In November, Street Noise Books will publish Hybrid, a thoughtful graphic novel written and art directed by Jamie Mustard and illustrated by Francesca Filomena. Today, The Beat can share an exclusive preview of the book ahead of its debut.
Set in a version of Los Angeles that is both familiar and unfamiliar, “Hybrid” offers a poignant commentary on who is ignored under capitalism.
Here’s the full synopsis:
Set in an alternative, futuristic Los Angeles, it tells the story of an artist who finds beauty in the ugly and noble hope amidst incredible poverty, drugs, violence, and conflict.
Hybrid shows us how a surprising amount of genius lies within our most marginalized communities, and how it often goes unnoticed and tragically wasted.
Nine-year-old Johnny James lives in Kasuku, the poorest neighborhood in Greater Angeles. There, he lives in a studio apartment with his mother, stepfather, two brothers, and an army of cockroaches. He spends his days in the sweltering heat of his neighborhood going to the movies, playing tackle ball, and painting, but he has no money to go to school.
As death, addiction, and violence swirl in his neighborhood, Johnny grows up surrounded by friends, adventure, and magic. And he discovers how to use art, beauty, and personal power to transcend the forces destined to hold him back.
Check out the four spreads and the book cover artwork below.
Hybrid will be available everywhere books are sold on November 18th.
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