Fustuk: A Graphic Novel - by Robert Mgrdich Apelian

Book Synopsis

Inspired by Armenian and Persian mythology, this delectable YA graphic novel debut follows the youngest of three dysfunctional siblings who strike a magical deal to save their mother's life--perfect for fans of The Magic Fish!

Seventeen-year-old Katah Fustukian has always felt like the odd one out in his family of chefs. Unlike his older siblings, he is useless in the kitchen, and too young to have known their late father--a legendary Hye chef who'd made a name for himself in the Pars Empire.

But with his mom's illness worsening, Katah hopes that his vision-like dreams are a sign of magic stirring within him--especially after they lead him to Az, a powerful div with some mysterious connection to his family. In an attempt to save their mom's life, he and his siblings strike a deal: Az's help in exchange for a dish that rivals their father's.

But after the siblings clash over what to cook, Katah will have to make sense of his magic and family history--and wager far more than a single meal to meet Az's demands...

Creator Robert Mgrdich Apelian weaves together multiple timelines in an inventive, fantastical story of Armenian family and food, speaking to diasporic culture and how those within it relate to their different worlds.

About the Author

Robert Mgrdich Apelian (he/him) is an Armenian American author-illustrator based in Everett, Massachusetts. He's an avid reader of seinen manga and is especially passionate about making the most of comics as a storytelling medium. A primary goal of his work is to celebrate the diversity and cultural excellence of the Middle East and to portray it as something other than tragic and war-torn.​ Visit him online at robertapelian.com or on Instagram @robertapelian.