Paul Pope’s art show at the Philip Laverne Gallery in New York City may be depicted nearby, but his visionary influence on world building and storytelling continues to fade. The prophetic THB, first published over 30 years ago, has experienced a timely revival in light of recent political developments. Later this year, 23rd Avenue (the fourth, second adult imprint) released a compilation volume, attracting new attention for works that go against the Pope genre. In the meantime, fans can still explore his work in the gallery. There, the Pope and Philip Laverne spoke with Beat recently about the exhibition, Pullforpe 2 and the creative inspiration the Pope draws from Jazz Music, Mobius and Jack Kirby.
Nancy Powell: Congratulations on the exhibition!
Paul Pope: Thank you. It was really great to see so many people at the opening.
Powell: Philip, how did you come across Paul’s work, and what about art and storytelling?
Philippe Labaune: I first came across Paul Pope’s work through THB. But what really stayed with me was not just energy or bold brushwork, but how deeply layered the storytelling felt. Paul isn’t just pulling from comics and American comics. His work has a sophisticated combination. From THB, I moved to Batman: 100 years. That’s when I really understood the breadth of his visual language.
There is this huge tension on his page. It is the elegance of the united descinée in Europe, the shadowy atmosphere of German expressionism, and this raw, almost disordered energy that feels punk at once and deeply classically. His work tells the full history of the comics, but it is by no means nostalgic. I’m moving forward with the form. That’s what attracted me and that’s why he felt he had to participate in the gallery program.
Powell: Could you talk about the process of how you and Paul chose the artworks that will appear on the exhibition?
Labaune: The timing of this exhibition coincided perfectly with the release of Pulp Hope 2. This book is a window into Paul’s world, his evolution and his range. Using it as our framework, we worked closely with Paul to shape a kind of condensed retrospective.
We wanted to represent a significant milestone for Thb, Heavy Liquid, Batman: 100, Battling Boy-, but we opened up space for a more experimental and deeper personal work that demonstrates the full range of his voice. Paul’s work ignores simple classifications, so the choices are exciting and challenging. Presenting it in the context of a gallery provides something that cannot be found on a printed page. You can see the physicality of the ink, correction, brushwork and process strength. That proximity adds a whole new layer of appreciation for what he does as both a storyteller and an artist.
Paul Pope’s battle with boy artwork. Provided by Superfan Promotions and LLC.
Powell: Paul, you will follow the lines of your childhood paintings and talk about the process of rediscovering the processes that entered them and the thoughts in the preface to Pulphope 2. Have you gone through a similar journey of rediscovery that takes into account your selected works?
POPE: At the exhibition, I wanted to choose a combination of highly recognizable works (such as Batman Art: 100th Year and THB) and something invisible or new. The latest work is a big tribute I made to Morbius’ iconic character, Alzac, and something I did probably two months ago. So it’s an art that stretches the 30-year time frame.
Powell: As I walked through Pulphope 2, I couldn’t help but think about the timeless, prophetic overtones of the story, especially in excerpts from THB. And in one of the interviews, you talk about how you can predict where we go as a culture. What is happening in your mind when you think about THB in a historical context?
Pope: I initially approached THB as a kind of tongue steampunk/Victorian fantasy, but as I read more seriously about machine intelligence, surveillance and robotics, I began to take science fiction more seriously. Many references to the THB universe are based on science writers and thinkers, and authors of classic science fiction. It’s exciting that THB is finally being collected in a multi-book series (total THB for 23rd Street Books). Many people have only heard about THB or have been able to collect some random issues over the years. This allows people to visit or revisit the world of THB for the first time. All of these remastered pages are rerun from the original art. I keep all the THB pages so I have the original source documentation that works while preparing the series.
Powell: European art and cartoons influenced our approach to art and storytelling. Who inspires you today?
Pope: I definitely see them. He also draws a lot of inspiration from many ambient composers such as Haroldbud and Brian Eno, Jazz World music, Alice Colle Train and Miles Davis. I am always actively looking for new artwork and artists I have never heard of or have never entered before. And of course, Moebius and Kirby’s stable meal.
Art by Paul Pope. Provided by Superfan Promotions and LLC.
Powell: Paul and Philip, what works are the things visitors should consider, does it hold a precious place in your mind?
Labaune: Choosing your favorites is always difficult. Each piece marks a different moment in Paul’s journey, all carrying resonance with his own weight. That said, some of the works have a particularly personal place for me.
The lonely wolf piece stands out. With the quiet strength this commander draws you in, it is exquisitely composed. It embodies much of what makes his work unique. American comics have despicable and boldness, but also a clear echo of European elegance and restraint. It is a complete distillation of Paul’s ability to blend moods, stories, and pure drafts into amazing things.
Pope: For me, it might be the THB “lipstick” page. I feel this is a very good, self-contained statement in comics medium. Also, the THB page, known as “Good morning”, is universally loved. It is a page designed to make you smile.
Spider-Man artwork by Paul Pope. Provided by Superfan Promotions and LLC.
Powell: And Paul, where are you going as an artist now? Are there any new projects or future collaborations you would like to share with Beat?
Pope: I have many new projects in the film, between films, screen prints and comics. My Art Representative Felix Lu and I will open a new committee list later this year. Battling Boy and my French book about Dream Analysis called Psychenaut is currently my main project in comics. I love making comics, I have a lot of new story ideas and a few scripts and can’t wait to jump in after the current project is finished.
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