I Feel Awful Thanks cover by Lara Pickle (Oni Press)

EXCLUSIVE: Lara Pickle’s Debut Graphic Novel Proves Magic Can’t Solve Burnout

Apparently, even magic can’t save you from experiencing burnout in your early 20s. In Spanish-Romanian artist Lara Pickle’s debut graphic novel, I Feel Awful, Thanks, a young witch named Joana lands her dream job in her favorite city and is shocked to her core when everything else doesn’t fall perfectly into place.

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Once she nabs a potion creation job with a London-based coven, Joana thinks she’s all set. Then she realizes the visceral horror of trying to find a flat, discovers that even a job she likes is stressful, and has to go through her move entirely by herself. Slowly, she figures things out, but doubt sits on her shoulder whispering in her.

It’s hard not to feel fatigued and sad when you’re making a huge life transition with very little support. Luckily, Joana is able to find a therapist who helps her manage her mental health and develop coping mechanismsā€”which will hopefully help her tame the angry dragons inside her.

“I created this comic in the hopes that if people identify with it, then it will serve as a gentle reminder that they’re not alone,” Pickle said in the announcement. “It’s very important to give visibility to mental health issues because the more we talk about them and how differently they appear and affect us, the easier it will be for everyoneā€”ourselves includedā€”to be kinder to us.”

Check out the cover of I Feel Awful, Thanks, which is slated for release next spring from Oni Press.

I Feel Awful Thanks cover by Lara Pickle (Oni Press)
(Oni Press)

“Like many Oni fan favorites such as Sheets and MooncakesI Feel Awful, Thanks explores deep, meaningful themes with a sweetly spooky exterior,” said Oni Press editor-in-chief Sierra Hahn. “When Joana’s life becomes overwhelming and her emotions start closing in, a professional therapist is able to help Joana address her feelings and the root of her problems for the better. This book invites readers of all ages to explore emotions, mental health, and the positive power of therapy as they travel alongside Joana on her magical journey.”

I Feel Awful, Thanks will be available in stores on March 4, 2024.

(featured image: Oni Press)


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Samantha Puc
Samantha Puc (she/they) is a fat, disabled, lesbian writer and editor who has been working in digital and print media since 2010. Their work focuses primarily on LGBTQ+ and fat representation in pop culture and their writing has been featured on Refinery29, Bitch Media, them., and elsewhere. Samantha is the co-creator of Fatventure Mag and she contributed to the award-winning Fat and Queer: An Anthology of Queer and Trans Bodies and Lives. They are an original cast member of Death2Divinity, and they are currently pursuing a Master of Fine Arts degree in creative nonfiction at The New School. When Samantha is not working or writing, she loves spending time with her cats, reading, and perfecting her grilled cheese recipe.