Exclusive Preview: Heartfelt Coming-of-Age Graphic Novel Unveiled

2025 has already been a remarkable year for 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 delves into the life of a troubled teen named Mark, who grapples with reconciling his Catholic faith with his emerging sexuality. Seeking guidance, Mark turns to some of history's most iconic religious figures for help, making this a deeply personal and universally resonant story.

IGN is thrilled to offer an exclusive sneak peek at Hey, Mary! Dive into the preview through the slideshow gallery below:

Hey, Mary! - Exclusive Graphic Novel Preview

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Hey, Mary! is penned by Andrew Wheeler, known for his work on Cat Fight and Another Castle, and illustrated by Rye Hickman, acclaimed for The Harrowing and Bad Dream. Here's the official synopsis from Oni Press:

Mark is a good Catholic boy. He goes to church, says his prayers, and spends too much time worrying about hell. When Mark realizes he has a crush on another boy at school, he struggles to reconcile his feelings with his faith. The weight of centuries of shame and judgment, along with his fear of his parents' response, bears down on him. Seeking guidance, Mark turns to his priest and a local drag performer, but also receives unexpected advice from key figures in Catholic history and lore, such as Joan of Arc, Michelangelo, St. Sebastian, and Savonarola. Ultimately, Mark must answer the pivotal question: Can he be both Catholic and gay?

Andrew Wheeler shares with IGN, "Hey, Mary! is a story about the tensions between queerness and Catholicism, channeled through the teenage angst of Mark. If you're queer and Catholic, you might already know these tensions reverberate through centuries of art and expression. By focusing on Mark's experiences, we make it more accessible. This excerpt features Mark receiving a secular art history lesson from his artsy friend and crush, Luka, and a fantastical intervention from a queer Catholic icon. It's fun, educational, and opinionated!"

Rye Hickman adds, "A shoutout to Hank Jones, our incredible colorist, for the colors on those turtles on the first page of this preview! Hey, Mary! is filled with art history nods, like a glorious sequential Easter egg hunt. Not just because I'm a nerd about it, but because religious iconography through the ages is one of the Catholic Church's most impactful areas. Whether it's 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 ways that are hard to reconcile."

Wheeler concludes, "Incorporating Catholic art references into the work was a blast, and I really love Rye's execution! The references enhance the visual storytelling, even if you don't catch them all."

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 set to return to the Hellboy universe this summer, and we had a chance to chat with the creative team behind Spider-Man & Wolverine.