First Comics News: What made you want to be a writer?
Jason Douglas: I actually had this abstract and then a latent dream of making comics since I was about 12 years old. My deep love of comics as a medium from a young age, right up to today, kept that dream percolating somewhere at the back of my brain, even as I took a nine-year break from reading comics in my late teens, became a public school teacher, started a family, and lived life. However, the actual execution of that dream took decades to push its way to the forefront of my mind and came through atypical backchannels.
I had started and was running an elementary school and an intermediate school drama club in the buildings I taught in. We needed plays to perform, had no budget, and thus, overcome with a heaping of blissful ignorance and a dash of irrational confidence, I asked myself, “How hard could it be to write a play?!” The answer, obvious to anybody who writes or has ever attempted to write creatively, is VERY HARD!!! But after several years and several plays, I had developed some “chops” and got a couple of plays published with Heuer Publishing (under a different name than I use when I write comics)! That success and that creative satisfaction were wonderful, but actually were one of the major catalysts that re-fired the original dream… to write comics!
So, once again, armed with a hearty dose of blissful ignorance and now a sizable serving of irrational confidence, I sat down to write a comic script, once again asking the question, “How hard could it be?!” The answer (my comics professional out there can see this answer coming from a mile away) is, of course, MUCH HARDER THAN ANY OTHER FORM OF WRITING!!!
In the end, over a summer, I wrote the first half of what would become my first book, ok Parallel, shopped it directly (and in person) to an up-and-coming publisher, signed a contract with them, and made my first book. All the while never losing sight of how this dream come true was not typically how comics are made (much less first comics in the 21st century), and what an amazing opportunity this was for someone who had dreamed about doing this for years and actually getting a shot right in the middle of life (a not so subtle way to say I am no spring chicken for being relatively close to the beginning of my comics writing career).
Rich: How has being a teacher helped you to be a better writer?
Jason: Being a teacher has had a tremendous influence on me as a writer, as well as in other aspects of my comics career. First and foremost, working with 8-10 year olds for the first 1 years of my career and with 13-14 year olds for the last 13 years has taught me that young readers can smell a fraudulent, non-realistic, middle-aged writer trying to capture the voice of a younger person from a mile away. There is a reason why 8th graders love and respect S.E. Hinton’s all-time classic The Outsiders so much. She was 15 years old when she wrote the first draft, and it is told from the perspective of 1a 4-year-old boy (literally, them). While I am a long way away from 15, I have this wonderful unfair advantage of living and breathing the language, emotions, turmoil, hopes, and dreams of young people every single day. While it drives my wife nuts because she claims I have never matured past the age group I am teaching, it does allow me true empathy for younger characters when I write them, and to be able to channel that tone and voice when I sit down to write. This was especially useful in my newest graphic novel, Jane American.
Now, regardless of my wife’s claims about relative maturity, a classroom teacher also interacts with, and can absorb/empathize with, a wide variety of people of the adult variety as well! Fellow teachers, administrators, parents, and community members all come in a variety of shapes, sizes, tones, and realities, allowing for fantastic inspiration when you write.
I think the one area of teaching that actually caught me off guard in a very pleasant way, in how it overlaps and is enhanced by years of classroom experience, is my favorite aspect of being a comic writer; iterating with fans and customers at shows and conventions. There is a massive overlap between the energy you have to bring in front of 180 teenagers each day, and the kind of energy you need to bring from behind the table as a guest at a convention. Real passion, real conviction, real energy, but also the ability to repeat all of that 1st hour -7th hour (repetition without a single person feeling like they are not getting your best or hearing what you are saying for the first time) is nearly a one transfer of skill to my job at a show!
Rich: What was your comic “Parallel” about?
Jason: My first book Parallel is a dark sci-fi twisted tale, kind of in the vein of an episode of Black Mirror or The Twilight Zone, that begs the question of you the reader; What price would you pay for a second chance at all the dreams you thought you left behind forever?”. Landon, our protagonist, is going through what the kids are calling these days the “quarter life crisis”, existential dread about time passing, dreams deferred, did I make the right choices, is it too late. (You truly don’t have to look too far to make the connection between my own midlife crisis that acted as motivation to finally get off my rear and follow the dream I had of writing comics since I was 12). Everyone goes through their version of this at one point in their life. Anxiety, dread, depression, however it manifests for you and me… Landon starts hearing voices and seeing visions of an alternate version of himself reaching out and offering him a second chance at a dream he thought the door was closed on forever. Unfortunately for Landon, it may not be worth it physically or mentally in the here and now to pay that price. This book gets pretty dark in the second half. Parallel is currently in a special edition printing with 32 pages of back matter bonus material due to the sell-out of its initial print run through my publisher. While this book is 100% not for young readers, it is still a personal story for me, exercising my own demons about time passing and finding out it is not too late to make your thing and follow your dreams. My next book, Jane America, is for everyone, but also personal, in quite a different way.
Rich: “Jane American” is your new book?
Jason: Jane American is my new book. It is a 132-page full-color OGN WWII coming-of-age tale that takes place in historic Plymouth, Michigan (about halfway between Detroit and Ann Arbor). It might remind some readers tonally of Superman For All Seasons and Archie 1941.
Rich: How does the War change Jane?
Jason: During the war years, Jane is living a life of family, stability, and hope… until she isn’t. Until the war comes knocking at her door, bringing tragedy with it, and changing Jane in unbelievable ways that are better left hidden (insert your metaphor here). But the end of the war brings reality with it; Dad is not coming home, and society has determined that Mom can no longer be a Rosie the Riveter and support her family. This leaves Jane with a choice: Stay safe, stay hidden, or… embrace who she really is and what she can truly do, for the sake of everyone that she loves!
Rich: How did you find Annie Wright to be the artist on “Jane American”?
Jason: Dr. Christy Blanch, my editor on this book, found Annie. In addition to Christy being an amazing editor, a world-class author in her own right, an educator, and a much in-demand panel moderator at conventions across the country, she is also the owner/operator of Aw Yeah Comics in Munci, Indiana, where Annie was a regular customer when she was a kid. Christy put us in touch, and the rest is now amazing work between the covers of the book! Annie is still only 22 years old, and this is her first book. I could not be more impressed or proud of her!
Rich: Who else helped bring this comic book to life?
Jason: The creative team that brought this book to life is an eclectic embarrassment of riches if you ask me. Annie did the art from thumbnails to colors, the incomparable Dave Lentz was our letterer, art director, and book designer, Dr. Christy edited the book with special section assists from the amazing YA novelist Randi Pink, current DC comics Superman icon Sina Grace did the cover art for our wraparound hardcover, and fellow teacher and soon to be graphic novelist Lauren Nalepa did the art on the wraparound softcover! Comic superstar and educator in her own right, Afua Richardson, wrote a very powerful foreword for the book. A very special shout-out is due to Mrs.Cassie Osborn for additional design work and social media know-how!
Rich: Will readers be surprised or inspired while reading “Jane American”? What is your personal connection to the book as far as your grandparents are concerned?
Jason: Well, this book is full of those universal, relatable, and old to young age-appropriate themes of identity, self-worth, you being you in a world that tells you something different, but it is also a deeply personal story to me. It is named after and inspired by my late grandmother, who went through all of those struggles 80 years ago. It is dedicated to every kid who has traveled through my classroom over the last 26 years who still struggles with those themes today. And, it is much for freshly dedicated to my late grandfather (a WWII veteran and my wing man in the early days of research for this book) who just last year, at the age of 99, when he realized he was not going to see 100, made me promise that the book that contains the name and likeness of his high school sweetheart, my grandmother, would see print. So this is me fulfilling that promise to him!
Rich: How does it feel to get two Ringo Award nominations? Is there a voting process where people can vote for you?
Jason: Finding out that Jane American was nominated for Best Writer and Best Original Graphic Novel was an honor on so many levels. First and foremost, it is a testament to how hard everyone worked on this story. All of us understand the time, pain, joy, and passion we poured into this book, but to have that effort recognized on a national level… that is something else entirely.
Personally, when I see my name in the same category and right next to so many talented creators that have been heroes of mine long before I became a published comic creator, well, now that, now that is a 12-year-old comic fan’s mind-blowing, dance-for-joy, pinch me moment! If impostor syndrome is not threatening to overwhelm me yet (it is), it certainly is here to stay now!
And… in a “The World Moves In Mysterious Ways” kind of vibe, my connection to these particular awards continues to grow stronger. Four years ago, when Parallel was nominated for two awards, I had the great honor of getting to stand on stage at the ceremony, present some awards, and give a short speech about how Mike Wieringo (Ringo to his friends and fans) made a difference in literally hundreds of students’ lives when I brought his comics into my classroom decades before. Reluctant readers and below-grade-level readers alike made strides and leaps in a positive direction of literacy due to his work in the comics field. I stood on that stage and gave that speech at the same age that Mike’s life was tragically cut short, long before his creative output (which touched so many) was close to being done. It was less than a year later that I was diagnosed with colon cancer (asymptomatic and only found through the luck of a timely colonoscopy at the age of 45 – go get yourself and your loved ones scanned, faithful readers!) and have been riding that roller coaster of ups and downs ever since. The connection and kismet of being nominated again is not lost on me. I am grateful to still be here, grateful to still be able to create, and deeply grateful to Mike and the awards named after him for such an honor.
As far as voting goes… If there are any comic professionals (who have read this far and endured my ramblings) who would care to vote for a public school teacher and indie comic creator who made his dreams come true, all you have to do is head over to www.ringoawards.com and fill out your ballot. Big name in the industry, small names, front and center, behind the scenes, artists (pencils, inks, colors), letterers, writers, art directors, if you make comics… come on out and vote!
Rich: Is making comics a dream come true for you?
Jason: Oh, absolutely. I have been a comics fan, a collector,r ana d reader in equal measure, exponentially longer than I have been a creator. It is quite literally a dream come true for me to be able to make comics that I would want to read. Comics that are wrapped in those familiar genres and tropes that longtime comic fans are familiar with, while at the same time layering in universal and relatable themes that everyone can connect to and personalize for themselves! There is no bigger compliment that I can receive than finding out something I wrote made a difference for someone else, made them feel less alone, taught them something, inspired them to seek the help they needed… or simply was good enough to read again or share with family and friends!
Rich: What is next in your comic book career?
Jason: Coming up next? I have two main missions, one expanding on what is going on right now, and one concerning getting new work out into the world.
First, I would love to get Jane American to a wider audience, especially in libraries, schools, and book fairs. To do that, one needs a literary agent (wink, wink, nudge, nudge, say no more faithful readers, call me if you are someone who can help!). Another way to help that process along is to vote for the Ringos! In all honesty, getting a book with powerful themes, a rip-roaring, entertaining adventure, and true-life historical lessons and information throughout into the hands of as many readers as possible was always the goal. In fact, the teacher and history nerd in me could not resist including some pretty cool back matter in this book. After you read the story you will find end notes with all of the historical Easter eggs you might have missed on a first reading (this really enriches and historically expands a second reading experience) and even a teacher’s guide with Common Core State Standards, anticipatory sets, Socratic circles, everything you might need to integrate Jane American into a classroom as direct or supplemental instruction!
In future news, I have just finished a script on a 60-page oversized one-shot called No Man’s Land. It has been edited once again by the amazing Dr. Christy and is now in the hands of Upper Peninsula, Michigan, artist Brad Gischia. What started as a simple WWI Werewolf Horror/Slasher book has morphed into a story with deep themes about family, friendship, love, betrayal, and the horrors of war. But, for my more mature readers, rest assured, there is plenty of werewolf terror to keep your blood chill, too!
Rich: What would you like to say to anyone who picks up “Jane American”?
Jason: I actually have a promise for anyone interested in supporting a 26-year veteran of the public school classroom and an indie comic creator by picking up a copy of Jane American… It will break your heart, it will make you cheer, you will learn something historical (or many somethings) you did not know previously, and there is a decent chance that you are striking a heroic Rosie The Riveter pose somewhere in your house by the time you finish reading!
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