Editor’s Note: Matthew Chicoine interviewed Joe Burud, creator of Father Alvaro Comics, via phone on February 13th, 2026. Some of the questions/answers have been rearranged, edited, and paraphrased to provide the best reader experience without losing any integrity of the answers given.
🎨 On Origin & Calling
What first inspired you to create Father Alvaro Comics?
I have always enjoyed creating comics. When I was a kid my dad was really supportive in sending my comics to newspapers. In eighth grade I shadowed John Kavolic during career day. At the time he worked on the Wild Life comic strip for the Wisconsin State Journal. He later also did the artwork for the boardgame Munchkins.
I started Father Alvaro because I love the creative process. I wanted to explore my faith, my dad is a deacon. And I also wanted to take a break from the negativities of social media and create something positive.
When did you first realize that comics could be a way to explore Catholic life—not just entertain it?
Comics for me are almost like a diary. It’s a way for me to convey a point in a very precise way (three frames). Father Alvaro started out as something I would email my brother and my dad. It was a great way for me to reflect on the faith in a small way.
A few years later, I came across Joshua Masterson’s The Catholic Cartoonist and was inspired to share them with others.
Your bio mentions focusing on “the humor, beauty, and challenges of parish life in the Midwest.” Why parish life?
Editor’s Note: Matthew Chicoine interviewed Tom Gould via phone call on June 11th, 2025. Some of the questions/answers have been rearranged, edited, and paraphrased to provide the best reader experience without losing any integrity of the answers given.
You’ve been faithfully posting a new comic every Friday since 2014, what inspired that commitment?
I graduated from John Paul the Great Catholic University in California. Matt Martinusen was starting a Catholic men’s blog called The Catholic Fellows. He thought it would be fun to start a comic for the Men’s blog. While the other writers moved on, Matt encouraged me to continue. There wasn’t a meaning to Friday at first, it was originally a deadline for the blog. But as I continued Tomics after the blog ceased, I figured I would keep posting on Fridays as that day has significance for us as Catholics.
How has your creative process evolved over the years?
I think I definitely look stuff up more. It used to mostly be Bible puns, but now I like to use the knowledge I have or acquire to teach the faith. So I’ll be more careful when looking up stuff. I use a Wacom Tablet, and I like to handwrite the lettering. I found a free website where I could turn my handwriting into a font, and have turned my handwriting into a font to save time. It helps with spacing and sizing of letters. I have tried to both streamline and keep the process personalized.
Your comics bring Scripture to life with humor and visual storytelling. How do you strike the balance between being reverent and being funny—especially when depicting scenes with Jesus and the apostles?
That’s a tough one. There are certain lines I don’t cross and not everyone is going to agree with where that line is. My approach to humor is to invite people into the stories. It’s trying to encourage people to the Gospel but understanding that people often think in turns of puns and jokes. I try to make the apostles look silly during the Gospels because they were bumbling fools at times in the Gospels. I don’t do that with Jesus and I don’t recharacterize individuals from how they are portrayed in the Bible.
You occasionally dive into the Old Testament and the lives of the saints. What’s been one of your favorite “non-Gospels” comics to create, and why?
For the Old Testament, in the story of Adam and Eve I portrayed Satan as a sock-puppet. Besides that, Moses puns are fun. The Israelites are freed from slavery and can’t help but complain soon after. Like what’s God done for us lately? I dial up the denseness about Exodus and the Israelites to point out the ridiculousness of their complaints.
Here’s the sock-puppet Satan popping up again in the New Testament this time.
You contributed artwork to the Council at Daybreak game from The Catholic Card Game. What was that collaboration like, and how did your style fit into the world of Catholic tabletop gaming?
Matt had made the Catholic Card Game already. He was great with reaching out to people to collaborate with. He got Fr. Mike Schmitz and Pints with Aquinas to make suggestions for the cards.
A few years later Matt had this idea to make a Catholic Mafia game (based on One Night Werewolf). This game was more illustration focused. I had fun making this game! Matt had all the names of the cards and concepts. I gave him a few test things and he either approved them or added adjustments. I was pretty free to design the cards/characters how I envisioned them.
If a young Catholic artist approached you wanting to evangelize through comics or visual storytelling, what advice would you give them—spiritually and artistically?
That’s a tough one, but I think definitely being knowledgeable about the faith. I have to relook up stuff about Catholicism to make sure I get it right. Before college, I had my Catechism. During college I had philosophy courses to help build up the faith. Nowadays, I look up things in the Bible, the Catechism, and Catholic Answers. I think I take for granted at times how valuable having this knowledge is.
Another thing is not to wait until the art is perfect to start. I think having a deadline where you have to post something helps you get over perfectionism. And the main thing is you are serving God in your art. As long as you are trying to represent the faith well and God well that’s the main thing.
Be open to criticism if you get the theology wrong.
Who do you consider your patron saint?
For my work and my confirmation saint is Lawrence. I connected with the gallow’s humor and his story is short and almost fairy tale like.
The Holy Family is another one I pray to a lot especially as I draw comics about them. Mary and Joseph are the two saints physically closest to Jesus.
Another saint that’s connected to me a lot is Joan of Arc. Her story is a strange place where theology sticks itself with history. Joan brings God into the reality of the war between France and England. Saints that have a very clear space in history help me.
Anytime I do a comic about a particular saint I ask them for intercession.
Where’s the best place for my audience to read your comics?
Instagram is where I am most active and I like the formatting. I think the slides are nice.
I’m a lifelong cartoonist from a big Catholic family. My art was inspired by animated superhero shows and the ever-popular “Peanuts” and “Calvin & Hobbes” comic strips; my faith was formed by my parents, several church communities, and my small Catholic college. I’ve been posting weekly “Tomics” for just over ten years now, and I hope to continue using my gifts to bring people closer to God in a way that’s accessible, faithful, and fun.
Editor’s Note: Matthew Chicoine interviewed J.M. Kraemer, founder of The Lego Church Project via phone call on January 29th, 2024. Some of the questions have been rearranged and edited to provide the best reader experience without losing any integrity of the answers given.
It’s great to have you back J.M.! Refresh my audience how did the Lego Church Project begin?
Growing up I was always into Legos. My friends were building spaceships and I wasn’t good at that. I started building buildings and it slowly developed into me building churches and a ministry.
I’ve had a mild form of cerebral palsy, in this ministry I’m showing others that God can still use your talents.
How many blocks do you use on a project (on average)?
Between 25,000 and 30,000. There’s a lot of interior details. I have one feature at the altar that has over 150 pieces.
Do you ever keep a build constructed?
I tear down the Lego Church every year. It takes about 3 days to deconstruct.
How do you organize the Legos?
Normally, by color.
Did you ever imagine the Lego Church Project would reach the 25th year mark?
Honestly, no. To realize where I’ve been and where I’m going has been a surprise. Our society is not geared towards those with disabilities. This project has helped bring awareness and led to conversations that people with disabilities have a place in the Church.
How often do you think about the future of this project?
I think about the future all the time. I trust in the Lord’s wisdom and timing. As long as I’m doing this ministry for the right reasons, I trust the Lord will guide me. I’m open to the fact that God may shift plans.
Where do you get your supplies?
Bricklink.com
Do you put figurines inside the church?
Yes, and this season I’ll have close to 300.
Do you grow your collection of mini-figures?
I have an Amazon wishlist. People also gift me various Lego sets, and I use those min-figures.
Has Spider-Man attended Mass?
Not yet, but I do have a mini-figure of Optimus Prime. I have an R2D2 (he’s in an easy to find place for kids to notice). I like to show that if these interesting figures can be at church then there’s a place for them (the kids) at Mass too.
You mentioned last time your favorite saint was Blessed Solanus Casey. How has his intercession helped your faith life the past few years?
He has given me wisdom in ways I could not have anticipated. His intercession is more subtle. Not like a trumpet blast but like a whisper.
What’s your favorite quote of his?
I’ve found this quote impactful: “Do not pray for easy lives, pray to be stronger people. Do not pray for tasks equal to your powers, pray for powers equal to your tasks.”
Another quote I find insightful is:
“Worry is a weakness from which very few of us are entirely free. We must be on guard against this most insidious enemy of our peace of soul. Instead, let us foster confidence in God, and thank Him ahead of time for whatever He chooses to send us.”
