Month: October 2019

• October 28, 2019American Splendor, Dean Haspiel, Episodes, Harvey Pekar, Josh Neufeld, Joyce Brabner

  AS 30: The End Credits

  American Splendor scene #30 (1:37:31 to 1:41:08) — As the credits roll, Josh & Dean reflect on all things Pekar/American Splendor. What should have been the film’s post-credit sequence? What would an American Splendor TV show look like? (Dino keeps coming back to Louis C.K.)
  
  

• October 21, 2019American Splendor, Dean Haspiel, Episodes, Harvey Pekar, Interviews, Josh Neufeld, Joyce Brabner

  AS 29: Part of the Story (with Alex Robinson)

  American Splendor scene #29 (1:31:12 to 1:37:31) — Alex Robinson of Star Wars Minute joins Josh & Dean for the final scene of the film! (Well, actually, six little “scenelets.”) It's one year later, and Harvey & Joyce sign Our Cancer Year. Harvey is declared cancer-free! They adopt Danielle, and Harvey adjusts to being a parent (of a sort). The real Harvey retires from the VA hospital, and the movie ends with a group hug.
  
  

• October 17, 2019American Splendor, Harvey Pekar, Interviews, Josh Neufeld

  AS Bonus: Animator GARY LEIB Interview

  Josh sits down with Gary Leib to discuss his work on the film, specifically on key scenes like the title sequence, "Old Jewish Ladies," and "Who is Harvey Pekar?" Gary's background as an alternative cartoonist (Idiotland) and musician, and his long-standing partnership with Doug Allen. How Gary got into animation and initially hooked up with Ted Hope and Good Machine. John Kuramoto's vital contributions to the animation. Getting to know Harvey at Sundance, and what it was like when American Splendor won the Grand Jury Prize. Why Gary can't toot his own horn in the age of Trump.
  
  

• October 14, 2019American Splendor, Dean Haspiel, Episodes, Harvey Pekar, Josh Neufeld

  AS 28: Who is Harvey Pekar?

  American Splendor scene #28 (1:28:12 to 1:31:12) — In one continuous take, Harvey wanders through a dreamscape, musing about his name, the telephone book, and other Harvey Pekars.
  

• October 7, 2019American Splendor, Dean Haspiel, Episodes, Harvey Pekar, Josh Neufeld, Joyce Brabner

  AS 27: Treatment Begins

  American Splendor scene #27 (1:24:49 to 1:28:11) — The trauma and turmoil of Harvey’s treatment; time passes strangely. Meanwhile, Fred — accompanied by Danielle — continues to work on Our Cancer Year with Harvey & Joyce. An addled Harvey wonders if he’s real or if he’s just a character in a comic book. And if he dies will the story end, or will it keep on going? The scene begins and ends out of focus.
  

• October 4, 2019American Splendor, Dean Haspiel, Harvey Pekar, Interviews, Josh Neufeld, Joyce Brabner

  AS Bonus: Producer Ted Hope Interview

  Josh & Dean chat with Ted Hope (now with Amazon Studios), the producer of American Splendor. Hope talks about his own background in the business, the development of the film (including Dean’s key introductions), his favorite moments from the shoot, and premiering the film at Sundance. In a moving testament to authenticity in art, Hope explains why protects like American Splendor (both the film and the comics) have to exist.