Scott Pilgrim and Wednesday combine into a teenaged Fleabag in DYING INSIDE, a supernatural, emo-fantasy thriller from the minds of FALL OUT BOY's Pete Wentz, Hannah Klein, and Lisa Sterle! Immortality is entirely overrated. From
Fall Out Boy's Pete Wentz, Hannah Klein (
Everything's Fine), and Lisa Sterle (
The Modern Witch Tarot, Witchblood) comes the graphic novel about a chronically depressed girl who's tired of fighting for her...death.
Today is Ash's big finale. And by finale, of course, she means exiting the stage permanently.
Ash is a sixteen-year-old girl with more angst than Ian Curtis and Elliott Smith combined (her two idols). She's apathetic and therefore believes death is the easiest route to relief. But nothing is more embarrassing than a lame death. Unfortunately, her meticulous plans -- which include the perfect outfit, soundtrack, and method -- are all ruined when the beautiful knife she buys off a webstore turns out to be charmed with a protection spell.
Now, Ash has to track down the witch who turned her clocking out attempt into the worst gift imaginable: immortality. Turns out, the witch responsible is another sixteen-year-old-girl named (get this) Liv. The two vow to undo the charm together and fight for Ash's death...even as things get increasingly entangled with a strange new antidepressant called Somnia and her mom's gross boyfriend, Greg.
DYING INSIDE is a musically immersive experience, featuring QR codes that lead the reader to:
- original lyrics and poetry from Pete Wentz
- an integrated playlist from Pete Wentz and Hannah Klein
- never-before-heard music from Daisy Grenade
- and more!
For fans of:
It's Lonely at the Centre of the Earth (Zoe Thorogood),
Squad (Maggie Tokuda-Hall & Lisa Sterle),
Light as a Feather (Zoe Aarsen),
Book of Shadows (M. Verano),
The Secret Circle (LJ Smith),
Heart-Shaped Box (Joe Hill), the
Shadow and Bone Trilogy (Leigh Bardugo),
Vicious (V.E. Schwab),
Bunny (Mona Awad),
The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina (graphic novels, prose novels), the
Practical Magic series (Alice Hoffman),
Anya's Ghost (Vera Brosgol), the series
Charmed, and the films
The Craft, Booksmart, Scott Pilgrim vs. The World, Easy A, and
Jennifer's Body. CONTENT WARNING: This book includes discussion of suicide, suicidal ideation, and depiction of self-harm. While Vault hopes this book will help some readers feel less alone, its content may be triggering. Please only read ahead if you are safe and supported. If you are struggling, it's important to share your feelings with people you trust. The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline number is 988 - call or text 24/7 for free and confidential support. You can also access online at: https: //988lifeline.org/
PRAISE FOR DYING INSIDE "When they say books can save your life, they mean books like this."
-- Ben Hennessy (
Godfell, The Odds)
"Witches, music, and mystery intertwined -- seriously, what's not to love?"
-- Natalie Nardozza (
Beneath the Surface, Step-Vampire)
"If I see Lisa Sterle's name, I'm buying it."
-- Chris Shehan (
The Autumnal, House of Slaughter)
"
Dying Inside is a bubblegum emo-goth swirl of depression, obsession, love, and self-discovery."
-- Sally Cantirino (
I Walk With Monsters, Human Remains, Door to Door, Night by Night, The Final Girls)
"Reminiscent of
Black Hole,
Love & Rockets, and many classic 90's indie comics [...] Readers are in for a treat."
-- Cody Ziglar (
She-Hulk: Attorney at Law, Futurama, Rick & Morty, Miles Morales, Spider-Punk)
"Sterle's underground punk art style will have you staring at each page for hours!"
-- Justin Richards (
Finger Guns, Everything is Different Now)
"An important book that would've made me feel seen as a teen."
-- Val Halvorson (
Finger Guns, Grimm Tales from the Cave)
"As beautifully drawn as it is darkly funny."
-- Cody Ziglar (
She-Hulk: Attorney at Law, Futurama, Rick & Morty, Miles Morales, Spider-Punk)
"
DYING INSIDE is like a gay anime "
Practical Magic"and I'm HERE FOR IT!"
-- Corin Howell (
Lilith, Shadow Service, Queen of Swords)
"A wonderful read with true heart."
-- David 'DB' Andry (
Resonant, Creepshow, Denizen, Morning Star)
"Strikes a deft balance between acerbic and sweet, while Lisa Sterle stuns with career-best artwork."
-- John Lees (
THE NASTY, SINK, HOTELL)
"Simultaneously one of the most adorable and disturbing things I've read in my life."
- Eliot Rahal (
HYSTERIA, Bleed Them Dry, Madam Satan)