Pascal Girard's 'Pastimes' is a captivating blend of reality and imagination, offering a unique reading experience. This comic book, written in a distinctive notebook style, is a semi-fictional diary of Girard's life as a social worker, cartoonist, and father in Montreal.
But here's the twist: Girard's approach to comics is incredibly efficient. He claims that the relaxed style of 'Pastimes' enabled him to create it much faster than a conventional comic. This is a stark contrast to traditional comic books, which can take years to produce.
Girard's journey began in childhood, drawing comics long before he envisioned it as a career. His big break came when he started publishing his work on a blog, connecting with a community of like-minded cartoonists. The emergence of new comic publishers in Quebec around 2000 further inspired him, realizing he could pursue comics professionally.
The sketches in 'Pastimes' are simple pen drawings, reflecting their origin in small sketchbooks. This minimalist approach not only expedites the creation process but also mirrors Girard's life. As a social worker, he lacks the time and energy for intricate comics, so the portability of sketchbooks allows him to work on the go.
'Pastimes' is a caricature of Girard's life, featuring his family but not as a factual account. Some comics are true-to-life, while others are wildly fictional. His social work influences his creative process, but he emphasizes that not every moment is comic material. He values being present with his family, not viewing life through a comic lens.
Girard has authored approximately 10 books, including 'Nicolas', 'Bigfoot', and 'Mile End Portraits'. 'Pastimes' was translated by Aleshia Jensen, who also translated the 2018 Governor General's Literary Award finalist, 'Explosions'.
And here's where it gets intriguing: Is 'Pastimes' a groundbreaking innovation in the comic book world, or a mere novelty? Does its unique style and format enhance the reading experience, or is it a distraction? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
