CultureLiterary Corner
Cracking the shell: Robert Apelian on ‘Fustuk: A Graphic Novel’
On Jan. 20, 2026, Penguin Workshop published Fustuk: A Graphic Novel by Armenian American author-illustrator Robert Mgrdich Apelian, who weaves multiple timelines into an inventive, fantastical story of Armenian family, food and diasporic culture.
When I had the chance to get into the mind behind such a unique genre, I jumped at it! With Armenian-themed children’s and young adult books increasingly reaching mass markets, a graphic novel fills a gap, appealing to readers across age groups.
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I am pleasantly surprised of Robert Apelian’s publication. Yes, he contributed a few satirical drawings and cartoon in the Weekly and then abruptly stopped. In fact, I have them all archived in Kessab Educational Association Facebook Account, with his depiction of THE ARWORK of Robert Apelian banner, where he had the passport size pictures of his father Minas, grandfather Robert, Great Grandfather Mgrditch, great-great-grandfather Assadour. What do you know? I have known them all in person!
As noted, after these a few posts in the Weekly, there came silence and I wondered if Robert was continuing with his art or if was a fading interest. Obviously, it had not been so. Well done Robert Jr. I see the illustrated book Fustuk is on amazon.com. I have to say, it is an appropriate title for the kind of graphic novel, judging from the cover.
If you think the cover is beautiful, you will love the pages in between. Robert Apelian is brilliant.
wowiee so pretty, i love how some sound effects are armenian too, honestly a wish come true