Today on the site, we’re revealing the cover for Monster Crush, a graphic novel by Ellie Franey releasing March 12, 2024 from Dark Horse Comics! Not only has the the book been written and illustrated by Franey, but the seriously charming cover has as well! Here’s a little more about the story before we get there:
Discover a new coming-of-age fantasy with LGBTQIA+ themes that speak to those who have ever felt like an outsider. Dark Horse Books presents an unforgettable story of self-discovery and teenage romance with a monstrous twist in Monster Crush. The entire whirlwind adventure of love, gender, and big emotions is written, drawn, and colored by Twitch streamer and cat mom extraordinaire Ellie Franey (Gender Turbulence).
Ruby Reid has struggled with life at Crestwood High since her parents split up. However, when Ella Mooney moved to town, everything changed. Ella isn’t like most teens: she’s never been on a Ferris wheel, never had an ice cream cone, and sometimes she grows fangs and a tail!
It’s not just Ruby who is interested in the new girl; the pair find themselves on the run from a mysterious group that wants to capture Ella and her whole family!
“It has always been my personal and professional goal to create content that features and represents LGBTQIA+ characters.” says artist and author Ellie Franey. “Being in the [LGBTQIA+] community myself, it has been a dream come true to create and bring Monster Crush to life. It is my sincerest hope that young adults of any background can enjoy this heartfelt tale.”
Full of big crushes and even BIGGER monsters, the 272-page (6” x 9”) graphic novel Monster Crush will be in bookstores on March 12, 2024, and comic shops on March 13, 2024, and is available for pre-order at both bookstores and local comic shops for $19.99.
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Erin Elizabeth Franey or Ellie, (she/they) is a Detroit-based illustrator & author with a BFA in Illustration from the College for Creative Studies. Their work blends graphic, comic, and digital art; touching on various topics from mental health to female empowerment and LGBTQ identity.When she’s not making comics, she’s streaming on Twitch, playing video games, or pestering her three cats. Follow Ellie on Twitter to keep up with their work.
Natalie C. Parker is an author, editor, and community organizer. She has written several award winning books for teens and young readers and has edited multiple anthologies including the Indie Bestselling anthology Vampires Never Get Old. Her work has been included on the NPR Best Books list, the Indie Next List, and the TAYSHAS Reading List, and in Junior Library Guild selections. In addition to writing, Natalie also runs Madcap Retreats, which has partnered with We Need Diverse Books and Reese’s Book Club to host the writers workshops for their new internship Lit Up. She grew up in a navy family finding home in coastal cities from Virginia to Japan and currently lives with her wife on the Kansas prairie.
Claire Winn spends her time immersed in other worlds—through LARP, video games, books, nerd conventions, and her own stories. Since graduating from Northwestern University, she’s worked as a legal and technical writer. Aside from writing, she builds cosplay props and armor, tears up dance floors, and battles with boffer swords.
Drawing on ancient texts and modern archeology to reveal the trans woman’s story hidden underneath the well-known myths of The Iliad, Maya Deane’s Wrath Goddess Sing weaves a compelling, pitilessly beautiful vision of Achilles’ vanished world, perfect for fans of Song of Achilles and the Inheritance trilogy.
Margaret Owen was born and raised at the end of the Oregon Trail, and has worked in everything from thrift stores to presidential campaigns. The common thread between every job can be summed up as: lessons were learned. She now spends her days in Seattle, Washington, writing and negotiating a long-term hostage situation with her monstrous cats. In her free time, she enjoys exploring ill-advised travel destinations and raising money for social justice nonprofits through her illustrations. You can find her on Twitter and Instagram at @what_eats_owls (truly, a question for our time.)
Wyatt would give anything to forget where he came from—but a kingdom demands its king.