French cartoonist’s latest graphic novel, Infantoms, hits shelves on Tuesday from Oni Press and Magnetic Press. Today, The Beat can provide an exclusive preview of the young adult, anime-inspired horror book.
Infantoms follows teenager “Pizza Face” and the rebellious Mims, both of whom are less than motivated to do well in school. However, this year, if they fail their classes, their parents can literally kill them with no consequences. In fact, they’re encouraged to murder their kids.
Here’s the full synopsis:
In a world built on conformity, there’s no room for dreamers, but two audacious teens are determined to put that to the test… even if it kills them in Infantoms.
At school, “Pizza Face” doesn’t exactly shine with his report card. On the contrary, he’s one of the worst dunces in school. He dreams of opening a video game store, but that’s about the extent of his ambition. He’s summoned into the guidance counselor’s office, along with a rebellious girl named Mims. Mims loves manga and doesn’t care about the system. But both of their futures are at stake this decisive year… If they fail, their parents are authorized to literally kill them!
The pressure of this strange new policy begins to weigh on the teenagers’ shoulders, and their parents begin to slowly mutate into monsters. Can their parents really kill them if they fail classes? Pizza Face and Mims bond to face this existential threat, but soon the situation spirals out of control, and their race for merit becomes a race for survival, a downward spiral in a conformist world that leaves little room for imagination.
Check out a preview from the book below.
“A modern tale with a horrific twist, Infantoms is part of a thematic trilogy … entered around childhood and the transition to adulthood. With this work, Bishop demonstrates his creative prowess following Lost Letters and My Dear Pierrot,” said Magnetic Press Director of Publishing, Mike Kennedy.
“A tribute to manga as well as a nod to our inner child, this intimate graphic novel highlights the difficulties of social integration, society’s expectations, and the value of self-confidence and friendship,” Kennedy continued. “A gripping album that will haunt you long after the last page.”
Infantoms will be available in bookstores on April 21 and at your local comic shop on April 22.
