Hey, Mary! features a teenage boy named Mark. He has been raised Christian and finds a lot of comfort in his faith. Until he gets confronted by what being Christian means to him (and others) when he realizes he is gay.

Mark on his faith: "It gives me a connection to my family, my community. It gives me a way to approach the world. It gives me direction. It's part of who I am."

Let me preface this review by saying I am not Christian, but have spend time with people from different faiths, including Christians. Being queer, the synopsis of this graphic novel spoke to me and I was curious to see how the author would handle this topic.

I have to say I was pleasantly surprised. Wheeler shows us a fairly thorough examination of what it means to be queer and Christian. From queer people in the Bible to historically queer Christians. There is discussion on what is written in the Bible and how the text is interpreted, and how this subsequently affects the behaviour of certain people within the Christian faith. There's many different characters that guide Mark along the way. I especially liked Father Teo and of course Jojo as mentor figures.

"Let me say this--if there's ambiguity in the Bible and your interpretation tells you to judge people and threat them unkindly... ...I'd say you're doing it wrong."

The text is balanced very well with Hickman's art. The art style is unique and gorgeous with great use of colours and shadows. The graphic novel format also works very well for the telling of this kind of story and its target audience. It makes it all very digestible.

I would recommend Hey, Mary! to everyone within the Christian faith, or people curious about this faith. It's especially great for teens struggling to reconcile their Christian faith and queerness, and their loved ones.

"There have been devout Christian queers all through history, Mark. Their devotion to God could not change who they were or who they loved. And their queerness could not challenge their faith."

This is a wholesome story about a teenage boy coming to terms with his identity. I loved the exploration of gay saints and historical religious figures. The idea that gay people are a new thing is perpetuated by the idea that the book pokes fun at of people of the same gender being verrry close friends. I liked that it showed the challenges that he faced and the opposition as well as acceptance. It wasn't an unrealistic book where everyone celebrates his queer identity at his church and personal life, but it also shows that he has allies and not everyone is against him. I think it will give hope and maybe some guidance to those who are religious and part of the LGBTQIA+ community and educate readers about historical figures who have been altered for a heteronormative culture.

Mark used to have an imaginary friend, the Virgin Mary. He pictured her the way she is shown in Catholic Churches, white, pure, dressed in blue. He would talk to her. He wanted to be a good catholic.


But when his friend comes out as gay, Mark doesn't know what to do. He worries that he too is gay, and that is something he can’t reconcile with the church.

Through a series of visions, he talks to saints that have been considered queer, and begins to wonder what he really does think.
This graphic novel is a tear jerker. There is nothing sadder than someone struggling with their sexuality, especially when they think it will distory their life if they come out.


I cried while reading this. The emotions here are so raw. A great story to read for those who have been through coming out, as well as for those who wonder about how that feels.


Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review. THis book comes out the 15th of April 2025.

Hey, Mary! is a deeply profound graphic novel about one Catholic boys journey to self-acceptance. This was wholesome and sweet and all the while discusses very deep issues that our current youth face. This is a book that i would recommend to both young adults and adults for its messages, and I think this could really help tons of kids. Thank you to Oni Press for the ARC.