• The Ogre / The Comics Page: Two Depression Stories by Burns, Jason M.
1 1

The Ogre / The Comics Page: Two Depression Stories

The Ogre / The Comics Page: Two Depression Stories

By Jason M. Burns
Paperback
$10.99
$10.99
Sale Sold out
Two teens facing depression find unexpected paths to healing--one through tabletop gaming, the other through creative expression--in this dual-story manga developed with Mayo Clinic expertise.

Depression can feel isolating, especially for young people who may not yet have the tools to understand or express what they're going through. In this powerful manga, readers meet Zac, a student-athlete sidelined by injury and A'Ja, a preteen navigating the emotional fallout of her parents' divorce. Both are struggling with sadness, disconnection, and self-blame--until a mysterious cat and a surprising turn of events help them discover new ways to cope.

Each story story models real, evidence-based strategies for managing depression, including seeking community, reframing expectations, and communicating emotions in creative ways.

Created in collaboration with Mayo Clinic pediatric psychologist Dr. Abigail Matthews, the book includes discussion questions, practical coping tools, and links to mental health resources. It's ideal for classrooms, therapy settings, or any young reader who needs to know they're not alone.

Blending compelling manga storytelling with evidence-based strategies created in partnership with Mayo Clinic pediatric psychologist Dr. Abigail Matthews, Manga Medicine equips young readers with empowering tools to support emotional well-being.

Mayo Clinic Press Kids creates empowering health and wellness content in partnership with pediatric experts. Proceeds from the sale of every book go to benefit important medical research and education at Mayo Clinic.

Author: Jason M. Burns
Binding Type: Paperback
Publisher: Mayo Clinic Press Kids
Published: 05/05/2026
Series: Manga Medicine
Pages: 48
Weight: 0.2lbs
Size: 7.70h x 5.30w x 0.30d
ISBN: 9798887703336
Audience: Ages 9-12

About The Author
Jason M. Burns has had a successful career in the comic book industry as a content creator, writer, and editor. In addition, he has authored two original novels and multiple film and television projects. He lives in Massachusetts with his wife, two children, and a trio of rescue dogs.

Ash Stryker is a cartoonist and caricature artist based out of Minneapolis. When she isn't drawing, she's doting on her two cats and reading manga.

Dr. Abigail Matthews, Ph.D., is a clinical psychologist and the Program Director of the Pediatric Mood Program at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. She specializes in evidence-based care for children and adolescents with depression and their families. She is also an expert in pediatric eating disorders treatment and research.
View full details

    Mangaka Spotlight

    Discover the works of Tatsuki Fujimoto

    From Fire Punch to Look Back & everything in between, there’s more to explore than just Chainsaw Man.

    Shop Now
    height

    Mangaka Spotlight

    Junji Ito: King of Horror Manga

    Dare to dive into the macabre worlds of iconic works like Tomie, Uzumaki and so much more!

    Shop Now
    height

    Mangaka Spotlight

    The fabulous worlds of Ai Yazawa

    Fashion, drama, and rock-n-roll; Explore the cult-classic josei works by beloved icon, Ai Yazawa.

    Shop Now
    height

Shop by genre

solo star Here to help

Frequently asked questions

You’ve asked, we answered.

Visit FAQ Page

Do you offer free shipping?

We offer free shipping on all orders over $75.

As a small, growing shop, we partner with trusted distributors to ship books directly to you. This allows us to offer a much wider selection while we build toward our first physical space.

We also use tiered shipping, which means the more you add to your cart, the lower the shipping cost per book becomes. So that means, even if you’re not quite at $75 yet, it often makes sense to grab one more volume and save overall.

Why shop with you instead of big retailers?

Every order supports a small, Latina-owned manga shop built by real fans who care deeply about the stories, the art, and the culture around it.

We curate with intention, not algorithms, and we’re building something bigger than a storefront: a space for collectors, readers, and fans to connect.

What is your return policy?

Because of how we currently fulfill orders, we’re not able to accept general returns at this time.

The only exception is if your order arrives damaged or incorrect. If you experience either, please reach out to us at casitademanga@gmail.com
and we’ll be more than happy to personally help you with a damage/error return.

Can I cancel or change my order?

We move quickly to get your order on its way.

If you need to make a change, contact us as soon as possible and we’ll do our best to catch it before it ships. Once it’s on the way, we’re unable to modify the order.