Oni Press has released a new graphic novel that will be released in February 2026, 46 years after June was first recognized. Angéli que Roché works with trios such as Alvin Epps, Bex Glendining and Rising Star Millicent Monroe at the Biographical Graphic Novel.
“It doesn’t take long to see the great grandson of a runaway slave born into Jim Crow and separated, taught through integration, and grown to become a grandmother in June, have the story that needs to be told.” “Too often, the stories of African Americans and our communities are filled with devastating and lacking moments, from ordinary to extraordinary moments. Opal Lee’s story fills those gaps, highlighting the key moments between everyday struggles and liberation – that first freedom – and the difficult freedom of freedom we have acquired since then in the agriculture that led to the agriculture of Texalcana. But the collective strength of our movement.”
So, what is the first freedom: about Opal Lee and the June story?
From the 1860s to the childhood home of Opal, and throughout her year as a teacher to receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2024, First Freedom: Opal Lee and June’s Story seeks to give insight into one of the history behind one of the most recognized figures in America’s latest federal holiday creation.
“Opal is known as the June champion, but what that means, her lifelong commitment to service touches on every aspect of her life,” added Roche. “From motherhood to classrooms, Opal, who has worked as a church deacon, showing the launch and maintenance of community food banks, invasions on urban farms, offering educational scholarships and creating affordable housing opportunities, shows how to move the mountains to ensure freedom for all.”
Portland, Oregon (June 11, 2025) – Oni Press, multiple Eisner and Harvey Award-winning publisher of groundbreaking comic and graphic novels since 1997, is proud to present a powerful new graphic novel – First Freedom: The story of Opal Lee and Junior. It has been five years since its official establishment as a federal holiday.
It brings a recognition of America’s liberation from local advocacy to the state capitol to graph the incredible journey and merciless courage of activist Opal Lee, known as her grandmother in June. Hurricane Katrina, 2005: Graphic Novel), Bex Glendinning (forthcoming Indigo Port), and Rising Star Millicent Monroe – each documenting the true struggles and hardships of Black Americans who, along with Lee’s difficult struggles, were Lee’s hardships and true struggles and hardships and Treyvale, who followed for the closure of the pastor near the first pastor, to serve as pastor in 1865. For the generations to come.
From the 1860s to the childhood home of Opal, and throughout her year as a teacher to receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2024, First Freedom: Opal Lee and June’s Story seeks to give insight into one of the history behind one of the most recognized figures in America’s latest federal holiday creation.
“It doesn’t take long to see the great grandson of a runaway slave born into Jim Crow and separated, taught through integration, and grown to become a grandmother in June, have the story that needs to be told.” “Too often, the stories of African Americans and our communities are filled with devastating and lacking moments, from ordinary to extraordinary moments. Opal Lee’s story fills those gaps, highlighting the key moments between everyday struggles and liberation – that first freedom – and the difficult freedom of freedom we have acquired since then in the agriculture that led to the agriculture of Texalcana. But the collective strength of our movement.”
“We are honored to bring Opal Lee’s extraordinary narrative to a new generation through the creative vision of Angéli que Roché, Alvin Epps, Bex Glendining and Millicent Monroe,” said Polarity CEO David Steward II. “First Freedom” shows how one voice stimulates meaningful change. It documentes the journey from grassroots activities in Opal to national recognition, raising June beyond historic milestones. Graphic novels act as a powerful will of restoration, justice and freedom.
“Opal is known as the June champion, but what that means, her lifelong commitment to service touches on every aspect of her life,” added Roche. “From motherhood to classrooms, Opal, who has worked as a church deacon, showing the launch and maintenance of community food banks, invasions on urban farms, offering educational scholarships and creating affordable housing opportunities, shows how to move the mountains to ensure freedom for all.”
Born in 1926, Opal Lee grew up in a racially divided America and dedicated her life to overcome the obstacles presented there. A lifelong educator, Opal is a lifelong community activist who took part in the movement to celebrate and commemorate June not only as a holiday but as a symbol of inclusive freedom for all.
Opal’s life personifies the resilience that leads to lasting changes in people’s minds and minds. As Junior’s grandmother says, “If people are taught to hate, they can teach love.”
Discover the life of an extraordinary woman’s path through modern American history and the true story of the June holiday in the first freedom: Opal Lee and the June story – coming from Oni Press in February 2026.
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