A brand-new original graphic novel is on the way from Mat Heagerty (Martian Ghost Centaur, Unplugged and Unpopular, Lumberjackula) and artist Lisa DuBois-Thompson. Titled Indoor Kid, the story follows “Air-ball” Arnie, a boy who couldn’t be worse at sports—an unfortunate reality in Muscletown, a city where athletic ability defines status. The town’s champions, known as the Brohemians, also double as its biggest bullies, and they’ve marked Arnie as the ultimate loser.
That all changes when Arnie discovers a magical medal that grants him superhuman athletic powers. Suddenly able to out-slam, out-shoot, and outscore anyone, Arnie seizes his chance to take on the Brohemians and flip the script. But when popularity and praise come flooding in, he faces a bigger question: will he use his powers responsibly, or let them pull him away from the people who matter most?
For writer Mat Heagerty, Arnie’s character is rooted in a universal struggle.
“Arnie is a huge sports fan, but he’s just awful at anything athletic. But he’s still able to scratch his competitive itch with video games and board games, which he is amazing at. He’s smart and strategic and is able to use those skills to be the best gamer in town! But he wants more. For his town, and specifically his parents, sports are everything, and gaming just doesn’t really matter to them.”
Artist Lisa DuBois-Thompson says the chance to dig into Arnie’s mindset was one of the most rewarding parts of the book.
“These pages were super fun for me to draw—I loved getting to explore Arnie’s interests and character through these pages. I think a lot of kids his age struggle with similar insecurities—like thinking you should be something other than you are, and overlooking the things that make you special in order to try and fit in. Here we get to see what’s shaping Arnie’s motivations and get a sense of the pressure he puts on himself.”
Indoor Kid arrives October 28, delivering a heartfelt and humorous story about fitting in, standing out, and discovering what really makes you special.
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