A QUICK CHAT WITH JOE KUBERT

[MattBrady]

This weekend, as part of New York is Book Country, Joe Kubert will be featured in a panel discussion (Sunday 2-3, Pless Hall, talking about Sgt Rock: Between Hell and a Hard Place as well as other works). We had a chance to catch up with the comics legend for a quick chat about how he sees the growing acceptance of graphic novels and comic creators in the mainstream publishing world.

“I think it’s great for us,” Kubert said, speaking form his school in Dover, New Jersey. “The fact that the stuff we’re doing now is taking on a more legitimate recognition from the publishers and the public in general is great. I think it’s terrific. I think it bodes well both for them and for us.”

When asked if he thought the recognition, as well as the addition of several graphic novels to the publishing lineups of major literary publishing houses was a fad or the beginning of a permanent addition of comics to the literary landscape, Kubert said that a cart is leading a horse, but it’s not very clear as to who is which.

“If I had to guess, I’d probably have to say that publishers feel they’re a good business risk because of the general interest of the reading public. But with the incredible number of books that are published every year, perhaps this is a new venue, a new place – something where they can interest additional readers to make a purchase. I think business is probably driving it a hell of a lot stronger than anything else, right now, but that’s not to say that these books are without literary merit – far from it.

“I’m extremely proud of the stuff that myself and the other guys are doing in our business, as well as the fact that we’re gaining, not so much recognition for ourselves, but acceptance as an artform. I think it’s great for us, and I think it’s good for the publishers as well. It’s always been ironic to me that here in the United States, where comic books started, comics are still seen as a kids’ medium – something for children. The message was always there – adults and anyone with any brains at all, why would you look at comic books?

“In Europe, where they kind of followed us along with the comic books and interesting cartooning, it’s always been considered an adult medium, it’s always been considered something that kids can read, sure, but it doesn’t bar adults from reading the same thing. I think we’re slowly moving closer to that model of comics as a whole.”

“My own motivation, and I think most of the guys I know when I came into the business, we did stuff that we felt we enjoyed ourselves. It wasn’t as if we were slanting it towards adults or to kids, we were trying to tell a good story. Christ, if we can execute a story that’s accepted on a number of levels – for kids, for teenagers, and for adults, that’s great. I won’t knock that. Hopefully, the graphic novel is answering that kind of niche.”

And while he originally downplayed the idea of the individual artists gaining recognition, Kubert did point to Art Spiegelman and Will Eisner as the two leading the charge for the rest of the industry. “Art Spiegelman and Will Eisner are deserving of the applause they’ve earned from the general public, but also from guys like me. They’ve opened the doors for schlubs like me, which is great.”

As for the next work from this “schlub,” Kubert had an update of his next graphic novel, which he told Newsarama about [url=http://newsarama.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=5483]last September.

“It will cover the full decade between 1930 and 1940, and will be set where I grew up in Brooklyn,” Kubert said. “It will look at what happens when people grow up in that kind of a milieu and what was going on during that time, and focus on the crime aspects of it. Having grown up in East New York and Bensonhurst, there were a lot of things that were happening at that time, again, which I was not really conscious of until I got a little older and started reading about all of this and recognizing what the heck was going on.

“My family – some of the members who were already here that greeted my parents at Ellis Island, they were involved in the garment industry, which was rife with stealing and graft, and murder, and beatings. All this stuff was going on while I was a kid. I would often hear people talking about a nice dress or shoes that they got because they fell off the back of the truck. In my mind, as a kid, these were some of the luckiest people around. But I later learned a little better. I’m just getting into it now, and I’m really excited about it.”

Updating, Kubert said he’s penciled all 140 pages of the OGN, and has about 40 pages inked. “I was just into the city the other day, and I was talking to some people about it, so hopefully, by January, this will be done.”

And after that? Kubert’s made no secret of the fact that as long as his hand can still move, he’ll keep drawing. “I’ve got to say – I consider myself one of the luckiest people in the world. I’m able to continue doing this and not only that, my stuff is accepted, and people are looking to publish my work. How lucky can you get?”

[The Marvel]

As always, Kubert is all class and truly one of the Legends in this business.

[Greg T]

I just get giddy anytime I hear Joe Kubert's working on something new. Truly one of the masters of the genre.

[double_out]

Good interview. Some interesting insights from Mr. Kubert.

[Gail Simone]

My favorite comics artist of all time, period.

Gail Simone

[mattdangerously]

Originally posted by Greg T
I just get giddy anytime I hear Joe Kubert's working on something new. Truly one of the masters of the genre.

Damn straight. Mr. Kubert is a superb storyteller, both as a writer and an artist. Joe Kubert has contributed more to the comic book industry than any artist alive today, with the possible exception of Will Eisner. And like Mr. Eisner, he's still making great comics. So why the hell haven't more people responded to this article? C'Mon, this thread should be up to at least 3 pages by now.

[adam]

well, I'm not going to write 3 pages but I heartily agree. Does anyone remember Kubert's amazing adaptation of Tarzan back in... um, I dunno, the 70's? This has to be the definitive comicbook take on the jungle lord, both script and artwise - even including Burne Hogarth's work or my old fave John Buscema with - I think, Roy Thomas - at Marvel. I forget if Kubert was always adapting the books or made up a few stories? I'm pretty sure he wrote and drew the whole damn thing himself though. Anyway, it remains one of the highlights of my comic reading youth.

[captainamerica4]

Sgt. Rock got my dad interested in comics decades ago which opened the door for comics at our house and turned me into the collector that I am today. I pick up anything he does because I know it will be top quality.