Image Comics to Publish ‘Bingo Love’ Graphic novel on Valentine’s Day 2018

Bingo Love, a Kickstarter-funded love story about two queer black women created by Tee Franklin, Jenn St-Onge, and Joy San, will be published as an original graphic novel by Image Comics in February 2018.

Announced during New York Comic Con, Bingo Love was created by writer Tee Franklin, who is a queer and disabled black woman who shares many of the experiences of the book’s characters. Franklin also organized the Kickstarter campaign that raised $57,000 in April 2917 to publish a Kickstarter edition of Bingo Love.

Bingo Love was written by Franklin, drawn by Jenn St-Onge and colored by Joy San. The book will be published as an original graphic novel on Valentine’s Day February 14, 2018 by Image Comics for general distribution to the book trade and direct market.

Bingo Love is the story of Hazel and Mari, who meet as teenage girls in 1963 and fall in love, to the horror of their families. Forced apart by their families during a time when queer love was not accepted, the two eventually marry men and raise families—until they meet again fifty years later. They reunite at a church bingo game and rediscover their early love for each other and live out the rest of their lives together.

A vivid personality and an advocate for the black, LGBTQ and the disabled community, Franklin is credited with launching the #BlackComicsMonth hashtag in support of black comics and black comics fans.

Franklin said, "As a woman who was married once upon a time, I understand how it is to come out as a Queer woman to my family. Bingo Love was important for me to create for the youth, the LGBTQ youth needs to understand that happily-ever-after's aren't only for straight people. If Disney's Carl and Ellie can grow old together, so can Mari and Hazel.”