{
  "id": 17835163,
  "title": "Star author-illustrator couple collaborate on first graphic novel",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/02/star-author-illustrator-couple-collaborate-on-first-graphic-novel",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-11-02T18:30:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "ABC News AU",
    "slug": "abc-news-au",
    "url": "https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-11-03/sofie-laguna-marc-mcbride-blunderbore-graphic-novel/107337276"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Melbourne couple Sofie Laguna and Marc McBride have collaborated on their first graphic novel, Blunderbore. The book tells a retelling of Jack and the Beanstalk, incorporating a young girl who may be imagining the entire story. Laguna is an acclaimed author, while McBride is an illustrator with a focus on fantasy. They first met and collaborated during Melbourne's COVID lockdowns, working together on children's picture books before moving on to the graphic novel. McBride drew the illustrations while Laguna provided structure and pacing as a novelist. The graphic novel features McBride's black-and-white art depicting the scale of the giant and his army of rat servants. The story also introduces Aunt Lucy, a grown-up who encourages the protagonist's imagination, serving as an allegory for fostering creativity.",
  "summary": "Married couple Sofie Laguna and Marc McBride started working together on their first graphic novel, Blunderbore, during COVID lockdowns.",
  "key_points": [
    "Sofie Laguna and Marc McBride collaborate on first graphic novel \"Blunderbore\"",
    "Book retells \"Jack and the Beanstalk\" with young girl as protagonist",
    "Laguna writes structure and pacing, McBride creates black-and-white illustrations"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}