In 2017, Emil Ferris released her debut graphic novel, My Favorite Thing is Monsters Book One, which quickly became a sensation, receiving critical acclaim and commercial success. The story follows 11-year-old Karen Reyes and her family in late 1960s Chicago, portrayed in a unique colored ballpoint pen art style. The first book left readers at a heartbreaking crossroads with a big reveal, leading to the anticipation of Book Two.
Due to creative and business challenges, the release of Book Two was delayed, further extended by the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the long-awaited conclusion is finally set for release on May 28th, promising significant creative revisions and a more fulfilling ending to the story that Ferris and her characters collaborated on. The final version is described as closer to Ferris’s original intent than the first manuscript.
My Favorite Thing is Monsters Book 2 delves deeper into the relationship between Karen and Deez, exploring challenging choices and Karen’s first romance with street-smart Shelly. Intrigue and danger from their upstairs neighbors add tension, while Ferris’s storytelling evolves with a more expansive and decompressed narrative style. Her artwork transitions between detailed realism and sketch-like simplicity.
Ferris’s journey to graphic storytelling was influenced by her family of artists, particularly her father, who supported her transition from industrial design to comics following a health setback. This integrity permeates every aspect of Book Two, allowing characters and the late 1960s Chicago environment to come alive in vivid detail and dreamlike luminosity. The completion of My Favorite Thing is Monsters sets the stage for future projects exploring Karen’s continuing story.
Aside from the Monsters series, Ferris is working on five new books, including Records of the Damned, a prequel focusing on Karen’s relationship with Anka Silverberg. She plans to further develop Karen’s character, particularly her relationship with Shelly, drawing inspiration from her own experiences. While Ferris has remained active in the art world, the release of Book Two marks a significant return to her major work and is eagerly anticipated by fans and the graphic novel community.
The graphic novel market is largely driven by younger readers, but works like My Favorite Thing is Monsters have paved the way for more serious and adult-oriented titles. Ferris’s unique storytelling and artistic style have garnered praise and admiration, with Book Two poised to continue the success of its predecessor. Despite its commercial fate, the completion of this major work solidifies Ferris’s place among the greats in the graphic novel genre.
