Interview: Paul Buhle and ‘Bohemians: A Graphic History’

Drawing of Paul Buhle by Steve Chappell

Paul Buhle is busy these days with various comics projects. He is truly a friend to cartoonists. And, as we find out in this interview, there’s a good story behind that. In fact, there’s plenty to talk about when you engage in a conversation with Paul Buhle. Today, his latest book, co-edited with David Berger, is out and avaiable, “Bohemians: A Graphic History,” a 304-page comics anthology that explores the world of bohemians in America from about 1850 to 1950 (my review here). It is published by Verso Books and you can find it here.

Paul Buhle retired a few years ago from Brown University where he lectured on History and American Civilization. He has written and edited numerous books on labor, culture, and radicalism. Now, Mr. Buhle finds a good portion of his time devoted to editing books that tell their stories through comics.

From Bohemians: A Graphic History: “Pekar and Crumb in Cleveland” by Mark Crilley

To be a bohemian. You may feel like your generation did it best.

From Bohemians: A Graphic History: “The Free Love League,” art by Lisa Lyons, script by David Berger

To be a bohemian. You are willing to be adventurous.

From Bohemians: A Graphic History: “Howard ‘Stretch’ Johnson,” illustrated by Milton Knight

To be a bohemian. You have a zest for life.

“I believe the most enthusiastic readers of ‘Bohemians: A Graphic History’ want to be bohemians themselves. Young people are struggling with how to be bohemian,” muses Buhle. But he is ready to also say, “There will always be places to go, things to do. Each generation defines what it is to be bohemian.

In this interview, we cover a lot of ground regarding bohemians, the interconnections between comics and bohemians, and what it really means to be a nonconformist, then and now.

Just click the link below to enjoy the podcast interview:

“Bohemians: Graphic History” is an essential book to learn about the roots of much of what you see today in pop culture and culture in general. Get your copy here.