BEST POST EVER
December 28, 2008
I have a lot of books now, friends.I need to buy another book shelf now. And, I’m one of those guys who reads a book and keeps it. Y’know? Just in case I need to read a part again, or something. I keep buying/acquiring more. It’s sick. I don’t know what to do about this need I have. It must be because when I’m not at work or drawing I’m with Robin at a bookstore with a coffee in our little book greedy hands. I guess I could blame Robin for this. She is the same way. We both love to own books. But, her love for books is perverted. She likes to smell books, and sometimes when we are reading in bed I’ll catch her smelling the insides. Like some kind of weird little animal.
I have a big graphic novel collection now. Only the best comic artist’s books are allowed in my room. Except for some pretty bad mini-comics that I get in the mail occasionally. Those are pretty fun to read though. The strange xeroxed etchings of some weirdo I’ve never heard of or met. God bless them all! One of the best collections of today’s most talented cartoonists is a book put out quarterly by Fantagraphics called MOME. For the past 6 months I’ve been looking at these books in my local bookshops feeling like I was burning inside. I felt like such an loser outsider staring at these pages of today’s elite young cartoon superstars and feeling anger that I was not included (If you haven’t noticed from reading this blog before, I take personal offense when I’m not thought of as an “Exciting new artist”. Even though, I’m a nobody.I still think of other cartoonists around my age who have fame as my contemporaries.) in this book of Hip Cartoonists. I made it a mission to be included in MOME. I pestered them. I got a gig at the COMICS JOURNAL, and I’ve been working my butt off to be visible. I’ve sent the editor every new story I’ve drawn as I’ve drawn them. I will continue that too. It’s been a monthly thing to send Eric Reynolds a package and wait for his reply.
Guess what? Jules Fieffer was right when he said this past summer that you just have to keep at it, until the editors feel bad for you and grow weary of rejecting you. I’ll be in the next issue of MOME. I’m very excited. I did it. And now, I have to keep it up. Which is easy. I’ll just keep drawing.
Someday the people will gather in big numbers to see me.
At least, that’s what the ghost of my friend told me in my dream a couple of years ago. But, If I tell you that story, you’ll think I’m crazy!
Anyway, I went on the radio with John Porcellino, remember? Here is a link so you can listen to how it went.
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| December 19th (Noah Van Sciver + John Porcellino) | |||
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December 19th – Local Shakedown (1st Hour)
December 19th - Local Shakedown (2nd Hour)
Also! Jobing.com has posted their video featuring me. It’s kind of embarrassing for me to watch, but I don’t know. Maybe you want to watch it? Here is a quick untruth in that video.
1. I never went to art school. I took some painting classes at a community college by my old place in lakewood. I chalk that up to me being incredibly nervous during this interview. Tune in next time for more video untruths! Just copy and paste this address! http://denver.jobing.com/video_details.asp?segment=24714&i=45905
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I’m excited about MOME for you, too; I also obsessively collect books and keep (hoard) them; I feel the same burning frustration every time I enter a Barnes & Noble (although it’s a bit unjustified since I’m not submitting); I want to hear the ghost story; and didn’t you take painting classes in Lakewood? I seem to remember …
Did I mention I want to hear the ghost story? You have my phone number. Or you can text it to me 160 characters at a time.
Love,
Mom
ps — how embarrassing is it to have your mother reading your blog?
John Porcellino, shut up for a split second and let Noah talk. Christ almighty.
EVS
The video interview is terrific. You look and sound great, and it was fun to watch that super-speed clip of you drawing a panel. You’ve got style, kid!
EVS
You really come across well in that video, Noah. Much better than Helen Keller. No comparison.
Oh, and btw, we’re in the market for more bookshelf space too. Love of books is a good thing. Besides, think how much worse it would be if you had an obsessive desire to acquire, say, lots of empty spinach cans.
Noah, it’s hereditary. Between Dad and Mom we’re all doomed. We all should just move into Barnes and Noble. I have so many books and I still can never get enough. I have them all categorized too, like a library: cooking/food books, decorating books, gardening books, health books, parenting books, novels, a few sections of fiction separated by author, and then my juvenile section? Forget about it! I have a better children’s nonfiction section than our local library does! And I can’t stop! My favorite thing to buy.
Congrats on MOME sir!