G. Xavier Robillard
{{ infobox writer | name = G. Xavier Robillard | image = | imagesize = | alt = | caption = | pseudonym = | birthname = | birthdate = | birthplace = | nationality = American | alma_mater = | period = 2002 - Present | genre = Satire | influences = Mark Twain, Douglas Adams,
Kids in the Hall,
Margaret Atwood, T. C. Boyle
and Christopher Moore. | awards = HumorFeed 2006, 2008 | website = http://www.alldaycoffee.net All Day Coffee
}}
G. Xavier Robillard is an American humorist, author of Captain Freedom: A Superhero's Quest for Truth, Justice, and the Celebrity He So Richly Deserves.
Biography
Originally from Long Island, Robillard has lived in the Bay Area, New York City, and Boston. He currently resides in Portland, Oregon. In addition to his writing, he is a web and database programmer for various environmental groups
Captain Freedom
Born Tzadic Friedman, our hero was raised by his mother on a ranch in Devil's Craw, Montana. Educated at the Vineyard School for Excellentness, Tzad developed his four superpowers: flying, lightning-fast reflexes, superhuman strength, and weather prediction. He soon found a position with Gotham Comix and a role as Liberty Bill, sidekick to the revered Chief Justice. Later, he developed the persona of Captain Freedom and found his own sidekick, DJ, an orphan with the ability to manipulate radio waves, channeling FM easy listening to lull criminals to sleep, or focusing AM talk radio as destructive energy blasts.
Now, Captain Freedom has been released from his contract with Gotham Comix, forcibly retired. Lacking direction, he has hired a life coach and begun writing his memoir while he considers his next move.
Captain Freedom maintained a weblog for several years. The archives remain online at The Taste of freedom.
Captain Freedom: Origins
The first glimmerings of the Captain Freedom character followed the California gubernatorial recall of 2003. After the election of Arnold Schwarzenegger, Robillard wrote the piece "Inaugural Speeches from Our Action Heroes," his first piece for McSweeney's Internet Tendency. The following year, short on IDeaS for a sketch for an upcoming radio program, he referred back to this piece and introduced the first version of Captain Freedom on Live Wire! Radio. Rather than starting with the premise of a superhero turned politician, Robillard wanted to explore the transition point in Captain Freedom's life, the crossroads that would ultimately lead to his political career. In addition to Schwarzenegger, Robillard acknowledges elements of former New Jersey governor James McGreevey and former Illinois governor Rod Blagojevich in his creation.
Part of the research Robillard did before writing Captain Freedom was to read baseball player Pete Rose's autobiography. Rose began each chapter of his book with a quote, one of which is a quote from himself. This became the inspiration for Captain Freedom to begin his own memoir by quoting himself: "'Freedom' is just another word for 'time to kick your [...].'" There may also be some connection between Robillard's impression of the Rose autobiography and his characterization of Freedom's memoir, "...a slight bit of self-realization and insight, but not enough to actually change."
Internet Humor
Although his first novel is gaining popularity and Robillard seems to have every intention of continuing his print publication career, he believes much of today's most EXCITING humor writing is in the online community. Online publications are gaining credibility and many are becoming respected fixtures as traditional print publications recede. Steve Martin's participation in McSweeney's online leant weight to Robillard's conviction that this is an important developing medium.
In 2004, G. Xavier Robillard began developing a reputation as a humor writer, publishing at sites including McSweeney's Internet Tendency, Yankee Pot Roast, and Cracked and collaborating with Hate By Numbers creator Gladstone. He has blogged for Powells Books, Comedy Central Insider and Indecision. He is also a regular Contributor to men's magazine Asylum.com, where he writes reviews and commentary on gadgets, gear, and the best Web sites to find them.
All Day Coffee, Robillard's own award-winning site, is in its sixth year. The blog features a wide variety of humor, from topical pieces like "Everything You Need to Know AbOUT ClimateGate Email Scandal," to not-terribly-helpful satirical guides like "International Laundry Symbols" and "World Cup Soccer Rules," to list humor and generators.
Radio
A contributor to the variety radio show Live Wire! out of Portland, Oregon, Robillard was a guest in a unique event in Episode 95. An homage to the annual Wordstock Extravaganza, G. Xavier Robillard competed with author Michael Rubens in a Nerdstock competition for ultimate nerd-guest status.
Bibliography
G. Xavier Robillard's work has been seen in the following publications:
- All Day Coffee -- Robillard's website
- The Big Jewel
- Broken Frontier
- Cracked
- Flymf
- McSweeney's Internet Tendency
- National Public Radio
- Powells Books.Blog
- The Taste of Freedom
- Yankee Pot Roast
- The Bean
- Facsimilation
- Happy Woman Magazine
- Lynx Eye
- Sweet Fancy Moses
- Void magazine