#497 Peter Kuper: Demonstrating what comics can do

Ruins by Peter KuperPeter Kuper has been pushing the boundaries of comics for over two decades, using media like linoleum prints, scratchboard, and stencils & spray paint (including in The System) to make a wide variety of comics, from those with political or environmental messages to autobiography, adaptations of Franz Kafka’s writings, and (since 1997) Spy vs. Spy.

In this episode, Peter talks with Tim about the varied media; his youthful encounters with Harvey Pekar, R. Crumb, and Howard Chaykin; his ambitious graphic novel Ruins; the importance of getting out of your comfort zone; and much more.

#293 Jim Woodring and the Sydney Graphic Festival

FrankThe recent Sydney Graphic Festival, held August 20 & 21, featured a variety of artists from comics and other media in panels and the like. Kumar attended, and discusses what he saw there (and the one huge, disappointing cancellation) before we get to the main event: his interview with creator Jim Woodring. Woodring is best known for the Frank series of dialog-free, surrealistic comics. Kumar investigates what’s inspired Woodring’s work.

Sydney Morning Herald photos of the festival

Comics Journal interview with Woodring

Review: Need More Love: A Graphic Memoir

by Aline Kominsky Crumb

M Q Publications, 2007.

I was trying to think of a way to describe Aline Kominsky Crumb’s art, and then she went and described it perfectly herself:

I […] draw, erase, and scratch out some tortured looking image that clearly shows how much I am struggling with the medium. I honestly don’t think this makes my work less interesting, just very expressionistic and often very ugly.

In fact Crumb is so aware of her own work as an artist that I could skip reviewing the book and just pull quotes out of it to do the same job.

Continue reading Review: Need More Love: A Graphic Memoir

#240 Kill “Shakespeare”

Approached by one of its co-authors, Tim, Mulele, and Kumar take him up on his suggestion to review “Kill Shakespeare” from IDW. However, we didn’t promise to like it.

Harvey Pekar, author of “American Splendor,” died recently at age 70. A remembrance of some of his work.

San Diego Comic-Con is over for another year. What are some things that we WISH would have been announced there?

#134: “The R. Crumb Handbook”

6/30/08 “The R. Crumb Handbook”

The R. Crumb HandbookA recent R. Crumb compilation is reviewed by a Crumb connoisseur (Kumar) and a Crumb newbie (Tim). The book features Crumb at his sweetest and his most shocking. But can this (or any book) claim to be the perfect Crumb compilation?