Author(s): Hamish Steele

Graphic Novels | Trans, Intersex, Gender Diverse & Gender Non-Binary

It's been weeks since Dead End was destroyed and as it reopens as a hotel, resident tour guide turned hotel manager Norma is determined to leave the ghosts of the past where they belong. But with her friendship with Barney up in the air and angels and demons using the hotel as their literal wrestling ring, Norma soon finds that unwanted ghosts can appear at any moment, especially when they're your own.  Praise for DeadEndia: The Watcher’s Test: “With a madcap pace, off-kilter jokes, and an LGBTQ cast, this is perfect for teens who love macabre humor and heartfelt friendship.” —Booklist, starred review   “The art is imaginative and engaging, with rich, evocative color schemes. […] A wild ride.” —Kirkus Reviews   "This quirky, heartwarming adventure by Steele (Pantheon) captures the awkwardness of early adulthood and the idiosyncrasies of power-hungry demons. [...] A Steven Universe–like aesthetic and a full palette of bold, contrasting colors grace a diverse cast of characters" —Publishers Weekly Norma Khan has been split in two . . . literally! Dead End, the haunted hotel attraction at Phoenix Parks, has been rebuilt following the epic destruction that occurred there when Norma and her friends Barney and Pugsley saved the world. Unfortunately, Norma can’t keep herself together as a result. Not only is her friendship with Barney on the rocks, but she can’t seem to keep her own ghost inside her body. When Norma feels like she’s about to lose it all, her irksome friend and demon, Courtney, steps in to provide some unexpected support, though they are battling their own issues with identity and sense of belonging. Meanwhile, Barney can’t face going back to Phoenix Parks and is mourning the loss of his beloved friend, Pugsley. When his boyfriend Logan urges him to get a job, an opportunity from the demon planes comes knocking, and soon Barney’s climbing the ladder of success in the Demon Wrestling Federation. Barney’s glory in the ring quickly comes crashing down when the friends discover they’ve stepped into an eons old battle between the demons and the angels. Can they keep their relationships and sense of self intact while doing battle with the forces of good AND evil? “DeadEndia is immediately appealing with its colorful art, unique setting, and funny jokes, but I especially loved the complicated emotional arcs of the characters and the weird, spooky magic underlying everything!” —Molly Knox Ostertag, creator of The Witch Boy “Heart-warming, heartbreaking, heart-pounding, and heartfelt!" —Marika McCoola, The New York Times bestselling author of Baba Yaga’s Assistant

September 2023