An upcoming graphic novel, The Deep & Dark Blue, is set to explore issues of identity and gender in a new, fantasy setting. Due for release on January 7th, 2020, the new Young Adult book will be written and drawn by Niki Smith, who has previously been nominated for a Lambda Literary Award for her book Crossplay.
The Deep & Dark Blue follows Hawke and Grayson, two boys who must flee their home following a political coup against their noble house. The two of them disguise themselves as girls, Hanna and Grayce, in order to hide amongst the Communion of Blue, an order of magical women. Whilst Hawke wants to retake his royal home and return to his old life Grayce realises that she wants to stay where she is, so that she can live as a girl.
Speaking to Newsarama about the book Niki Smith had a lot to say about the characters of Hawke and Grayce.
'Grayce and Hawke are identical twins, noble 'sons' with high expectations to live up to, to Grayce's regret. When they lose their title in a bloody coup, the twins have to go into hiding, disguising themselves as girls to join the Communion of Blue. For Grayce, it's the chance she's always wanted, a way to live openly as herself, as a girl, as Grayce. She's always been the quieter, more serious twin, but her confidence blossoms as she finds her place in the world.' She explained.
'Hawke, on the other hand, chafes at having to keep his true identity quiet and hidden. He's got a big mouth and the confidence to match, and not being able to get revenge on the woman who killed his family is eating away at him. He's got a one-track mind, and unfortunately, that means he's blind to a lot of what Grayce is dealing with.'
When talking about her inspiration for having the twins disguise themselves as girls she had the following to say. 'Growing up, I loved stories that played with gender, the classic Shakespearean trope. Girls disguising themselves as boys to have adventures and become knights and pirates and soldiers! Something about the blurring of gender roles really appealed to me. But I never saw the reverse, and I never found a story that didn't end tied up with a straight, cis bow. The Deep & Dark Blue is my quiet attempt to change that'
'The Deep & Dark Blue is for every kid out there who's still trying to find where they belong. It's about building a family of your choice that loves and embraces you, no matter what. Whether that's due to gender or sexuality or anything else; middle school is rough enough as it is. I want to reach the kids who need to know that's possible. And it's for everyone else out there who grew up never seeing themselves as the hero. It's about being more than a tragic subplot or a hilarious BFF. We all get to learn magic and save the day.'
The Deep & Dark Blue is currently available to pre-order in both hardcover and paperback.
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