Youth Group, written by Jordan Morris and illustrated by Bown McCurdy, explores family, friendships, and community against 
a backdrop of demons and a 1990s style of Christian evangelism. Kay, the daughter of divorced parents, is brought to Stone Mission Church by a mother trying to find a community. There she meets Meg and Cortland, the young youth group leaders, working together to help the teens of Orange County California avoid temptations.
Kay is skeptical, the advice of the youth leaders seems superficial, but her mother encourages her to give it a few more tries before giving up on the church community. She agrees and soon discovers that there is more to this church and herself than meets the eye.
When not leading the youth group, Meg and Cortland, under the leadership of the head pastor, fight demons. Kay stumbles upon them in the woods one night, and is brought under the wing of Meg as she joins them on their mission against the demons. She has found friendship and a community, just not the one she or her mother expected. Kay has exceptional talents against the demons, but those talents are also putting her directly in harm’s way.
The story is set in the 90s, but the year isn’t specified or important. Evangelical christianity at this time began to explore new ways to draw mainstream appeal. Growing up a Christian in the south during the 90s, I saw this everywhere I looked. This is the era of Christian rock and What Would Jesus Do bracelets. In Youth Group, Meg, Cortland, and the head pastor are an eye-rolling level of cringy. They rewrite the lyrics to popular 90s music to share a Christian message, and recommend singing to avoid the temptation of pot. It is silly in the book, and was silly 30 years ago.
Youth Group isn’t explicit in its critique of this brand of christianity. While Kay, the outsider looking in, sees cheesy puns and embarrassingly obvious attempts to seem cool, she also finds sincerity. As the story progresses, Meg, someone who Kay grows close to, is as corny as ever. Her sincere brand of sharing her Christian message is never criticized. As the characters grow, their character arcs trend toward acceptance of others and embracing themselves.
Not that there is no criticism of the evangelical Christian movement. The head pastor refuses to collaborate with other religious groups who are also fighting demons. Their ways aren’t pure, and they are unworthy of working with the christians at Stone Mission Church. Meg sees the deep flaws in his world view, and pushes back against the dangers of his close-minded and judgemental stance.
There is a Wiccan youth group fighting demons, there is some drug experimentation in the background, and there are LGBTQ+ characters. None of this is treated as antithetical to Meg and Cortland’s Christian values. Meg, arguably one of the most religiously conservative characters, embraces it all. She wants to keep the town safe, and will embrace with open arms anyone willing to join her.
The illustrations include hard lines and strong colors. This is a book about demons, and some of the illustrations tend toward the horror, but most have softer details, more reminiscent of the typical fare of First Second graphic novels. More intense demonic illustrations throughout the book would have completely changed the tone of the book. There are intense moments, but also humor, and the illustrations help to build that mood. The colors are often shaded with warm blues and purples, which has the interesting effect of adding dark to the bright cheeriness of the Stone Mission Church and Meg, but also a kind of levity or lightness to the dark fights against demons.
Kay and Meg are illustrated as the odd couple. Kay has dark short hair, and ill fitting clothes. She isn’t sure of herself, and trying to find friendship and community against the background of her parent’s divorce. She almost reluctantly finds that community and friendship in Meg, who has long blond hair, and dresses like she could be cast in the movie Clueless. A Cher excitedly bringing an awkward Tai under her wings (without the misguided makeover).
Youth Group is a fun book that will be enjoyed by many teen readers. I will purchase it for my high school and will pass it on to those looking for an adventure. Give it to fans of comics like Lumberjanes, where a found family community forms to fight the fantastical.
Youth GroupÂ
By Jordan Morris
Art by Bowen McCurdy
Macmillan First Second, 2024
ISBN: 9781250789235
Publisher Age Rating:Â 14-18
NFNT Age Recommendation: Older Teen (16-18), Teen (13-16)
