Webtoon’s New Titles Are Telling Authentic Queer Stories: Here’s What You Need to Know

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Discussing the evolution of storytelling, webcomics such as Webtoon have undoubtedly found a unique place, revolutionizing how we experience comics as an art form. The digital format, Webtoon, designed for vertical scrolling, has fostered a lively community of creators and readers, providing a modern, convenient method to explore various narratives. Now, a new trend is rising as top-rated Webtoons are transitioning from screens to books, finding a place in conventional print publishing. Little, Brown Young Readers (LBYR) is spearheading this transition, particularly by focusing on sharing genuine queer stories with a broader audience. This September signifies a milestone with the release of Peglo’s “To The Stars And Back,” followed by Toonimated’s “Love Me To Death” in January 2026. These titles are now available alongside Emily Erdos’ and Deya Muniz’s “Blades of Furry,” which were released on shelves this past May.

Each title you see has been reimagined from its popular Webtoon roots, marking more than just a change in format. It’s about nurturing a fresh crop of storytellers and giving a wider audience the opportunity to enjoy stories that were once digital exclusives, often focusing on queer themes. As these stories move from the screen to the bookshelf, they carry the distinctive voices and viewpoints that initially captivated millions online, now poised to enchant a new reading public.

The Journey from Digital Scrolls to Tangible Tales Is a Dream Come True for Creators



Moving from a constantly changing digital medium like scrolling digital formats to a static, traditional book format offers both thrilling possibilities and distinct hurdles for creators. For numerous artists, seeing their work materialize into a tangible book is the realization of a lifelong aspiration – a concrete symbol of countless hours invested. In an interview with ComicBook, Toonimated (Tara Mueller and Julian Jauregui), the minds behind “Love Me to Death,” shared their astonishment: “Initially, when we began working on ‘Love Me to Death,’ we never envisioned holding a physical copy someday.” This sentiment of amazement is often shared by creators whose tales have only been published digitally. Mueller and Jauregui lauded the collaborative and encouraging journey with LBYR, looking forward to sharing their narrative in this “stunning new format.

Likewise, Peglo, the mastermind behind “To The Stars And Back“, discovered the journey from digital to print to be “fascinating and also incredibly enlightening.” The unusual transition from a scrolling digital format to a tangible book provided a steep yet fulfilling learning experience. Peglo mused about the unique experience for creators, stating, “It’s almost unreal to be able to physically grasp the book in my hands; this has been a dream of mine since I was just a child.” For Peglo, the physical version of “To The Stars And Back” brought a fresh appreciation for the hard work invested, making the “effort, sweat, and tears” seem genuine and purposeful.

Deya Muniz and Emily Erdos, the creative duo responsible for Blades of Furry, expressed heartfelt reactions when they first saw their work in print, specifically with ComicBook. Emily Erdos recounted feeling emotional upon spotting Blades of Furry: Volume 1 at her preferred bookstore, expressing a sense of exhilaration from seeing their narrative materialize physically. Deya Muniz echoed this sentiment, appreciating the thought of readers discovering Blades of Furry in their favorite bookshop and proudly displaying it on their own shelves at home. Their longing for a tangible, enduring copy highlights the enduring charm of print media, even as we move deeper into a digital age.

Andrea Colvin, as Editorial Director at LB Ink, confirmed their dedication to the rapidly changing environment, expressing, “Webcomics and Webtoons have unveiled a thrilling realm for visual storytelling, and we’re keeping a close eye on this!” This focus is evidently geared towards amplifying diverse perspectives, particularly within the LGBTQ+ community, as all three of LBYR’s Webtoon adaptations to date showcase queer main characters and narratives. This strategic approach by LBYR not only acknowledges the influence of webcomics but also advocates for genuine representation in mainstream publishing. The emergence of Webtoon-to-print adaptations marks a significant shift for both the publishing sector and the thriving community of digital artists, indicating a future where diverse voices resonate more powerfully than ever before.

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2025-07-29 23:12