JOE KUBERT
by David O'Leary
On the seventh edition of 5 Minutes With...we are joined by an industry legend in Joe Kubert, a man whose career spans the entire history of American comics. At 83 years old, I can't tell you how much of an honour it is to speak briefly with him and he was kind enough to give a few minutes of his time to speak with us. Read on...
David O'Leary: Joe, Many thanks for taking the time to talk with us here on Comic Related. With such a long and storied career behind you it is difficult to know where to begin, so somewhere near the beginning of your career maybe. Your first paying job was when you were about 12 years old in the late 1930's. How did that fall into place for you?
Joe Kubert: I was lucky. Comic books contained 64 pages that had to be filled. It gave me the opportunity to 'learn on the job'.
DO'L: Of course the American comic scene was somewhat still in its infancy. Were there any artistic influences for you in that early era?
JK: Hal Foster (Tarzan) Alex Raymond (Flash Gordon) and Milton Cannif (Terry & the Pirates).
Joe Kubert's cover to Betweem Hell & A Hard Place
DO'L: Some publishers were adapting established prose work to comics at the time, like Tarzan for example. Was there any scope for you to pitch any ideas of your own or was it a case that you were told what to work on?
JK: No. Writers wrote script that I was given the job of illustrating.
DO'L: Moving to 1950s here, you became known for a couple of things in that time, Tor and 3D comics. Firstly, the 3D comics. That was an incredibly intuitive move on your part, with the first issue moving over a million copies and two and a half times the price of a regular comic. How risky was that venture and how satisfying was the payoff?
JK: I was lucky (again). The pay-off was very good- and satisfying.
DO'L: Secondly, Tor. He represented a very successful creation that has endured to this day. Is it fair to say that Tarzan influenced the creation a bit, albeit with the setting in 1,000,000 BC?
JK: Absolutely!
DO'L: You have invariably become associated with the character of Sgt. Rock over the years. Had you an immediate reverence for the character as he resonated with real life settings or was it a case that he grew on you as time went on?
JK: It was a character and story like many others I had done. I have no idea why it sold so well.
Sgt. Rock
DO'L: As experienced as you are, you are known to many of today's readership due your involvement with Fax From Sarajevo. I understand that there is a real life story behind the book involving a close friend of yours. Can you disclose how that book came to be?
JK: It was an actual occurrence experienced by my good friend Ervin Rustemagic.
DO'L:: You've been working your entire life. How do you still light the fire of desire to do this?
JK: The fire glows brighter every day.
DO'L: You of course run one of the most famous schools of cartooning in the world. Now in its 34th year, did you ever think it would last this long?
JK: No.
DO'L: Did you actively encourage Adam and Andy to follow in your footsteps or did you let them follow their own paths to pencilling?
JK: No.
DO'L: Have you anything in the works that we may see soon?
JK: A new graphic novel title: Dong Xoai- Vietnam 1965
DO'L: I know that you have a love of European comics. Do you keep up with some the translated material that is becoming more available these days. I'm reading some excellent stuff out of 9th Cinebook at the moment?
JK: Yes. I admire many of the European, South American and Asian artists, some of whom are good friends.
Joe Kubert
DO'L: Joe, I've taken up enough of your time. Many thanks for speaking with us and take care of yourself.
It was awesome to speak with Joe and a real pleasure to spend a few minutes with him. Join us next time when we will be speaking with rising star and writer of Blackest Night: Titans and Aspen's Soulfire, JT Krul.
Interviewer Bio
Name: David O' Leary
email: idwfan@yahoo.co.uk
Been reading comics: for about 12 years now.
Review Bio: I am a 26-year-old Hotel Manager from the west coast of the Republic of Ireland and think this is a great way to talk to others about this cool medium. I am a husband to one wife and father to one girl (so far).
Favorites: ONI's Whiteout, Vertigo's Scalped and Garth Ennis Preacher and Punisher in Trades. In comic form I am reading a lot of Marvel and a bit of IDW, Dark Horse & WildStorm among others.
Website: Sorry, I don't have one!
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