''The Troublemakers'' is a graphic novel by American cartoonist
Gilbert Hernandez, published in 2009. It is one of a number of stand-alone graphic novels featuring Hernandez's character Fritz acting in stories inspired by
pulp fiction and
exploitation movie
An exploitation film is a film that tries to succeed financially by exploiting current trends, niche genres, or lurid content. Exploitation films are generally low-quality "B movies", though some set trends, attract critical attention, become hi ...
s. Fritz plays a magician's assistant named Nala.
Background
The lead character in ''The Troublemakers'' is Rosalba "Fritz" Martinez, the half-sister of Hernandez's character Luba. Fritz similarly starred in ''
Speak of the Devil
"Speak of the devil" is the short form of the English-language idiom "Speak of the devil and he doth appear" (or its alternative form "speak of the devil and he shall appear"). The form "talk of the devil" is also in use in England. It is used ...
'' (2008), which is presented as the true story behind a movie. Hernandez drew inspiration from pulp fiction and
heist films such as ''
It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World
''It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World'' is a 1963 American comedy film produced and directed by Stanley Kramer with a story and screenplay by William Rose and Tania Rose. The film, starring Spencer Tracy with an all-star cast of comedians, is a ...
'' (1960) and ''
A Simple Plan'' (1998).
Synopsis
The musician and con-man Wes tries to steal $ from his friend Dewy Booth to start a
rock-and-roll club. He gets his former babysitter, the stage magician Nala, to help him. Vincene, a woman from Wes's past who is also a criminal, gets involved; soon Wes comes to question the motives of those around him.
References
Works cited
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2013 graphic novels
American graphic novels
Gilbert Hernandez
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