Rosemary Valero-O'Connell

It’s that blessed time of the year where we all try to take stock of what we’ve done with our lives and what other people have created that we enjoyed. That’s right, it’s time to start putting together our “Best of 2016″ lists, and today we’re going to take a look at the Best Boom Studios Covers of 2016.

Every now and then, a crossover idea comes along that's such a no-brainer, such a natural, easy fit, that you start to wonder why you're surprised that it's actually happening. For my money, that's one of the best kinds of surprises, and that's exactly what we're getting today, as Boom Studios has announced an upcoming crossover between Lumberjanes and DC's Gotham Academy.

Last week's release of the Lumberjanes one-shot special Beyond Bay Leaf introduced two new creators to the world of Miss Quinzella Thiskwin Penniquiqul Thistle Crumpet's Camp for Hardcore Lady Types, and while audiences should know writer Faith Erin Hicks from her career of excellent webcomics and teen-friendly tales like Friends With Boys and Adventures of a Superhero Girl, artist Rosemary Valero-O'Connell is just starting to make her name, and the Lumberjanes one-shot is one of her first published works. ComicsAlliance chatted to Valero-O'Connell about her story of stargazing and ghost ponies, and her relationship to the Lumberjanes characters, and she offered us an exclusive look at her art process, from pencils to finished pages.

Boom Box's Lumberjanes continues to go from strength to strength, sweeping up awards, putting out luxurious collections, and now launching its first ever one-shot special featuring two truly excellent guest creators, writer Faith Erin Hicks and Rosemary Valero-O'Connell. Check out an exclusive preview of next week's Lumberjanes: Beyond Bay Leaf.

One thing that I particularly enjoy about looking at art students' work is the sense that the student is playing with her myriad fascinations and joys as she gets to know herself as an artist. For Minneapolis College of Art and Design student Rosemary Valero-O'Connell, those fascinations include Hannibal, cicadas, a dash of Japanese cuteness and quotes that are inspirational without being sappy. R