The Ojja-Wojja (The Ojja-Wojja #1)

Two middle schoolers accidentally unleash an ancient evil upon their town in this otherworldly series-launching graphic novel exploit. Best friends Val, an occult fanatic who is autistic, and Lanie, who is transgender and obsessed with witchcraft, endure constant bullying from popular classmate Andrea, causing them to feel like misfits in their small town. When a supportive teacher learns of Val’s interest in aliens and ghosts, he suggests that she complete an independent study on paranormal phenomena, hoping the assignment will boost her morale. Inviting Lanie along, Val researches local ghost stories, leading the girls to uncover a forgotten pact between a town founder and a terrifying spirit called the Ojja-Wojja, for which the town must renounce witches and those who “stand apart from this community” in return for prosperity. Upon mistakenly summoning the Ojja-Wojja, the specter possesses Andrea and begins terrorizing the neighborhood. Val uses abundant narrative styles—including MMORPG, magical girl anime, and space operas—to frame the world in ways she can understand. Visaggio (Cold Bodies, for adults) fittingly leans into these imaginative digressions, imbuing the tale with myriad genre flavors that St-Onge (the Jem and the Holograms series) supports via dynamically paneled, skillfully colored art teeming with ethereal ambiance and peopled by a large cast depicted with varying body types and skin tones. Ages 10–up. (Mar.)