Aliso Viejo Author Featured at Comic Con 2011

An Aliso Viejo poet and author will be launching her first comic series, "(Still) Afraid of the Dark," later this year.

With a teaser issue showcased at the 2011 Comic Con in Anaheim on April 29 to May 1, Jennifer Donnell said she is excited about the release.

“I really got into writing right when I was in fifth grade. My teacher asked us to write some poems to use in each other’s books, and everyone loved mine, so it just took off from there,” she said. “Since then I created my own zine, which is a self-published magazine. For some reason it was really popular with prisoners. I even had one who sent me a bunch of stamps just so that he could get his issues every month.”

Donnell is the host of Smiley Face Poetry at the Aliso Viejo library and said she finds comics similar to her style of writing.

“Comics are the closest thing to poetry,” she said. “Right now I’m looking to get my comic published. Two issues are done, but I just need the right publisher. Some publishers do a great job of advertising your work and turn you into a rock star, while others are more on the literary side. I’d prefer one that’s more in the middle.”

Donnell said it wasn't easy creating her own comic and has learned a lot.

“At first I had an artist who I really just didn’t get along with,” she said. “Then I found Jared Lamp, my current artist, and he’s great to work with. He stayed up for three nights straight preparing the art for this year’s Comic Con. I really had to learn how to work with others when we created this comic.”

Donnell said she can relate to the main character of her comic.

“The main character of the series shares something in common with me,” she said. “We both share our very first childhood memory.”

Visit "(Still) Afraid of the Dark" on the Web for more information and to order your issue.