"Mulholland and Nalty's artwork provides a lively assist and brings the action on the pages to life. With a solid emotional core, this soccer comic will score goal after goal in the hearts of its readers." ― Booklist

"Overall World Class is an exciting visual spectacle backed up by fantastic storytelling from a master of comics. I thoroughly recommend this YA graphic novel for young adults and adults alike. Don’t sleep on this new sports graphic novel that will keep you entertained and cheering from the side-lines!" ― Emerald Reviews

"With a story combining good friends, strong role-models, talent and above all else, hard work, Maverick’s World Class scores with a strong narrative and exciting visuals." ― Geek Vibes Nation

"World Class is an exciting sport comic for young adults. There is such an exhilarating power to the story and the characters that the reader very quickly warms and grows to care for them. Where Roy of the Rovers or Ball Boy from The Beano showcased football culture in England, Sandlin showcases how wide-ranged this sport is. And on the whole, it succeeds with some riveting matches. It could also be very easily be adapted into other formats." ― But Why Tho?

"World Class has everything readers didn't know they could want from a sports series. From compelling, rich characters, to art that instills excitement through its panel work, this is one title to keep an eye on." ― Monkeys Fighting Robots

★ LIVING NOW BOOK AWARDS WINNER - Silver Medal Winner - Motivation & Improvement
★ Created by a top-tier manga artist team! From captivating, sharply drawn characters to the thrilling atmosphere crafted through dynamic action sequences; from the youthful energy and heartfelt emotions typical of shonen manga to the spirit of unity, perseverance, and relentless striving found in sports competitions—this soccer manga brings together every element you’d expect from an outstanding sports-themed work. With its deeply rooted emotional core, it is sure to touch readers’ hearts time and again.
★ With skillful and masterful storytelling, the author tackles many issues that teenagers face in common, such as peer pressure, school bullying, differences in family backgrounds, discrimination, and the fluttering emotions of adolescence—resonating deeply with young readers who feel out of place or are under immense pressure to succeed.
★ A Spanish-language edition is now available.
★ Recommended for readers aged 13 and up.

For Adrián Molina, nicknamed the “Columbia Cannon,” football is his religion. His powerful right foot opens up endless possibilities for him in Europe’s youth leagues. Yet when a scout offers him a full scholarship to an elite preparatory school in London, the news sounds almost too good to be true. After enrolling, he meets Titan Evans, the team’s star striker, which complicates his situation. Titan has everything Adrián lacks: wealth, immense power, an extensive network of connections, and an insatiable desire to dominate both on and off the pitch. The constant arguments, taunts, and bullying leave Adrián anxious and terrified of losing his place on the team—until Luciano de Silva enters the picture. De Silva helps Adrián regain his confidence, enabling him to embrace his true self and cherish his position on the team.
This football story comes from visionary writer and podcast host Jay Sandlin (“On the Tightrope”), illustrator Patrick Mulholland (“Power Rangers”), and superstar colorist Rebecca Nalty (“Women’s Wrestling League”). Blending the energy of shōnen manga with heartfelt emotion, it tells a story about finding the right people in life—not only to help you become a better player, but also to help you become a better person.

(About the award:
The “Live in the Moment” Book Award was established in 2008 to recognize the most impactful lifestyle books of the year and their creators. Spanning categories such as cooking, entertainment, fitness, travel, and personal growth, the awards celebrate works that inspire readers to live more meaningful, happier lives. Winning titles are recognized not only for their content but also for their role in fostering personal growth, community engagement, and global sustainability. To date, this remains the world’s only award that honors book genres most relevant to our daily lives across a wide range of categories.
The award is presented by Jenkins Group, a renowned book packaging and marketing firm. Other awards organized or sponsored by Jenkins Group include the prestigious Independent Publisher Book Awards (IPPY), the Axiom Business Book Awards, and the Moonbeam Children’s Book Awards.)

Jay Sandlin
Jay Sandlin is a visionary writer and podcast host, as well as a history enthusiast. Since self-publishing his first collection of stories and picture book in 2017, Jay went on to publish “Over the Rope” in 2019.

Patrick Muholland (Artist)
Patrick is an artist from Belfast, Northern Ireland. He is best known for his work on “Mighty Morphin Power Rangers” and the miniseries “Zero-G Jumpers.” Most of the time, you’ll find him sitting at his desk, devising creative ways to pack every page with action-packed scenes.

Rebecca Nalty (Colorist)
Rebecca Nalty is a comic book colorist currently based in Dublin, Ireland. She previously worked as a background artist on the BBC animated series “Danger Mouse” and has been a full-time colorist since 2017. Her projects include IDW’s “Star Wars: Adventures in the High Republic” and “GLOW,” as well as “Between Worlds,” Dynamite’s “Xena: Warrior Princess” (2019) and “Red Sonja: Vampire,” and Vault’s “Beyond the Mission” and “Finger Guns.” In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her dog and playing video games.

Justin Birch (Type Designer)
Justin Birch is a Ringo Award–nominated comic book type designer who was born and raised in the mountainous region of West Virginia. Since beginning his career in comic book typography in 2015, he has been a member of the type design studio AndWorld Design and has collaborated with AWA, Boom!, DC, Dark Horse, IDW, Image, Mad Cave Studios, and numerous independent publishers. Justin still lives in West Virginia, where he resides with his beloved wife, daughter, and dog Kirby.