Mad Cave Studios’s Nakama Press imprint is unleashing manga-inspired high-school horror graphic novel The Boyfriend onto shelves early next year, and we've got all the exclusive details you need to add it to your TBR list.
From Emmy‑nominated screenwriter Seth Sherwood (The Scary Movie Writer’s Guide, Hell Fest) and rising artist Elisa “Pocci” Pocetta, The Boyfriend is said to blend shoujo sweetness and slasher‑movie menace in the original graphic novel described as “part teen slasher, part psychological nightmare”. Sold!
In The Boyfriend:
Chloe, an outcast teen relentlessly bullied by everyone, conjures up an imaginary boyfriend to boost her confidence and win the approval of her peers. To her surprise, the plan works, and she soon lands a real boyfriend, believing her life has finally turned around. But her excitement turns to terror when the imaginary lover she created comes to life, determined to eliminate anyone who stands in the way of their twisted connection.
In an official statement, Sherwood expounds on the personal inspirations behind The Boyfriend and why any of us will be able to relate to the story:
“I think that there are experiences most of us have gone through. We were all teenagers, most of us dealt with all the drama and trauma those years can have– but also the high points. These are the years most people have their first loves, their first car, their first job– we hold these things close and dear. I think this is why teen stories tend to resonate with all ages, and we so frequently return to our favorites as we get older. So, obviously, that nostalgia and trauma combo makes for a perfect space to drop a horror story into. Being a teenager is a horror story as it is, so what?”
Pocetta adds:
“A mysterious creature lurking in the dark is scary. But teenage years could be even scarier […] Many of us can deeply understand the struggles Chloe faces every day: bullying is hard, being misunderstood by our own families is hard… feeling lonely is hard. This, in particular, could push each one of us onto unexpected, unsettling paths. I am beyond honored to be able to illustrate Seth's precious story. I hope everyone feeling lonely like Chloe could find themselves a little less lonely after reading The Boyfriend (between some shivers from time to time)!”
The Boyfriend hits shelves February 24, 2026. Check out the new cover art below and head over to Nakama Press' official site for more info.
