What's keeping the comics industry together? Middle-aged men reading shitty comics. That is one of the best quotes regarding comics I've ever heard lol. Thanks for this one fellas!
I was there when the toilet exploded. The toilet came from the Fantagraphics office--an old toilet had been replaced, and I suggested to Gary that we blow it up. I spray-painted "the '80s" on it, a detail that Pete Bagge included in his story. It wasn't a stick of dynamite, it was a tennis ball with a fuse (loaded with some explosive). Otherwise, Gary's description matches my memory, including the shower of shattered bits of porcelain at the end.
Superb interview, as always, but this one is particularly close to my heart! Gary Groth is such a formative legend but seems to fly under the radar for the most. Thanks for this great, deep, conversation!
I’d love to hear some reflections on some of those more epic dust ups from the 80’s: the Kirby art return battle, Shooter, Terry Beatty is not my girlfriend... ;P
The Groth/Kane discussions are so rich, especially the later two-part interview, which I hope you cover. Kane was always looking for new ways to do comics, but seemed more obsessed with form than content. For instance, he was interested in large blocks of copy almost as an aesthetic regardless of what the words said, and he was pitching different shapes, like paperbacks and adult magazines to expand the audience. What's also great is that he was a witness to the history of comics from the beginning and has so much to say about the artform and so much hilarious gossip. He must have been the perfect dinner companion for a comics fan.
“ ‘86 was the first Vortex collection” Jim is so in tune with what comics came out in 86! We need a weekly series on each month of 1986 in comics history from you guys!
Great interview 👍 a year ago I started my own publishing company "Marlis Press, LLC" where I can self published my own graphic novel(s). Keep up the great work with your podcasts
Thanks for that. Felt the interview came up a little bit short, though, as surely The Comics Journal deserved more air-time. This magazine wasn't just a cataloguer of the late 70s and 80s comic boom, and the diversification of material, but played an instrumental part in making it all happen. Growing up, The Comics Journal was like a bible and gateway drug combined, and the lengthy interviews that Gary did, with a Who's Who of the comics industry were brilliant to read. Hopefully, we'll get to see a Gary Groth Interview Part Two sometime soon? I just feel this is a taster of what's to come in that regards. Anyway, another enjoyable listen all the same, keep on doing what you guys are doing.
As someone who has asked about more Steranko coverage on this channel before... I'm good after Gary's story. He said all that needs to be said about him.
As always, great interview, guys!! I'm new to your show, but now eagerly look forward to it. Your guests are always top shelf talent and your insightful questions show that you both clearly have mad comics knowledge. Keep up the terrific work!
On the subject of journalism on comics: There actually still is journalism on comics, but it’s moved to the internet in the form of blogs and RUclips channels like this. (And by the way, this is one of the best channels on the subject, so kudos to you guys)
1:14:50 Never thought about this. I thought Marvel and DC always dominated the space but I guess the barriers to entry regarding publishing back then were more of an issue than actually the comics as competing products. Basically if the TMNT dropped in early 90s as opposed early 80s we're talking about a different outcome. *Just received my copy of Absolute Batman: Year One so thanks for that review and recommendation, fellas.
Could you get Pat Mills on in the future. His memoir "Be Pure! Be Vigilant! Behave!" Is a great insight into the early days of 2000ad, Judge Dread and British comics as a whole.
completely agree about Eisner et al self-consciously trying to do 'mature'/literary type work and it coming up short. I think you can apply this to comics as well as artists - 2000AD went downhill when it tried the same thing during the late 80s post-Watchmen thing. The further they get from their pulp origins the more comics can lose their way. I can totally understand creators wanting the respect that painters, novelists and directors get but you can't force that shit.
Wow I didn't know there were people that felt this way about Eisner's work outside of the Spirit! Sounds crazy to me, but I was also introduced to Eisner by way of his A Contract with God work.
@bigstefan I take exception with one book by Eisner and that was ‘The Dreamer’; dunno if it was his best work, but to me it was his most riveting outside of the Spirit? And in my mind the key to it is he was drawing from history and irreplaceable experience. And speaking of overrated, as a GIGANTIC Frank Miller/pulp/hard boiled fan, can I just say that Sin City is just a bunch of derivative hot air, never understood the reverence for that stuff...
Gary Groth is right middle aged men do like comic shops but I think it's part of the culture and allure you either grew up going to comic shops or you wanted to I was getting shonen jump /mang from bookstores and supermarkets comics from my English teacher he'd bring in a long box with random dollar comics to class and i remember wishing we had a shop in town cuz public transportation was crappy back then so i didn't get to go to shops till i was in my upper teens it's like finding a good record shop you go for the love of the medium i like to browse and find something i wouldn't normally find shopping online, it's too specific on the web sometimes .
Been watching a bit...not a bad lil cast ya got here! Now THIS one....you guys talk about the first friend I made in Baltimore....the wonderful Steve Geppi!! I was born and raised in southern Illinois,tiiiny town. At 11....I moved to Hamden ..dead ass body more murderland lol....AND I LOOOOOOVED IT!!!!! My mother worked for a very prestigious law firm up in the Mercantile Bank building...and first Monday...took me with her. This ruled... "Bob....you see that street?" "Yeah mom..." "Your feet don't touch it today.This is called a skywalk.It will take you to harbor place,it's a mall of spurts.Heres 11 dollars....this should feed and wet your whistle and keep you..... OCCUPIED until we have lunch.If you hook around the first building, really look.... you'll find ESCAPE!!!! ADVENTURE!!!! FAR AWAY LANDS!!!! EXCEPTIONAL PEOPLE!!!! A WHOLE NEW WORLD!! IF you can follow rules,you can come EVERY DAY....BUT YOU CANNOT STRAY! Understood?" "Yeah mom...I know.... it's dangerous here.PROMISE....Ill stay in the mall thing." That escape? My first ever comic shop experience..GEPPIS COMIC WORLD!!!! Steve Geppi was so damn kind to me. I was terrified yet fascinated....and so giddy/nervous/unsure being in a HONEST TO GOD COMIC SHOP????? He saw this....and we talked comics soooo much that summer. Now please understand I never asked him for a thing...nor would I...ya see I wasn't aware of exactly who Steve was. He was just my friend that had a REALLY RAD COMIC SHOP!!!! STILL invited to the annual Christmas party and try to catch up anytime I go home for a week or two. THANK YOU GUYS FOR BRINGING THE FLOOD OF STOOOOPID HAPPINESS IM FEELING RIGHT NOW!!!!
Critters gets a lot of crap, but I was also a little kid when that comic came out and I bought every issue until they went to the single creator in each issue format. The anthology was good stuff, mainly for Stan Sakai but I also really fondly remember Gnuff by Freddy Milton. I am in the process of liquidating most of my comics library but I am keeping those 40 or so issues of Critters.
I couldn’t agree more, although I never understood why Gil didn’t illustrate some stories by Harvey Pekar? Far less of a commitment and you’d love to imagine he could’ve surprised himself and found the confidence to do more...?
Since Fantagraphics is publishing the new work by Barry Windsor-Smith, does that mean they'll reprint BWS' Paradoxman to go with Young Gods and The Freebooters? A guy can dream. Lol
Jim's Octobriana 1976 Kickstarter: www.kickstarter.com/projects/jimrugg/fluorescent-blacklight-outlaw-comic-book
Ed's Patreon: www.patreon.com/edpiskor
What's keeping the comics industry together? Middle-aged men reading shitty comics. That is one of the best quotes regarding comics I've ever heard lol. Thanks for this one fellas!
Drinking coffee, sorting comics and watching Cartoonist Kayfabe! Perfect Sunday morning!
So.. Clowes is next right? Followed by Charles Burns, Gary Panter, Art Spiegelman, Peter Bagge, and Chris Ware?
I was there when the toilet exploded. The toilet came from the Fantagraphics office--an old toilet had been replaced, and I suggested to Gary that we blow it up. I spray-painted "the '80s" on it, a detail that Pete Bagge included in his story. It wasn't a stick of dynamite, it was a tennis ball with a fuse (loaded with some explosive). Otherwise, Gary's description matches my memory, including the shower of shattered bits of porcelain at the end.
Superb interview, as always, but this one is particularly close to my heart! Gary Groth is such a formative legend but seems to fly under the radar for the most. Thanks for this great, deep, conversation!
We need a 2nd Groth interview!
I’d love to hear some reflections on some of those more epic dust ups from the 80’s: the Kirby art return battle, Shooter, Terry Beatty is not my girlfriend... ;P
I wish this interview was twice as long. Great job, guys.
The Groth/Kane discussions are so rich, especially the later two-part interview, which I hope you cover. Kane was always looking for new ways to do comics, but seemed more obsessed with form than content. For instance, he was interested in large blocks of copy almost as an aesthetic regardless of what the words said, and he was pitching different shapes, like paperbacks and adult magazines to expand the audience. What's also great is that he was a witness to the history of comics from the beginning and has so much to say about the artform and so much hilarious gossip. He must have been the perfect dinner companion for a comics fan.
“ ‘86 was the first Vortex collection” Jim is so in tune with what comics came out in 86! We need a weekly series on each month of 1986 in comics history from you guys!
Great interview 👍 a year ago I started my own publishing company "Marlis Press, LLC" where I can self published my own graphic novel(s). Keep up the great work with your podcasts
I visited Jim Steranko while Gary was working for him. Other than being introduced to Gary downstairs, we spent the rest of the time upstairs.
Thanks for that. Felt the interview came up a little bit short, though, as surely The Comics Journal deserved more air-time. This magazine wasn't just a cataloguer of the late 70s and 80s comic boom, and the diversification of material, but played an instrumental part in making it all happen. Growing up, The Comics Journal was like a bible and gateway drug combined, and the lengthy interviews that Gary did, with a Who's Who of the comics industry were brilliant to read. Hopefully, we'll get to see a Gary Groth Interview Part Two sometime soon? I just feel this is a taster of what's to come in that regards. Anyway, another enjoyable listen all the same, keep on doing what you guys are doing.
That was so enjoyable! He is a great conversationalist and has such fantastic stories. Thanks for the content, guys.
Totally agree with Gary that comics should aspire to the heights of other forms of great art - like the best books, movies and TV shows. Rock on!
Which is why it's so weird he poo pooed on Eisner's non-Spirit work.
As someone who has asked about more Steranko coverage on this channel before... I'm good after Gary's story. He said all that needs to be said about him.
Been hoping for this!!! Thank you guys so much
Another great interview! Thanks so much for posting. These shoot interviews are the best comics interviews around.
Keeping it Kayfabe! Great interview.
LOVED. LOVED. LOVED this one! Great job y'all!
Loved the video just ordered the EC Artists Library Vol. 4 slipcase set from fantagraphics the reproductions are amazing !
Would you guys consider interviewing Mark Schultz and his Xenozoic series
I hit like before I watched the vid cause I know that Gary is going to speak his mind, unfiltered.
As always, great interview, guys!! I'm new to your show, but now eagerly look forward to it. Your guests are always top shelf talent and your insightful questions show that you both clearly have mad comics knowledge. Keep up the terrific work!
I wish Segar’s Popeye was available to read online along with Krazy Kat dailies. Print is great, but somethings may never see the day of reprint.
Getting some great people guys - thanks for doing this!
On the subject of journalism on comics: There actually still is journalism on comics, but it’s moved to the internet in the form of blogs and RUclips channels like this. (And by the way, this is one of the best channels on the subject, so kudos to you guys)
1:14:50 Never thought about this. I thought Marvel and DC always dominated the space but I guess the barriers to entry regarding publishing back then were more of an issue than actually the comics as competing products. Basically if the TMNT dropped in early 90s as opposed early 80s we're talking about a different outcome.
*Just received my copy of Absolute Batman: Year One so thanks for that review and recommendation, fellas.
A good interview, well done! :}
Could you get Pat Mills on in the future. His memoir "Be Pure! Be Vigilant! Behave!" Is a great insight into the early days of 2000ad, Judge Dread and British comics as a whole.
Excellent work boys, this is the biggest interview yet
absofuckinlutely amazing interview.
completely agree about Eisner et al self-consciously trying to do 'mature'/literary type work and it coming up short. I think you can apply this to comics as well as artists - 2000AD went downhill when it tried the same thing during the late 80s post-Watchmen thing. The further they get from their pulp origins the more comics can lose their way. I can totally understand creators wanting the respect that painters, novelists and directors get but you can't force that shit.
Wow I didn't know there were people that felt this way about Eisner's work outside of the Spirit! Sounds crazy to me, but I was also introduced to Eisner by way of his A Contract with God work.
@bigstefan I take exception with one book by Eisner and that was ‘The Dreamer’; dunno if it was his best work, but to me it was his most riveting outside of the Spirit? And in my mind the key to it is he was drawing from history and irreplaceable experience. And speaking of overrated, as a GIGANTIC Frank Miller/pulp/hard boiled fan, can I just say that Sin City is just a bunch of derivative hot air, never understood the reverence for that stuff...
Great interview! Thanks
Gary Groth is right middle aged men do like comic shops but I think it's part of the culture and allure you either grew up going to comic shops or you wanted to I was getting shonen jump /mang from bookstores and supermarkets comics from my English teacher he'd bring in a long box with random dollar comics to class and i remember wishing we had a shop in town cuz public transportation was crappy back then so i didn't get to go to shops till i was in my upper teens it's like finding a good record shop you go for the love of the medium i like to browse and find something i wouldn't normally find shopping online, it's too specific on the web sometimes .
Great interview.
Alex from CBH sat down and interviewed Jim Steranko for a few hours. This is the first part: ruclips.net/video/iIH0qKU3Mgw/видео.html
Been watching a bit...not a bad lil cast ya got here!
Now THIS one....you guys talk about the first friend I made in Baltimore....the wonderful Steve Geppi!! I was born and raised in southern Illinois,tiiiny town.
At 11....I moved to Hamden ..dead ass body more murderland lol....AND I LOOOOOOVED IT!!!!!
My mother worked for a very prestigious law firm up in the Mercantile Bank building...and first Monday...took me with her.
This ruled...
"Bob....you see that street?"
"Yeah mom..."
"Your feet don't touch it today.This is called a skywalk.It will take you to harbor place,it's a mall of spurts.Heres 11 dollars....this should feed and wet your whistle and keep you..... OCCUPIED until we have lunch.If you hook around the first building, really look.... you'll find ESCAPE!!!! ADVENTURE!!!! FAR AWAY LANDS!!!! EXCEPTIONAL PEOPLE!!!! A WHOLE NEW WORLD!!
IF you can follow rules,you can come EVERY DAY....BUT YOU CANNOT STRAY! Understood?"
"Yeah mom...I know.... it's dangerous here.PROMISE....Ill stay in the mall thing."
That escape?
My first ever comic shop experience..GEPPIS COMIC WORLD!!!!
Steve Geppi was so damn kind to me.
I was terrified yet fascinated....and so giddy/nervous/unsure being in a HONEST TO GOD COMIC SHOP?????
He saw this....and we talked comics soooo much that summer.
Now please understand I never asked him for a thing...nor would I...ya see I wasn't aware of exactly who Steve was. He was just my friend that had a REALLY RAD COMIC SHOP!!!!
STILL invited to the annual Christmas party and try to catch up anytime I go home for a week or two.
THANK YOU GUYS FOR BRINGING THE FLOOD OF STOOOOPID HAPPINESS IM FEELING RIGHT NOW!!!!
Critters gets a lot of crap, but I was also a little kid when that comic came out and I bought every issue until they went to the single creator in each issue format. The anthology was good stuff, mainly for Stan Sakai but I also really fondly remember Gnuff by Freddy Milton. I am in the process of liquidating most of my comics library but I am keeping those 40 or so issues of Critters.
I loved this guy in John Wick. great interview guys!
Are you saying Gary looks like Werner Herzog? 🤣 i see it now
1:20:15 dude, that was brutal.
Gil Kane + Le Carre would have been amazing.
I couldn’t agree more, although I never understood why Gil didn’t illustrate some stories by Harvey Pekar? Far less of a commitment and you’d love to imagine he could’ve surprised himself and found the confidence to do more...?
Since Fantagraphics is publishing the new work by Barry Windsor-Smith, does that mean they'll reprint BWS' Paradoxman to go with Young Gods and The Freebooters? A guy can dream. Lol
Yeah!!! Shout to the master of disaster Jacob Covey