The Deep Dark
| The Deep Dark | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Date | June 4, 2024 |
| Page count | 480 pages |
| Publisher | Graphix/Scholastic |
| Creative team | |
| Writer | Lee Knox Ostertag |
| Artist | Lee Knox Ostertag |
| ISBN | 9781338840001 |
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
[edit source]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
[edit source]The book was originally serialized in weekly installments on Substack under the title Darkest Night, starting in 2021.[3][5]
Reception
[edit source]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]
| 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] |
References
[edit source]- 1 2 THE DEEP DARK | Kirkus Reviews.
- ↑ Milburn, Rachel (2024-10-24). "Great Graphic Novels (#GGN2025) Featured Review: The Deep Dark by Molly Knox Ostertag". The Hub. Retrieved 2026-07-27.
- 1 2 3 King, Jade (2024-06-04). "The Deep Dark Is The Perfect Graphic Novel To Kick Off Pride Month". TheGamer. Retrieved 2026-07-30.
- ↑ Alverson |, Brigid. "Q & A with Molly Knox Ostertag". PublishersWeekly.com. Retrieved 2026-07-26.
- ↑ Varona, Henry (2021-10-29). "The Owl House Writer Launches New Graphic Novel on Substack". CBR. Retrieved 2026-07-26.
- ↑ "The Deep Dark by Molly Knox Ostertag". www.publishersweekly.com. Retrieved 2026-07-30.
- ↑ Koch, Emily (2024-06-03). "Book review of The Deep Dark by Molly Knox Ostertag". BookPage | Discover your next great book!. Retrieved 2026-07-30.
- ↑ "The Deep Dark". School Library Journal. Retrieved 2026-07-27.
- ↑ Lugo, Sujei. "Review of The Deep Dark". The Horn Book. Retrieved 2026-07-30.
- ↑ Minshew, Andy (2024-10-09). "Riot Roundup: The Best Comics We Read July-September 2024". BOOK RIOT. Retrieved 2026-07-28.
- ↑ "2025 Ringo Awards – Ringo Awards". Retrieved 2026-07-30.
- ↑ "2025 Hugo Awards". Hugo Awards.
- ↑ "Harvey Awards Reveal 2024 Nominees". www.harveyawards.com. Retrieved 2026-07-30.
- ↑ Zalben, Alex (2025-05-15). "2025 Eisner Awards Nominees Announced: See The Full List". Comic Book Club. Retrieved 2026-07-30.
- ↑ "American Library Association announces 2025 Youth Media Award winners | ALA". www.ala.org. Retrieved 2026-07-30.
- ↑ Milburn, Rachel (2024-10-24). "Great Graphic Novels (#GGN2025) Featured Review: The Deep Dark by Molly Knox Ostertag". The Hub. Retrieved 2026-07-30.
- ↑ "Best Books 2024: Publishers Weekly Publishers Weekly". PublishersWeekly.com. Retrieved 2026-07-30.