Jane American: Young Adult Historical Fiction on the Cost of War

The graphic novel Jane American, winner of the 2025 Ringo Award for Best New Talent, will arrive in September under the Papercutz imprint of Mad Cave Studios. Written by Jason Douglas and illustrated by Annie Wright, with lettering by Dave Lentz, this historical fiction set during World War II follows Jane, a young woman whose life falls apart when her father doesn't return from the front and her mother, once Rosie the Riveter, can no longer work.

young woman in 1940s workwear standing in empty factory, rivet gun hanging loose from her hand, shadowy silhouette of a soldier fading into smoke behind her, half-finished airplane fuselage in background with scattered blueprints, dust particles floating in dim industrial light, cinematic historical illustration style, muted sepia and grey tones, emotional atmosphere of loss and abandonment, photorealistic character details, worn leather work gloves, metal shavings on concrete floor, dramatic side lighting casting long shadows, realistic period machinery, melancholic stillness during a paused moment of action

The visual process: from sketch to final page 📖

Annie Wright developed the art with a focus on contrasts of light and shadow to reflect Jane's emotional instability. The character design prioritizes subtle facial expressions and detailed period backgrounds, such as factories and homes from the 1940s. Dave Lentz applied clear typography in the dialogue, avoiding decorations that distract from the narrative rhythm. Jason Douglas structured the plot into short chapters to maintain youthful interest without sacrificing historical depth.

Spoiler: war doesn't forgive, but at least there are speech bubbles 😅

If you thought Jane was going to solve everything with a dance and a handsome guy, I'm sorry to inform you that World War II is not a romantic comedy. Here, the family drama is real: dad doesn't come back, mom loses her job, and the only Rosie that matters is the one on the poster. At least Wright's art is so good you can almost smell the 1940s gasoline. Almost.