Back in the early days of the internet I emailed Steve and sent him some comics to sign. He was gracious enough to sign all the books, give me some free issues of Tyrant and draw a kick ass Dinosaur on the mailing envelope. Great creator and all around guy.
This interview is fucking legendary!! What I love about him is how jovial and talkative and humble and sweet he is. So smart and insightful and self aware. What a legend!! More like this. I like dudes like Erik Larson and toddy mac, but they don’t freely drop all this experience with this much humility. Love this cat!!!
I adore Stephen Bissette. I have a large collection of those Scholastic magazines from the late 1970s/early 80s. Could listen to this guy forever. What a wealth of knowledge and what a great speaker! Really enjoyed this one.
Easily one of my favorite artists of all time. This channel keeps on getting better and better. Thanks Ed and Jim for continuing to ask interesting questions to creators and having the best comic related youtube channel. Looking forward to seeing what you guys put out next.
I still come back to this and can't believe what a gift it is. Thanks to Ed, Jim, and Uncle Stephen. I'm a musician, not a comics creator, but there's so much valuable wisdom here. Thanks guys!
WOW!!! What a wonderful, fantastic interview! Thank You so much for doing this! I was fortunate to meet Mr. Bissette at the San Diego Comic-Con back in 1992...and his simply brilliant, astonishing lecture on ''The World of Horror In Comic Books.'' It was my ''high light'' of my trip (along with meeting Jack Kirby & Ray Harryyhausen...the latter as well, amazing lecture!) It is something I shall remember the rest of my life as ''good times.'' Keep em' coming guys! Marty From Québec, Canada
Fantastic interview as always guys! Big "Thank You" to Mr. Bissette for sharing his wealth of knowledge. Looking forward to having him back, and to a future interview with Rick Veitch.
Thank you for the wonderful interview. Stephen Bissette is my favorite horror illustrator. His pages always made me feel the unreal, mysterious, unique, other-worldly, fantastical pictures from his imagination. I always had the word "wow" in my head everytime I opened one of his books. I say his book because, above the writing, his work put me in the story. Thank you for the opportunity to see and hear Stephen's insights into his work and comics in general. Nice work from all! PS. I would love to see a walk through Stephen's archives.
This is amazing! Watched the first hour earlier today. Listened to next two hours while I cut grass (on the riding lawnmower) and now finishing up after dinner. Great work guys and bravo to Mr. Bissette for being so gung ho for the entirety of this marathon interview.
Holy shit, a 3 hour interview!! I have just started watching the video and can see that this dude is super charismatic and easy to talk to. Am really looking forward to catching the rest of it. Just an observation, I am very happy that there is a high ratio of views to comments. I like that a considerable amount of viewers like the videos so much that they want to talk about it with other viewers.
Best one yet. Spellbinding, depressing, encouraging, enlightening and real. Been a Facebook fan of Stephen's for a while now, so I had an idea of how well he could express himself, but listening to the guy was just.awesome. Thank you guys and thanks Steve, for the comics and the love that shows in everything you do.
This was tremendous! My life has intersected with Steve Bissette's so many times! I went for an interview with the Joe Kubert School in 1982 and I hung out with friends who ran a piano repair shop in an old red brick warehouse in Northampton where Tundra Press was located. The long hard slog to just getting by just doing what you love! Thanx you guys!
Man, parts of this interview brought a tear to my eye. I was like 10 when the 1941 graphic novel came out and I obsessed over it every time we went to Gemco where it sat in the book section, probably untouched by anyone but me for months. Of course my parents wouldn't but it for me so I committed every panel to memory. It was so far removed from anything I had ever seen in comics, and twisted my mind so hard, it killed me that I couldn't have it (until I ordered it out of the back of heavy metal magazine years later as a teen). So I was thrilled to soon see Steve's work in the Scholastic mags our teacher would order for us. It was great to hear him talk so fondly of those days because having his work finally be accessible to me was amazing, and when he talked about drawing those stories for the kid who was a horror fan like he was, well, that kid was me. And then of course I spotted him in Swamp Thing which I was already reading because of the Yeats art and that was the beginning of a whole new adventure. What a sweet nerve this interview struck for me. Thanks so much!
This was wonderful. As a middle aged independent cartoonist and art teacher for more than 20 years, I found this videe so enlightening and inspiring. Some of it was hard to listen to, because I love Steve's work. Still, I love that he's never stopped. Thank you.
THANK YOU! I was going to suggest Bissette as a positive interview but you gentlemen were way ahead of me. Bissette is a gifted conversationalist, but Jim and Ed kept pointing him in the right direction. Bissette's art often pops up in horror publications such as Deep Red, where he recently provided a cover. Hope that you follow up with Rick Veitch. I would also suggest Howard Chaykin as a fine artist who has worked with the big two but also has had various stabs at creator owned comics. Also, I know it's not likely, but Steranko would be fascinating as he was one of the first comic creators to use his success to self publish.
I arrived late to the party/interview! I met Steve Bissette back during the DC daze and he extremely talented friendly guy,same with John Totleben & Rick Veitch! A really great magic time! Great job on the interview, guys! I’m glad to see Steve is happy after all the stress/bullshit that he went thru! Hopefully he will get back to Tyrant sooner than later! I will always keep reading comics! Keep up the great work!
it would be so good to have a semi-regular show if Steve has the time, even having him on to chat with other creators, loved hearing him talk and how you all had such good conversation together
He was spot on about everything and it moved me. Thank you Stephen Bissette for all the work and thanks Kayfabe for still doing this. Its impressive to hear these stories and this history. I can't get enough of this. It needs to continue...
I own 1941! It’s better than the movie! I bought it for a dollar. Steve, you’re an inspiration. I love your MONSTER journalism and I share your passion for homie Bigfoot. Your Swamp Thing was my entry into a hobby that continues today. Thanks for being the shameless weirdo you are! Much love!!!
Totlebens inking is overwhelming but when someone else pencilled swamp thing like randall or woch, it wasnt near the graphic effects Bisette's work provided.
wow, man! this must be the most exciting interview on your channel! and that's something having in mind how many engaging interviews are here. thanks, guys! love it!
Thanks to all for this astounding interview! I've already watched a couple of times. I would *love* to get my hands on some of the syllabi for Bissette's classes! That would be so cool.
Fantastic interview, loved getting to know Stephen, his experiences and his thought processes -- we'd get along real well. Going to enjoy going through all of his work. Thanks! -- FJ
Had to watch it in 3 parts, but wow, what a great interview!! This is probably my favorite one that you guys have done thus far. One thing I gotta say though... I feel like can’t we help crowdfund so he can finish Tyrant?! I’d be down!
This interview is your channel’s best content so far, which is really saying something because all of your previous content has been exceptional. Your perspective as creators combined with your passion for the medium and its history shines through with every video, please keep up the phenomenal work. And as Bissette suggests multiple times in this here interview: you simply must do an interview with Rick Veitch!
Interviews are starting to pile up gents, huge kudos to your tenacity!!! As a guy with one whole long box full of comics journals, it is very much like you you gents are bridging a gap. Comics historians at Kayfabe, Indeed
what can I say, every single interview has been incredible but this one was fucking epic. That was so enjoyable to watch and listen to, What an amazing guy with some incredible stories. Thanks a lot fellas...keep it up! Vietch next!!!
Great, insightful and inspiring chat, watching in nightly instalments! Don't know if Steve will get into conventions but him (and Marge), were a delight when they came to Copenhagen years ago. He'd not long started lecturing at the Cartoon School and was the conduit to us publishing some of his students in our subsequent Zombies themed anthology. Steve generously also provided the cover and a strip himself (co-written with his son), all of which helped us British Indies get Diamond distribution for the first time. Top bloke!
Just finished the last part and what an insane situation to begin where Jim lee says he’s going to do your project in a mini hi jacking and then does nothing with it and that effectively ends your run at image. Yikes!!!
I dont have any of his comics but I have loads of his writings about obscure horror because I had been following the late great Chas. Balun's Deep Red publications since the late 1980s
Amazing, increíble video with a bunch of emotions in it, he sure is a great artist and human being, I love how this videos are long, perfect for this lock down times
Great to hear those stories about Karen Berger. Would be amazing to see an interview with her on here. Does anyone know of any good books written about those early days of Vertigo and the british invasion?
Here’s a long article called “Karen Berger, the Berger Books and Vertigo” I read a few months ago that gave me even more of an appreciation of how important she was to comics: tractorforklift.wordpress.com/2019/03/22/karen-berger-the-berger-books-and-vertigo/ It goes fairly in-depth on her foundational role in the British Invasion and features some great quotes from Berger, Bissette, Len Wein, Neil Gaiman and others.
Wow the brood is his favorite cronenberg movie. Surprising to me because its one of my least favorite cronenberg movies ive seen but whatever. interesting interview
I wasn't expecting the guy who drew Swamp Thing in the 80's to be swimming in a pile a money but the stuff he tells at 1:43:58 is just infuriating. Whatever crisis the comic book industry is going through right now is just karma biting their ass
I found an actual picture of Helen Meyer, publisher at Dell Comics. You can pass it along to Mr. Bissette if you like. You can even read a short bio about her. Found it on this site... www.findagrave.com/memorial/7392300/helen-honig-meyer
That's kinda heart breaking that he has to censor his classes because someone might be triggered, I mean c'mon art is supposed to trigger a response if it doesn't you're not doing it right
The interviews you're doing are as good or better than the ones from the heyday of the Comics Journal. Congrats and thank you!
I wholeheartedly agree!
Back in the early days of the internet I emailed Steve and sent him some comics to sign. He was gracious enough to sign all the books, give me some free issues of Tyrant and draw a kick ass Dinosaur on the mailing envelope. Great creator and all around guy.
He really is an all around guy
This interview is fucking legendary!! What I love about him is how jovial and talkative and humble and sweet he is. So smart and insightful and self aware. What a legend!! More like this. I like dudes like Erik Larson and toddy mac, but they don’t freely drop all this experience with this much humility. Love this cat!!!
Just watched this interview for the first time. So informative, so interesting, such entertainment. Ed and Jim were a great team.
To say nothing about how wonderful Stephen Bissette was as an interviewee. Great stories and reflections on the industry.
Holy snap, I have a copy of 1941 found at a secondhand bookstore! Nice!
Amazing historical document, Mr. Bissette is so open about the facts and his opinions. A crown jewel interview.
I adore Stephen Bissette. I have a large collection of those Scholastic magazines from the late 1970s/early 80s. Could listen to this guy forever. What a wealth of knowledge and what a great speaker! Really enjoyed this one.
Only an hour in and I already have a full page of notes!
Almost 4 hours to watch... y'all just made my Sunday! Time to settle in and consume. Thank you!
Easily one of my favorite artists of all time. This channel keeps on getting better and better. Thanks Ed and Jim for continuing to ask interesting questions to creators and having the best comic related youtube channel. Looking forward to seeing what you guys put out next.
I still come back to this and can't believe what a gift it is. Thanks to Ed, Jim, and Uncle Stephen. I'm a musician, not a comics creator, but there's so much valuable wisdom here. Thanks guys!
WOW!!! What a wonderful, fantastic interview! Thank You so much for doing this! I was fortunate to meet Mr. Bissette at the San Diego Comic-Con back in 1992...and his simply brilliant, astonishing lecture on ''The World of Horror In Comic Books.'' It was my ''high light'' of my trip (along with meeting Jack Kirby & Ray Harryyhausen...the latter as well, amazing lecture!) It is something I shall remember the rest of my life as ''good times.'' Keep em' coming guys! Marty From Québec, Canada
Great Interview.
Does any industry waste talent like the comics industry does?
Good question.
The video game industry, easily!
Fantastic interview as always guys! Big "Thank You" to Mr. Bissette for sharing his wealth of knowledge. Looking forward to having him back, and to a future interview with Rick Veitch.
Thank you for the wonderful interview. Stephen Bissette is my favorite horror illustrator. His pages always made me feel the unreal, mysterious, unique, other-worldly, fantastical pictures from his imagination. I always had the word "wow" in my head everytime I opened one of his books. I say his book because, above the writing, his work put me in the story. Thank you for the opportunity to see and hear Stephen's insights into his work and comics in general. Nice work from all!
PS. I would love to see a walk through Stephen's archives.
This is amazing! Watched the first hour earlier today. Listened to next two hours while I cut grass (on the riding lawnmower) and now finishing up after dinner.
Great work guys and bravo to Mr. Bissette for being so gung ho for the entirety of this marathon interview.
This is one of the best god damn interviews you've done! Bissette is fucking awesome!
Holy shit, a 3 hour interview!! I have just started watching the video and can see that this dude is super charismatic and easy to talk to. Am really looking forward to catching the rest of it.
Just an observation, I am very happy that there is a high ratio of views to comments. I like that a considerable amount of viewers like the videos so much that they want to talk about it with other viewers.
Best one yet. Spellbinding, depressing, encouraging, enlightening and real. Been a Facebook fan of Stephen's for a while now, so I had an idea of how well he could express himself, but listening to the guy was just.awesome. Thank you guys and thanks Steve, for the comics and the love that shows in everything you do.
This was tremendous! My life has intersected with Steve Bissette's so many times! I went for an interview with the Joe Kubert School in 1982 and I hung out with friends who ran a piano repair shop in an old red brick warehouse in Northampton where Tundra Press was located. The long hard slog to just getting by just doing what you love! Thanx you guys!
Man, parts of this interview brought a tear to my eye. I was like 10 when the 1941 graphic novel came out and I obsessed over it every time we went to Gemco where it sat in the book section, probably untouched by anyone but me for months. Of course my parents wouldn't but it for me so I committed every panel to memory. It was so far removed from anything I had ever seen in comics, and twisted my mind so hard, it killed me that I couldn't have it (until I ordered it out of the back of heavy metal magazine years later as a teen). So I was thrilled to soon see Steve's work in the Scholastic mags our teacher would order for us. It was great to hear him talk so fondly of those days because having his work finally be accessible to me was amazing, and when he talked about drawing those stories for the kid who was a horror fan like he was, well, that kid was me. And then of course I spotted him in Swamp Thing which I was already reading because of the Yeats art and that was the beginning of a whole new adventure. What a sweet nerve this interview struck for me. Thanks so much!
A 3 hour chat! Man you guys are the best comics podcast and community out there - thanks for dropping all the knowledge!
This was wonderful. As a middle aged independent cartoonist and art teacher for more than 20 years, I found this videe so enlightening and inspiring. Some of it was hard to listen to, because I love Steve's work. Still, I love that he's never stopped. Thank you.
THANK YOU! I was going to suggest Bissette as a positive interview but you gentlemen were way ahead of me. Bissette is a gifted conversationalist, but Jim and Ed kept pointing him in the right direction. Bissette's art often pops up in horror publications such as Deep Red, where he recently provided a cover. Hope that you follow up with Rick Veitch. I would also suggest Howard Chaykin as a fine artist who has worked with the big two but also has had various stabs at creator owned comics. Also, I know it's not likely, but Steranko would be fascinating as he was one of the first comic creators to use his success to self publish.
That should be "suggest Bissette as a possible interview...."
I arrived late to the party/interview! I met Steve Bissette back during the DC daze and he extremely talented friendly guy,same with John Totleben & Rick Veitch! A really great magic time! Great job on the interview, guys! I’m glad to see Steve is happy after all the stress/bullshit that he went thru! Hopefully he will get back to Tyrant sooner than later! I will always keep reading comics! Keep up the great work!
I love when Ed asks a question, and the guest replies, "I think you know the answer..." It means a really good story is forthcoming.
it would be so good to have a semi-regular show if Steve has the time, even having him on to chat with other creators, loved hearing him talk and how you all had such good conversation together
Be great to get him in on some commentary videos when they get Brat Pack and Maximortal under the microscope.
GAWDAMN! That was a GREAT interview. Thank you so much for posting that.
Best 3 hours of social distancing yet. I believe the interview title belt just changed hands. Thank you!
He was spot on about everything and it moved me. Thank you Stephen Bissette for all the work and thanks Kayfabe for still doing this. Its impressive to hear these stories and this history. I can't get enough of this. It needs to continue...
I own 1941! It’s better than the movie! I bought it for a dollar. Steve, you’re an inspiration. I love your MONSTER journalism and I share your passion for homie Bigfoot. Your Swamp Thing was my entry into a hobby that continues today. Thanks for being the shameless weirdo you are! Much love!!!
you guys are doing such important work with these interviews. This is amazing
I agree about the quality of these interviews. Thanks for the info. Both of your works are great too.
Totlebens inking is overwhelming but when someone else pencilled swamp thing like randall or woch, it wasnt near the graphic effects Bisette's work provided.
As an underground comix collector and a teacher... loving the convo ~32min. Great perspective and content!
wow, man! this must be the most exciting interview on your channel! and that's something having in mind how many engaging interviews are here. thanks, guys! love it!
When he mentions his wife worked at a school for autistic kids my head started spinning - art imitates life
That 1941 graphic novel is one of the most amazing single comic books I've ever seen.
Quite a lot of history. It's good that he found where he wants to be.
Thanks to all for this astounding interview! I've already watched a couple of times. I would *love* to get my hands on some of the syllabi for Bissette's classes! That would be so cool.
listening to this while working on my mini comic... couldn't imagine a better way to spend my sunday!
Yes! Thank you for this interview! Huge Bissette fan.
Such an amazing interview with the great Stephen Bissette --so much history and insight here, delivered with panache and good humor.
Absolute Legend, genuine creative heart and fab interview.
Fantastic interview, loved getting to know Stephen, his experiences and his thought processes -- we'd get along real well. Going to enjoy going through all of his work. Thanks! -- FJ
Had to watch it in 3 parts, but wow, what a great interview!! This is probably my favorite one that you guys have done thus far. One thing I gotta say though... I feel like can’t we help crowdfund so he can finish Tyrant?! I’d be down!
So generous of the man to take this amount of time to share his professional story. Thanks.
man, I'm half way through this interview and it is AWESOME!!!!!
Wow, what a phenomenal episode! Thanks again guys
This interview is your channel’s best content so far, which is really saying something because all of your previous content has been exceptional.
Your perspective as creators combined with your passion for the medium and its history shines through with every video, please keep up the phenomenal work.
And as Bissette suggests multiple times in this here interview: you simply must do an interview with Rick Veitch!
Just brilliant.
What a fascinating interview thoroughly enjoyed
Thank you again, guys.
Interviews are starting to pile up gents, huge kudos to your tenacity!!! As a guy with one whole long box full of comics journals, it is very much like you you gents are bridging a gap. Comics historians at Kayfabe, Indeed
what can I say, every single interview has been incredible but this one was fucking epic. That was so enjoyable to watch and listen to, What an amazing guy with some incredible stories. Thanks a lot fellas...keep it up! Vietch next!!!
Beautiful last line!
Incredible talent
what insightful guy and great interview.
What a great interview so much history this man has seen
Diamond has been holding back comics since the 90s
Thanks again guys another awesome interview. Y'all are inspiring even more cartoonist than y'all realize. #MakeMoreComix
Amazing! What a dense download!!!
Great, insightful and inspiring chat, watching in nightly instalments! Don't know if Steve will get into conventions but him (and Marge), were a delight when they came to Copenhagen years ago. He'd not long started lecturing at the Cartoon School and was the conduit to us publishing some of his students in our subsequent Zombies themed anthology. Steve generously also provided the cover and a strip himself (co-written with his son), all of which helped us British Indies get Diamond distribution for the first time. Top bloke!
this was incredible. thank you!
He has to complete Tyrant, I can't believe there aren't any big publishers willing to cut a deal.
Well, that was a bomb drop!!! 💥
The man, the myth, the legend!!!
What an absolutely fantastic interview. Thanks guys
Amazing interview. I lost track of time.
I feel like we got a free class. Great episode. :)
What is the lost graphic novel that Bissette was referring to from Scholastic around the 48 minute mark? Did Ed or Jim get to see it? Title /author?
Just finished the last part and what an insane situation to begin where Jim lee says he’s going to do your project in a mini hi jacking and then does nothing with it and that effectively ends your run at image. Yikes!!!
Another great interview! You guys are doing the (Comic) Lord's work- keep it up!
I dont have any of his comics but I have loads of his writings about obscure horror because I had been following the late great Chas. Balun's Deep Red publications since the late 1980s
This is a meaty one! Love it!
My god that was incredible!
Amazing, increíble video with a bunch of emotions in it, he sure is a great artist and human being, I love how this videos are long, perfect for this lock down times
Wow! Thanks guys!
Thanks for The Irishman of comics interviews! What other channel can you get this in-depth with a creator of this caliber.
Not to discount the other interviews but... Dave Gibbons. Steve Bissette. ...who's next?!
Finish this one first. You can't possibly be finished with it until almost 1pm EST today :)
Cartoonist Kayfabe Well now I know it’s got to be the Maximortal himself!
Would love a regular Storytime with Steve feature on the channel because he clearly has a million of them!
Make Steve Bissette a regular
I wish I was a millionaire so I could just pay for Steves bills so he could finish his projects.
Thank you for another thorough interview. I truly appreciate these history lectures.. Dig it!
Awesome interview. Super interesting stuff. Have you guys ever interviewed Chaykin? “American Flagg” is becoming more our reality every day.
Great to hear those stories about Karen Berger. Would be amazing to see an interview with her on here. Does anyone know of any good books written about those early days of Vertigo and the british invasion?
Here’s a long article called “Karen Berger, the Berger Books and Vertigo” I read a few months ago that gave me even more of an appreciation of how important she was to comics:
tractorforklift.wordpress.com/2019/03/22/karen-berger-the-berger-books-and-vertigo/
It goes fairly in-depth on her foundational role in the British Invasion and features some great quotes from Berger, Bissette, Len Wein, Neil Gaiman and others.
@@paulwhitfield2697 wow, thanks, man! Appreciated!
One of my biggest influences
What’s that mentioned Foundation that has the grant for artists? @2:19:00
Wow the brood is his favorite cronenberg movie. Surprising to me because its one of my least favorite cronenberg movies ive seen but whatever. interesting interview
Another banger
Ask him if he'd make a kickstarter or indiegogo to self publish. I'm sure he'd get backed enough to start the project.
I waited till the video was almost over to ask this. Glad to hear you say there will be a future video were y'all will discuss self publishing.
Outstanding interview! Happy retirement from your teaching career, Steve, I know that just means more time for writing and other things to come.
Wait. There are comic book schools?
I wasn't expecting the guy who drew Swamp Thing in the 80's to be swimming in a pile a money but the stuff he tells at 1:43:58 is just infuriating. Whatever crisis the comic book industry is going through right now is just karma biting their ass
Do we know what graphic novel he was talking about at 48:27
I found an actual picture of Helen Meyer, publisher at Dell Comics. You can pass it along to Mr. Bissette if you like. You can even read a short bio about her. Found it on this site... www.findagrave.com/memorial/7392300/helen-honig-meyer
That's kinda heart breaking that he has to censor his classes because someone might be triggered, I mean c'mon art is supposed to trigger a response if it doesn't you're not doing it right
Steve Bissette looks and talks like a hippy version of Glenn Beck.
just wow. this fucking ruled.
YES!!!