Ordinary life is pretty complex stuff.

American Splendor is just an ongoing journal. It's an ongoing autobiography. I started it when I was in my early 30s, and I just keep going.

It's the stuff that happens right in front of your face when there's no routine and everything is unexpected. That's what I want to write about.

I thought I had a great opportunity when I started doing my comic book in 1972. I thought there was so much territory to work in.

It makes you feel good to know that there's other people afflicted like you.

I write scripts in storyboard fashion using stick figures, and thought balloons and word balloons and captions. Then I'll write descriptions of what scenes should look like and turn it over to the artist

I always wanted praise and I always wanted attention; I won't lie to you. I was a jazz critic and that wasn't good enough for me. I wanted people to write about me, not me about them. So I thought, What could I do? I can't sing, I can't dance, I can't act or anything like that. OK, I can write.