New graphic novel focuses on fictional kids who lost fathers on October 7

In the annals of graphic novels being written about the stories of those affected by the Hamas terror onslaught of October 7, 2023, “Echoes of October” may be the first in which the creators wish to remain mostly anonymous.

The fictional, kids-geared upcoming graphic novel has four child narrators — from Gaza City, Toronto, Tel Aviv, and the Druze town of Daliyat al-Karmel — each one telling their stories leading up until October 7, the day on which each of their fathers was killed.

The Jewish Israeli father from Tel Aviv was killed at the Nova desert rave, where he was working as a DJ, while the Druze boy’s father, an elite IDF soldier, was killed fighting near Gaza, defending the kibbutz communities.

The Palestinian girl’s father was killed as part of the wave of Gazan civilians who entered Israel on that day through the security fence to join the brutal assault, and the Canadian girl’s father — they’re not Jewish — was murdered during the onslaught at the kibbutzim, where he had been staying to help aid Palestinians.

The creators wanted this story to be told through the children, creating empathy for each narrator, regardless of their backgrounds or the identities of those reading these stories.

The goal was to read each child’s graphic novel narrative and to empathize with their fictional, but realistic, circumstances.

To that end, and to avoid bias as much as possible, three of the four creators — including one of the two writers, the artist and the colorist — have opted to remain anonymous and together chose a pseudonym, Ami Adan, as the author name.

“We wanted to have as few preconceived notions as possible and we chose the name Ami Adan as an amalgamation of identities,” said Omri Rose, a professional voice actor who is Israeli and is one of the novel’s two writers, the only team member who opted to identify himself.

The idea for the graphic novel came about after October 7, when a Jewish Canadian academic who had previously been in touch with Rose began reaching out to him in solidarity following the Hamas terrorist attack.

“He wanted to do something, especially because things were so tough in Canada,” said Rose.

Rose’s Canadian co-creator particularly wanted to create something that would represent all sides affected by the conflict, but without authors whose names and origins would lead readers to draw their own assumptions.

“He sees this as a labor of importance,” said Rose.

From ‘Echoes of October’, a graphic novel being published in July 2025 about four children affected by October 7 (Courtesy)

The two began tossing around ideas for a graphic novel based on children, but with the focus on multiple perspectives and authenticity.

“It is pro-peace,” said Rose. “We firmly believe in Israel’s right to exist and also that the Palestinian people deserve respect and their own say, free of Hamas. It is anti-Hamas.”

The four children represent four communities deeply affected by the events of October 7.

From ‘Echoes of October’, a graphic novel being published in July 2025 about four children affected by October 7 (Courtesy)

There is the Israeli boy from Tel Aviv, a Druze boy whose father is an IDF reservist constantly called to battle, and two girls, one from Toronto and another from Gaza.

They tell about who they were before October 7, the day when each of their fathers was killed as a result of the Hamas terror attack that was launched on the Gaza border communities that day.

None of the deaths are explicitly explained, including the Gazan father, who is not a member of Hamas and instead is described as someone pulled into Hamas activities, without much say in the matter.

“It’s a slice of life of these four kids and we see it through their eyes,” said Rose.

From ‘Echoes of October’ a graphic novel being published in July 2025 about four children affected by October 7 (Courtesy)

Rose said that he and the other writer spoke with Gazan journalists and other Palestinians, as well as members of the Druze community, to create authentic storylines.

The anonymous writing partner in Canada wrote the outline, and Rose wrote the screenplay for the graphic novel that will be published by the summer and become available for purchase in July.

“We want it to reach as many people as possible,” said Rose.

From ‘Echoes of October’ a graphic novel being published in July 2025 about four children affected by October 7 (Courtesy)

They’ve discussed selling it for just $1 a copy on Amazon, and are planning on launching it at the San Diego Comic Convention in July.

Rose, who was born in and lives in Israel, has lived around the globe with a parent who was in the foreign service, and said that he never shied away from explaining the origins of his Hebrew name, Omri.

“It’s important that we not be embarrassed by the good, bad and ugly of who we are and what this nation stands for,” he said. “We’re all human beings and that’s what we’re trying to show in this book.”

Echoes of October by Ami Adan

This article contains affiliate links. If you use these links to make a purchase, The Times of Israel may earn a commission at no additional cost to you.