The Critically-acclaimed YA Fantasy Deepens as Autumn Confronts Family Secrets, Night Folk Lore, and the Price of Every Wish
Following the breakout release of The October Girl Vol. 1 in October, Maverick, an imprint of Mad Cave Studios, is proud to bring readers back into the uncanny, heart-tugging world of the Night Folk with THE OCTOBER GIRL VOL. 2, the next chapter in writer and artist Matthew Dow Smith’s beautifully dark coming-of-age fantasy.
Smith, known for his work on DC’s Misfits of Magic and his creator-owned middle-grade series Amelia Shadows, widens Autumn Ackerman’s world and sharpens the emotional stakes in this second volume.
Autumn Ackerman’s life was turned upside down when her childhood imaginary friend, Barnaby, returned and Autumn discovered that she is a Night Folk — a race of incredible creatures that inspired all of humanity’s myths and fairy tales.
Finishing high school and working at the local coffee shop is more than enough for any teenager to deal with, but now Autumn has to learn to navigate a new world of trolls and fairies, dealing with threats like the mysterious Mr. Balloon, and getting to know her estranged grandfather, the October King, leader of the Night Folk.
Before Autumn can even get used to all these changes, her life is turned upside down yet again when her ordinary, human father — who she hasn’t seen in five years — suddenly returns, exhibiting terrifying new powers…
…powers that threaten everything Autumn holds dear!
Matthew Dow Smith noted what’s in store for Volume Two:
“The world of Autumn and the Night Folk is huge, and we’ve seen just the first tiny sliver of it in Volume One. Now in Volume Two, we get to pull back the curtain and show a little bit more. I’ve always loved books that you can reread and see things you hadn’t noticed before. There are so many things about the Night Folk and Autumn’s past hidden in Book One that come into play here. One of the themes of these books is ‘be careful what you wish for,’ and her dad coming back is something that Autumn has been wishing for since he left on her 13th birthday, and whatever fantasy she had about that reunion, it’s most definitely not going to be like that. Where the first book is about discovery, the second book is more about consequences… It’s where the stakes get a lot more real for Autumn and her friends.”
The October Girl Vol. 2 is a perfect fit for readers who love grounded YA fantasy rooted in folklore, dark whimsy, and deeply personal storytelling. Fans of The Girl from the Sea, Anya’s Ghost, The Last Kids on Earth, and the mythic-modern tone of Neverwhere will find much to love in Autumn’s unfolding world — where magic is seductive, family is complicated, and every choice has a shadow.
The October Girl Vol. 2 goes on sale May 26, 2026, in a 176-page paperback edition (ISBN: 9781545826522), available everywhere books and comics are sold, including your local comic shop, bookstore, digital retailer, and directly from Maverick!
Maverick, Mad Cave Studios’ young adult imprint, offers engaging and authentic stories for those who think differently, are not afraid to be independent, and fight for who they truly are. Visit www.
Stay up to date with Mad Cave Studios—and its imprints Maverick, Papercutz, and Nakama Press on social media, or visit www.madcavestudios.com to explore new releases, licensed series, and creator-owned titles.
Author Profile
- I'm Al Mega the CEO of Comic Crusaders, CEO of the Undercover Capes Podcast Network, CEO of Geekery Magazine & Owner of Splintered Press (coming soon). I'm a fan of comics, cartoons and old school video games. Make sure to check out our podcasts/vidcasts and more!
Latest entries
