- Peter Bagge
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Peter Bagge 
Peter Bagge at ComiCon in San Diego, July 24, 2010Born Peter Christian Bagge
December 11, 1957
Peekskill, New York[1]Nationality American Area(s) Cartoonist, Writer, Artist Notable works Hate
Neat StuffAwards Harvey Award, 1991 Official website Peter Bagge (pronounced /bæg/, as in 'Plastic Bag')[2] (born December 11, 1957 in Peekskill, New York)[3] is an American cartoonist. He is the creator of Buddy Bradley, Hate, Neat Stuff, Martini Baton, and Sweatshop, Apocalypse Nerd and Other Lives. His stories often use black humor and exaggerated cartooning to dramatize the reduced expectations of middle-class American youth. He won a two Harvey Awards in 1991, one for best cartoonist and one for his work on Hate. In recent years Bagge has expressed his libertarian views in features for Reason.
Contents
Biography
Part of a family of five kids, Bagge grew up in the New York City suburbs. Bagge's father was in the military and Bagge has talked about how his Catholic household was the scene of "lots of drunken fights about money. We were the weirdo outcast kids of the neighborhood. I couldn't get away fast enough."[4] Moving to New York City in the mid-1970s, Bagge briefly attended the School of Visual Arts before dropping out to work on Punk Magazine.
Career
Early career
Other cartoonists associated with Punk were John Holmstrom, Ken Weiner, and Bruce Carleton; and Bagge worked on his cartooning with them and also J.D. King and Kaz. During this period, the young cartoonists also were the beneficiaries of "useful advice" from Art Spiegelman.[4]
In addition to Punk, Bagge contributed to the notorious underground paper Screw; when Punk folded in 1980, Bagge and Holstrom co-published Comical Funnies. Bagge sent copies of Comical Funnies to underground comics legend Robert Crumb, who liked his work enough to publish a few of Bagge's strips in the anthology Crumb was editing, Weirdo.[4] Eventually, in 1983, Crumb passed on the editorial reins of Weirdo to Bagge, who edited it for three years (and one guest issue in 1989).
With Fantagraphics Books - Neat Stuff and Hate
Beginning in 1985, Bagge hooked up with alternative comics publisher Fantagraphics to produce his first solo title Neat Stuff, a wild miscellany that introduced such memorable characters as Girly-Girl, Junior, Studs Kirby, The Bradleys, and Buddy Bradley. Neat Stuff ran until 1989.
Hate (1990–1998), Bagge's most well-known comic series, was popular among grunge rock fans, perhaps because it satirized their "alternative" culture. After ending Hate as a regular title, Bagge has produced a series of Hate Annuals.
DC and Marvel Comics
In a radical departure, Bagge created and authored an all-ages comic series for DC Comics called Yeah!, about an all-girl rock band, and featuring art by Gilbert Hernandez. The series lasted for 9 issues, from 1999 to 2000.
Sweatshop, published by DC Comics in 2003, was produced, unlike early issues of Hate, with the help of an art team. Sweatshop, ironically, is about a cartoonist who hits it big. The series was short-lived, ending after six issues.
In 2002, Bagge did his version of Spider-Man for Marvel Comics. He followed this up with a Hulk comic (title The Incorrigible Hulk) which was completed but never released due to a management change at Marvel Comics at the time. From August 2009, The Incorrigible Hulk finally released in serialised form for Marvel Knights's relaunched Strange Tales mini-series.[5] 2010 saw the release of a graphic novel for DC called Second Lives.[6]
Apocalypse Nerd
From 2005–2007, Bagge worked on Apocalypse Nerd, a comic published by Dark Horse Comics about two average, urban males dealing with the aftermath of a nuclear attack on the Pacific Northwest. Backup stories in Apocalypse Nerd featured historically researched anecdotal tales of America's "founding fathers". The final issue of the six-issue series was published in 2007. A trade paperback collection was released in 2008.
Illustration work
Recent publishers of Bagge's articles, illustrations and comics include suck.com, Reason, MAD Magazine, and the Weekly World News, with the strip "Adventures of Batboy". In January 2008, Bagge contributed illustrations to toonlet, an online comic construction web site.
Peter Bagge receiving Inkwell Award at ComiCon in San Diego, July 24, 2010
Starting with the February 2009 issue, the popular science and technology magazine Discover Magazine has featured a continuing series of History of Science comic strips created by Peter Bagge. Bagge’s comics feature key characters and events from scientific history.
Bagge is the subject of the first volume of TwoMorrows Publishing's new Comics Introspective series of books, published in 2007.
Reason magazine
In 2003, Bagge became a contributing writer with the libertarian magazine Reason. Over the years, he has published both prose and comics pieces in their pages. 2009 saw the release of a collection of Bagge's Reason work called Everybody is Stupid Except for Me (And Other Astute Observations).
Other work outside comics
Animation
Bagge made a series of animated commercials for Round Table Pizza. In 2001 Bagge collaborated with comedian Dana Gould to produce the Macromedia Flash Internet cartoon Rock 'N' Roll Dad. The four-episode series premiered on Icebox.com.[7]
Music
Bagge played drums and sang in the band The Action Suits, which also includes Eric Reynolds, Andy Schmidt, and producer Steve Fisk. Their sole CD was released in 2007. Bagge plays guitar and sings for his current band, Can You Imagine, which features Steve Fisk on Keyboards.
Personal life
Bagge lives in Seattle with his wife Joanne (who contributes coloring work on his art).[8]
Art style
Bagge's signature elastic, kinetic art style is a product of his love for 1940s Warner Brothers cartoons (especially those directed by Bob Clampett). Bagge has said that he "always wanted to capture that sense of movement and exaggeration in a static format. In retrospect this sounds like a futile thing to attempt, but I think I wound up pulling it off better than I ever thought I would."[4]
Politics
Bagge has long been openly libertarian in his politics, and many of his comics feature references to this. He is a left wing libertarian who was opposed to the Iraq War and critical of George W Bush. Bagge voted for Libertarian presidential candiadate Harry Browne in 2000 and Democrat John Kerry in 2004 because he "wanted to fire Bush."[9] When asked who he was voting for in the 2008 election, he wrote: "If the polls in my home state are close: Obama (McCain is simply too incompetent these days to be president). If not, I'll make a protest vote for Barr."[9] In a follow up article by Reason, Bagge stated, "I wound up voting for Barr, and I stand by THAT vote more now than I did then!"[10] Bagge collected his work for Reason expressing his Libertarian views in the book "Everybody is Stupid Except me: and Other Astute Observations."[11]
Bagge has continued with his strips covering Libertarian issues in Hate Annual.
Quotes
R. Crumb:
“ I can count on one hand the number of comic artists whose work is as strong... maybe on two or three fingers... It's a laff riot, what can I tell ya?[12] ” “ Peter Bagge is the funniest cartoonist in existence. Part of the secret of his humor comes from our shock at seeing people act the way people really do, rather than this whitewashed portrayal of so-called average people that we see in modern television and movies. The situations Peter creates for his characters are gripping, hilarious and bitingly honest. His drawing style is completely original and would be funny on its own, even without his great stories. This kind of perfect blend of art and humor is what we are all striving for.[12] ” Bibliography
Comic books
- The Wacky World of Peter Bagge/Ken Weiner (1982 FlipBook)
- Martini Baton (Fantagraphics, 1993) with Dave Carrino
- Neat Stuff (Fantagraphics, 1985–1989) #1-15
- Hate (Fantagraphics, 1990–1998) #1-30
- The Bradleys (Fantagraphics, 1999–2000) #1–6 — stories about the Bradleys from Neat Stuff and elsewhere
- Junior and Friends (Fantagraphics, 2000–2001) #1–6 — non-Bradley stories from Neat Stuff and elsewhere
- Hate Annual (Fantagraphics, 2001–2007) #1-7
- Sweatshop (DC, 2003) #1–6
- Apocalypse Nerd (Dark Horse, 2005–2007) #1–6
Collected editions
- The Bradleys (Fantagraphics, 1992, ISBN 1-56097-576-8) — collects stories from Neat Stuff
- Hey, Buddy! (Fantagraphics, 1993, ISBN 1-56097-113-4) — collects Hate #1–5
- Buddy the Dreamer (Fantagraphics, 1994, ISBN 1-56097-154-1) — collects Hate #6–10
- Fun with Buddy + Lisa: Volume III of the Complete Buddy Bradley Stories from "Hate" (Fantagraphics, 1995, ISBN 1-56097-175-4) — collects Hate #11–#15
- Buddy Go Home: "Hate" Collection Volume IV (Fantagraphics, 1998, ISBN 1-56097-276-9) — collects Hate #16–#20
- Buddy's Got Three Moms: "Hate" Collection Volume V (Fantagraphics, 1999, ISBN 1-56097-335-8) — collects Hate #21–#25
- Buddy Bites the Bullet (Fantagraphics, 2001, ISBN 1-56097-415-X) — collects Hate #26–#30
- Buddy Does Seattle: The Complete Buddy Bradley Stories from "Hate" Comics, Vol. I, 1990-94 (Fantagraphics, 2005, ISBN 1-56097-623-3) — collects Hate #1-#15
- Buddy Does Jersey (Fantagraphics, 2007, ISBN 1-56097-837-6) — collects Hate #16-#30
- Apocalypse Nerd (Dark Horse, 2008, ISBN 1-59307-902-8)
- Everyone is Stupid Except for Me (Fantagraphics, 2009, ISBN 1-60699-158-2) - collects strips from Reason
Monographs
- Irving, Chris. Comics Introspective Volume One: Peter Bagge (TwoMorrows Publishing, 2007). ISBN 1-893905-83-7
Awards
Bagge won the 1991 Harvey Award for Best Cartoonist. In addition, Hate won the 1991 Harvey Award for Best New Series. Bagge was presented with an Inkpot Award at San Diego Comic-Con International 2010 in recognition of his achievments in comics.[13] He was nominated for Will Eisner Comic Industry Awards several times:
- 1991 Will Eisner Comic Industry Awards - Nominee - Best Writer/Artist: (Hate [Fantagraphics])
- 1992 Will Eisner Comic Industry Awards - Nominee - Best Writer: (Hate [Fantagraphics])
- 1993 Will Eisner Comic Industry Awards - Nominee - Best Writer: (Hate [Fantagraphics])
- 1993 Will Eisner Comic Industry Awards - Nominee - Best Writer/Artist: (Hate [Fantagraphics])
- 1995 Will Eisner Comic Industry Awards - Nominee - Best Colorist: (for Hate [Fantagraphics])[14]
Notes
- ^ "Peter Bagge". reason.com. http://reason.com/people/peter-bagge/articles. Retrieved 9 January 2011.
- ^ Chris Auman. "Peter Bagge". Reglar Wriglar. http://www.reglarwiglar.com/comicartists/PeterBagge.html. Retrieved 31 January 2010.
- ^ Heater, Brian. "Happy 'Belated' 50th Birthday, Peter Bagge!", The Daily Cross Hatch, December 7, 2007.
- ^ a b c d Douresseau, L.J. (November 16, 2003). "Interview with Peter Bagge". Comic Book Bin. http://www.comicbookbin.com/charlie02.html. Retrieved December 15, 2008.
- ^ Cronin, Brian (January 12, 2006). "Comic Book Urban Legends Revealed #33!". Comics Should be Good. http://goodcomics.blogspot.com/2006/01/comic-book-urban-legends-revealed-33.html. Retrieved December 15, 2008.
- ^ MacDonald, Heidi (April 19, 2008). "Vertigo Announces Push to Acquire Graphic Novels". Publishers Weekly. http://www.publishersweekly.com/article/CA6552165.html?nid=2789.
- ^ Peter Bagge's Hate (and other Neat Stuff)
- ^ Parvaz, D.. "A moment with... Peter Bagge, comic artist". Seattle Pi, Wednesday, February 23, 2005. Hearst Communications Inc.. http://www.seattlepi.com/ae/books/article/A-moment-with-Peter-Bagge-comic-artist-1167096.php. Retrieved 14 October 2011.
- ^ a b Who's Getting Your Vote?, Reason
- ^ Does Barack Obama Inspire Buyer's Remorse?. Reason
- ^ Bagge, Peter (2009). Everybody is Stupid Except Me:and Other Astute Observations. Seattle: Fantagraphics. pp. 118. ISBN 1606991582. http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1606991582/reasoncredit-20/.
- ^ a b Fantagraphics website
- ^ "Comic-Con The Inkpot Awards". Comic-con.org. Comic-Con International. http://www.comic-con.org/cci/cci_inkpot.php. Retrieved 23 October 2011.
- ^ "Comic book database- Peter Bagge". Comic Book Database. ComicBookDB.com. http://comicbookdb.com/creator.php?ID=3020. Retrieved 23 October 2011.
References
- Peter Bagge at the Grand Comics Database
- Peter Bagge at the Comic Book DB
External links
- Official website
- Bagge's MySpace page
- Website for Bagge's band Can You Imagine
- Peter Bagge's comics for Reason magazine
- Peter Bagge art show at Scott Eder Gallery
Interviews
- Doane, Alan David (March 17, 2000). "Peter Bagge: Our Love/Hate Relationship". Comics Bulletin. http://www.comicsbulletin.com/features/95332942345992.htm.
- Comic Book Haters audio podcast #1
- Comic Book Haters audio podcast #2
- ifpthendirt handwritten interview
- Heater, Brian. Ink 19 (May 2005)
- Heater, Brian. Daily Cross Hatch (Feb. 20, 2007)
- Heater, Brian Daily Cross Hatch (Feb. 28, 2007)
- Malcolm, Kevin The Backroom Comics Podcast Episode 32 - Everyone Is Stupid (Oct. 10, 2009)
- Malcolm, Kevin The Backroom Comics Podcast Episode 33 - Origins and Influences (Oct. 13, 2009)
- Miles, Jason [1] audio interview from the San Diego Comicon, 2010
- Reason.tv - Interview by Nick Gillespie (Sept 2011)
Categories:- American cartoonists
- American comics artists
- American comics writers
- Living people
- American libertarians
- American political writers
- Alternative cartoonists
- Underground cartoonists
- People from Westchester County, New York
- People from Seattle, Washington
- School of Visual Arts alumni
- Harvey Award winners for Best Cartoonist
- 1957 births
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