Oni-Lion Announces Middle-Grade Graphic Novel ‘Girl Haven’ From Sturges & Carter
by James Ferguson
The amount of new young adult and middle-grade comics that are hitting shelves lately is impressive and wonderful. The Oni-Lion Forge Publishing Group has announced a new one in Girl Haven. Due out in February 2021, the book is written by Lilah Sturges and illustrated by Meaghan Carter.
Co-creator and writer Lilah Sturges says:
Girl Haven is the book I wish I’d had when I was in middle school. The book is for anyone who loves a fantasy adventure, but it has a special message for young trans kids—that they are okay, that they are allowed to be who they are and also to be confused sometimes, and that they are worthy of love and friendship.
Three years ago, Ash’s mom left home and never returned, leaving behind a husband and child and a shed full of mystical curiosities related to the all-girl fantasy world she’d created as a child—Koretris. One day, Ash invites a new group of female friends from the school’s Pride Club over, and they try one of the spells to enter Koretris. To their amazement, they’re all transported to a magical realm filled with human-sized talking animals who are fiercely protective of their world and are ready to fight to defend it.
But if Koretris is real, why is Ash there? Everyone has always called Ash a boy—shouldn’t the spell have kept Ash out? And what does it mean if it let Ash in? With a diverse and queer cast of characters, Girl Haven takes place in that strange, special time of life when every young person is on the verge of discovering who they are—and what they want for themselves.
Co-creator and artist Meaghan Carter added:
The Girl Haven team and story has been such a thrill to work with, and I’m so thankful Lilah let me help bring this story to life. Girl Haven has a world with so much life, heart, and sword fights! It’s a beautiful message for trans kids, wrapped up in a fantasy adventure.
Girl Haven is set for release on February 9th, 2021. It is currently available for pre-order at your local comic shop, bookstore, and Amazon.
