Gianluca Costantini Interviews Seth Tobocman on Five Decades of Comics
Gianluca Costantini interviews veteran cartoonist Seth Tobocman about his long career in political and underground comics. The discussion explores how drawing has served as a vital tool for survival, memory, and social activism throughout Tobocman's life.
The conversation traces Tobocman's evolution from a bullied child finding solace in Marvel superheroes to a prominent figure in the New York counterculture scene. He reflects on his early days creating fanzines in Cleveland and his interactions with influential artists like Harvey Pekar and Jack Kirby. Tobocman explains how he uses the medium to process personal and political struggles, viewing comics as a necessary way to make sense of his experiences. The interview highlights the transition of comics from simple entertainment to a powerful vehicle for social truth.
