The Deep Dark

The Deep Dark
Mags, a butch girl with light brown skin and short black hair and red bandages on her hand, and Nessa, a girl with tan skin and long curly hair, face away from each other, hands touching. In the background, a curved silhouette of a tail splits a desert landscape between night and day.
DateJune 4, 2024
Page count480 pages
PublisherGraphix/Scholastic
Creative team
WriterLee Knox Ostertag
ArtistLee Knox Ostertag
ISBN9781338840001

The Deep Dark is a 2024 young adult graphic novel by Lee Knox Ostertag. Originally serialized on Substack, it was published as a graphic novel by Graphix on June 4, 2024.

Plot

Mags, a butch girl caring for her sick grandmother, must satisfy a monster living in her basement with her blood every night. When she reunites with her childhood friend Nessa, a trans girl, the two fall in love.[1][2][3][4]

Development

The book was originally serialized in weekly installments on Substack under the title Darkest Night, starting in 2021.[3][5]

Reception

The book was given a starred review by Kirkus Reviews, which stated that "Well-drawn, deeply realized characters enliven this spellbinding and fantastical queer coming-of-age love story."[1] It also received starred reviews from BookPage and Publishers Weekly.[6][7] Reviewers noted the contrast between full-color past scenes and present-day black and white scenes.

School Library Journal, TheGamer, and the Horn Book also reviewed the book.[8][9][3] Book Riot included it in a list of "The Best Comics We Read July-September 2024"[10]

Awards and honors
Year Award/Honor Result Ref.
2025 Ringo Award for Best Original Graphic Novel Nominated [11]
Hugo Award for Best Graphic Story or Comic Nominated [12]
Harvey Award for Best Young Adult Book Nominated [13]
Eisner Award for Best Publication for Teens Nominated [14]
Michael L. Printz Award Honored [15]
American Library Association's Great Graphic Novels for Teens Included [16]
2024 Publishers Weekly Best Books of the Year Included [17]
Kirkus Reviews Best Teen & YA Graphic Literature of 2024 Included [18]

See also

Other graphic novels by Lee Knox Ostertag:

References

  1. 1 2 "The Deep Dark". Kirkus Reviews. Archived from the original on May 18, 2024. Retrieved August 12, 2026.
  2. ↑ Milburn, Rachel (October 24, 2024). "Great Graphic Novels (#GGN2025) Featured Review: The Deep Dark by Molly Knox Ostertag". The Hub. Young Adult Library Services Association. Archived from the original on August 12, 2026. Retrieved August 12, 2026.
  3. 1 2 3 King, Jade (June 4, 2024). "The Deep Dark Is The Perfect Graphic Novel To Kick Off Pride Month". TheGamer. Archived from the original on July 15, 2024. Retrieved July 30, 2026.
  4. ↑ Alverson, Brigid. "Q & A with Molly Knox Ostertag". Publishers Weekly. Archived from the original on July 26, 2026. Retrieved July 26, 2026.
  5. ↑ Varona, Henry (October 29, 2021). "The Owl House Writer Launches New Graphic Novel on Substack". CBR. Archived from the original on November 17, 2021. Retrieved July 26, 2026.
  6. ↑ "The Deep Dark by Molly Knox Ostertag". Publishers Weekly. Archived from the original on February 16, 2026. Retrieved July 30, 2026.
  7. ↑ Koch, Emily (June 3, 2024). "Book review of The Deep Dark by Molly Knox Ostertag". BookPage. Archived from the original on June 7, 2024. Retrieved July 30, 2026.
  8. ↑ "The Deep Dark". School Library Journal. Archived from the original on June 14, 2024. Retrieved July 27, 2026.
  9. ↑ Lugo, Sujei. "Review of The Deep Dark". Horn Book. Archived from the original on October 6, 2025. Retrieved July 30, 2026.
  10. ↑ Minshew, Andy (October 9, 2024). "Riot Roundup: The Best Comics We Read July-September 2024". Book Riot. Archived from the original on October 9, 2024. Retrieved July 28, 2026.
  11. ↑ "2025 Ringo Awards". Ringo Award. Archived from the original on August 12, 2026. Retrieved July 30, 2026.
  12. ↑ "2025 Hugo Awards". Hugo Awards. Archived from the original on July 31, 2026. Retrieved August 12, 2026.
  13. ↑ "Harvey Awards Reveal 2024 Nominees". Harvey Award. Archived from the original on July 17, 2026. Retrieved July 30, 2026.
  14. ↑ Zalben, Alex (May 15, 2025). "2025 Eisner Awards Nominees Announced: See The Full List". Comic Book Club. Archived from the original on May 15, 2025. Retrieved July 30, 2026.
  15. ↑ "American Library Association announces 2025 Youth Media Award winners". American Library Association. January 2025. Archived from the original on January 27, 2025. Retrieved July 30, 2025.
  16. ↑ Milburn, Rachel (October 24, 2026). "Great Graphic Novels (#GGN2025) Featured Review: The Deep Dark by Molly Knox Ostertag". The Hub. Young Adult Library Services Association. Archived from the original on August 12, 2026. Retrieved July 30, 2026.
  17. ↑ "Best Books 2024: Publishers Weekly Publishers Weekly". Publisher's Weekly. Archived from the original on November 9, 2024. Retrieved July 30, 2026.
  18. ↑ "Best Teen & YA Graphic Literature of 2024". Kirkus Reviews. Retrieved 2026-08-19.
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