I was very aware of the fact that there are a lot of comics out there that I love, because I've grown up my whole life reading comics and I know every little nuance of the language and all the implications.

I think most cartoonists are solitary, lonely kids who use their work as a way to try to connect with the world. If I had any other skills that were more performative - if I could have been a musician or an actor - I'm sure I would have pursued that instead in order to get that instant feedback and to hear applause.

I think a lot of the criticism had to do with disliking the characters - which, again, I take as something of a compliment.

One of the by-products of being allowed to start my professional career prematurely is that the evolution of my work is really evident.

I set myself up for a lot of trouble by wanting to tell a story that is fairly earnest and emotional and expressive, but to do it in the most subtle, realistic way.

I started publishing my comic while I was still living with my parents.

There were certainly some people who wanted me to do a feel-good story that affirmed a lot of very commonly held beliefs.