HARDtalk: The Dave Sim Interview (1)

Dave Sim has very kindly agreed to take time out of his busy schedule to participate in 'a-question-a-day' style interview. Thanks to Stephen Holland (co-founder/owner of the UK-based comics store Page 45), Eric Hoffman (editor of the collected essays Cerebus The Barbarian Messiah) and Dominck Grace (co-editor with Eric of the upcoming Dave Sim: Conversations) for taking turns in the interviewer's chair. Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome... Mr. Dave Sim!

Okay, everyone thank Tim for being so generous at the Kickstarter campaign, waiving his Dave Sim phone call in exchange for this (these?) interview(s?).  Not sure how many questions I'll get to or how often, but I'll try to keep up. First question goes to Tim his own self:

Oscar Wilde once said, "The only thing worse than being talked about is NOT being talked about". Discuss.  

I assume this counts for half of my final grade.  Speaking from personal experience over the last twenty years, I'd have to say there's a meeting place between the two:  where you are pointedly NOT being talked about (i.e. shunned and "ignored to death") and also being talked about in entirely negative terms (i.e. when you get to the point where anything nice that is said about you is framed in terms of "While I completely disagree with everything Dave Sim says and I think we all know that he's bat-s--t insane, there's something to be said for the quality of his lettering").  Obviously, Oscar Wilde experienced that himself after the "debacle".  I'd have fled to a metaphorical Paris, but I have no idea where that might be in the comic-book world.  

Oscar Wilde in Cerebus #121 (April 1989)
Art by Dave Sim & Gerhard

Tomorrow's question?  Or the next day.  Or the next day?  Anyway, it goes to Stephen Holland of PAGE 45 who prefaces his question with "My personal affection for Dave has never wavered, nor my stance in sticking up for him in public where it actually counts WHEN it counted most..."

PAST tense, Stephen?  Hardly!  We're still at under 400 names on the petition.  You're still in the "uncommon bravery" category, pooh-pooh it as I'm sure you will.

"But, I think it's time to introduce the man to the concept of BBC's 'HARDtalk'.  It makes for a more interesting interview when the interviewer is at least informed and wants his subject to shine."

MM.  My impression of "HARDtalk" from Tim's description is that the 'shine' comes from the sweat glistening on the subject's forehead in the 3rd Degree klieg lights.  Do your worst, copper!

Dave, it was a pleasure to receive your random phone call the other day, habitually out of the blue.  You were funny, gracious and convivial.  It was just like old times on the signing circuit.  Your personable charm was always one of your best weapons.  Any plans now to finally come down off that cross and walk among us once more?  Even Uncle Alan gets out and about.

GASP! What will Dave Sim say to that? ("Funny, Gracious and Convivial, good morning. I'm sorry Mr. Funny isn't in today, would you care to speak to Mr. Convivial?")  Tune in tomorrow. Same Moment of Cerebus Time! Same Moment of Cerebus Channel!

Alan Moore in Cerebus #239 (February 1999)
Art by Dave Sim & Gerhard