Priscilla is just your average girl – she asks questions, spends time with friends and even gets in trouble now and then. Through this series of comic books about her life, kids are presented with biblical stories and important lessons.
WHAT LED YOU TO WRITE PRISCILLA?
Priscilla started out as a character in my comic book Noah. She was part of the sub-story as I always try to weave a modern tale within the biblical story to make it more relevant to today’s youth. I had Jamie Cosley draw her for a trading card set I was developing for the Crown Jr. Comics universe—when I got the final artwork from Jamie, I knew I had to collaborate with him in the future, something related to the Priscilla character. We developed a Tower of Babel comic for the iPhone together, but the deal with the developer fell through. So I decided why not use the existing artwork and make a comic book out of it … thus the Priscilla series was born.
STARTING OUT, WHO WERE THE AUTHORS WHO INSPIRED YOU? WHO INSPIRES YOU NOW?
I really don’t have a favorite author but in terms of inspiration it has to be Phil Vischer. From VeggieTales to his What’s In the Bible series, he’s the best at what he does and his work motivates me to be a better writer and producer.
HOW DOES YOUR FAITH INFLUENCE YOUR WRITING?
It is everything. I can’t write unless it’s for the glory of God and His kingdom. There have been times where I tried to do a story that I believe will be more commercially viable, but they are never as good as the stories God places in my heart. The Priscilla series truly represents that.
HOW LONG HAVE YOU KNOWN YOU WANTED TO BE AN AUTHOR?
I was helping my friend Greg Lucero promote his Gang Ministry comic “Soldiers of Darkness” when I naively thought to myself that I could produce and write my own Christian comic for kids, since there weren’t any in the market. I remember getting back the first five pages, fully colored and lettered, and having the feeling that this is what I was created to do. I don’t think my strength is writing … coming up with ideas and story lines is what I do best.
WHAT DO YOU MOST HOPE THAT READERS GET FROM READING YOUR WORK?
I hope every child who opens one of my titles gets a fun story, with Biblical values and teachings, that he or she will remember for the rest of their life. Have I accomplished it yet? I don’t know, but with every new title we strive to produce a better product than before. If we haven’t reached that level yet, then with God’s help and hard work, we will get there.