One of the things I like about Tom Spurgeon’s series of “Holiday” interviews is that he always picks at least one or two folks who aren’t cartoonists per se but have a role in the industry that provides them with a unique and worthwhile viewpoint. Today it’s former Highwater Books publisher and now Drawn and Quarterly “Creative Director” Tom Devlin:
SPURGEON: What has your influence been most concretely felt there at D&Q? What is different about the company for your involvement, do you think?
DEVLIN: There’s more talking in the office? No, I’m not sure. I hope the company doesn’t seem too much different to people honestly. It’s no longer just this one sweet Canadian guy working out of his apartment. Now there’s brash loudmouth Americans in the mix.
I’ve always been leery of diluting Chris’ editorial vision with mine (not that they are so wildly dissimilar but the company is very editorially consistent under Chris’ direction.) But I very much did not want to storm in and “Highwater-ize” the place, I like to think I am very respectful of what Chris and all of his cartoonists have created over the past two decades. He has the most consistent vision of a comics publisher ever. The last thing I would want to do is come in acting like I know more than “The Chief”; it’s just not possible. I hope that my involvement on a small level complements all that Chris has achieved.
March 6th, 2012 at 3:45 am
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