Stranded, chosen, and watched. The island has a plan.

MIDNIGHT ISLAND VOL. 1: THE AUTOMATION AWAKENS

From Papercutz, Lylian and Nicolas Grebil craft a mysterious middle-grade adventure where survival comes with rules and consequences.

Mysteries unfold in this adventurous series set on an enigmatic island full of secrets and wonders—it’s Lost for a younger generation!

Papercutz and Mad Cave Studios announce MIDNIGHT ISLAND VOL. 1: THE AUTOMATION AWAKENS to English-language readers for the first time, a middle-grade graphic novel from writer Lylian (The Quest of Ewilan, Ellana) and illustrator Nicolas Grebil, with translation that carries the tone and uncertainty of the original French.

Four children wake up on a deserted island. After taking refuge in an abandoned boarding school, they find an automaton who, every night at midnight, gives them a mission. If they fail or refuse to take up the challenge, the consequences could be terrible. From one mission to the next, the children explore their surroundings, encounter other participants, and try to uncover the reason for their presence on the island…

Looking ahead to readers stepping onto Midnight Island, Lylian and Nicholas Grebil shared:

“We are thrilled and delighted at the idea of American audiences discovering their story! As you’ll soon find out, this tale contains echoes of Lost and The Hunger Games, sprinkled with touches of Stranger Things and even The Walking Dead, while still forging its own unique path within middle-grade genre comics.  You’re clearly not done being surprised when you set foot on Midnight Island!”

For readers ages 10-14, the 80-page Midnight Island sits between mystery and adventure, unfolding through a series of escalating challenges and discoveries. It carries the spirit of Lost for a younger audience, grounded in group dynamics, survival, and the tension of not knowing what comes next.

Midnight Island Vol. 1: The Automation Awakens goes on sale July 28, 2026, in paperback (ISBN: 9781545827260 | $9.99) and hardcover (ISBN: 9781545827277 | $14.99) formats, with Final Order Cut-off July 6. The OGN is now available for preorder at local comic shops, bookstores, and from papercutz.com.