Finally! A graphic novel inspired by Philippine folklore and mythology will be released by the publisher of the famous "Percy Jackson and the Olympians" novel series.
Filipino author and illustrator Tori Tadiar revealed on her social media account that the first part of her graphic novel series "Ilustra: Daybreaker" will be published by Disney Hyperion in 2025.
It's finally ☀️COVER REVEAL☀️ time!
DAYBREAKER, the first book in the 🇵🇠folklore-inspired ILUSTRA series, comes out June 2025! Join Mika as she awakens gods and a sun-devouring beast, and races to put them back to sleep before they plunge the world into darkness 🌻 pic.twitter.com/skjFYMmEtk
The series is expected to be a trilogy that will tell the story of Mika, a 12-year-old student who goes to Ilustra Junior High School. She accidentally cast a spell on two of her classmates. When she tries to undo it, she ends up waking up the ancient gods and a sun-devouring beast set on plunging the world into darkness. To save the world, she must team up with her former bullies.
As the story continues, we'll learn more about Mika's teacher, Raha, the varsity queen, Halle, and the choir boy, Teo. Plus, the much-awaited concept art on Ilustra Junior High: the home of the Ilustrados.
The novel was first announced in 2022
So excited to finally share that🌻HIGHSUMMER🌻 will be published by @DisneyBooks!
— 🌟 Tori (@haitori) June 2, 2022
A GRAPHIC NOVEL series set in a Filipiniana junior high school? A girl who can wake ancient gods and creatures from PH MYTHOLOGY? From the publisher of the Percy Jackson series?! THREE BOOKS!?! pic.twitter.com/9DJ9AzfSId
For the new followers who joined the Highsummer ride: introducing choir boy Teo, varsity queen Halle, and our main protagonist Mika (+ their teacher, Raha) as well as some concept art on Ilustra Junior High: the home of the ilustrados! pic.twitter.com/JAbseO1BlH
— 🌟 Tori (@haitori) June 5, 2022
It is also observed in the concept art that the school uniforms of the characters are based on barong Tagalog and indigenous clothing.
Tori is also the author of renowned works such as the fantasy graphic novels "Sagala" and "Twinkle, Twinkle," which was a finalist in the first Philippine International Comics Festival's Official Selection.
We are just as excited, especially for Filipino mythology fans, for this much-awaited graphic novel!
