Review: Joe Sacco

Feb 10, 2025

Joe Sacco was a PSU on Feb 6. They called it a “fireside chat” which was misleading since it was in the main performance space of Lincoln Hall, not a fireplace in sight.

Who cares! It was awesome!

He was the guest of the comics department, so we heard a little about what’s going on at the university, and he was in conversation for a while. The story collection and interview process for his books was fascinating. , but things got really cooking with the Q and A. He’s alienated by the homelessness crisis in Portland and the local political response and human misery. Also the end of working creativity for the emerging artist - “the reason I learned my craft was I could work part time at the library and afford a studio apartment in downtown Portland. … if you’re spending all your time working to make rent and living with roommates it can be difficult to hone a craft. “

He talked about the social and economic collapse of the country while we’re obliterating people’s homes and lives in Palestine. Creating more shit for ourselves locally and internationally every fucking day. He was disheartened that Palestine is still so relevant, and talked about writing War on Gaza which started as a series of comics published on The Comics Journal’s website, cause he didn’t want to deal with censorship. It’s half about the genocide, and half about our complicity as the main arms dealer. “This is an ugly experience of pushing people against a wall.” He was very proud of the student movement and said it was the only thing that was giving him hope. “this feeling that the narrative is changing, and you’re the generation where the narrative is going to change. Cause it wasn’t with my generation at all. So thank you.”

“It’s a privilege to be able to talk to people.” It’s true. I’m glad he came out to talk to us.