Maria Fröhlich
A Swedish-Nigerian cartoonist, author, and illustrator who has worked for Image Comics, Marvel, and Macmillan, and created the acclaimed Ruby & Lion children's book series.
Maria Fröhlich is a one-woman studio. She writes, draws, colors, and letters most of her own work, fusing every layer of the creative process into a singular, unmistakable vision. Her journey from self-publishing cartoons as a teenager in Sweden to illustrating for Marvel and Image Comics reads like the origin story of a creative superhero—and her work carries the same fearless energy.
Fröhlich burst onto the American scene in 2013 illustrating “The Man Who Forgot Ray Bradbury,” adapted from Neil Gaiman’s short story for the anthology Shadow Show: Stories in Celebration of Ray Bradbury. She followed that with contributions to Image Comics’ Bitch Planet: Triple Feature, a feminist sci-fi spin-off from Kelly Sue DeConnick and Valentine De Landro. In 2021, she illustrated a Gamora story for Marvel’s Women of Marvel anthology—one of the first Swedish comic artists to join the ranks of the House of Ideas.
That same year, Fröhlich published Ruby & Lion, the first installment in her own children’s book series, through Rabén & Sjögren, one of Sweden’s premier children’s publishers. She’s also collaborated with bestselling Swedish author Sara Bergmark Elfgren on picture books including Just nu har vi varandra and Nu leker vi!, proving her gift for storytelling extends far beyond the comics page.
Fröhlich’s commitment to children’s literature runs deep. She serves as a jury member for the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award—the world’s most prestigious children’s literature prize—and is a member of the Swedish Academy for Children’s Books. Her contribution to the All We Ever Wanted anthology brings that same warmth and imagination to a vision of a brighter tomorrow.
Perfect for fans of Fiona Staples and her lush, character-driven artwork, or anyone who believes the best comics are the ones that make you feel something.
