Sam Maggs: Incredibly different! But that’s what makes working in different mediums so much fun you get to learn a new skillset each time. Q: How different was it writing for a manga opposed to writing for comics and video games? That was the hardest thing for me to adjust to-the way you get to see the characters laughing or crying, and it represents their inner feelings, not their realistic behavior. And I feel like the emotions are brought forward. I feel like there’s more motion in manga you get pulled more quickly through the pages. Like, if it were a song, it would feel lighter. Manga storytelling often feels lighter to me. But Sam did all the heaviest lifting.īut there is a difference between this and Runaways, the Marvel comic I write, or Pumpkinheads, the graphic novel I did with Faith Erin Hicks. I was there to edit, and to write new scenes and dialogue where we needed it. Rainbow Rowell: This experience was different largely because another writer-the very talented Sam Maggs-was doing the major work of adapting. Q: You’re no stranger to comics can you share with us some differences between working on a manga adaptation of your work and working on western comics? He’s so tortured and goth, and his perfect turtleneck-it kills me. I think she nailed it! Simon and Baz look like themselves, but still totally new. And she also had to differentiate between the Simon and Baz in canon, and the Simon and Baz in Cath’s fanfiction. She had to illustrate the Fangirl versions of Simon and Baz, who are younger and more traditional than the Carry On characters. Gabi had a tricky assignment with this manga.

And I’ve also gotten to see so much fantastic fan art of Simon and Baz over the years… Rainbow Rowell: Oh man, I’m so lucky to work with Kevin. Q: We’ve gotten a glimpse of Simon and Baz from Kevin Wada-who illustrates the covers for your Simon Snow novels-what do you think of the manga rendition of the pair? There are a couple of panels that left me speechless. He has a special place in my heart, and I couldn’t wait to see how Gabi drew not just his look but his physicality, the way he feels comfortable everywhere he goes. But I think I was probably most excited to see Levi. The Fangirl artist, Gabi Nam, is extremely talented, and her style is so distinct – I wanted to see her take on the whole world. Rainbow Rowell: That’s such a hard question.

Q: Which character were you most excited to see in their new manga glory?

Fangirl manga 2