Exclusive Preview: Heartfelt Coming-of-Age Graphic Novel

2025 has brought us some remarkable comics, and Oni Press is set to add another gem to the collection with the release of Hey, Mary! This poignant coming-of-age graphic novel dives deep into the life of a troubled teen named Mark, who grapples with his Catholic faith and his emerging sexuality. As he navigates this personal journey, Mark seeks guidance not only from his priest and a local drag performer but also from iconic figures in Catholic history such as Joan of Arc, Michelangelo, St. Sebastian, and Savonarola.

IGN is thrilled to offer an exclusive preview of Hey, Mary! Dive into the slideshow gallery below to get a glimpse of this compelling narrative:

Hey, Mary! - Exclusive Graphic Novel Preview

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Hey, Mary! is crafted by the talented duo of writer Andrew Wheeler, known for Cat Fight and Another Castle, and illustrator Rye Hickman, acclaimed for The Harrowing and Bad Dream. Here’s how Oni Press describes the new release:

Mark is a good Catholic boy. He goes to church, he says his prayers, and he spends too much time worrying about hell. When Mark realizes he has a crush on another boy in his school, he struggles to reconcile his feelings with his faith as the weight of centuries of shame and judgment—and his fear of his parents' response—presses on his shoulders. Mark seeks advice from his priest, as well as a local drag performer, but also receives unexpected input from key figures in Catholic history and lore, including Joan of Arc, Michelangelo, St. Sebastian, and Savonarola. Ultimately, only Mark can answer the question: Is it possible for him to be both Catholic and gay?

Andrew Wheeler shares his thoughts on the story with IGN: "Hey, Mary! is a story about the tensions between queerness and Catholicism explored through the teen angst of one boy, Mark. If you are queer and Catholic, you might already know that those tensions reverberate through centuries of art and expression, so channeling that through the experiences of one teenager hopefully makes it a lot more accessible! This excerpt sees Mark getting a very secular art history lesson from his artsy friend (and crush) Luka -- and a fantastical intervention from a bona fide queer Catholic icon. It's fun and educational and opinionated!"

Illustrator Rye Hickman adds, "Shoutout to Hank Jones, our amazing colorist, for the colors on those turtles on the first page of this preview! There's art history nods scattered around Hey, Mary! like some kind of glorious sequential easter egg hunt. Not just saying that because I'm a nerd about it, but because religious iconography through the ages is one of the Catholic Church's areas of biggest impact. Whether it be The Pietà or an uncredited wood carving of Jesus on the cross, Catholic imagery is evocative, figural, and emotionally intense-- and sometimes, sexually charged in a way that can be hard to reconcile."

Wheeler also praises the artistic integration, stating, "Putting the Catholic art references into the work was great fun and I really love Rye's execution! The references are there if you know what to look for, but if you don't, they just enrich the visual storytelling."

Hey, Mary! is now available in bookstores and comic shops. You can also order the book on Amazon.

In other comic book news, Mike Mignola is set to return to the Hellboy universe this summer, and we've had the chance to chat with the creative team behind Spider-Man & Wolverine.