Set in a not-so-distant future where the State polices people’s emotions, this dystopian graphic novel explores themes of mental health, queer identity, and the dangers of unchecked fascism.

In the not-so-distant future, twenty-something Betty lives in a fascistic society that polices feelings. When her depression causes her to have an emotional episode in public, she is taken to an Orwellian health facility to “fix” her mental illness. There, she meets Berina, a fiery woman who opens her eyes to an alternative reality: The Resistance. If she can navigate a deviant underworld and band together with a queer, ragtag crew of resistance fighters, she just might have a chance to oppose the regime.

The English debut of Swedish comics artist Bim Eriksson, Baby Blue is a haunting dystopian thriller. Drawn in a delightfully twisted, sad girl style, and suffused with pop music and other cultural touchstones, this graphic novel feels fresh and contemporary. Ultimately, a bold and vital tale of queerness, love, rebellion, and the value of being different.