In this graphic novel by the acclaimed creator of GHOST WORLD, a series of comic strips sketch out the characters of the town of Ice Haven, Michigan, and how (or even if) their lives are affected by the kidnapping of a boy named David Goldberg, a depressed loner clad in a fuzzy sweater. Teenager Violet Vanderplatz pines for her boyfriend Penrose, while her younger stepbrother pines for Violet and also wonders if his friend Carmichael killed David. Meanwhile, local busybody Random Wilder writes bad poetry and searches vainly for some point to his life, zine writer Vida waits to be discovered, private detective Ames investigates Davids disappearance and helplessly watches his marriage crumble, and comic book critic Harry Naybors provides prissy metacommentary to open and close the book.