June may be coming to an end, but pride is forever! For readers who are looking for inclusive stories full of great representation and relatable characters, we’ve assembled a list of all the best LGBTQIA+ graphic novels releasing throughout June, August, and September! From D&D party feuds to occult mysteries and theatrical love stories, there’s something for everyone in our Queer Graphic Novel round-up!
Hello, Cruel World, 2nd Ed. By Kate Bornstein & Sara Quin
9781644214435 / Triangle Square / PB / £12.99 / Out Now
Now updated and with new material Hello, Cruel World features a catalog of 121 alternatives to suicide that range from the playful (moisturize!), to the irreverent (shatter some family values), to the controversial, fun, challenging and easy. Encouraging readers to unleash their hearts’ harmless desires, the book has only one directive: ‘Don’t be mean.’ It is this guiding principle that brings the reader on a self-validating journey and toward a resounding decision to embrace life. Using graphics and checklists, and with great humour and gutsiness, Kate Bornstein dares readers to re-envision the gender system as we know it. She offers stories and insights that are tenderly intimate and unapologetically edgy. Suicide rates among LGBTQ+ teens are much higher than for their cis peers; with love and humour and confession and insight, Bornstein hopes to keep every freak out there alive. She is a radical role model, an affectionate best friend, and a guiding mentor all in one. This one-of-a-kind guide to staying alive is a much-needed, sometimes unorthodox approach to life for those who want to stay on the edge, and alive.
Love in the Palm of His Hand 01 by Rinteku
9781646093649 / Square Enix Manga / PB / £11.99 / Out Now
Through sign language and acting, two young men seeking their places in the world discover a connection that transcends the spoken word. ‘To think that just what I’ve always wanted to hear would come from someone I just met.’ Fujinaga is a university student who dreams of becoming an actor so he can do what he loves best — conveying emotion and story through physical expression. But after failing multiple auditions, his hopes are dashed and his confidence crushed. When he meets Keito, a fellow student with congenital hearing loss, Fujinaga is suddenly introduced to the world of sign language. Although clumsy at first, Fujinaga quickly picks up signing and surprises Keito with his astonishing talent of expressing emotions through action. Is it that only in a place beyond all verbal limitations can two people, both yearning to be understood, forge a bond they never expected?
I Hear the Sunspot: Four Seasons Volume 3 by Yuki Fumino
9781642734454 / One Peace Books / PB / £13.99 / Out Now
Though handsome and well-liked, Kohei Sugihara has led a gloomy and withdrawn existence ever since he developed severe hearing loss in junior high. But in college, a chance encounter with his ever optimistic classmate Taichi Sagawa ignites an undeniable shared spark that eventually blossoms into love. Graduation nears for Kohei, and with a job offer in hand from his top choice, he embarks on a summer internship to ease the transition. However, the experience quickly turns into a trial by fire, leaving Kohei struggling to find his way among the sometimes divisive opinions of his new coworkers. ‘I’m always gonna be there to lift you to your feet. Even when we get into a fight, I’m still on your side!’
The Last Session Vol. 1 by Jasmine Walls & Dozerdraws
9781545818190 / Maverick / PB / £13.99 / Out Now
Jay, Lana, Drew, Walter, and Shen began playing Dice & Deathtraps in high school. Now dealing with college and all the twists and turns of their lives, their weekly game has been a wonderful constant. But, as college graduation looms and it feels like their lives are all moving down very different paths, Lana’s thrilled to finally finally complete the party’s unfinished original campaign. But when Jay’s partner Cassandra joins the game, Lana refuses to let her inexperience ruin the best part of her week! But in the end, that may be Lana and the party’s undoing…
Twilight Out of Focus Box Set by Jyanome
9781647294618 / Jyanome / Vertical / PB / £49.99 / OUT NOW
This collector’s box set contains volumes 1-4 of the Twilight Out of Focus series and includes a special booklet with U.S. edition exclusive art, a never-before translated short story, and all-new full-colour illustrations. Second-years Mao Tsuchiya and Hisashi Otomo make three promises: 1) That Mao will never tell anyone that Hisashi is gay and has a boyfriend, 2) That Hisashi will never think of Mao ‘in that way,’ and 3) That they’ll always knock before entering, in case someone is having some ‘private time.’ The two’s ground rules should ensure a peaceful life together in their dorm, but life is never as simple as it should be, and some things are not so easily promised…
Just Like Mona Lisa 06 by Tsumuji Yoshimura
9781646093328 / Square Enix Manga / PB / £13.99 / 8th July 2025
In this world, people are born without a gender. To better understand Hinase’s situation, Shiori is determined to uncover the identity of the genderless person in Nao’s photo — even if that means confronting his own brother. Due to their conversation with Shirogane, Hinase decides to give Shiori and Ritsu an answer to their confessions. High school is almost over, and Hinase has to start making hard choices. They must establish who they love and what gender they will become. Should choosing a romantic partner define someone’s sense of self?
Just Like Mona Lisa 07 by Tsumuji Yoshimura
9781646093335 / Square Enix Manga / PB / £13.99 / 2nd September 2025
In this world, people are born without a gender. Hinase tries femininity on for size with a girls’ day. A makeover, baking, and crafting ensue when Kinosaki leads Hinase in stereotypically feminine activities with their female friends. Then, Hinase’s beach day with Ritsu and Shiori becomes an unexpected test when they have to decide on a swimsuit. And Hinase finally meets with Nao to discuss the person in her photo. What happened between Nao and this person during her study-abroad in France? Is it possible to live without labels?
Heebie Jeebies by Matthew Erman
9781545820261 / Papercutz / HB / £17.99 / 15th July 2025
At Amberline Middle School there’s more than one thing that goes bump in the night… Blue and their best friend Herschel are definitely not the coolest kids around, but when a group of popular bullies tell our main characters that their problems can be solved by finding the treasure buried beneath the school… well, Blue, Herschel and one annoyed night janitor have to investigate their school after dark! What nightmares guard the treasure? The kind to give our heroes one bad case of the Heebie Jeebies! Matthew Erman and Shelby Criswell re-team for this hilarious and spooky middle grade graphic novel perfect for the spookalicious kid or kid-at-heart that’ll be sure to surprise, delight and terrify!
Sparks Volume 2: Royalty by Revel Guts
9781506741598 / Dark Horse / PB / £17.99 / 15th July 2025
A world rising from the ashes of destruction. Human society thrives only through their complex alliance with the magical Satyr. After a shocking graduation day full of surprises, Philo and Atlas arrive at the palace to begin their new lives. Philo is quickly taken under the wing of the Arch Mage’s flirtatious younger brother, Pallas, and is shown the ropes of daily royal life. Meanwhile Atlas begins his brutal apprenticeship and uncovers some unsettling truths about his future. All is not what it seems as shadowy figures continue to pull the strings behind the scenes.. Will Philo and Atlas be able to navigate this twisted web and find their way back to one another? And just why is the Arch Mage so interested in Philo..? The second volume of Revel Guts’ hit webcomic Sparks, now in print for the first time, is a coming-of-age queer romance that can’t be missed by fans of LGBTQ+ fantasy and adventure.
Renegade Royale by Ben Khan, Rachel Silverstein, Sam Beck, and Jim Campbel
9781506739717 / Dark Horse / PB / £17.99 / 29th July 2025
Since their defeat at the VR gaming championship for Renegade Rule, the team members of the Manhattan Mist haven’t lost an ounce of momentum. So when a new brawl mode is introduced to the game — along with a sponsored inaugural competition — they’re in it to win it (again)! But in this tournament, only one player can be crowned champion. Get ready for a burgeoning romance between two team members, all-new character classes, and new rivals who will push Tonya, Sasha, Amanda and Jessie to their very limits. Whether or not the Mist can make some time between jokes, swears, and stolen glances to make one of their own a VR gaming champion remains to be seen! Writers Ben Kahn and Rachel Silverstein re-join artist Sam Beck and letterer Jim Campbell for the second instalment of this queer kickass gaming experience.
Hero Cave by Syd Madia
9798886200652 / Silver Sprocket / PB / £8.99 / 30th July 2025
When the hero continues on their quest, the vanquished dust themselves off and get ready for work the next day. Hero Cave is a dungeon fantasy comic book for the rats, skeletons, and low-level monsters of the underworld. Skeleton has a pretty easy gig: scare the adventurers that visit Hero Cave, get killed, get back up to do it all again. But there’s only so many times you can be slain and revived before it gets old. They’re losing passion for the job and yearning to finally rest in peace. After a poor performance review with the dungeon’s sinister wizard, Skeleton spirals further into an existential crisis and wild frenzy. Is this all there is for them? Can they really be alive in an undead body? And how can they get out of here? A hilarious, heartfelt take on the fantasy genre, printed with a foil-accented cardstock cover and vibrant spot colour.
Aquinnah by Matteo Casali, Rachele Aragno, and Clarissa Saccani
9781506737003 / Dark Horse / PB / £26.99 / 12th August 2025
Amber has carried the question of her past for years. With no memory of her childhood haunted by chronic pain, she assumes it’s amnesia — until a strange man claiming to have answers appears. And a story much darker, stranger, and more otherworldly begins to take shape. Amber and her girlfriend are caught up in a net of occult secrets and ancient monsters connected to the seaside town of Aquinnah, and as the town’s dark history is uncovered, Amber must decide if she will be the town’s salvation…or its doom. Writer Matteo Casali (Batman: Europa, Marvel’s What If) and artist Rachele Aragno (Mel the Chosen, Leonide the Vampyr) spin a terrible tale of history and injustice.
Witch Hazel: Variety Hour by Colton Fox & Beige Blum
9798886200744 / Silver Sprocket / PB / £8.99 / 20th August 2025
Meet Hazel: Talented Spellcaster and Walking Disaster. Spells fizzle, side gigs go sideways, and mystical villains wreak havoc! For Hazel, it’s just another day trying to make rent. Luckily, her friends, her crush, and her familiar Noot are there to help pick up the pieces (or maybe make things worse). Monsters, magic, and mayhem? Hazel’s definitely not getting paid enough for this. This deluxe printing features a cardstock cover with foil accents, fun activities, and an included sticker sheet!
Hotblood! Vol. 1 by Toril Orlesky
9781545820445 / Mad Cave Studios / PB / £17.99 / 9th September 2025
The year is 1871 and the centaur Evander Rook finds himself at rock bottom, working for would-be robber baron Asa Langley — a human! As the unlikely pair get closer, romance and conspiracy run wild and Rook finds himself caught up in Asa’s ambitions, culminating in a violent confrontation as they are both forced to face the ghosts of their interwoven pasts.
PeePee PooPoo #100,000 by Caroline Cash
9798886200676 / Silver Sprocket / PB / £8.99 / 17th September 2025
In this issue: Caroline tackles the big city in ‘My New York Diary.’ Gaze upon the influencers and icons of Fashion Week, party with the terminally cool (and uncool), and figure out what exactly ‘celebrity’ even means now. All this and more in the next issue of your favourite cartoonist’s favourite comic. As ever, this issue is printed with a cardstock foil cover and a bonus PeePee PooPoo sticker sheet.
