An SPX interview with TJ Kirsch

by Mike Rhode

T.J. Kirsch was tabling at SPX for his new book,  Pride Of The Decent Man, which is getting some very nice reviews. I had actually made an appointment to interview French NBM cartoonist Anais Depommier  (which will appear later this week after I transcribe it), but Mr. Kirsch kindly agreed to do an interview by mail.

What type of comic work or cartooning do you do?

I'm a writer and illustrator of comics, webcomics, and graphic novels - or any combination of those three. I've illustrated comics for Oni Press, Archie, Image, NBM and others.

How do you do it? Traditional pen and ink, computer or a combination?

For all of my recent books I've drawn and colored digitally using a Wacom tablet.

When (within a decade is fine) and where were you born?

I was born in 1981 in Albany, NY.

What is your training and/or education in cartooning?

I completed a year of art school at Savannah College Of Art And Design, and then finished my training at The Kubert School, graduating in 2005. 

Who are your influences?

My big ones are Dan Clowes, Chester Brown, and Gilbert Hernandez.

If you could, what in your career would you do-over or change?

I wish I would've had more confidence to start writing my own projects earlier. But along the way I've worked with many very talented writers and learned so much from each of them.

What work are you best-known for?

I co-created and illustrated a webcomic-turned-graphic novel called She Died In Terrebonne, written by Kevin Church. It's been highly acclaimed by critics and often cited as one of the best Noir comics ever published.

What work are you most proud of?

The comics I'm most proud of are all the minicomics that were eventually collected in Teej Comix, and the new book, Pride Of The Decent Man. I made them all in a similar process, using loose outlines and giving myself some room to change things on the page as I went along. Some things work better as comics if you stay flexible with the final product rather than sticking with a set script.

How did your new book end up with NBM?

Terry Nantier, the founder and publisher of NBM Graphic Novels, saw something he liked in my initial proposal submission, and made me an offer quite early in the process. I thought it was a good fit for their catalog, and seeing it finished and in book form, I feel that even more. There's a sensibility to all their books of trying to elevate the art form of comics, while also bringing in a general crossover audience. I like graphic novels I can hand to any random book or art lover on the street, and have them get something out of it - and maybe seek out other comics after that. I think many of the NBM graphic novels have that quality.

What would you like to do  or work on in the future?

I'd like to do more original graphic novels as well as shorter comics. Right now I'm in the very early stages of a nonfiction graphic novel project.

What do you do when you're in a rut or have writer's block?

As an artist, my recent solution to getting out of a rut is to redraw very old work of mine. It's great for self confidence, in that you see your improvement since the earlier version of the piece. 

As far as writer's block - I haven't been in this situation much yet, having worked with writers more than not - but I try to take breaks and let ideas come to me when I'm relaxed and daydreaming.

What do you think will be the future of your field?

Hopefully it will be more innovative comics being made, and respect for the work by the general public, but who knows? 

How was your SPX experience?

SPX was great, as always. It's a very inspiring atmosphere. I've been coming since 2008 and it's been my favorite show ever since - no contest. I've met several of my cartooning heroes, and made some great friends I see every time I come back. 

When you've been at SPX previously, have you been selling self-published books?

 My first time exhibiting I was with Oni Press, debuting a comic called Uncle Slam Fights Back. Most other times I shared space with Jonathan Baylis, who writes an autobiographical comic series called So Buttons. It's in the same vein as Harvey Pekar's work - only a bit more upbeat. I've been contributing art to that series since the first issue ten years ago. But yes, sometimes I'll be showcasing self published minis, or other work I'd done for Oni Press and others. 

Is the experience different when at a table of a mid-level publisher?

It's always easier, and far less stressful, when you can just show up and start signing books, rather than worrying about shipping your own or coordinating everything that goes along with exhibiting.

If you've been coming since 2008, any thoughts about how it's grown and changed?

I can say it's grown every year I've gone. More lines out the door for star cartoonists, more congestion in the aisle, but also the exhibitors all make amazing work and that never changes.

What's your favorite thing about DC?

My favorite things about DC are the closeness to SPX ( of course ), the fast, efficient and clean Metro system, and the fact that I have family there.

Least favorite?

It gets wayyyyy too hot in the summer! Maybe I just need to visit closer to the colder months.

What monument or museum do you like?

I like them all, but the Lincoln Memorial is one I always need to see. The Holocaust Museum is something everyone needs to see.

How about a favorite local restaurant?

There's a small place in Bethesda called the Lilit Cafe that has the most amazing gluten free crabcakes. I didn't have enough time this year to go since I was only around for a day, but that always a necessary stop. There's also Ella's Wood-Fired Pizza across from the National Portrait Gallery that has great gluten free pizza. I've got Celiac disease so these stand out for me.

Do you have a website or blog?

You can find out more about me and my work at www.tjkirsch.com - and you'll find links to all my various social media, info about my books and more.

Meet a local cartoonist: A chat with Orion Zangara

by Mike Rhode
 
What type of comic work or cartooning do you do?

I primarily draw black and white line work. However, I’d love to develop my coloring and lettering skills as well. Also, I’d love to learn how to digitally paint and a bit of graphic design and apply that to comic books.

How do you do it? Traditional pen and ink, computer or a combination?

I draw with both a traditional pen and brush, but I also use a Cintiq tablet. So yes, it’s a combination of the two.

Also, sometimes for my personal work, I like to draw on matting board. Here is an example:

When (within a decade is fine) and where were you born?

I was born in Albuquerque, NM.

Why are you in Washington now? What neighborhood or area do you live in?

Actually I live in Sterling, VA— but, I grew up in Harpers Ferry, WV. My wife is a history teacher at a middle school in our area, so that is one of the reasons why we live here now.

What is your training and/or education in cartooning?

I attended The Kubert School in Dover, NJ which is an accredited 3-year school that specializes in Cartoon-Graphics and Sequential Art . It also happens to be founded by my late grandfather, Joe Kubert. My uncles, Adam and Andy Kubert, are now co-presidents of the school.

Did the example of your grandfather or uncles lead you into the comic book field, or did you resist following in their footsteps?

They were certainly a big reason I was introduced to the comic book industry. :) 

Is your mother artistic too?

Yes, she certainly is. She has an excellent eye for art. In fact, she makes excellent points on all my art. She would have been a great art director. 

Can you tell us a favorite story about your grandfather, and his comics work, as you saw it, or it affected you?

My grandfather’s Yossel graphic novel means the most to me. I believe it’s his masterpiece and is so emotionally raw.

Who are your influences?

Oh, so many…Sean Murphy, Travis Charest, Shaun Tan, Richard A. Kirk, Rodrigo Enrique Luff, Nate Simpson, Mike Mignola, Lee Weeks, John Cassaday, John Paul Leon, Greg Ruth, Geof Darrow, Andy Brase, Gabriel Ba/Fabio Moon, Eduardo Risso, Francois Schuiten, Jeff Lemire, Bernie Wrightson, Andy Clarke, Leinil Francis Yu, Simon Coleby, Charles Vess, P. Craig Russel, David Mazzucchelli, Dustin Nquyen, Franklin Booth, Frank Quitely, Nicolas Delort, Riccardo Federici, Rafael Albuquerque, Lucy Hardie, Tran Nquyen, Cary Nord, Kikyz Trece Trece, Gustave Dore, Marcos Mateu-Mestre, Sara Pichelli, Chiara Baustista, and the list goes on and on…

If you could, what in your career would you do-over or change?

Hmm… Well, I am really just in the beginning of my career as a comic-book artist. My first graphic novel, Stone Cold: The Stone Man Mysteries Book One, is coming out in August by the wonderful Lerner Publishing Group. It is written by the New York Times Best-Selling author Jane Yolen and her talented son Adam Stemple. To be quite honest, Jane Yolen has been one of my favorite authors since I was very young, so I am amazed that I get to work with her and her son.

(By the way, here is a link where you can pre-order the book. )

That said, I would probably have submitted my work earlier. As soon as I began actually putting my work online, I began getting paid work.

What work are you best-known for?

I am going to say The Stone Man Mysteries trilogy! :)

What work are you most proud of?

Again The Stone Man Mysteries.

What would you like to do or work on in the future?

I have some secret projects coming up, so I can not answer this question completely. However, I would love to work for more comic book companies and eventually even draw a little bit of superhero genre work . Also, I would love to get into video game and concept work, but I always want to work with comic books in some form.

What do you do when you're in a rut or have writer's block?

I guess this does not really happen…I just constantly draw.

What do you think will be the future of your field?

Like prose books, I think comic books will eventually be nearly all digital. Also, I could see comic books as being more interactive and actually move on the page. I believe this is already beginning, but I think it will be more popular in the future.

Luther Strode pinup

What local cons do you attend? The Small Press Expo, Intervention, or others? Any comments about attending them?

I need to attend more local cons! I have been to SPX, Awesome Con, and Baltimore Con. They are all amazing!

What's your favorite thing about DC?

D.C. is probably my favorite city in the USA. I love the free museums, the beautiful scenery, the architecture, etc.

Least favorite?

This is quite minor, but I wish the metro expanded a bit more.

What monument or museum do like to take visitors to?

All of them! Actually, my wife and I were just at the D.C. Mall last Monday and went to the National Air and Space Museum and the Hirshhorn. Also, we took a tour at the Capital and had the pleasure of seeing the U.S. Senate.

How about a favorite local restaurant?

I am a big fan of Toki Underground in D.C. Also, I love spicy Korean food, so I recommend Honey Pig in Centreville, VA.

Do you have a website or blog?

Yes! My website is http://www.orionzangara.com