Exploring Art, Comics, and Wrestling with André Myette
How a Canadian artist turned his love for storytelling into a career in multiple creative fields.
André Myette, a Canadian-born graphic designer, independent artist, and writer, has a deep passion for sci-fi, fantasy, graphic novels, and comic book art. A lifelong fan of these genres, he considers it a dream come true to engage in discussions with guests from these fields. André lives in Truro, Nova Scotia, with his wife, Jennifer, and their three cats—Lebowski, Sheeba, and Ripley.
Hi Andre, thank you for doing this interview. You’re a graphic Artist. Have you always wanted to be in the Arts?
I have yes. As a child I always drew and Graphic Design seemed like a way to make the comics I would create easier with the knowledge of the programs available to assist. In pursuing that goal I found a profession I truly enjoy and take a great amount of pride in performing. Art has always been a passion and as a writer, actor, professional wrestler and cartoonist I celebrate it in many ways
Where did you grow up?
In Bayfield, a small village in Nova Scotia, Canada. It’s part of Antigonish County whose town Antigonish, is known for its university. Saint Francis Xavier University is the name and I often wonder if Stan Lee used it as inspiration for the X-Men as the sports teams bear the same name as the mutant superhero squad.
You’re also an avid collector, especially comics. Was distribution different in Canada than the US ? For indie comics? The majors? Were certain titles harder to find?
Mostly just what you found on a spinner rack at Needs (Convenience Store) or in a local hobby shop was the mainstream books. Wizard magazine tantalized me with all these indy books I could never find, but a specialty comic shop in Nova Scotia’s capital Halifax named “Strange Adventures” carried everything and when I rarely got to go there as a child, I would grab whatever I could.
What performers, artists, musicians, or writers have had an impact on you?
Huge fan of character actors…Willem Dafoe, Paul Giamatti, Ethan Hawke, Steve Buscemi, Tim Blake Nelson all fantastic actors who truly have mastered their craft. For classical artists I like Picasso for comic artists I love Alex Ross, Mike Allred, Frank Quitely, Mark Bagley, Sal Buscema, John Buscema, Stan Sakai, Daniel Clowes, Chris Ware…the list is endless. Musicians would be The National, Pixies, Wilco, Lana Del Rey, Morphine. Writers are Patrick DeWitt, Joe Hill, Nick Cutter, Douglas Adams, Kurt Vonnegut, Ursula K Le Guin, Grant Morrison, Garth Ennis, Warren Ellis, Dan Slott, Alan Moore, Jason Aaron… too many more to list
You also have a podcast. Tell everyone about it.
The Graphic Histories Podcast is a weekly series that features interviews with personalities related to Comic Books, Sci-Fi, Fantasy and everything in between! Listen in wherever you get your podcasts or at www.graphichistories.com
You’ve had some famous guests on your show. Were any of them cantankerous, or dull?
I would say no. I feel like I failed the show and the guest if it comes off that way. I try to approach it more of a conversation and that tends to open up the avenues of discussion. There have been some that you really have to work on to get information on but all my guests have been a joy in one way or another.
Here at twisted pulp magazine we’re huge comedy fans and animation fans. Canada seems to be the hubbub for a lot of the arts, but particularly those two. Why is that?
It’s true we are a funny people. I feel like it may be a defense mechanism to help us cope with never being the most important country in the proverbial room. That being said I believe we are a more empathetic people and that enhances all aspects of creativity, be it comedy or animation. We wear our hearts on our sleeves and the best artists usually do.
You’re into so many areas of entertainment and arts. We had no idea you are a musician and a wrestler. What got you into wrestling?
I wouldn’t call myself a musician, I play the guitar as a hobby mostly maybe a stress reliever. I was always drawn to wrestling. Wrestling is real life superheroes. You have good guys and villains, colourful costumes, catchphrases and special move sets. It screams live action comic book and I think that’s why I was drawn to it. Also as an actor it’s a ton of fun to create a unique character and improve it every time you break the curtain.
What’s the best compliment you’ve ever received?
Someone once told me that if I were a Disney Character I’d be the Genie because of my humor and wit and I don’t know why but I have always remembered it, it was a very sweet thing for them to say, whether they realized it or not.
How do you feel about censorship?
Not a fan, I think anybody should be able to create anything they like. I think we give things too much power when we can’t laugh at them and that you will always encounter things that rub you the wrong way but that just means you can walk away and leave it for those who do.
That being said I think people mix up freedom of speech with freedom of consequences… you can say, create anything you like but that doesn’t mean you may not lose friends, jobs or relationships because of it. Words have power so choose yours carefully.
I think I just saw you started your own book fair as well. Was it hard to get book shops and comic shops involved?
A little, but those who have signed up I’m sure will do well. It’s a unique concept and the community has really supported the idea so I believe it will be a huge success and hopefully the start of an event we can hold several times a year.
Alright I gotta ask two of the most important questions. First one: Who’s your favorite stooge?
Moe… gotta love the straight man
Second question: If you were on a desert island with Mary Ann, Ginger, Gilligan, and the Professor, which one would you have sex with first, and which would be the first you would kill and eat?
The Three Stooges AND Gilligan’s Island you guys really have your finger on the pulse of today’s youth! Sex with Mary Anne for sure she seems like a down to earth and fun person. I’d likely kill and eat Gilligan. That guy was useless!
