Penguin Workshop has scooped Queens of the Crypt, a debut YA horror graphic novel by illustrator Dominic Evans, also known as Dom&Ink.
Associate editor Gabriela Taboas Zayas acquired world all-language rights from Lauren Gardner at Bell Lomax Moreton and the book will be published in summer 2026.
Queens of the Crypt is described as a "celebration of all things horror, queerness and figuring out who you want to be". Its synopsis reads: “Teens are going missing in small town Widow’s Creek. When Barnaby Jones is about to become the next victim, they unwittingly summon the Queens of the Crypt, protectors of the world from unspeakable evil. Barnaby and the Queens must work together and unmask the monster behind the kidnappings”.
Evans said: “It really means a lot to me that a graphic novel with a non-binary lead character (alongside five deadly and glamorous queens) has found a home with Gaby and the team at Penguin Workshop. Thank you, Lauren, my agent, for championing this title and its story! I genuinely cannot wait for the world to meet Barnaby Jones, the Queens, explore the mystery of Widow’s Creek and find out what horrors truly lurk within the terror filled depths of The Crypt.”
Evans is the official illustrator for "Rupaul’s Drag Race UK" seasons one to five and the author of four illustrated non-fiction books including Queer Power (Harper Collins UK / Penguin Workshop), Free To Be Me (Puffin / Penguin Workshop), as well as Map My Heart and Map My Style (Summersdale). Throughout their illustration career, Dom&Ink has created work for global brands including the BBC, River Island, Little Mix and others.
Photo credit: Tom Buck Photography
