Exclusive Preview: Lion Forge to Publish Brenna Thummler’s ‘Sheets’

Marjorie Glatt, the lead character of Brenna Thummler’s Sheets, feels invisible—most of the time. Her mother has recently died, and her father has disappeared into his own pain, leaving the 13-year-old to care for her brother and run the family business—a laundromat that her mother started when she was 19. At school, she drifts along without any friends, attracting little attention. The only place where she draws much notice is at work—the laundromat’s customers are obnoxious and an unctuous local businessman is determined take over the property, leaving Marjorie and her family with crumbs.

The ghosts that inhabit Marjorie’s town are invisible as well, but when one of them, Wendell, ventures into Marjorie’s life, he causes chaos—chaos that ultimately saves the day.

Sheets is a ghost story where the ghosts are not scary but the people are. At the center of it, though, is Marjorie, the solid center of her family and her business, and in the end, she has more allies than she realized.

Lion Forge will publish Sheets in August. We have an exclusive preview below, followed by the full press release. Enjoy!

LION FORGE TO PUBLISH BRENNA THUMMLER’S SHEETS

The Original Graphic Novel from the Anne of Green Gables Artist Joins the CubHouse Imprint

ST. LOUIS, MO—Artist Brenna Thummler’s work has appeared in such publications as the Washington Post and the New York Times. In 2017, she adapted the beloved Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery into a graphic novel alongside writer Mariah Marsden. This August, Lion Forge is proud to release her debut original graphic novel, Sheets!

“There are times we all feel like ghosts, and not just in need of a good wash, but also invisible, different, or like we don’t belong. Sheets grew from this loneliness, and I learned to use storytelling as a way to step out of the dark,” says Brenna Thummler. “It is a tremendous honor to be able to share this story with readers, and to remind them that there are always ways to feel alive and visible, as long as they don’t stop looking.”

Marjorie Glatt feels like a ghost. A practical thirteen-year-old in charge of the family laundry business, her daily routine features unforgiving customers, unbearable P.E. classes, and the fastidious Mr. Saubertuck who is committed to destroying everything she’s worked for.

Wendell is a ghost. A boy who lost his life much too young, his daily routine features ineffective death therapy, a sheet-dependent identity, and a dangerous need to seek purpose in the forbidden human world.

When their worlds collide, Marjorie is confronted by unexplainable disasters as Wendell transforms Glatt’s Laundry into his midnight playground, appearing as a mere sheet during the day. While Wendell attempts to create a new afterlife for himself, he unknowingly sabotages the life that Marjorie is struggling to maintain.

“Having been a fan of Brenna’s art since her gorgeous adaption of Anne of Green Gables, I knew her first original graphic novel was going to be beautifully drawn. But I was wholly unprepared for her delicate, atmospheric, and deeply heartfelt storytelling,” says Lion Forge executive editor, Andrea Colvin. “Sheets is something truly special; a story that manages to be both buoyant and melancholy, sorrowful and optimistic. Brenna’s soft art pulls you in to Marjorie’s and Wendell’s worlds, slowly and then all at once, and you won’t want to let go.”

This beautiful and moving graphic novel illustrates the determination of a young girl to fight, even when all parts of her world seem to be conspiring against her. It proves that second chances are possible whether life feels over or life is over. But above all, Sheets is a story of the forgiveness and unlikely friendship that can only transpire inside a haunted laundromat. This gorgeous work arrives in print from Lion Forge this August, and is available for preorder through your local comic book shop, and on Amazon and Barnes & Noble now.

“Brenna Thummler’s first original graphic novel is a reason to celebrate. She announced herself as an artist to reckon with when she illustrated Mariah Marsden’s adaptation of Anne of Green Gables. Now she’s illustrated her own story of ghosts and family, loneliness and laundromats. I’m sure you’ll be captivated, and as eager as I am to see what comes next!”—Brian Selznick, author of Wonderstruck and The Invention of Hugo Cabret

“For days after reading Brenna Thummler’s Sheets, I have been wandering my neighborhood, haunted, enchanted, and in need of freshly pressed clothing.”—Lemony Snicket, author of Lemony Snicket’s Series of Unfortunate Events

About the Author:
Brenna Thummler grew up in northwestern Pennsylvania, where she developed a great love for nature trails, peanut butter, and, above all, drawing. A graduate of Ringling College of Art and Design, she was named the Society of Illustrators Zankel Scholar during her junior year. Since graduation, she has done editorial and advertising work for such clients as the New York Times, the Washington Post, Razorfish, and Empathic Films LLC. Anne of Green Gables was her first graphic novel but not her last: her first original, Sheets, will be out Fall 2018. In those rare moments she’s not creating art, you might find her dancing, making music, baking cheesecakes, or spending time with kindred spirits.

About Lion Forge Comics:
Lion Forge strives to publish comics for everyone to enjoy, regardless of gender identity, ethnicity, or cultural background. The original graphic novel Andre the Giant: Closer to Heaven was nominated for three Glyph Awards, as well as the Dwayne McDuffie Award for Diversity, and Lighter Than My Shadow was voted the 2017 Graphic Novel of the Year by Amazon. Lion Forge Comics includes the Roar imprint for young adults and the CubHouse imprint for readers twelve and under. It is also home to the Magnetic Collection of premium and critically acclaimed comics and graphic novels, boasting multiple Eisner Award nominees. Across multiple imprints and formats that include licensed properties like DreamWorks Voltron Legendary Defender, original works from top independent creators, and the original and all-inclusive Catalyst Prime superhero universe, Lion Forge publishes something for every level of comic book fan, young and old.
Lion Forge Comics—Comics for Everyone. Visit www.lionforge.com for more information.

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