Interview with Jimmy Gaspero, Co-Creator of Penny and the Yeti
(On the topic of creating Penny and the Yeti) From beginning [of the idea] to now—it’s been about six years. I was 40 when the idea came about and I’ll be 47 when the book is released—but it’s like that old adage, “it’s never too late.” Sometimes you have to make and effort and make your ideas happen.
Jimmy Gaspero, Co-Creator of Penny and the Yeti
Jimmy Gaspero is no stranger to comics nor has he followed the typical comic creator path. An Attorney by profession and host of the Comic Book Yeti Creator Cryptid Corner with Bryan O’Neil, comics have been part of Gaspero’s life but only recently from the creative side.
But like most creators, part of what got Gaspero into co-creating the comic, Penny and the Yeti, with Amber Akin is happenstance.
Of course, it began with a comic shop. Gaspero one day was searching for an activity with his oldest daughter and turned to his local comic book shop down the street. This community ultimately connected Gaspero with the Comic Book Yeti and the podcast with Editor-in-Chief Byron O’Neal.
Like all comic book readers, that buzz—or whisper—saying, “you should write your own comic,” hit Gaspero. Soon what began with a short illustrated story with artist/illustrator Amber Akin titled, Yeti and the Big Stomp, turned into a full-length graphic novel including the name of his youngest daughter, Penny.
What began as a fun small project years ago, has resulted Penny and the Yeti published by Papercutz and available now.
Gaspero was kind enough to talk Penny and the Yeti and its multi-layered story about friendship, maneuvering family drama as a kid.
Seth A. Romo: So right off the bat, making a comic that includes your child’s name sets a really high parenting standard.
Jimmy Gaspero: (Chuckles) When we started the story it heavily involved Penny, but we also found a way to include my oldest whose middle name is Perry as one of the characters in the book. Penny is front and center, but if we get a sequel, expect to see more about Perry.
How did the story evolve from a four-page short to a full graphic novel?
The original title was Yeti and the Big Stomp and it was a four-page comics that had a scene where the character go to a diner and the Yeti gets upset because they dont have what Yeti wants and this causes cracks in the floor and Penny has to go talk to Yeti to calm things down.
I pitched the idea to Mad Cave Studios and Papercutz and they gave me about two months to put together a full story with co-creator Amber Akin.
What are you excited for readers to experience from Penny and the Yeti?
Amber Akin, who is the co-creator, artist, and colorist on the book has done a phenomenal job and the artwork is so fun and whimsical, so I am excited for readers to enjoy that.
As for the story itself, it’s about family and deals with that experience kids can face when parents argue. There is nothing traumatic in the book, and the parents are not the villains, but highlighting the human side of parents when their relationship is impacted by being tired, overworked, and it spills in front of the kids.
Penny wears her emotions on her sleeves and during an argument she overhears, she draws a Yeti that walks off the page and into Penny’s life which lead to some fun adventures.
I try to talk about little moments that can build tension in the home without making kids feel like it’s their job to fix things. Then of course there are a bunch of silly moments that I hope kids have a fun time with. If there anything kids get from this story, I hope it’s the ability to express themselves.
So have you reflected on how Yetis are so prominent in your life? You have Penny and the Yeti, Comic book Yeti…
Yeah that is just kind of weird happen-stance. I’ve always liked cryptids and have a friend who is a true believer in Big Foot. But I love magical realism and part of where the name came from was when I was putting Penny to bed and she recommended I write about a Yeti. So I was like, yeah, well you got to be in it. So we got, “Penny and the Yeti!”
How has it been reflecting on your journey from comic book reader, to comic book podcaster, and now creator?
I feel great. From beginning to now—it’s been about six years. I was 40 when the idea came about and I’ll be 47 when the book is released—but it’s like that old adage, “it’s never too late.” Sometimes you have to make and effort and make your ideas happen.
Penny and the Yeti is on stands now. For more about Jimmy Gaspero, you can follow him at @jimmygaspero on Instagram
This interview was written by Seth Adrian Romo. All quotes were edited for clarity.
