“Toussaint and Stokart have created an amazing Young Adult story that wonderfully captures the broad range of emotions experienced by teens and the difficulty that comes with navigating those feelings.” screenrant.com
“Elle(s) is a fascinating, coming of age story laced with heavy-hitting themes, with a strong reliance on the use of color and gorgeous style. I cannot recommend it enough. If you are looking for an exciting story and some awe-inspiring art, then look no further.” —thepullbox.com
“With a gripping story filled with moments of real emotion, mystery and intrigue and humor and vibrant, Pixar-reminiscent art, this new series is a great addition to any graphic classroom or library collection.” —school library journal
Elle is just another girl… most of the time. Bubbly and good-natured, she wastes no time making new friends upon arrival at Mercury Middle School.
But Elle has a secret: she hasn’t come alone. That’s because she’s brought five colorful personalities along with her, which come out when she least expects it... Who is Elle, really?
THE NEW GIRL
writer KID TOUSSAINT
artist AVELINE STOKART
)
Thank you to Aveline for her trust and her incredible work. A fantastic first comic book!
Thank you to Benoît, Mathias, Camille, Gauthier, Christel, Gregor, Kévin, Sophie V., Éric, and the rest of the Lombard team.
Thanks to Nounette for telling me, “Hey! Check out her awesome drawings!”
And thanks to Emilia for introducing me to “Nounette” ;-p.
Thank you to Kid for his trust and for this fascinating project. Thanks for always being able to find the right words to push me onward and upward in this new adventure!
Thank you to the entire Lombard team for their warm welcome and for making this project possible!
Thanks to Mathias and Camille for their good humor, their unfailing kindness, and their willingness to listen.
Thanks to my family for believing in me, and for always supporting me and encouraging me to follow my passions. I shower you all with hearts, glitter, and confetti!
art director: ÉRIC LAURIN graphic designer : SOPHIE VETS special thanks to CONSTANCE MALBOIS & TEAM AT MEDIATOON in memory of SOPHIE CASTILLE
for ablaze managing editor RICH YOUNG editor KEVIN KETNER designers RODOLFO MURAGUCHI & CINTHIA TAKEDA
Publisher’s Cataloging-in-Publication data
Names: Toussaint, Kid, author . | Stokart, Aveline, artist. Title: Elle(s) vol 1 : The New Girl / written by Kid Toussaint; art by Aveline Stokart. Description: Portland, OR: Ablaze Publications, 2022. Identifiers: ISBN: 978-1-68497-093-3
Subjects: LCSH Friendship—Comic books, strips, etc. | High school students—Comic books, strips, etc. | Teenagers—Comic books, strips, etc.| Science fiction. | Graphic novels. | BISAC YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Comics & Graphic Novels / General | YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Comics & Graphic Novels / Science Fiction Classification: LCC PN6727.T68 E55 2022 | DDC 741.5—dc23
ELLES VOL 1: THE NEW GIRL. Published by Ablaze Publishing, 11222 SE Main St. #22906 Portland, OR 97269. Elles 1 — La nouvelle(s) © ÉDITIONS DU LOMBARD (DARGAUD-LOMBARD S.A.) 2021, by Toussaint, Stokart. www.lelombard.com, All rights reserved. Ablaze ™ & © 2022 ABLAZE, LLC. All rights reserved. Ablaze and its logo ™ & © 2022 Ablaze, LLC. All Rights Reserved. All names, characters, events, and locales in this publication are entirely fictional. Any resemblance to actual persons (living or dead), events or places, without satiric intent is coincidental. No portion of this book may be reproduced by any means digital or print) without the written permission of Ablaze Publishing except for review purposes. Printed in Mexico. This book may be purchased for educational, business, or promotional use in bulk.
For sales information, advertising opportunities and licensing email:info@ablazepublishing.com
You can't keep me locked up in here forever. You know that.
Have you guys seen her?
Who?
Oops, sorry, Maëlys!
Your mama!
I must've drifted off.
No kidding, Otis…
What?!
The new girl!
Hello-oo! Earth to Linotte!
Otis has been going on about her for ages, Linotte!
Very Pretty… obviously.
And Justine? Same! And Mrs. Rodriguez?
Oh yeah! She's totally hot, I dare any of you to say she isn't!
You think anything vaguely feminine is “kinda hot.”
If she's the one I saw in the office, she's kinda hot.
Whatever!
How about Maëlys?
Maëlys is a cutie for sure.
Thanks, what about Cléa?
Quiet, here she comes! Who?
Mrs. Rodriguez?!
Total fashionista!
So? Hot or not?
Yeah, she seems cool.
Come on, who are you guys talking about?
I believe that was the bell. You don't want to be late, kids.
I'm totally lost.
I never know who they're talking about.
Hey, sorry, could you tell me where Room 219 is?
Somewhere in the building, I would imagine.
I'd say find Rooms 218 and 220.
And 219 is bound to be in between.
If you need information, never ask Justine or Safia.
Besides, 219 is totally not between 218 and 220.
Isn't that Mrs. Rodriguez's class? Let's go, I'm headed there too.