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Spoke
Not yet published
Expected 13 Oct 26The Eisner and Lambda Literary Award–nominated creator of Thirsty Mermaids and coauthor of the bestselling Lumberjanes series returns with this heartfelt new graphic novel!
Compelling and unforgettable, this is a year in the post-apocalyptic life of Spoke, a nonverbal cargo bicycle courier who uses ASL and serves her tight-knit surrounding communities in a world where all power sources were neutralized long ago by a mysterious force. Spoke journeys through life alone in this reverted pre-industrial landscape, but a chance connection made with a stranger suddenly makes her feel not so alone anymore.
Compelling and unforgettable, this is a year in the post-apocalyptic life of Spoke, a nonverbal cargo bicycle courier who uses ASL and serves her tight-knit surrounding communities in a world where all power sources were neutralized long ago by a mysterious force. Spoke journeys through life alone in this reverted pre-industrial landscape, but a chance connection made with a stranger suddenly makes her feel not so alone anymore.
208 pages, Hardcover
Expected publication October 13, 2026
About the author
Kat Leyh
104 books566 followersKat Leyh is a Chicago based writer and artist. She’s best known as the current co-writer and cover artist for the series Lumberjanes, and for her queer superhero webcomic Supercakes. She’s also worked as a cover artist, and back-up writer/artist for several BOOM! Studios series.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Gosh, this was lovely. Are we calling this hope-punk? Cozy post-apocalyptic fiction? I would put this in the same broad category as Monk & Robot ("Psalm for the Wild Built," etc.), but with less technology and more cultural awareness. I love that there are multiple folks with a range of disabilities represented here, and the overall sentiment seems to be that everyone needs to contribute what they can in whatever way they can, and that there's still room to seek personal satisfaction. In that sense, the world presented here is borderline utopian, not because life is easy, but because the characters find ways to take care of each other even when times are hard.
Kat Leyh's other work has generally been fun, more lighthearted, and definitely on the quirkier end of the spectrum. "Spoke" has so much heart, so much thought put into the different aspects of the world and community, and a cast of distinct characters so large that it might feel unwieldy in another type of story. The story focuses on Spoke, but the community relationships are the real core of the story.
Beautiful, a little bittersweet, and very moving. I teared up several times. The use of color was so lovely and so focused on the natural world. The other book I'd compare this to would be Robin Wall Kimmerer's "The Serviceberry," since Spoke explicitly references Native growing practices and revolves around the overall theme of reciprocity.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for letting me get my little mitts on an ARC of this beautiful, kind graphic novel.
Kat Leyh's other work has generally been fun, more lighthearted, and definitely on the quirkier end of the spectrum. "Spoke" has so much heart, so much thought put into the different aspects of the world and community, and a cast of distinct characters so large that it might feel unwieldy in another type of story. The story focuses on Spoke, but the community relationships are the real core of the story.
Beautiful, a little bittersweet, and very moving. I teared up several times. The use of color was so lovely and so focused on the natural world. The other book I'd compare this to would be Robin Wall Kimmerer's "The Serviceberry," since Spoke explicitly references Native growing practices and revolves around the overall theme of reciprocity.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for letting me get my little mitts on an ARC of this beautiful, kind graphic novel.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Cozy, neighborly, post-apocalypse, slice-of-life romance. That's a weird combination of words.
I immediately snatched this up when I saw it on Netgalley because I really liked Kat Leyh's Snapdragon and Thirsty Mermaids so much, but I have to admit I am disappointed by the meandering, low-key, and nearly-pointless nature of this story.
Imagine something like The Walking Dead without any zombies, militias, or violence in general. It's just calm and gentle people people in a little village crafting things and trading them for food and other goods from the highly cooperative neighboring villages, all facilitated by the Deaf woman who makes deliveries on her bicycle and talks incessantly with everyone she meets because almost all the hearing folk in the area know sign language.
It's all very sweet, but it also feels like empty calories.
Disclosure: I received access to a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.com.
I immediately snatched this up when I saw it on Netgalley because I really liked Kat Leyh's Snapdragon and Thirsty Mermaids so much, but I have to admit I am disappointed by the meandering, low-key, and nearly-pointless nature of this story.
Imagine something like The Walking Dead without any zombies, militias, or violence in general. It's just calm and gentle people people in a little village crafting things and trading them for food and other goods from the highly cooperative neighboring villages, all facilitated by the Deaf woman who makes deliveries on her bicycle and talks incessantly with everyone she meets because almost all the hearing folk in the area know sign language.
It's all very sweet, but it also feels like empty calories.
Disclosure: I received access to a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.com.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Kat Leyh's storytelling and illustrations are always a breath of fresh air, and Spoke is no exception. A beautifully woven story with so much detail in all it's characters, history, and environments. I found myself smiling and laughing along with the friends and families depicted here; so much genuine joy and expression is shared between the two towns and visiting travelers. The illustrations are clear and generous, with pieces of personality found in clothing, homes, and relics of the before times.
Throughout the changing seasons, we see all the ways in which people have adapted to their surroundings and to one another. In addition to sign language being used throughout, we can also see other creative and practical ways for folks with disabilities to be in community. I highly recommend this book to anyone that enjoys slice-of-life type stories, woodsy adventures, and for those trying to find the better world we know is possible. Amongst all the sadness and hardship of our world, Spoke is a reminder of the ways in which we can support one another.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Gallery Books for the digital ARC!
Throughout the changing seasons, we see all the ways in which people have adapted to their surroundings and to one another. In addition to sign language being used throughout, we can also see other creative and practical ways for folks with disabilities to be in community. I highly recommend this book to anyone that enjoys slice-of-life type stories, woodsy adventures, and for those trying to find the better world we know is possible. Amongst all the sadness and hardship of our world, Spoke is a reminder of the ways in which we can support one another.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Gallery Books for the digital ARC!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I really like this illustrator. The artwork is lovely.
The storytelling is a little clunky-- it takes place in a future world, with different social structures, and with a disabled MC who communicates using sign language. All that set-up is a lot to ask, and there were times I didn't know what what supposed to be happening, or felt like I was missing details. It's a lovely story in which multiple queer and disabled people are seen and loved, build families, and contribute meaningfully to society. Lengthening the work to add more detail, or using text-based narration in addition to the comic panels, would probably help. Readers who are ok with a little more ambiguity will love it.
eARC from NetGalley.
The storytelling is a little clunky-- it takes place in a future world, with different social structures, and with a disabled MC who communicates using sign language. All that set-up is a lot to ask, and there were times I didn't know what what supposed to be happening, or felt like I was missing details. It's a lovely story in which multiple queer and disabled people are seen and loved, build families, and contribute meaningfully to society. Lengthening the work to add more detail, or using text-based narration in addition to the comic panels, would probably help. Readers who are ok with a little more ambiguity will love it.
eARC from NetGalley.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Amazing readdd!!! I love the storyline!! The characters!! I love everything in this book!! All of them understand each other duties and be together to make the living much easier in those times. The book is such a wonderful story!!! There even an explanation on how everyone in the villages knows how to sign language. I really really love the storyline soooo much!! I really recommend this story to people who wants to read stories about found family, relationships and love. Such an amazing read!!
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Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read and review this amazing book in advance~
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Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read and review this amazing book in advance~
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Kat Leyh knows how to nail plot in graphic novels, a skill not all graphic novelists have. This story is the perfect length and allows the reader to connect with the setting and characters while avoiding too much filler. The art is beautiful, and the colors pair well with the season that each panel is set in. It felt like it took a bit long to get into the conflict of the story, but I did appreciate the world building, so it evens out. This post-apocalyptic world feels so wholesome and cozy, somewhere I'd love to live in the end times. Would recommend for fans of Snapdragon or authors such as Tillie Walden and Brenna Thummler.
Thank you NetGalley for the advance copy!
Thank you NetGalley for the advance copy!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for granting me an advanced e-arc in exchange for an honest review
Kat Leyh does an absolute beautiful job of setting up a world through a select color pallette.
Ever since I read Snapdragon, I've fallen in love with the art style, pacing, and creative choices for every book of hers since. Absolutely adored how sign language was portrayed into this, and the way the dialogue bubbles were adjusted for Spokes conversation. I already plan on rereading this arc while I have it.
AND THE CURL PATTERNS FOR EVERY BLACK CHARACTER LOOKED AMAZING. Oh I'm excited to own a copy when it releases!
Kat Leyh does an absolute beautiful job of setting up a world through a select color pallette.
Ever since I read Snapdragon, I've fallen in love with the art style, pacing, and creative choices for every book of hers since. Absolutely adored how sign language was portrayed into this, and the way the dialogue bubbles were adjusted for Spokes conversation. I already plan on rereading this arc while I have it.
AND THE CURL PATTERNS FOR EVERY BLACK CHARACTER LOOKED AMAZING. Oh I'm excited to own a copy when it releases!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley!
I really enjoyed this so much! Spoke finding her place in the world had me feeling so cozy at the end and the gift swap??? This was such an interesting dystopian world representation that I ended up really loving. The ASL representation was such a nice part of the storyline, in addition to how there were several queer representations. Thank you so much for the early copy of this graphic novel.
I was given the opportunity to read this title by NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.
I really enjoyed this so much! Spoke finding her place in the world had me feeling so cozy at the end and the gift swap??? This was such an interesting dystopian world representation that I ended up really loving. The ASL representation was such a nice part of the storyline, in addition to how there were several queer representations. Thank you so much for the early copy of this graphic novel.
I was given the opportunity to read this title by NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I LOVED this! The art style was superb, and I just loved the flow and movement of the characters on the page. The use of minimal colors was done so well, too. Spoke was a very real character and I enjoyed seeing her journey. I also really loved the lore and world-building in this one. It made so much sense, with an 'end of the world' and having these communities build themselves back up. I would love to see more set in this world, honestly!
Thank you so much to the publisher and to NetGalley for the ARC!
Thank you so much to the publisher and to NetGalley for the ARC!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
In a post-apocalyptic landscape, Spoke finds a an old bike and uses it to become a bike courier in her community.
This is my first book by Leyh and I appreciated the characters (especially their creative names), the sense of community, the artwork and the overall story.
Thank you to Gallery Books and Netgalley for providing me with an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
This is my first book by Leyh and I appreciated the characters (especially their creative names), the sense of community, the artwork and the overall story.
Thank you to Gallery Books and Netgalley for providing me with an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
It’s the end of the world as we know it…but it seems fine. Honestly, the Crafters village that Spoke lives in seems pretty great. Its not a society that lives off capitalism (because of the undetermined end of the world), it is one that helps one another. Spoke is trying to find their place in their little village of crafty people. Spoke decides to be the delivery person and take part in that manner. Read this one to learn more about this apocalyptic society!
#ThxNetGalley #KatLeyh #Spoke
#ThxNetGalley #KatLeyh #Spoke
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you NetGalley for this ARC!
Really cool world-building, loved the hopeful dystopian outlook. Wish the folklore came sooner! Great layouts depicting Spoke's signing. Not sure if the ARC represents final colors, at parts looked odd or disjointed especially during transitions. Color and contrast towards the middle-end of the book was beautiful, much more striking than the start of the graphic novel.
Really cool world-building, loved the hopeful dystopian outlook. Wish the folklore came sooner! Great layouts depicting Spoke's signing. Not sure if the ARC represents final colors, at parts looked odd or disjointed especially during transitions. Color and contrast towards the middle-end of the book was beautiful, much more striking than the start of the graphic novel.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
I was so happy to get to read another graphic novel from this creator; I love her original work! It’s a nice quiet story, and I appreciate the dedication to world-building a softer, more inclusive post-apocalypse than what we usually get in stories like this. It sort of meanders around versus having One Central Plot, but I feel like that works for the story it's telling. Definitely recommend!
May 1, 2026
Spoke is a story filled with beautiful diversity, disability representation, and gorgeous artwork. It is a “cozy” post-apocalyptic story. While I adored the representation, the plot was too slow and filled with too many characters for me. 3⭐️
If you love diverse cozy graphic novels, you will love this! Thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to read Spoke.
If you love diverse cozy graphic novels, you will love this! Thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to read Spoke.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing an eARC for me to review!
This one is for fans of A Psalm For the Wild-Built (but with less robots!!). Very queer, very cozy, very much built on relationships and character all throughout with lovely, low-contrast art. And all!! The ASL!!!! All of it!!!!!! It's just a lovely little read.
This one is for fans of A Psalm For the Wild-Built (but with less robots!!). Very queer, very cozy, very much built on relationships and character all throughout with lovely, low-contrast art. And all!! The ASL!!!! All of it!!!!!! It's just a lovely little read.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for an eARC of this book.
Pros:
-beautiful artwork
-interesting characters
-somehow cozy and post-apocalyptic
Meh:
-monochromatic coloring. It does change the base color depending on scenes, but I would have loved full color
-sometimes unclear when characters were signing versus speaking
Enjoyable, I just wish it had been full color.
Pros:
-beautiful artwork
-interesting characters
-somehow cozy and post-apocalyptic
Meh:
-monochromatic coloring. It does change the base color depending on scenes, but I would have loved full color
-sometimes unclear when characters were signing versus speaking
Enjoyable, I just wish it had been full color.
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
(Full disclosure: I received a free e-ARC for review through Edelweiss.)
Spoke is a nonverbal bicycle messenger at the end of the world. Well, the end of our world: as Spoke points out, the world is chugging right along, if in a different way than it did during late stage capitalism. Birds continue to sing; the rivers still flow; and people create, grow, bargain, and trade. Life might be harder in some ways, but it's also a whole lot simpler, too.
The exact nature of the apocalypse is a little vague, told through a fable called The Star Thieves. What I got out of it - star-fueled asteroids excepted - was that the oligarchy strangled us to death. In the year of our lord two thousand twenty-six, this message hits especially hard.
SPOKE follows the titular character for a year: spring, summer, fall, winter ... and back again to the promise of rebirth that is spring. Ten years ago, Spoke and her brother were found abandoned on the road by Teller, a nomad who trades in stories. Luckily, he knew of the village of Mary Top - the residents of which are proficient in ASL - so he took the kids there. Spoke has since moved to Mary Top's sister village, Crafters. The road that connects the towns is impassable in the winter; luckily, we meet Spoke just as the final thaw is looming.
Now an aimless eighteen-year-old, Spoke longs to find her purpose in a world where everyone derives their sense of identity from their skills (hence all the bespoke names). Thanks to a newly discovered bike, Spoke hopes to connect the two villages by making deliveries. Spring doesn't just herald the arrival of old friends, but new ones as well, including a forager/artist/doctor-in-training who hopes to record her knowledge in a medical text. And, despite herself - and her new friend's inevitable departure - Spoke is smitten.
For a year, we watch as the citizens of Mary Top and Crafters weather all sorts of storms - whether very real, or of the metaphorical variety. And together, they survive and thrive.
Set in the probably-not-so-distant future, SPOKE is a rather unusual book: a cozy, slice-of-life dystopia with a romantic element to it. (None of those words sounds like they belong together, imho.) In this way it kinda feels like the earthbound, nearer-future version of Becky Chambers's WAYFARERS series. Light and quirky, with a wonderfully comforting vibe. The artwork is lovely, as is the storytelling. I fell in love with all of the characters, especially how they all fit together. SPOKE is such a hopeful antidote to the dumpster fire that our world has become.
Spoke is a nonverbal bicycle messenger at the end of the world. Well, the end of our world: as Spoke points out, the world is chugging right along, if in a different way than it did during late stage capitalism. Birds continue to sing; the rivers still flow; and people create, grow, bargain, and trade. Life might be harder in some ways, but it's also a whole lot simpler, too.
The exact nature of the apocalypse is a little vague, told through a fable called The Star Thieves. What I got out of it - star-fueled asteroids excepted - was that the oligarchy strangled us to death. In the year of our lord two thousand twenty-six, this message hits especially hard.
SPOKE follows the titular character for a year: spring, summer, fall, winter ... and back again to the promise of rebirth that is spring. Ten years ago, Spoke and her brother were found abandoned on the road by Teller, a nomad who trades in stories. Luckily, he knew of the village of Mary Top - the residents of which are proficient in ASL - so he took the kids there. Spoke has since moved to Mary Top's sister village, Crafters. The road that connects the towns is impassable in the winter; luckily, we meet Spoke just as the final thaw is looming.
Now an aimless eighteen-year-old, Spoke longs to find her purpose in a world where everyone derives their sense of identity from their skills (hence all the bespoke names). Thanks to a newly discovered bike, Spoke hopes to connect the two villages by making deliveries. Spring doesn't just herald the arrival of old friends, but new ones as well, including a forager/artist/doctor-in-training who hopes to record her knowledge in a medical text. And, despite herself - and her new friend's inevitable departure - Spoke is smitten.
For a year, we watch as the citizens of Mary Top and Crafters weather all sorts of storms - whether very real, or of the metaphorical variety. And together, they survive and thrive.
Set in the probably-not-so-distant future, SPOKE is a rather unusual book: a cozy, slice-of-life dystopia with a romantic element to it. (None of those words sounds like they belong together, imho.) In this way it kinda feels like the earthbound, nearer-future version of Becky Chambers's WAYFARERS series. Light and quirky, with a wonderfully comforting vibe. The artwork is lovely, as is the storytelling. I fell in love with all of the characters, especially how they all fit together. SPOKE is such a hopeful antidote to the dumpster fire that our world has become.
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