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Conversation #1
Conversation #1
James Kochalka and Craig Thompson -- two of our best cartoonists -- go head-to-head in this free-wheeling collaboration/argument, discussing art and religion, confronting each other and playfully confronting God in one of the best comics "jams" ever set to paper. Kochalka and Thompson draw together, trading the pages back and forth, adding to each others drawings as the conversation turns in unexpected directions. A wild energy forms as their two drawing styles merge together. It's like a comics version of My Dinner with Andre, but with a giant killer octopus.
48 pages, Paperback
First published July 1, 2004
105 people want to read
About the author
James Kochalka
209 books106 followersJames Kochalka is an American comic book artist and writer, and rock musician. His comics are noted for their blending of the real and the surreal. Largely autobiographical, Kochalka's cartoon expression of the world around him includes such real-life characters as his wife, children, cat, friends and colleagues, but always filtered through his own observations and flights of whimsy. In March 2011 he will be declared the cartoonist laureate of Vermont, serving a term of two years.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
August 1, 2020
The dumbest-ass thing you could do is read a review of this instead of reading it. It takes like 5 minutes. Figure it out for yourself. GOD, stop expecting brave reviewers like myself, handsome, brave reviewers to figure out everything for you.
Instead of reviewing this book, I'll have my own Conversation #1. With myself.
Artsy Pete: What is the point of art, really? Can you ask about the point of something if it's pointless?
Fartsy Pete: If people knew how much I tweeted from the toilet, they would know how seriously to take me.
Artsy Pete: And sometimes talking about the function of art, does that make it not art?
Fartsy Pete: You know what they should do? They should have kids make siren sounds and record them and then play those sounds as the sirens. That'd be a lot more fun.
Artsy Pete: And then there's the authenticity question.
Fartsy Pete: Yeah! Like Chinese food. People always tell you that Chinese food in America isn't authentic. But it's delicious. Should we just call it American food instead? If it's American? Then it would be like totally authentic?
Artsy Pete: Sometimes I feel like we're not even really having a conversation. I'm saying profound things, and you're saying whatever comes to mind.
Fartsy Pete: If I was a lesser comedian, I'd write about seeing a squirrel out the window. But I'm funny as fuck, so I'll just say that I'm paying attention to you on a 4 out of 10. I've got a hemerrohioid right now that's raging. Just raging.
Artsy Pete: Did you spell hemerrhoid right?
Fartsy Pete: No. Did you?
Artsy Pete: No.
Fartsy Pete: Hemi-roid, diearhhea, all the butt stuff is hard to spell. Now that's a deep thought. Deep in your butt!
~
I'll use this opportunity to point out that you could've read a deep conversation about art, ILLUSTRATED by two masters, in the time you just spent here, dumbass!
Instead of reviewing this book, I'll have my own Conversation #1. With myself.
Artsy Pete: What is the point of art, really? Can you ask about the point of something if it's pointless?
Fartsy Pete: If people knew how much I tweeted from the toilet, they would know how seriously to take me.
Artsy Pete: And sometimes talking about the function of art, does that make it not art?
Fartsy Pete: You know what they should do? They should have kids make siren sounds and record them and then play those sounds as the sirens. That'd be a lot more fun.
Artsy Pete: And then there's the authenticity question.
Fartsy Pete: Yeah! Like Chinese food. People always tell you that Chinese food in America isn't authentic. But it's delicious. Should we just call it American food instead? If it's American? Then it would be like totally authentic?
Artsy Pete: Sometimes I feel like we're not even really having a conversation. I'm saying profound things, and you're saying whatever comes to mind.
Fartsy Pete: If I was a lesser comedian, I'd write about seeing a squirrel out the window. But I'm funny as fuck, so I'll just say that I'm paying attention to you on a 4 out of 10. I've got a hemerrohioid right now that's raging. Just raging.
Artsy Pete: Did you spell hemerrhoid right?
Fartsy Pete: No. Did you?
Artsy Pete: No.
Fartsy Pete: Hemi-roid, diearhhea, all the butt stuff is hard to spell. Now that's a deep thought. Deep in your butt!
~
I'll use this opportunity to point out that you could've read a deep conversation about art, ILLUSTRATED by two masters, in the time you just spent here, dumbass!
September 19, 2011
I don't know how this got published or why but Top Shelf put out a couple of these small (they're a few inches across and a few inches up) comic books featuring well known indie comics artists James Kochalka, Craig Thompson, and (in Conversation #2) Jeffrey Brown.
In a couple dozen pages with a panel per page, James and Craig write and draw a strip about themselves and their work. They talk about the meaning behind their art, comics, and life, and what it all means. The drawings take themselves through surreal landscapes starting at the beach, into the ocean, fighting giant squids, and ending up inside a stove in the shape of a Buddha. It's all well drawn and fascinating to read as you see these two artists struggle to define and find solutions, ultimately getting nowhere but enjoying the journey.
Well written, even better drawn, it's a wonderful find if you can get it. I found this and Conversation #2 in a comic book shop by the Empire State Building and snapped them up immediately. Maybe they'll pop up on ebay someday? If they do, check them out, they're perfect little gems for the comic book fan.
In a couple dozen pages with a panel per page, James and Craig write and draw a strip about themselves and their work. They talk about the meaning behind their art, comics, and life, and what it all means. The drawings take themselves through surreal landscapes starting at the beach, into the ocean, fighting giant squids, and ending up inside a stove in the shape of a Buddha. It's all well drawn and fascinating to read as you see these two artists struggle to define and find solutions, ultimately getting nowhere but enjoying the journey.
Well written, even better drawn, it's a wonderful find if you can get it. I found this and Conversation #2 in a comic book shop by the Empire State Building and snapped them up immediately. Maybe they'll pop up on ebay someday? If they do, check them out, they're perfect little gems for the comic book fan.
November 5, 2025
Maybe 3/5 is a bit uncharitable, but 4/5 seems too generous.
Conversations is an interesting little comic book in which two comic artists have a “jam session.” The two artists argue about the nature of comics, art, God, etc. via comics. It’s a unique concept and genuinely made me stop and reflect a few times (You’re trying to change the world? Why? Why do you have the need to affect others?).
That being said . . . I don’t think this was great. It’s a quirkily illustrated argument that’s really too brief to do much.
But I’ll read it again and see if I get anything more out of it.
Conversations is an interesting little comic book in which two comic artists have a “jam session.” The two artists argue about the nature of comics, art, God, etc. via comics. It’s a unique concept and genuinely made me stop and reflect a few times (You’re trying to change the world? Why? Why do you have the need to affect others?).
That being said . . . I don’t think this was great. It’s a quirkily illustrated argument that’s really too brief to do much.
But I’ll read it again and see if I get anything more out of it.
February 18, 2025
Whew, I'm apparently not in my brooding artist contemplates the meaning of art phase. Can still easily recognize the work of Craig Thompson (one of my collegiate favs) but yeah I'm good without any more conversations.
December 22, 2021
I liked the idea of having to authors have a conversation back and forth in a book. But this book did not end up being good at all. I almost didn't finish it, despite its brevity.
December 2, 2015
This is a conversation in comics between two artists about what the point of making art is, whether it's useful to the world, or worth making even if it's not useful, and the motivation behind defining it. The conversation itself is a bit amateur and navel-gazey at times, but it also makes some interesting points, (though not ones that are original). Basically it's the "what is art?" conversation in a manageable comics format. It was alright.
Want to read
September 5, 2008It bothers me a lot that "Craig" is misspelled in the Goodreads listing...
October 2, 2011
i loved following the drawing journey between these two amazing comic artists as they explore, but don't really solve (of course) the deeper meaning of their craft.
July 31, 2015
Loved the artwork. Not sure either artist got anywhere, although their words were often beautiful, and I accept that it's not always about getting somewhere. I'll have to reread this sometime.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews