Courtesy of the nearest dictionary: a nickelodeon is "an early motion-picture theater where a film or a variety show could be seen, usually for the admission price of a nickel."
True to its name, Nickelodeon is a collection of very short stories. A girl steps on a landmine and is blown to pieces, so her head casually asks her friend gather her body parts back together. A boy finds out that every year, his late brother used to challenge a giant demon to a sumo match for fun. A girl wishes on a shooting star for her friend's saliva to turn into alcohol. Fairytale heroines suddenly awaken to cannibalistic urges. There's a story for everyone!
Plot: 4/5. There is a new story with every chapter, resulting in 39 stories total. Seiman Douman had plans to double that number, but the magazine was unfortunately cancelled before that. Still, Douman manages an incredible variety of stories, ranging from the wild west and Nazi Germany, to outer space and puppet shows. The characters are very unique and quirky, and many well-represent a diverse selection of sexualities, genders, and personalities. A variety of creatures are featured in the stories as well, both good and evil, big and small, creepy and not-as-creepy.
Storytelling: 4/5. Each story is told in just 8 pages. The storytelling is thus very straightforward and to the point, while still managing to fit a very compelling plot and thought-provoking theme. Most of the stories have a comical - and somewhat disturbing - tone, while many others deal with contemplative tragedies and moving themes. The plot devices are as diverse as Douman's characters and situations, as he uses many unusual subjects from life, creating very unique situations that the readers can either connect with or feel curious over. Some references he has made include kopi luwak, the Alien franchise, Jesse James, the Columbine Massacre, and Dokkalfar. These elements often have an important role or theme in each story, with some even making their way into the titles.
Art: 5/5. Nickelodeon's art is very stylized and highly expressive. Douman is a fan of Hellboy, and Mike Mignola's influence is very apparent. The thick outlines and strong use of black and white lends more impact to the storytelling, and is easily manipulated to suit the "creepy" feel of the series. Douman often makes use of negative space to create an almost surreal sort of atmophere in his stories. The simple art style allows for easy reading, and is ideal for letting the readers focus on the story and themes that Nickelodeon conveys.
Nickelodeon is great for anyone looking for something unique, funny, and introspective. Due to each chapter's short length, it is very easy to pick up and put down at one's own leisure. I recommend it to anyone with time to spare - it will provide those who give it a chance a steady source of entertainment all the way through to the end.