Oni Press is teaming up with Ravi Teixeira (A Quick & Easy Guide to Coming Out) for the brand new graphic novel Heaven, West Virginia, a story about facing your inner and outer demons while dealing with grief and healing.
Described as a love letter to finding love when you’ve been denied it, the story follows Lamont who adjusts to their new life in a small town while facing a growing darkness. That darkness comes in the form of a mysterious beast who throws Lamont’s life into chaos as they try to find comfort.
When Lamont arrives in the tiny Appalachian town of Heaven, West Virginia, its lush landscape feels stubbornly at odds with the roiling anxiety that’s come to define his inner life. Living there and learning the art of foraging and tea-making from his kind, stoic aunt LaToya should be idyllic — even a paradise. But in the shadows of Heaven’s woods, Lamont sees a dark, hulking figure, long, glimmering teeth, and piercing red eyes. No one else seems to see this beast . . . not his aunt, and not the handsome cowboy, Coyote, whose gentle voice evokes the comforting, electric aroma of LaToya’s brews. Escaping its voraciously hungry pursuit feels impossible, and Lamont will have to face more than the darkness of the woods to do so.
The Beat is happy to give readers a first-look at Heaven, West Virginia and Teixeira’s artwork. Check out the main cover for the graphic novel and preview pages below.
Teixeira said the character of Lamont is relatable to anyone who has struggled with loving someone they couldn’t.
“Lamont is me, Lamont is you, Lamont is my own father and his father, and anyone who has struggled with losing someone they couldn’t love, and who couldn’t love them,” said cartoonist Ravi Teixeira. “HEAVEN, WEST VIRGINIA is my love letter to finding love when you’ve been denied it, being haunted by your past, and the rolling hills and lush, ancient forests of Appalachia.”
Heaven, West Virginia from Oni Press arrives in bookstores and comic book stores on November 11th, 2025.
