Geeking Out With Junot Díaz

In addition to being a Pulitzer-winning, chart-topping novelist and short story writer, Junot Díaz is more than a little nerdy. Okay, very nerdy. His work -- including his latest story collection, "This is How You Lose Her" -- is filled with references to geek-culture touchstones that blend seamlessly with historical analysis and intimate struggle. And towering above all else, his fiction is filled with references to comic books. But no one had ever interviewed him just about those comics. That's why filmmaker Abraham Riesman went for a trip to St. Mark's Comics in Manhattan -- a longtime haunt for Díaz -- to talk comics. To Riesman's surprise, Díaz's comics knowledge was even deeper and broader than he had expected.
In this short documentary, the author talks about the growing literary significance of comics, the small-press titles he's following today, and how his wildly successful work wouldn't be what it is if it weren't for the comics creators that he grew up reading. Even if you're not a comics aficionado, there's a lot to chew on here.

[@Deantrey]

Pulitzer Prize winner, his novel was voted greatest novel of the 21st Century by The Guardian or somebody like that. Passionate about comics in a genuine way. Pretty cool guy.

[@phantomraviolis]

It's nice to see such a high-up literary person being genuinely into comics in an honest, non-condescending way! Plus the dude SERIOUSLY knows his stuff when it comes to good comics!

[@fanboydee]

This was cool, I expected Diaz to be one of those guys who USED to read comics, but here he is picking up a whole bunch of current indie books.

[@SiriusMined]

I'm not surprised. I went to high school with Junot. He was really cool back then. I should try and contact him.

[@xxXXXxxx852]

wait, was he kind of tough guy or a nerdy guy? his character yunior seems like someone you don't wanna fuck with, but you never know how much autobiographical really is.
i know that this is an old comment, but if you do read, i'd really like to know. :)

[@kevgh3869]

He said don't call.

[@SiriusMined]

@@xxXXXxxx852 He wasn't a tough guy. He was always smart, somewhat nerdy, but cool and funny.

[@tuzo3200]

Saw him at a reading for This is How You Lose Her - Good speaker and very personable.

[@KelRiever]

@Sirius: I went to college with him. Go see him at one of his events. I bet he'll be thrilled. Kept in touch with him a bit, but my take on it (and it won't surprise you) is he's pretty busy, so it is up to us to keep in touch.
I think I remember Junot being a fan of Frank Miller and Alan Moore. If it weren't for him talking about The Dark Knight, I would never have read my favorite comic of all time. Still to this day!

[@mikeydread62]

That is extremely cool and fascinating. Wish more people could speak about comics with such clarity.

[@41yearoldnewdriver]

I think comic books are so cool. I love how he says geeking out with comics. He should be able to remember high school and he's a smart guy. Love it! Representation of Latinos. I like that Junot said that.

[@jmo1225]

LOL the chick yawned and walked away

[@johnnyshowbones8689]

Man knows his comics; cool.

[@Fuddulous]

Surprised and aroused that there are only women working in the shop.