If you like your supernatural horror tinged with a healthy dose of comedy, then you’ll definitely want to keep an eye on Youth Group. This new graphic novel from First Second is aimed squarely at fans of Buffy the Vampire Slayer and The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina.
With Youth Group in stores now, IGN can exclusively debut a new preview of this kooky comic. Check it out in the slideshow gallery below:
Youth Group is written by Bubble podcast co-creator Jordan Morris and illustrated by Bowen (Bones) McCurdy (Soecter Inspectors). Here’s First Second’s official description of the graphic novel:
When Kay reluctantly agreed to join the youth group at Stone Mission Church in Orange County California, she expected the Jesus talk and the dorky singalongs and the colorful posters about dodging temptation. What she didn’t expect was to stumble on her youth group leaders, Meg and Cortland, in the middle of a real-deal exorcism. Turns out they’re both soldiers in a secret organization of demon hunters in a war that’s heating up, and even if Kay wanted to stay on the sidelines, she doesn’t have a choice — she’s a “Blight,” a human who demons can’t possess, and apparently that’s made her a target. Will Kay find her place in a world that’s so much more God-fearing and monster-fighting than what she’s used to? Will the Stone Mission youth group find common cause with their badass peers of other faiths? Or will a pack of small-time demons use Blights like Kay as the key to starting some real big trouble? Youth Group mixes humor, horror and heart to tell a story about putting aside your differences to give evil the beatdown it deserves.
“This was any artist’s dream collaboration, with such a kind and talented writer to boot,” said McCurdy in a statment. “Jordan’s characters are immediately lovable and relatable, regardless of their faiths and/or demon-butt-kicking abilities. I’m so grateful to have been able to bring to life his goofy, affectionate, wild ride of a story.”
“One of our goals with Youth Group was to make the humor character-based rather than spoofing horror conventions,” added Morris. “Our characters are extreme goofballs but hopefully they’re not pure punchlines. Bowen has given them such humanity and likability that you’ll be genuinely concerned that they’re going to die. We want all sorts of folks to be able to enjoy this book, regardless of where they’re at with faith and religion. Our characters are all kinds of believers (non-believers included) who have to find a way to work together to achieve the common goal of not getting killed by demons.”
Youth Group is available now on Amazon and other retailers.
In other comic book news, IDW is reimagining Nightwatcher for its TMNT line, and we’ve got the full breakdown of the San Diego Comic-Con 2024 schedule.
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