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Hey, Mary!
From writer Andrew Wheeler (Another Castle, Cat Fight) and artist Rye Hickman (The Harrowing) comes a touching story of religion, desire, and what it means to be yourself no matter how lonely or scared you feel.
Mark is a good Catholic boy. He goes to church, says his prayers, and spends too much time worrying about hell. When Mark realizes he has a crush on another boy in his school, he struggles to reconcile his feelings with his faith as the weight of centuries of shame and judgment—and his fear of his parents' response—presses on his shoulders. Mark seeks advice from his priest, as well as a local drag performer, but also receives unexpected input from key figures in Catholic history and lore, including Joan of Arc, Michelangelo, St. Sebastian, and Savonarola. Ultimately, only Mark can answer the Is it possible for him to be both Catholic and gay?
Mark is a good Catholic boy. He goes to church, says his prayers, and spends too much time worrying about hell. When Mark realizes he has a crush on another boy in his school, he struggles to reconcile his feelings with his faith as the weight of centuries of shame and judgment—and his fear of his parents' response—presses on his shoulders. Mark seeks advice from his priest, as well as a local drag performer, but also receives unexpected input from key figures in Catholic history and lore, including Joan of Arc, Michelangelo, St. Sebastian, and Savonarola. Ultimately, only Mark can answer the Is it possible for him to be both Catholic and gay?
128 pages, Paperback
First published April 15, 2025
10 people are currently reading
534 people want to read
About the author
Andrew Wheeler
93 books44 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Andrew Wheeler is a Shuster and Eisner-winning writer and editor. His credits include Another Castle at Oni Press, Love and War at Comixology, the Dungeons & Dragons Young Adventurers Guides, and the Prism-nominated all ages LGBTQ anthology Shout Out.
Andrew Wheeler is a Shuster and Eisner-winning writer and editor. His credits include Another Castle at Oni Press, Love and War at Comixology, the Dungeons & Dragons Young Adventurers Guides, and the Prism-nominated all ages LGBTQ anthology Shout Out.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 168 reviews
May 11, 2025
“you didn’t fail, mark. you are so full of love. you were failed.”
a tough graphic novel about being queer and religious, but was very informational.
a tough graphic novel about being queer and religious, but was very informational.
November 26, 2024
⭐️ 3.5 stars ⭐️
A reflection on homosexuality and Catholicism through time. A boy and his struggle to combine his faith, his upbringing and his identity.
I enjoyed the art style, but other than that this isn’t meant for me. I’m not religious and I’m not a teenage boy struggling with his sexuality.
I thought the ‘Gay walk through time’ was educational and fun, and for those this piece is meant for this could be a deeply impactful and eye-opening read.
Even though I couldn’t really connect to this story on a personal level, I still found it interesting and emotionally compelling.
I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley, and am leaving this honest review voluntarily.
“Love is all that God is”
A reflection on homosexuality and Catholicism through time. A boy and his struggle to combine his faith, his upbringing and his identity.
“We are who we are, right? No matter what people try to make us.”
I enjoyed the art style, but other than that this isn’t meant for me. I’m not religious and I’m not a teenage boy struggling with his sexuality.
I thought the ‘Gay walk through time’ was educational and fun, and for those this piece is meant for this could be a deeply impactful and eye-opening read.
Even though I couldn’t really connect to this story on a personal level, I still found it interesting and emotionally compelling.
I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley, and am leaving this honest review voluntarily.
February 13, 2025
Saints and stories come to vivid life in this compassionate story of a young man learning to balance his sexuality and his faith. For any readers out there trying to find space in their Catholicism for their queerness, I hope this book can light the way.
June 29, 2025
I really struggled with this book and ultimately didn’t finish it. While I understand and support the idea of finding personal resonance with historical figures, I think there’s an important line between queer interpretation and rewriting history as fact.
For example, claiming Joan of Arc was “genderqueer” ignores the actual historical record, where Joan repeatedly stated that her wearing of male clothing was about protection, practicality, and obedience to God, not an expression of gender identity.
Similarly, reframing Ruth and Naomi as lesbians is reductive to both their story and to the broader experience of deep, loyal, non-romantic female relationships. Not every close relationship between women needs to be retroactively labeled romantic.
I think this kind of historical revisionism does a disservice both to the real people involved and to the richness of female bonds that exist outside of romance.
Representation is important, but so is respecting history and the reality that not everyone in the past fits into modern identity categories.
Unfortunately, the execution also wasn’t strong enough to make me overlook this issue.
For example, claiming Joan of Arc was “genderqueer” ignores the actual historical record, where Joan repeatedly stated that her wearing of male clothing was about protection, practicality, and obedience to God, not an expression of gender identity.
Similarly, reframing Ruth and Naomi as lesbians is reductive to both their story and to the broader experience of deep, loyal, non-romantic female relationships. Not every close relationship between women needs to be retroactively labeled romantic.
I think this kind of historical revisionism does a disservice both to the real people involved and to the richness of female bonds that exist outside of romance.
Representation is important, but so is respecting history and the reality that not everyone in the past fits into modern identity categories.
Unfortunately, the execution also wasn’t strong enough to make me overlook this issue.
December 17, 2024
Growing up Catholic can be hard. I should know, I did. But growing up Catholic and queer is even harder. In “Hey Mary!,” Andrew Wheeler is able to weave in references that capture the experience of growing up Catholic in the modern day. This is not to say that the story is exclusive to the Catholic/queer experience. Mark, the main character is very relatable, not just as a closeted queer person, but as a kid trying to figure things out at a rough time in his life. Now couple that with “keeping up appearances” for everyone else, and it is no surprise that Mark is having a rough go of it. One of the notes that hit me the hardest was the way that the adults in Mark’s life would all give the platitude of “You can tell me anything,” and I know many of us have been there. They may be truthful and will be non judgmental but in the anxiety adolescent brain, you don’t trust anyone.
The clever use of biblical and artistic imagery was a great way to manifest what Mark was going through in his mind. It made it more “real” to the reader.
This is the type of book that would have been a Godsend, no pun intended, to me when I was Mark’s age. As someone who still struggles at time with where my beliefs lie, and where I fit in, “Hey, Mary!” is a touching, illuminating and profound story of love, and “Love is all that God is.”
Thank you to NetGalley and Oni Press for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
The clever use of biblical and artistic imagery was a great way to manifest what Mark was going through in his mind. It made it more “real” to the reader.
This is the type of book that would have been a Godsend, no pun intended, to me when I was Mark’s age. As someone who still struggles at time with where my beliefs lie, and where I fit in, “Hey, Mary!” is a touching, illuminating and profound story of love, and “Love is all that God is.”
Thank you to NetGalley and Oni Press for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 20, 2025
Strong coming of age story about a kid who has to find his way between the (seemingly) opposing worlds of his religion and his queerness. Very, very good art.
(Thanks to Oni Press for providing me with a review copy through NetGalley)
(Thanks to Oni Press for providing me with a review copy through NetGalley)
February 12, 2025
3.5/5 rounded down
Hey, Mary follows a teenage boy, mark, who is raised in a very religious catholic family and is struggling to come to terms with his homosexuality.
Love is all that God is
To preface this review I am not religious at all. I was raised without religion and I am now pretty much atheist. However, I do not think that disqualifies me from having an opinion or being able to get something from a book like this.
This book is very wholesome with a very enjoyable and pleasant to look at art style. I enjoyed the 'Gay walk through time" segment of this graphic novel. Exploring gay religious and historical figures. It was educational and fun, especially as a queer person myself.
Personally, I really did not like the character of Luka in this graphic novel. As the only out gay teenage in Mark's peer group he comes across very abrasive and pushes Mark and his boundaries almost to the point of bursting. I believe this was the point to have two very different viewpoints pushing Mark; his catholicism and faith as well as the opinions of Luka. Though I think this could have been handled better.
I was fairly impressed with the way Wheeler handled the coming out of Mark and his journey of self acceptance. Whilst I could not directly relate to Mark, being neither a teenager nor a catholic, I still think there is something emotionally profound in this story.
Would definitely recommend to anyone of the Christian faith or people struggling to come to terms with their sexuality.
Thank you to NetGalley and Oni press for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Hey, Mary follows a teenage boy, mark, who is raised in a very religious catholic family and is struggling to come to terms with his homosexuality.
Love is all that God is
To preface this review I am not religious at all. I was raised without religion and I am now pretty much atheist. However, I do not think that disqualifies me from having an opinion or being able to get something from a book like this.
This book is very wholesome with a very enjoyable and pleasant to look at art style. I enjoyed the 'Gay walk through time" segment of this graphic novel. Exploring gay religious and historical figures. It was educational and fun, especially as a queer person myself.
Personally, I really did not like the character of Luka in this graphic novel. As the only out gay teenage in Mark's peer group he comes across very abrasive and pushes Mark and his boundaries almost to the point of bursting. I believe this was the point to have two very different viewpoints pushing Mark; his catholicism and faith as well as the opinions of Luka. Though I think this could have been handled better.
I was fairly impressed with the way Wheeler handled the coming out of Mark and his journey of self acceptance. Whilst I could not directly relate to Mark, being neither a teenager nor a catholic, I still think there is something emotionally profound in this story.
Would definitely recommend to anyone of the Christian faith or people struggling to come to terms with their sexuality.
Thank you to NetGalley and Oni press for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
January 9, 2025
I don't read much in the way of graphic novels, but I'm trying to change that, and this one was excellent!
Now, I'm an atheist, but I have a bone-deep fascination with Catholicism that goes directly against the fact that I'm biromantic and nonbinary. You know what, though? This little graphic novel got me right in the heart. We follow Mark, a devout Catholic teenager questioning his orientation through visions of religious figures. Are they visions from God or just a visualization of how he feels? We never really learn, but I personally liked the ambiguity! Despite the dread Mark's facing as he comes to terms with who he is, there's a warm, welcoming support system at his back that I really appreciated. I literally cried at the end!
Favorite quote: I've been around the scene, Mark. The same people who made you made me. And you're not alone.
Now, I'm an atheist, but I have a bone-deep fascination with Catholicism that goes directly against the fact that I'm biromantic and nonbinary. You know what, though? This little graphic novel got me right in the heart. We follow Mark, a devout Catholic teenager questioning his orientation through visions of religious figures. Are they visions from God or just a visualization of how he feels? We never really learn, but I personally liked the ambiguity! Despite the dread Mark's facing as he comes to terms with who he is, there's a warm, welcoming support system at his back that I really appreciated. I literally cried at the end!
Favorite quote: I've been around the scene, Mark. The same people who made you made me. And you're not alone.
November 21, 2024
A moving and poignant coming of age story about a Catholic school student who questions whether he is gay and whether his queerness has a place in his life and in his religion. Our main character Mark is prompted to address his sexuality when he is reunited with his now out gay friend Luka. Mark envisions art and historical figures coming to life to teach him about queerness in religion as he interacts with church leaders and queer people in his community. There were a lot of examples of queer characters throughout history and how their queerness is told (or not told) in the Bible, so it felt a bit educational / non-fictionish at times.
As someone who grew up in church (Lutheran), there were many parts of this that I really related to. As a 34 year old now, I could see my younger self in Mark and in his questioning of himself, of God, and of religion. I'm not a religious person now, but I can appreciate that this book did not condemn religion but argued that someone can be equally gay and religious under the philosophy that all that God is is love.
I think to have an appreciation of this, though, you have to have knowledge of or experience with religion and it's anti-gay rhetoric (Christianity but maybe others). If my young adult self had read this, I would have felt so seen and heard. I'd recommend this to the queer community, the queer religious and ex-religious community, but also to the more open religious community to understand how gay/queer teens may be impacted by certain religious rhetoric.
I really enjoyed the characters, the compassionate look at queerness and religion, and the colorful art style.
Thank you to NetGalley for an advance copy of this in exchange for an honest review.
As someone who grew up in church (Lutheran), there were many parts of this that I really related to. As a 34 year old now, I could see my younger self in Mark and in his questioning of himself, of God, and of religion. I'm not a religious person now, but I can appreciate that this book did not condemn religion but argued that someone can be equally gay and religious under the philosophy that all that God is is love.
I think to have an appreciation of this, though, you have to have knowledge of or experience with religion and it's anti-gay rhetoric (Christianity but maybe others). If my young adult self had read this, I would have felt so seen and heard. I'd recommend this to the queer community, the queer religious and ex-religious community, but also to the more open religious community to understand how gay/queer teens may be impacted by certain religious rhetoric.
I really enjoyed the characters, the compassionate look at queerness and religion, and the colorful art style.
Thank you to NetGalley for an advance copy of this in exchange for an honest review.
February 5, 2025
I feel like people are going to either like this or hate this. The queer community and the Catholic Church are not communities that often intersect but I feel like this book really does a good job of explaining and exploring that possibility. So many people have been forced out of a community that they felt at home in and I think this book has a lot to offer.
I liked the illustrations, and I liked the descriptions of queerness throughout history and the Bible specifically, but I wish it was a little longer. Feels a little abrupt at the end and I do almost always wish books just kind of let their characters experience that resolution at the end for a little longer.
I liked the illustrations, and I liked the descriptions of queerness throughout history and the Bible specifically, but I wish it was a little longer. Feels a little abrupt at the end and I do almost always wish books just kind of let their characters experience that resolution at the end for a little longer.
September 3, 2025
I'm not especially religious but this was pretty wholesome. Not sure if I like Mark and Luka together though given how Luka speaks to Mark though.
November 19, 2024
Hey, Mary! has been on my TBR since I first heard about it several months ago, so I was excited to see it was available on NetGalley. I didn't grow up Catholic—or very religious at all—but I did grow up queer in the Bible Belt, and Christian rhetoric about queerness was something I heard regularly. As an atheist, I was never actually worried about angering a higher power or burning in Hell for all of eternity, but I was hurt that so many people around me, including many of my own family members, felt that way about me and others like me.
This graphic novel follows Mark, a young Catholic boy who's coming to terms with his queerness and struggling to reconcile that with his faith. Throughout the story, he's shown engaging in imaginary conversations with several notable saints, many of whom may have been queer themselves. Through these conversations, as well as conversations with some of the openly queer people in Mark's life and his pastor, Father Teo, Mark is able to understand the teachings of the Bible in a new light. He comes to realize that much of the rhetoric surrounding queerness is not taken directly from the Bible's teachings but from bigoted interpretations of stories such as that of Sodom and Gomorrah. By the end of the story, Mark is able to share his identity with his parents and feel more comfortable accepting that his queerness and his Catholic faith can coexist.
Although I am, as previously mentioned, not religious myself, there was something very healing about reading the stories of the many potentially queer saints and being better able to understand how the teachings of the Bible have been twisted and misconstrued to further bigoted narratives. I think for anyone, young or old, struggling with accepting their queerness because of their faith or the faith of those around them, this book will offer a space to unpack and feel understood in those feelings. I really enjoyed reading this and would absolutely recommend it to other queer people as well as anyone who is not queer themselves but would like to better understand this facet of the queer experience.
And, because this is a graphic novel, I would be remiss not to mention how appealing the illustrations were. They worked very well with the story, adding to the message being presented without overshadowing it in any way.
Thank you to NetGalley and Oni Press for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
This graphic novel follows Mark, a young Catholic boy who's coming to terms with his queerness and struggling to reconcile that with his faith. Throughout the story, he's shown engaging in imaginary conversations with several notable saints, many of whom may have been queer themselves. Through these conversations, as well as conversations with some of the openly queer people in Mark's life and his pastor, Father Teo, Mark is able to understand the teachings of the Bible in a new light. He comes to realize that much of the rhetoric surrounding queerness is not taken directly from the Bible's teachings but from bigoted interpretations of stories such as that of Sodom and Gomorrah. By the end of the story, Mark is able to share his identity with his parents and feel more comfortable accepting that his queerness and his Catholic faith can coexist.
Although I am, as previously mentioned, not religious myself, there was something very healing about reading the stories of the many potentially queer saints and being better able to understand how the teachings of the Bible have been twisted and misconstrued to further bigoted narratives. I think for anyone, young or old, struggling with accepting their queerness because of their faith or the faith of those around them, this book will offer a space to unpack and feel understood in those feelings. I really enjoyed reading this and would absolutely recommend it to other queer people as well as anyone who is not queer themselves but would like to better understand this facet of the queer experience.
And, because this is a graphic novel, I would be remiss not to mention how appealing the illustrations were. They worked very well with the story, adding to the message being presented without overshadowing it in any way.
Thank you to NetGalley and Oni Press for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
February 14, 2025
I really liked how it makes you to think about your own beliefs without forcing anything on you. Even if you're not religious it’s easy to connect with the characters and the struggles they are going through.
Don’t think i was the target audience since I’ve never been religious and gone through these experiences but i did really enjoy the look at queerness in history and Catholicism.
Overall i found it reflective and thought provoking and i definitely think it’s worth reading even if you aren’t religious or queer.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an e copy!
Don’t think i was the target audience since I’ve never been religious and gone through these experiences but i did really enjoy the look at queerness in history and Catholicism.
Overall i found it reflective and thought provoking and i definitely think it’s worth reading even if you aren’t religious or queer.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an e copy!
January 8, 2025
First off, many thanks to NetGalley for letting me read this graphic as an ARC! I greatly appreciate it!
Another graphic novel, this one even better than the last! The start is really intriguing, with Mark's visualizations of religious figures, and there's a kind of welcoming warmth among the dread of this poor kid coming to terms with who he is. I'm an atheist, but wow, this story is gorgeous. I literally cried!
Five stars out of five for Hey, Mary!
Another graphic novel, this one even better than the last! The start is really intriguing, with Mark's visualizations of religious figures, and there's a kind of welcoming warmth among the dread of this poor kid coming to terms with who he is. I'm an atheist, but wow, this story is gorgeous. I literally cried!
Five stars out of five for Hey, Mary!
July 31, 2025
This graphic novel is going to save some teen's life, I just know it! Absolutely fantastic.
"You were failed by people who placed rules between you and God."
"You were failed by people who placed rules between you and God."
February 13, 2025
Thank you Netgalley abd Oni press for the EArc in exchange for my honest review. Hey, Mary! Is coming April 15 2025.
This is a 3.75 ⭐️ read for me. While I don’t absolutely agree with the novel, it didn’t really influence my rating and me enjoying the book. And i think that speaks of how good it was. This was my first encounter with the author and will most definitely be keeping an eye on them.
This is a book about a boy coming to terms with his identity and his religion. I am not using the word faith because while i dont follow a religion and don’t believe in them. I absolutely have faith in a being far more greater than i am, who is full of love and acceptance. I could go on and on about religion. Mark was struggling and couldn’t come to terms with who he is, what is expecting of him and how he was raised/his religion. I loved all those different apparition that he has throughout the novel, of well known people. Who are helping him out and trying to make him understand. I hated everything that happened that was expected to happen. Some made me cried and i was hurting with Mark. While i never factor religion in my coming to terms with my sexuality i did factor my parents. My catholic mother who’s praying 24/7. And it always hurts to know someone who default setting should be loving you unconditionally would not understand you/not accepting you. I am very ok with the bible being only stories written up by people a long time ago for their own profit. But it is a book still used by religion to oppress people like me, to harass us. I am happy for Mark that he at the end did know who he is and what he wants. It felt a little short to me. Or loose ending. I wanted more. How will he mange his religion and his queerness? How will the boy who is so opposed to religion fit with him?
I tried my best not let my views taint the review of this book and hopefully i was successful. Here’s to hoping.
Fav quote: “We assume everyone is straight because straight is the normal. But there have always been queer people since before we had the language for it.Since before people had the confidence and support and the confindence to stand up and tell the world their truth”
Fav characters: Jojo,
Fav moments: The apparition of Joan of Arc/ The drag bible stories.
Song: Pray by Sam Smith
This is a 3.75 ⭐️ read for me. While I don’t absolutely agree with the novel, it didn’t really influence my rating and me enjoying the book. And i think that speaks of how good it was. This was my first encounter with the author and will most definitely be keeping an eye on them.
This is a book about a boy coming to terms with his identity and his religion. I am not using the word faith because while i dont follow a religion and don’t believe in them. I absolutely have faith in a being far more greater than i am, who is full of love and acceptance. I could go on and on about religion. Mark was struggling and couldn’t come to terms with who he is, what is expecting of him and how he was raised/his religion. I loved all those different apparition that he has throughout the novel, of well known people. Who are helping him out and trying to make him understand. I hated everything that happened that was expected to happen. Some made me cried and i was hurting with Mark. While i never factor religion in my coming to terms with my sexuality i did factor my parents. My catholic mother who’s praying 24/7. And it always hurts to know someone who default setting should be loving you unconditionally would not understand you/not accepting you. I am very ok with the bible being only stories written up by people a long time ago for their own profit. But it is a book still used by religion to oppress people like me, to harass us. I am happy for Mark that he at the end did know who he is and what he wants. It felt a little short to me. Or loose ending. I wanted more. How will he mange his religion and his queerness? How will the boy who is so opposed to religion fit with him?
I tried my best not let my views taint the review of this book and hopefully i was successful. Here’s to hoping.
Fav quote: “We assume everyone is straight because straight is the normal. But there have always been queer people since before we had the language for it.Since before people had the confidence and support and the confindence to stand up and tell the world their truth”
Fav characters: Jojo,
Fav moments: The apparition of Joan of Arc/ The drag bible stories.
Song: Pray by Sam Smith
November 30, 2025
While I was not raised Catholic (anti-Catholic super-spare form of Southern U.S evangelical Christianity [Church of Christ], actually), I identified with* many of the sentiments Mark expresses.
While I would inevitably leave that faith in any timeline, young (and let's be honest, present) me longed for the role models Mark learns about in the 'Gay walk through history'. My family's church both worships and disdains 'tradition'; it does not have role models (certainly not saints! All Christians are automatically saints, kind of like how everyone's a pope for Discordians) outside of Jesus, the Disciples + Paul, though I guess everyone who shows up as a character in the Protestant canon is probably game.
All this background infodump aside is just to comment that Chapter XIII eerily echoed my own parents' responses when I came out to them, like, down to the letter in some cases, including Mark's mother rushing away in tears; the number of direct parallels are uncanny and it kind of hit me in the gut.
I was also mildly scandalized by Mark and Luka's kiss near (in?) the church - I would have been severely punished for that when I was Mark's age.
In conclusion, I found it charming, especially for queerfolk old and young who've experienced trauma and mistreatment in (the name of) religious (particularly Christian) contexts. I could get into the details with regard to individual character behavior and whatnot, but I think I've said my piece.
* = please note that I do not need to identify with any character to enjoy a story; that does not factor into my calculus when rating anything.
While I would inevitably leave that faith in any timeline, young (and let's be honest, present) me longed for the role models Mark learns about in the 'Gay walk through history'. My family's church both worships and disdains 'tradition'; it does not have role models (certainly not saints! All Christians are automatically saints, kind of like how everyone's a pope for Discordians) outside of Jesus, the Disciples + Paul, though I guess everyone who shows up as a character in the Protestant canon is probably game.
All this background infodump aside is just to comment that Chapter XIII eerily echoed my own parents' responses when I came out to them, like, down to the letter in some cases, including Mark's mother rushing away in tears; the number of direct parallels are uncanny and it kind of hit me in the gut.
I was also mildly scandalized by Mark and Luka's kiss near (in?) the church - I would have been severely punished for that when I was Mark's age.
In conclusion, I found it charming, especially for queerfolk old and young who've experienced trauma and mistreatment in (the name of) religious (particularly Christian) contexts. I could get into the details with regard to individual character behavior and whatnot, but I think I've said my piece.
* = please note that I do not need to identify with any character to enjoy a story; that does not factor into my calculus when rating anything.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 15, 2026
The truth of the matter is that, despite its good intentions, this graphic novel only achieved to make me feel terribly said for the queer people who (for some reason) believe in God and try to make it work.
To me, the two things are irreconcilable unless you just decide to be blind and ignore certain things that are reality, but that's just me and i won't judge others for their beliefs - as long as they don't discriminate or spread hate for mine.
But to get back to this graphic novel, one statement that I agree with is that "the Bible is like a purse and you find in it what you put in it".
But that's a double-edged sword, as it is with every other text that is open to interpretation. Everyone will see in it what they want to see and use only parts of it to defend their argument while ignoring others that do not help or even contradict their cause and both sides (queers and homophobes) will twist it to fit their own views and beliefs because there can't be no "truth" when it comes to faith and religion, and the fact that policies and laws and so much hate were born out of a fairytale that was invented and written thousands of years ago so that certain categories of people could hold the power and manipulate and abuse others and that for centuries it has been used (and it's still being used) by different categories of people for the same exact purpose...
I guess this story wasn't for me. It just made me angry - and not in the good, constructive way.
To me, the two things are irreconcilable unless you just decide to be blind and ignore certain things that are reality, but that's just me and i won't judge others for their beliefs - as long as they don't discriminate or spread hate for mine.
But to get back to this graphic novel, one statement that I agree with is that "the Bible is like a purse and you find in it what you put in it".
But that's a double-edged sword, as it is with every other text that is open to interpretation. Everyone will see in it what they want to see and use only parts of it to defend their argument while ignoring others that do not help or even contradict their cause and both sides (queers and homophobes) will twist it to fit their own views and beliefs because there can't be no "truth" when it comes to faith and religion, and the fact that policies and laws and so much hate were born out of a fairytale that was invented and written thousands of years ago so that certain categories of people could hold the power and manipulate and abuse others and that for centuries it has been used (and it's still being used) by different categories of people for the same exact purpose...
I guess this story wasn't for me. It just made me angry - and not in the good, constructive way.
February 15, 2026
3.5/5 stars (rounded down)
an enjoyable enough read, though really quite short. as a queer ex-catholic I’m very interested in stories about queerness and religion, and I think this book achieved what it was trying to do in that regard. I wish it had a slightly more complex exploration of those ideas, since it was very white gay middle-class boy centric, and the character arc (if you can call it that because again, it was really quite short) is basically the main character getting over his internalized homophobia and kissing the boy he likes and his family coming around to accepting him and embracing life as a queer catholic where everything is fine and dandy. which is alright, and I’m sure it’s some people’s experience, but I think in real life it is often more complicated than that. I do like the message of “queer people have always existed throughout history + in the church” but I think it glosses over the historical and current oppression fueled by religion. I also felt like the book was a bit weird tonally, and wish it had committed to either being campy and dramatic or being serious and emotional, because I don’t think either aspect fully resonated with me. but like I said, generally enjoyed the content and solid art
an enjoyable enough read, though really quite short. as a queer ex-catholic I’m very interested in stories about queerness and religion, and I think this book achieved what it was trying to do in that regard. I wish it had a slightly more complex exploration of those ideas, since it was very white gay middle-class boy centric, and the character arc (if you can call it that because again, it was really quite short) is basically the main character getting over his internalized homophobia and kissing the boy he likes and his family coming around to accepting him and embracing life as a queer catholic where everything is fine and dandy. which is alright, and I’m sure it’s some people’s experience, but I think in real life it is often more complicated than that. I do like the message of “queer people have always existed throughout history + in the church” but I think it glosses over the historical and current oppression fueled by religion. I also felt like the book was a bit weird tonally, and wish it had committed to either being campy and dramatic or being serious and emotional, because I don’t think either aspect fully resonated with me. but like I said, generally enjoyed the content and solid art
February 8, 2025
This was definitely an interesting read. I grew up somewhere on the edge of Catholic. We didn’t go to church, but there were many times that my mother would talk about faith… she also talked about witchcraft. It’s a testament to my mother at how all over the place she was. In middle school, I was enrolled in a private Christian school where we went to mass every Wednesday and had Bible class.
To say that I turned my back on the faith is an understatement. I loved the sense of community and friendship I received… while I wasn’t out. But those things can change when you aren’t the same as everyone else. That can be said about many walks of life, but I found myself without the church and I’m happy with who I am.
Hey, Mary! has honest talks and thoughts coming from a teenage boy who is battling with realizing that he is gay and that’s okay. There is no one way to be queer and Christian. There is no one way to be queer or Christian either. You find what’s right for you.
I think that this is a really important story to tell.
To say that I turned my back on the faith is an understatement. I loved the sense of community and friendship I received… while I wasn’t out. But those things can change when you aren’t the same as everyone else. That can be said about many walks of life, but I found myself without the church and I’m happy with who I am.
Hey, Mary! has honest talks and thoughts coming from a teenage boy who is battling with realizing that he is gay and that’s okay. There is no one way to be queer and Christian. There is no one way to be queer or Christian either. You find what’s right for you.
I think that this is a really important story to tell.
November 23, 2025
“Even the bible does the ‘kill your gays’ trope”. This is a very wholesome coming of age graphic novel, following a teenaged boy named Mark who’s dealing with the inner turmoil of having homosexuality exist alongside Catholicism. I really enjoyed the different stories of saints in the bible who were queer and the discussion around how the bible is a ‘purse’ and you take what you need from it.
As far as the characters go Jojo was my favourite, she was so knowledgeable and herself and a great guide for Mark. However Mark and Luka both had very strong views and the romance to me felt a bit forced and rushed. Though I do acknowledge their characters really helped the narrative of the book, they just seemed a little two dimensional for my liking.
Overall this book is very wholesome, and though I’m not religious I think it adds a very underrepresented voice to queer fiction.
(Would actually rate it 3.5 stars)
As far as the characters go Jojo was my favourite, she was so knowledgeable and herself and a great guide for Mark. However Mark and Luka both had very strong views and the romance to me felt a bit forced and rushed. Though I do acknowledge their characters really helped the narrative of the book, they just seemed a little two dimensional for my liking.
Overall this book is very wholesome, and though I’m not religious I think it adds a very underrepresented voice to queer fiction.
(Would actually rate it 3.5 stars)
June 27, 2025
enjoyed this! there were a couple things that me/ me as a jew was like okay🙄don’t agree🙄about but!!!! overall this really worked. it’s rlly less of a story and more a very strong and well researched argument for 1) christianity/the bible not being anti-gay and 2) that many catholics have been queer and that queer ppl don’t have to disavow catholicism to be happy. both very important and i can really see how meaningful this could be both for young catholic gays and for the ppl in their lives who aren’t accepting. also literally teared up at the part about mary, literally so true, she was a brown jew!!!!
art was good too and what story there was i liked. a few things didn’t quite work for me message wise but overall this is a very successful and powerful rhetorical piece!
art was good too and what story there was i liked. a few things didn’t quite work for me message wise but overall this is a very successful and powerful rhetorical piece!
October 4, 2025
I'm clearly not part of the intended reader group here. I am not religious, nor gay, nor a bigot, and I just don't care how other people decide to leave their own lives, as long as they are not harming others.
Obviously, I am not a teenager either, far from it at his point, so it is not surprise that, over al,l this graphic novel felt a bit on the surface level when it comes to certain aspects of it, particularly character development, but still does a good job in achieving its purpose.
Queerness when you are a Christian is not going to be easy, and Andrew Wheeler shows all kind of attitudes and approaches to the topic from that point of view. A lot of Christians in America should read this, for sure, and be a bit less hateful.
Obviously, I am not a teenager either, far from it at his point, so it is not surprise that, over al,l this graphic novel felt a bit on the surface level when it comes to certain aspects of it, particularly character development, but still does a good job in achieving its purpose.
Queerness when you are a Christian is not going to be easy, and Andrew Wheeler shows all kind of attitudes and approaches to the topic from that point of view. A lot of Christians in America should read this, for sure, and be a bit less hateful.
Read
November 25, 2025I am not throwing a rating on this because I am not religious at all and I don't believe I am the target audience. This would be good for a teenager who is struggling coming to terms with their religion and or sexuality.
June 18, 2025
Funny, raw, and unexpectedly tender, Hey, Mary! tackles the mess of growing up queer in a world where faith isn't always forgiving. Wheeler threads religious identity, sexual orientation, and secondhand spiritual wounds into a story that’s as relatable as it is revelatory. A sharp, heartfelt read for anyone who’s ever side-eyed a stained glass window.
June 25, 2025
Having very little understanding of the Catholic faith, I’m sure I’m missing some of the nuance of this story, however I found the stories of the saints fascinating and the conversation necessary.
September 16, 2025
BRO THAT WAS SO AMAZING AND COMFORTING :<<
November 25, 2024
eARC received through Netgalley.
Hey, Mary! is a deeply profound graphic novel about one Catholic boys journey to self-acceptance. This was wholesome and sweet and all the while discusses very deep issues that current youth face. I think this could really help a ton of kids.
Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC.
Hey, Mary! is a deeply profound graphic novel about one Catholic boys journey to self-acceptance. This was wholesome and sweet and all the while discusses very deep issues that current youth face. I think this could really help a ton of kids.
Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC.
December 29, 2025
Where to begin on this incredibly offensive graphic novel that, in many ways, ignored the values of a true Catholic Church. I almost feel as if it’s unfair to write this review due to the fact that I went into this knowing that I wouldn’t like it. Still, I need to get into specific parts of why I feel the way that I do:
1. The Whole devil Sequence: When the devil approached Mark, he at first tried to convince him to come out to his parents. So in a way, the devil was admitting that homosexuality was a sin. But soon after, the devil said, “You must keep your secret. Never act on your sin.” So I’m confused: first the devil wants him to confess, and right after he tells him not to? I just got lost a little.
2. WHY ARE WE MAKING UP UNTRUE CLAIMS ABOUT SAINTS??? So now apparently St. Sebastian, St. Joan of Arc, and many other celebrated saints were gay?? Absolutely not. Stop making up things just to make your community feel more included. Let’s take Joan of Arc for example. When she introduced herself to Mark, she called herself a “genderqueer warrior saint.” Warrior, yes. Genderqueer, what??? In what way did it ever claim she was in history??? I wanted to make sure that I wasn’t crazy on this, so I decided to put my own research into it. I searched up questions like “Was Joan of Arc gay?” and “Was Joan of Arc trans?” and the results were something along the lines of: “signs in her history show that she may have been gay due to her breaking gender stereotypes.” Oh, so defending her country and doing something that only a man would do in that time now makes her gay? Aren’t these supposed to be the people that stand up for feminism? That’s kind of hypocritical. Oh, my favorite search result had to be: “Historians claim that Joan of Arc may have been gay due to the fact that she had to share beds with other women while in war.” Um, excuse me sir??? She was only 17 when she went into war, so it’s very possible that it wasn’t the first thing on her mind at that point. And also going off of that, wouldn’t THE ACTUAL WAR be what she’d be worried about the most at that part?? Woke people don’t have their priorities straight (literally lol). Anyway I kinda got off topic with the Joan of Arc thing but to conclude, I hate that the book painted saints in a way that inaccurately portrayed their stories just to make the LGBT community feel more included.
3. “Catholics are the flamboyant Christians.” Since when? Is this supposed to be funny? I don’t get it.
4. “Queer love so strong that it survived the Bible.” So close! Queer love actually didn’t exist in the Bible!
5. If Mark actually cared about his faith, he should not have agreed to be Luka’s boyfriend. After Mark told him all the reasons why he chose to be a Catholic, Luka LITERALLY CALLED IT A FANTASY. If a man I were dating called Catholicism a fantasy, I would leave him instantly. Does he think that he’s gonna convert him?? Luka is literally the devil in human form.
I feel like I could rant a lot longer about this, but to wrap it up, this book in many ways was incredibly disrespectful to the Catholic faith. While Mark had his moments of strength, his friends were horrible influences on him. Once again, this book was obviously not written for people with as strong as beliefs as mine, but if I feel my faith being threatened, it is my job to defend it.
1. The Whole devil Sequence: When the devil approached Mark, he at first tried to convince him to come out to his parents. So in a way, the devil was admitting that homosexuality was a sin. But soon after, the devil said, “You must keep your secret. Never act on your sin.” So I’m confused: first the devil wants him to confess, and right after he tells him not to? I just got lost a little.
2. WHY ARE WE MAKING UP UNTRUE CLAIMS ABOUT SAINTS??? So now apparently St. Sebastian, St. Joan of Arc, and many other celebrated saints were gay?? Absolutely not. Stop making up things just to make your community feel more included. Let’s take Joan of Arc for example. When she introduced herself to Mark, she called herself a “genderqueer warrior saint.” Warrior, yes. Genderqueer, what??? In what way did it ever claim she was in history??? I wanted to make sure that I wasn’t crazy on this, so I decided to put my own research into it. I searched up questions like “Was Joan of Arc gay?” and “Was Joan of Arc trans?” and the results were something along the lines of: “signs in her history show that she may have been gay due to her breaking gender stereotypes.” Oh, so defending her country and doing something that only a man would do in that time now makes her gay? Aren’t these supposed to be the people that stand up for feminism? That’s kind of hypocritical. Oh, my favorite search result had to be: “Historians claim that Joan of Arc may have been gay due to the fact that she had to share beds with other women while in war.” Um, excuse me sir??? She was only 17 when she went into war, so it’s very possible that it wasn’t the first thing on her mind at that point. And also going off of that, wouldn’t THE ACTUAL WAR be what she’d be worried about the most at that part?? Woke people don’t have their priorities straight (literally lol). Anyway I kinda got off topic with the Joan of Arc thing but to conclude, I hate that the book painted saints in a way that inaccurately portrayed their stories just to make the LGBT community feel more included.
3. “Catholics are the flamboyant Christians.” Since when? Is this supposed to be funny? I don’t get it.
4. “Queer love so strong that it survived the Bible.” So close! Queer love actually didn’t exist in the Bible!
5. If Mark actually cared about his faith, he should not have agreed to be Luka’s boyfriend. After Mark told him all the reasons why he chose to be a Catholic, Luka LITERALLY CALLED IT A FANTASY. If a man I were dating called Catholicism a fantasy, I would leave him instantly. Does he think that he’s gonna convert him?? Luka is literally the devil in human form.
I feel like I could rant a lot longer about this, but to wrap it up, this book in many ways was incredibly disrespectful to the Catholic faith. While Mark had his moments of strength, his friends were horrible influences on him. Once again, this book was obviously not written for people with as strong as beliefs as mine, but if I feel my faith being threatened, it is my job to defend it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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