Jason Little

Jason Little is the author of the Xeric-winning Jack's Luck Runs Out, the double-Ignatz-winning Shutterbug Follies, and Eisner-finalist Motel Art Improvement Service. In 2015 Uncivilized Books will publish Borb, the slapstick misfortunes of a severely alcoholic homeless man. When not at the drawing board, Jason teaches cartooning at the School of Visual Arts.

(drawing of Jason Little by T. Motley)

Have you always been creative and artistic?

How would you describe the style of your work?

With each project I deliberately collect images from other artists to emulate so that the work is a different as possible from the last thing I did. In the end, to me, it just comes out looking like I did it, but my peers usually comment on how different each project is from the last one.

What’s in your pencil case and what’s your favorite tool?

My tools are very traditional: Raphel brushes and a Hunt 102 nib. I'm moving back to graphite pencil after working with Colerase light blue for years.

Who is your favorite superhero?

I like brilliant, funny superheroes like Jack Cole's Plastic Man and C.C. Beck's Captain Marvel. Grim, dark, or "realistic" superhero comics seem to be missing the point to me.

If you could have one super power what would it be?

To never have to sleep.

Where do you look for inspiration?

Lately, mostly to psychedelic comics and illustration. I've also been reading a lot of science fiction and non-fiction. There's a great time-travel book by David Gerrold called The Man Who Folded Himself. And the science book I return to the most is Cosmos by Carl Sagan.

Who are your favorite artists or comic book authors?

Right now I'm really inspired by Belgian cartoonist Guy Peellaert's comics from the 1960s, Pravda and The Adventures of Jodelle. I also am excited about Philippe Caza's early psychedelic comics, particularly Kris Kool.