So, fer the day, me is making a little homage to, who I consider, one of the most important writers in Comic Industry: Harvey Pekar.As a file clerk for the hospital, Pekar got related to comic books when he met Bob Crumb, re-known author of Fritz, the Cat, Mr. Natural, the Yum-Yum Book...
Routine and monotony were his common partners, and things weren't easy in the emotional side, either. His former couple left him 'cause of what she thought "was not a life for her".
And thus, from off the streets of Cleveland, comes "American Splendor". Associated with Bob Crumb, Harvey gave life to an autobiographical work, were everything seemed to be a complete disaster, and the only solution was the irony of Mr. Pekar. It's daily issues stabbing you in the back with all they've got. And the best of it, for real.
In the coming years, many other artists joined the project: Alison
Bechdel, Brian Bram, Chester Brown, Alan Moore, David Collier, Gary Dumm, Frank Stack, Drew Friedman, Dean Haspiel, Val Mayerik, Josh Neufeld, Spain Rodriguez, Joe Sacco, Gerry Shamray, Jim Woodring, Joe Zabel, Ed Piskor, and Greg Budgett. Later issues employed a new crop of artists, including Ty Templeton, Richard Corben, Hunt Emerson, Eddie Campbell, Gilbert Hernandez, Ho Che Anderson, and Rick Geary.My first approach to Harvey's work was last year, when I got a copy of American Splendor's movie (with Paul Giamatti and Hope Davis as Harvey Pekar and Joyce Brabner, respectively). I got to meet a pretty depressing guy, who decided to make a change in his life and started to complain about everything!!! Crazy at first!! But, with time, very reasonable. That's when I got related to the saying "Reality overcomes fiction". And it's true. Everyday you get hit by life, and it's up to you to decide how to hit back.
Recently deceased on July 12, 2010, leaving a legacy for all illustrators, writers, and fans. Miss you, Harvey. Too bad I didn't got to meet you before.
He is, to my considering, one of the greatest artists ever.
Is true, if you want, your normal life can be very interesting. Oscar always says that he likes "dibujante en paro" because your life is funny, but I think you just know how make it funny. And drow it. BUt I have a questions, the actors you named are the same of "shawn of the death" ??
ReplyDeleteNo, those were Simon Pegg and Nick Frost. Paul Giamatti has also appeared in Lady in The Water, The Illusionist, etc.
ReplyDeleteHope Davis has been on The Weather Man, About Schmidt, and Real Steel.
Interesting! The only comic that I read is LINIERS xD I don't have much culture about this theme. But he seems really interesting
ReplyDeleteI have never know about him until now, but i think i am going to search his work, because it seems to me that i may like him haha
ReplyDeleteWhen I was in school, my Brother in Law told me about this movie for the Comics Theme and the Cult behind.
ReplyDeleteThe times that I started to saw it; the Dream and the Tiredness won me.
I hope next time (like others Films that I want to see) when I seat on the couch, I will be lucid (;