The Picture Book Buzz - Interview w/Chuck Gonzales and Review of Carlos Gomez Attack of the Trashcan Zombies

Chuck Gonzales is an illustrator and writer of graphic novels for young readers.

He lives in both Providence Rhode Island, and Brooklyn New York. He has illustrated many books, book series, and book covers for clients such as Reycraft Books, Great Minds/Geodes Educational Publishing, Chronicle, Harper Collins, Penguin, Scholastic, and Benchmark Publishing.

Chuck is the author/illustrator of A’ Camping We Will Gomez!, Oscar the Mighty, The Aguados On Ice!, and Elena Eco-Hero and the illustrator of Limelight: Curtain Up on Poetry Comics! by Reneé M LaTulippe (2025). He is working on the 3^rd book in his Carlos Gomez graphic novel series. The first two books in the series are: Carlos Gomez Freestyles...Heavy on the Style, Carlos Gomez Attack of the Trashcan Zombies.

For additional information on Chuck check out our earlier interview (here).

His second graphic MG novel, Carlos Gomez Attack of the Trashcan Zombies, was released in July 2024.

Welcome back Chuck,

Hi Maria, thank you for interviewing me again.

Having written and illustrated a few picture books and three graphic novels, what is your process? Does the story or the illustration come first? Did it change at all for Carlos Gomez Attack of the Trashcan Zombies or the upcoming 3^rd Carlos Gomez?

The process for my graphic novels starts with writing it out. I start with an outline, then start to fill it in. My manuscripts look like plays, with dialogue, art direction, and narrations. I sketch out how each character looks and do color studies. Once the manuscript is approved, then I start on the art. I sketch out each page, putting in the text and text balloons.

That you for explaining this. It is a much different process than picture book creation. What was your inspiration for Carlos Gomez Attack of the Trashcan Zombies? How about the series in general?

Great question. The series is based on my childhood in Sioux Falls South Dakota. Same house, same school, same family, different era. I was a child in the 60’s early 70’s but I felt doing it in that era for readers 8-12 would be like me reading about the 1920’s when I was that age. Which is fine, but not very relatable.

Each book is based on a memory, then put through the prism of Carlos who is like me...but not really. The Attack of the Trashcan Zombies was based on a play I wrote in 6^th grade about Earth Day. I became a little tyrant and gave myself the lead and all the kids I didn’t like became piles of garbage. Then they rose up and turned on me, and I was demoted to a pile of garbage in my own play. But I hold no grudges. It gave me something to write about!

HA! Guess we have to keep our "tyrant" impulses in check. 😊 How many revisions did Attack of the Trashcan Zombies take for the text and/or illustrations from your first draft to publication? Which of the three graphic novels took the longest? Why?

The manuscript for Trashcan Zombies went through a couple of drafts. I have a great editor (Jeff  Fuerst) who keeps the story on schedule and asks the right hard questions.

The third book is taking the longest. It’s a larger story that has more emotional depth. Each book has a sub-plot. The first one, Carlos Gomez Freestyles...Heavy on the Style, deals with Carlos coming to terms with death, the second deals with him learning how to become a good friend. Something he knew little about. The third deals with him getting a crush on a boy and how the family reacts to it. More directly, how his father deals with it. In all three, Carlos deals with a certain amount of racism.

Thanks for the overview. Readers have time to check out the first two books before the third one comes out next year. What was the toughest aspect of writing or illustrating Attack of the Trashcan Zombies? How hard is it to create a graphic novel series?

The toughest aspect for writing all three has been writing about my family in a way that isn’t insulting and doesn’t take over their stories. These books are about Carlos, so I try to only show them relating to him but still make them multi-dimensional and believable. It has also been tough making Carlos relatable. I grew up in an entirely different time, so I end up interviewing friends with kids that age and just create a world that’s sort of timeless and honest.

The toughest part of writing Trashcan Zombies was that Carlos is more of a jerk. He was more of a loner, and more sympathetic in the first book. But in Trashcan Zombies he makes a friend, then loses that friend, then figures out how to regain that friend.

The toughest and most interesting aspect of illustrating them is creating a believable world and then having to show it repeatedly in hundreds of frames. It takes a lot of economy of line work.

But the really toughest part of illustrating these books has been the chapter openers. They are drawn by Carlos and getting the right 10–12-year old’s artistic abilities is harder than you might think.

You did a great job with both of these books. What was the most rewarding part of the writing, illustrating, or publishing process for Attack of the Trashcan Zombies? 

Getting feedback from the intended audience. Kids. If they find it funny or relatable it’s oxygen.

Is there a spread that you were especially excited about or proud of? Which is your favorite spread?

Text & Image © Chuck Gonzales, 2025.

I think the dream state parody of Night of the Living Dead. I really enjoyed drawing the whole chapter. It starts with Carlos’s sister Marie is going to her prom with her goth boyfriend who picks her up in an old hearse. Art directing their clothes was fun. I based it on a picture of my actual sister getting ready for her prom but updated it and made more goth. One of her high school boyfriends really did drive an old hearse. The black and white horror film parody sequence was just really fun to draw.

Is there anything you want your readers to know or hope they discover about Attack of the Trashcan Zombies?

Know who your real friends are and stay true to them. Also staying true to your creativity.

A reminder many of us can benefit from. Many illustrators leave treasures or weave their own story (or elements) throughout the illustrations. Does this get done in graphic novels, too? Did you do this in Attack of the Trashcan? If so, could you share one or more with us?

Text & Image © Chuck Gonzales, 2025.

Well, the books are semi-autobiographical, so my own DNA is woven throughout. But I loved watching horror movies with my dad and brother when I was a kid and there a lot of nods to my favorite movies. Other than the obvious zombie movie parody, I have a page where Carlos has drawn his art teacher who is rumored to have a black belt in karate AND live at home with his mother. So, Carlos has drawn him doing a karate move while his mom cheers him on. But she’s the Psycho mom: a skeleton in a wheelchair.

Are there any projects you are working on now that you can share a tidbit with us? Any plans or ideas for a fourth Carols Gomez book?

Right now, I’m trying to get the third Carlos book out. It’s a travelogue. The family is taking the scenic state and national park route home to New Mexico where both parents are from. They bought a small popup camper and are camping their way down, with the mean family Siamese cat in tow.

Last question,  what is your favorite National Park or Forest, regional park, or city park (anywhere in the world)? Or the one you’re longing to visit. Why?

This question came really came at the perfect time! Custer Park in the Black Hills is a favorite. The rock formations, the clear black water and the smell of the thick floor of pine needles was amazing. Also, in Sioux Falls we lived near McKennan Park. A city park that I used a lot in both Carlos Freestyles and Trashcan Zombies. It was and probably still is beautiful. With a large old band shelter, a sunken garden, a wooden Statue of Liberty, and a large ice-skating rink in the winter.

Thank you, Chuck for stopping back by and sharing your time and thoughts with us. It was wonderful to chat with you.

To find out more about Chuck Gonzales, or contact him:

Website: https://chuckgonzales.com/site/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cgonzaillo/?hl=en

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chuck.gonzales.79?ref=br_rs

Review of Carlos Gomez Attack of the Trashcan Zombies

Carlos Gomez Attack of the Trashcan Zombies

Author/illustrator: Chuck Gonzales

Publisher: Reycraft Books (July 30, 2024)

Ages: 10-14

Themes:

Friendship, adolescence, theater, humor, self-esteem, diversity, and graphic novel.

Synopsis:

In this thrilling sequel to the heartwarming journey of Carlos Gomez, we dive back into the action with even more zest and charisma!

Months have passed since Carlos's triumphant performance at the BMX expo, and life is taking a new twist. A vibrant Latino family has recently arrived in town, bringing exciting opportunities for friendship and cultural exchange. But things aren't all smooth sailing for our hero. Carlos's best friend, RJ, appears to be drifting towards the soccer team, leaving Carlos to navigate new friendships and challenges on his own.

If that weren't enough, the formidable Mrs. Wynkle has coerced Carlos into taking on the director's role for the school's upcoming spring play. Teaming up with his co-director, Mark, they embark on an ambitious mission to create the most thrilling and unforgettable school play the community has ever witnessed. Yet, as the creative sparks fly, Carlos and Mark find themselves at odds, testing their collaborative spirit and pushing their friendship to the limit.

With opening night fast approaching, Carlos must find a way to balance his burgeoning friendships, confront old bullies, and guide an entire cast of zombies to the grand stage, all while keeping his ego in check. The spotlight of directorship beckons, but can Carlos remain true to himself amidst the chaos of his teenage life?

Attack of the Trashcan Zombies is a charming coming-of-age tale that explores the essence of friendship, growth, and the challenges of adolescence. Join Carlos on his journey as he navigates new connections, overcomes personal obstacles, and strives to shine as a director, all with a generous dose of humor and heart.

Opening Lines:

Good morning, Longfellow Elementary

The first day of spring in Sioux Falls, South

Dakota, seems more like the middle of winter.

HELLOOOO,

MY TRU-TH-TY RIDE!

WE PLACED THECOND,

BUT YOU’RE FIR-TH-T TO ME

What I LIKED about this book:

The opening spread beautifully establishes the format of a child-drawn chapter page, the graphic format, the main character's lisp, and a reminder of his flamboyant character from the first book.

Text & Image © Chuck Gonzales, 2025.

I really love the fun combination Chuck Gonzales uses of traditional graphic panels, "child-drawn" images for each chapter page, interspersed notebook drawings, internal imaginative panels, and "child-drawn graphic panels." He uses all of these elements to such great effect in relaying Carlos' character and moving the story along with a fun variety and interest.

Text & Image © Chuck Gonzales, 2025.

Carlos' experiences in navigating racism, bully's, friends, and teachers at school are identifiable and realistic to today's middle schooler, as well as to many adults. It's never been easy to figure out who you are and how you fit. Chuck Gonzales also follows Carlos' navigation of his role in his family dynamics and the whole family's coping with the mother going back to school. Something I can relate to, as my mother went back to school when I was in high school.

I was entertained by his strategic use of color and visual variety throughout the novel. Such as when Chuck Gonzales beautifully captures the shift in Marie's explosive anger at Carlos to the sweet "Oh, Hi Daddy!" I love the "emotion meter" that runs along the bottom of the upper right spread and the matching background coloring. With a return to the red background a few spreads later, when Marie whispers, "I will get you."

Text & Image © Chuck Gonzales, 2025.

Assigned to create a school play for earth day, Carlos and his friend Mark collaborate on a story about trash zombies taking over the town. It's fun how the play's script continued the book's graphic style but is now drawn and written as if by a twelve-year-old in a notebook.

Text & Image © Chuck Gonzales, 2025.

When the art teacher, Mr. Aushbacher, gives Carlos the starring role of brother and the position of director, he is dropped into the throes of working through jealousy, peer pressure, ego, and friendship. After becoming absolutely tyrannical, Carlos is reassigned, by the teacher and the principal, to the role of trash zombie and stumbles and jolts through an important discovery about friendship. It's an engaging middle grade graphic novel humorously exploring many facets of interpersonal dynamics, apologies, false friends, and self-awareness.

Resources:

• how would you design the trash zombie costumes using recyclable items? Write a description of the costume and it's parts or draw the costume.

  
  

• using recycled items, create your own zombie (or group of zombies).

• write a short story, or create your own comic, about a fight you've had with a friend and how you did (or wish you had) fixed things with your friend.