The dark coming-of-age graphic novel, The October Girl Vol. 2, debuts in May 2026 from Maverick.
Be Careful What You Wish For: The October Girl Vol. 2 Deepens the Lore
Following the breakout release of The October Girl Vol. 1 in October, Mad Cave Studios’ imprint Maverick is proud to present the next chapter in the heart-tugging world of the Night Folk.
Matthew Dow Smith, known for his work on DC’s Misfits of Magic and his creator-owned middle-grade series Amelia Shadows, widens Autumn Ackerman’s world and sharpens the emotional stakes in this second volume of the dark coming-of-age fantasy.
The Return of the Night Folk: Trolls, Fairies, and the October King
Publisher Synopsis:
“Autumn Ackerman’s life was turned upside down when her childhood imaginary friend, Barnaby, returned and Autumn discovered that she is a Night Folk — a race of incredible creatures that inspired all of humanity’s myths and fairy tales.
Finishing high school and working at the local coffee shop is more than enough for any teenager to deal with, but now Autumn has to learn to navigate a new world of trolls and fairies, dealing with threats like the mysterious Mr. Balloon, and getting to know her estranged grandfather, the October King, leader of the Night Folk.
Before Autumn can even get used to all these changes, her life is turned upside down yet again when her ordinary, human father — who she hasn’t seen in five years — suddenly returns, exhibiting terrifying new powers…
…powers that threaten everything Autumn holds dear!”
Praise for The October Girl Vol. 1:
“A dazzling and heartfelt supernatural coming-of-age story.” —Kirkus Reviews
“An intriguing graphic narrative with plenty of magical realism that will leave readers wanting more.” —School Library Journal
Family Secrets and Terrifying Powers: The Return of Autumn’s Father
Author Matthew Dow Smith hinted at what’s in store for The October Girl Volume Two:
“The world of Autumn and the Night Folk is huge, and we’ve seen just the first tiny sliver of it in Volume One. Now in Volume Two, we get to pull back the curtain and show a little bit more.
I’ve always loved books that you can reread and see things you hadn’t noticed before. There are so many things about the Night Folk and Autumn’s past hidden in Book One that come into play here. One of the themes of these books is ‘be careful what you wish for,’ and her dad coming back is something that Autumn has been wishing for since he left on her 13th birthday, and whatever fantasy she had about that reunion, it’s most definitely not going to be like that.
Where the first book is about discovery, the second book is more about consequences… It’s where the stakes get a lot more real for Autumn and her friends.”
The October Girl Vol. 2 is a perfect fit for readers who love grounded YA fantasy rooted in folklore, dark whimsy, and deeply personal storytelling. Fans of The Girl from the Sea, Anya’s Ghost, The Last Kids on Earth, and the mythic-modern tone of Neverwhere will find refuge in Autumn’s unfolding world of seductive magic, complicated family relationships, and where every choice has a shadow.
The October Girl Vol. 2
Book Cover by
Matthew Dow Smith
The October Girl Vol. 2 goes on sale May 26, 2026, in a 176-page paperback edition (ISBN: 9781545826522), available everywhere books and comics are sold, including your local comic shop, bookstore, digital retailer, and directly from Maverick!
Stay up to date with Mad Cave Studios—and its imprints Papercutz, Maverick, and Nakama Press on social media, and visit their respective websites to explore new releases, licensed series, and creator-owned titles.
Note: The information above was sourced from a press release.
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