I have never heard of him, but his comic book certainly sounds interesting. He didn't jack off to death, did he??? I'm sure he wouldn't have minded that if he did? Who wouldn't want to go without a smile on their face?
I'm not surprised you haven't heard of him, Maddie. Joe Matt was an alternative, or if you prefer (it's actually my preference but it's not the label that is currently in use) underground, cartoonist, and for anyone in that line of work who's not Robert Crumb, name recognition can be severely limited. But since this blog has a fairly open-minded clientele (you especially, Maddie, which is why I always appreciate your visitations) I feel I can safely highlight cultural outliers like Matt every now and then.
As for Matt's coronary, when it happened, he may have had just ONE hand clutching his heart.
I think the point of the cartoon is not that he got his comeuppance by the young women's unfiltered opinions, but that it is so easy to ignore authors at those "meet the author" sales tables -- they are invisible both literally and figuratively. Anyway, in that spirit, never heard of him. I was really into underground comics in the 90s but all the cartoonists I followed were lesbians or feminists.
Debra, here in Cleveland we have what is known as "Ghoulardifests", which are basically pop culture cons organized around the memory of Ghoulardi (Ernie Anderson), a 1960 late-nite TV horror movie host. About 20 years ago I was at one of these and noticed an older man sitting behind a table by himself. Since there was a lot of other things to see and so, I just walked by without giving it a second thought. About five years later I saw a picture of this man above an obituary in Fangoria or some similar publication. It was Forrest J. Ackerman, publisher and editor of the now-legendary horror movie magazine Famous Monsters of Filmland (or which Fangoria itself was a knockoff.) I still kick myself for not stopping by that table!
Hello Kirk, These deaths on the young side are always disturbing. Comics are not usually my thing, but Matt seems kind of offbeat but still has a regular sense of humor (the conversation between those girls was pretty funny). I would pick up one of his books if I came across it, although from the hints you give, I might regret it. These deaths on the young side are always disturbing. --Jim
Jim, about those "hints". It all depends on whether you're someone who believes fictional characters should be role models and nothing but role models. I don't believe or demand that in fiction. What those two girls say happens in those comics is pretty much what happens in those comics. But Joe Matt hardly portrays his comic book counterpart's lifestyle as one worth emulating. He knows it's a life of quiet (sometimes whiny) desperation, but he also knows quiet (sometimes whiny) desperation can be FUNNY AS HELL. Comedy is all about things going wrong, and the messes imperfect people get themselves into, and on that basis, I highly recommend these comics.
In order to keep the hucksters, humbugs, scoundrels, psychos, morons, and last but not least, artificial intelligentsia at bay, I have decided to turn on comment moderation. On the plus side, I've gotten rid of the word verification.
Dying at the age of 60 once again reminds me of our mortality. I expect his books would be entertaining reads.
ReplyDeleteAndrew, as long as you're not put off by TMI, Joe Matt's comics are very entertaining.
DeleteAnd he died at the drawing board.
ReplyDeleteAt least he still had his eyesight, Mitchell.
DeleteI have never heard of him, but his comic book certainly sounds interesting. He didn't jack off to death, did he??? I'm sure he wouldn't have minded that if he did? Who wouldn't want to go without a smile on their face?
ReplyDeleteI'm not surprised you haven't heard of him, Maddie. Joe Matt was an alternative, or if you prefer (it's actually my preference but it's not the label that is currently in use) underground, cartoonist, and for anyone in that line of work who's not Robert Crumb, name recognition can be severely limited. But since this blog has a fairly open-minded clientele (you especially, Maddie, which is why I always appreciate your visitations) I feel I can safely highlight cultural outliers like Matt every now and then.
DeleteAs for Matt's coronary, when it happened, he may have had just ONE hand clutching his heart.
Probably his left hand, which could have affected his balance.
DeleteI think the point of the cartoon is not that he got his comeuppance by the young women's unfiltered opinions, but that it is so easy to ignore authors at those "meet the author" sales tables -- they are invisible both literally and figuratively. Anyway, in that spirit, never heard of him. I was really into underground comics in the 90s but all the cartoonists I followed were lesbians or feminists.
ReplyDeleteDebra, here in Cleveland we have what is known as "Ghoulardifests", which are basically pop culture cons organized around the memory of Ghoulardi (Ernie Anderson), a 1960 late-nite TV horror movie host. About 20 years ago I was at one of these and noticed an older man sitting behind a table by himself. Since there was a lot of other things to see and so, I just walked by without giving it a second thought. About five years later I saw a picture of this man above an obituary in Fangoria or some similar publication. It was Forrest J. Ackerman, publisher and editor of the now-legendary horror movie magazine Famous Monsters of Filmland (or which Fangoria itself was a knockoff.) I still kick myself for not stopping by that table!
DeleteHello Kirk, These deaths on the young side are always disturbing. Comics are not usually my thing, but Matt seems kind of offbeat but still has a regular sense of humor (the conversation between those girls was pretty funny). I would pick up one of his books if I came across it, although from the hints you give, I might regret it. These deaths on the young side are always disturbing. --Jim
ReplyDeleteJim, about those "hints". It all depends on whether you're someone who believes fictional characters should be role models and nothing but role models. I don't believe or demand that in fiction. What those two girls say happens in those comics is pretty much what happens in those comics. But Joe Matt hardly portrays his comic book counterpart's lifestyle as one worth emulating. He knows it's a life of quiet (sometimes whiny) desperation, but he also knows quiet (sometimes whiny) desperation can be FUNNY AS HELL. Comedy is all about things going wrong, and the messes imperfect people get themselves into, and on that basis, I highly recommend these comics.
ReplyDelete