Hey, Mary!

Reviews / Votes

"[Hey, Mary!] is thoughtful and also takes provocative leaps: Mark envisions conversations with saints whose sexuality was erased in interpretations of the Bible. The soldiers and martyrs Sergius and Bacchus, who are drawn here with the chiseled good looks of runway models, present a simple truth: "There have always been queer people, since before we had the language for it."" * <I><B>New York Times</B></I> * "A compassionate, welcoming graphic novel about the intersections of faith and identity." * <I><B>Publishers Weekly</B></I> * "An affirming and nuanced graphic novel about a queer teen's journey from fear to acceptance." * <I><B>School Library Journal</B></I> * "Hey, Mary! somehow manages to be funny, imaginative, and moving in equal measures. A queer coming-of-age story against the backdrop of Catholic guilt, Hey, Mary! is a tender reminder of the life-and-death struggle it is to become ourselves." -Mark Russell, creator of God Is Disappointed in You

"Saints and stories come to vivid life in this compassionate story of a young man learning to balance his sexuality and his faith. For any readers out there trying to find space in their Catholicism for their queerness, I hope this book can light the way." -Maia Kobabe, creator of Gender Queer: A Memoir

"Hey, Mary! is a beautifully bold book in both its art and storytelling. For every church kid struggling with their queerness, this book will resonate long after the final page is turned." -Laura Gao, creator of Kirby's Lessons for Falling (In Love) and Messy Roots

"At the risk of being too on-the-nose, Hey Mary! is a miracle. Wheeler's script tackles some huge ideas, but never forgets to be fun and funny. Hickman's art is gorgeous, both in the sprawling, ornate fantasy sequences and the small, intimate moments between characters. Buy this book forever and ever, amen." -Jordan Morris, creator of Youth Group

"Hey! Mary will be meaningful for any kid wrestling with questions of Catholic faith, LGBTQ identity, community, and love; and especially those needing deeper explorations of the history and scripture. While it doesn't shy away from the challenges of holding space for both faith and queerness, it reassures us that there is room for both, and without reservation. What exactly that looks like is for each to explore for themselves, but this book is clear: the thing that connects them, resoundingly, is love." -Keezy Young, creator of Taproot

"A necessary read for believers and non-believers, Hey, Mary! shines a light on how the Bible both helps and hurts the queer community in a way that doesn't feel preachy. Come for the queer biblical icons, but stay for Hickman's drawings of sexy Jesus. I wish this comic onto every small town." -Meggie Ramm, creator of Batcat

"Hey, Mary! celebrates the rich overlap of queer faith and history we so rarely hear about. Hey, Mary! sings praises to queer history and explores what faith means to one lonely boy finding his place in the world." -Niki Smith, creator of The Golden Hour

"I loved Hey, Mary! Here's a book that gives you the butterflies and angst of Heartstopper with a thoughtful, provocative lens on faith, institutions, and pride. Like the best books, it tackles real issues--coming out, internalized homophobia, guilt, paranoia--but it does so with a lightness, a vibrancy and energy that draws you through the lives of its leads as you gasp at their pitfalls and cheer their victories. The best fiction thrills you, enlightens you, and cradles your heart-Hey, Mary! does all three!" -Steve Orlando, Midnighter, Wonder Woman, and Astonishing Iceman "Beautifully detailed... Hickman's expressive artwork reinforces the religious themes not only in garment details of featured historical figures but also in haloing Mark or depicting his internal battles. Mark's fears of failure, pain, and rejection are all too real, and his journey and its hopeful ending could be vital for teens facing similar conflicts." * <I><B>Booklist</B></I> * "An earnest exploration of the rocky terrain between queerness and faith." * <I><B>Kirkus Reviews</B></I> * "Whether you already have a solid support structure or are still looking for something or someone to lean on, [Hey, Mary!] assure[s] us that there is a community waiting to love and care for each of us ... even if it takes a little while to find or make it." * <B><I>Book Riot</I></B> * "Hey, Mary! is a heartfelt coming-of-age graphic novel about a troubled teen trying to reconcile his Catholic faith with his burgeoning sexuality and turning to some of history's greatest religious figures for help." * <I><B>IGN</B></I> * "A stained glass mosaic of complexity, queerness, and Catholicism... The main story arc for the protagonist Mark is authentic, vulnerable, and triumphant for any LGBTQ+ person of religious faith... Hey Mary is the deep reading queer Catholics need right now. If you are open to an intricate coming-of-age story, then you might come away with new knowledge and a renewed faith in community." * <B><I>INTO</I></B> * "A sweet LGBTQ+ themed tale of self acceptance."

* <I><B>Games Radar</B></I> *