Origin Stories with JJK

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...

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...

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’...

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...

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 a...

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 t...

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 suppor...