The line-up of comics-related books coming in 2025 from Singapore-based publisher Difference Engine has been announced. Check them out below.
Difference Engine Announces 2025 Graphic Novels!
Singapore-based independent comics publisher Difference Engine is committed to publishing diverse, well-written, and beautifully illustrated comics of all genres and for all ages, written and illustrated by Southeast Asian creators and inspired by their experiences.
Publisher and Co-Founder Felicia Low-Jimenez says about this year’s graphic novels, “We’re excited to showcase more Southeast Asian comics that speak to the creative diversity that we have in our region. These comics are inventive, bold, and unafraid to be part of conversations on tough topics from dementia to mental health.” She adds, “The world might feel more closed off these days, but we hope our comics will make readers hungry for more stories from other parts of the world including Southeast Asia.”
Difference Engine 2025 is:
Amazing Ash & Superhero Ah Ma, by Melanie Lee & Arif Rafhan (volume two on sale 7/20/25; volume three on sale 11/18/25)
Eleven-year-old Ash doesn’t have much to look forward to: math tests, a nagging mom, and a grandmother who doesn’t know much about her. That all changes when she discovers she has superpowers — which she inherited from her grandmother! Life is so much more exciting as a superhero-in-training — but with her grandmother starting to experience dementia, there’s a lot of work to do to figure out the next steps for this family. Growing up and growing old is never easy.
Marvellous Mammals: A Wild A to Z of Southeast Asia, by Debby Ng and Darel Seow (on sale 7/20/25)
The Southeast Asian forests are full of incredible wildlife waiting to be discovered. In the humid nature reserves of Singapore, high up the mountain forests of Papua, and in the tropical waters of the Irrawaddy, a multitude of mammals live their unseen lives. In this beautifully illustrated compendium, wildlife ecologist Debby Ng and illustrator Darel Seow showcase lesser-known animals of Southeast Asia.
Magical Sweet Gula, by Johanes Park and Jessica Leman (on sale 9/16/25)
Gula Gulali is a magical girl with the power to turn the things around her into cakes and sweets! When another young Magi joins Gula’s school, his weird behaviour draws far too much attention to the Magi who are already facing prejudice from the non-magical Terrans. Now, Gula has to navigate friendships, suspicious schoolmates, and a series of magical mishaps. Will she find acceptance and belonging, or will she have to give up her magic to fit in?
How Are You Feeling?, by Andeasyand, Vinita Ramani, Griselda Gabriele, Wayne Rée, and Nurjannah Suhaimi (on sale 10/21/25)
This graphic novel anthology contains three stories of lived and shared experiences around a range of social issues: periods, mental health, and pregnancy loss. With thoughtful storytelling and gorgeous artwork, these comics provide a window into peoples’ experiences in our world today.
To the Last Gram, by Shreya Davies and Vanessa Wong (on sale 11/18/25)
A fictional coming-of-age graphic novel about eating disorders discussing food, body image, and how it intersects with racism and gender, To the Last Gram brings a thoughtful, immersive touch to this complicated subject. Readers will find familiarity with Divya’s struggles of cultural acceptance, growing up, and fitting in as the narrative traverses the stages of her life.
