Kuper in Brazil and in interview
Peter Kuper said 'yes I do' and now we'll have him here in Brazil by the next june when the International Comics and Humor Festival of Pernambuco starts. He co-founded the political comics magazine World War 3 Illustrated with Seth Tobocman, is the name behind many of the illustrations published in American press and is also the first guy who had the guts to adapt Kafka's Metamorphosis (and other Kafka's stories) to comics (Brazilian edition here). Not to mention one of his latest creations, Richie Bush, a real 'metamorphosis' between Richie Rich and a cockroach. Ops, my mistake: between Richie Rich and Bush Junior. So I sent him an e-mail with a few questions and, gently, he answered me. So, it goes like one, two.. one, two, three...
I understand you have been writing and drawing about political aspects of life since World War 3 Illustrated (or even before it) and I believe many of your illustrations graphically reflects that concern. If you were the world itself (I know this sounds a little insane) how would you picture a self-portrait?
A beautiful face with a very bad cold.
Talking a little bit more about political graphics. Do you know works from Joe Sacco and Marjane Satrapi? Do you think comics can grow on raising political subjects?
Yes I am a fan of both artists--I've known Joe for many years and recently published him in an issue I edited of World War 3. I think journalism in comics and autobiography are ideal for this medium and one of many ways that comics will expand. Comics can illuminate complex political subjects and may inform a whole new generation of readers about the world situation, in both a personal and political way.
Richie Bush... How much of a president is he?
A cartoon character seemed approprite to depict George W. Bush since he seems to be living in a fictious world where everything he does is right and justifiable. Here in reality however he is a lying murderer who is robbing our country and undermining democracy. Nothing cartoonish about that!
Do you have an opinion about the Gordon Lee case?
Thank goodness for the comicbook legal defense fund and this is one of the many reasons I'm glad I live in NYC.
How did the invitation come up for you to be here?
I was invited a few years back and for some reason I was not able to attend, so I'm glad they extended the invitation again.
Do you know any Brazilian illustrator or comic artist?
Not really, but I hope to change this on my visit!
