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David: Is that right? That would be an interesting subject to do a study on.
Robert: Yes, a lot of people have. All they've come up with is-- a lot more left-handed people are involved in graphic arts, and are in insane asylums and prisons (laughter ). A lot more commit suicide, and I think left-handed people tend to die a little earlier too.
David: Did you know that also in families where schizophrenia runs, there are also much higher percentages of gifted artists and other creative individuals? Apparently, the gene that encodes for schizophrenia expresses itself as high levels of creativity in those who aren't afflicted with the disorder.
Robert: There's a very thin line between a genius and a maniac.
David: What do you think separates the two?
Robert: I don't know. Robert Crumb is a very brilliant person, and he's got a brother that's a flat maniac, an absolute imbecile, a genius imbecile.
David: It appears that the same genes can go either way. What were some of the major influences in your life that affected the development of your unique style of visual expression?
Robert: Comic books, movies, and things like that. Being able to render things that have an adventurous air to them, that affected me as a child. Automobile racing, airplane and aircraft warfare, things that affect a little kid. War comics, and EC comic books. Are you familiar with EC comics?
David: Oh sure. Tales from the Crypt, Weird Science Fantasy, Mad.
Robert: That's before your time. I bought them at the newsstand when I was young.
David: My dad had a whole box of them, and he used to let me pick one when I did something for him.
Robert: He's got originals huh? Is that right? Oh, you were very fortunate. I bought those when they came out on the stands in the early Fifties. That had a great effect on me, as did Disney. Are you familiar with Carl Barks?
David: He did the Donald Duck comics.
Robert: Yeah, and CC Beck who did Captain Marvel. There's a whole slew of bizarre comic books that always helped my fantasy. Classic Comics were big with me. Do you remember Classics ?
David: Sure, that's how I discovered Frankenstien, The Invisible Man, and Dr Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. They were great. So comic books were a big influence. Did you have any formal art training?
Robert: Well, I always excelled in art class, and then when I got into college I did real well. Then I went to art school at Chouinards for a small period of time.
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