The following is an interview with creators Pascal Girard and Cathon regarding the upcoming releases of their respective comic book collections, Pastimes and Fruit Salad, through Pow Pow Publishing. In this interview, Fanbase Press Editor-in-Chief Barbra Dillon chats with Girard and Cathon about their experience in revisiting their body of work in anticipation of the collections, what readers may take away from the stories’ themes, and more!
Barbra Dillon, Fanbase Press Editor-in-Chief: Congratulations on the upcoming releases of your respective comic book collections! Your work delightfully captures the relatable, yet awkward, trials and tribulations of everyday life. What can you share with us about the genesis behind your autobiographical slice-of-life comics?
Pascal Girard: Since the beginning of my career, I always come back to the strip format. It’s a great exercise to keep the “comic muscle” in shape. I was working on a longer project and I think I was in a part where I was not seeing the end of it and was losing steam. I did a quick strip, then another one, then another one…
Cathon: I created the comic strips in Fruit Salad over a period of seven years, from 2017 to 2024. I have always created comic strips alongside my book production, which I used to publish on my blog and then on social media. A few years ago, it was something I did purely for fun, not taking this part of my work very seriously. It was for the satisfaction of telling a story and drawing quickly, without pressure, and getting instant feedback. But over time, it grew in importance, and I learned that some people even preferred this part of my work to my graphic novels — I was both surprised and delighted to hear this! Since then, I’ve become more interested in this part of my practice, which has become more intentional.
BD: When revisiting your comics in anticipation of the collection, was there anything new or intriguing that you took away from your work that you hadn’t anticipated when originally creating it?
C: I wondered whether the comic strips would make sense in book form. I was a little worried that it would be redundant, or too eclectic, since the strips were created over a long period of time. It was really interesting to see that, in fact, it makes for a coherent book, even though that wasn’t the intention from the start. It makes me think that even when an artist feels like they’re going in all sorts of directions, their work often retains a certain signature style, without them having to make much effort in that direction. I think it’s just harder to see that when it’s our own work.
PG: I remember that I wanted to make strips that make me laugh this time. I did a book of strips in the past and I was not fully happy with what I did then. I think this one is more cohesive and funnier. And like all of my books, I start by trying to make something light and there are always some serious subjects here and there. I’m satisfied with this little book!
BD: At Fanbase Press, our #StoriesMatter initiative endeavors to highlight the impact that stories can have on audiences of various mediums. How do you feel that your diary comics may connect with and impact readers?
PG: My main ambition with these strips is to make people smile and maybe laugh. And maybe they will connect with some of the strips a little bit more.
C: Many of my comic strips aim to make readers laugh, which is something I really enjoy doing, and that I have been doing for a long time. But I think my comic strips can evoke all kinds of emotions at the same time, even when they’re humorous—they can be sad, moving, reassuring… These are the different emotions I feel when choosing the anecdotes I put into my comics, and I think readers often get a sense of sharing something with me, or of closeness.
BD: What makes Pow Pow Press the perfect publishing partner for this collection?
C: Several reasons! I’ve been working with Pow Pow since 2014. It’s simply a publisher I trust, but I also feel a strong connection to the other authors and employees. It’s a bit like a family.
PG: Luc [Bossé, publisher of Pow Pow Press] is a friend from many years ago. I saw him built from scratch Pow Pow right from the beginning. It’s pretty amazing what he did and all the great books he put out. Pow Pow is now a major comic publisher in Québec. I hope he will have the same impact with the English side of the publisher.
BD: Are there any other projects – past or current – that you would like to highlight for our readers?
C: Most of my books are published by Pow Pow, but I also write children’s books for Comme des géants, another Quebec publishing house. I have a comic book series for children aged 4 and up called Mimose et Sam (Poppy and Sam in English), which has been translated by Owlkids.
PG: I have many books published by Drawn & Quarterly. If you like this one, I encourage you to read any of the ones published by D&Q.
BD: Lastly, what is the best way for our readers to find more information about Fruit Salad, Pastimes, and your other work?
PG: I have a website that one day I will take care of: pascalgirard.com
If not I am on Instagram at @monsieurpascalgirard
C: The best way is to find the books in libraries or bookstores, but I am also very active on Instagram (@cathon) and I also have a website, cathon.net.
