• Age: 13 to 17
• Grade: 8 to 12

After Red and her friends are killed by invaders from beyond, they’re revived inside massive organic battle-mechs. Time to take their planet back! It's a truly epic graphic novel about global crisis, mental health, and giant robots.

The world is being ravaged by four terrifying robotic monsters. One fateful night, four friends venture out to watch a meteor shower and come face-to-face with doom…only to find that their story is just beginning.

Returned to life by a mysterious natural power, these young adults are chosen to bear the only weapons that might turn the tide against the invaders: ancient, towering forest entities which they can pilot from within! They’re enormously powerful... but when you’re struggling with the trauma of your own death, is that really the best time to become a living weapon of mass destruction?

Writer Ricky Lima joins artist Daniele Aquilani for a jaw-dropping graphic novel about planetary crisis, mental health, and giant robots. Packed with captivating character designs, epic-scale battle scenes, and thorny questions, Undergrowth is a book about kids trying to do the impossible…and they just might pull it off.

Ricky Lima's profile page

Daniele Aquilani's profile page

Yuliia Shevtsova's profile page

Ricky Lima is a writer and educator from Brampton, Ontario. He enjoys writing interesting stories and helping people. Sometimes those two things are the same.

Daniele Aquilani is an Italian cartoonist. Among other projects, he has worked with Francesco Ramilli for a story included in the anthology Synth/Org from Attaccapanni Press.

“A gripping meld of vivid worldbuilding, ecological folklore, and action sequences that challenges and enthralls.” — Kirkus Reviews (Starred Review)

“Wild, weird, and strangely heart-wrenching, Undergrowth is a lot of fun… a tale of terror and obsession, told with great empathy and off-the-charts excellent mech violence.” — Zander Cannon (Kaijumax, Heck)

“Action-packed, heartfelt, and stunning.” — Jahnoy Lindsay (Superboy: The Man of Tomorrow)

“A beautifully crafted, epic, and original kaiju tale that will leave your jaw on the floor.” — Derek Laufman (Ruinworld)

“Whimsical, tender, witty, explosive, weird, and so dang pretty to look at.” — Dylan Burnett (Arcade)