Boys Weekend

(Hardback)

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From the award-winning cartoonist and editor of The Nib, a hilarious trans-"final girl" horror graphic novel about a bachelor party gone very, very wrong. Newly-out trans artist's assistant Sammie is invited to an old friend's bachelor weekend in El Campo, a hedonistic wonderland of a city floating in the Atlantic Ocean's international waters-think Las Vegas with even fewer rules. Though they have not identified as a man for over a year, Sammie's college buddies haven't quite gotten the message-as evidenced by their formerly closest friend Adam asking them to be his "best man." Arriving at the swanky hotel, Sammie immediately questions their decision to come. Bad enough that they have to suffer through a torrent of passive-aggressive comments from the groom's pals-all met with zero pushback from supposed "nice guy" Adam. But also, they seem to be the only one who's noticed the mysterious cult that's also staying at the hotel, and is ritually dismembering guests and demanding fealty to their bloodthirsty god. Part satire, part horror, Boys Weekend explores what it's like to exist as a transfemme person in a man's world, the difficulty of maintaining friendships through transition, and the more cult-like effects of masculinity, "hustle" culture, and capitalism-all through the vibrant lens of a surreal, scary, and immensely imaginative romp.

Reviews

"A brilliant saga and 'how to' of trans survival in the nightmarish crypto-cis-bro-cult underworld of bachelor party indoctrination. I giggled so hard I blew snot bubbles!
Lilly Wachowski,Director, Writer, Producer

Boys Weekend is a joy to read, filled with fun, inventive, and seemingly effortless cartooning even it leads you through bachelor parties, a hyperlibertarian nightmare island, and a killer cult. With the skills and tight pacing honed from short-form cartooning, Mattie makes every panel of this debut graphic novel sing."
Ryan North, author of How to Take Over the World

A witty, tender romp through the cosmic horror of being alive.
Carmen Maria Machado, author of Her Body and Other Parties

A hilarious satire about capitalism, gender, sea monsters, the slow dissolution of old friendships, the difficulty of being truly seen by those closest to you, the nearly impossible task of forgiving the people who have hurt you (especially when one of those people is yourself), and most importantly how much bachelor parties suck.
Joseph Fink, co-creator of Welcome to Night Vale

"Nervy, fluid, punchy, like a cup of skeletons. Sensitive and fraught without sacrificing fun or black magic, with a winsome heroine one wants to root for and wipe blood off of in equal parts. I want more!"
Daniel M. Lavery, author of Something That May Shock and Discredit You

With their deftly-sketched characters, biting social satire, and endearingly expressive cartooning, Lubchansky has created a story that hides its fangs until its close enough to strike.
Gretchen Felker-Martin, author of Manhunt

Mattie Lubchansky is one of cartoonings best satirists and their debut novel is a confident, clever, and poignant commentary on the many-tentacled monster of gender and capitalism.
Matt Bors, founder of The Nib and author of Justice Warriors

Boys Weekend has it all: sharp satire, inventive science fiction, eye-popping illustrations, and a great big heart at its core. Its a wild and hilarious romp with something smart and moving on every page. I tore through it and think you will too.
Lincoln Michel, author of The Body Scout

"What a petrifying, hysterical, devastating, and adroit story of friendship, grief, and identity. The dread and comedy in Boys Weekend is familiar, funny, and painful, but you can't look away because you know it's true. Gender is terror, and never before has it been so expertly deployed in a graphic novel. Mattie Lubchanskys work always makes me laugh and always makes me feel afraid; it feels like I should be."
Scaachi Koul, author of One Day We'll All Be Dead and None of This Will Matter

"I didnt realize how badly I wanted Boys Weekend to exist until I read it. Finally, its here.Mattie Lubchansky has pulled off two incredibly tricky feats. The first: rendering a near-future vision of Turbo Las Vegas thats both absurd and alarmingly plausible. The second: capturing a very specific moment in a trans persons social transition and all the interpersonal dissonance, joy, and occasional clone-murder that goes along with it.Lubchansky has produced a deeply moving, deeply funny work about the people we used to be and the people were becomingone where the real horror is the friends weve lost along the way. Just kidding. The real horror is the ancient evil lurking at the bottom of the ocean. And capitalism. And the gender binary. But the friendship thing is important, too."
Calvin Kalsulke, author of Several People Are Typing

"Yes, Boys Weekend is a deeply affecting story about personal identity, social pressure, and coming to terms with your past, but dont worryit also has biting social satire, scary monsters, and a good old-fashioned mysterious cult. A wildly good time that just happens to also be kinda profound."
Jess Zimmerman, author of Women and Other Monsters

Author Bio

Mattie Lubchansky is a cartoonist and illustrator and the Associate Editor of Ignatz award-winning magazine and website The Nib (thenib.com). They are also an Ignatz winner, a Herblock Prize finalist, and the author of The Antifa Super-Soldier Cookbook. They live in beautiful Queens, NY, with their spouse.