If you’ve taken high school English class, there’s a good chance the Shakespeare classic Much Ado About Nothing was part of the curriculum. If not, then Mad Cave Studios has you covered with Abuzz, a modern reimagining of the romantic comedy. This graphic novel under the Maverick imprint from the creative team of writer Amy Chase, illustrator Stelladia, colorist Ellie Wright, and letterer Taylor Esposito arrives November 18, 2025.
Here’s how the publisher describes the graphic novel:
Shakespeare’s beloved romcom Much Ado About Nothing gets a modern update with an LGBTQ cast and the same classic miscommunications! Feuding senior students Ben and Beatriz drag half of Messina High into their never-ending arguments, making things difficult as budding sweethearts Hero and Claudio are asked to pick sides in the battle. All the while, the bad kids, led by outcast DJ, are plotting to capitalize on the chaos and rule the school for themselves. With college letters and prom night on the horizon, will these students find their happy ending or feel the sting of total rejection?
In describing how the creative team approached reimagining the classic, creator Amy Chase said:
“Some of the best Shakespeare happens when it’s not strictly being Shakespeare. Putting the themes and characters into new, unique settings reveals the relatable, human elements in these works of literature that are often considered confusing or distant. Creating a new spin on “Much Ado About Nothing” has been a dream of mine for a long time, and I couldn’t be happier to do this with the team at Maverick. I really think Stelladia, Ellie, Taylor, and I have built the cast into a vibrant group of kids that readers can recognize and identify with as they stumble their way through the tense social dynamics of high school life!”
Illustrator Stelladia added:
“Abuzz has been the funniest trip back in time for me. Amy’s scripts are extremely creative and charismatic, and I used to laugh out loud while sketching many scenes. Each and everyone of the characters in our book is unique and I’m fond of (most*) of them (*I hate bullies). Ellie Wright’s colors are essential to shape Messina’s vibe and it’s been an amazing colorist to work with. It’s also a pleasure to have Taylor Esposito in the book and he’s doing a great job adding to the teen spirit with his lettering. One of the things I like the most about our book is its diverse cast. There’s always more and better representation to achieve in fiction.”
