A new Steven Universe graphic novel titled Steven Universe: Anti-Gravity has been confirmed by Entertainment Weekly.
The graphic novel will be written by Talya Perper with art by Queenie Chan. Steven Universe: Anti-Gravity ’s plot revolves around Steven and the Crystal Gems heading to the Moon Base to determine the cause of electrical disturbances making objects hover all over town.
According to Perper and Chan, the story takes place sometime between seasons 3 and 4, at some point after Peridot’s visit to the moon base. The story is conceived like that of a filler episode: anyone can jump on in and enjoy the graphic novel without necessarily knowing everything there is to know about Steven Universe.
Perper notes that “it features certain magical abilities that aren’t introduced until Season 3 Episode 6, so if you’re hardcore anti-spoiler, keep that in mind.” However, she hopes the graphic novel will intrigue people about the world of Steven Universe. “Personally, I like when stories throw new concepts at you without too much context—it’s like discovering a new world. I hope people who have never seen Steven Universe before will read this and think, ‘Whoa! This world is amazing! I have to know more.’”
Perper was inspired by the existing Steven Universe comics by Jeremy Sorese and Coleman Engle. She said, “They did a great job of telling stories with new design elements that didn’t interfere with the canon, but enriched it.” Similarly, Perper was careful not to radically adjust Steven Universe’s world: “I didn’t want to step on the show’s toes by introducing canon-shifting concepts or new characters or anything like that.”
Chan’s favorite part of drawing the graphic novel is drawing the show’s unique characters. “Looking back at the show’s pilot and comparing it to how the designs have evolved over time, I really get a sense of how strong the character designs are. They work well because they use visual language that really complement the characters’ personalities,” she said.
Perper points out how important the human element of Steven Universe is, not only to the show, but also to the graphic novel. “The world of Steven Universe revolves around this magical or sci-fi element, but it’s really interesting to see how all these humans interact with the magical stuff that happens in their town on a daily basis,” she said. “With any magical story, there’s got to be a human element to connect to. Ronaldo’s struggle to understand the world around him is very relatable. I have a newfound love for him in particular, but also for the other human characters in Beach City who are all trying to peacefully live their own lives. It’s easy to see why Steven wants to protect them.”
Steven Universe: Anti-Gravity is confirmed for a July 25 release date. Will you be reading? Feel free to let us know in the comments section below.
