Quiet (2026)Writer: Kim-Joy
Artist: Alti Firmansyah
Letterer: Sara Linsely
Rating: 09/10
Comixology’s latest graphic novel, created by writer Kim-Joy (“The Great British Bake-Off”) and artist Alti Firmansyah, is set in 2060.
It follows Mary Odette Kasper, a lonely student who hasn’t spoken at school for years because of selective mutism. When her school assigns her a SereniBot, a futuristic mental health support robot, she is initially embarrassed by the extra attention. Soon, Mary realizes her robotic companion can do more than just help her cope; it can assist her in playing clever pranks against her bullies. Her misadventures grow increasingly chaotic, blurring the lines between standing up for herself and becoming a bully, turning the story into a heartfelt exploration of power, empathy, and being heard. This graphic novel offers a mostly cheerful slice-of-life story that explores mental health and technology as tools for overcoming shyness. Much of Kim-Joy’s script resembles a Pixar film, featuring Mary’s developing friendship with Sid, a “Sentient Insubordinate Drone,” who helps teach her tormentors lessons while supporting her anxiety. Readers can empathize deeply with Mary’s situation, and the story skillfully flips the typical “fight bullies” trope on its head, encouraging reflection on the nature of bullying. Ali Firmansyah’s black-and-white artwork has a clean, anime-inspired style, beautifully capturing character growth in busy panels and portraying Mary’s anxiety with raw honesty. “Quiet” offers a warm, empathetic perspective on mutism and shyness, shining a sincere light on these conditions that feels incredibly grounded. Overall, this graphic novel is an engaging sci-fi story that tackles complex emotional themes with brilliance, illustrating that empathy can be found in many forms.
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