Noe’s Comics Nook: Did You Hear What Eddie Gein Done?

Review

Did You Hear What Eddie Gein Done? tells the story of infamous serial killer Eddie Gein, following him from his traumatic childhood through until his death in a Wisconsin mental health institute. Created using historical records, with some license taken for storytelling purposes, Schechter and Powell have offered a treat to true crime readers, rendering horrific murders, grave-robbing, and mutilations in a gothic shade that spares the reader too much gore.

Powell’s artwork is the real hero of this comic – it gave me such chills that I had to put the book down and step away several times. It also saves the comic from many instances of far too much text on a given page, bogged down with explanation but still leaving the reader asking questions at the end. Perhaps that asking of questions that are never going to be answered is part of the appeal of the genre. Here I must admit I am seldom a true crime reader and the surge of podcasts in the genre leaves me baffled.

Did You Hear is a comic that is suited for no grade lower than junior year of high school and will need careful teaching when offered. Violence, nudity, and all manner of perversions are present, but for students who enjoy crime stories and those interested in journalism, it presents an opportunity to evaluate stories and histories.

Elements of Story

Plot: Recreating the life and crimes of Eddie Gein, we learn of the home life that led to the creation of a depraved individual that spawned countless stories.

Characters: Eddie Gein, Jack Humple, Dexter Corben, George Gein, Augusta Gein, Henry Gein

Major Settings: Plainfield, WI, La Crosse, WI, Gein household

Themes: Serial killing, true crime, violence, perversion, journalism, religion

Lesson Plan Idea Using Common Core Standards (CCS) CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RH.11-12.8 – Evaluate an author’s premises, claims, and evidence by corroborating or challenging them with other information.

Directions: True crime stories occupy an interesting space somewhere between reality and fiction. As students reading this comic are juniors and seniors, about to enter into a new space of responsibility for understanding how storytelling norms can, sometimes purposefully, sometimes accidently, warp reality into fiction, this is a good opportunity to have them evaluate the presentation of the case in Did You Hear What Eddie Gein Done?.

Students should prepare a 3 to 5 page paper that evaluates the details of Eddie Gein’s case as presented in the comic against other presentations of the facts. These other presentations may include actual case files, other journalistic investigations, documentaries, and so on. Students should avoid obviously fictional stories based on the case (such as Psycho).