Hollow | Exclusive

We’re breaking some news today with the exclusive announcement of Hollow, a new original graphic novel co-written by Shannon Watters, the co-creator of Lumberjanes, and newcomer Branden Boyer-White, with art by Berenice Nelle (Wanderlicht) and colorist Kaitlyn Musto (Specter Inspectors). The story is a riff on Washington Irving’s tale of Ichabod Crane and the headless horseman, brought into the present day and starring the descendants of the original characters. BOOM! Studios will publish Hollow in September 2022 under its BOOM! Box imprint. Here’s the full press release:

A Spooky Legend Comes to Life in Queer YA Graphic Novel HOLLOW from LUMBERJANES Co-Creator

Discover a Brand New Original Graphic Novel from an All-Star Creative Team in September 2022

LOS ANGELES, CA (December 15, 2021) – BOOM! Studios announced today a brand new original graphic novel, HOLLOW. From Shannon Watters, the co-creator of the bestselling worldwide phenomenon Lumberjanes, and co-writer debut author Branden Boyer-White, rising star artist Berenice Nelle (Wanderlicht), and colorist Kaitlyn Musto (Specter Inspectors), comes a supernatural queer romance and adventure set in the infamous town of Sleepy Hollow, available in September 2022.

Isabel “Izzy” Crane and her family have just relocated to Sleepy Hollow, the town made famous by–and obsessed with–Washington Irving’s legend of the Headless Horseman. But city slicker-skeptic Izzy has no time for superstition as she navigates life at a new address, a new school, and, with any luck, with new friends. Ghost stories aren’t real, after all….

Then Izzy is pulled into the orbit of the town’s teen royalty, Vicky Van Tassel (yes, that Van Tassel) and loveable varsity-level prankster Croc Byun. Vicky’s weariness with her family connection to the legend turns to terror when the trio begins to be haunted by the Horseman himself, uncovering a curse set on destroying the Van Tassel line. Now, they have only until Halloween night to break it–meaning it’s a totally inconvenient time for Izzy to develop a massive crush on the enigmatic Vicky. 

Can Izzy’s practical nature help her face the unknown–or only trip her up? As the calendar runs down to the 31st, Izzy will have to use all of her wits and work with her new friends to save Vicky and uncover the mystery of the legendary Horseman of Sleepy Hollow–before it’s too late. 

Shannon Watters is the co-creator and co-writer of the award-winning hit comic book series Lumberjanes. She is also the former head of BOOM! Box, the BOOM! Studios imprint behind critically acclaimed comics and graphic novels such as Giant Days, The Backstagers, Lumberjanes, Fence, Goldie Vance, Heavy Vinyl, and more.

“HOLLOW is the queer-teen-love-story meets spooky-goofball-supernatural-caper that my Scooby-Doo-ifed young self had wished existed. Writing HOLLOW with Branden was the best part of last year, and seeing it come to life at the extraordinary hands of Berenice and Kaitlyn has easily been the best part of 2021,” said Watters.

Branden Boyer-White is an award-winning fiction writer with an MFA from Arizona State University. HOLLOW is her first venture into writing for graphic storytelling, a form she’s since fallen in love with.

“I’ve always been a collector of ghost stories, and the legend of the Headless Horseman is one of my favorites,” said Boyer-White. “It’s a dream come true to add our link in the chain of The Horseman’s spirited legacy, and we can’t wait for readers to take this fun, eerie ride through our twist on the tale.”

Berenice Nelle is an illustrator and comic artist from Germany, who is currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree in illustration at the HAW Hamburg. After taking part in multiple group exhibitions in Berlin and Hamburg in the past, she has begun to focus on comics. Since then, she has started publishing her original graphic novel and ongoing webcomic Wanderlicht under her alias, Neberias, before joining the team to work on HOLLOW.

“I’m excited for you to meet these absolutely lovable characters and dive into this magical and spooky world that Shannon and Branden have built in HOLLOW. I enjoyed illustrating our heroes just as much as I enjoyed laughing, spending time and feeling with them during their adventure,” said Nelle.

HOLLOW features main cover art by acclaimed artist Naomi Franquiz (Proctor Valley Road).

“Shannon has proven time and again that there is an audience for queer, diverse, interesting stories for readers of every stripe. With her work on bestselling and widely acclaimed series, she has truly broken down barriers and proven that comics are for everyone,” said Sophie Philips-Roberts, Editor, BOOM! Studios. “So it’s an absolute honor to be working with her, Branden, Berenice, and Kaitlyn to bring their vision of a modern queer Legend of Sleepy Hollow to life, and we can’t wait to share the laughs, tears, romance, action, and ALL the scares with delighted fans worldwide.”

Print copies of HOLLOW will be available for sale in September 2022 at local comic book shops (usecomicshoplocator.com to find the nearest one), bookstores, or at the BOOM! Studios webstore. Digital copies can be purchased from content providers, including comiXology, iBooks, Google Play, and Kindle. 

Filed under: All Ages