49 Days

Invoking a Korean Buddhist tradition stating that “a person’s soul remains in a state between life and rebirth for 49 days before they can move on to the next life,” debut creator Lee chronicles the journey of Korean American Kit, who wakes up on a beach and soon begins traveling toward an unknown destination. Kit’s first few attempts to leave the shore result in apparent death—via drowning, heat exhaustion, a tumble, and more—before she begins the cycle anew. As Kit becomes more adept in her survival skills, subsequent days see her journeying through mountain ranges and traipsing across rivers. Interspersed throughout Kit’s travels, which are rendered in ink and grayscale washes, are bright orange vignettes depicting recollections of her death and memories from her childhood as well as somber red-toned panels rendering scenes of her family—including her umma, younger brother Tae Soo, and older sister Sam—and friends processing their grief. With spare text and effective use of negative space, Lee crafts a deeply moving exploration of life after death, making peace with regret and life’s inevitabilities, and learning how to move on. Ages 12–up. Agent: Abigail Frank, Greenburger Assoc. (Mar.)