Troop 142 follows a group of campers and counselors at a week-long scout retreat in the woods of New Jersey. It is a story as much about adults as it is adolescents, the blurred line between childhood and manhood, and the consequences of authoritative posturing. Dispensing with idyllic notions, Dawson describes the hilarious and brutal truths about boys and men, the hypocrisy of institutional morality and the resilience of Spam and the human spirit.
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Editorial Reviews
From Booklist
Be warned: this is not a book to give to prospective Boy Scouts, and not a story about homesick children who learn the joys of community, new friendships, and never giving up. During a week in the life of Troop 142, two brothers and their father experience the conformist and sometimes dangerous principals of institutions and the often-brutal emotions young boys wield as weapons against one another. Though the two boys undergo various humiliations, and the father suffers his own inability to navigate relationships with a fellow counselor, the details are handled with effective realism, and nothing feels overblown or wantonly cruel; the camp is never portrayed as anything more grotesque than a place that simply breeds unfortunate group dynamics and moldering ideals. It is never inappropriately disturbing, and it’s all perfectly believable, right down to the profanity, homophobia, and experimental drug use, all cleverly illustrated with enough realism to give it weight but with rounded figures and minimalist features that tend to take off the sharpest edges. Grades 10-12. --Jesse Karp
Review
Troop 142 demonstrates once again that Mike Dawson is a poet of adolescent awkwardness, digging deep into the dark side of teenage - and adult - masculinity to reveal the brittle, wounded humanity at its heart. --Dylan Horrocks, author of Hicksville
Mike Dawson has two chief virtues as a writer: writing dialogue with an almost painful level of verisimilitude, and an understanding of the dynamics of teenagers that manages to emphasize the Darwinian nature of their relationships along with the naivete of youth... Visually, the key to this comic's success is his ability to convey body language, gesture and character interaction, especially since subtext is such an important part of what s occurring in the narrative.
The comic raises interesting questions regarding the idealism of Scout law and the realities of being a teenager in 1995 (the setting of the story). Joining the Scouts implies a certain kind of adherence to ideals, but what Dawson raises is that sometimes this may be more the ideals of the parent rather than the boy. And even among the parents, the Scout ideals fall by the wayside when it comes time to wield authority.
--Rob Clough, The Comics Journal
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
By Adam
Format:Paperback
I don't read many novels graphic or otherwise about adolescents, but Mike Dawson's recent interview with the The Comics Journal convinced me to give this a try. Troop 142 is exactly what its back-matter claims it to be, a story of the "hilarious and brutal truths about boys and men..." For how much has been made of its sophomoric humor (think "Superbad" meets "The Sandlot" in a good way), what makes Troop 142 a lasting book in a medium still developing genre standouts is its portrayal of masculinity. There are subtle rules that create a chain of command amongst a group of boys, and whether you identify with the picked-on son of troop leader Mr. Demaria or the troublesome but sincere Tony, Dawson shows these rules are established by how the group addresses each others', and their own, boyhood insecurities. It would have been easy to make this story either overly sentimental or too much of a comedy, however, Dawson achieves a sweet balance.
In short: The art and storytelling are great. You don't need to know anything about the Boy Scouts to get into it. It looks great on your bookshelf (great design). Pick up this book.
In short: The art and storytelling are great. You don't need to know anything about the Boy Scouts to get into it. It looks great on your bookshelf (great design). Pick up this book.
Format:Paperback
Based on my Boy Scout experiences, I could have written a book like this. It would have been true: Boys, even ones who swear oaths to be friendly, courteous, kind and clean, can be epically nasty in word and deed.
In my troop, we told dirty jokes (actually, *I* told the dirty jokes. They listened). We harassed each other by throwing rocks at the roof of the Lolly (outhouse) while someone was inside, hauled a pair of dirty underwear outside a victim's tent, called each other names, and even engaged in fist fights. That's what boys do. We're awful.
But the opposite is also true. Scouts grows boys into men. We join because our parents want us to, but after that, we we're on our own. We stayed because we want to be there. We were our own leaders, not the adults. And a boy long involved in scouting sets a good example to one who is just beginning. So the "Lord of the Flies" scenario, over time, evolves into something more human.
I liked this book. It took me back to my own days at scout camp. But I would have liked it better if the sour had been balanced with the sweet, if the experiences of Troop 142 had included some accomplishments in addition to the disappointments. As written, however, it's a one-way trip, a downer that ends in despair.
In my troop, we told dirty jokes (actually, *I* told the dirty jokes. They listened). We harassed each other by throwing rocks at the roof of the Lolly (outhouse) while someone was inside, hauled a pair of dirty underwear outside a victim's tent, called each other names, and even engaged in fist fights. That's what boys do. We're awful.
But the opposite is also true. Scouts grows boys into men. We join because our parents want us to, but after that, we we're on our own. We stayed because we want to be there. We were our own leaders, not the adults. And a boy long involved in scouting sets a good example to one who is just beginning. So the "Lord of the Flies" scenario, over time, evolves into something more human.
I liked this book. It took me back to my own days at scout camp. But I would have liked it better if the sour had been balanced with the sweet, if the experiences of Troop 142 had included some accomplishments in addition to the disappointments. As written, however, it's a one-way trip, a downer that ends in despair.
By Paul
Format:Paperback
It's a pretty realistic portrayal of how adolescent boys behave and talk, although I'd have to disagree with the book's synopsis that it's "hilarious or shows the resilience of the human spirit." It's more depressing as there aren't really any likeable characters since they are all so flawed and self centered. However, it is very realistic in that it shows young boys and men who are just living their lives and are unaware of anyone except themselves and trying to better their social standing in their environment; which is how most boys are unfortunately.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
How middle age boys really talk
This is a scouting trip where boys are still figuring things out; how they feel about girls, altered states of reality, the chubby kid, the weaker kid, ignoring the rules, self... Read more
Published 17 months ago by shawn williams
5.0 out of 5 stars
Beautiful comic book
I don't normally read comics, but this was a recent book club selection. I thought the story line was great and it was beautifully done! Highly recommended.
Published 18 months ago by Nicole
5.0 out of 5 stars
Compelling study of male adolescence
After Mike Dawson's last book, Freddie and Me, I had high hopes for Troop 142 and he did not disappoint. The characters are believable and very easy to relate to. Read more
Published 18 months ago by therealsuperjosh
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