We are pleased to announce the creation of a new, dedicated graphic novel imprint, Figment, to begin publishing in 2025. Figment is one of the first graphic novel imprints in Australian trade publishing, and will showcase the best and boldest graphic novelists from Australia and around the world.
Figment will be led by the senior commissioning team at Hardie Grant Children’s Publishing: publishing director Marisa Pintado and publisher Chren Byng.
‘Graphic novels are an endlessly inventive, exhilarating and meaningful art form, and – as lifelong readers and experienced publishers – we are thrilled to be leading the charge to raise up graphic novels in Australia,’ said Pintado. ‘We have poured a lot of love and passion into the launch of Figment, because we believe that reading comics is reading; that comics are for everyone; and that Australian creators deserve a publisher who will champion their books locally and globally.’
‘Sophie Splatt’s recent Beatrice Davis report shows that raising up graphic novels in Australia will take significant passion and investment, but it is worth it,’ said Kate Brown, Hardie Grant Children’s Managing Director. ‘Hardie Grant Children’s is perfectly positioned as our success has always been built on breaking new ground, pouring all our passion and smarts into our books, and then taking our creators to the world. From Sally Rippin’s ten-million-copy global bestseller Billie B Brown series to Andrew McDonald and Ben Wood’s innovative Real Pigeons series, we have always been passionate about graphic storytelling and proven our ability to publish it brilliantly. Figment's launch is going to be a major milestone in Australian publishing.’
Figment's first season will launch in April 2025 with the release of middle-grade graphic novel Inked, written by Karen Wasson (Drop into the Ocean) and illustrated by Jake A. Minton (Zombie Diaries). This enemies-to-besties comedy follows the unlikely friendship between Sid, a shy twelve-year-old, and Otto, a flamboyant talking octopus. Foreign rights have already been sold to Germany and Denmark.
‘Figment granted me the time, collaborative atmosphere and creative freedom to produce exactly the graphic novel I envisioned,' said Inked illustrator Jake A. Minton. ‘I honestly can't wait to see what Australian creators are able to produce with their support.'
Author Karen Wasson agreed: ‘It has been an absolute joy to work with the amazing team at Figment.’
Also coming in 2025 are Creature Clinic by WA-based NYT-bestselling cartoonist Gavin Aung Than; Into the Bewilderness, the debut graphic novel from award-winning picture book creator Gus Gordon; and Lamington Left Behind, by extraordinary newcomer Andrea Innocent.
'Marisa and the team are as passionate about graphic novels as I am, and I'm beyond thrilled Creature Clinic will be part of the initial Figment season,’ said Gavin Aung Than. ‘This imprint really is a huge moment for the graphic novel art form in Australia.’
2026 and beyond will see a wide range of high-profile and debut creators joining the imprint, including the founders of Melbourne animation studio Pirate Size Productions, and Cross Bones creators Jack Henseleit and Chris Kennett.