Masks - by Margaret Rae & Brian Nathanson (Hardcover)

About the Book

"Poe, Rice, and Shelley are three monster kids who hide from the outside world. But when they learn about Halloween, they realize it's the one night of the year when they can be their true selves-scales and all. This quirky, heartwarming (or perhaps heart-worm-ing?) graphic novel is all about struggling to fit in, exploring self-acceptance, and highlighting the love of found family"--

Book Synopsis

Poe, Rice, and Shelley are three monster kids who hide from the outside world. But when they learn about "Halloween," they realize it's their one night of the year where they can be their true selves--scales and all. This quirky, heartwarming (or should we say, heart-worm-ing?) graphic novel is perfect for fans of Nimona and Sheets.

"The illustrations, which are full of emotion, feature muted colors and loose linework. A heartfelt twist on tales of monsters and bad guys." - Kirkus Reviews

Poe was only a little monster when the hunters came for her parents. If it weren't for one of the hunters taking pity on her, she knows she'd have met the same fate, too.

Ten years later, Poe lives with her two "siblings"--more monster kids in hiding--Rice and Shelley. Under her protective eye, Poe makes sure that the siblings have everything they need, but Rice and Shelley want more out of life than running away. So when their most recent home is slated to be demolished by a real estate group, the monster kids venture out to find their place, and end up getting whisked away to a Halloween party that changes their lives.

Debut creator Margaret Rae and Brian Nathanson (author of The Many Deaths of Barnaby James) are experts in the spooky, haunting craft. They've woven a story full of heart, humor, and hope--one that examines the masks in which we all live. With quirky, stunning illustrations by Beck Kubrick and colorist Tom Philipson, Masks is the quintessential graphic novel about accepting who you are, masks and all.

• A powerful story about friendship, belonging, and finding your place
• Ideal for readers who enjoy YA graphic novels, contemporary comics, and stories about identity, friendship, and growing up
• Dynamic artwork and accessible storytelling offer an engaging, easy-to-follow reading experience for reluctant readers and visual learners

Masks is a graphic novel worth picking up: Look beneath the surface, and see what is revealed when the masks come off. Perfect for fans of ND Stevenson's Nimona, Brenna Thummler's Sheets, with kid-friendly elements of The Witcher and a little bit of Peter Pan.

Review Quotes

"A heartfelt twist on tales of monsters and bad guys."
(Kirkus Reviews)

"A moving read and an excellent addition to middle school collections."
(School Library Journal)

"Using a trio of fantastical creatures as a proxy, Nathanson and debut author Rae examine the plight of and dangers faced by marginalized individuals in contemporary society. Kubrick utilizes thin line art and a bold color palette to render the sweet-dispositioned protagonists of this suspenseful graphic novel, which plumbs sophisticated themes across an entertaining and visually playful adventure."
(Publishers Weekly)

A New York Public Library Best Book of 2025
(New York Public Library)

About the Author

Margaret Rae is a debut fiction writer and physician specializing in infectious diseases. She lives in Los Angeles, California, with husband Brian and daughter Fiona.

Since graduating from USC's School of Cinematic Arts, Brian Nathanson has written screenplays for studios such as Disney and Warner Bros. After releasing The Many Deaths of Barnaby James through Dark Horse, Masks will be his second graphic novel.

Beck Kubrick is a UK-based writer and cartoonist. They like comedy-horror and thinking about the apocalypse. They are known for "dark humor and knowing wit." They have worked with Cartoon Network, Oni Press, MadCave Studios and more. They won Broken Frontier's best one-shot 2023, and their upcoming work includes Dead Girls (Atheneum Books, 2026).