Thursday 4 October 2012

HARDtalk: The Virtual Tour #16

Of all your achievements in the comic-book field, which are you the most proud of?  

Getting the 6,000 pages done right on schedule: that No.300 shipped in mid-March 2004. Getting the Defender of Liberty Award from the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund in 1996. "The Africa Sequence" in FORM & VOID because it was almost impossible to do and had to be put together on the run. Being chosen to accept Hal Foster's posthumous JOE SHUSTER AWARD on his family's behalf. Helping with the Creator's Bill of Rights. Giving Gerhard a forum and breathing space to do what he does best. ALL of glamourpuss. Being the "last man standing" who refuses to cave under the false dichotomy between "feminism" and "misogyny".

Actually, I'm pretty proud of it all. Against all odds, these things actually happened because I was determined to make them happen and/or to be worthy of them happening. It's a very odd way to spend your life, but it seems to me a very good way to spend your life.
Okay, we're now off to TERMINAL DRIFT for a couple of questions from our host there, Taylor Ramsey:

As I understand it, your religious conversion has created some difficulties in your professional life with the people around you not understanding, and your desire to be somewhat more isolated. My question is a two-fer:

First, how has your relationship with Gerhard changed?  I understand he is no longer a partner in A/V and Cerebus, but I imagine that was more of a business decision, correct?

Second, has your new outlook and the reactions to it in the industry actually improved any of your relationships with other creators or friends?  Are they now assessing you differently and perhaps more objectively as a person?

Hit the link to TERMINAL DRIFT for the answer to these question - and I'll be back tomorrow for more of your HARDtalk questions.

HAVE YOU GOT A QUESTION FOR DAVE SIM?
Already signed up for the HARDtalk Virtual Tour are Bleeding Cool, Millar World, Terminal Drift, Canadian Comics Archive, The Comics Journal, The Beat and Mindless Ones. Add your question for Dave Sim at one of these fine websites before 10 October and if your question is chosen (they'll need to be tough, interesting questions!) you'll receive a personalised, autographed copy of a Cerebus back-issue, with a Cerebus head-sketch by Dave Sim!

1 comment:

Slumbering Agartha said...

"Actually, I'm pretty proud of it all. Against all odds, these things actually happened because I was determined to make them happen and/or to be worthy of them happening. It's a very odd way to spend your life, but it seems to me a very good way to spend your life."

This made my day. What a powerful but simple, self reflective assessment of an incredible career. Long may you shine, Dave.