While fans of Steven, Pearl, Garnet, and Amethyst await the release of the rest of "Steven Universe" season 4, they will be pleased to know that they can spend the interim checking out the new "Steven Universe" graphic novel from BOOM! Studios. The new graphic novel is the latest in a string of "Steven Universe" limited comics from the Los Angeles-based comic book and graphic novel publisher.
The first chapter of the graphic novel, titled "Steven Universe and The Crystal Gems: Three Gems and a Teen," is said to explore how the three Crystal Gems -- Pearl, Garnet, and Amethyst -- express their maternal sides. This is akin to the recent "Steven Universe" season 4 episode "Three Gems and a Baby," in which the Gems dealt with the fact that Rose Quartz had sacrificed her form so that Steven could exist. They struggled with the fact that Steven -- who is half-human and half-Gem -- is unlike them but later learned to appreciate him for who he is.
"Three Gems and a Baby," released on Dec. 1, came more than two weeks after "Gem Harvest," the eighth episode of "Steven Universe" season 4. The current season of the popular Cartoon Network animated series premiered in August and is currently on hiatus. The network has yet to announce the official return date for "Steven Universe" season 4, prompting many to speculate that the show may have been canceled.
However, recent reports indicate that "Steven Universe" season 4 will resume in January when the holiday festivities are over. Sources suggest that no new season 4 episode was released after "Three Gems and a Baby" because December is not a particularly lucrative season for TV shows. This is ostensibly because viewer habits are hard to pin down when the holidays are in full swing and people are either off on vacation or busy preparing for Christmas and the New Year. At the moment, Cartoon Network reportedly does not want to risk garnering low ratings for the rest of "Steven Universe" season 4. However, viewership is reportedly expected to become more predictable in January, which is when the remaining episodes of "Steven Universe" season 4 are said to debut.
