Pixies of the Sixties: You Really Got Me Now

by Gihef and Jul Maroh

Christian Lachenal (Illustrator), Giulio Macaione (Illustrator), Alberto Zanone (Illustrator), and Alberto Zanon (Illustrator)

In the 1960s United Kingdom, as Swinging London is underway, the existence of fairies is exposed to the light of day. Is humanity ready?

It’s the Swinging Sixties in the UK, and fairies have revealed themselves to the world! Now, as the fairies integrate into society, the question on everyone’s mind is… is humanity ready? This brand new anthology series touches on themes of love, racism and xenophobia, and societal change through a supernatural lens that will appeal to fans of Carnival Row and other fantastical fiction! This first volume contains two stories.

First, we meet Annan, a young faerie drawn by the lights of Swinging London, who leaves the forest to pursue her dreams of stardom! She encounters the beautiful Stella and immediately falls in love. But her happiness is cut short when her lover disappears, revealing the truth beneath the glamour -- Rejection may be only a small part of what awaits her...

Next, a brand new story by Jul Maroh (Blue is the Warmest Color)! When she arrives in London to investigate a strange rite that's linked to people going missing, Ailith is happy to accept help from a childhood friend, Elliott, who is a police officer with some serious hate for faeries. Her investigation will lead her to the heart of the forest, where she'll question everything she knows about faeries and make discoveries that will change her life!

• ISBN10: 1643375830
• ISBN13: 9781643375830
• Publish Date: 30 March 2023
• Publish Status: Active
• Publish Country: US
• Imprint: Humanoids, Inc
• Edition: Not for Online
• Format: Paperback (US Trade)
• Pages: 112
• Language: English

Reviews

[annieb123]

Originally posted on my blog Nonstop Reader.

Pixies of the Sixties: You Really Got Me Now is a groovy fantasy graphic novel with two stories by Gihef & Christian Lachenal and Jul Maroh. Originally published in French, this English language translation is due out 21st March 2023 from Humanoids. It's 112 pages and will be available in paperback format. 

Two engaging stories in graphic novel format, are self-contained in this volume. The publisher has also announced a second collection, due out in late second quarter 2023 with a similar format and more stories featuring pixies and humans, also set in the 60s.

The artwork is beautifully evocative and nostalgic and it supports and enhances the narrative very well. There's also a positive portrayal of same sex romantic relationships which was a pleasant surprise. That being said, this is a murder mystery and there is on-page violence and tragedy (and racism and homophobia), but the denouement and resolution are satisfying and well rendered.

Four stars. Strong storytelling and beautifully rendered artwork. 

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.