Queens of the Crypt: youth horror with undead queens and diversity

On August 25, 2026, the young adult graphic novel Queens of the Crypt, Vol. 1, by Dom&Ink, lands in bookstores and libraries. The plot follows Barnaby, a non-binary teenager who summons undead queens to save their town after their friend's disappearance. The work adds queer representation to the young horror genre.

adolescent nonbinary character Barnaby summoning undead queens from a glowing crypt portal in a dark forest, three spectral queens emerging with tattered royal robes and crowns, one queen reaching toward a missing friend’s pendant on the ground, while a laptop on a mossy rock displays a digital summoning interface with glowing circuit lines, cinematic horror illustration, eerie green and purple magical light, cobweb-covered trees, dynamic action pose, Barnaby’s hand raised with arcane symbols, ultra-detailed supernatural textures, dramatic shadow contrast, photorealistic fantasy render

Sequential art and inclusive narrative as a technical engine 🎨

Dom&Ink develops the story by combining high-contrast panels with cold color palettes for the underworld scenes and warm tones for the town's daily life. Barnaby's representation is built through an androgynous character design and neutral pronouns in the dialogues. The narrative rhythm alternates supernatural action sequences with moments of introspection, supported by close-up shots of key objects like the summoning grimoire. The printed edition includes extras such as sketches from the creation process.

Queens of the underworld or queens of teenage drama? 👑

Because, of course, when your friend disappears, the logical thing is to summon some cadaverous monarchs instead of, I don't know, calling the police. But hey, if the queens have better fashion sense than the officers, the decision is understandable. That said, let's hope they don't charge rent for being in town, because with inflation, not even the dead are safe. At least Barnaby will have supernatural company for high school drama.