Stop Forgetting to Remember: The Autobiography of Walter Kurtz

By Peter Kuper

Book Overview

WHO SHOT WALTER KURTZ? Nobody. Walter Kurtz doesn't exist. He's the alter ego of me, Peter Kuper. But, if he were real, perhaps his obituary would read something like this: Walter Kurtz, illustrator and self-exposing cartoonist, dies of embarrassment at 48. Walter Alan Kurtz, born September 22,1958, in Cleveland, Ohio, to Harvey and Olive Kurtz (an Ellis Island rewrite from Kurtzberg), was pronounced dead at Mt. Sinai Hospital on Monday. He was rushed there following his collapse at the publication party for his coming-of-middle-age novel,Stop Forgetting to Remember.Kurtz was among the wave of cartoonists who helped to redefine the medium of comics and ushered in an explosion of interest in the graphic novel. He was noted for drawing the world-famous "Ebony vs. Ivory" forNutsmagazine every month and for cofounding the political zineBomb Shelterwith his lifelong friend Saul Blockman. As an educator and lecturer, Kurtz has encouraged legions of aspiring cartoonists to avoid entering the field. He was a successful illustrator whose work appeared in numerous newspapers and magazines, but his heart belonged to cartooning until the end. Survived by his wife, Sandra B. Russ, and their only child. Of course, a laundry list of Walter Kurtz's accomplishments barely scratches the surface of the cartoon character. Are professional details what define an alter ego? "Brilliantly insightful," "Painfully hilarious," and "Pow! Blam! Bang! Comics aren't just for kids anymore!" are words I've heard to describe Walter Kurtz's work.Yet I can't keep from wondering whether this excessive praise comes from people who are ignorant of the medium's capacity to address serious subject matter like parenting and masturbation. But jealousy aside, the truth is, I could never bring myself to delve as deep and reveal as many embarrassing details as he has bravely (?) done in this book. The idea of exposing one's shameful history for all to see is beyond me, and frankly I'm still baffled by what motivates him. One can only imagine the discomfort this must have created for friends and family, most especially for his long-suffering wife, Sandra. My spouse would have killed me! But let me not end these flaps on a down note. I personally believe his self-immolation illuminates our understanding of the human condition and helps comics take another step closer to receiving the recognition they deserve as a serious art form. The best obituary that will ever be written about Walter Kurtz is the graphic novel you hold in your hands. He's dug his own grave.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0307339505
• ISBN13: 9780307339508
• Release Date: July 2007
• Publisher: Crown Publishing Group (NY)
• Length: 207 Pages
• Weight: 1.66 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 6.5" x 9.4"

Customer Reviews

One of the best autobiography comics.

With wonderful art and terrific writing, Kuper's memoir speaks to everyone who grew up in the age of sex, drugs and rock-and-roll who now finds themselves dealing with parenthood, love, and career. It's a book that's funny and moving, deep and original. The other reviewer said it and they are 100% right. This is a facinating read, for both how honest it is, and how well it is told. The author acting as narrator, and flashing back to different life moments was great. A master comic artist at the top of his game. This may one day be seen as a work of genius..along with Eisner and a Dietch, Kuper takes you to his world.

Awesome and Fun - Buy this Book!

This was a great surprise for me. On first reading it kinda sneaks up on you how cool this is and on second reading it is even better. It is written and drawn in an immediately accessible style. For those hesitant on getting into "graphic novels", this has a nice combination of real life action/emotion and "cartooniness" that can only be captured on a comics page, and makes a wonderful introduction to the form. After you read this, you will be much better prepared for "Fun Home", "Blankets", and other similar "autobiographical" graphic novels also well worthy of your time. PS - NOT for the kiddies! Adult in theme and content. And having kids as I do makes the observations all the more relevant.

Blankets for guys in their 30s

In the vein of Blankets and Fun Home, Peter Kuper has written a semi-autobiographical tale told through his alter ego Walter Kurtz. Kuper gives his memories literally of sex, drugs and rock and roll. Kuper does not stop there, continuing the tale into adulthood, and parenthood as well as some of his work to get his story published. If Blankets was interesting to you but was more in the 80s vein, try Stop which has more of a 70s feel to its flashbacks.

Hilarious and poignant

With wonderful art and terrific writing, Kuper's memoir speaks to everyone who grew up in the age of sex, drugs and rock-and-roll who now finds themselves dealing with parenthood, love, and career. It's a book that's funny and moving, deep and original.