Robert Crumb doesn’t have to pick up dog poop—this much Carol Tyler knows for sure. Neither does her husband, cartoonist Justin Green, for that matter, but that’s a different story. The point here is that Tyler does pick the stuff up, and while it may not be her idea of a good time, per se, she’s not going to let it keep her down. “Half-full, half-empty?” she tells me. “No, my glass is full. I don’t have a dime, but I’m happy.” She laughs—something she seems to do a lot.
Tyler has plenty going for her these days, of course—a steady teaching gig at the University of Cincinnati College of Design, Architecture, Art, and Planning, a book on Fantagraphics that’s been garnering her plenty of accolades [You'll Never Know: A Good and Decent Man], and, of course, a dog with a healthy colon.
In the second part of our conversation with the cartoonist (a word she’s hesitant to use when describing herself), we discuss Tyler’s life as an educator, what it means to be an “artist,” and her 90-year-old father’s reaction to A Good and Decent Man, the first book in a trilogy exploring his life after World War II.
[Part One]
Read more »
Carol Tyler isn’t a member of the original comics underground, a fact that she’s quick to point out. Sure she’s the same age, and she’s got a picture of her sitting on Robert Crumb’s lap—oh yeah, and did I mention that she’s married to Justin Green? In an artistic sense, however, she’s a child of the 80s—the titular late bloomer of her 2005 short story collection.
Tyler did work on spec for the Crumbs’ 80s anthology, Weirdo, but in typical late bloomer fashion, its her work over the past two decades that’s really put her on the radar of so many indie comics fans, beginning with two short story collections released a decade apart on Fantagraphics and culminating with the release of this year’s You’ll Never Know: Book 1: A Good and Decent Man—the first of a three book trilogy, which landed her on a number of year-end “best of” lists.
The book explores the impact that her father’s post World War II life had on her formative years. Tyler explains that the first volume is only a warm up—the other two will delve into far more serious issues. She also assures me that, despite this (and the fact that she was recently discharged from the hospital after some rather serious surgery), she’s happy. Very happy
Given the enthusiasm with which she approaches every topic from post-traumatic stress to picking up dog poop, it’s hard not to believe her.
Read more »
In this final part of our conversation with the Pim & Francie author, we discuss reader interpretation, the importance of message board gossip, and whether or not Al Columbia is looking forward to the rerelease of Eddie Campbell’s Alec, a book featuring a young, faceless, and less-than-flattering version of Columbia himself.
[Part One][Part Two][Part Three]
Read more »
In the world of autiobiographical comics, there’s surely a feeling that, from time to time, things can get a little “too real,” requiring a step back from the work—a chance to reassess how much one is willing to reveal for the sake of art.
While a reasonable person surely wouldn’t mistake the stories contained in Pim & Francie: The Golden Bear Days for autobiography, Al Columbia insists that there’s more than a little of his own life contained in its cartoony pages—enough for him to take pause when things get a little too real.
[Part One] [Part Two]
Read more »
There’s something troubling, perhaps, in Al Columbia’s assertion that his childlike cartoon characters, Pim and Francie are autobiographical. The Golden Bear Days, Fantagraphics’ recently released collection of unfinished strips starring the duo is an often horrifying little book.
Columbia is more than happy to subject the plucky little boy and girl to all manner of terror, including meat grinders, oversized insects, and giant monsters. One could no doubt fashion a fascinating little essay of pop-psychology around the fact that Pim and Francie are based on Columbia’s relationship with his now ex-girlfriend.
[Part One]
Read more »
So, what really happened to Al Columbia? Simple, really—he created some comics, for Fantagraphics, did illustration work for the likes of The New York Times, collaborated on with folks like Archer Prewitt, recorded some music, and did design work on The Postal Service’s 2003 debut, Give Up. Oh, and he also recently launched a Website, just in case you’re have some trouble keeping track of all that.
Al Columbia has kept fairly busy for the past two decades, though many people seemingly have some difficulty accepting this fact, judging from the enigmatic air that seems to surround his works in the online community. Maybe it’s dark nature of much of his work—evidenced most recently by the strips that comprise his new book, Pim & Francie: The Golden Bear Days. Perhaps it’s the artist’s self-describe concentration problem, which has hampered his ambitions of creating longer works.
Columbia can’t say for sure how the notion initially arose, though he’s more than happy to discuss the subject—and nearly anything else, for that matter, including his music, meditation, and his thoughts on Top Shelf’s upcoming re-release of Eddie Campbell’s Alec stories.
Read more »
We wrap up our interview with the Jack Survives author by discussing the Sears-inspired art of his formative years, the transition from collector to creator, and the importance of pornography.
[Part One][Part Two][Part Three]
Read more »
The Jack Survives artist discusses his disinterest in “old people,” the breakdown of filters, and inhabiting the mind of a 12-year-old girl.
[PartOne][Part Two]
Read more »
In this third and final part of our interview with the Rehabilitating Mr. Wiggles artist, we discuss Superjail, writing Hollywood screenplays, and why Neil Swaab is in hot water with the world’s Webcartoonists.
[Part One][Part Two]
Read more »
In this second part of our interview with the Jack Survives artist, we discuss the influence of EC Comics, Jerry Moriarty’s fascination with “cool,” and the role that Alvin Buenaventura plays as, “the adult” in his life.
[Part One]
Read more »
Interviews | bheater December 28, 2009 | 
Comments (0) 
