Although, Art Spiegelman has been in the business of making
comics since the 1960’s, most often he is interviewed about the subject
matter of his most famous graphic novel Maus.
In addition Spiegelman‘s art can be portrayed as somewhat controversial, however
he is not known as a very outspoken advocate in the media. Most of his thoughts
and political views can be found in some of his tell all graphic novels such as
“In the Shadows of No Towers” and “Breakdowns: Portrait of the Artist as a Young %@&*!” Spiegelman’s views can be shown in detail
about his early struggles learning how to draw and how frustrating it can be
and also his reasoning for leaving The New Yorker Magazine after the 9/11
attacks. He explains in the Graphic novel “In
the Shadows of No Towers” that resigning from The New Yorker was quote “To protest the widespread conformism in the United States
media”. Spiegelman also demonstrates his deep criticism of the administration
of former President George W. Bush and alleges that
the American media has become "conservative and timid." Spiegelman
has recently come out with a new novel called “metamaus”. In this novel he examines the questions of Maus that most
often stir up -- Why the Holocaust? Why mice? Why comics? He also gives a inside
look at his vital work and the creative process. On the subject of Interviews
it is important to note, this was essential to process of Maus being created.
Spiegelman’s father Vladek Spiegelman was a co-writer for the graphic novel and
provided the raw material for the story. Spiegelman states that “The book is
built around an interview”. In his Novel “Breakdowns”
he would often portrayed his father either beating him or
ignoring him, however he found it an easy way to get his father to open
up when having a microphone in front of him. Thus provided the material used
for the story. Besides that he doesn’t ignore or refuse interviews, he can be
seen in many different ones over the years. Here are some examples
James
Adams, "Indigo
pulls controversial Harper's off the shelves",Globe and Mail,
May 27, 2006
www.indiebound.org/...interviews/spiegelmanart
Breakdowns: Portrait of the Artist as a Young %@&*!. Pantheon, 2008. ISBN 978-0-375-42395-6
In the Shadow of No Towers-Art Spiegelman-2002
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