Stop Forgetting to Remember: The Autobiography of Walter Kurtz

About this book

WHO SHOT WALTER KURTZ? Nobody. Walter Kurtz doesnt exist. Hes the alter ego of me Peter Kuper. But if he were real perhaps his obituary would read something like this: Walter Kurtz illustrator and self-exposing cartoonist dies of embarrassment at 48. Walter Alan Kurtz born September 22 1958 in Cleveland Ohio to Harvey and Olive Kurtz (an Ellis Island rewrite from Kurtzberg) was pronounced dead at Mt. Sinai Hospital on Monday. He was rushed there following his collapse at the publication party for his coming-of-middle-age novel Stop Forgetting to Remember. Kurtz was among the wave of cartoonists who helped to redefine the medium of comics and ushered in an explosion of interest in the graphic novel. He was noted for drawing the world-famous Ebony vs. Ivory for Nuts magazine every month and for cofounding the political zine Bomb Shelter with his lifelong friend Saul Blockman. As an educator and lecturer Kurtz has encouraged legions of aspiring cartoonists to avoid entering the field. He was a successful illustrator whose work appeared in numerous newspapers and magazines but his heart belonged to cartooning until the end. Survived by his wife Sandra B. Russ and their only child. Of course a laundry list of Walter Kurtzs accomplishments barely scratches the surface of the cartoon character. Are professional details what define an alter ego? Brilliantly insightful Painfully hilarious and Pow! Blam! Bang! Comics arent just for kids anymore! are words Ive heard to describe Walter Kurtzs work.Yet I cant keep from wondering whether this excessive praise comes from people who are ignorant of the mediums capacity to address serious subject matter like parenting and masturbation. But jealousy aside the truth is I could never bring myself to delve as deep and reveal as many embarrassing details as he has bravely (?) done in this book. The idea of exposing ones shameful history for all to see is beyond me and frankly Im still baffled by what motivates him. One can only imagine the discomfort this must have created for friends and family most especially for his long-suffering wife Sandra. My spouse would have killed me! But let me not end these flaps on a down note. I personally believe his self-immolation illuminates our understanding of the human condition and helps comics take another step closer to receiving the recognition they deserve as a serious art form. The best obituary that will ever be written about Walter Kurtz is the graphic novel you hold in your hands. Hes dug his own grave.