2025 has already brought us some incredible comic releases, and Oni Press is adding to the excitement with a fresh and meaningful new graphic novel. Hey, Mary! is a touching coming-of-age story that follows a Catholic teenager grappling with his sexuality and seeking guidance from some of history’s most iconic religious figures.
IGN is proud to exclusively debut a new preview of Hey, Mary!—check it out in the slideshow gallery below:
Hey, Mary! – Exclusive Graphic Novel Preview
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Written by Andrew Wheeler (Cat Fight, Another Castle) and illustrated by Rye Hickman (The Harrowing, Bad Dream), Hey, Mary! dives into themes of identity, faith, and self-acceptance. Here's how Oni Press describes this powerful new release:
Mark is a devoted Catholic teen who faithfully attends church, prays daily, and wrestles with an overwhelming fear of hell. When he develops a crush on another boy at school, he finds himself caught between his deep-rooted beliefs and his emerging sexuality. Battling both internal conflict and the fear of disappointing his parents, Mark turns to his priest, a local drag performer, and even receives unexpected insight from legendary Catholic figures such as Joan of Arc, Michelangelo, St. Sebastian, and Savonarola. In the end, only Mark can answer one burning question: Can he be both Catholic and gay?
Andrew Wheeler explains the core idea behind the story:
"Hey, Mary! explores the complex intersection of queerness and Catholicism through the lens of teenage anxiety. If you're queer and Catholic, those tensions echo throughout centuries of art and culture. By channeling that struggle through one young person's journey, we aim to make the experience more relatable and emotionally resonant. This preview features Mark receiving a secular art history lesson from Luka—his artsy friend and secret crush—as well as a surreal visitation from a celebrated queer icon of Catholic history. It’s informative, expressive, and full of personality!"
Rye Hickman shares appreciation for the artistic depth of the project:
"Big shoutout to our incredible colorist, Hank Jones, for bringing those turtle illustrations to life on the first page of this preview. Art history references are sprinkled throughout Hey, Mary! like visual Easter eggs. Religious imagery has always been one of the Catholic Church’s most powerful storytelling tools—whether it's Michelangelo’s Pietà or a simple wooden crucifix. These visuals are rich, emotional, and sometimes even provocatively sensual in ways that challenge traditional perceptions."
Wheeler adds, "Incorporating Catholic art motifs was a joy, and Rye’s execution brings them to life beautifully. You don’t need to catch every reference for the story to work—it simply enhances the visual narrative whether you're in on the symbolism or not."
*Hey, Mary!* is now available in bookstores and comic shops across the country. Grab your copy today via Amazon.For more updates from the world of comics, stay tuned—Mike Mignola is set to return to the Hellboy universe this summer, and we recently spoke with the team behind the upcoming Spider-Man & Wolverine series.
