Reykjavík Grapevine - 12.04.2019, Qupperneq 44

36The Reykjavík Grapevine
Issue 05— 2019
gotravel.grapevine.is
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From Johnny Ryan’s
Overly Sick Cartoons
To The Moomins
Hugleikur tells us what inspired him to be an artist.
Words: Hugleikur Dagsson & Valur Grettisson Photo: Art Bicnick
Hugleikur Dagsson is one of Iceland's most
loved and, perhaps in some ways, notori-
ous artists. His comics are brutal and hi-
larious in their simplicity. His books have
been translated for global audiences and
have impacted the comic scene in Iceland
in a legendary way. He has also been an
important part of The Reykjavík Grape-
vine’s story as he was once, one of Grape-
vine illustrators. But here it is—what
impacted and shaped this fantastic artist.
Monty Python
The ending of 'The Holy Grail' was an
eye opening experience. The camera
man was killed and then nothing. Not
even end credits. I didn’t know this
was allowed. By putting structure and
storytelling in the back seat and put-
ting the joke behind the wheel, Monty
taught me the beauty of rule breaking.
Favourite work: 'The Meaning of Life.'
The live organ transplants scene
triggered something within me.
Sarah Silverman
Eddie Izzard and Bill Hicks were my
first stand-up comedy crushes. But Sil-
verman was my first love. Her combina-
tion of darkness and kindness is exactly
what I’m aiming for in my own comedy
stylings. She manages to be super woke
and super un-PC at the same time. In an
age where many people think PC cul-
ture is killing comedy, she’s a reminder
that humour doesn’t work that way.
Favourite work: It’s a tie between
'A Speck of Dust,' (stand-up special)
and the short lived 'Sarah Silver-
man Programme.' Oh, and her per-
formance in 'Wreck it Ralph!' I love
the fact that someone who regularly
tells trump to go eat shit on Twitter
is also a part time Disney princess.

Tove Jansson
I’ve always been fascinated by world
building. Stan Lee and Tolkien play an
important part in my general geek-
dom, but Jansson is my personal fa-
vourite. Looking at the detailed map of
Moominland in the first pages of every
Moomin book sparked my interest in
fantasy, which has only grown stronger.
Favourite work: 'Comet in Moomin-
land.' It’s a children’s book about the
end of the world. Probably had a huge
part in me writing my own apoca-
lyptic graphic novel series, 'Endir.'
Johnny Ryan
I had already started doing my overly
sick cartoons when I discovered John-
ny Ryan’s overly sick cartoons. He has
been my immoral compass since then.
If Johnny can do it, I can do it. Having
said that, he does delve into territories
even I wouldn't dare to enter. The only
time I’m offended by Ryan’s work is
when I don’t find it offensive enough.
Favourite work. 'The Prison Pit' series.
It’s a black metal space opera where ev-
ery character is the scum of the universe.
Tvíhöfði
I started listening to Jón Gnarr and
Sigurjón Kjartansson when they
had a radio show called Heimsendir
(“World’s End”) in the early '90s. Later
they became Tvíhöfði, the most popu-
lar comedy radio duo in Iceland. Af-
ter repeatedly winning their movie
trivia game they hired me as a film
critic and then later as an anima-
tor for their TV show. I learned a lot
from being in their presence. They are
my comedy parents. Jón is the mom.
Favorite work: Whenever they’re
on the radio. That’s my favourite.
Quiet mayhem
Making Of An Artist
I’m aiming for in
my own comedy
stylings
Travelling in Iceland has brought
us a lot of joy over the years.
And now it’s your turn.