Good news, Philippine mythology fans! The “Percy Jackson” publisher is set to release a graphic novel series featuring ancient gods and creatures from Philippine folklore and mythology.
Filipino author and illustrator Tori Tadiar, excitedly announced on Twitter that her graphic novel, “Highsummer,” will be released in 2024 by Disney Hyperion, the publisher of Rick Riordan’s “Percy Jackson” series and its spin-offs.
So excited to finally share that🌻HIGHSUMMER🌻 will be published by @DisneyBooks!
A GRAPHIC NOVEL series set in a Filipiniana junior high school? A girl who can wake ancient gods and creatures from PH MYTHOLOGY? From the publisher of the Percy Jackson series?! THREE BOOKS!?! pic.twitter.com/9DJ9AzfSId
— 🌟 Tori (@haitori) June 2, 2022
The trilogy will follow a 12-year-old girl named Mika, a student at Ilustra Junior High School who tries to undo a curse she accidentally cast on her classmates.
But in the process, she awakens the ancient gods, along with a sun-devouring monster that will plunge the world into darkness. While she has the important mission to save humanity, Mika must also team up with her former bullies.
While waiting for the official novel to be dropped, here’s a sneak peek of the initial concept art and character designs.
For the new followers who joined the Highsummer ride: introducing choir boy Teo, varsity queen Halle, and our main protagonist Mika (+ their teacher, Raha) as well as some concept art on Ilustra Junior High: the home of the ilustrados! pic.twitter.com/JAbseO1BlH
— 🌟 Tori (@haitori) June 5, 2022
Tori introduced the “Highsummer” main protagonist and other characters, including choir boy Teo, varsity queen Halle, and their teacher Raha. Everyone can see the Filipino inspiration with school being divided into four different tracks comparable to the current senior high school strands.
It’s also exciting to think that their uniforms are patterned after the barong Tagalog and local traditional wear!
Toni Tadiar is an award-winning author and illustrator of fantasy graphic novels like “Sagala,” “Team Abangers,” and “Twinkle, Twinkle,” an official selection finalist at the first Philippine International Comics Festival.
You can follow her official Twitter account, @haitori, for the latest updates regarding her works.
Source: https://twitter.com/haitori
