A Big Think Interview with Michael Kupperman | Big Think

TL;DR

Comic artist Michael Cuperman discusses his unconventional path into comics, his love for Tintin, his influences, and the challenges of the industry today.

Transcript

my name is Michael cuperman and I am a comic artist I took a really circular route into Comics I uh I went to school for Fine Art um which in retrospect is one of those decisions that just confuses me um but I just had no idea what was involved in any kind of art artistic production so um I did that and then I kind of you know hung around doing dra... Read More

Key Insights

• 🥰 Michael Cuperman had an unconventional journey into comics, starting with fine art and then finding success in illustration and comics later in life.
• 🥰 His love for Tintin's storytelling and attention to detail influenced his own approach to creating comics.
• 📔 Cuperman collects old comic books, magazines, and children's books for their unique and alien perspectives from the past.
• 😀 The comic industry is facing challenges, with declining funding and difficulties in making a living as an artist or illustrator.
• 🥶 Cuperman's style is more focused on humor and absurdity, drawing inspiration from various sources, including old TV shows and printed humor magazines.
• 👯 He finds Twitter to be a fun and interactive platform for sharing jokes and connecting with people around the world.
• 🧡 Cuperman hopes to explore animation and expand his artistic range beyond comics in the future.

Questions & Answers

Q: How did Michael Cuperman start his journey into comics?

Cuperman initially studied fine art before getting into comics by doing drawings for a small publication called Hoags and Ho Daddies.

Q: What influenced Cuperman's love for comics?

Cuperman fell in love with Tintin at a young age due to the simplicity and completeness of the stories. He translated some of the books from French to English.

Q: Did Cuperman have any other jobs before becoming a comic artist?

Before settling into illustration and comics, Cuperman had various jobs, including working in an art gallery, construction, and as a waiter and office worker.

Q: What are Cuperman's main influences in his work?

Cuperman draws inspiration from various sources, including old magazines, comic books, and children's books, especially those that have a strange and alien perspective from the past.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Michael Cuperman took a circular route into comics, starting with fine art, then doing drawings for a small publication, and finally getting into illustration and comics.

• He fell in love with Tintin at a young age and translated some of the books from French to English.

• Cuperman collects old comic books, magazines, and children's books for their unique and alien perspectives from the past.