On Being a Plain Jane

Cecil Castellucci acts more like a 15-year-old boy than a 37-year-old woman. And she makes no apologies.  And this article about her first graphic novel (June 5, 2007) reminds me more of Rose Rita Pottinger.

Castellucci has just released her first graphic novel, "The Plain Janes," published by MINX, a new imprint aimed at teenage girls owned by DC Comics.

"Plain Janes" is a coming-of-age story, centered on a group of misfits who create a secret society, P.L.A.I.N. (People Loving Art in Neighborhoods), as a means of self-expression. Through their guerilla art projects, the girls quickly cause an uproar, leading to scandal and high-school rebellion.

Something of a high school rebel herself, Castellucci's own artistic journey began with the creation of a nom de guerre, Cecil, a very tongue-in-cheek homage to Cecil B. DeMille. "My real name was kind of blah," she recalls, "and so I would turn in school work like 'A Book Report by Cecil B. DeMille.' "

"The Plain Janes" is Castellucci's first experience creating comic books, but it's far from her first experience with the form. ("I have a really huge crush on Superman right now, so I'm obsessed with reading everything Superman," she observes.) The main character of her first novel, "Boy Proof," was a girl obsessed with Vertigo comics.

Much like "Boy Proof's" protagonist, Castellucci also harbored dreams of someday writing for Vertigo, a DC imprint known for titles such as "Sandman," "Preacher" and "Transmetropolitan," with controversial subject matter aimed at a more mature audience.