Comics & Graphic Novels

Writer Michael Chabon (SHAY-bon). Chabon won a year 2001 Pulitzer prize for his novel The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay (Random House). His other books include The Mysteries of Pittsburgh, and a collection of stories called Werewolves in Their Youth. Last year his book Wonder Boys was adapted into a film starring Michael Douglas. He has also written for many publications including The New Yorker, Harper's, and Esquire.

Cartoonist Ben Katchor, creator of the weekly comic strip, Julius Knipl (ka-NIP-le), Real Estate Photographer. Through his comic strips, Katchor has been an astute and witty commentator on New York in particular and urban life in general. His new book, “Julius Knipl, Real Estate Photographer: the Beauty Supply District” (Pantheon), is a novel that incorporates some of his single-page strips from the last few years. Katchor has been syndicated in alternative newspapers and magazines since 1988.

Charles Schulz, the creator of the cartoon strip "Peanuts" died Saturday night. He was 77 years old and had recently been diagnosed with colon cancer. He died the night before his final cartoon ran In the Sunday papers. We remember him with an excerpt of our 1990 Interview With him. (REBROADCAST from 12/18/90)

Langford, who co-founded the British punk band, now lives in the US. He's plays in the country-inspired band the Waco Brothers. Langford is also a visual artist. and, under the pen name Chuck Death and draws the comic Great Pop Things, which is published in the LA Weekly, and collected in the new book. "Great Pop Things: The Real History of Rock n Roll from Elvis to Oasis" (Verse Chorus Press) Langford has just released his first solo CD called: "Skull Orchard."

Book critic Maureen Corrigan reviews "Derby Dugan's Depression Funnies," by Tom De Haven.

Illustrator and comic-book artist Peter Kuper. His work has appeared in Time, Newsweek, The New Yorker, The Village Voice, and his "Eye of the Beholder" was the first comic strip to regularly appear in The New York Times. He is also co-founder and co-editor of World War 3 an illustrated political comics magazine. He's illustrated a number of books. Most recently, Give it Up! And Other Short Stories by Franz Kafka, (NBM Publishers)

Lee is the creator of such Marvel comic book superheroes as Spiderman, The Incredible Hulk, and The Fantastic Four. He joined Marvel comic books at the age of 16, more than 30 years ago. Lee is currently launching Excelsior Comics, an independent comic book division of Marvel Entertainment. He is also co-executive producer of several top rated television series including "X-Men." (REBROADCAST FROM 10/17/91)

Cartoonist Bill Griffith traveled to Cuba last fall, which became the inspiration for "Cuba Uncovered", a month long series of Zippy strips on the Cuban situation. He created the strip over 25 years ago; it is currently syndicated in over 200 newspapers. Griffith is also one of the cartoonists interviewed in the new documentary, "Crumb."

Cartoonist Art Spiegelman, author of "Maus," for which he won a Pulitzer Prize, and "Maus II." The two book-length comics are accounts of Spiegelman's s parents' experiences in the Holocaust. He is also co-founder and editor of "Raw," a magazine of avant-garde comics. He has now illustrated "The Wild Party: The Lost Classic by Joseph Moncure March."

Rock critic Ken Tucker reviews "Our Cancer Year," about a couple's battle with cancer, by Harvey Pekar and Joyce Brabner.

Cartoonist Dan Perkins, otherwise known as "Tom Tomorrow," the creator of the comic strip, "This Modern World." This social/political strip appears regularly in a number of alternative papers and magazines such as the Utne Reader, Whole Earth, and Z. It's just recently began running in the San Francisco Examiner. The strip uses the collage imagery from 40s and 50s advertising and features Sparky the Wonder Penguin who has been known to call George Bush a "Wanker."

The Spider-Man and Hulk creator spoke to Fresh Air in 1991 about coming up with Spider-Man, inventing new sound effects for his comics and why superheroes have colorful costumes.

The creator of such Marvel comic book superheroes as Spiderman, The Incredible Hulk, and The Fantastic Four -- cartoonist Stan Lee. He joined Marvel comic books at the age of 16, more than 30 years ago. A new book about Marvel Comics has just been published, "Five Fabulous Decades of the World's Greatest Comics." (published by Harry A. Abrams, New York).

Cartoonist and novelist Jeff Danziger. Danziger is the political cartoonist for the Christian Science Monitor, and his cartoons are featured in more than one hundred newspapers around the country. Danziger's just written his first novel. It's called "Rising Like The Tucson," and it's a dark comedy about the Vietnam War. (It's published by Doubleday).

After decades of domestic bliss, the comic strip character Blondie is venturing out into the work force. Commentator Maureen Corrigan tells us what she thinks of that development.

Comic strip artist Bill Griffith talks about the impact of the war on his daily strip, Zippy. Griffith is surprised that other comics like Beetle Bailey haven't also addressed the conflict.

Political cartoonist Mark Alan Stamaty writes the comic strip "Washingtoon," which lampoons the news of the day. Stamaty joins Fresh Air to share his perspective on the events of the past year.