter covering a gaming convention; a glutton for punishment, he looks up the girl he knocked up in the first volume...and gets a big surprise!

Also: Rocky's temporary roommate Klaus builds himself a "lovers' bunk," with catastrophic results; Rocky's buddy Manny becomes a daddy; Rocky tries to become rich by taping a reality show starring his pals only to discover that their lives are, in fact, boring beyond belief. Rocky scores a new girlfriend and, against the advice of everyone (including himself), immediately takes her on a month-long vacation to Cuba; cartoonin' superstar Rocky goes on a book-signing tour of Norway; plus how to deal with women who talk baby talk in bed, the annoyance of thrift-shop humor, wiggers, barbecues, and lots and lots of strips in which the characters sit around and bullshit about girls, advertising, their jobs, movies, television, comics—basically, the whole ball of wax—like pottymouthed animal-headed Seinfelds.

Genres: Comics, Graphic Novels Comics

112 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2000

About the author

Martin Kellermanis a Swedish cartoonist, mostly known as the creator of the successful strip 'Rocky', published in many big, mostly Swedish, newspapers.

The semi-autobiographical cartoon 'Rocky' was created after he was just fired from his position as a cartoonist for the gentlemen's magazine Aktuell Rapport, was dumped by his girlfriend and thrown out of his subleased apartment.

'Rocky' has since then, among other things, been published as a magazine, twelve books with cartoons, wall calendar, Christmas calendar, and a stage play, touring around Sweden. Kellerman has also worked as an illustrator for other works.

Reviews

[Thomas Stroemquist · Rating 4 out of 5]

In the repeat success, Rocky II, our friend has gotten to be all of 26 and there just might be a hint of a light in the tunnel when it comes to securing income, housing and getting anywhere near a normal relationship with the opposite sex. Otherwise, it's more of the same (which is really good). Knowing what the comics eventually evolved to, I'm reluctant to put the highest rating on this, the drawings have some way to go and there is the occasional strip that's not precisely on target. And also, I'm having a bit more trouble nowadays to relate to a Rocky of this tender age.

[Soobie has fog in her brain · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read Rocky beacuse a Swedish friend of mine loves it. I do read lots of comics but it was hard getting used to Kellerman's art. I come from a mostly shojo manga background and it wasn't pleasant to read something with so much barf in it.

Despite that. I love Rocky. It gives precious hinsights into the lives of single males. I learnt a lot.

It will be probably takes me less time to learn some Swedish and keep on reading it than waiting for someone to translate it in a Language I know. After all jag vet redan lite svenska...