Interview: Camp Pock-A-Wocknee is NOT A Book For Kids!
Jan 23, 2023
Interview by Troy-Jeffrey Allen
In comic shops now from Black Panel Press, Camp Pock-A-Wocknee And the Dyn-o-mite Summer of '77 (FEB231220) combines the nostalgic mood of The Wonder Years, the raucousness of Superbad, and the adolescent angst of Pen15. But through the lens of a Jewish sleepaway camp.
What happens when the innocence of childhood crashes into the messiness of adolescence? Well, I mean...I'm sure we already know. Regardless, we hung out with Camp Pock-A-Wocknee writer-artist Eric Glickman to hear his take.
PREVIEWSworld: What is Camp Pock-A-Wocknee And the Dyn-o-mite Summer of '77?
Eric Glickman: Camp Pock-A-Wocknee And the Dyn-o-mite Summer of '77 is a 300-page coming-of-age graphic novel celebrating all of the magic, memories, and mishegas that make up summers at Jewish sleepaway camp. Mashing up a nostalgic mood similar to The Wonder Years with the teenage rambunctiousness of a Superbad, Camp Pock-a-Wocknee combines cute, black & white, comic strip-style art with an R-rated story to capture the tension created when the innocence of childhood crashes into the messiness of adolescence.
PREVIEWSworld: How did this graphic novel come about as a project?
Eric Glickman: I am one of three generations that all went to the same Jewish sleepaway camp in Pennsylvania - my parents met there, my brothers and I went there, and all three of my kids went there. I went to camp for ten summers (5 as a camper, 2 as a waiter, and 3 as a counselor) and like many Jewish kids, I had some of the most memorable times of my life there. I really wanted to create a story based on those amazing memories. I worked for 8 years, writing, drawing, rewriting, redrawing and eventually inking the story of a dorky 15-year-old boy who wants to hang out with his best friends, and find a girlfriend, fall in love, and maybe, finally get to 2nd base. Andrew Benteau at Black Panel Press loved my art and my story… and the rest is history!
PREVIEWSworld: Tell us about Jewish sleepaway camp. Why set the story there?
Eric Glickman: Jewish sleepaway camp has all so many fantastic elements for a coming-of-age story: living in a cabin with your best friends, the ever-present possibility of a summer romance, quirky adult characters, time-honored traditions, myths & legends, and tons of activities. When I went to camp, the 8 weeks always felt like it had this great dramatic arc to them - almost like we were in a movie. And because Jewish sleepaway camp is this unique, insular world, I felt like I could share a story that was nostalgic and timeless at the same time.
PREVIEWSworld: Is this the first creator-owned book for you?
Eric Glickman: Yes.
PREVIEWSworld: And this is definitely not for kids?
Eric Glickman: Well, I put a little burst on the cover that says “WARNING! This is NOT a book for kids”
PREVIEWSworld: Looking forward, what can readers expect from Camp Pock-A-Wocknee And the Dyn-o-mite Summer of '77?
Eric Glickman: Right now, I just want to share this story with as many people as possible. But who knows, maybe I’ll create a sequel - Camp Pock-a-Wocknee: The Waiter Years
PREVIEWSworld: In terms of audience, who is this book for?
Eric Glickman: Obviously, it is for anyone who ever went to Jewish sleepaway camp. But honestly, I think this book is for anyone who loves coming-of-age stories, the 70s, needs a good laugh, or was ever 15-years-old.
Camp Pock-A-Wocknee And the Dyn-o-mite Summer of '77 (FEB231220) is available now at your local comic shop. Reserve your copy today using PREVIEWSworld Pullbox!
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Troy-Jeffrey Allen is the producer and co-host of PREVIEWSworld Weekly. His comics work includes MF DOOM: All Caps, Public Enemy's Apocalypse '91, Fight of the Century, the Harvey Award-nominated District Comics, and the Ringo Award-nominated Magic Bullet.
