Books: "Les Normaux: A Graphic Novel" By Janine Janssen

 

Les Normaux: A Graphic Novel

By Janine Janssen with S. Al Sabado

Avon and HarperAlley; hardcover, $30.00; paperback, $22.99; available today, Tuesday, February 11th

Janine Janssen (aka J.J.) has been drawing ever since she could hold a pencil, leading to a BA in illustration and MA in animation. She loves telling stories about oddballs in society, and has been sharing them online as webcomics since 2013. She lives in the south of the Netherlands, but takes trips around the world in her mind every day.

Les Normaux is the first graphic novel produced by romance imprint Avon. It is adapted from Webtoon, where it began in 2021, and has accumulated 95,000 subscribers, with eight million views, and this is the first time it will be in print.

The comic, a romantasy, has found a following for many reasons, starting with its diverse, LGBTQ+ cast of characters navigating love and friendship, and reflect many nationalities, ethnicities, gender identities, sexual orientations, and less explored sexual preferences. 

The stories are swoonworthy romances that will have you, as a Webtoon user put it, "Giggling kicking my feet." They are set in a magical supernatural Paris setting, with characters who are vampires, werewolves, fairies, wizards, and more. There is vibrant and eye-catching art, colorful and jewel-toned like a 1980s movie poster. Also, there is an overall cozy, heartwarming spirit, like a cup of hot chocolate on a cold day, at the same time funny, entertaining, and not scary at all.

The hardcover and paperback editions of Les Normaux will feature special bonus, never-before-seen content and art not available on Webtoon, and the hardcover includes a deluxe jacket with a designed printed case. This follows in the footsteps of other recent Webtoon-to-print publications, such as Heart stopper by Alice Oseman, unOrdinary by uru-Chan, and Hooky by Miriam Bonasure Tur.

In Les Normaux, Sebastien, a demisexual boy with "main character hair" and a bunny named Pierre, recently moved to supernatural Paris hoping to get away from his troubles at home, and live a peaceful life learning magic.

However, what's he going to do when the really hot supermodel vampire, Elia, who made out with him last night to forget your troubles, is now his new neighbor? 

Sebastien, Elia, and their assorted crew of wonderful friends are set to navigate the ins and outs of dating in a modern and paranormal love story that is sure to entertain and engage.