Origin Stories with JJK

Origin Stories with JJK

Hosted and produced by bestselling author and illustrator Jarrett J. Krosoczka, Origin Stories with JJK takes you behind the curtain of creativity to explore the journeys of the visual storytellers who shape the graphic novel publishing landscape. Through candid conversations and a deep appreciation for the craft, JJK uncovers the unique paths that fuel artistic expression and drive success. Whether you’re an aspiring comics creator or a lover of graphic literature, this podcast celebrates the twists and turns of life, reminding us that every literary superstar has an origin story.

Episodes

💬📚 Scholastic Graphix: Raina Telgemeier, Scott McCloud, Gale Galligan, and Jamar Nicholas!

November 10, 2024 • 31 mins

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As I gear up for new interviews, enjoy the audio from this panel that I moderated for Scholastic Graphix featuring Raina Telgemeier, Scott McCloud, Gale Galligan, and Jamar Nicholas!

📚 Use code PODCAST to receive 10% off at StudioJJK.com/shop

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💬🎆 Gene Luen Yang's Origin Story

January 1, 2024 • 12 mins

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Gene Luen Yang is a celebrated writer, artist, and educator whose works have left an indelible mark on the world of comics and literature. Renowned for his thought-provoking storytelling and insightful exploration of cultural, social, and identity themes, Yang has captivated audiences of all ages. Through his groundbreaking graphic novels, including "American Born Chin...

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🐺💬 Aaron Blabey's Origin Story

September 9, 2023 • 52 mins

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Aaron Blabey is the best-selling author and illustrator behind massive hits like THE BAD GUYS, PIG THE PUG, and THELMA THE UNICORN. I was able to sit down with Aaron at Scholastic headquarters for the launch of his newest book—CAT ON THE RUN–which is the first in a trilogy. Get to know how Aaron went from childhood in rural Australia to where he is now!

To support the s...

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🐛 Eric Carle's Origin Story

June 17, 2023 • 18 mins

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Amongst the literary luminaries I have been blessed to befriend in this writerly life is Eric Carle. It almost feels silly to deliver an introduction for him—is unique style and unmistakable illustrations have become a cornerstone of children's literature.
Eric's most famous creation, "The Very Hungry Caterpillar," is a true masterpiece and a cherished book in coun...

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😘🌬️ Tomie dePaola's Origin Story

May 6, 2023 • 16 mins

📚 Use code PODCAST to receive 10% off at StudioJJK.com/shop

I miss my friend Tomie dePaola. In celebration of the US Postal Service issuing a Strega Nona stamp in his honor, I wanted to share this interview that I conducted with Tomie in the early 20-teens. Tomie's friendship is actually intertwined with the love story between me and Gina. When we started dating in 2006, she had her childhood copy of STREGA NONA with her in her...

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💬🏕️ Mike Curato's Origin Story

March 4, 2023 • 58 mins

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Mike Curato made a name for himself with beautiful picture books like his Litle Elliot series—heartwarming stories with beautiful illustrations reminiscent of Chris van Allsburg. In the fall of 2020, Mike published FLAMER, a semi-autobiographical tale about a mixed-race teen coming to terms with his sexuality while at scout camp. It is a raw, unflinching, and authent...

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🗯🧙🏻 Molly Knox Ostertag's Origin Story

February 25, 2023 • 39 mins

📚 Use code PODCAST to receive 10% off at StudioJJK.com/shop

I'm so excited to be bringing you Molly Knox Ostertag's Origin Story! Molly is so incredibly talented. She switches her creative time between graphic novels and animation. And it's fascinating to what overlaps and what is very different between those two mediums.

Molly started her graphic novel career with THE WITCH BOY, and if you haven't read that book and the subsequ...

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💬🐭Jennifer Holm & Matthew Holm's Origin Story

February 3, 2023 • 54 mins

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 tr...

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🗯🎸 Nate Powell's Origin Story

January 25, 2023 • 44 mins

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...

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💬⚖️Andrew Aydin's Origin Story

January 21, 2023 • 52 mins

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...

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🗯🤓 Tom Angleberger's Origin Story

September 5, 2022 • 43 mins

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 doe...

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💭🐰Cece Bell's Origin Story

August 27, 2022 • 54 mins

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!

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💬🦸🏾‍♀️Nilah Magruder's Origin Story

August 16, 2022 • 52 mins

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.

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💬🖋Robin Ha's Origin Story

March 27, 2022 • 45 mins

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 h...

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💬👶Lucy Knisley's Origin Story

March 19, 2022 • 48 mins

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).

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💬✏️Jerry Craft's Origin Story

March 12, 2022 • 52 mins

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 ...

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🗯🦊Raul the Third's Origin Story

March 5, 2022 • 34 mins

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...

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💬🏒Ngozi Ukazu's Origin Story

February 26, 2022 • 24 mins

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 ...

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💬😀Raina Telgemeier's Origin Story

February 8, 2022 • 28 mins

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 indust...

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💬🌿Maia Kobabe's Origin Story

February 1, 2022 • 25 mins

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 journe...

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