On May 19, 2026, the Eisner Award-winning publisher, Oni Press, released the annotated edition of Maia Kobabe‘s landmark memoir, Gender Queer, which is packed with new voices, behind-the-scenes craft notes, and a deeply personal revisit from the cartoonist emself.

Gender Queer: The Annotated Edition offers something for everybody—from first-time readers of the 2019 graphic memoir to long-time supporters of Kobabe’s work. The richly expanded version of eir’s graphic memoir earned em near-universal critical acclaim, multiple book-ban distinctions, and a permanent place in the canon of essential LGBTQIA+ nonfiction. The new 280-page hardcover carries a $49.99 price tag and is rated for mature readers 16+.

“For fans, educators, and anyone else who wants to know more, I am so excited to share the Gender Queer: The Annotated Edition,” Kobabe said in a statement. “Queer and trans cartoonists, comics scholars, and multiple people who appear in the book as characters contributed their thoughts, reactions, and notes to this new edition. There are comments on the color design process, on comics craft, on family, on friendship, on the touchstone queer media that inspired me and countless other people searching for meaningful representation, and on the complicated process of self-discovery. It’s been almost seven years since I wrote the final words of this memoir; revisiting these pages today, in a radically different and less accepting political climate, sparked a lot of new thoughts for me as well. I hope readers enjoy this even richer text full of community voices.”

“Revisiting these pages today, in a radically different and less accepting political climate, sparked a lot of new thoughts for me.”

– Maia Kobabe on Gender Queer: The Annotated Edition

Kobabe’s annotations cover everything from eir’s color design process and comic book craft to personal reflections on queer media, chosen family, and self-discovery. 

What makes this edition more than a reprint is the depth of community it draws in, featuring annotations from an all-star lineup of queer cartoonists and creators. Alongside Kobabe’s own new commentary, the book features annotations from Galaxy: The Prettiest Star creator Jadzia Axelrod, Lumberjanes co-creator and editor Shannon Watters, cartoonist and publisher Tara Madison Avery, cartoonist and editor Justin Hall (No Straight Lines: Four Decades of Queer Comics), cartoonist and educator Kori Michele Handwerker (Tiny Book Science), and Ashley R. Guillory (Queers At The Table), as well as original acquiring editor Andrea Colvin and academics/creators, Rani Som (Spellbound: A Graphic Memoir), Dr. Sandra Cox (professor of English at Southwest Missouri State University), Ajuan Mance (professor of illustration, California College of Arts), Matthew Noe (Lead Collection & Knowledge Management Librarian at Harvard Medical School). Kobabe’s sister Phoebe, who designed the original memoir, also contributes.

Gender Queer: The Annotated Edition HC is published by Oni Press and available now from Oni, Simon & Schuster, and other bookstores and sources.

And for readers in the Southern California area, Maia Kobabe will be appearing as a Special Guest of Prism Comics’ Q Con LGBTQIA+ Comic Convention on Saturday, June 20, 2026 from 11 am to 6 pm at Fiesta Hall in Plummer Park, West Hollywood. E will be signing eir works including Gender Queer: The Annotated Edition and regular edition, Breathe: Journeys to Healthy Binding and Opting Out written by Maia Kobabe and illustrated by Swati “Lucky” Srikumar. Lucky Srikumar will also be appearing and signing with Maia at Q Con. Several of the contributors to the Annotated Edition will also be at Q Con – Tara Madison Avery, Ajuan Mance and Shannon Watters.

Q Con is Southern California’s only LGBTQIA+ comic convention celebrating queer comics, graphic novels and cosplay pride. The con will feature over 100 creators, artists, performers and cosplayers, panels, a costume contest and more! Q Con is FREE and family-friendly. Free tickets are available by registering HERE or get them at the door!

Prism Comics is excited to share this exclusive excerpt from Gender Queer: The Annotated Edition. Get your copy of this landmark edition today!

Gender Queer: The Annotated Edition HC is currently available from Oni Press. 

Gender Queer cartoonist Maia Kobabe is set to appear as a Q Con 2026 Special Guest. Eir works also include Opting Out and Breathe.

Join Maia and all our brilliant guests at Q Con 2026 on Saturday, June 20, from 11 am to 6 pm at Fiesta Hall in Plummer Park, for an exciting day of comics, cosplay, panels, and more! Tickets are free and available now! GET YOURS TODAY: naturl.to/K3x6s19