Joe Sacco Quotations

The people whose work I've admired are people like George Orwell and others like Michael Herr and, of course, some of Hunter S. Thompson's work.

Of course, I'm drawn to a place like Iraq because It's the biggest story of our generation.

My guide had a copy of Palestine on my last trip to Gaza. He'd bring it out and show people what I was trying to do. That usually went over pretty well.

I'd much rather hang out in a cafe. That's where things are really happening.

For me, one advantage of comic journalism is that I can depict the past, which is hard to do if you're a photographer or filmmaker.

It became clear to me that I had to push it toward a more representational way of drawing.

I think any journalist who spends time in a place realizes that there are lots of stories around beyond their primary story. You meet so many interesting people and have all kinds of experiences.

I will interview bigwigs if I get the chance, but you are seldom surprised by people in power - you've got to get awfully damn close to get anything new.

Robert Crumb is an influence on how I draw, but not on the subject matter I take or my approach. One thing I do like about Crumb is that he's chronicled his age, his times, and I think that is what artists should do.

I think I'm generally a good listener anyway.

With comics you can put interesting and solid information in a format that's pretty palatable.

When I went to Bosnia, I was there to tell someone else's story and I was more methodical.

What I've learned is that people like to talk about themselves. And that's kind of the advantage you have when you're asking people questions.

When I was there, something clicked in my head; I found myself interviewing people, searching out facts and figures. Later on I became much more self-conscious of what I was doing.

There's probably one more story about Bosnia that I'd like to do, because I spent a fair amount of time on the Serb side of the lines, which isn't apparent in the other books.

It's a visual world and people respond to visuals.

I tried to draw people more realistically, but the figure I neglected to update was myself.

It's like a film director trying to represent a scene that took place in the 1700s. You reconstruct it to the best of your ability.

Oh, it's essential. I mean, you have to - if I'm writing about the Middle East, I have to go there, and if possible, stay long enough to get a real feeling for what's going on.

I try to ask visual questions. I'll ask what someone was wearing, if that seems relevant. If possible, I'll walk over the same ground that they're depicting. Of course, I can never get it precisely as it was.

I'm not a good tourist, I don't like tourism.

I like listening to people, it's not even out of - I'm not like a professional listener or anything like that, but I enjoy people's stories.

In this case I just wanted to be in one place, much like the Gorazde book, I feel it was a better way of doing it, get to know some people well.

I'd rather go to a place and spend a couple of months, get to know it, get to know the people.

I don't like just traveling in for a short time. I've done that before, because sometimes you work for magazines and they have a budget, and if you're working for them, they want something by a certain time.

I don't often go to a place just to check out all the cultural sites of a city.

Be happy with who you are, where you are, for this is the way.

I meditate not to escape the world but instead to be completely present.

Look inside, without anyone else's validation understand that you are valuable, talented, unique, and worthy.

If not now then when? Oh I can always do it tomorrow. Unfortunately there is no lifetime of tomorrows.

Enjoy what you have, live in the moment, focus on things you can change and ignore the rest.

I wish my capacity for reason would always translate into action, but it doesn't.

Failure to meditate in the morning increases the probability of chaos throughout the day.

Want to be a better leader? Meditate in the morning and prepare yourself for the day ahead.

Be humble and grateful for what you have and the universe will reward your gratitude.

Cherish your health, family, friends, and vocation for none of these things are permanent.

Don't let your excuses stand in the way of achieving your dreams

Don't be indifferent when opportunity knocks at the door, just invite it in

What is it you want? My reply, I want what I have.

It is great to be introspective, self analysis can be useful, but only if it results in action.

Nothing is quite as satisfying and exhausting as teaching.

And I think I find, I know a lot of people around, in different cities, and so it's not - it might sound strange - but it's not that hard to say good-bye, because I know there's other people where I'm going. I can sort of fit in in a lot of places.

And, in some ways I like traveling, in other ways I'm sort of fed up by the whole notion.