Exclusive: First Second Announces Vera Brosgol’s Plain Jane

We’re big fans of cartoonist Vera Brosgol around these parts, from her excellently spooky Anya’s Ghost to the all-too-real camp anxiety of Be Prepared, so it’s with great pleasure that we exclusively announce her next graphic novel for younger readers: Plain Jane, slated to hit shelves winter 2021 from publisher First Second. Protagonist Jane, as the title implies, is seemingly on the average side, but must confront that insecurity if she’s to have any hope of rescuing her crush from a sea-dwelling menace.

“I’ve had this book in my head for almost four years and am really excited to finally share it,” Brosgol told Paste. “It’s a completely different world to draw (no classrooms!) and a story that’s both personal and challenging. If you’ve seen me staring out to sea with my brow furrowed, this is why.”

Plain Jane is a few years off just yet, but eager readers can study up on First Second’s official description of the book below, as well as take a first look at Brosgol’s underwater interior art. Is that a selkie we spot? Guess we’ll find out for sure in 2021…