Today publisher Graphic Mundi announced Marry Me A Little, a new graphic memoir from cartoonist and collections editor Rob Kirby. The graphic novel tells the story of Kirby and his longtime partner, John, as the two of them get married following the legalization of same-sex marriage in Minnesota. In time for Valentine’s Day, The Beat is pleased to present an exclusive excerpt from the graphic novel.
Here’s how Graphic Mundi describes the new book
In Marry Me a Little, Rob Kirby recounts his experience of marrying his longtime partner, John, just after same-sex marriage was legalized in Minnesota in 2013, and two years before the Supreme Court decision in Obergefell v. Hodges made same-sex marriage the law of the land. With humor, candor, and a near-whimsical drawing style, Rob relates how he and John navigated this changing landscape, how they planned and celebrated their wedding, and how the LGBTQ+ community is now facing the very real possibility of setbacks to marriage equality.
As Kirby describes the book, “Is it a love story? Sure. But there was a whole lot more going on in and around us regarding the idea of marriage, and that’s what I tried to capture.” Along with the story, Marry Me A Little also includes seven sharable valentines featuring artwork from the book.
Kirby’s memoir is the latest release from Penn State University Press’s Graphic Mundi imprint. Previous releases from the publisher include the COVID Chronicles anthology, Jane Deuxard and Deloupy‘s Iranian Love Stories, MK Czerwiec‘s Meno Pause, and Fabien Toulmé‘s Hakim’s Journey series.
Check out the exclusive excerpt from Marry Me A Little, as well as the sharable Valentines included with the book, below. The graphic novel is available in comic shops now, and in bookstores next Tuesday, February 21st.
