Heaven is a trippy mystery/horror/supernatural adventure graphic novel by Katie Skelly. Released 7th July 2026 by Fantagraphics, it's 100 pages and is available in hardcover and ebook formats.
The title comes from a fictive strip club which appears and disappears at the edge of a desert town. A group of young women (late teens) investigate and one of them (18+) takes a job there, working as an apprentice to the manager, Lover. It's got an off-kilter, staccato pace, and most of the actual action happens in strobe effect half panels. The color use is top notch, and the author has a great talent with contrast, especially given the very simple and direct line drawn style.
There's a simmering atmospheric dread and lots of feminine rage. There's also a strong murder mystery subplot, and although very short (100 pages), it manages a satisfying (very -weird-) denouement and resolution. Content warnings for implied sex-work (off page), drug use, violence, and bloodshed (mostly fig-leaved).
Four stars. Definitely adult content, but very well drawn and a good story. It would be a good choice for public or home library acquisition.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
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