SDCC Coverage sponsored by Mad Cave
Sam Prentice-Jones’ debut graphic novel Arcana: The Lost Heir was released on June 24, 2025 using Hot Key Books and is the first graphic novel for Bonnier Books UK Imprint. Featuring the summer of 2025, the indie features picks from independent bookstores across the United States. Author and illustrator Prentice Jones filled Harry Potter-shaped holes in queer hearts around the world with a tarot-style fantasy graphic novel.
Arcana tells the stories of Eli, James, Daphne, Coco and Sunny. They are five individuals who grew up in the Arcana Magical Society, a contract specializing in protecting the realm of magic. They stumble over a dark plan linked to a cursed heritage they accidentally caused. United, they must face their fate and unlock the mystery of decades ago to secure their fate before time runs out. The graphic novel harmonizes the battle with destiny, the actions of ancestors, and delves into the themes of the beauty of the discovered family.
Beat caught up with Prentice-Jones by email to discuss his debut graphic novel Arcana: The Lost Heirs, how inspired by Tarot, and how his debut graphic novel Arcana: The Lost Heirs: How to be published by Hot Key Books.
Ollie Kaplan: Arcana is your debut graphic novel. Have you always wanted to make comics? Do you remember the first manga?
Sam Prentence-Jones: Creating comics and coming up with stories has always been part of my life, but I wasn’t particularly original at the time. It brings out the version of the manga you were watching at the time. I remember when I was seven years old I had a big Garfield phase and that was everything I drew. When I hit the teens, it was when I really started falling in love with the manga, and I drew my first full graphic novel that took me a few months, and although it’s so sweet to look back, I never see the light of day!
Kaplan: Were there any creative hurdles you had to overcome when telling stories in this format? How did Poof Magazine prepare for these challenges?
Prentice-Jones: I think I’ve been very graphic novel-oriented for a very long time. Everything is tailored to the perfect frame. Even the films I love have a bit of comic book feelings about them (I love Wes Anderson). I think the main hurdle was trying to grasp the pace between these beautiful, quiet moments I love to draw and the conversations that drive the plot.
I think I was able to really interact with people around the world and the entire queer community than in the Poof Magazine format, and see how their work and their lives and culture influence their creative output.
Kaplan: Are there already sequels in the film? What do fans look forward to?
Prentice-Jones: The sequel may or may not be in the bag yet. I’m a very fast worker and I still couldn’t put these characters I love so much. Arcana 2 is definitely full of drama. They begin to see if the gang can really hold up under the pressure of their situation. I have several other projects in the pipeline, but it’s far less autobiographical and witches. However, the release of the Lost Heirs made it even more exciting and galvanized to continue growing this world.
Kaplan: How did you develop the Arcana universe? What was your research process like?
Prentice-Jones: The world of Arcana actually started with my own Tarot Deck design, which is very featured in the book. For the necessary research to do so, I felt that I was very ingrained in the world and themes of the tarot, and thought it might be interesting as a storytelling exercise to have each chapter at the beginning and create something that is influenced by the theme of the tarot cards and the world. I created a cast of characters inspired by the people I love, Mishmash. I’ve always loved the city’s fantasy genre and feel like I’ve seen a lot of magic in old castles and ancient halls, so I loved the idea of making this almost corporate new wave span organization hub the center of the story.
Kaplan: Each Arcana chapter begins with a different tarot card, each drawn in one of four colors, matching the elements of the tarot. At least that’s how I interpreted it. Can you explain to me your inspiration/intention with the color scheme of your graphic novel?
Prentice-Jones: I wasn’t a huge fan of full-color comics. I think they sometimes feel a little boyish. It’s great if it’s your audience! But I’ve been very inspired by Tilly Walden and John McNault. The limited use of palettes to create such an atmosphere and depth really elevates the world of graphic novels and comic books into a place of art. I’ve always loved working with a limited color palette and you can’t really get the primary color wrong, but I wanted to feel the palette had grown a little more, so I shifted to brick, tea, L, orchard. I’ve found that working in this kind of Triad color method allows you to create not only magical accents, but also magical accents.
Kaplan: Are there any particular panels or scenes you are particularly proud of?
Prentice-Jones: Like I said, I love to portray these big quiet moments. Eli’s panel first climbs the hills to Eli and James at the farmhouse, library Sony and 24-hour diners. However, I think the most enjoyable thing to draw was the spread of the double page of the Halloween party. I voted on Instagram to suggest Halloween costumes, but they made almost everything.
Kaplan: Why do queer and trans people’s stories feel that community and love are so important in today’s world?
Prentice-Jones: Where should I start? When I first started writing this book, I thought we were about to enter the golden age of queer media, and by the time the book was released the market was so saturated that no one cared. But how could have foreseen the absolute nose that the world, particularly the UK, had assumed strange rights and trans rights. In this book I would like to show that creating connections not just with queer communities but with all who have a common goal and enemy is the only way we can return to a society of tolerance and peace.
Kaplan: This is the acquisition of Hot Key Books’ first graphic novel. How do you feel about creating a book that launched a new line of this imprint?
PRENTINCE-JONES: Honestly, I feel that’s great. I’m so excited that Hotkey is just as excited about this book as I do, and the world wants a diverse cast of queer who is rooted in their lives to fill that void.
Arcana: The lost heir made his debut on June 24, 2025. Get a copy here.
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