Posted in: Boom, Comics | Tagged: Audra Winslow, boom, Jo & Rus, middle grade

BOOM! Harnesses Power of Friendship with Middle Grade Graphic Novel Jo & Rus

Published Thu, 16 Jan 2020 18:00:46 -0600

Explosive publisher BOOM! Studios has announced the next middle-grade graphic novel it plans to publish in September, Jo & Rus, by Audra Winslow. The graphic novel tells the story of Jo, a middle schooler, and Rus, a high schooler, and how their friendship helps them both learn more about themselves. Check out the press release below.

LOS ANGELES, CA (January 16, 2020) – BOOM! Studios today announced cartoonist and illustrator Audra Winslow's debut middle grade graphic novel, JO & RUS, an all-new story about two unlikely best friends who learn to roll with the punches when life doesn't go their way and to stand their ground, no matter the cost, available in September 2020.

At first, Jo and Rus don't realize how much they have in common – she's a middle schooler who's constantly bullied and he's a high schooler in a rock band. But when a mysterious one-eyed cat brings the two of them together, they quickly learn they're both outcasts trying to figure out what they really want from life in a world where the odds are stacked against them. It's only by becoming friends they discover who they are, who they want to be and what it takes for every one of us to find our own happiness!

"JO & RUS is a story for anyone that is seeking a friend. I wrote this story loosely based on personal experiences and feelings, that I not only had as a preteen, but as an adult too," said cartoonist Audra Winslow. "This story is for the lonely doing their best."

JO & RUS is the latest release from BOOM! Studios' award-winning KaBOOM! imprint, home to comics for middle grade and younger readers including original series such as Just Beyond by R.L. Stine and Kelly & Nichole Matthews, Hex Vet by Sam Davies, RuinWorld by Derek Laufman, Hotel Dare by Terry Blas and Claudia Aguirre, Pandora's Legacy by Kara Leopard and Kelly & Nichole Matthews, as well as Wonder Pony by Marie Spénale and the upcoming Space Bear by Ethan Young, along with licensed series like Adventure Time, Steven Universe, Regular Show, Ben 10, and Over the Garden Wall.

"This is one of those beautiful graphic novels that drips with sincerity and lives in the quiet, seemingly routine moments of growing up. JO & RUS explores the pains of loneliness and highlights how an unexpected friendship can change your life," said Bryce Carlson, Vice President, Editorial & Creative Strategy, BOOM! Studios. "Audra is an incredible cartoonist who is going to steal everyone's heart. Her debut graphic novel is filled with lovable outcasts, mischief, adventures, and cats. So many cats. What's not to love?"

Print copies of JO & RUS will be available for sale in September 2020 at local comic book shops (use comicshoplocator.com to find the nearest one), bookstores or at the BOOM! Studios webstore. Digital copies can be purchased from content providers, including comiXology, iBooks, Google Play, and Madefire.

For continuing news on JO & RUS and more from BOOM!, stay tuned to www.boom-studios.com and follow @boomstudios on Twitter.