Political cartoonist David Rees is the author of "Get Your War On," which appears in Rolling Stone, as well as "My New Fighting Technique is Unstoppable," "Filing Techniques," and "Adventures of Confessions of Saint Augustine Bear." David entertained a UB audience last semester with tales of his life in comics. Here, he speaks with Both & Neither about his experiences as an artist, a reader and a self-publisher.
Q: What inspired you to first try cartooning?
A: I started cartooning when I was in elementary school. I made my first real comic book in 7th grade, I think. My friend and I were inspired by some mini-comics we bought at an indie record store in Durham, NC. We also came across some old issue's of Art Spiegelman's RAW magazine, which featured crazy underground cartoons.
Q: What other cartoonists do you admire?
A: My favorite cartoonists are: Walt Kelly (Pogo), George Herriman (Krazy Kat), Edward Gorey (I consider his work very close to cartooning), Saul Steinberg, (and) Charles Schulz (Peanuts). I also like Tom Tomorrow, Ruben Bolling, Ted Rall, Charles Burns, Ben Jones, and a lot of the cartoonists who came out of the Fort Thunder artist's collective in Providence.
Q: You self-published "My New Fighting Technique is Unstoppable," right? What did you learn from that process?
A: Self-publishing was fun for awhile, but eventually my apartment grew too crowded with boxes of books. I didn't like handling the financial stuff--following up with stores, sending out invoices, etc. But it was relatively lucrative and I met some nice people at various comic stores.
Q: What's it like having "Get Your War On" become so high-profile? Is it easier to be a political cartoonist during a war?
A: I think it's easier being a political cartoonist during a war because a war focuses people's attention on politics. I wouldn't have become a political cartoonist if it wasn't for the War on Terrorism.
Q: What advice would you give to students interested in breaking into cartooning?
A: Don't expect to make much money, and find your own voice. Originality counts for a lot. And don't make boring comics in a quest to be taken seriously.
• Check out David Rees' work online
- Posted February 2006