The Daniel Clowes Shoot Interview (Reflecting on the Complete Eightball Series and More)! 

I met Dan at a talk/signing. I brought a page of blank vintage Marvel office stationary I'd found on eBay, hoping Dan would sign it, or maybe do a drawing. When I got to the table, I sat down and slid the page over to him, asked if he'd sign it or doodle something. he looked at the sheet and without saying anything, he drew a Spiderman head in red marker with black eyes, added spidey senses squiggles, signed it, and slid it back to me, not saying a word. I'm never selling it.

Nice one. I saw Dan speak on a panel with Charles Burns, Art Spiegelman, Chris Ware, Kim Deitch and Chip Kidd in Philly years back. During the audience Q&A, a woman asked Dan, "Isn't it hard to make your comic characters look like the same people when drawing them over and over again?" The audience laughed at her for asking such a simple question. Clowes answered kindly and thoughtfully that it was one of best questions about comics that anyone ever asked him. He then went on to explain at length why it is difficult and important. Seems like a really great guy on top of being a legendary artistic voice.

I met Dan in 2015 when I was 15 at Powells Books. Ghost World (both the film and comic) was almost singularly the most relatable piece of work I connected too. It helped me feel being a confused, cynical teenage girl that liked old 38s & collected kewpie dolls maybe wasnt the worst thing in the world, and Enid & Rebecca are characters I revisit like old friends. I told him his work helped me feel like I had a place in the world, and that I had aspirations of being a cartoonist someday. He immediately replied with 'Do you have your sketch book with you?' and shakily I showed him my most recent sketch. A woman with an impractical bouffant in profile. He was silent as he closely examined the sketch, I prepared myself for criticism, but without taking his eyes from the page, he said 'Wow, this is beautiful. Your lines are so steady!' I was stunned, and he continued to say 'Dont ever stop drawing, you really have a gift.' I almost don't remember handing him my copy of Ghost World to sign I was so touched, except that he told me my name was cool and that I had it in common with a new wave artist he loved. Daniel Clowes is not just an incredible artist, but an incredible human being. I treasure my memory of meeting him and can confidently say his kindness, and his body of work itself, have guided me through some of my most painful times. So happy this is on the channel, sorry for the ramble 😅

Next : the Bill Watterson shoot interview

Mr. Clowes is a class act and a gentle soul who is one of the most @#$%#@$ed up creators I've ever read LOL ... 25 years ago I wrote him a letter telling him I'd read anything he wrote after he was getting complaints in the Eightball letters column about the "Ghost World" strip (which, I must remind y'all, later was deemed worth of film adaptation) being boring ... well, he actually wrote a postcard back to thank me for the support ... who else would do that?

This was awesome. Having discovered Clowes so late, it was cool to recently read older comics and then get a bit of insight on the creator’s personality and thoughts on how he sees things now. Excellent stuff fellahs

Holy shit you did it!

I don't like to overuse the word genius - but for Dan Clowes it's the right word. His work is brilliant and unique. A great artist at both writing and drawing. I love you Dan.

I knew of Clowes, but I was never curious because I was mostly a superhero guy. Thanks to your channel I've opened my mind to other readings. Appreciate it, some great stuff I was introduced to. Glad to see you finally got him on a shoot.

This right here is why I love Cartoonist Kayfabe! Best Clowes interview I've seen.

Having used the word 'dreck' in conversation for some time, I now feel validated by hearing it from Clowes.

Just recently got my hands on the Complete Hate; pre-ordered the Complete Eightball--I probably won't see daylight until 2023. Beautiful show as always, gents. Thanks!

HOLY SHIT the most elusive living master !!!! Whos next John Byrne ???

Many thanks for this gents! Thoroughly enjoyed it. Great to see Mr Clowes relaxed and in good humour - even when uttering a phrase like 'the curse of people!' hah hah! Also great to hear a new Clowes book is on the horizon. Can't wait.

I was lucky enough to buy a page from Blab by Dan in the very early 1990s for a mere $35. It was all I could afford, but damn, what a deal.

Love that Def Jam hoodie

Dan Clowes' work is incredible and I'm so glad you two were able to speak with him. What an incredible artist and storyteller. I picked up the hardcover slipcase second hand for a steal but haven't read it yet. I've read all his published collected editions of that material, but it'll be my first time going through issue by issue. He is simply the greatest.

I feel like I've been waiting for this interview since the channel started. I'm sure this was a big one for Jim & Ed. Thanks for posting this!

Now we just need to get Fantagraphics to do an Uggly Family complete collection. And an art book of Dan's freelance work, such as album covers, the artwork he did for OK cola, and more.

I see that Lord Lorbo on the back wall. Hell yeah.

GOAT! Thanks a million for this interview. Bummer about the Steve Ditko encounter...

I'm the guy that told Ken Landgraf about you guys... thank you very much :)

I lived near Dan when he lived in Chicago. I was introduced to him by the late great Jay Lynch. I’ll always remember that he told me at the time his hours to money earnings put him below the minimum wage. Glad that changed. He deserved his success for sure. Great taste and great humor.

You guys truly are the gift that never stops giving. Much love to you guys & everything that you do for the world of comics!

Killer start to the interview this is gonna be a rad one

Awesome Clowes at last. I just ordered the Complete Eightball.

I bought the complete Dan Clowes back catalogue due to the Kayfabe boys.

LOL! I completely forgot about Eternity Comics. Phew...

Thank you for this guys!

No way!!!

This is big!! Thank you so much for this interview! ❤

That was fun! Just what I needed!

Great interview, guys!!! Congratulations

Incredible interview, so fun!

Thanks!

Good interview. I love Clowes' comics so much. I give total credit to James Sturm for my love and appreciation for "alt comics". Sturm was my teacher at SCAD and he worked with a local record store to have them stock tons of alt comics. This was the first place I experienced these comics as more than a small picture in a fantagraphics or bud plant catalog. We all need those people to introduce us to the little corners of comics/movies/music/art where the true geniuses are creating stuff to blow your mind.

This was great! Well done fellas!

One of the best news of the year: a new Daniel Clowes book 😊

Great interview, thanks. Clowes has so much amazing stuff. Like any great, he is completely distinct. Which is often the lonely path. But the truest path.

Great to see Dan enjoy his first CK shoot interview

You guys did it!!! Dan is the coolest and greatest, insanely talented but so down to Earth ♥

Amazing!!!

Amazing! Love it

Long time coming!

Watching this again after Monica’s announcement ♥️ Dan is the greatest!!!

The lesser spotted Clowes! So glad Eightball is getting a reprint.

Hell yeah! What a way to commemorate 70k subscribers

Fantastic! Dan is the man! Well done, guys!

That was a really interesting interview with Daniel Clowes.

Great interview

Rest in peace Alvin. Rest in peace Ed.

Another living legend genius of cartooning!

oh my god they did it, they actually did it. they shot clowes

Great interview! I was late getting into Clowes work even though in the NYC 80's & 90s, I would see it everywhere. Have it all now. Pure brilliance.

I pre-ordered this in Dec last year, it's getting delivered in two weeks here in the UK.

Wow ! Great Interview. Love Clowes. Thanks guys. How 'bout Charles Burns next ?

Woooow! 👏

FUCK YES

Love this guy.honest and humble

Finally!!!!

They did it!

Marvel comics did a series of wordless comics called ‘nuff said. Each one is about a different character.

I can't believe Ed is gone.

"Let's go for the Wood"😂

I re-read dan pussey in a library. I was laughing so hard i thought i might get kicked out. Clowes is a consumate joke writer.

The dreams about Alvin buena Ventura were really interesting. Dan is cool!

finally!

Would love to hear about his work for OK Soda!!

Such nice guy

You can still buy parts of his childhood comic book collection on eBay

Wish i could thumbs up 1000 times on this vid

new book! nice

"Spines are the new covers." Legit take

I miss Ed. Hope Jim is okay.

Egads! Killers!

👀

Clowes is God. (Sorry, Clapton.)

How sadly foretelling.

Hey, this guy is like an older Noah Van Scriver. 😅 No, but seriously, thanks guys.

Thanks!