HIVE is a locally-produced quarterly comics anthology with international distribution. The fourth edition is due out at the end of April and is loaded with talented cartoonists. TAGSGF.com is tracking down its contributors to give you an inside look at what makes these cartoonists tick.
Noah Van Sciver
Denver’s Noah Van Sciver has been published from Colorado to the Czech Republic. He makes brutally honest statements with clean illustration and conversational stories. HIVE Publisher Jordan Shiveley said Van Sciver is the “rising star” of issue four, but his work speaks for itself. Check out his website and keep a look out for more on HIVE Four. TAGSGF.com caught up with Van Sciver.
TAG: First, tell us a little about yourself and how you got hooked up with HIVE.
Noah Van Sciver: I’m an alternative cartoonist. I’m getting older everyday.
HIVE contacted me after the last issue came out to see if I’d be interested in appearing in the next issue. And I am always interested in working with anybody who also works with Hawk Krall, who is incredible.
TAG: How did you get started cartooning? Did you always have an interest in it?
NVS: Yeah, I’ve always loved cartoons and comics.
Whenever I think about it, it’s like drawing comics was a family thing.
All the boys in my family drew comics when we were growing up in this broken down house in New Jersey.
So, as I got older, it just seemed like the natural thing to do.
TAG: What cartoons did you read growing up? Who are some people you keep up with today?
NVS: I read a ton of stupid stuff. I won’t lie.
I read Ren & Stimpy, Ralph Snart, and this Calvin & Hobbes book that we had in our home. Also, Spawn was really big when I was growing up so I of course loved that. Milk & Cheese was also a comic that we had around as well.
TAG: The term “cartoon” has childish undertones. Your work boasts a dryish humor for adults. Describe your work to people who may not be familiar. What should they expect?
NVS: Expect that I am going to give you pure and simple entertainment and
easily understood comics.
I like to write short fiction comics as well as obscure historical stories.
For example, one of my most popular comics was about a man in Denver who killed another man
and then lived in his attic undetected for a long time. It’s a true story that didn’t get too much attention.
I would say that most of my work touches on themes dealing with desperation and how bad things can get.
TAG: How biographical does this become? There is one figure who shows up frequently and looks a bit like you. How much of the dialogue comes from you and how much is from your interpretation of the characters?
NVS: That figure is myself. I guess it’s all me. Although I try to write from other characters perspective.
When I do write autobiographical things, I do it with just the plain truth about myself,
but people always read those comics and think I’m being self deprecating. Unfortunately, I am not.
TAG: Where have you been published and what are some of your favorite collections?
NVS: I’ve been published all over the place. From MOME and The Comics Journal, to comics in the Czech Republic. I have a weekly comic strip in Denver’s Alt. Weekly Westword called 4 Questions which is a four panel interview comic that is conducted with a different band every week.
I recommend people seek out my comic book BLAMMO for the full Van Sciver experience.
TAG: Do you have any strips that stick with you? At what point in the process do you know you’ve got a great cartoon?
NVS: Yeah, I did this comic strip a couple of years ago about the horrible living conditions of my apartment here in Denver. I published it and my landlady some how got a copy of it. That led to a very uncomfortable conversation. But, people seem to really enjoy that comic.
Whenever I’m working on a new comic strip and it makes my girlfriend laugh, I know I’ve got a good one.
TAG: There’s plenty of options to play around Denver. When you aren’t drawing, how do you spend your time?
NVS: Most of the time I’m out taking a walk. Denver’s weather is almost always sunny. I like to go to the bookstores around here and relax. At night I’ll go out to see a band play somewhere.
Maybe get a drink at a bar.
TAG: Rocky Mountains or Colorado River?
NVS: Rocky Mountains.
TAG: Kyle Orton or Brady Quinn?
NVS: Well, Brady Quinn is my age so I guess I’ll go with him
just for that Orwell year of 1984.
TAG: Pinball or Skeeball?
NVS: Hhhmm… Pinball.
TAG: What’s the best recent album you’ve picked up? Comic book?
NVS: Jeremy Jay‘s album “A place where we could go”
is my new favorite album. He’s great.
A really good comic book is King-Cat by John Porcellino.
Poetically beautiful and honest.
TAG: Anything you’d like to add?
NVS: Yeah, I would like to win an ignatz award sometime.
Thank you.
Excerpt from Noah Van Sciver's I Want to Be Special to You
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