NATIONAL BESTSELLER • From the acclaimed author of horror sensation Boys Weekend , a vibrant new graphic novel about a timid academic sent out from the walled dystopian security territory of New York City to investigate a cult in the wilds of the Catskill Mountains "Mattie Lubchansky is a genius.”—Kristen Arnett, New York Times bestselling author of Mostly Dead Things and With Teeth "[Lubchansky] blends dystopian science fiction and folk horror into a queer, trans story of hard-won hope in a future as terrifying—and as ridiculous—as our present. Sexy, insightful, and darkly funny.”—Lindsay King-Miller, author of The Z Word In 1977, a group called The Spiritual Association of Peers decamps to the woods of the Catskills, taking over an abandoned summer camp. They name their new home Simplicity. In 2081, scholar Lucius Pasternak, a fastidiously organized trans man, tries to keep his head down living in the New York City Administrative and Security Territory, which was founded after the formal dissolution of the United States in 2041. Then, he's offered a job by the mayor, billionaire real estate developer Dennis Van Wervel, to complete an anthropological survey of the people of Simplicity for a history museum he's financing. A wary Lucius is nevertheless drawn in by the people of the small wooded community, intrigued by its strange rituals and in particular by the charming acolyte Amity Crown-Shy. Born and raised on the compound, Amity is comfortable in their own skin, a striking contrast to Lucius' repressed reserve. But Lucius' control starts to slip when he begins to suffer visions both terrifying and sensual—visits from beautiful but nightmarish creatures. Then, just as Lucius discovers that Van Wervel's project is more sinister than it seemed, members of the community begin to disappear, leaving behind grisly signs of struggle. The denizens of Simplicity believe that a being they call “The Lamentation” is responsible for the attacks. Amity and Lucius set out to hunt for the creature in the dangerous Exurb Zones, a wild wood full of libertarian doomsday preppers, wealthy isolationists, and worse. There, they'll finally discover the true threat to their way of life—and what they're willing to do to stop it. USA TODAY BESTSELLER A BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR: COMIC BOOK HERALD, NPR MOST ANTICIPATED: THE WASHINGTON POST • VULTURE • BUSTLE • THE RUMPUS • PUBLISHERS WEEKLY • COMICS BEAT • AUTOSTRADDLE • LITERARY HUB • BOOK RIOT • WE ARE BOOKISH “What does it mean to be a member of a marginalized group recuperated into an oppressive society with a thin veneer of acceptance? What does it take to give up on the illusion of security as a complacent collaborator and dive into the precarity of radical revolution? Simplicity raises questions and hints at answers with a satirical voice and incisive imagery.” —Andie Huether, NPR, “Books We Love 2025” “Lubchansky’s cartoonishly dynamic visual style belies a growing sense of dread as Pasternak tries to make sense of the people he’s come to study and the world beyond their sanctuary.” —The Washington Post , “30 Books to Read This Summer” “While it retains plenty of Lubchansky’s signature wit and stunning artistry, [ Simplicity ] also ventures into timely territory with its focus on commune-slash-cults and the dangers of unquestioning loyalty.” —Emma Specter, Vogue “The first thing that stands out about Mattie Lubchansky’s illustrations is the disconcerting humanity in every image, how it captures something both real and surreal about moving through the world.” — Isle McElroy, Vulture , “28 Books We Can’t Wait to Read This Summer” “This graphic novel is the rare work that manages to impart a clear message — change is possible! — without ever seeming saccharine or trite.” — Chloe Joe, Bustle , “The Most Anticipated Books of Summer 2025” “Lubchansky’s graphic novel is as gorgeous a work of visual art as it is a work of writing, as hilarious as it is heartbreaking.” — Eric Vachon, The Rumpus “Imagine an unapologetically trans/genderqueer Futurama and you’re about a third of the way to the dystopian future satire of Mattie Lubchansky. . . . Lubchansky’s an excellent cartoonist, crafting instantly compelling world design with an economy of line, and able to sell a character’s look of desire with tremendous ease. . . . It’s an eye-opening balancing act as Lubchansky alternates between erotica, supernatural thriller, and laugh-or-you’ll-cry satire. . . . Emotional and powerful . . . another stellar work from Lubchansky.” —Comic Book Herald , “The Best Comics of 2025 (So Far!)” “I have rarely seen anything like it in a visual medium... Simplicity feels like such a major achievement.” — Nic Anstett , Autostraddle “A prescient critique of many of the forces tugging at our own lives, illustrated in a warm, cartoonish style that belies the ferocity of some of the scenes. Mattie Lubchanksy again proves her ability to resonate deeply wit