Origin Stories w JJK

In today's episode, I talk to Jennifer Holm and Matthew Holm—siblings and co-creators of the bestselling, award-winning and trail-blazing Babymouse And Squish graphic novel series. I can't understate just how important their work is to the current-day landscape of graphic novels for young readers. Babymouse: Queen of the World was published in December of 2005—it was one of the very first kids' comics put out by one of the major trade publishers. Jenni, Matt, and I go way back, but I was so excited to learn more about their history. Let's get into Jenni and Matt's Origin Story!

On today's episode, we'll get to know graphic novelist Nate Powell! Nate is a highly-acclaimed writer/artist of critically acclaimed books such as Any Empire, Swallow Me Whole and Save It for Later: Promises, Parenthood, and the Urgency of Protest. Nate Powell is an Eisner Award-winning comics artist from Little Rock, Arkansas who focuses on telling stories featuring young people facing difficult situations. In addition to Nate's multiple Eisners and countless literary awards—Nate took home the 2016 National Book Award for Young People's Literature, alongside his collaborators Representative John Lewis and Andrew Aydin, for March: Book Three. Let's learn all about Nate Powell's Origin Story!

In today's episode, I talk to Andrew Aydin about MARCH, his award-winning trilogy about the civil rights movement. Andrew was a policy advisor for Congressman John Lewis, with whom he co-authored these seminal graphic novels. Andrew tells us how he got interested in writing and comics and how he convinced Congressman John Lewis he should tell his story via the medium of comics. Andrew also shares some insights into the writing process and what it was like working with Congressman Lewis. Let's get to know Andrew Aydin's Origin Story!

In this episode, we are going to get to know how tom Angleberger became Tom Angleberger! Tom made a name for himself with the ORIGAMI YODA books, which were first published in 2010. While Tom has been active creating his own characters, he’s also been entrusted with books on Rocket and Groot as well as Geronimo Stilton. But in the Krosoczka house? He will forever be iconic for his Inspector Flytrap books. Like everything Tom does, those books are laugh-out-loud funny and pure fun. Like Tom himself. One of my most prized possessions in my studio? An Origami Lunch Lady made by Mr. Origami Yoda himself.

I cannot overstate the importance of Cece Bell's EL DEAFO. For both us, as a society, and for the prestige that it brought to graphic novels with the citation of that Newbery Honor, the first graphic novel to earn that shiny silver sticker! Get to know how Cece Bell came to be in her Origin Story!

Nilah Magruder is an absolute joy and an uber-talented author and artist. She was the first Black woman to write for Marvel, illustrated all of the Heroes of Olympus covers for Rick Riordan’s books, and worked extensively in animation. Not to mention the books that she is the sole creator of, which have proven to be legendary in my home.

Robin Ha's ALMOST AMERICAN GIRL is a powerful, powerful graphic memoir. Through Robin's words and pictures, she shares with us what it was like for her to be a kid in her early teens and be taken away from the life she knew in South Korea and planted in Huntsville, Alabama, where she didn't understand the language that was predominantly spoken. She didn't understand the culture. She didn't have friends, she didn't fit in, but she had art. Robin just so beautifully and masterfully uses the speech bubbles to communicate to us what that is like when you only understand bits and pieces of what people are trying to say to you. ALMOST AMERICAN GIRL should be in every single high school classroom so that our students can truly understand the plight of the immigrant experience. So let's get to know how Robin Ha became Robin Ha!

Lucy Knisely is the award-winning and celebrated and revered graphic memoirist behind such books as RELISH, SOMETHING NEW, and KID GLOVES. She also has picture books for young readers (YOU ARE NEW) and graphic novels for middle-grade readers (STEPPING STONES).

In this episode, we are going to get to know how Jerry Craft became Jerry Craft! I like to rib Jerry and call him an “overnight success.” Jerry’s first full-length graphic novel, NEW KID, published in 2019. And it did what many in the publishing community thought for years was unattainable—it won the prestigious Newbery Medal. THE GOLD MEDAL—for a graphic novel. While the Newbery is quite arguably the most legendary of the book awards, NEW KID also garnered Jerry a Coretta Scott King MEDAL for writing! Truthfully, I lost count as to how many awards stickers Jerry’s book won. NEW KID is such an important book. We follow Jordan Banks and we get to see the world through his eyes, a young Black man who enters a predominantly white private school. Oh, and why is it ironic to call Jerry an “Overnight success”? Well, you’re about to find out! Let’s get to know Jerry Craft’s Origin Story!

In this episode, we are going to get to know how Raul the Third became Raul the Third! Raul blasted onto the comics scene in 2014, with the publication of LOWRIDERS IN SPACE. Written by Cathy Camper and illustrated by Raul, this beautiful graphic novel series celebrates lowrider culture through an action-packed out-of-this world adventure. Raul made his debut as an author/illustrator in 2019 with Vamos! Let’s Go to the Market, a picture book that celebrates Raul’s own origins growing up in a border town in Texas. The Vamos series took off, creating an entire universe of Raul’s making. More picture books, early readers, plushies, and even an animated cartoon in the works! Let’s get to know Raul the Third’s Origin Story.

In this episode, we are going to get to know how Ngozi Ukazu became Ngozi Ukazu. In 2013, Ngozi created called Check, Please! The webcomic follows vlogger and figure-skater turned ice-hockey player Eric "Bitty" Bittle as he enters college.Bitty deals with hockey culture, toxic masculinity, as well as his identity as a gay man. Oh, he also bakes delicious pies. In 2018, First Second brought Ngozi’s Check, Please! To print and the book became a massive success! Please note that this interview was recorded some months ago BEFORE I knew just what I should be doing with my microphones. I considered re-recording the interview but there is just something magical about learning of a friend’s history in the moment. Let’s get to know Ngozi Ukazu!

Raina Telgemeier, a graphic novelist that is so famous, she can go by just her first name—Raina. Raina’s work helped revolutionize graphic novels as we know them, cementing their place in schools and bookshops. And she did that by just being herself and following her passions, as you will soon learn directly from Raina herself. I can’t imagine the graphic novel landscape without her. And as one of my oldest pals in this book industry, I can’t imagine not having her as somebody to lean on as we have all navigated these careers we have in comics. I am proud to present to you—Raina Telgemeier’s Origin Story!

In this episode, we are going to get to know how Maia Kobabe became Maia Kobabe. In 2019, Maia Kobabe made eir debut as a traditionally published cartoonist with their graphic memoir, GENDER QUEER. GENDER QUEER is about Maia’s coming to eir understanding—and coming out—as a non-binary person. It’s a frank and mature book, whose intended audience is for older teens and adults. This book is a look at the intensely cathartic journey Maia took, and as you’ll hear from Maia in a moment, was written, in part, to help eir family understand what it means to be non-binary and asexual. This interview was recorded well before GENDER QUEER became the target of book banning initiatives across the country. As is often the case with these situations, passages have been taken out of context and disseminated as whole, creating hysteria around the book. What I have often been seeing int the news is a decrying of what is and isn’t appropriate for children. Of course, GENDER QUEER wasn’t written for children, but for young adults. From what I have been seeing, the terms “children” and “young adults” are often lumped together as one, which is a mischaracterization of where and how books deemed “problematic” are being shelved in libraries. In this podcast, I will be covering graphic novelists who produce work for all ages. I also want to make it clear that I am a firm believer in the First Amendment, and a student’s right to have access to age-appropriate literature. While my graphic memoir, HEY, KIDDO, has nowhere near faced the level of book canning as GENDER QUEER, I can speak from experience that is neither fun nor a badge of honor to have your book banned and decried as inappropriate. As the wise Dr. Rudine Sims Bishop presented to us—books can serve as both mirrors and windows to readers. Meaning, when a reader recognizes their experiences within the pages of a book, they can feel empowered. And when a reader experiences a book as a window, they can have a deeper understanding of a life that is unlike their own experiences, and develop empathy. Order Maia's book through HIGH FIVE BOOKS, a great, local indie bookshop! https://bookshop.org/books/gender-queer-a-memoir/9781549304002

Gene is a trailblazer. His book American Born Chinese was the very first graphic novel to become a finalist for the National Book Award finalist —an honor that he’s has actually earned twice! Gene has also garnered a Printz medal, a few Harvey Awards, and about a gazillion Eisner awards. Gene also served as the National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature and was a part of the 2016 class of the MacArthur Fellows Program, receiving what is commonly called the "Genius Grant.” I am proud to present to you—Gene Luen Yang’s Origin Story. Order Gene's books through HIGH FIVE BOOKS, a great, local indie bookshop! https://bookshop.org/lists/gene-luen-yang-jjk-guest-author-illustrator

Every superhero has an origin story, as do the people who are responsible for making those comics. And comics, of course, are not just all about superheroes. I’m graphic novelist Jarrett J. Krosoczka, and in this podcast, I am going to go on a deep dive into the stories of my colleagues in comics. What were they like as kids? What were their hopes and dreams? And were those hopes and dreams supported by the adults in their lives? How did they get their big break? Basically, how did they come to be the incredible authors and artists we know them to be today? What is their Origin Story?