Get a first look at Heat of Fashion, coming this Winter from Maverick!

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This winter, ​​Maverick, the young adult imprint of Mad Cave Studios, presents Heat of Fashion, a trans and queer-friendly YA romantic comedy from writer Lilah Sturges, artist Natalie Nardozza, colorist Diana Tsai Santos, and letterer Rob Jones.

When Haring Arts and Design Magnet School royalty Ben Wilcox is assigned to work with maverick and outsider Annie Jacobs, he’s enthralled by her talent and her charms and does whatever it takes to get her to like him, including lying about his dating history. They fall in love while working on their final senior project, but when Annie discovers Ben’s lies, it doesn’t just damage their relationship: it threatens to sink their senior project as well!

The writer of numerous comics, including Girl Haven, The Science of Ghosts, and Public Relations, as well as titles from DC, Marvel, IDW, and other publishers, Lilah Sturges uses the romantic comedy setup to dig into trust, identity, and the mess people create when they try to become what someone else wants. The story brings queer and trans characters into a funny, complicated look at romance, friendship, and the pressure to get everything right before graduation.

Nardozza is a Montreal-born comic artist and writer whose recent work includes projects for Archie Horror and DC, alongside her own graphic novel series adapted into vertical-style comics online. Inspired by Barbie fashion and Sailor Moon, her colorful artwork brings the high-pressure halls of Haring Arts and Design Magnet School to life.

Set against the creativity, competition, and social pressure of fashion school, Heat of Fashion brings queer and trans characters into a YA romantic comedy about attraction, trust, and the increasingly complicated consequences of trying to become the person someone else wants.

Heat of Fashion goes on sale December 8, 2026, in paperback (ISBN: 9781545836194 | $16.99), hardcover (ISBN: 9781545836187 | $21.99), and digitally through Comixology.

Cover of the comic 'Heat of Fashion,' featuring two young designers, a man with curly hair and a woman with blonde hair, engaging in a friendly pose. The title and subtitle highlight themes of rivalry, romance, and inclusivity in fashion.
A comic page titled 'Chapter One' set in Staten Island on a Monday morning, featuring a girl with long hair engaged in sewing, with dialogue about a malfunctioning machine and a discussion about school.
A comic-style illustration featuring two characters in a kitchen setting, engaging in a warm conversation. One character is a young woman with long hair and a stylish outfit, smiling at the other young man, who is wearing a blue shirt. Their dialogue touches on themes of support and encouragement.
A young woman waves goodbye to her father outside a brick building as he stands on the steps. A person is walking dogs nearby. The next scene shows the woman on a bus, surrounded by other passengers. The final scene features her smiling by the water with the Staten Island Ferry and the Statue of Liberty in the background during sunset.
A comic-style illustration featuring a young man in a blue suit sitting at a desk, pondering while holding a notebook. In the background, there is a view of a red-brick building labeled 'Manhattan' and 'The East Village'. A woman, presumably his mother, stands nearby in a black and white patterned top, engaging in conversation with him. The scene conveys a dialogue about advice and independence.
A comic panel featuring characters discussing the first day back at school after spring break. One character, Toni-Randall, is highlighted with stars and sparkles, while another character offers critique on the outfit. The panel includes a rating of '10 out of 10' for style with colorful graphics.
A comic-style illustration featuring two characters in conversation outside, with a background of buildings and greenery. One character is wearing a light blue suit and the other is in a pink outfit. They discuss themes of confidence and personal transformation in a casual and humorous manner.
Panel showing two stylish students with pink hair in front of Keith Haring Arts and Design Magnet School, discussing their school year and projects.

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