Note: Teaming up, I and Ommus from Indie Pulp have taken a two-pronged approach to talking about Jeff Lemire’s The Nobody. Ommus was able to ask Jeff Lemire some questions, asking him about his latest graphic novel and its influences. After this interview, you’ll find my review of The Nobody, Lemire’s take on the story of the Invisible Man.
For more creator interviews and reviews, check out Indie Pulp.
OMMUS: Although based on the original H.G. Wells story, “The Nobody” is less an adaptation than a liberal interpretation of the classic. Why did you choose not to do a more faithful rendition?
JEFF LEMIRE: I wasn’t interested in doing a simple adaptation. What drew me to the book in the first place was using the iconic symbol of the “bandaged stranger” and setting him loose in a modern small town. I saw this as a great way to explore themes of identity, paranoia and prejudice. So it was more the basic set-up of Wells story that I wanted to use. I think doing a scene by scene adaptation would be pointless excercise.
Ommus: In “The Nobody” you explore facets of small town relationships—in particular, family bonds, mob paranoia and racism. This seems a deeper (or at least a darker) exploration of themes developed in your “Essex County” stories. Why is the small town experience so important for you?
Lemire: Well, I grew up in a small town, so I guess in a lot of ways I’m exploring my own past. I think it is, in some ways a romanticized view of where I grew up, and in other ways a colder, starker version as well. The way all the characters know each other, and their lives intertwine so neatly is obviously a bit idealized and manipulated to tell a “complete” story. In the real world everyone is connected, but in much less obvious and, um…thematic ways. Also, Visually, I took the things I loved the most about the Essex County landscape, (old rust farm equipment, tattered wooden barns, vast open fields, endless telephone lined running off into the horizon), and focused on these, almost creating an idealized, almost timeless visual shorthand for the setting. I ignored many things I didn’t find particularly appealing: like the suburban sprawl and big box retail that is slowly creeping in.
At the same time, the focus on Griffin and his “dislocation” (both from himself and place) is juxtaposed against the struggles of the story’s female narrator, a 16-year-old struggling to find her place in reference to her family, her town and the world.
Ommus:Can you talk a bit about your motivations and thinking behind setting off these two characters against one another?
Lemire: Growing up on a farm, in a small town I felt like a total outsider, especially as an awkward comic-book loving teenager. To me being a teen in a small town is like being a total outsider. No one understands you (or so you think). So it seemed like a perfect fit to take these two outsiders, one running away from the past, one wanting to run away from her present and have their friendship be the core of the narrative.
Ommus: As an interpretation of someone else’s work, how did “The Nobody” evolve creatively in comparison to the “Essex” stories?
Lemire: The Essex County books were a much more personal, and much more exhaustive emotionally. Afterwards, I wanted to tell a different kind of story, something pulpier and darker. I had always been a fan of Wells, and the iconic bandaged character was so much fun to draw that I thought it would be a great way to explore another side of rural life. Referencing the original Wells book didn’t give me any particular challenges, since I was so liberal with my interpretation of it anyway. If anything it was a source of inspiration. If I had set out to do a straight adaptation of Wells book I may well have found it more challenging and restrictive than it was.
Ommus:The ending leaves the door open to a possible continuation of Griffin’s story. Do you have plans for additional stories of “The Nobody”?
Lemire: I wanted the ending to be able to be interpreted a lot of ways, like Griffen himself. Having said that, I don’t anticipate revisiting the world of The Nobody. I feel like I told the story I have to tell with that character, so it’s on to new ideas and new stories like Sweet Tooth.
Ommus: Vertigo is known for its cutting edge limited series more than original graphic novels. Why release the story as an OGN rather than a limited series?
Lemire: At the time, Vertigo was looking to expand its line of OGNs, and, on the strength of my Essex County books, I saw that as an opportunity to “get in the door”. And, I suppose it worked. Having said that, I am now working on a regular monthly book for them called “Sweet Tooth” and that has been an incredible experience so far.
Similar Posts:
- Guestblogging about Jeff Lemire at Warren Peace
- A Canadian Magnolia? – a review of Essex County: The Country Nurse
- Was he ever really there? – a review of Jeff Lemire’s The Nobody
- Weekly Comic Shopping List 3/3/10
- Weekly Comic Shopping List 5/12/10
Tags: Jefff Lemire, The Nobody