One of the most discussed and influential graphic memoirs of the last decade is returning next year in a new format designed to deepen readers’ understanding of its creation, impact, and continuing relevance.
Oni Press has announced Gender Queer: The Annotated Edition, a new hardcover release of Maia Kobabe’s groundbreaking memoir arriving May 5, 2026. Alongside the announcement, AIPT can exclusively share a preview from the upcoming edition.
Originally published in 2019, Gender Queer: A Memoir chronicled Kobabe’s journey of self-discovery as a nonbinary and asexual person. The graphic memoir explored everything from adolescent crushes and coming out to family members to finding community through queer media and navigating the complexities of identity. Over the years, it has become one of the most widely discussed graphic novels in America, earning critical acclaim while also becoming one of the most frequently challenged and banned books in the country.
The new annotated edition expands on the original work with commentary from Kobabe, fellow cartoonists, educators, editors, librarians, and scholars, creating a layered reading experience that examines both the craft behind the memoir and the themes that continue to resonate with readers.
“For fans, educators, and anyone else who wants to know more, I am so excited to share the GENDER QUEER: THE ANNOTATED EDITION,” said Maia Kobabe. “Queer and trans cartoonists, comics scholars, and multiple people who appear in the book as characters contributed their thoughts, reactions, and notes to this new edition. There are comments on the color design process, on comics craft, on family, on friendship, on the touchstone queer media that inspired me and countless other people searching for meaningful representation, and on the complicated process of self-discovery. It’s been almost seven years since I wrote the final words of this memoir; revisiting these pages today, in a radically different and less accepting political climate, sparked a lot of new thoughts for me as well. I hope readers enjoy this even richer text full of community voices.”
The contributors include creators from across comics and publishing, including Jadzia Axelrod (Galaxy: The Prettiest Star), Ashley R. Guillory (Queers At The Table), Justin Hall (No Straight Lines: Four Decades of Queer Comics), Kori Michele Handwerker (Tiny Book Science), Phoebe Kobabe, Hal Schrieve (Fawn’s Blood), Rani Som (Spellbound: A Graphic Memoir), Shannon Watters (Lumberjanes), and original acquiring editor Andrea Colvin.
The edition also features commentary from academics and librarians, including Dr. Sandra Cox, Ajuan Mance, Matthew Noe, and others, offering perspectives on the memoir’s cultural impact, educational value, and significance within LGBTQIA+ literature.
Since its original publication, Gender Queer has received numerous honors, including ALA Alex and Stonewall Book Awards, while becoming a focal point in national conversations surrounding book challenges, representation, and access to LGBTQIA+ stories.
The new hardcover edition spans 280 full-color pages and aims to provide additional context for longtime readers while serving as a resource for educators, students, and anyone interested in the artistic and personal journey behind the memoir.
Check out our exclusive preview below.
Gender Queer: The Annotated Edition HC
- Writer/Artist: Maia Kobabe
- Format: Hardcover
- Page Count: 280
- Price: $49.99 US / $69.99 CAN
- Age Rating: Mature Readers 16+
- On Sale: May 5, 2026
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