John Callahan was the most unlikely of cartoonists, a quadriplegic who was only able to grip a pen after extensive physical therapy. Yet he became a comics phenomenon, transforming personal and cultural demons into abrasive yet hilarious single-panel gags that earned him fans around the world right up until his death in 2010.
Callahan was the subject of Simone de Vries' 2007 documentary Touch Me Someplace I Can Feel, and has now been immortalized by Joaquin Phoenix in the Gus Van Sant biopic Don't Worry, He Won't Get Far On Foot, based on the raucous memoir of the same name.
Bill Dodge and S.W. Conser sat down with John Callahan in 2005 to talk comics, music, politics, addiction, and recovery. The conversation was recorded at John's favorite coffeeshop in Northwest Portland.
If you'd like to hear Gus Van Sant talk with S.W. Conser about Don't Worry, He Won't Get Far On Foot, that show can be found at this link.
- KBOO