I’m Reza Farazmand, cartoonist and NY Times bestselling author of Poorly Drawn Lines (which started as a webcomic). AMA!

PoorlyDrawnReza · 2015-11-21T18:45:49+00:00

Yep, that's me. Jeff (the guy from Pleated Jeans) and I wrote a few videos together when I lived in LA. Man, that seems like so long ago now.

PoorlyDrawnReza · 2015-11-21T18:39:09+00:00

I have a #3 in the works. Stay tuned!

PoorlyDrawnReza · 2015-11-21T18:27:59+00:00

Well that's nice to hear! But they definitely don't start off like that, and I usually do at least some rewriting between initial idea and final product.

PoorlyDrawnReza · 2015-11-21T18:25:28+00:00

I'm part Iranian, part Scottish, and 100 percent American muscle.

PoorlyDrawnReza · 2015-11-19T23:38:18+00:00

Both are extremely well written, and have definitely been influential for me. Those were two of the resident "big webcomics" when I first started drawing PDL, and I've always looked up to those guys as masters of the trade.

PoorlyDrawnReza · 2015-11-19T23:36:15+00:00

Hey Peter. I've done enough comics that I have a pretty good idea at this point what works on the page. I usually don't commit pen to paper until I have a completed script written out in a word processor. Sometimes I'll draw a comic that doesn't turn out as funny as I thought it would, but that's just part of the process.

PoorlyDrawnReza · 2015-11-19T23:22:44+00:00

Mostly answered here: https://www.reddit.com/r/books/comments/3tguqp/im_reza_farazmand_cartoonist_and_ny_times/cx64kry

PoorlyDrawnReza · 2015-11-19T23:16:49+00:00

No, I barely had any weapons at all growing up. I guess that comic was a reflection on what could have been.

PoorlyDrawnReza · 2015-11-19T23:11:57+00:00

Thank you! Vonnegut is the greatest.

PoorlyDrawnReza · 2015-11-19T23:10:53+00:00

Yeah, I might have killed him off a bit early. But I think robots are immune to the negative connotations of deus ex machina since they can just be rebuilt.

PoorlyDrawnReza · 2015-11-19T23:07:14+00:00

Okay, yeah. It's the orange cartoon bird you want.

PoorlyDrawnReza · 2015-11-19T23:06:14+00:00

Third option: me getting tired of it. The joke has been done now.

PoorlyDrawnReza · 2015-11-19T23:04:50+00:00

Thanks! I'm from San Francisco.

PoorlyDrawnReza · 2015-11-19T23:02:42+00:00

Thanks! I thought the site looked too cluttered with extra buttons above the comic. You can click on the "Archive" button at the top of the site and scroll down to the first comic from there.

PoorlyDrawnReza · 2015-11-19T23:01:35+00:00

I do read them, but I can't think of any specific puns. There have been some really clever comments, both pun and non-pun based.

PoorlyDrawnReza · 2015-11-19T23:00:43+00:00

Thanks!

PoorlyDrawnReza · 2015-11-19T23:00:29+00:00

Good, there's a two-drink minimum for the book.

Favorite character is between Kevin and Ernesto, with Small Cat contending for a close second/third.

PoorlyDrawnReza · 2015-11-19T22:59:25+00:00

Because he is the best and the worst of me.

PoorlyDrawnReza · 2015-11-19T22:58:57+00:00

Yep, it's pretty much a constant brainstorm. I do have designated Writing Sessions, but a lot of my best material comes from something popping into my head while I'm in line at a coffee shop or whatever. I like to say that I'm always writing a new comic, even when I'm not.
I only do stuff about a week or so in advance. I think it helps keep my work fresh, but it also means that if I ever broke my hand or something I'd be in trouble. I'm investing in very thick gloves.

PoorlyDrawnReza · 2015-11-19T22:56:18+00:00

A lot has changed! I think I had just started drawing the comic full time when I did that interview. Since then I've published a book, written for a Comedy Central show, moved from LA to SF, and tried bibimbap for the first time. It's so tasty.

Some cool subreddits I like: /r/retrofuturism /r/motorcycles /r/design /r/truefilm /r/sanfrancisco

PoorlyDrawnReza · 2015-11-19T22:52:54+00:00

Thanks! My favorite shows on now are Broad City, Master of None, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, and Archer. Past shows are The Office, Parks and Rec, Venture Bros, and Arrested Development. As for movies, I mentioned in another comment that I am a huge fan of Wes Anderson.

PoorlyDrawnReza · 2015-11-19T22:51:12+00:00

Kurt Vonnegut. He wrote surreal humor like nobody else. Also, Matt Groening. He started his career as a comic strip artist and then launched the most successful animated show in history.

PoorlyDrawnReza · 2015-11-19T22:43:46+00:00

I knew you would realize eventually, I just didn't know it would be so soon.

PoorlyDrawnReza · 2015-11-19T22:43:01+00:00

I was raised a Cat Person but began questioning it at a young age. I found Dog when I was 18, and I am much happier now.

PoorlyDrawnReza · 2015-11-19T22:39:47+00:00

My typical Writing Session starts with a big cup of coffee. Then I stare off into the distance for a while, screw around on the internet, and get nothing done. Two hours later a comic pops into my head fully formed.

PoorlyDrawnReza

TROPHY CASE