Kids Comics Month: Get To Know Nick Dragotta

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!

Nick Dragotta
Co-Creator/Artist  Known for: Howtoons Vol. 1 TP (DEC140668)

PREVIEWSworld: How would you describe your comic to a young reader to get them excited about it?

Nick Dragotta: In Howtoons, brother and sister Tucker and Celine, take us on wild adventures that show us how to make things using everyday household goods. Things like marshmallow shooters, soda bottle rockets, zoetropes, turkey baster flutes, and more. Don't tell anyone, but we integrate the educational material into the comic book storytelling so you don't even know you're learning!

PREVIEWSworld: What got you excited about your comic?  Is there any part in particular you can share about the upcoming story?

Nick Dragotta: I like the challenge of trying to capture a kid’s imagination. If the story is a success, then we can inspire them to go and learn through play… to live the adventure they just read. My favorite story recently is called, “Bubblelonia”. In it, Tuck and Celine visit a new planet that's entirely made up of a soap solution. They bring back samples and reverse engineer it to fill their back yard with bubbles!

PREVIEWSworld: What do you think is the most essential building block in crafting a story geared toward young readers? And how have you employed it in one of your more recent projects?

Nick Dragotta: I try to make some aspect of the characters relatable. I think kids want to identify with what they read.

PREVIEWSworld: What was your favorite comic as a kid? And how does it continue to influence you today?

Nick Dragotta: I loved Sal Buscema's The Spectacular Spider-Man. I think we can all learn something from the clarity in his storytelling.

---

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. The Lost Thing by Shaun Tan

WHY? Shaun Tan creates comics that are otherworldly and read like nothing else. They make you think.

2. Calvin and Hobbes (See Pages 266-269 of the August PREVIEWS for the Calvin & Hobbes Backlist!)

WHY? Bill Watterson is a master, and Calvin feels alive on the page…

3. Dragon Ball Z (Vol. 1 CE HC—JUL084338)

WHY? I love how simple, yet dynamic, Akira Toriyama’s drawings and storytelling is…