Arts Editor: Beautiful pen & ink work.
Gahan Wilson: Born Dead, Still Weird (2013) is a documentary look into the origins, outlook, and production of the famed and recently passed cartoonist. If you’re a cartoonist or a fan, it’s certainly interesting, as Wilson comes off like several friends of my own: a gentleman with a distinctive and, in some ways, child-like take on life around him. He takes a moment to explain where some of his ideas come from: how adults look to children.
We are also shown how a cartoonist gets published, including a cattle-call (not their terminology) at The New Yorker (I think – my apologies if my memory slipped), the weekly cartoonist’s lunch, and that sort of thing.
And the fan interviews are fun as well, from his publishers at Playboy and other magazines, to a very young Stephen Colbert, to composer/performer Randy Newman, to Wilson’s various colleagues, as they let the audience in on the reactions of allied professionals to the man’s work. I was disappointed that Gary Larson didn’t show up, but perhaps he’s not a fan. The connection between Larson and Wilson in terms of shared themes and outlook appears to be obvious.
If Wilson and his work interest you, and you haven’t seen this, scurry right out and see this. I’m not a particular fan, but, post-viewing, some nascent urges to put together a cartoon series from years ago came surging back up.
I’m busy stamping them to death. Again.
