Courtesy of Oni Press, AIPT is pleased to share a preview of How Could You, a new queer coming-of-age story that will be released on December 17th. This humorous graphic novel by Len Strapp spotlights four college seniors who make morally gray decisions regarding the relationships in their lives: friends, lovers, exes, and roommates.
“Every year in college, you discover new forms of heartbreak,” says Len Strap. “You’re in your junior year, your girlfriend leaves you, and your best friend is graduating at the end of the year. You’re torn between moving on and hoping things don’t change.” You are in third grade and you leave your girlfriend in America and go to France with a girl who gives you butterflies, but she doesn’t look you in the eye. I think it’s embarrassing to change your mind because it’s your senior year. This is your senior year, but you still don’t fit in anywhere. You’re looking for relief in graduation.
So, what is it about How Could You?
Fall in love? scared. Would you like to fall in love with your best friend? terrible. Name all the things that make your heart hurt? impossible. College senior Molly Song is trying to break up with her ex-boyfriend this semester, but things get tough when he dumps her via email and posts on social media that she’s getting along with her roommate who is studying abroad. Molly convinces her friend Lou Kingston that he should go to a party and find a rebound girlfriend, but since there are few eligible lesbians in college circles, the two best friends end up dating the same girl. You will be competing for attention. Soon, Molly learns to be careful what she wishes for when she begins to have real feelings for someone who may or may not feel the same way.
Meanwhile, Molly and Lou’s ex-girlfriends, Jonah and Olene, have put their past behind them and are studying abroad in France. Together they watch Spring in Marseille, find new friendships and uncover new personal truths. Will their whirlwind journey blossom into a whirlwind romance, or will their journey of self-discovery set them on entirely different paths? College is a time to find yourself, but lose in the process What is it?
