On a Sunbeam

On a Sunbeam is a science fiction graphic novel that follows two timelines in the life of Mia, a young woman who joins a crew that restores ancient buildings in space. The parallel narratives track her experiences at boarding school and her later life as part of the restoration crew. The story takes place in a universe populated entirely by women and non-binary people, where spaceships look like fish and buildings float through space. The crew travels through dangerous regions to repair and preserve historic architecture, forming bonds and confronting mysteries along their journey. The art style uses a limited color palette dominated by blues, pinks and purples to create distinctive environments both in space and within the structures the crew visits. Character designs and world-building elements establish a unique vision of space exploration and architecture. This graphic novel explores themes of found family, first love, and the ways physical spaces hold and reflect human memory and connection. The integration of architectural preservation with space adventure creates a fresh perspective on both genres.

Readers highlight the dreamy, ethereal art style and creative world-building. Many note the compelling blend of boarding school romance and space adventure storylines. Readers praise: - The unique spaceship designs resembling fish - LGBTQ representation that feels natural rather than forced - The effective use of color palettes to convey mood - Character development and emotional depth - Clean, easy-to-follow panel layouts Common criticisms: - Plot pacing drags in the middle sections - Some find the world's rules and physics unclear - Minor characters lack development - The ending feels rushed to some readers Ratings: Goodreads: 4.3/5 (31,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.7/5 (890+ ratings) Representative review: "The art is absolutely stunning but I wanted more explanation of how this universe works. Still, the character relationships kept me invested." - Goodreads reviewer

Paper Girls by Brian K. Vaughan Time-traveling teenage girls navigate complex friendships and identity while uncovering mysteries of the universe through retro-futuristic artwork.

Are You Listening? by Tillie Walden Two women develop a connection during a road trip through Texas while fleeing their pasts and encountering supernatural forces.

Laura Dean Keeps Breaking Up with Me by Mariko Tamaki A young woman navigates toxic relationships and self-discovery in a queer coming-of-age story told through soft pink illustrations.

Mooncakes by Suzanne Walker A witch and a werewolf reunite to fight dark forces while rekindling their romance in a supernatural tale of family and acceptance.

In the Night Garden by Catherynne M. Valente Stories weave within stories as characters journey through interconnected tales in a magical structure that mirrors On a Sunbeam's nonlinear narrative.

🌟 Creator Tillie Walden wrote and illustrated "On a Sunbeam" as a webcomic before it was published as a graphic novel, releasing new pages twice weekly from 2016 to 2017. 🚀 The spaceships in the story are deliberately designed to look like fish, reflecting Walden's desire to blend organic shapes with sci-fi technology. 📚 At 544 pages, "On a Sunbeam" is one of the longest LGBTQ+ young adult graphic novels published to date. 🎨 Walden created the entire book using only three colors - blue, orange, and white - to establish the distinct visual atmosphere of her universe. 🏆 The book won the 2020 Lambda Literary Award for LGBTQ Comics and was nominated for the prestigious Eisner Award for Best Graphic Album.