Penn Twp. woman writes graphic novels
PENN TOWNSHIP — Prudence Grimm isn't having the best time at Camp Ick. The 14-year-old tomboy shares a cabin with a snooty popular older girl and ends up getting in trouble with a bunch of mischievous kids. Is it time for her alter-ego “Scar” to turn this summer around?
Prudence's story is told in “CIT: Counselor in Trouble 1” the first of three graphic novels written and drawn by Kimberly Bingham, 29, of Penn Township.
Bingham, who was diagnosed with autism when she was 3, is working on her fourth novel in the series.
She said she draws on her own experiences, as well as her imagination, in crafting the stories of “Scar” and her fellow campers.
“I had a lot of experience at summer camps since 1998,” Bingham said. “I was a camper.”
“It just came to me. It's an original story,” she said.
Bingham said she wrote poetry in high school, and the art classes she took helped her realize her vision.
“The first was published in 2014. It was originally done in 2013. I finished it that year,” she said.
The second, “CIT: Our Campfire Horror Stories,” was published in July. The third volume, “CIT: The Uproar at Uppity Pennisula” came out in September.
Bingham said, “I am working on a fourth one now. I haven't gotten to the finish point yet. I am halfway done. I'm sure it will be done this year.”
All three finished volumes are available through Amazon and are also for sale at the New Dimensions comic book store in the Clearview Mall, she said.
Mike Rehm, the manager of New Dimensions, said he knew Bingham as a customer of his store.
“Kim comes in here periodically and picks up books,” he said. “She was always telling me about the books she was working on.”
“So, I bought a couple of each of them, and I said we will try to sell them,” Rehm said.Rehm said the three self-published graphic novels retail for about $15, which is an average price for a graphic novel.“I used to teach art. I know if you are creative it is important to try and get your art out there and let people experience it,” said Rehm.Bingham, who lives with her parents, Leighton and Polly Bingham and her brother, Chris Bingham, in Penn Township, works part-time at the Shelbourne Senior Care Facility on Dinnerbell Road.She is also involved in Sing Hosanna!, the performing arts group.Ralph Christy Jr., the executive producer/director of the group, said Bingham has been with Sing Hosanna! for 10 years.“She's one of our singers and actresses in our productions. She enjoys theater immensely,” he said.“She's been all of our shows since she started. She started in the ensemble and moved up to some featured roles.”Christy said she played the housekeeper in Sing Hosanna's! production of “Mary Poppins” and Mrs. Bedwin in “Oliver.”
