Kids Comics Month: Get To Know Vicente "Vinny" Navarrete

Whether you’re young or old, regardless of your tastes and interests, there’s no denying the appeal of a well-written, well-drawn comic book or graphic novel. “All-Ages” doesn’t have to strictly mean “For Kids Only”… especially when there’s so much wonderful content being created today that’s perfectly suited for anyone to pick up and enjoy.

This month PREVIEWS celebrates Kid Comics throughout the issue with plenty of new and backlist titles available. And in anticipation of this month’s theme, we reached out to some of All Ages Comics’ most talented creators for these mini-interviews! You may know the titles, but do you know their creators? Hopefully you’ll get a better insight into these talented creators with this month’s special feature!

Vicente "Vinny" Navarrete
Comic Creator Known For: Booger Beard

PREVIEWSworld: Tell us a little bit about yourself and about your book!

Vicente "Vinny" Navarrete: You got it! My name is Vicente Navarrete… people call me Vinny. I love drawing, shooting hoops and I believe squirrels are a shifty bunch who are up to no good! Booger Beard from Oni Press (FEB151531), is the story of a little boy named Mijo who sneezes a BIG ONE, unleashing a nasty beard that he attempts to convince his Ma-Mee as to why she should let him keep it! Booger Beard is my fourth children’s comic book adventure, and it is my first time writing and illustrating the whole sha-bang!

PREVIEWSworld: What is the most exciting part of working on a kid’s comic? What do you think is most essential in crafting a story geared toward young readers?

Vicente "Vinny" Navarrete: Hmmm… for me, the most exciting part of working on a kid’s comic is the challenge of taking a silly idea from a childhood experience and turning it into a full-fledged story to share with people. The challenge becomes a feeling of, “Ooh, I could make this! This could be that color, and what if this was like that!” The possibilities that the challenge provides are what really excite me. Having FUN is essential in crafting a story geared toward young readers. Kids tell it like it is, so if you’re having fun writing and drawing a story for them, they’re gonna pick up on that and in turn have fun themselves. 

PREVIEWSworld: What can readers look forward to in your upcoming project?

Vicente "Vinny" Navarrete: Readers can look forward to seeing a lot of bright colors, funny illustrations, and Spanish words here and there throughout Booger Beard. Oh, and also… BOOOOGERSSSS!

PREVIEWSworld: And lastly, what was your favorite comic as a kid, and how does it continue to influence you today?

Vicente "Vinny" Navarrete: My favorite comic as a kid was this single issue of Batman I had from the storyline, “Ten Nights of The Beast.” It was the fourth and last issue and it was oh-so-precious to me! I must’ve flipped through that sucker a billion times. Re-reading it over and over, admiring the drawings and bright colors of my favorite pointy-eared hero in action. I actually haven’t thought of this comic in years, but its lasting influence is evident.

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Please recommend three current comics for kids that you enjoy, and provide a few sentences about why you think these comics are top picks!

1. Love Vol. 1: The Tiger (NOV141547)

WHY? A beautiful “day in the life of” story, from the talented team of writer Frédéric Brrémaud and illustrator Federico Bertolucci. This sucker is top-notch! I highly recommend it.

2. Costume Quest: Invasion of the Candy Snatchers (JUN141332)

WHY? This was a lot of fun to read. Zac Gorman’s drawings and color choices are perfect. I lost track of time reading and being in this world!

3. Star Wars: Darth Vader and Son (FEB121318) 

WHY? These books are so funny, any Star Wars fan, young and old is gonna have a blast reading this or any of the other titles in the series by Jeffery Brown. Great stuff!