TALKING TO CHRISTOPHER IRVING ON COMICS INTROSPECTIVE: PETER BAGGE

[MattBrady]

by Zack Smith

Christopher Irving made a big splash earlier this year with The Blue Beetle Companion from TwoMorrows. Now, he's written the first in a new line of books spotlighting top independent comics talent with Comics Introspective Volume One: Peter Bagge, featuring the acclaimed Hate! cartoonist. We got the inside scoop on what it's like to hang out with Bagge, and what's coming up for both the series and for Irving.

Newsarama: Chris, tell us about the Peter Bagge book. What does it cover?

Christopher Irving: Comics Introspective: Peter Bagge is not only a series of interpretative and critical essays of his work, it’s also a documentation of my time getting to know Pete in his Seattle home. Along with that, there’s an extensive gallery section of his comic book pages, covers, and non-comics work…all with paragraph-length “panel descriptions” that break down everything from content to composition.

But, like I said, beyond that, it’s more of a picture of who Peter Bagge (the man who happens to be an amazing cartoonist) is like. One thing I’ve learned about Pete, through the course of this, is that he is not only the utmost professional, but also a genuinely great guy and someone I’m really happy to have gotten to know.

NRAMA: What was talking with Bagge like?

CI: It was like hanging out with one of your best friends. Pete’s not only a great listener, but he’s one of those rare people who is interested in what the other person has to say, as well as who that other person is.

Chatting with Pete the night I met him, after Emerald City Con, and in a bar that looked like the one from The Blues Brothers (you know, the one where Jake and Elwood did their rendition of “Stand By Your Man” behind chicken-wire?), it was like catching up with an old friend rather than getting to know someone for the first time. Some people exude that comfort level, and Pete’s one of those rare examples.

Hell, even when doing the official interview in his studio, we ran up four hours off my recorder without even noticing it. It’s probably the easiest, least arduous, flew by so quickly before we could realize it, interview I’ve ever done.

The best thing, though: There’s no bullshit with Pete.

NRAMA: That's something his writing definitely reflects. What did you discover about Bagge and his work while working on this book that surprised you?

CI: Pete’s not that much like Hate protagonist Buddy Bradley. Everyone assumes he’s this bad-ass flannel-wearing slacker down-with-the-man type (due to the instant association of him with his semi-autobiographical character), but he’s not: he’s this very friendly sweater and button-down-shirt-wearing hard-working down-with-the-man type.

I was also really impressed with his political convictions (as a libertarian), and how freakin’ knowledgeable he is, whether it’s regarding politics or about early American history.

I also saw just how much a family man Pete is: along with his wife Joanne and his lovely daughter, Hannah, the Bagges are this wonderfully functional and downright nice family…a huge contrast to the violent and dysfunctional comic book Bradleys.

NRAMA: That's a relief. What does Bagge's work mean to you, personally?

CI: It means punk rock, it means timelessness, and it shows the human condition at its purest. I first picked up an issue of Hate when I was a junior in college, and merely got a kick out of the story, art and characters.

Now that I’m 30 and have lived a little bit (especially in the crazy realm of being a single guy), Hate’s become something deeper and more resonant for me. I find Buddy to be a hugely likeable character because he ____s up in ways we’ve all ____ed up…but hopefully not as badly.

I guess my rambling is leading me towards this about Pete’s work: it’s so multi-layered, and functions on so many levels, that each time I read it, it gives me something new that taps into a universal human experience.

Aside from that, Peter Bagge is the next Harvey Kurtzman, in everything from his artistic process to his sense of satire and parody. I don’t know if people have noticed that yet, but they will.

NRAMA: What do you hope to accomplish with these books?

CI: Well, the whole intention with this series is to create a cross between comics journalism and a fine art book. When I first pitched the series to John Morrow, I actually had a stack of Edward Hopper and Picasso art books to show him.

The goal with Comics Introspective was to give an educated and interpretative look at the artist’s work (through the essays and fine art), but to also paint a picture of who they are as individuals and individual artists…their philosophies, their quirks, everything that make them the people they are.

You’ll never see me do one of these on a gun-for-hire comic book artist, but only on the writer/cartoonists who have their own philosophies.

NRAMA: You've got some other volumes in this series coming out – tell us about them.

CI: Well, most of the work on a volume on Dean Haspiel is completed, from original photographs by Ryan Roman to essays by myself. Jay Stephens and Bob Fingerman are slated to follow on Dean’s heels, along with a huge name or two I can’t really mention yet.

Right now, though, due to editorial considerations, I’m reassessing a few things about Comics Introspective, and may have some huge news regarding the series very, very soon.

NRAMA: Really? What's going on?

CI: I’ve officially parted ways with TwoMorrows as full-time employee, and wish them well in all that they do. After a decade of writing for them, and a year of working full-time, the decision was made for me to go on to bigger things…

My past year was spent learning the ins and outs of editing, conventions, distribution, publishing. It’s been a busy year! I put out The Blue Beetle Companion, interviewed Charles Vess for Modern Masters, put together the Peter Bagge book and wrote the Dean Haspiel one, produced the short-lived TwoMorrows Tune-In pod cast, started TwoMorrows’ Myspace page, came up with new ideas for John to implement (including the previews of other magazines in the back of others), did numerous conventions and shared countless drinks with old and new friends in the comics industry.

NRAMA: What's next for you?

CI: I have some pretty huge plans from here on out. The next year will be where I really show the world what I’m made of and put all of that learning to good use. There are some huge things in my future, including book projects for a big name publisher or two, some pretty sweet journalistic gigs, and (of course) the next step in Comics Introspective’s evolution. The work and experience I’ve gained is all helping me pick up more personal momentum than I’ve ever had. I’m also in negotiations for a pretty sweet job that, if and when it pans out, will teach me the finer points of the printing end of things.

So, while TwoMorrows was an educational experience for me, it’s just one stop on the crazy ride that is my career.

Comics Introspective: Peter Bagge debuted at Comic-Con International: San Diego last week, and is in stores next week. A 60-page preview is online at:
http://twomorrows.com/index.php?main...4fcb8471a7a5f8

[DJ Sloofus]

I pre-ordered this book since it's about Pete Bagge, and hope it tuns out to be informative, and not just treading over the same ground as every interview he's done in the past. Speaking of which, check out a two part audio interview with Pete from our craptastic podcast:

Part One

and

Part Two!

How's that for convenient? Make it a Bagge Day!

[TheGrayHulk]

I love Bagge's work... but everytime I hear his name now I have the thought: WHERE THE HELL IS THE INCORRIGIBLE HULK???

Who do I have to sleep with to get this book published?

[clirving]

Heya!
Not to brag, but I did get to read the Hulk comic while hanging out with Pete, and it really is incorrigible! We talk about it in the book, and reproduce two pages of art. I just hope that Marvel does eventually get around to printing it.
Chris

[DJ Sloofus]

Someone sent me a "preview" copy of Bagge's Hulk comic (digital files.... you get the idea). It was alright, but I have to admit I liked the Spider-Man one much better. It's a shame, because I would have loved to see Pete's take on a wide variety of Marvel heroes. Would that make him the Fred Hembeck of the 21st century?

[clirving]

Hembeck is a nice comparison...though Pete reminds me more of Kurtzman.
The Hulk comic faced a lot of crazy editorial changes, which obviously affected a few things...it seemed a little restrained. I do agree, though, I think the Spidey one was better.
I, personally, would love to see his take on Iron Man.
C

[DJ Sloofus]

Yeah, I was only half-serious with the Hembeck comment, but it's not entirely unrealistic. I think the Fantastic Four would be a great choice, too. A dysfunctional FF by Bagge would be a real hit in my house. Then again, I'm the only person in the house who actually reads comics, so that's not saying too much.