Indie Edge: Justine Prado

Please tell us a bit about yourself!

Well… I’m a Los Angeles-based comic book author, screenwriter, and cat lady. I recently wrote a special edition of Faith for Valiant Comics, and an educational curriculum (in Comic format!) for the Girls Build LA foundation. GBLA is an organization within the LA public schools that helps young women effect social change in their communities, and it was inspiring to work with them. I find it amazing that each comic book project is so different and unique. Finding Molly: An Adventure in Catsitting (See Page 346 for more information!) — is my first graphic novel. Before I got into writing full time for Hollywood, I was a theatre geek, an adequate musician, and a political activist (I still am all those things). And when I’m not writing, I’m spending time with my cat, “Thriller”, who enjoys eating shoelaces.

What are your favorite projects you’ve contributed to over the past decade?

If you want to check out some of my other work, you should definitely read Finding Molly. Molly is all my favorite things in one book — it’s a funny, coming-of-age story about artists in LA. Each character is dealing with their own struggles, but what’s important to me is how they find humor and beauty in those struggles. Molly is a character searching for inspiration in a world she feels has let her down, and she finds that inspiration in an unlikely place — cats! You should also check out the special edition of Faith that I wrote for Valiant Comics. It was a joint venture with the Keep A Breast Foundation. I was fortunate enough to write for one of my favorite comic characters in a very personal and important issue about breast cancer and the importance of self-checks, even for young people. Comic books are a wonderful platform to not only tell exciting and engaging stories, but also to bring people together. I’m inspired by the diversity of characters and the kinds of stories that are coming out now, especially in indie comics, and I’m so grateful to be a part of this community!

What fun titles are you reading?

The Wendy Project (NBM) (MAY171751) by Melissa Jane Osborne & Veronica Fish—This book is heart-wrenching and beautiful. It’s a modern take on the Peter Pan story, as told from Wendy’s point of view. The art is dreamy and haunting, and the author manages to weave magic and fantasy with a very grounded and honest story about grief and adolescence.

Jem: The Misfits (IDW) (MAY170559)—Of course I love Jem, and I love the Misfits! What makes this special for me is that the amazing artist behind Finding Molly, Jenn St-Onge, has been working on The Misfits, and it is totally outrageous! (sorry, lame, I know) — BUT, I’m so excited for her and so happy to see more people falling in love with Jenn’s art.

Britannia (Valiant) (DEC162066)—This series hooked me immediately. Set in the Roman Empire, this book combines historical drama with supernatural elements, and the storytelling is fantastic. It’s exciting, scary, sexy — and for us academic/history nerds, it includes a professor’s insight at the end of each issue that gives some background and historical perspective.

EDGE ESSENTIALS

Pick up these books to learn more about Llexi Leon’s Indie Edge style!

Finding Molly Vol. 1: An Adventure in Catsitting TP (Emet) (SEP171610)

Faith: Warped Tour/Keep A Breast Special Edition #1