2025 has already brought us some remarkable comics, and Oni Press is set to add another gem to the mix with the release of *Hey, Mary!* This heartfelt 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. In his journey, Mark turns to some of history's most iconic religious figures for guidance, making this a poignant exploration of identity and faith.
IGN is thrilled to offer an exclusive preview of *Hey, Mary!* Dive into the slideshow gallery below to get a sneak peek:
Hey, Mary! - Exclusive Graphic Novel Preview
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Hey, Mary! is penned by Andrew Wheeler, known for works like Cat Fight and Another Castle, and beautifully illustrated by Rye Hickman, who has contributed to The Harrowing and Bad Dream. Here's the official synopsis from Oni Press:
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 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 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 further notes, "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 set to return to the Hellboy universe this summer, and we had a chance to chat with the creative team behind *Spider-Man & Wolverine*.
