Back Issue

BACK ISSUE
by Stephen Maddox

Three lives. One comic shop. And a story that blurs the line between fiction, grief, and redemption.

Chance is eleven, angry, and increasingly lost without his father. The only place he feels understood is inside a rundown comic book store on Bartow Road—where two washed-up owners, a biting indie comic called Shadow, and a stack of graphic novels offer more stability than home.

Lindsey is sharp, sardonic, and tired of being misunderstood. She walks into the same comic shop, looking for anything that doesn’t feel fake—and finds herself mixed up with a boy who’s just as haunted and weird as she is. Their awkward bond unfolds with all the hesitation, heartbreak, and hope of two kids trying to grow up too fast in a world that keeps disappointing them.

Gwen is Lindsey’s older sister, and she’s struggling being out of the house, surviving through sarcasm and sleepless nights. While her own story collides with Cesar and Stephen—the comic shop's dysfunctional duo—Gwen is forced to confront the wreckage she’s ignored for too long, and ask if she’s allowed to want more than just survival.

Back Issue is an emotionally raw, unexpectedly funny novel about grief, identity, and the messy relationships that form between broken people. Told through intertwining narratives—with a comic-within-the-novel that mirrors the characters’ real-world struggles—this is a story about the power of found family, the weight of unspoken truths, and the healing that begins when you finally stop pretending everything’s fine.

Perfect for fans of layered coming-of-age stories, emotionally flawed characters, and the beautiful chaos of growing up. Originally a dysfunctional marriage between Clerks, High Fidelity, and Cheers; the story morphed into if Perks of Being a Wallflower, Paper Girls, and The Midnight Library had a messed-up, heartfelt cousin: Back Issue.

Cover Design by Christian Scott