The Prodigal Dad with Sarah Eichhorn
Join us in this episode for a conversation with Sarah Eichhorn, daughter of writer Dennis P. Eichhorn, known for his adult-oriented autobiographical comic book series “Real Stuff.”
With reminiscences echoing a central premise of her father’s work—that truth is stranger than fiction—Sarah recounts his birth and orphanhood at Montana State Prison. Sarah later talks of her fight to keep her infant child, which succeeded in part thanks to her father’s intervention.
With healthy measures of wit and soul, the younger Eichhorn’s tales transport us to the Northwest's creative milieu of the 70's, 80's and 90's through which her iconoclastic father traveled. With a cast of colorful characters including comic book illustrators Peter Bagge, Pat Moriarity and Triangle-Slash among others, we learn of Dennis’ lauded editorial work for The Rocket in Seattle and, later, for Libertarian publisher Loomponics Unlimited, based in Port Townsend, WA.
As if a testament to the fullness of her father’s capacious life, Sarah friendships encompass generations of talented artists: Anchoring this episode’s soundscape are the polyrhythmic laments of Jason Webley (originally of Everett, WA) and the pensive ballads of singer songwriter Eilen Jewell (originally from Boise, ID). We’ll also enjoy archival recordings of Dennis P. Eichhorn sharing stories.
We record on the traditional lands of the Coast Salish peoples. Special thanks to Amanda Taylor and Pat Moriarity.
The views expressed in this podcast series are those of the guests and reflect their personal lived experiences. Power of Place presents oral histories with real people, and while some opinions may be controversial, they are shared as authentic expressions that honor the complexity of place. Conversations are edited for length and clarity, but otherwise remain unedited to preserve context and substance. Listener discretion is advised.
“My life may not seem that vanilla, but it could have been a lot more wild; I’ve lived on the side of caution because of a lot of his escapades.”
