Exclusive Preview: Heartfelt Coming-of-Age Graphic Novel

2025 has already delivered some truly great comics, and Oni Press might just have another release worth adding to your reading pile. Hey, Mary! is a heartfelt coming-of-age graphic novel that delves into the life of a troubled teen named Mark, who is trying to reconcile his Catholic faith with his burgeoning sexuality. As he grapples with these complex emotions, Mark turns to some of history's greatest religious figures for guidance and support.

IGN is excited to exclusively debut a new preview of Hey, Mary! Check out the captivating visuals in the slideshow gallery below:

Hey, Mary! - Exclusive Graphic Novel Preview

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Hey, Mary! is crafted by writer Andrew Wheeler, known for his work on Cat Fight and Another Castle, and illustrated by Rye Hickman, whose portfolio includes The Harrowing and Bad Dream. Here is Oni Press's official synopsis of this compelling new book:

"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 shared his thoughts on the novel 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!"

Rye Hickman added, "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 commented on the incorporation of art references: "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 available now in bookstores and comic shops. You can also order the book on Amazon.

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