It's easy to take our freedoms for granted. But it's also easy to not understand how we got here. My grandfather grew up in an era when Blacks and Whites used different restrooms and water fountains, and sat in different sections on streetcars. Juneteenth is a new holiday to me. But it has a long history.. I look forward to learning about how Juneteenth became a federal holiday in this upcoming graphic novel.
Here's all the info from Oni Press:
Oni Press, the
multiple Eisner and Harvey Award-winning publisher of groundbreaking
comics and graphic novels since 1997, is proud to announce a powerful
new graphic novel – First Freedom: The Story of Opal Lee and Juneteenth – coming
to comic shop and bookstores in February of 2026, 46 years after
Juneteenth was first recognized as a statewide holiday by the state of
Texas, and five years since its formal establishment as a federal
holiday.
Charting
the incredible journey and relentless courage of activist Opal
Lee—known as the Grandmother of Juneteenth—to bring recognition of
American Emancipation from local advocacy to state capitols all the way
to the White House, this biographical graphic novel pairs acclaimed
journalist, producer, and author Angélique Roché (My Super Hero is Black) with a trio of talented artists—including Alvin Epps (I Survived Hurricane Katrina, 2005: A Graphic Novel), Bex Glendining (the upcoming Indigo Port), and rising star Millicent Monroe – who
each chronicle a different interlocking chapter in Ms. Lee’s own
arduous life alongside the true struggles and travails of the millions
of Black Americans who lived the reality of the first Juneteenth
celebrations at the close of the Civil War in 1865 and the aftermath
that would follow their children for generations to come.
From
the 1860s to Ms. Opal’s childhood home and onward through her years as a
teacher to receiving the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2024, First Freedom: The Story of Opal Lee and Juneteenth seeks to give readers an insight into the history behind one of the most recognized figures in the creation of America’s newest federal holiday, Juneteenth.
“It
doesn’t take much to see that the great-granddaughter of a runaway
slave, born into Jim Crow and segregation, taught through integration
and grew to be the grandmother of Juneteenth, has a story that needs to
be told,” said author Angélique Roché. “All too often, the stories of
African Americans and our communities are filled with devastating gaps
and missing moments, from the ordinary to the extraordinary. The story
of Ms. Opal Lee fills those gaps, highlighting everyday struggles and
the critical moments between emancipation – that first freedom – and the
hard-fought freedoms won since. From a farm in Texarkana, Arkansas, to
the White House, Ms. Opal's life represents not just the power of one
person but the collective strength of our movements.
“We’re
honored to bring Opal Lee’s extraordinary story to life for a new
generation through the creative vision of Angélique Roché, Alvin Epps,
Bex Glendining, and Millicent Monroe,” said Polarity CEO David Steward II. “‘First
Freedom’ illustrates how one voice can inspire meaningful change,
chronicling Opal’s journey from grassroots activism to national
recognition, elevating Juneteenth beyond a historical milestone. The
graphic novel serves as a powerful testament to resilience, justice, and
freedom—a narrative that embodies the values we aspire to share with
our Oni readers.”
“While
Ms Opal is known as a champion for Juneteenth and what it stands for,
her lifetime commitment to service touches every aspect of her life,”
added Roché. “From motherhood to the classroom, serving as a deaconess
in her church, starting and maintaining a community food bank, breaking
ground on an urban farm, providing educational scholarships, and
creating opportunities for affordable housing, Ms. Opal shows how we can
move mountains in the pursuit of ensuring freedom for all people, one
step at a time.”
Born
in 1926, Opal Lee grew up in a racially divided America and dedicated
her life to overcoming the obstacles presented therein. A lifelong
educator, Ms. Opal has been a community activist all her life, and would
join the movement to celebrate and commemorate Juneteenth not just as a
holiday, but as a symbol of comprehensive freedom for all people. Ms.
Opal’s life personifies the resilience that leads to lasting change in
the hearts and minds of people. As the Grandmother of Juneteenth says,
“If people can be taught to hate, they can be taught to love.”
Discover
the life of an extraordinary woman’s path through contemporary American
history and the rarely told true story of the Juneteenth holiday itself
in First Freedom: The Story of Opal Lee and Juneteenth – coming in February 2026 from Oni Press. For more updates on Oni Press, visit them on Bluesky, Facebook, and Instagram,
Now, let's take a look inside:
About The Creators
A. Angélique Roché, Esq. LL.M. is
a journalist, producer, author, and professional host from New Orleans,
Louisiana. A multi-hyphenate storyteller, her work sits at the
crossroads of history, current events, and its impact on pop culture.
She has been seen/heard on various outlets and platforms, including
Harper’s Bazaar, NBC News, NBCBLK, MSNBC, AMC/BBC, SyfyWire, Disney,
Marvel Studios, ESPN, and Paramount+. Angelique has hosted and produced
multiple non-scripted series, including
Brave New Pod, Geeksplain, Roles Ranked, SyFy Wire Rewind, and New York Public Radio’s (WNYC) Very Biggest Questions. Her first graphic novel, Trinity City #1, debuted in 2023. She is the co-author of Marvel Entertainment and Simon & Schuster Gallery Books’ My Super Hero is Black (2025).
Alvin Epps
is an artist/illustrator known for his otherworldly aesthetic, blurring
the lines between fine arts and digital arts media. He has worked
creating cover art and visuals for comic books, graphic novels, album
covers, film/TV, and animation. His work has been featured by publishers
including Simon & Schuster, Penguin Random House, and Scholastic
Inc.
Millicent Monroe is a graphic novelist who illustrates historical stories with an emotional core.
Bex Glendining is a biracial queer, UK based illustrator, comic artist and colourist. Their debut graphic novel Indigo Port
is scheduled for a 2025 release with Abrams Books. When not working
they can usually be found building miniature rooms, playing video games
with friends or fussing Cookie, their very spoiled tortoiseshell cat.
About Oni Press
Founded
in 1997, Oni Press has a 25-year history as one of the industry’s most
respected and acclaimed publishers of award-winning comic books and
graphic novels with titles including Bryan Lee O'Malley's Scott Pilgrim, K. O’Neill’s Tea Dragon Society, Cullen Bunn & Brian Hurtt's The Sixth Gun, Maia Kobabe's Gender Queer, Ezra Claytan Daniels' Upgrade Soul, Brenna Thummler’s Sheets
trilogy, and many hundreds more. In 2019, Oni Press merged with Lion
Forge Comics – the Eisner Award-winning independent comic book publisher
founded by Academy Award-winning producer and entrepreneur David
Steward II – to create one of the largest, independent libraries of
comics content anywhere in media. The Oni-Lion Forge Publishing Group
now exists as a publishing subsidiary of Steward’s diversified global
media company, Polarity.
The First Freedom: The Story of Opal Lee and Juneteenth SC/HC
Editor: Megan
Writer: Angélique Roché
Artists: Alvin Epps, Millicent Monroe, and Bex Glendining
Cover artist: Alvin Epps
Format: Softcover
SC Price: $19.99 US/$26.99 CAN
HC Price: $29.99 US/$39.99 CAN
Page count: 192
Age range: General readers 16+
Full Color/Partial/B&W: Full color
Trim size: 6 x 9
ISBN: 978-1-63715-777-0
HC ISBN: 9781549307911
eISBN: 978-1-63715-778-7
On-sale date: 2/3
Sales territories: Worldwide
World rights: Yes
Copy:
The
incredible journey of activist Opal Lee—known as the Grandmother of
Juneteenth—is brought to life in this biographical graphic novel that
not only explores Opal’s remarkable path, but the history of the holiday
of Juneteenth itself.
From the 1860s to Ms. Opal’s childhood home, from her years as a teacher to the White House, The First Freedom: The Story of Opal Lee and Juneteenth
seeks to give readers an insight into the history behind one of the
central figures in the creation of America’s newest federal holiday,
Juneteenth.
Born
in 1926, Opal Lee grew up in a racially divided America and dedicated
her life to overcoming the obstacles presented therein. A lifelong
educator, Ms. Opal has been a community activist all her life, and would
take on the movement to celebrate and commemorate Juneteenth not just
as a holiday, but as a symbol of comprehensive freedom for all people.
Ms.
Opal’s life personifies the fight for everyday freedom that leads to
lasting change. As the Grandmother of Juneteenth says, “There is so much
more to do.”
Written by acclaimed journalist, producer, and author Angélique Roché (My Super Hero is Black) and drawn by a trio of talented artists—including Alvin Epps (I Survived Hurricane Katrina, 2005: A Graphic Novel), Bex Glendining (the upcoming Indigo Port), and rising star Millicent Monroe—The First Freedom: The Story of Opal Lee and Juneteenth
promises to illuminate the life of a singular woman and the history of a
momentous holiday, with additional back matter providing more insights
into Juneteenth’s history and the making of this graphic novel tribute.
Thanks to Superfan Promotions and Oni Press for sharing this announcement with us. Happy Juneteenth in advance, everyone!
