Exclusive Preview: The Bees: The Women Who Rocked Lithuania by Akvilė Magicdusté

The Bees: The Women Who Rocked Lithuania, the true story of Lithuania’s first all-women rock band, is getting a new translation, bringing Akvilė Magicdusté’s story to English readers for the first time from Fantagraphics. The graphic novel follows Jūratė Dineikaitė and is based on interviews with her, spotlighting her rock band, the Bees, showcasing their touring through the Soviet Union in the ‘60s and ‘70s, and their experiences along the way.

From Magicdusté, a Lithuanian artist and illustrator (and translated by Erika Lastovskytė), The Bees: The Women Who Rocked Lithuania arrives in comic shops on April 22, 2025.

Check out Comic Frontier’s exclusive preview of the book below.

In 1965, inspired by The Beatles, Lithuanian musician Jūratė Dineikaitė founded a rock band called The Bees. This spirited ensemble of six women toured throughout the Soviet Union during the ’60s and ’70s — turning heads with their blue jeans, mop-tops, and modern rock sound. For these women, taking the stage was at once an electrifying expression of their artistry and an audacious political act.

Based on interviews with Jūratė herself, this graphic novel vividly captures episodes of the group’s lived experiences — from thrilling performances to chilling encounters with the KGB. An authentic portrayal of a fascinating true history little known outside of Lithuania, The Bees is adapted with vibrant colors and a charmingly handcrafted style by cartoonist Akvilė Magicdusté. This edition also features a photo gallery with period snapshots of the band in action, plus a playlist of their original songs!