Interviewing Cyanide and Happiness Co-Creator Rob Denbleyker

Originally Published for MCM Buzz on the 26th of October 2013

It was early on the first day of MCM London Comic Con when crowds began to filter through the doors in a flurry of excitement, and we managed to catch Rob Denbleyker in his natural habitat, at the Cyanide & Happiness booth. As one of the terrifically twisted cartoonists for the wildly funny web comic, we were grateful that he jumped in between sketches for a quick chat.

Me: So how did you get involved in Cyanide & Happiness, was it all planned out or did it just seem to happen?

Rob: There was no plan whatsoever, my friends and I all met online doing animations together and we decided that, after a while, comics were a lot easier to make. So we figured we could get more ideas out there if we started doing comics together instead of animations. So we started doing this daily comic in 2005 just for fun, just entertaining each other and about 200 people that were reading it. Over time that 200 became 2,000, 20,000 and it started growing until the point where Cyanide & Happiness just became our full time jobs in 2007. So we’ve been trying to stay at it as long as we can, because at this point we figure we can’t be hired. Our job prospects are kind of done (laughs).

Me: I think this would be alright on a CV.

Rob: I couldn’t see myself sending faxes.

Me: Is there anything that you have posted and thought “Should we have said that”?

Rob: We try to be funny before we’re offensive. If it is offensive so be it, but we never try to be offensive for the sake of antagonism. It’s kind of a side-effect because we have very few barriers, but most of the stuff that I do I’m proud of; I don’t put stuff up unless I am.

Me: Is this your first time at MCM London Comic Con?

Rob: I came here last year, and it was so crazy that I had to come back again.

Me: Is there anything you’re looking forward to, do you get a chance to leave and look around?

Rob: A little bit. Last year I met some of the Eddsworld guys, so I try to have drinks with them at least once when I’m here, but I always have a good time here and I always make new friends, especially in the comics community. It’s a really fun trip.

Me: It’s an amazing atmosphere here.

Rob: It’s great, it’s really casual. Especially after the show’s over and you can just wander round and get to know people, and strike up conversations with people whose work you admire.

Me: If you had to choose any of the Cyanide & Happiness members (Kris, Matt and Dave) to…

Rob: Murder?

Me: (laughs) Well I was going to say snog, marry or kill!

Rob: I would kill them all, marry myself and f*** the consequences.

Me: Good answer! Thanks, you’ve been great.

Rob: Thanks.

Rob can be found all weekend at the Cyanide & Happiness stall at MCM London Comic Con until the 27th of October, and for rib-tickling comic strips, video shorts and more be sure to visit explosm.net