Tim Danko
What have been your personal cartooning/comics highlights of 2012?Continuing confidence in my work and processes, it is the gift that keeps on giving.
Dylan Horrocks giving me a by-line I will use for all eternity “one of Australasia’s leading experimental cartoonists”. Possibly a by product of my piss poor scant on detail self-penned bio for the N.Z. comics and graphic novels guide, Dylan had to fill in to give it some stature. But it’s out there and I will take it gladly.
It is a marathon, so steady sub 6 minute miles this year which is quite good for the second half of my race (I started slow). Nothing fancy just good honest progress. I liked having comic work to do all year.
Feels like we are running with the internationals as a group and as part of the comic conversation, which is a long cherished dream becoming a reality.
Who are some of the comics creators that you've discovered and enjoyed for the first time in 2012?
Tatang Suhenra was an Indonesian cartoonist a little shrouded in mystery who drew for the Indonesian rental comic market and after initial success with martial arts comics (and subsequent disgrace? decline? Not sure) he had a comeback with a run of mythological Punakawan figures/titles (Gareng, Petruk, Semar, Bagong). He died in 2003, “According to a number of rumors circulating, he died because of diabetes. The disease is suffered because Tatang, who often work at night, drinking carbonated beverages addiction.” (Thank you, Google translate.)
His later comics have an easy surreal mix of the everyday and monstrous surprise occurings. Where the character chases carnal desires (food, women, acclaim) only to have the object of his desire turn into some unspeakable monster. With the odd kung fu fight. And appearance of popular American cartoon figure rip-offs (teenage mutant ninja turtles, batman). Kind of like a randy Jim Woodring in his realist/dream comics. Of course it helps that the comics I possess have passed through many rental hands and strange reproduction processes. Awesome.
Jessica “Phlegmbot” Dews a local artist (cartoonist? Up to her!). Thanks to Mr Horrocks I had found Jessica’s ‘phlegmbot’ tumblr bristling with her shivery psyche energy images. Much imagery, much media, much fun. Who is to say that a tumblr site is not the futures next digital ‘meta’ meta-comic? I think it is, already. Can’t wait to see what comes next.
Yoshiharu Tsuge. Every year is a Tsuge discovery year. I’m up to 12 years of Tsuge discovery. Keep on discovering. Thank you, Tsuge.
What is something non-comics that you have enjoyed in 2012?
I have enjoyed finding out about Masao Adachi, a Japanese film maker (and seeing his film ‘A.K.A serial killer- 1969’, a film about a serial killer - without any trace of the serial killer in it). I have been enjoying my longing to see the Philippe Grandrieux documentary/conversation with Masao “It May Be That Beauty Has Strengthened Our Resolve - Masao Adachi” , sometimes the waiting and finding out is the pleasure. Both film makers have methods that reaffirm my approach to cartooning.
Finding ‘Love Patrol’ a Vanuatu made 4 series TV show that is a cross between first series Shortland Street production values / the wire in its cross society scope / and public service announcement social messaging. But you know… set on an unnamed Polynesian/Melanesian island. Visiting the company who made it, Wan Smolbag Group, who also put out public service educational comics.
Have you implemented any significant changes to your working methods this year?
Trust and faith, lost a fair amount of fear of falling and failing whilst drawing. Drawing and marking to get something new out, rather than for a pre-determined result. Results come later, with hindsight. It is an ongoing struggle, to forget to look at what you are putting on the page and stop thinking about what it will be.
What are you looking forward to in 2013?
Seeing the Philippe Grandrieux documentary “It May Be That Beauty Has Strengthened Our Resolve - Masao Adachi”
learning French at high school.
Grabbing the Neomad.
Crowd funding my 4 year 48 page full colour completed comic. (low resolution sneak peak tumblr here).
Catching up. Going to something I am in, either an exhibition or a book launch. It’s been six years since I’ve been to something I am in.
“Revolution is also an image. The question is how one turns that image into reality.” (Masao Adachi)
