Richard: How closely does The Devil's Panties mirror your own life?

Jennie Breeden: In most parts it's word for word. Sometimes I tweek things. I did a strip where my brother runs into a tree and knocks himself out. My other brother says, "If you die, mom's going to kill me." He actually said that when they were 15 and he didn't run into a tree, he got hit by a bus in Jamaica. But that would have taken too long to set up for a cartoon so I changed it a little.

Richard: Do you mind that so many people are reading about your life?

Jennie: It's a thrill that so many people are interested. It makes me warm and fuzzy that there are so many people who identify with the same things. On the other hand, it's just one aspect of my life. It's not all me. The comic character of me has taken a different turn in life than I have. She's short and scrappy and gets upset easily whereas I'm 5'6" and non-confrontational. So I still get privacy while entertaining the masses.

Richard: What is it like working in a comic book store?

Jennie: I left a few years ago to do the comic strip full time but I miss it. Mostly I miss being able to read---er, research---comics and put them back on the shelf. But working with the public, no matter what you're selling, can drive you a bit mad.

Richard: Do you still enjoy attending comic conventions?

Jennie: All comic conventions are different. Each one is a new kind of fun. I have a lot of fun seeing all the interesting people and being able to geek out with fellow freaks.

Richard: What about this comic will comic fans identify with?

Jennie: Trouble with technology, Roller Derby, meeting your idol, dealing with siblings. It's just all about life and the way that we blunder through it.

Richard: Do you prefer web comics or printed ones?

Jennie: I love the instant gratification of webcomics and the fact that they're not hindered by distance or distribution. But I prefer to read a printed book. I absorb the information differently when it's on a printed page as opposed to a lighted screen. Webcomics are great for the quick daily fix and graphic novels are ideal for a leisurely perusal.

Richard: How would you describe your art style?

Jennie: Cartoony. I exaggerate expression, reaction, and character type. Everything's based on life, I just magnify one aspect of it. I take a lot of expressions from Calvin and Hobbes and some reaction poses from anime.

Richard: What is the "Huntress" and where can it be found?

Jennie: Oh, um, that's nothing. Something I wrote when I was 15 and then used as a final project in college. In the words of my mother, it's "a romance novel that she didn't know she was writing". It's still rattling around in my head. I work on it every other year or so. It's a story about vampires and werewolves. http://www.thedevilspanties.com/huntress/index.html

Richard: How did you first get interested in comics?

Jennie: My older brothers said that I wasn't allowed to read them. As soon as I got a chance I raided their long boxes. I learned to read using Conan and Elf Quest. I spent my allowance on X-men and DP7. I learned about the birds and bees from Heavy Metal.

Richard: Who has helped your career the most?

Jennie: The fans. If it wasn't for the e-mails from people who identified with the same things and knowledge that if I stopped, they would come and find me, I would have quit long ago.

Richard: Do you support the Breast Cancer charity?

Jennie: My friend, who in the comic is called DJ, is doing the 3-day walk. I support her and try to help raise money for it.

Richard: What comics did you read as a child and do you read now?

Jennie: Kabuki, Sandman, Strangers in Paradise. I stopped reading X-Men around middle school because the crossovers were getting ridiculous. But I still like to see what self-contained stories are out there. My pull list at the comic shop has Castle Waiting, Finder, Invincible, Fables, and anything by Ted Naifeh.

Richard: How can someone contact you?

Jennie: jenniebreeden@gmail.com

Richard: Any last words of wisdom?

Jennie: Never take yourself too seriously.