Frog, Log & Dave Almost Save the Day! by Trent Jamieson & Brent Wilson
Penguin Books
The first in the new Frog, Log & Dave graphic novel series by Trent Jamieson & Brent Wilson has arrived. It is really good – an interesting story, funny, generously illustrated and well designed. It sets up the action quickly and is fast paced.
The second of the series, Frog, Log & Dave A Brush with Evil, lands in September.
Interview with Frog, Log & Dave series creators Trent Jamieson & Brent Wilson
Thank you for speaking with PaperbarkWords, Trent and Brent.
Thank you for having us!
Where are you based and how do you know each other?
We are both based in Brisbane, and we met during the process of creating our first book, Mr Impoppable. We quickly worked out we both had a similar sense of humour and thought it very necessary that we make something else together!
The title of your new graphic novel series Frog, Log & Dave almost rhymes. Well, two of the characters’ names rhyme. How do you explain the fact that both your names rhyme?
There has to be something — far greater than we will ever know — pulling the strings on such a random, yet convenient, coincidence such as this. At one stage we were going to make our surnames rhyme as well, but the paperwork was outrageous, so we remain two ents.
How did your collaboration work? Did Trent write the words and Brent turn these into the graphic novel format or did you work alongside each other?
Prior to Frog, Log and Dave, we worked together on another graphic novel script. That’s where we found our collaborative groove — lots of back and forth and fun discussions about where to take the story. We know what we both think is funny and will make a good story and work together to achieve that. Trent has been writing for years (he’s an award-winning author, for goodness’ sake!) and has all the techniques of how to craft a solid story well and truly sorted and graciously brought Brent in on that process in order to create the best story of a Frog, a Log and a Dave you could hope for.
Please introduce your main characters and also tell us about the rather elusive Jeremy.
Frog is a sassy, gung-ho speed-demon who lives life in the fast lane. Log is your strong, silent type. He’s a good listener and a solid friend! Dave is cautious, caring and considerate … oh, and he LOVES jelly babies. Jeremy is, well, Jeremy! He’s a HUGE fan of anything Frog, Log and Dave are involved in and was once described by a broadsheet journalist as an ‘enthusiastic citizen’.
How is your book interactive and/or meta?
Frog, Log and Dave is wonderfully self-aware. There are these moments where the characters break the fourth wall and bring the reader into their world. Readers, young and old, will have fun joining the dots from early setups and later payoffs in the book.
I believe there are some ‘easter eggs’ hidden in the story. Could you share one here?
There is a subtle garden gnome infiltration that is quite fun to watch unfold. See how many gnomes you can find!
There is so much humour in these books. What is one of your best or funniest jokes?
Derwent, the Mayor’s assistant, is always good for a laugh (he is in charge of the council’s comedy department, after all). Seeing Count Evil von Evil try to tear the ‘Property of Town Hall’ sticker off the side of the giant garbage truck always cracks us up.
Much of the graphic novel design is very clever. Please choose a page that you are very happy with and briefly explain why.
The spread of Jeremy’s ride across town is a fun one. Lots of different panel shapes were used to capture the action. It starts out with close-ups of Jeremy’s dramatic ‘suiting up’ and ends with these wonderful long shots which emphasise how small Jeremy really is against the backdrop of Town City.
Why are some pages wordless?
Sometimes the story is best told through just the illustrations. Pages 40 and 41 are a great example of this — the trio are flying through the streets in a van without brakes and need to avoid a collision with a tortoise. So much happens, yet so little is said!
Brent When and why have you used multiple panels on a page, compared with whole or double page spreads?
Multiple panels tend to support multiple dialogue moments between characters. Each panel gives space for a character to say their line, for example. Whole pages or double page spreads tend to be used in a big moment or tension or to deliver a punchline. Pollutobomb’s transformative ‘FOOM’ on pages 123 and 124 is a good example of this. It’s big and bold, and it makes you want to turn the page to find out what’s happened.
Brent Why have you used zigzag frames on pages 120-121?
In the lead up to Pollutodude’s big moment, he goes through a very powerful ‘recalibration’. I thought the zigzag frames helped in creating a dynamic spread and added to the almost ‘short-circuiting’ feel of what’s happening to the character. It’s an interesting spread because it’s the only one that can be read across the two pages or up and down the singles and still achieve the same result.
Brent Why have you used purple for night scenes? I know that purple is traditional but could any other colour be used?
I love purple, and it really helped the green, orange and blue of our protagonists pop! You could use whatever colour you want, I suppose, but a rich, deep purple for a night scene? C’mon — it’s perfect!
Who are the intended readers of these books?
These books are intended for anyone who loves comics and, more importantly, fun and exciting characters and stories. We strongly believe they have an appeal for young readers — possibly starting around seven years old — but have a reach far beyond that. We have worked hard to make the story a good one, despite the fact that it’s presented in a comic format, so (hopefully) reluctant graphic novel readers will give it a shot too!
What is your vision for the Frog, Log & Dave series? Where do you hope the series is in a year’s time?
We just hope it finds an audience and is influential in encouraging kids to read and write and draw.
Could you give us a secret insight into what happens in the next book?
Let’s just say Jeremy’s actions in the first book may land him in a little strife in the next. Frog, Log and Dave may just get a second chance to almost save the day … but you’ll have to wait and see!
What is something that people may not know about you both that relates to books or the arts?
As well as children’s books, Brent regularly illustrates for magazines. Trent writes fantasy novels for older readers, and works in a bookstore, so he’s always surrounded by books.
Frog, Log & Dave at Penguin Random House
Interview with Trent Jamieson & Rovina Cai about The Giant and the Sea at PaperbarkWords
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