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Underground Comic Book Writer Harvey Pekar

Pekar and his wife Joyce Brabner speak on Fresh Air about the movie American Splendor, which is based on Pekar's life. Pekar has been described as a "working-class everyman," and "first-class curmudgeon." In 1976 he published the first in a series of comic books about his mundane life as a VA hospital clerk and record collector in Cleveland. It was called American Splendor, and he's continued to publish them since. In 1987 one of them earned him an American Book Award. (Pekar doesn't do the drawings himself; R. Crumb illustrated some). The film American Splendor is out now on DVD. It's been nominated for an Oscar for Best Screenplay. This interview was first broadcast Aug. 4, 2003.

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Other segments from the episode on February 13, 2004

Fresh Air with Terry Gross, February 13, 2004: Interview with Harvey Pekar; Interview with Paul Giamatti; Commentary on Valentine's Day; Review of the film "50 first dates."
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15:49

Actor Paul Giamatti

Giamatti plays Harvey Pekar in American Splendor, out now on DVD. Giamatti's film credits include Planet of the Apes, Big Momma's House, Saving Private Ryan and The Truman Show, among many others. He has also appeared in numerous TV shows. This interview was first broadcast Feb. 5, 2003.

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40:27

Writer Harvey Pekar and his Wife Joyce Brabner

Underground comic book writer Harvey Pekar and his wife Joyce Brabner. In 1976 Pekar published the first in a series of comic books about his mundane life as a veterans hospital clerk and record collector in Cleveland. It was called American Splendor, and he has continued to publish them since. In 1987 one of them earned him an American Book Award. Now he is the subject of the new film American Splendor which won the Grand Jury Prize at the 2003 Sundance Film Festival.

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