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Praise for Becoming Abel

  • ”Julien’s aesthetic is decorative in that his style is full of patterns and shapes while rooted in a cartoonist’s sensibilities. These powerful scenes alternate with silent passages are a meditation on the Self, evoking empathy from the reader, as Abigail’s inward journey leads from isolation to embracing the truth that was impossible to believe.”

    JOE PALMER, GAY LEAGUE

  • “Following a side monster from the first book, we jump from coming to terms with our sexuality to coming to terms with our gender. Becoming Abel is more cohesive and solely driven to tell the story of someone coming to terms with who they are and how expressing it leads to happiness. For stories packed with monsters, both of Mark Julien’s tales radiate queer joy. And it’s something special.”

    MATTHEW VESELEY

  • "Becoming Abel is such as beautiful story about coming to terms with one's identity. The character of Abigail was originally introduced in Mark's novel Justin Case and the Closet Monster. When we pick up with them again in Becoming Abel, Abigail is struggling to adjust to the afterlife. This journey gives tremendous insight into the sacrifices and fears trans and gender non conforming people face. In the end, we are left on a hopeful note as Abel emerges ready to live their best life.”

    BIG GAY ENERGY PODCAST

Praise for Justin Case and the Closet Monster: Hope

  • "What an original, entertaining, even hilarious book you have made out of your experiences – a graphic work like no other. I hope it reaches those who need it most."

    SIR IAN MCKELLEN

  • "[A] joyfully-arted story about two closeted gay men. The (delightfully queer) anthropomorphic closet monsters are a mix of Roman mythology, literary fiction, and classic movie monsters. A four-color pastel-palette enlivens each page, which are designed as a single stand-alone comic strips that combine to tell the story. Sexual innuendos and pop cultural references are sprinkled throughout, helping to make the work so fabulous."

    THE ADVOCATE

  • "Julien creates Justin’s world with a cartoonist’s sensibilities combined with a decorative art aesthetic and a sophisticated color palette. [A] beautiful queer fable for the young and young at heart...gentle stumblings of a sweet, young gay man exploring the magic of a world that was always there for him to see if only he looked.”

    JOE PALMER, GAY LEAGUE

Mark Julien is an independent Canadian author, illustrator, and publisher based in Kingston, Ontario.