Sometimes, it feels like we’re going through life’s struggles alone, flailing with what the world, work, and relationships throw at us. It’s nice to know we’re not alone and that others out there are sometimes floundering just as much, and that we can all chuckle at the absurdity of all of this. *gestures everywhere*
Creator Laura Romagnoli knows this well and helps us smile at our own foibles in her positively hilarious and poignant comic Average Adventures of an Average Girl. In the series, Average Girl–our main character–struggles with the same issues that plague us, and her own tales aid us in belly-laughing at our problems and hiccups.
Recently, Romagnoli partnered with Rocketship Entertainment to launch a Kickstarter to bring Average Adventures of an Average Girl Volume 1 to the printed page. I spoke with with Laura Romagnoli about the origins of Average Adventures of an Average Girl, how the evolution of the Average Girl character mirrors Romagnoli’s own life, the Kickstarter itself, and what she hopes readers take away from the series.
FreakSugar: For folks who might not be familiar with the comic, what is the idea behind Average Adventures of an Average Girl?
Laura Romagnoli: Average Girl was born on a high school notebook back in 2012. Initially, it was my way of expression joy and frustration, the teenage way! Then, back in 2014, I started posting online not thinking much of it – who would care about how I felt? But unexpectedly, my readers could relate! And in fact, shared so many experiences like mine! My readers made me feel seen and understood, and that’s when I finally realized that I wanted this understanding to be mutual! That’s when Average Adventures of an Average Girl goal became the one it has today: this webcomic is a way of connecting to each other, accepting oneself and see the humorous side of everyday life challenges!
FS: You have such a broad, hilarious cast. What can you tell us about some of the characters we meet?
LR: Some are inspired by real people – some are a sum of multiple ones, some are just straight out taken from singular ones, like Boyfriend who is the cartoon transposition of my fiance! It’s a way to celebrate the people I know, even the ones I don’t like much like Friendly Neighbor!
The ones that are not take from real people, like Satan and Jeff, are more a transposition of how I behave sometimes or how I feel to be perceived. Satan is known for being a bad, evil guy (my hard, stoic side that doesn’t show emotions), but is a softie on the inside. Jeff is a curious alien who views anything humans do as scientifically interesting (my curious side who likes to search for something new and bizarre!).
FS: You just celebrated the 10th anniversary of the comic. What feelings do you have about that milestone?
LR: Honestly, time flew by! Sometimes I worry that I won’t have anything to tell anymore through Average Girl, but life goes on and, to say it in the millennial way, epic fails keep coming my way sooo…
FS: Following up on that, how has the comic or your approach to the comic changed over the years, if at all?
LR: It has changed, but at the same time it didn’t.
The way I approach working on a comic is the same – when an idea comes to mind, that’s it, there’s nothing more to think about! I just need to draw it without much planning ahead, so that’s what is still the same.
What changed, though, is the way I personally live my life. Average Girl of 2014 does not experience the same things and feels the same way as Average Girl of 2024. For example, AG of the early years has much more bad luck and is more self-deprecating, while recent AG is more self-loving, is in love with Boyfriend and faces way more adulthood problems.
FS: Do you have to be in a particular frame of mind when you work on an installment of the comic?
LR: Honestly, I just vibe with that came to mind. But one thing for sure, I need to work quickly and without wasting time since I have two more jobs!
FS: On to the Kickstarter itself, what can you tell us about the campaign?
LR: Well, if you, like me, are a gadget-lover, this campaign is AWESOME! Pins, prints, stickers, and so much more! What’s there to not love about that? Also, as much as I like having comics ready to read on my phone, nothing beats the experience of a book, its smell, the colors, the look on the shelf! Plus, this campaign really has a tier for any time of budget!
FS: What kinds of rewards can backers expect to be available?
LR: Pins, prints, stickers, and much more, but what I think is the coolest is the “Take Us To Your Leader” Triptych Prints (set of three prints)! It’s so cool and it’s something that would be awesome added to an art wall! But, maybe, the coolest thing is actually the hardcover dusk jacket with all the characters from Average Adventures of an Average Girl! No, wait, I think the coolest is the full-colored, giclee commission of up to any two characters drawn and digitally signed! But, also the fact that you can appear is a comic is amazing.
FS: Besides being entertained, what do you hope readers get from reading the series?
LR: A good laugh, the knowledge of having a new, best friend, and the feeling to be understood! By the way the story ends in this volume 1, a heartwarming feeling is what I hope my readers will be left with then they finish the graphic novel!
FS: Do you have more adventures planned for our heroine?
LR: Oh, yes. Many more to come! Beside everyday life, I’d love to explore a more surreal side of AG! I also plan on using more character, more often! But, as I said before, I’m more of an eureka-type of artist, so, yes planning, but much more just draw what feels right in the moment.
FS: If you had a final pitch for Average Adventures of an Average Girl, what would it be?
LR: If something can go wrong, it surely will. But at least it will be an interesting story to tell!
As of press time, you still have 11 days to preorder Average Adventures of an Average Girl Volume 1! Check out Laura Romagnoli’s charming, chucklelicious, and captivating comic and get in on the bevy of backer rewards!