Elise Gravel’s True Colors: Growing Up Weird in the 90s

Drawn & Quarterly has established itself as one of the most influential publishers in the world of graphic novels and comics, with deep roots in Montreal’s vibrant literary and artistic community. The publisher championed some of Quebec’s most celebrated creators. Julie Doucet, whose groundbreaking comics explore feminism and the female experience with unapologetic candor, is among their most iconic authors. Pascal Girard, meanwhile, has built a devoted readership through his heartfelt autobiographical works. Other beloved Quebecois artists who have published with Drawn & Quarterly include Michel Rabagliati, the creator of the popular Paul series, Fanny Britt, Geneviève Côté, and Marianne Dubuc. These voices, once rooted in Quebec’s French-speaking cultural scene, have been translated, published, and embraced by audiences worldwide.

Among the artists I personally admire is Elise Gravel, whose whimsical illustrations and witty storytelling have made her a household name, especially among younger readers. Although her books are geared toward children, I’ve continued to follow her work long after my own kids outgrew them, proof of her universal appeal across generations.

Her latest project, True Colors: Growing Up Weird in the 90s, marks an exciting new chapter in her career. Presented in a fictionalized diary style, the book invites readers into Elise’s world as a teenager navigating the ups and downs of high school life in the 1990s. It’s a nostalgic return to a pre-digital era, where afternoons meant hanging out at the mall, making mixtapes on cassettes, and sketching for hours instead of scrolling on a phone.

In True Colors: Growing Up Weird in the 90s, Elise captures the joy, awkwardness, and confusion of adolescence. While some of her peers are focused on dating and “growing up,” Elise prefers to lose herself in play, spend time with her closest friends, and pour her heart into her art. It’s an uplifting reminder of the value of staying true to yourself, even when the world seems to expect otherwise.

What gives this book its real emotional weight is Gravel’s fearless honesty in sharing her personal journey. After being diagnosed with ADHD, she does not shy away from showing how her differences shaped her, but instead reframes them as sources of strength and creativity. Through her diary-style storytelling, enriched with playful doodles and illustrations, she weaves together humor, vulnerability, and relatability in a way that feels both intimate and universal. In doing so, Gravel does more than add to the tradition of notebook-storytelling; she redefines it, proving that art has the power to turn personal challenges into creative superpowers.

To me, True Colors feels like a heartfelt celebration of the messy and wonderful chaos that comes with early adolescence. It is a story about those rare friendships that make you feel truly seen, the kind of bonds that give you the courage to step into the world with confidence. Elise brings her main character to life with such warmth and humor that you cannot help but smile as you read. At the same time, she gently reminds us that it is not only acceptable but truly special to embrace our quirks, to lean into what makes us different, and to discover our own unique path through life. The book is both comforting and empowering, an invitation to remember that the best version of ourselves is the one that shines naturally, without apology.

This deeply personal origin story not only speaks to young readers but also resonates with adults who remember their own teenage years filled with uncertainty, friendship, and self-discovery. True Colors is both nostalgic and empowering, reminding us that creativity and individuality should always be celebrated.

Drawn & Quarterly’s greatest strength lies in its ability to transform stories like True Colors into global phenomena. Through careful translation and cultural adaptation, the publisher has ensured that these uniquely francophone perspectives resonate universally while still retaining their authenticity. Readers from around the world are able to connect with these narratives, finding common ground in experiences of love, loss, identity, and creativity. This cultural exchange has enriched both the artists and their audiences, proving that stories born in Quebec can have a worldwide impact.

By publishing voices like Elise Gravel, Julie Doucet, Pascal Girard, and Michel Rabagliati, Drawn & Quarterly continues its mission of amplifying diverse, authentic, and often deeply autobiographical perspectives. Its role in shaping the global graphic novel landscape cannot be overstated. More than just a publisher, Drawn & Quarterly is a cultural institution, one that has given Quebec artists a platform to inspire, educate, and connect with readers across the world.

Elise Gravel’s True Colors: Growing Up Weird in the 90s is a shining example of this tradition. With humor, honesty, and her signature whimsical style, Gravel proves why she is one of Quebec’s most essential voices in contemporary illustration and storytelling. Whether you’re discovering her work for the first time or have long admired her art, this book is a must-read that captures both the innocence of the past and the timeless value of self-expression.