Words With Waiting: Nick Gurewitch, PBF Creator

Interviewee: Nicholas Gurewitch
Interviewer: Gambit

Over the years, there have been many web comic phenomenons that I couldn't get into. The punchline is pretty much expected, while filled with video game or movie references I wouldn't get.

But then I found The Perry Bible Fellowship, an almost twisted and intelligent take on comic strips in the vein of Gary Larson, and ever since, its been one of few comic strips that makes me laugh out loud.

Nicholas Gurewitch is the creator of PBF, who gives us a look into his creative and hillarious world every week, whether its about a vampire frog or a marriage proposal spelled out in corpses.

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Gambit: So first off, how do you come up with the name Perry Bible Fellowship?

-Nick Gurewitch: I didn't come up with it. It's borrowed from an actual diocese.

I’ve got to say, out of all the PBF strips you’ve done, Mimes and Gotcha the Clown are my favorites. I know it’s probably like choosing which one of your children is the best, but which one is your favorite?

-Seems like you have an affinity for painted faces. Interesting. I myself hold "Billy the Bunny" close to my heart, but don't think I've made any efforts to figure out my favorite.

One of the things I love about PBF is that it’s an intelligent comic, unlike the other junk we’ve see on the internet and in newspapers these days. Your lack of pop culture references or fart jokes are some of the many reasons why I tune in every week. What were some of your influences that made your strips so different from every other comic strip out there?

-Influences for the PBF might not even have been comics. Maybe just crazy adventures with friends, and a focused notion of what makes me laugh in real life.

Are you ever going to publish your comics into a book or collection? I'd definetly buy it.

-Yeah. Comin' up.

So what methods do you usually use to make the strips? I noticed that you used game sprites recently in strip Punch Bout.

-I recall using Paint Shop Pro for Punch Bout. I normally stick to the ol' pen and paper, but color with whatever's handy (markers, pencils, watercolours, etc.)

Did ever think about making the strips longer, like maybe to comic length? Or maybe even a little shorter?

-Shorter might be nice. I find it difficult to present a story in a single frame though. I haven't yet had the inspiriation to make a really long PBF either. It seems they become non-PBFish after 5 or 6 frames...but I might try that too someday.

Besides PBF, I really enjoy your other art. Though, I hate to call it “other” art, since it sounds inferior. The stuff you’ve done with film and art pieces are absolutely amazing. I remember a friend of my ransacking and raiding the internet like a viking while looking for a desktop wallpaper friendly version of “Zef’s Adventures In Level 5.” What is your favorite piece of art you’ve done over the years?

-Probably the sketches in my sketch pads.

Your films are great, also. The Liars is very impressive, and very well shot. Can we expect to see any upcoming films?

-Yes.

Another one of your films, Ken's New Specs, is based on one of the strips you did for PBF. Are you going to make films based on any other of the strips you did later on down the road?

-Probably not. There are so many cool ideas that I realize I can't do in comic strip format. I should really put my film efforts into those.

Out of all the reoccuring characters that pop up in PBF, which one do hope to do more with? I always look forward to ones featuring the Schlorbians or Refridgeron and Magnimus.

-When it comes to character reoccurence, I think my favorite thing is cameos. For instance, you can see the Scuba Diver from "Tub Times" in "Sven's Revenge", and Sven Senior on the wall in "Lumberjack."

Lastly, is there any other comic or strips that you enjoy reading? I can't really seem to find any other strips that display the humor and mind-set that PBF gives us every week, besides any Larsen strips.

-I don't read comics that regularly, but have enjoyed a number of them, including Achewood and Dinosaur Comics. People tell me A Lesson is Learned but the Damage is Irreversible has a similar love of absurdity. I fondly concur.

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You can look for Gurewitch's weekly installment of The Perry Bible Fellowship on his website.

Related Links:
PBF Archives
Nick Gurewitch's Films
Achewood
Dinosaur Comics
A Lesson is Learned but the Damage is Irreversible