Oni's MIKA AND THE HOWLER and MIKA AND THE GURGLER, from award-winning Polish creators Agata Loth-Ignaciuk and Berenika Kolomycka, will debut later this year.
The press release follows:
Media Release -- Oni Press, the multiple Eisner and Harvey Award-winning comic book and graphic novel publisher, is thrilled to release the first-ever English-language editions of Mika and the Howler and Mika and the Gurgler, a two-volume early-reader series from award-winning Polish writer Agata Loth-Ignaciuk (How to Reach the Earth's Poles in One Year) and illustrator Berenika Kolomycka, creator of the critically acclaimed Tiny Fox and Great Boar series from Oni Press. Perfect for the youngest of readers, the Mika series encourages bravery in the face of the unknown, as household appliances take on new life! A howling dust-bunny-eating vacuum creature is no match for Mika in the July-releasing Mika and the Howler and a spinning, sudsing washing machine monster won't keep Mika from saving her stuffed animal friends in the December-releasing sequel Mika and the Gurgler. Readers of all ages will find themselves immersed in Mika's world of delightful discovery!
Mika is a young explorer who faces familiar-yet-not-fully known objects and obstacles around her house. Today's newest challenge? The "howler" that roams her living room and hallways sucking up dust bunnies – and even her socks! But the howler isn't as dangerous as it appears, and young Mika is soon brave enough to face it. The first in the series of books for the youngest comics readers, enjoy the sweet, simple, and delightful Mika and the Howler.
Mika's adventures continue in Mika and the Gurgler! The "gurgler" spins, spews, whirrs, beeps, and even swallows things whole! But the gurgler isn't as scary as it appears. With the help of her friends, Mika is able to rescue her frog from the malicious washing machine and learn that not everything is as scary as it may seem.
"Agata's clever writing and Berenika's gorgeous artwork struck me the moment I read these adorable books. They are so charming and playful!" says Senior Editor Grace Scheipeter. "I hope parents and children alike will enjoy seeing the world through Mika's eyes."
"Observing little kids, especially my kids, and how they dealt with new challenges and fears was key to creating Mika's enthusiastic and imaginative character," says writer Agata Loth-Ignaciuk. "I hope Mika will surprise you with her inventiveness, initiative, and activity. She's an explorer and defender, and she always tries to help her family and friends. Sometimes it ends up being quite a mess, but she does her best! I'm really looking forward to seeing how Mika will cope in each new environment and among new young readers. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for her."
Mika and the Howler will be available in hardcover for a list price of $14.99 (ISBN: 978-1-63715-212-6) at retailers everywhere on July 19, 2023.
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Mika and the Gurgler will be available in hardcover for a list price of $14.99 (ISBN: 978-1-63715-247-8) at retailers everywhere on December 5, 2023.
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About the Creators
Agata Loth-Ignaciuk is an author, illustrator, and publisher of children's books. She has written several nonfiction books for young readers and received the Bologna Ragazzi Special Mention for Nonfiction Award for the book How to Reach the Earth's Poles in One Year, illustrated by Bartlomiej Ignaciuk. Agata's stories for young readers have been published in several countries including Germany, Spain, Ukraine, Russia, Korea, China, Lithuania, and the United States. Mika and the Howler was her first comic project for young readers.
Illustrator Berenika Kolomycka is a comics author, sketch artist, sculptor, and graphic artist. She graduated from the Academy of Fine Arts in Warsaw and earned the Grand Prix for comics at the International Festival of Comics and Games in Lódz. Her works have been published in both Polish and foreign magazines, as well as in school books. She regularly conducts comic workshops for adults and children. The children's comic book series Tiny Fox and Great Boar was her first solo project. Outside of her work, she enjoys taking care of her cat, Mami, and her dog, Kuka.
About the Company
The Oni-Lion Forge Publishing Group is a premier comic book and graphic novel publisher located in Portland, Oregon. Merged with Lion Forge Comics in 2019 but established in 1997, Oni Press publishes a thoughtfully curated line of award-winning original and licensed graphic novels and comic books for readers of all ages. Notable titles from the Oni-Lion Forge Publishing Group include: The Tea Dragon Society, Sheets, Gender Queer, A Quick & Easy Guide to They/Them Pronouns, Scott Pilgrim, and Adult Swim's Rick and Morty™.
