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As a Cartoonist
A series of comic strips joined together by the theme of the author’s chosen profession ― cartooning ― reveals a funny and often poignant reflection on the human condition and the lives we choose to live. Acclaimed cartoonist Noah Van Sciver puts to use all the creative arrows in his quiver in this captivating collection of fiction, biography, memoir, and more. Van Sciver juxtaposes fictional stories about what life as a "19th Century Cartoonist" might have looked like with a series of autobiographical strips about life as a contemporary cartoonist, along with pieces about his father and childhood that inform the path in life he has chosen. The resultant effect is a routinely funny (Van Sciver never takes himself too seriously unless it is intended for comedic effect) but also deeply relatable book that touches on some of life’s big questions, whether about the ways we measure happiness or success, the ways we often define ourselves by our careers, or ways we can sometimes lose sight of the most important things. Van Sciver displays a love of the history and form of cartooning that recalls Art Spiegelman, a Lynda Barryesque thirst to unpack ideas of what creativity really means, and a Harvey Pekar-like way of just trying to stay alive in the face of despair. Full-color illustrations throughout
100 pages, Hardcover
First published July 26, 2022
1 person is currently reading
125 people want to read
About the author
Noah Van Sciver
90 books207 followers[copied from: http://nvansciver.wordpress.com/about/]
I am THE one and only Noah Van Sciver, cartoonist/comic strip artist and illustrator. I’m best known for my alternative comic book series Blammo and my weekly comic strip 4 Questions which appears every week in the alternative newspaper Westword. My work has appeared in The Best American comics 2011, Mad magazine, Sunstone, The Comics Journal, MOME and numerous comics anthologies. I’m currently hard at work on my first graphic novel The Hypo which will be published by Fantagraphics books upon its completion. I’m a cancer and I hate seafood, and adventure.
I am THE one and only Noah Van Sciver, cartoonist/comic strip artist and illustrator. I’m best known for my alternative comic book series Blammo and my weekly comic strip 4 Questions which appears every week in the alternative newspaper Westword. My work has appeared in The Best American comics 2011, Mad magazine, Sunstone, The Comics Journal, MOME and numerous comics anthologies. I’m currently hard at work on my first graphic novel The Hypo which will be published by Fantagraphics books upon its completion. I’m a cancer and I hate seafood, and adventure.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
September 14, 2022
I love me some Noah Van Sciver but his latest collection, As a Cartoonist, was very weak with few strips in it that were entertaining or funny.
The 19th Century Cartoonist was elaborately drawn but was very tedious and unfunny. Mellow Mutt was about One Dirty Tree-era Noah and his friend, a talking plastic dinosaur, that was just dull. He relates a forgettable episode of when he went to a comics festival in 2016, and we learn about his promiscuous little brother Jonah, in a story that I think was meant to be hilarious and really wasn’t.
The story about his time at the Center for Cartoon Studies in Vermont was ok - he’s as fed up with PC-nonsense as much as anyone - and, though he says he can’t draw scenery well, there are some gorgeous pages of landscapes that prove otherwise. There are a lot of other random unimpressive sketches though that I think are included here to beef up the already quite spare page count.
His strip on seeing a copy of his first graphic novel, The Hypo, remaindered in a bookshop and conflicting art standards wasn’t bad, as was his story about touring his then-latest book, Saint Cole, in France. I don’t know anything about Noah’s personal life so it was nice to see, after so many strips about his various wanderings, he’s now settled down and got a wife, Amy, and a son, Remy, whom this book is dedicated to.
Noah’s books are generally brilliant but As a Cartoonist was disappointingly lacking in good material and read like a collection of stuff that was scraping the bottom of the barrel. If you’re a fan and looking to check this one out, don’t expect much. If you’re interested in this creator and haven’t read them yet, I recommend his better collections, Please Don’t Step On My JNCO Jeans and Youth is Wasted, instead.
The 19th Century Cartoonist was elaborately drawn but was very tedious and unfunny. Mellow Mutt was about One Dirty Tree-era Noah and his friend, a talking plastic dinosaur, that was just dull. He relates a forgettable episode of when he went to a comics festival in 2016, and we learn about his promiscuous little brother Jonah, in a story that I think was meant to be hilarious and really wasn’t.
The story about his time at the Center for Cartoon Studies in Vermont was ok - he’s as fed up with PC-nonsense as much as anyone - and, though he says he can’t draw scenery well, there are some gorgeous pages of landscapes that prove otherwise. There are a lot of other random unimpressive sketches though that I think are included here to beef up the already quite spare page count.
His strip on seeing a copy of his first graphic novel, The Hypo, remaindered in a bookshop and conflicting art standards wasn’t bad, as was his story about touring his then-latest book, Saint Cole, in France. I don’t know anything about Noah’s personal life so it was nice to see, after so many strips about his various wanderings, he’s now settled down and got a wife, Amy, and a son, Remy, whom this book is dedicated to.
Noah’s books are generally brilliant but As a Cartoonist was disappointingly lacking in good material and read like a collection of stuff that was scraping the bottom of the barrel. If you’re a fan and looking to check this one out, don’t expect much. If you’re interested in this creator and haven’t read them yet, I recommend his better collections, Please Don’t Step On My JNCO Jeans and Youth is Wasted, instead.
November 16, 2022
A kind of weird grab-bag of new and collected stuff by Noah Van Sciver pertaining to his chosen vocation, cartooning. So in one sense, it shows a range of his creative chops--different genres, including stories of a "19th Century Cartoonist, auto-bio comics about touring, writing, professional jealousy, pieces about his Dad and brother that affected his decisions along the way. Ordinarily he's funnier, but this balances personal reflection with his desire to be entertaining (not just a boring ol' memoir, I can see him saying, and he's right).
August 9, 2022
This book collects strips, mostly autobiographical (some fictional, but autobiographical) about Noah’s life as a cartoonist.
I’ve read a good chunk of this book before in Blammo, Now, and some other random places. There’s a handful of new pages.
Fans of his work will enjoy this.
I’ve read a good chunk of this book before in Blammo, Now, and some other random places. There’s a handful of new pages.
Fans of his work will enjoy this.
August 9, 2022
I want to make a metaphorical comparison between NVS' work and wine (in that it gets better with age), but I can't tell the difference between good and bad wine. I'm vegan, so the cheese metaphor isn't appropriate either. In any case, Van Sciver's work just keeps improving.
This book collects a healthy dose of autobio comics alongside full-page illustrations and some short, humorous pieces. I'd read some of it in the last two issues of Blammo, the NOW anthologies, etc., but I have no regrets having it all in one place and beautifully packaged. Van Sciver is one of a handful of artists/musicians from whom I'll buy just about anything.
This book collects a healthy dose of autobio comics alongside full-page illustrations and some short, humorous pieces. I'd read some of it in the last two issues of Blammo, the NOW anthologies, etc., but I have no regrets having it all in one place and beautifully packaged. Van Sciver is one of a handful of artists/musicians from whom I'll buy just about anything.
December 19, 2022
I always enjoy Van Sciver's work. These slice-of-life pieces mixed with other brief pieces are self-deprecating yet less bitter than his previous books. Reading about his relationships with family as an adult was quietly moving.
September 14, 2022
This is the first book I've read by Noah Van Sciver, and it was great. Admittedly I bought it on the strength of Dave Schaafsma's praise of his other work, the cover, and the subject matter related to the struggling cartoonist (as something of a struggling cartoonist myself), without knowing much beforehand. I love NVS's illustrations - he has a gift for small moments and nuanced expressions as well as larger spreads that juxtapose characters and landscapes. There's one scene in particular that shows the author sitting in a glade that's just breathtaking. As far as a narrative, it's a series of events connected by the threads of NVS's nascent creativity, imagination, and reflections on his success (?), relationships, and family. It holds together nicely and casts a kind of bittersweet (though often quite funny) spell. I'm not sure what I'll read next, but I'm certainly a convert.
December 3, 2025
Em primeiro lugar, não confundir o cartunista independente Noah Van Sciver com seu possível parente, e também quadrinista, Ethan Van Sciver, um dos agitadores do ComicsGate. Este Van Sciver é criador de Fante Bukovski e tem a mesma linha de tratamento das HQs do que a geração dos anos 1990/2000 de quadrinistas independentes e alternativos estadunidenses, que gostam de sarcasmo, ironia, melancolia e muita depressão em sua produção de quadrinhos. Antes que você pense, como eu, que Vida de Quadrinista é um relato melancólico e deprimente sobre a cena ou o fato de fazer quadrinhos, pense de novo. Trata-se de uma compilação de pequenas histórias biográficas do autor. nem todas elas se relacionam com o tema quadrinho, mas sim com as nuances da vida de Van Sciver que, nesta compilação, por acaso é também o quadrinista que conta sua própria vida. Outras HQs são mais sinceras quanto ao tema e também mais coerentes, dedicadas apenas à condição da profissão.
November 25, 2024
Rightly described as a grab-bag, a treat for Sciver fans but not a place to start with his work. JNCO Jeans is where I’d suggest. Lovely book, but one for the heads.
September 24, 2025
Ma come mai si ritrae così bruttino? Un disagio spassoso.
November 4, 2022
A collection of autobiographical comics about NVS's journey as a cartoonist, of which significant chunks were previously serialized in other anthology comics like Blammo or NOW. Van Sciver is easily one of the current greats in the alternative comics space, and "As A Cartoonist" is a masterful collection proving why. His humor is deft, his cartooning is loose yet confident, the stories are told with incredible utility, and the added colors truly make the pages pop. The story "Jonah" stands out the most in this collection, with Van Sciver taking a fully unapologetic look at his relationship with one of his brothers.
There's a real earnestness to this book. One of my favorite releases of 2022.
There's a real earnestness to this book. One of my favorite releases of 2022.
Want to read
December 14, 2021Note: I accessed a digital review copy of this book through Edelweiss.
October 23, 2022
“Your earlier funnier work is my favorite.” - fan from page 37. I disagree. I have copies or trades of his older stuff and his new stuff is better. I love his diary comics and this books is all about that. I love his story about his childhood and teenage years. They hit me because I remember that time period well. I was a kid at that time too. If you like diary comics and Noah Van Sciver this is the comic for you.
Note: this last part is more of why I think Noah Van Sciver is awesome and less about the comic. Just read the comic, you’ll like it.
I’ve read a lot of Noah Van Sciver. I know I haven’t read all his comics, but the ones I do get ahold of I enjoy. As A Cartoonist is a wonderful mix of diary comics with other comics sprinkled in. I feel a close connection to Van Sciver. He’s a successful comic creator and I make webcomics no one reads. He grew up Mormon, I grew up Mormon. It’s weird to think I know a lot about this him from all his comics, but I don’t really know him. I’ve never spoken to him or met him. Yet I look up to him as an artist. I look at how he draws landscapes and wonder how he does it. His style is a perfect mesh of cartoon realism, if that’s even a thing. Sometimes I’ll just stare at his comics without reading them. I’ll look at the line work and think how does he do this. I guess he puts pen to paper, but there has to be something more than that. He’s a great cartoonist, in my humble opinion one of our generations greatest.
Note: this last part is more of why I think Noah Van Sciver is awesome and less about the comic. Just read the comic, you’ll like it.
I’ve read a lot of Noah Van Sciver. I know I haven’t read all his comics, but the ones I do get ahold of I enjoy. As A Cartoonist is a wonderful mix of diary comics with other comics sprinkled in. I feel a close connection to Van Sciver. He’s a successful comic creator and I make webcomics no one reads. He grew up Mormon, I grew up Mormon. It’s weird to think I know a lot about this him from all his comics, but I don’t really know him. I’ve never spoken to him or met him. Yet I look up to him as an artist. I look at how he draws landscapes and wonder how he does it. His style is a perfect mesh of cartoon realism, if that’s even a thing. Sometimes I’ll just stare at his comics without reading them. I’ll look at the line work and think how does he do this. I guess he puts pen to paper, but there has to be something more than that. He’s a great cartoonist, in my humble opinion one of our generations greatest.
July 19, 2023
A collection of short works of graphic memoir, most having appeared in other publications, As a Cartoonist reflects on prolific and multi-talented cartoonist Noah Van Sciver’s growth and evolution as an artist. Equal parts contemplative and droll, Van Sciver’s work here reflects the various lenses that he works with, such as the humorous historical pastiches of the 19th Century Master Cartoonist, bittersweet childhood recollections in Mellow Mutt, all bracketed by pieces in which Van Sciver considers his career.
At the same time, he illustrates a kind of culture clash with the contemporary comics genre, finding himself mutually bewildered among other young cartoonists, ambiguous toward their political and artistic interests. There is a bit of an old school style to his work here, harkening back to the heyday of angsty alternative comics, as reflected in the list of influences and recommendations for further reading Van Sciver includes. Like these works, Van Sciver often depicts himself in an unflattering light as he bumbles through awkward comics retreats and readings, seemingly surprised to have gotten to where he is, complaining about his own inability to draw nature, for instance, in panels of lovely Vermont countryside.
At the same time, he illustrates a kind of culture clash with the contemporary comics genre, finding himself mutually bewildered among other young cartoonists, ambiguous toward their political and artistic interests. There is a bit of an old school style to his work here, harkening back to the heyday of angsty alternative comics, as reflected in the list of influences and recommendations for further reading Van Sciver includes. Like these works, Van Sciver often depicts himself in an unflattering light as he bumbles through awkward comics retreats and readings, seemingly surprised to have gotten to where he is, complaining about his own inability to draw nature, for instance, in panels of lovely Vermont countryside.
October 12, 2022
This is Noah Van Sciver's introspection of the world of cartooning and his own personal life. It has the salt of the Earth stylings of a Harvey Pekar and the sardonic sense of humor of a Daniel Clowes.
A mixture of vignettes and memoirs the knowing of what is real is always in question but it's never really the point. Sciver seems to be undergoing a form of imposter syndrome therapy in the way he harkens back to the earliest Cartoonist in order to juxtapose their struggles with his own wondering if the pioneers can be forgotten who. Will be remembered.
It is an interesting question to ponder especially with the medium of comics where even great success has massive limitations. Sciver is always truthful and down to ear ll along bringing plenty of the funny with him. I clicked with the entire sensibility that was presented and this is easily one of my favorite reads of the year thus far.
A mixture of vignettes and memoirs the knowing of what is real is always in question but it's never really the point. Sciver seems to be undergoing a form of imposter syndrome therapy in the way he harkens back to the earliest Cartoonist in order to juxtapose their struggles with his own wondering if the pioneers can be forgotten who. Will be remembered.
It is an interesting question to ponder especially with the medium of comics where even great success has massive limitations. Sciver is always truthful and down to ear ll along bringing plenty of the funny with him. I clicked with the entire sensibility that was presented and this is easily one of my favorite reads of the year thus far.
August 2, 2023
From the shelves of the New graphic novels, and perhaps by way of my recent Peter Bagge binge (Bagge turns up in one tale here, and in the closing "Glossary of Favorite Comics" - which may not be the comic equivalent of ye olde Nurse with Wound list of music, but is pretty swell).
The book holds together quite well, especially well as it is a collection of some old Blammo reprints, and previously unpublished tales from the road and family. Deeply personal at times, with a heavy heaping of self-deprecation but maybe more gentle honesty and a few drops of hope. Hello, Remy!
Drawn in what feels to me like the R. Crumb school (what do I know, admittedly not much) but the" Pekar-esque" quote on the back of the bucket fits as well. I'm more Pekar-prone personally.
Kind of want my 20-year old comic devotees to read this, but am hoping they stumble upon it on their own. They'll enjoy it more that way, and likely moreso if that happens in a decade or so.
The book holds together quite well, especially well as it is a collection of some old Blammo reprints, and previously unpublished tales from the road and family. Deeply personal at times, with a heavy heaping of self-deprecation but maybe more gentle honesty and a few drops of hope. Hello, Remy!
Drawn in what feels to me like the R. Crumb school (what do I know, admittedly not much) but the" Pekar-esque" quote on the back of the bucket fits as well. I'm more Pekar-prone personally.
Kind of want my 20-year old comic devotees to read this, but am hoping they stumble upon it on their own. They'll enjoy it more that way, and likely moreso if that happens in a decade or so.
February 3, 2024
As a big fan of Noah Van Sciver's work, this is a fascinating memoir (with a fair number of asides) that shows key elements in his life and his career. There's reflections about his working and his following, with a few great running jokes about encounters with fans, as well as very heartfelt moments of making peace with his upbringing as he reconnects with his family as an adult. In a weird way, it makes me both jealous of his cartooning career at the same time it makes me glad it's a career path I didn't follow. Readers who've read his other work, especially the autobiographical One Dirty Tree, will have more context for some of his stories and experiences.
May 14, 2023
There are some similarities to One Dirty Tree in the flashbacks to childhood, but the focus is on Van Sciver's feelings about being a cartoonist--going on signing tours where no one comes to get their book signed, feeling popular at conferences but struggling to make ends meet, and being embarrassed by his family when he has an art show in his hometown. Cartoons about cartoonists are a bit reflexive but also strongly authentic. I'm familiar with his self-deprecating humor, because I've been there myself. There were a few short comics done in other styles and they were funny. A short and enjoyable read.
November 13, 2023
Has some great thoughts about creativity and being a cartoonist but the collection feels scattered!
I felt his stories were the strongest when it was focusing on the family. His short comic about Van Sciver reconnecting with his dad was particularly heartwarming and his story about his younger brother was interesting in seeing the dynamic.
The inclusion of a story about being frustrated at different folks (no matter how nerdy or annoying they are) felt like the typical generational shift of a new group of cartoonists coming in and was dusty-musty.
Would love to still give his other books a shot because the cartooning overall is excellent,.
I felt his stories were the strongest when it was focusing on the family. His short comic about Van Sciver reconnecting with his dad was particularly heartwarming and his story about his younger brother was interesting in seeing the dynamic.
The inclusion of a story about being frustrated at different folks (no matter how nerdy or annoying they are) felt like the typical generational shift of a new group of cartoonists coming in and was dusty-musty.
Would love to still give his other books a shot because the cartooning overall is excellent,.
August 18, 2024
I’m coming to the realization that for NVS I favor heavily his comedy leaning books. This and One Dirty Tree left me feeling virtually the same.
It’s interesting to see an inside look at who he is. Interesting enough to re read multiple times and keep it on the book shelf? Not for me
There are some entraining spots, however it’s just going over a life of a very normal somewhat well adjusted person. Where’s the entertainment in that? I read to have fun and get away from real life or to learn/grow skills. This book didn’t really do either of those things.
Id recommend this as a one time read for NVS fans.
Everyone who isn’t already a fan of him I’d pass and start with Fante Bukowski
It’s interesting to see an inside look at who he is. Interesting enough to re read multiple times and keep it on the book shelf? Not for me
There are some entraining spots, however it’s just going over a life of a very normal somewhat well adjusted person. Where’s the entertainment in that? I read to have fun and get away from real life or to learn/grow skills. This book didn’t really do either of those things.
Id recommend this as a one time read for NVS fans.
Everyone who isn’t already a fan of him I’d pass and start with Fante Bukowski
February 29, 2024
This was my first time reading any of Van Sciver's works and I'm absolutely blown away by his incredible art. The stories are short and sweet, a lot of common musings of a cartoonist. I really enjoyed the Mellow Mutt stories best!
My one teeny little complaint regarding this book is that in 2 stories I get a sense of discomfort at the younger modern world, not understanding the "woke SJWs". It doesn't feel hateful at the very least but still left a bad taste. Not enough to ruin it completely though, it's very small in a sea of good ideas but wish it had been handled differently.
My one teeny little complaint regarding this book is that in 2 stories I get a sense of discomfort at the younger modern world, not understanding the "woke SJWs". It doesn't feel hateful at the very least but still left a bad taste. Not enough to ruin it completely though, it's very small in a sea of good ideas but wish it had been handled differently.
September 8, 2022
Absolutely beautiful work! This just might be my favorite Van Sciver book (but I haven’t finished the Joseph Smith book yet). Really engaging and wonderful stories. I almost choked up with the last one on the day his son was born. I’ve pondered about doing a comic similar to that experience at the birth of my daughter.
But do yourself a favor a check this collection out. Noah is an outstanding cartoonist.
But do yourself a favor a check this collection out. Noah is an outstanding cartoonist.
April 23, 2025
Ma kako me je potegnla notr tale zbirka kratkih zgodb. Moja prva knjiga tega avtorja, ma mi je zares všeč njegov linija in kako nariše ljudi. Pa seveda je pomagalo da je prva kratka zgodba o tem kako je en mulc lagal da je že vidu film Jurski park preden je pršov v kino in si zgodbo čist narobe zmislu samo zato da bi se pred drugimi fanti dokazal, haha.
Zelo všeč, komej čakam da pridejo še druge, ker itak sem si skor vse njegovo naročil, kar sem lahko dobil :)
Zelo všeč, komej čakam da pridejo še druge, ker itak sem si skor vse njegovo naročil, kar sem lahko dobil :)
December 3, 2022
The amazing imagination and even daily life of american cartoonists makes me see how they’re privileged enough not to care about the reality or (their) politics. Which is the opposite of my work.
Great book none the less!
Great book none the less!
January 22, 2023
An enjoyable collection of humorous odds and ends. Some are seemingly autobiographical journal comics and some are fictional goofs about a 19th century cartoonist, and I enjoyed it all. Van Sciver’s style is quirky and expressive, and I’m excited to check out more from him.
January 28, 2023
Nice mix of short autobiographical stories, most concentrating on Van Sciver's life as a cartoonist. Only complaint is it skips fast from lonely and hopeless in Columbus to happy and married in Columbia with no in between. Will always be impressed by the amount and quality of his output.
May 24, 2023
Call it high three rounded up out of respect for Van Sciver sharing a lot of personal, and sometimes potentially embarassing, personal stories. I also really enjoyed the stories that featured the old time comic artist dude.
November 1, 2024
A series of comic strips drawn in different styles and color palettes. Many of them are autobiographical and give you a glimpse into the life of an cartoontist. The stories of his past and family history were the most interesting so were the imagined life as a 19th century cartoonist.
August 31, 2022
your earlier funny work is my favorite. why don’t you do comics like that now?
October 31, 2022
Great collection of strips related to the life of a cartoonist, which as we know is the highest calling.
December 18, 2022
I thought this was a great read, and I'd recommend it to any fans of the genre. I'll be looking for more of NVS books!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews