Mad Cave imprint Nakama Press will release Hokis, Focus!, a manga-inspired fantasy adventure by Sonic the Hedgehog comic writer Ian Flynn and artist Ryan Jampole. The middle-grade graphic novel, which will feature lettering by Taylor Esposito, follows Hokis, a young, female wizard, and her frog Pokis, as they embark on a quest for a relic called the Yundu.
Hokis, Focus! cover art by Ryan Jampole
The official synopsis elaborates, “To find it, she’ll need to survive the spooky paths of Spiderweave Glade, the icy storms of Sunblister Valley, and the questionable cuisine of Grimlawn. Along the way, she’ll encounter talking spiders, talking skeletons, talking flames, and a very well-meaning but chatty ogre named Ugh. Though Hokis commands powerful magic, the elements don’t bow to just anyone — especially a novice wizard with a tendency to lose focus. As the journey unfolds, she’ll discover that mastering magic may be easier than learning what it truly means to be a good friend.”
Flynn says, “I’ve always enjoyed fun, fanciful stories, so creating one of our own with Hokis, Focus! is a treat. I’ve also always been astounded by Ryan’s immense talent, so it’s always great to collaborate with him again. This story is fresh, funny, and born entirely out of a desire to create something wonderful.”
Jampole adds, “When Ian and I first sat down to come up with Hokis, Focus! our goal was to tell a fun adventure story, a journey with a lovable cast of goofballs! I hope people enjoy exploring the world as much as we enjoyed creating it.”
The book will retail in paperback for $10.99 on September 22. You can check out a three-page preview below in the meantime.
