#but imagine... imagine a series in the style of the graphic novels

[twilightanimatedseries]

Concept promotional poster

[judacris]

Commemorating the conclusion of Hilda: The Animated Series Adventures Never Truly End // dm29.deviantart.com

Hilda stands as one of the most visually-appealing animated series I've had the pleasure of enjoying. The telling of the adventures of a fearless, sometimes foolhardy girl, the world of Trolberg and the stories it encompasses give the audience highs and lows, with plenty of thrills and spills, via an art style by creator Luke Pearson, brought to life by Mercury Filmworks, putting together a visual spectacle that oozes imagination, wonder and awe.

It is thankfully, and woefully, one of the animated series that Netflix has seen through to the end, with three seasons and a movie-length special, as well as a great collection of tie-in books, and graphic novels, of which the series was adapted from.

Its conclusion today brings about a sense of bittersweetness for a show that will remain one that I highly recommend.

Thank you, @luke-pearson, for giving us something as memorable as it was special.

[erisweekofficial]

SURPRISE! 🔥❤️‍🔥

We are SO excited to have chatted with Matthew Bassett, the voice actor for Eris Vanserra in the Graphic Audio Production of the ACOTAR series.

Read below for an Exclusive Q&A with Matt ❤️

How long have you been voice acting? How did you get started in the voice acting industry?

I’ve only really worked with Graphic Audio for voice acting, and I’ve been in their roster of actors since 2012. I’ve been a stage actor (with a tiny bit of film) since 2003, and I’ve taught acting in the Washington, DC, area since 2012. When I moved to the DC area after graduate school and started working around here, a number of actors I liked and admired kept mentioning this company that provided steady work on fun material - westerns, fantasy, sci-fi. The comic book adaptations sold me, I’m a huge comics fan. Since 2012, I’ve played countless varmints, monsters, cads, aliens, superheroes/villains, and the occasional good guy. Along with Eris, my larger roles have included voicing The Homelander in all six volumes of GA’s adaption of The Boys graphic novels and Cullen in the World of Lupi series.

Can you describe the process for being selected for the role of Eris (or any other character)? Were there auditions, callbacks, or specific criteria that led to your casting?

Graphic Audio works like a repertory acting company, in that after your initial audition, they maintain your contact information for project directors to pull from when needed. I’ve done a lot of work with Colleen Delaney, director of the ACOTAR adaptations, including several longer character arcs in multiple series, so she thought I would be a good fit for Eris based on similar characters (rogueish, but with hidden depth that is explored over time) I’ve played elsewhere. I’m glad she did! Eris has been really fun.

How did you prepare for the role of Eris in terms of understanding the character's backstory, motivations, and relationships with other characters?

Graphic Audio does a fantastic job of preparing actors and directing us through performances. Colleen sent each actor a brief but rich character description, often quoting directly from the novels, as well as providing a plot description for each specific novel (necessary since the turnaround from offer to recording is very short). During our sessions, Colleen tells me everything I need to know about where Eris has been since the last scene/book and how his relationships have evolved. GA directors also read in as “scene partners,” which, considering they are all performers themselves, makes it very easy to react as I imagine Eris would.

Eris is a complex and morally ambiguous character. What aspects of his personality did you find most challenging to convey in your performance, and how did you approach tackling those challenges?

His vulnerability is very challenging. Eris has had a hard life, despite growing up with every privilege, which is difficult to convey. He hates everyone to some extent, but it all comes from how much he hates his family and himself. The scenes with Morrigan in particular take a while to record - he has all the feelings when talking to her, but he can’t show any of them.

Did you have any creative input into how Eris's voice would sound, or was it a collaborative effort with the production team and director? Were there any specific discussions about the character's vocal tone or style?

Definitely collaborative! His basic vocal character is very close to mine, with the musicality dialed up a bit so he can taunt everyone so well. Where my director really helps is pushing me to find the different levels to his interactions - when he’s teasing (often), when he’s antagonizing (mostly with Cassian), and when he’s speaking from his heart (VERY rarely, usually to or involving Morrigan).

What actors (voice, stage, film, etc) have inspired you? And did any actors or other characters help inspire your performance for Eris?

Hoo boy. Too many to list! For something like Eris, a lot of inspiration from Tom HIddleston’s Loki, Tom Cruise’s Lestat de Lioncourt, and anything Jeremy Irons has ever done. Characters that you can’t take your eyes off of, even as you want to beat the crap out of them.

Were there any specific challenges or unique aspects to voicing Eris compared to other characters you've portrayed in the past? How did you adapt your voice to capture his essence?

Y’know, for all the dirtbags, murderers, literal monsters, aliens, and villains I’ve voiced, Eris is the one with the biggest heart. The biggest challenge is allowing him to have a deep want, hidden from even himself, for some tenderness, the one thing he has been denied his entire life. A character like Eris is easy to just have fun with and play as a smug prick (which he is), but he has moments of aching loneliness that make him much richer. SPOILER: One of my most recent favorite moments was playing Eris’ surprise and gratitude when receiving a “made” dagger for safekeeping. Eris can’t fathom trusting anyone else with something so powerful and important, because he simply wasn’t shown that level of trust or respect. The moment took him by such surprise. It was great to let myself feel that in the playing.

Do you have any advice for aspiring voice actors who are considering pursuing a career in Voice Acting? Any tips for breaking into the business and honing their craft?

Train your voice! I received excellent vocal training as part of my MFA (Master of Fine Arts) in Acting at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. I learned how to care for my vocal health, how to support with my breath, and how to modulate the dynamics of my voice for character differentiation as well as basic performance beats. You may not have the inclination for that level of training, but a regular voice lesson with a singing coach will give you similar techniques. In terms of breaking in: like anything of this nature, it’s relationships. Build a strong resume, but also build strong relationships with your collaborators and a reputation for reliability. Directors know that I’ll prepare so that I can make strong initial choices, but that I am more than happy to adjust my choices as needed to make the overall production its best.

[antlered-angel]

CW: Gore, Disturbing Imagery, graphic descriptions of violence

Disclaimer: this is for fun! I’m not doing this to “fix” the stories or designs, these are mostly headcanons of mine. Please don’t be racist in the comments because I make certain characters POC. I promise it’s just a headcanon, it won’t hurt you.

My most favorite design, here’s Nina the Killer. The Killer trio is officially complete!

I imagine Nina being 20 years old and one of the tallest of the creepypasta just behind Helen. She is Hispanic and Latina, ace and bi, and goes by she/they. She has ADHD and tends to fidget a lot. Nina is a ball of enthusiastic energy. Out of all the redesigns, Nina is probably the farthest from her original design. I based it heavily off of 2000s emo and scene looks. I like to think that she loooooves pink and can’t have an outfit without it. I changed her weapon to a shard of glass as a reference to her cutting her face open with one in her story. Her eyes are also dry and bloodshot but she still has her eyelids as they were simply stitched open as opposed to Jeff burning his off.

Nina developed lots of hobbies over the years. Nina loves music and is a huge fan of Avril Lavigne, her favorite song being Girlfriend. She plays guitar and she dreams of being in a band. She’s a hopeless romantic and dreams of a perfect love, and she’s good at seeing when other people are in love. She loves to read YA novels for this reason and bonds with Jane over the Twilight series (she’s also Team Alice). Their relationship started out a bit rocky at first, understandably, and Nina is thankful that Jane was willing to have a friendship with her despite her past. Nina lowkey has a crush on Jane but doesn’t think she has a chance due to her previous obsession with Jeff. Nina has grown from her infatuation with Jeff over the years, realizing that glorifying and romanticizing his actions has only caused pain. Despite her minimal scarring compared to the other two killers, Nina still lit herself on fire and carved a smile in her cheeks in an attempt to emulate him. She committed murder, even if it was against those who tormented her and the people she cared about. Nina attempted to cauterize her cheek slashes shut and while it didn’t work, it set off her personal journey of self reflection. She developed her own style and cultivated new relationships. Jane seems to have a soft spot for her and the two bond over mutual interests and how both were fucked over by Jeff in some way.

[celepom]

For Transgender Day of Remembrance, here’s 10 graphic novels with transgender protagonists, are about gender, or are autobiographies from transgender creators.

Cheer Up: Love and Pompoms by Crystal Frasier & Val Wise

Annie is a smart, antisocial lesbian starting her senior year of high school who’s under pressure to join the cheerleader squad to make friends and round out her college applications. Her former friend BeeBee is a people-pleaser—a trans girl who must keep her parents happy with her grades and social life to keep their support of her transition. Through the rigors of squad training and amped up social pressures (not to mention micro aggressions and other queer youth problems), the two girls rekindle a friendship they thought they’d lost and discover there may be other, sweeter feelings springing up between them.

Blackwater by Jeannette Arroyo & Ren Graham

Tony Price is a popular high school track star and occasional delinquent aching for his dad’s attention and approval. Eli Hirsch is a quiet boy with a chronic autoimmune disorder that has ravaged his health and social life. What happens when these two become unlikely friends (and a whole lot more . . .) in the spooky town of Blackwater, Maine? Werewolf curses, unsavory interactions with the quarterback of the football team, a ghostly fisherman haunting the harbor, and tons of high school drama.

The Bride Was a Boy by Chii

The heartwarming transgender love story, based on true events! Drawn in the style of diary comics with an upbeat, adorable flair, this is a charming tale about Chii, a woman assigned male at birth. Her story starts with her childhood and follows the ups and downs of exploring her sexuality, gender, and transition--as well as falling in love with a man who’s head over heels for her. Now they want to get married, so Chii’s about to embark on a new adventure: becoming a bride!

Love Me for Who I Am by Kata Konayama

Non-Binary Maid Reporting for Duty! Mogumo is a cute but lonely non-binary high school student who just wants a few loving friends. As someone who doesn’t identify as a boy or a girl, however, finding people who really understand can be a big challenge. When fellow student Iwaoka Tetsu invites Mogumo to work at an untraditional maid café, Mogumo is hopeful that things are looking up. Will they finally find friends to call their own―or just more misunderstanding?

Super Late Bloomer: My Early Days in Transition by Julia Kaye

A highly personal collection documenting the early months of artist Julia Kaye’s gender transition. Instead of a traditional written diary, Julia Kaye has always turned to art as a means of self-reflection. So when she began her gender transition in 2016, she decided to use her popular webcomic, Up and Out, to process her journey and help others with similar struggles realize they weren’t alone. Julia’s poignant, relatable comics honestly depict her personal ups and downs while dealing with the various issues involved in transitioning—from struggling with self-acceptance and challenging societal expectations, to moments of self-love and joy. Super Late Bloomer both educates and inspires, as Julia faces her difficulties head-on and commits to being wholly, authentically who she was always meant to be

Magical Boy by The Kao

A breathtakingly imaginative fantasy series starring Max—a high schooler chosen to become the next "Magical Girl." There's just one catch . . . he's a trans boy! Although he was assigned female at birth, Max is your average trans man trying to get through high school as himself. But on top of classes, crushes, and coming out, Max's life is turned upside down when his mom reveals an eons old family secret: he's descended from a long line of Magical Girls tasked with defending humanity from a dark, ancient evil! With a sassy feline sidekick and loyal gang of friends by his side, can Max take on his destiny, save the world, and become the next Magical Boy? A hilarious and heartfelt riff on the magical girl genre made popular by teen manga series, Magical Boy is a one-of-a-kind fantasy series that comic readers of all ages will love.

Welcome to St. Hell: My Trans Teen Misadventure by Lewis Hancox

A groundbreaking memoir about being a trans teen, in the vein of FUN HOME and FLAMER... and at the same time entirely its own. Lewis has a few things to say to his younger teen self. He knows she hates her body. He knows she's confused about who to snog. He knows she's really a he and will ultimately realize this... but she's going to go through a whole lot of mess (some of it funny, some of it not funny at all) to get to that point. Lewis is trying to tell her this... but she's refusing to listen.

X-Gender, Vol. 1 by Asuka Miyazaki

An autobiographical diary/essay manga about finding love in Japan as an X-gender person. At 33 years old, Asuka Miyazaki realizes that they like women! Asuka, however, is neither a woman nor a man--instead, they're X-gender, which is a non-binary identity. Follow Asuka through the pages of this autobiographical manga as they record the ins and outs of their journey to finding love with a woman.

Girl Haven by Lilah Sturges & Meaghan Carter Three years ago, Ash's mom, Kristin, left home and never came back. Now, Ash lives in the house where Kristin grew up. All of her things are there. Her old room, her old clothes, and the shed, where she spent her childhood creating a fantasy world called Koretris. Ash knows all about Koretris: how it's a haven for girls, with no men or boys allowed, and filled with fanciful landscapes and creatures. When Ash's friends decide to try going to Koretris, using one of Kristin's spellbooks, Ash doesn't think anything will happen. But the spell works, and Ash discovers that the world Kristin created is actually a real place, with real inhabitants and very real danger. But if Koretris is real, why is Ash there? Everyone has always called Ash a boy. Ash uses he/him pronouns. Shouldn't the spell have kept Ash out? And what does it mean if it let Ash in?

DeadEndia: The Watcher's Test by Hamish Steel

Barney and his best friend Norma are just trying to get by and keep their jobs, but working at the Dead End theme park also means battling demonic forces, time traveling wizards, and scariest of all--their love lives! Follow the lives of this diverse group of employees of a haunted house, which may or may not also serve as a portal to hell, in this hilarious and moving graphic novel, complete with talking pugs, vengeful ghosts and LBGTQIA love!

[hahligirl56]

A Glitch in Time Spoiler Discussion pt. 1

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I can’t say I grew up being the BIGGEST Danny Phantom fan growing up, but I do remember enjoying it when it was airing on Nickelodeon back during its initial run. I recognized the same style as The Fairly Odd Parents, but also something different and original. Darker, even. As a preteen/young teenager I really appreciated that.

Imagine my surprise after about 16 (I think?) years later…this new graphic novel comes out, following the series finale. Continuing some plot threads that were long thought abandoned, and introducing some new ideas.

From what I gather, A Glitch in a Time has been pretty well received, and has sold out on multiple platforms (I got my own copy via Barnes and Noble). I was curious what everyone’s overall thoughts were on some specific plot points, whether they think it’s likely that DP may continue on in this format or another series may be a possibility - I’d love to know your thoughts!

Dark Danny and Danny’s relationship with each other fascinates me, for one instance. They’re the same (duh), and at the same time not (thanks Vlad). Dark Danny (or Phantom as how he’s called here, I don’t know which is preferred) has some…petty motivations, at least how it starts off. But some panels made me scratch my head and put my thinking cap on as to what he and others could mean. Such as…

On a superficial level, I get the motivation. “The main hero ruined everything I had, so I’m going to make him pay by destroying everything he has…” You know. But the comic dogs in a little deeper, as ghosts are shown to have deep, deep obsessions that drive them. So, what is Phantom’s?

I just can’t with the self-awareness and character growth I see here. 😭 I saw snippets of this in the show itself but…being a mid-2000s NickToons show (that wasn’t Avatar: The Last Airbender), I’m not sure if it would have gotten this far.

I have more thoughts on Phantom/Danny’s dynamic but…yeah…what do you guys think about all of this? *twiddles thumbs*

[ireadyabooks]

Spring into Extraordinary Graphic Novels from I read YA! 🌷🎨

Graphic novels are one of our favorite reading formats here at I read YA! It’s always such a joy seeing an author bring their magnificent storytelling to life with their artwork or another artist adding their unique spin! The possibilities are endless when it comes to graphic novel styles, and that’s what makes them so perfect! There is something for everyone! We have compiled some of our recent favorite graphic novels below that you should absolutely check out as we welcome spring and warmer weather! Whether you’re looking for stories about an adorable daydreamer, a dark secret, or two boys simply falling in love, we have it all! Happy reading!

Rainbow! Volume 1 by Gloom & Sunny

From Tapas Media, the same webtoon platform that brought you Magical Boy, comes Rainbow!, a new LGBTQ+ YA graphic novel series!

Teenager Boo Meadows has pink hair and a very vivid imagination -- she has trouble separating from the real world. In her daydreams, she dances beautifully at balls or fights monsters as a magical girl. In reality, she has a complicated home life, work stress, school stress, and a wicked crush on the girl of her dreams. When a new student, Mimi, arrives at school, Boo starts exploring a side of herself that she never considered before. As she grows closer with Mimi, it may finally be time for Boo to face reality . . . Who is the real Mimi? The one in her dreams? Or the one in real life?

Rainbow! is perfect for fans of Heartstopper and Magical Boy, full of heart, adorable illustrations, and a storyline that any teenager can relate to!

Start reading Rainbow! Volume 1 now!

Escape From St. Hell by Lewis Hancox

In this sequel to the Indie bestseller Welcome to St. Hell, Lewis Hancox tells the hilarious, inspiring story of coming into his own as a trans man.

For Lew, figuring out he was a guy and wanted to live life as a guy was the end of our journey... and the start of a whole other journey. Escape From St. Hell charts all the changes that Lew wanted to be made in order for him to live as a young trans man -- changes not just to his own body and perspective, but to the perspectives of the family, friends, and enemies around him.

As he did in his bestselling graphic memoir Welcome to St. Hell, Lewis Hancox charts his journey with plenty of laughs, a good number of cringes, and an honesty that takes readers along for the ride of Lew's life.

Start reading Escape From St. Hell now!

The Deep Dark by Molly Knox Ostertag

From Molly Knox Ostertag, writer-illustrator of the New York Times and Indie bestselling The Witch Boy trilogy and The Girl from the Sea, comes a darkly beautiful story of identity, family, love, loss, and magic.

Everyone has secrets. Mags’s has teeth.

Magdalena Herrera is about to graduate high school, but she already feels like an adult with serious responsibilities: caring for her ailing grandmother; working a part-time job; clandestine makeouts with a girl who has a boyfriend. And then there’s her secret, which pulls her into the basement each night, drains her of energy, and leaves her bleeding. A secret that could hurt and even kill if it ever got out -- like it did once before.

So Mags keeps her head down, isolated in her small desert community. That is, until her childhood friend Nessa comes back to town, bringing vivid memories of the past, an intoxicating glimpse of the future, and a secret of her own. Mags won’t get attached, of course. She’s always been strong enough to survive without anyone’s help.

But when the darkness starts to close in on them both, Mags will have to drag her secret into the daylight, and choose between risking everything... or having nothing left to lose.

Start reading The Deep Dark now!

Heartstopper 5 by Alice Oseman

Boy meets boy. Boys become friends. Boys fall in love. The bestselling LGBTQ+ graphic novel about life, love, and everything that happens in between: this is the fifth volume of the much-loved HEARTSTOPPER series, featuring gorgeous two-color artwork.

Nick and Charlie are in love. They’ve finally said those three little words, and Charlie has almost persuaded his mum to let him sleep over at Nick’s house. He wants to take their relationship to the next level... but can he find the confidence he needs? And with Nick going off to university next year, is everything about to change?

By Alice Oseman, winner of the YA Book Prize, Heartstopper encompasses all the small moments of Nick and Charlie’s lives that together make up something larger, which speaks to all of us.

Contains discussions around mental health and eating disorders, and sexual references.

Start reading Heartstopper 5 now!

Stars in Their Eyes by Jessica Walton and Aśka

In this lighthearted YA romance, Maisie and Ollie discover that nothing beats the feeling of falling in love for the first time.

Maisie is on her way to Fancon! She's looking forward to meeting her idol, Kara Bufano, the action hero from her favorite TV show, who has a lower-leg amputation, just like Maisie. But when Maisie and her mom arrive at the convention center, she is stopped in her tracks by Ollie, a cute volunteer working the show. They are kind, charming, and geek out about nerd culture just as much as Maisie does. And as the day wears on, Maisie notices feelings for Ollie that she's never had before. Is this what it feels like to fall in love?

Perfect for fans of Heartstopper and Laura Dean Keeps Breaking Up with Me, this graphic novel debut is a fresh, one-of-a-kind story that celebrates the excitement of meeting someone special for the first time.

Start reading Stars in Their Eyes now!

The Good Neighbors by Holly Black and Ted Naifeh

From the bestselling author of The Cruel Prince, an astonishing graphic trilogy set in a faerie world, full of mystery, intrigue, and romance.

From the amazing imagination of bestselling author Holly Black and acclaimed illustrator Ted Naifeh, a mysterious and wonderful faerie saga, for the first time in one volume.

Rue Silver's mother has disappeared... and her father has been arrested, suspected of killing her. But it's not as straightforward as that. Because Rue is a faerie, like her mother was. And her father didn't kill her mother -- instead, he broke a promise to Rue's faerie king grandfather, which caused Rue's mother to be flung back to the faerie world. Now Rue must go to save her -- and defeat a dark faerie that threatens our very mortal world.

Start reading The Good Neighbors now!

[jesncin]

Have you read/heard of the two DC Graphic novels, Galaxy: The Prettiest Star and Bad Dream: a Dreamer Story? (PS: If DC ever let you 2 do a graphic novel I would probably buy a million copies and never shut up about it adhksks)

I have heard of both Galaxy: The Prettiest Star (because Lunar Boy's been compared to it!) and Bad Dream: a Dreamer's Story (because Lunar Boy was on a Queer Books To Read in 2024 list with it!) and I'd love to read both!

Oh man!! Their MG/YA graphic novel imprint is so interesting to me, and probably the best fit for my writing and art style. I'm still probably not an exact match for DC overall but if I were to pitch something to that line (if you'll entertain me being a pitch salesman for a moment!):

I know people probably want me to do a Superman & Lois graphic novel, but with Smashes the Klan and Girl Taking Over, I'm sure Lois Liando would be a hard sell as it is! Not a bad thing, since both graphic novels are already excellent with great creatives attached!

Supersons MG graphic novel that focuses on both boys struggling with school life as a background supervillain plot looms. There's already a Supersons (behated) graphic novel so I'm sure I wouldn't be given this but I'd love a Supersons story that focuses on slice of life more, especially exploring both Damian and Jon's backgrounds as kids of the diaspora.

MARTIAN MANHUNTER MG/YA graphic novel give me either MG or YA I'm flexible!! If I'm not trusted with big-name characters, give me the obscure blorbo. Smashes the Klan committed to the portrayal of Superman as an immigrant, I want a graphic novel that portrays J'onn and Ma'al as first gen immigrants too! But unlike Superman, they don't pass as human and have far more othering alien customs. I can either give the twins space adventures or culture shock adventures on Earth. All while they're hunted by some martian bounty hunter! Would love to team up with a Black deaf creative for this. Martian deserves a good book,,,

Conner Superboy YA graphic novel ! Re-contextualize the 90s run's themes of superhero child celebrity shenanigans into a contemporary context that teens can relate to. Influencer culture, the way identities are sectioned off and commodified in the capitalism machine, Livewire as the reactionary villain with her own youtube channel/podcast, Conner going to school and NOT getting yanked out of it constantly! So much potential to refresh his cast for the modern age. Would also love to team up with a Black creative for this!!

Stay with me. John Constantine MG graphic novel. I know there's already a YA graphic novel (that isn't particularly beloved) but listen. Send young 12 year old Constantine to a haunted boarding school with an occult conspiracy mystery at the center of it. Imagine the vibes of Gotham Academy with the energy of Goosebumps meets the tone of Series of Unfortunate Events. Who is the golden child who haunts Constantine?? What is this mysterious backstory he has?? How will he upset his newfound school friends this time?? It's tragic you should look away,,,look away,,,

SO IF ANY OF THOSE SOUND INTERESTING, DC, HIT ME UP lmao. I'm often told "DC should pick you guys up" and that's always flattering! I have complicated feelings about what it would mean as a fanartist to get picked up, and the possible red tape that means for me interacting with fandom (that I've grown to love), but hey. We can have fun and imagine an Elseworld where I got picked up!

[frenzyarts]

hi!! I was recently at a book store and had absolutely no idea what to get. you seem to have impeccable taste in everything (homestuck, the locked tomb, ur whole aesthetic) so I was wondering if you had a list of books you'd recommend! have a good one (⁠｡⁠･⁠ω⁠･⁠｡⁠)⁠ﾉ⁠♡

This is very flattering, thank you 🥰 I like a lot of novels and comics so it would probably be easier for me to narrow it down if you gave me a genre you like but if you’re open to anything here are some of my favs!

Beauty by Hubert and Kerascoët

“When the repulsively ugly Coddie unintentionally saves a fairy from a spell, she does not understand the poisonous nature of the wish granted her by the fairy. The village folk no longer see her as repulsive and stinking of fish—they now perceive her as magnetically beautiful—which does not help her in her village. A young local lord saves her, but it soon becomes apparent that Coddie's destiny may be far greater than anyone ever imagined. Caustic and flamboyant, this fairy tale offers grownups an engrossing take on the nature and corrupting power of beauty, in our age of obsession with it.” (The art in this book is so so so gorgeous. Also I love dark fairytales)

Not Simple by Natsume Ono

“Ian, a young man with a fractured family history, travels from Australia to England to America in the hope of realizing his dreams and reuniting with his beloved sister. His story unfolds backwards through the framing narrative of Jim, a reporter driven to capture Ian’s experiences in a novel: not simple. A story within a story, a book within a book, a tale about the search for family, for an emotional home.” (This one has some really dark themes, highly recommended looking up content warnings before you read. It WILL make you cry, but it’s one of the most beautifully plotted novels I’ve ever read. Also the art style rules.)

Not even gonna bother to introduce this one cause it’s so famous but if you’ve never read the Hobbit, I highly recommend it. Especially because bookstores are always making pretty gilded versions of the book cause it’s so famous.

A short story but: Ligeia by Edgar Allen Poe (sorry I know he sucked) but that short story and the poem it features left a big impression on me. I feel like I can’t describe what the story is about without spoiling it, but if you like stories about mysterious and beautiful women who are involved with the supernatural and death, then you might like this short story!

Okay last one since I don’t want to make this list too long (I have a lot more recommendations if you’d like, these were the first that came to mind!)

Snotgirl by Bryan Lee O’Malley and Leslie Hung

I’m struggling to find a description for the series as a whole, probably because it’s still slowly being released and it comes out in monthly issues (you can usually find the issues compiled into graphic novel format in bookstores, which I still need to get, I only have the issues) But basically it’s about a social media influencer named Lottie Person. She gets wrapped up in a sapphic supernatural romance with a big mystery element. If you’re a fan of the famed “toxic yuri” then this is the series for you, 100%. I’ve actually been meaning to do a re-read 👀

[nicosraf]

my friend and i were talking about possible adaptations of ABM into other types of media (like a TV show, an animated series, etc). have you considered if you’d like to do so given the opportunity? we think it would make a great graphic novel

ABM is sorta unadaptable in that you'd have to get a bit creative given the book is so internal and non-visual (even brainstorming for audiobook has been sorta bizarre because we have to find a way to differentiate thoughts and dialogue) but I think that'd make any adaption really fun!

If it was live-action, I think I'd want it to look like a campy, queer 1970s art film aha. In my head, ABM actually has the color palette and weird visuals of Fellini Satyricon (a movie I can't recommend unless you can put up with a lot of discomfort but very influential to me). I also have Funeral Parade of Roses and 1923 Salomé in my brain. (All this to say that my ideal adaption is one where the angels are wearing too much makeup, are over-dressed, and are over-acted.) I would also love a full trans and/or genderqueer cast, but I know that's impossible. I figure Hollywood wouldn't want to come near ABM, anyway, so a boy can dream

I've actually heard a couple people say a graphic novel would be great!! Honestly, anything animated would be a lot of fun, especially because you'd have the freedom to get a little wackier with visuals. I'm a big fan of the dreamy art styles of (the very, very triggering film) Belladona of Sadness or The Greatest Living Show. But hey if they wanna give me just a generic yaoi art style, sure why not. Michael big hands. (Stop motion like, say, Coraline, would be incredible too, I think)

My funniest dream adaption is a comedic musical. Maybe even a jukebox musical. Something just absolutely atrocious.

But I don't see any adaption beyond audio ever happening since ABM is ABM, but it's fun to imagine :] I think the weirdness of the book would make each media it's performed through tell the story in its own unique way.

[chloesolace]

Book Review: "Tender is the Flesh" by Agustina Bazterrica

Spoiler-free

Genre: dystopian, science fiction, psychological • Word Count: 62k • Triggers: extreme gore, cannibalism, animal cruelty, uncomfortable sexual scenes?? • Year of Publication: 2017

Plot: ★★★★★

Characters: ★★★

Writing Style: ★★★

Re-Readability: ★

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General Thoughts

In a world where a virus has made all contact with animals dangerous to humans, cannibalism has been legalized and institutionalized as a means to survive.

This premise sounds extremely promising for a work that aims to criticize not only society but human nature as whole, and offers a unique setting for an interesting novel.

I like to think of myself as someone who is not easily shocked. This book shocked me. Saw is one of my favorite franchises, so is The Silence of the Lambs series. I consume horror and gore on a daily basis, however this book did something to me that made me put it down multiple times. I found myself unable to continue it until I finally finished it a few days ago. I left it on my bookshelf untouched for a few months since I started reading it. But let's get into the detailed ratings.

Plot

I like the plot, a lot. I gave it five stars because it is unique, it is thought-provoking, and it is controversial. I have never read anything like it before and most likely never will, and that alone is interesting and worth quite a few stars to me. It challenges the authority we have given ourselves over animals. I am not vegan, I am not even vegetarian, but that book almost turned me into one. It is not a book that you pick up and read while humming to yourself by the pool with the sun shining above you and birds chirping around you. Let's look at the blurb.

"Working at the local processing plant, Marcos is in the business of slaughtering humans—though no one calls them that anymore.

His wife has left him, his father is sinking into dementia, and Marcos tries not to think too hard about how he makes a living. After all, it happened so quickly. First, it was reported that an infectious virus has made all animal meat poisonous to humans. Then governments initiated the “Transition.” Now, eating human meat—“special meat”—is legal. Marcos tries to stick to numbers, consignments, processing.

Then one day he’s given a gift: a live specimen of the finest quality. Though he’s aware that any form of personal contact is forbidden on pain of death, little by little he starts to treat her like a human being. And soon, he becomes tortured by what has been lost—and what might still be saved."

Going into it, I knew it would be graphic from what I had already read about the book, but I never would have imagined just how graphic it would get. All the processing that is done is described in greatest detail, and the dehumanizing name - "heads" - used for the people that are being slaughtered makes it all the more uncomfortable. Marcos, our protagonist who works at one of these processing plants, is then gifted a female head, one born in one of the breeding centers. He does not kill her, though. Instead, he begins an affair with her, which is one of the worst crimes one could commit in this society. The narration treats 'Jasmine' - as he later calls her - like an animal, using verbs and adjectives one might not necessarily use to describe human action. It is Marcos who humanizes her, in a way, giving the novel hope for a happy ending despite the fact you can already guess how this story will conclude.

Marcos was married before to a woman named Cecilia, but after their child passed away as a baby they went their own ways. The death of his son weighs heavy on Marcos, and in Jasmine he sees a second chance at being a father; she becomes pregnant.

It is the ending that shocked me. This is a spoiler-free review, so I only aim to give you guys recommendations for books without taking away all the fun, so I won't get into it more. However, it is an ending that leaves the reader sitting in silence, staring at the pages and thinking to themselves "what the hell even happened here?"

Characters

Marcos is written to be quite human and realistic, with many flaws which made him both unlikeable and at times unbearable. Except that one time when he played with some puppies he found, because I would have done the same, to be honest. Dangerous virus be damned.

There is not a single character in this book I would consider good-natured on a moral scale, but perhaps it is exactly what makes it so engaging to read. The characters in the book serve as a substitute for animals not only in the meat industry; an animal's prime aim is to secure the preservation of its own species. Marcos is doing exactly that, both biologically and socially.

One of the most important settings in the novel is an abandoned zoo, yet it almost feels like the characters in the book are the zoo animals themselves, and the reader is observing them destroy each other. I did not like the characters, but I did not have to like them to enjoy the story for what it is.

Writing Style

Now, before I get into this, I would like to say that I acknowledge that every writer has a different writing style and that it is entirely subjective whether I like it or not. Personally, I like descriptive, sometimes even a bit flowery prose with long sentences. But this would have been out of place for this book.

The sentences are direct and straight to the point. There is nothing hidden behind metaphors, it is exactly like the processing farm portrayed: honest, raw, and uncensored.

It is not my favorite style of writing, hence the missing two stars, but for the type of novel this is, it is more than fitting.

Re-Readability

For this point, I simply have to say this is not a novel I will ever re-read. Reading it once has left enough of an impression to let it stay on my bookshelf and never touch it again. For me it is too uncomfortable and too disturbing to do so. Still, it has left a huge mark on me and I will most likely be thinking about this book for quite a while. The one star is by no means intended to be negative.

Conclusion

All in all, I would say if you're a horror fan or a fan of stories that criticize society, this is the book for you. However, do keep the trigger warnings and extreme graphic descriptions in mind when choosing to read it. And perhaps do not have that steak beforehand.

[winterrhayle]

h-hi uh... im a big lunar chronicles fan but im not really well connected to the fandom ! can you tell me why do we hate the graphic novels??

oh hii tbh we dont HATE the graphic novels, there are just a few criticisms like how the art style doesn't really depict the characters in the way a lot of us imagine some of the characters, and the writing of their personalities isnt as strong as in the original series (i havent read w&n in years though so this is just based on vague memories) but, overall i did enjoy them! and it was nice to see all of the characters after the 4th book. also this isnt something that everyone hates, its just me and a few other people but i dont like that iko and kinney (the pretty guard from winter) got paired up, because he treated iko SO badly in the previous book😭

[fever-pitches]

*Pilgrims your Scott*

I fucking LOVED the Scott Pilgrim anime! It came out amazing!

-Vague Spoilers and hyperfixation Below-

The Scott Pilgrim animated show was **Amazing**

It was everything I hoped it'd be! I love the graphic novels and this felt like a real love letter to the originals by Bryan O'Malley. The style was adorable, like it pulled a lot from the original concepts and art from the graphic novels~ This felt like perfect step up from the Live Action, leaving out a lot of the early 2000's influences to humor, which is a good thing, and bringing in the eclectic humor of the graphic novels with the rapid fire, quick-witted banter I always adored.

The animation was fantastic, creative and free flowing. The fight scenes especialy ruled. I can't imagine the choreography that went into animating such expressive, creative fights, like the Roxy Richter fight, which is by far my favourite fight of the series.

It established a comforting sense of routine between each day with Ramona changing her hair, and the pacing of information and action was perfect~ It never got too overwhelming, so I managed to binge it in a single sitting. I was really impressed with Scott Pilgrim takes off. It managed to bring new life and creativity to the franchise. I'm really happy that a new generation will get to see Scott Pilgrim, this time featuring more of the iconic MATTHEW PATEL!!!

[reallyunluckyrunaway]

5 Twisted Book Recommendations for People who have a Dark Sense of Humor...

1.) Beautiful Darkness by: Kerascoët

The novel tells the tale of Aurora, a girl who finds herself taking a leadership role in her community after a horrible disaster occurs... The story starts out with a whimsical tone, but rapidly devolves into a more morbid narrative.

Beautiful Darkness is wickedly good and creepy. Surreal, surprisingly disturbing, and well...dark.

The twists in this made my jaw drop. Especially the initial one. It acts as sort of an anti-fairytale of sorts. Complemented with its cute, cartoon- ish, and simplistic art style. Its pleasant watercolors and... super bloody deaths and graphic violence. Obviously!

There is so much to unpack in this gorgeous graphic novel. Themes of death and mortality, the innate savagery within humankind, and so much more than I can get into here.

(Although if you are curious... you can read a better deconstruction of the novel here:)(Hopefully after you read it).

2.) The Bunny Suicides by: Andy Riley

Over The Top and hilarious. This is a series of feel good comic strips with no solid plot lines except for featuring cutsie creatures, (bunnies in this case) attempting a single goal: to die in the most brutally and over complicated ways imaginable. As a depressive person myself… I found this hilarious. As the name suggests, this was exactly that. A bunch of bunnies “ “unaliving “ themselves in a darkly humorous fashion. And somehow there was humor to be found in its gruesome yet, not gratuitous pages, unlike *ahem* some other shows with similar punchlines…

For me, this was what “Happy Tree Friends" was trying to be… Slightly edgy, fairly dark, outwardly innocent, and weirdly—fun?

3.) Dead Weight: Murder at Camp Bloom by: Terry Blas

✨Camp✨ is in the name and in the game for this graphic novel. When a group of misfit kids staying at a fat camp for the summer find out that one of the councilors have been brutally murdered, it's up to them to find out who did it, and if the killer plans on striking again… There's a nice diversity to the characters here, and their sleuthing reminded me of the Mystery Gang meets Sleep Away Camp. The art style was round and soft, and was somewhat reminiscent of the Gravity Falls art style to me.

5.) Stray Dogs by: Tony Fleecs

Stray Dogs, written by Tony Fleecs and illustrated by Trish Forstner follows a group of canine friends that wouldn't be out of place in a G-rated movie. But instead of discovering the power of friendship, they use their limited detective skills to uncover that their new owner is, in fact, a serial killer. Stray Dogs, is a strange mix of a cute Disney movie, meets "Silence of the Lambs." The overarching mystery pulled me in instantly, and the hits keep coming.

6.) I Kill Giants by: Joe Kelly

I Kill Giants is the story of a loner at school escaping into a fantasy world. But all is not as it seems with Barbara, and Barbara is not what they think she seems to the children at school that torment her, her family, or her only friend. Because Barbara has a secret: She kills Giants.

The art was sketchy, and simplistic, but charming.I liked the simple main character design. Which remained distinct, while also not trying too hard to be quirky.

[thehorrortree]

Deadline: November 30th, 2023 Payment: Royalties - 50% of net profits Theme: Escapism Fiction We accept submissions between October 1st and November 30th each year. See the information below to prepare for our upcoming submission season. We're looking for Escapism Fiction Our goal is to provide readers with the ability to escape the mundane through wildly creative fiction. We're looking for books that act as gateways to other worlds, times, or versions of reality. We prefer strong story telling, engaging openings, and compelling character development as well as imaginative settings, vivid world building, and interesting themes. If your manuscript transports a reader somewhere else, tells an engaging story and then brings them back feeling like they have experienced something unique, then we want to publish your book!​ Our Wish List Fantasy Science-Fiction Romance LGBTQ themes and diverse stories Adventure Paranormal/Occult Comedy Historical Portal Fiction Speculative Fiction A blend of any two or more of the above Cross-genre, mixed genre, or things that don't fit genre norms Note: We don't like to limit ourselves, so if you have something you think would fit with our current list of published works, please send it. Please make sure your manuscript is the right fit for us We Consider... Adult, New Adult, Young Adult, Middle Grade, or Children's (please specify your target market in your query letter) Novels (125,000 words maximum) Novellas (25,000 words minimum) Graphic novels, children's books, or illustrated mixed media (art included) Things we are NOT looking for... Non-fiction Memoirs or autobiographies Literary fiction Self-help or inspirational fiction Hard Sci-Fi or Military Sci-Fi Horror / Thriller / Suspense / True crime / Mystery (elements of these are okay) Christian or other religious fiction Contemporary fiction / Contemporary romance Poetry or short stories (on their own or in collections) Translated works previously published in another country Vampire, werewolf, or shifter stories (these are tough to market) We are a small, independent, traditional-style publishing house For our part, we offer... We partner with our authors to make the books we produce the best they can be and aim to market them together for maximum exposure. We're proud to be able to offer our books as both paperbacks and e-books. We offer higher royalties than the industry standard (50% of net profits), author copies at wholesale rate, and worldwide distribution. We respond to all queries we receive within six to eight weeks with a personal response, including suggestions on how to improve your manuscript even if it is not the right fit for us, so there is no need to send a follow-up inquiry. We accept simultaneous submissions and will review previously published works where the rights have reverted to the author. We accept general submissions between October 1st and November 30th each year. Submissions received outside of this window will not be considered. Ready to submit? Send the following to submissions[@]mirrorworldpublishing.com A query letter (clearly stating the genre, word count, and target audience of your manuscript and whether or not it is a part of a series) A one-page or less synopsis of the plot which includes the ending The first three chapters or an equivalent sample (in the case of novellas and illustrated mixed media), attached as a .doc or .docx file A sample of the art, if applicable We look forward to reviewing your submission and we promise to provide feedback within six to eight weeks. It’s October 1st and you know what that means! It’s the start of Mirror World Publishing’s submission season. From today until November 30th, 2023 we will be accepting and reviewing general submissions for

novels and novellas looking for quality manuscripts that fit within our brand of escapism fiction. If you think this might describe the book you’ve written and you want us to review it and let you know what we think, head over to our submissions page on our website for detailed instructions on how to submit. Some things to consider if you have a manuscript you’d like to send to us: Does it meet our requirements? (Type of manuscript, word count, target market…) Is it one of the genres we consider? (For a complete list, visit www.mirrorworldpublishing.com/submissions) Does it fit with our current list of published titles? (Browse our collection at www.mirrorworldpublushing.com) Does it contain any of the elements we’re looking for? (Take a look at our manuscript wish list for 2023) We review all submissions we receive that follow the guidelines we have set out and we respond to all queries within six to eight weeks with feedback so you can know what steps to take next. So if you have a manuscript and you want to send it to us, do your research and follow the guidelines and we’ll be happy to give it a read and let you know what we think! Best of luck to all who submit. We look forward to reading your submissions packages! Via: Mirror World Publishing.

[dragoncookies]

I’m so happy to see the graphic novel Sophie

She’s so cute and contrary to popular opinion I LOVE the art style. I think when we see the actual series play out in this style, with like action, different angles new expressions and everything, it’s going to be so cool. When I read KOTL I always imagine everything to play out like a cartoon or animated series or smt so this is just very exciting for me.