Morgan Boecher’s debut graphic novel, Chicken Heart, out soon from Street Noise Books

By John Freeman on January 13, 2026 • ( 0 )

Brooklyn-based publisher Street Noise Books has announced details of its latest graphic novel, Chicken Heart, by debut author Morgan Boecher, on sale in bookshops from 3rd February 2026 in the United States and 19th March in the UK.

Founded by Liz Frances, Street Noise Books aim to publish graphic novels and memoirs with a radical, intersectional feminist, queer, and inclusive vision, and seek to provide a platform for the voices of marginalised people.

Alongside Chicken Heart, recent releases include Ace of Hearts: Lessons in Love from an Asexual Girl by Cooklin, upcoming books include Punk Like Me by JD Glass and Kris Dresen, a queer coming-of-age story.

Morgan Boecher who lives in Brooklyn, New York, is a comics writer and artist dedicated to telling trans stories with humor and heart. Their first book What’s Normal Anyway? started as a webcomic and has now been translated and sold to educators and readers internationally.

As a speaker and performer on queer topics, Morgan has appeared at places such as NYComicCon, FlameCon, Columbia University, University of Florida, and the LGBT Center in Manhattan.

Chicken Heart by Morgan Boecher - Sample Pages

In Chicken Heart – a story about life, death, love, identity, and acceptance – Jackie Locklear is a trans stand-up comedian who doesn’t know how to confront that part of himself. When his Aunt Sheila passes away, it spurs Jackie to take a trip to the refuge Sheila built for trans folks, the Chicken Heart Love Commune. The people there represent a range of backgrounds, in contrast with the world where Jackie was raised.

But as a city kid still coming to terms with his trans identity, and struggling to process his grief, the bucolic place and its residents don’t feel like his community. How can he make space for himself and his identity in his life?

This graphic novel is an emotional, funny story about finding one’s heart and opening up to people who are willing and able to love.

• Follow Morgan Boecher on Instagram

• Street Noise Books are online at streetnoisebooks.com

About the Author
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John Freeman

John is the founder of downthetubes, launched in 1998. He is a comics and magazine editor, writer, and Press Officer for the Lakes International Comic Art Festival. He also runs Crucible Comic Press.

Working in British comics publishing since the 1980s, his credits include editor of titles such as Doctor Who Magazine and Overkill for Marvel UK, Babylon 5 Magazine, Star Trek Magazine, and its successor, Star Trek Explorer, and more. He also edited the comics anthology STRIP Magazine and edited several audio comics for ROK Comics; and has edited several comic collections and graphic novels, including volumes of “Charley’s War” and “Dan Dare”, and Hancock: The Lad Himself, by Stephen Walsh and Keith Page.

He’s the writer of comics such as Pilgrim: Secrets and Lies for B7 Comics; “Crucible”, a creator-owned project with 2000AD artist Smuzz; and “Death Duty” and “Skow Dogs”, with Dave Hailwood.