Hope Larson has kept a fairly low profile in comics for the last couple years, but she’s dramatically ramped up her creative output in 2016 with three new writing projects. Two of those are ongoing series—Boom! Box’s Goldie Vance, which was just recently promoted to ongoing status, and DC’s upcoming Batgirl—but Larson is also continuing her work in graphic novels, teaming with artist Rebecca Mock for Compass South, a caper set in 1860. Published by Farrar, Straus, and Giroux (a division of Macmillan Books and sister company to graphic novel publisher First Second), Compass South is a heartfelt, exciting YA adventure featuring stunning visuals from Mock, who brings the world of 1860s America to life in sumptuous detail.
The book follows 12-year-old twins Alexander and Cleopatra Dodge as they find themselves embroiled in underworld intrigue after their father goes missing, traveling across the United States to escape the malevolent figures searching for them. Alex and Cleo’s journey takes them from New York City to New Orleans to San Francisco, and each new location offers new storytelling opportunities for the creative team. These preview pages showcase the meticulous design work that goes into capturing the look and feel of the time period, and the attention given to the costumes and surroundings draws the reader deeper into Larson’s story. Compass South hits stands at the end of the month, but in the meanwhile, readers can take a short trip to America’s past via this exclusive excerpt.