AVAILABLE at Uncivilized Books, Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Penguin Bookshop.
-The Best Graphic Novels of 2024, The Guardian
-Best Graphic Novels for Adults 2024, American Library Association
A feminist political mystery set in Istanbul during the 1995 elections tells the story of two broke students who witnessed an unusual death on a scuba diving expedition. As the case deepens, they become increasingly entangled with political corruption, religious pressure, and possibly murder.
They try to return to their every day, but their lives are increasingly entangled with the political corruption, religious pressure, and economic instability that results from their experience. Samanci says, "The autobiographically-inspired story I tell in Evil Eyes Sea emerged from my college years in Istanbul, my quirky friends, and my struggles with being a young woman in Turkey's male-centric culture. In this book, I share a window into a country where narrow political views limit personal power — a place that can be beautiful, but also cruel."
“There’s less time for contemplation in Özge Samancı’s 90s-set Evil Eyes Sea (Uncivilized Books), which sees two Istanbul students investigate the death of a friend who plunged into the Bosphorus in a Cadillac. It’s a fine mix of Tintin-style adventure and social commentary, complete with smelly dorm rooms, puffed-up gangsters and Scuba diving.”—The Guardian
“It's a book that’s never quite what you expect, and its power as a narrative is not of a sudden explosion, but of a quiet storm.”—The Comics Journal
“Try as they might, Ece and Meltem, students in 1990s Istanbul, can’t get over the underwater accident they witnessed. Wrangling with the misogyny of college life and the chain of an upcoming election, eventually, they realize that maybe they shouldn’t.”—The New York Times, Book Review
“In this rambunctious murder mystery set in 1990s Turkey, Samancı (Dare to Disappoint) contrasts a playful and vibrant visual style with deadly serious themes.”—Publishers Weekly
“As entertaining as it is exposing, Samanci’s sophomore title is an exquisite, multilayered showpiece confronting gender inequity, religious manipulations, political corruption, and the gray zones of morals and ethics—gray zones necessary for survival.”—Booklist, STARRED REVIEW
"Evil Eyes Sea is a work that turns its powerful, Medusa-like gaze on womanhood, corruption, and moral responsibility while still being an entertaining, fast-paced read. Taking the plunge into its watery depths is a rewarding experience.”—The Third Coast Review
“Scuba meets stone cold corruption in EVIL EYES SEA.”—The Beat
“As one might expect from Samanci, it is still really fun and funny, while treating its serious subjects with dignity.”—Women Write about Comics
“Despite the heavy themes, there’s humor in [Samanci’s] drawings and dialogue — moments of levity in otherwise dismal circumstances.” —Northwestern Magazine
“It’s a beautiful mix of humor, tragedy, and heart.”—Murder and Mayhem
PRESS
2024, December 2, James Smart, The Guardian, The Best Graphic Novels of 2024.
2024, November 18, Forecast, Murder on the Bosphorus
2024, October 28, Takhayyul, Imagining Turkey Podcast, Ozge Samanci and her graphic novels
2024, October 15, Leonard Pierce, The Comics Journal, Evil Eyes Sea
2024, September 13, Elisa Shoenberger, Murder and Mayhem, Let's Get Graphic: 7 Recent Mystery Graphic Novels
2024, August 19, Diana Babineau, Northwestern Magazine, Evil Eyes Sea
2024, July 16, William Armstrong, Turkey Book Talk, Ozge Samanci on Visualising Istanbul’s Sociopolitical Currents
2024, July 15, Isthmus What to do in Madison this week: Palm Ghosts, Özge Samanci and more Isthmus Picks
2024, June 30, Isil Oz, Medyascope, “Evil Eyes Sea”: Politik ümitsizlik içinde var olma, çaresizlik içinde güç arama ve Türkiye’de kadın olma hikâyesi
2024, May 5, The New York Times Book Review, Evil Eyes Sea
2024, May 4, Devony Hof, Third Coast Review, Review: In Evil Eyes Sea, Two Women Uncover a Mystery at the Heart of Turkish Culture
2024, April 29, Publishers Weekly Evil Eyes Sea
2024, April 14, Emily Lauer, Alenka Figa, Women Write about Comics WWACommendations: Les Normaux, Evil Eyes Sea, Flying Kites and More
2024, March 15, Terry Hong, BookList Evil Eyes Sea
2024, Feb 27, The Beat Graphic Novel Trailer: Scuba meets stone cold corruption in EVIL EYES SEA
