Joe Matt

+ Moon Knight, Batman and The Punisher in a bar.

We lost one of The Beatles of memoir comix. Pennsylvania born Joe Matt died at his California art table from an apparent heart attack at the age of just-turned 60. PEEPSHOW and Joe's slice-of-life comix are legendary and influenced my own semi-autobiographical work. No matter how cringe inducing (like a perverted Peter Parker), Joe gifted us permission to embarrass ourselves in public. To disarm the reader with too much information and document human faults in hopes of obtaining human connection.

Joe's well documented friendship with Canadian cartoonists Chester Brown and Seth was epic; akin to a funny book Rat Pack cum Three Stooges. Even if his output slowed down the last decade or so, it's crystal clear that he lived very small in order to write and draw. It's criminal that his important work is out-of-print.

I believe it was at SPX in 2002 that I met and hung out with Joe. He was innocent and inquisitive and very sweet. We got along famously. I try to take a "no permissions -- no apologies" stance in my personal work. I know a part of my mantra was inspired by Joe Matt's over-honest yet potentially bridge-burning oeuvre in order to convey truth.

When someone dies in hip-hop they say, "pour out a little liquor for the brothers and sisters who can't be with us." To honor the life and comix of Joe Matt, take a piss in the sink.

4 Sale!
COVID COP w/S&H = $20
BILLY DOGMA w/S&H = $30
Get BOTH for $45!
venmo (@Dean-Haspiel)
paypal (dean.haspiel@verizon.net) — last four digits: 8150
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Thanks!

Moon Knight, Batman and The Punisher in a bar.

I've been busy finishing commissions for my comix Kickstarters while working on a very exciting short story for a marvelous kids book project. If you wanna hire me for a commission, I’m available and let’s talk. I don’t sell original art from my published and personal works — so this is one of the only ways you can get something original from me.

Meanwhile, I’ve also written the scripts for my next two Deep Cut comix and I’m just figuring out the best time to schedule production and Kickstarter launch dates. I’ve started to think about a 3-5 year self-publishing plan that I don’t wanna jinx. But ya gotta dream…

Happy Birthday JEN!

love, Dean

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