“The Haven,” a poignant graphic novel by Jayel Seymour and Lauren Mugford, explores a queer child’s journey of self-acceptance and belonging while navigating a time loop and a magical realm.

The press release follows:

Media Release – THERE’S NOTHING WRONG WITH YOU—THAT’S THE SECRET OF THE HAVEN, AND WITH IT, YOU CAN DO ANYTHING… Oni Press, the multiple Eisner and Harvey Award-winning publisher of groundbreaking comics and graphic novels since 1997, is proud to announce THE HAVEN, a heartfelt adventure with a big twist about making peace with your differences and discovering where you belong from Jayel Seymour (Nadya Skylung and the Cloudship Rescue) and debut creator Lauren Mugford—in stores this January 27, 2027!



“Illustrating Jayel’s rich descriptive imagery for THE HAVEN was a joy,” said artist Lauren Mugford. “As I translated J’s world from text to page, I aimed to imbue as much queer joy as I could into the world of THE HAVEN and its complicated characters. The story of J shows how queerness comes in many forms, loud or quiet, but nonetheless dignified and beautiful. Jayel was wonderful to work with, and I am honored they placed as much trust as they did in me to bring such a personal story to life. I hope THE HAVEN? will reach those who need its message most and find that same strength in it.”

Closeted, queer twelve-year-old J is cursed, reliving sixth grade over and over. Same bullies, same school, same loneliness. Something terrible keeps happening at the end of the year, and then the year resets. But he can’t remember what the Terrible Thing is. And he can’t escape . . . until two new kids show up. Rory—brave, confident, and instantly popular—seems like everything J wants to be. P—a fierce loner with a big secret—wants nothing to do with J or anyone else. And they’re trapped in the time loop, too.

Looking for any means of escape, the unlikely trio find a portal into the Haven, a shifting landscape of floating islands and fantastical magic that comes to people who need help solving unsolvable problems. In the heart of the Haven they discover a raging conflict that touches all three of them. J, Rory, and P soon discover the only way to break their time loop is to face a fear they’ve been running from for their whole lives.

“You are holding a book about being a queer kid,” said writer Jayel Seymour. “About knowing you’re beautifully different and not understanding why the world doesn’t get that. About struggling and seeking and learning who you are piece by piece, pulling all the parts of yourself together to understand that you belong. About finding out the most wonderful thing you ever did was be born exactly as you are, and the most wonderful thing you’ll ever do is keep being you. It’s a book for when you’re confused, a book for when you’re scared, a book for when you’re growing, a book for when you’re resting, a book for when you’re triumphant. It’s a book for discovering there is someone indescribably glad that you are exactly as you are, even in your darkest moments. And that you carry that person with you, everywhere you go."

“THE HAVEN is a story for anyone trying to find their place in this world and stay true to themselves along the way,” said editor Grace Scheipeter. “Follow along J’s journey through the Haven, full of magic, mystery, and one BIG twist you won’t see coming. Every time I read the book, I find something new to love!”

Break free from fear and enter THE HAVEN when it lands in stores on January 27, 2027!

For more updates on Oni Press, visit them on Bluesky, Facebook, and Instagram.

The Haven
Written By Jayel Seymour
Art By Lauren Mugford
Cover By Lauren Mugford
On Sale January 27th, 2027 | $16.99 | 184 pgs. | FC

ONI PRESS

THE LOUDEST THING IN COLOR SINCE ‘97. For nearly 30 years, Oni Press has carved a distinctive path as one of the world’s most respected and acclaimed publishers of award-winning comic books and graphic novels, including Bryan Lee O’Malley’s Scott Pilgrim, Maia Kobabe’s Gender Queer, Cullen Bunn & Brian Hurtt’s The Sixth Gun, Brenna Thummler’s Sheets trilogy, Jay Stephens’ Dwellings, Ezra Clayton Daniels’ Upgrade Soul, LySandra Vuong’s Covenant, and many hundreds more. In 2019, Oni Press merged with Lion Forge Comics – the Eisner Award-winning independent comic book publisher founded by Academy Award-winning producer and entrepreneur David Steward II – to create one of the largest, independent libraries of comics content anywhere in media. The Oni-Lion Forge Publishing Group now exists as a publishing subsidiary of Steward’s diversified global media company, Polarity.

The Oni-Lion Forge Publishing Group publishes more than 60 original and licensed graphic novels annually, in addition to an extensive roster of periodical comics for globally recognized properties including Adventure Time, Biker Mice from Mars, Choose Your Own Adventure, Cult of the Lamb, EC Comics, Murder Drones, Rick and Morty, and more.

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