On November 1, Francine Pascal’s bestselling series Sweet Valley Twins will be published in graphic novel format for the first time by Random House Graphic, an imprint of Random House Children’s Books. Bringing these beloved stories to life, writer Nicole Andelfinger and acclaimed artist Claudia Aguirre (Lost on Planet Earth) will launch the graphic novel line with an adaptation of Sweet Valley Twins #1: Best Friends.
This was the first novel in the series, which was originally published in 1986. Fans of ’80s and ’90s pop culture will fondly remember twins Elizabeth and Jessica from Sweet Valley, California. As they navigated friendship, school, crushes, and more. Recently, we sat down with writer Nicole Andelfinger to discuss her career, her collaboration with the talented Claudia Aguirre, and more. So, let’s welcome writer Nicole Andelfinger to GVN’s Talking Comics.
GVN: Thank you for sharing some of your time Nicole.
NA: Of course, thanks for having me!
Beginnings
GVN: So, as it has become normal when chatting with creators, we haven’t had the pleasure of speaking to, we’ll start in the beginning. When did you take an interest in writing for comics and which creators did you enjoy and perhaps inspired you to follow in their footsteps?
NA: I’ve been a reader since I was young; I remember particularly falling in love with Sailor Moon, which I mean, who can really blame me? This led to an eventual foray into superhero comics and combined with a vague idea of becoming a screen writer, I found my way to writing the medium I fell in love it. Creators I love is hard to narrow down; the answer varies depending on what mood you catch me in. But the creators I still remember as impacting me with their creativity and storytelling were, and still are, Bill Watterson and Judd Winick.
GVN: We can definitely be friends by mentioning Bill Watterson. Calvin and Hobbes is STILL my favorite comic strip, as the 30-pound Complete Calvin and Hobbes will attest to. You have collaborated on so many different titles that have a very popular following. Such as Rugrats, Power Rangers, Adventure Time, Jim Henson’s Dark Crystal and so many others. When you started, did you have any idea that the opportunity would come to dip your writing toes into such popular and creative waters?
Writing Iconic Characters
NA: I’ll be totally honest: not at all. When I first started out on Adventure Time, I wasn’t sure I’d get much further. It was a quick turn thing I wasn’t sure would lead anywhere, and one that I resolved to just enjoy for what it was. Now, well, here we are! My eleven-year-old self would absolutely be freaking out about getting to update Sweet Valley Twins, and to be honest I’m still giddy about it! Go back even further and my six-year-old self would probably ask why I haven’t put more dragons into things yet.
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Sweet Valley Twins
GVN: (Laughs) You sound like Lyndsay Buroker. She hasn’t written a book yet that wouldn’t be better with some dragons included. At least that is what she says. SO, with a firm grasp on working with and adapting popular characters, your new project is with acclaimed artist Claudia Aguirre on an adaptation of Francine Pascal’s bestselling series SWEET VALLEY TWINS. How did this opportunity come about and were you familiar with the book series?
NA: Like so many amazing opportunities I’ve had in comics, this one came about with knowing the right person at the right time. Whitney Leopard was the editor who gave me my ‘first chance’ in comics, and we’ve been friends for a good long while since. When she came to me about this project, asking if I was a fan, I could only laugh because I distinctly remember an entire two rows of my bookshelf dedicated to Sweet Valley Twins.
Guidelines
GVN: Francine Pascal’s bestselling series Sweet Valley Twins has a large number of books in its collection. How was it decided which stories to adapt in graphic novel form and were there any limitations or guidelines that you and Claudia had to adhere to?
NA: Whitney already knew which books we were doing – the first four – and honestly, they’re such iconic showcases of the twins that they’re probably ones I would have chosen as well. Francine Pascal has been part of the process from the start and has been an absolute legend in letting us update her world and characters. The only real guideline I know I was given was to keep the core of the story in mind when writing. That Jessica and Elizabeth are very different people, but also best friends. Something easy to do when that’s what drew me into the series in the first place!
Working with Claudia Aguirre
GVN: Speaking of Claudia, had you worked with her before and if not, how was that collaboration? I love Claudia’s work (not that you asked…😊)
NA: I haven’t gotten to work with Claudia before this project, but I’m definitely hoping this isn’t the last! Claudia has such a talented eye for details, I’m literally in awe every time I see how she’s expanded on what I put down. Her eye for incorporating background details and for capturing those quintessential tween expressions is second to none. And honestly, I can’t imagine this project without her style!
Recommendations
GVN: Thank you once again for sharing part of your day, Nicole. Before I let you go, I want to give you an opportunity to talk about any other projects you might have and where fans can follow you on the web or social media.
NA: Honestly, I just want to say that if you loved the original Sweet Valley Twins then I hope you love this adaptation! While I don’t have any projects I can openly talk about right now, I do want to highlight a few books by the twins important to me in my life; Whitney Leopard’s Fitting In is out in 2024 and Bones Leopard’s Identical is due out in 2023! As for me? I’m actually very quiet on socials, but you’re always welcome to take a look at what I do remember to post on Twitter/Insta under @nandelfinger.
Random House Graphics Presents: Francine Pascal’s Sweet Valley Twins #1: Best Friends by Nicole Andelfinger and Claudia Aguirre hits stores November 1st.
Senior Writer at GeekVibesNation – I am a 50 something child of the 70’s who admits to being a Star Trek/Star Wars/Comic Book junkie who once dove head first over a cliff (Ok, it was a small hill) to try to rescue his Fantastic Four comic from a watery grave. I am married to a lovely woman who is as crazy as I am and the proud parent of a 18 year old boy with autism. My wife and son are my real heroes.