Web comics are a wonderful thing. There are a variety of style that show anywhere from a single comic panel, strip, or full page with a host of topics and plots to choose from. One recent approach to web comics was that of Jim Zub (Skullkickers), Shun Hong Chan, and UDON with their recent web based comic Makeshift Miracle: The Girl From Nowhere, which is now getting collected and will be released in May.

There’s plenty to talk about with the specifics of the story of Makeshift Miracle and the all new hardcover presentation, but before we get into that, I want to tell you why Makeshift Miracle caught my eyes in the first place.

First of all, it’s the writer of Skullkickers, one of my favorite comics of the past couple of years, taking on a whole different kind of story. It’s manga-esque and speaks to a much more toned down audience. That alone was something that made me pay attention, a great writer in Zub and, from what I had seen, a great artist in Chan. But that wasn’t why this comic was making waves. Zub, Chan and UDON were approaching this comic far different than other creators. The creation of this web comic was down with the same approach of creating a ready-for-print comic. Pencils, writing, everything, this comic could have been coming out to your stores every month. So, the quality was there, but the creators weren’t asking for a dime. In fact, Zub went so far as to provide a torrent version of the comic to generate interest to the series, and for me, it did.

Now, that’s not to say that I was reading this comic with every posting, because I didn’t. I’m super terrible at keeping up with web comics, despite my love of the medium. However, when this daring initiative was announced by the UDON crew, it was accompanied by the message that this was all free to drive support for the printed edition that would be coming, so I’ve been waiting. And it’s finally here.

Coming in May, Makeshift Miracle will be the first original story collected in print by UDON as the publisher tends to focus on licensed comics, art books and manga. I’d love to see more from the publisher because Makeshift Miracle looks like an absolute treat to read.

The official solicitation is as follows:

Makeshift Miracle’s fable-like coming of age story focuses on Colby Reynolds, a disaffected teen left on his own for the first time. After an unusual, carefree girl named Iris comes literally crashing into his life, he discovers that she has strange powers and brings magic and menace in her wake! To protect her, Colby must avoid a enter a realm of dream and imagination, where nothing – not even his own sense of self – is what it first appears to be.

So, if you’re a fan of coming of age stories (and really, who isn’t? Especially with fantasy elements! I mean, come on!), then you should definitely pick up a copy of the book in May when it’s released. Speaking of which, if you want to make sure that you get a copy of the book, either go to your local comic book shop and specifically state that you want this book, or head over to Amazon or TFAW where you can pre-order it now. OR if you’re super impatient or super “don’t have the money right now,” make sure to go to the comic’s official site to get all caught up.

Makeshift Miracle: The Girl From Nowhere will be available in stores and online in May for $19.99. I’ll definitely be buying this book, and you should too.