Unicorn Boy

Unicorn Boy #1

by Dave Roman

The first few years of Brian Reyes’ life were unremarkable―nothing weird about this kid, no sir. Then, one day, a bump appeared on his head, and it grew…and grew…and grew until it was a full-blown, sparkling, SINGING unicorn horn. That’s absolutely the last thing a shy kid like Brian wants, but destiny waits for no unicorn boy.

Luckily, Brian has his reassuring pal Avery to keep him grounded as weird occurrences start stacking up, like Brian’s breakfast muffin talking to him, or a bizarre black cat offering him a business card. But when shadowy creatures from another realm kidnap Avery, Brian has to embrace his fate to rescue his best friend.

In the pages of Unicorn Boy, Dave Roman has created a cast of charming oddballs reckoning with normal, every day problems like heroic destinies and the fate of all magic in the universe. Readers of Narwal and Jelly , Grumpy Unicorn, and InvestiGators will also endear themselves to these lovable characters.

Genres: Graphic Novels, Fantasy, Middle Grade, Comics, LGBT, Humor, Adventure

208 pages, Hardcover

First published March 12, 2024

About the author

Dave Roman is the author of several graphic novels including Astronaut Academy: Zero Gravity, Teen Boat!, Jax Epoch, and Agnes Quill: An Anthology of Mystery. He has contributed stories to Explorer: The Mystery Boxes, Nursery Rhyme Comics, and is the co-author of two New York Times bestselling graphic novels, X-Men: Misfits and The Last Airbender: Zuko’s Story. Roman is a graduate of the School of Visual Arts and worked as a comics editor for the groundbreaking Nickelodeon Magazine from 1998 to 2009. He lives in Astoria, NY with his wife, and fellow comic artist, Raina Telgemeier.

Dave has had stories in Flight volumes 3, 4, 5, & 7 (Villard) and Bizarro World (DC Comics). His website is Yaytime.com

Reviews

[Francis Dominic · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh this was so cute and so much fun! I was roaming the Kid’s section with my Nephew and this caught my eyes so fast. And immediately had to buy it. I was expecting a lil gay romance between Brian and Avery, BUT even though it didn’t happen, THIS WAS SO FREAKIN’ CUTE! Great art. So colorful. And so much story in this one book book. 3.75 stars but going to round to 4 stars.

[Vivian Martin · Rating 4 out of 5]

The artwork was like really really 😎

[Aleisha · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had high hopes for this book but it just didn't do it for me. It was cute enough and I really liked the art style, but the overall story was not very compelling. I did really like that even though he was different, he had a really good friend by his side. I also liked that they portrayed him with long hair when he was using his unicorn magic. I am also a big fan of talking muffins.

[Andrew Eder · Rating 3 out of 5]

Okay this was actually hilarious? Like so many little comments and puns had me LOL-ing. This seems like it’d be written for a pretty young audience (which I’m sure it would be fine for) but the humor and subtle remarks are written for much older / smarter readers. I really really enjoyed the wit!

The art was good and the storyline was fine. It was a bit all over the place and weak at points, but it was just an overall silly goofy ride and I have a good time.

Definitely recommend!!

[ariana. · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Underworlds public enemies” - All Black Cats.
Yep, that checks out, as I look at my black cat sleeping at the foot of my bed.
I laughed pretty hard at all the black cat jokes and pop culture references. This is definitely a book I would recommend to a lot of my students. Not just for this humor, but for the positive message of friendship and self love.

[Jesse · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun adventure featuring friendship, heroes, a trip to the underworld, and black cats! 🐈‍⬛ 🦄 🌈

[Caroline · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't love this, but I think the target demographic likely will.

Brian Reyes starts his life totally normally, until he starts to grow a unicorn horn. Now, he's picked on at school for being 'Unicorn Boy' by everyone but his best friend Avery -- a gender nonbinary kid who loves comics. When he's approached by a talking muffin, Brian realizes that his horn can actually help him soar through the air with unicorn powers. Brian rushes home to tell Avery his new discovery, only to find that Avery has been kidnapped by the Skull-King. Now, Brian must journey to the underworld to save his best friend, learning to use his powers and believe in himself on the way.

The coloring is fabulous and very vibrant and the whole premise is kid-level silly. Some of the jokes didn't quite land for me, because I am old and jaded and cynical but kids will like them. As Brian and Avery's adventure progresses, a magical book writes itself with the story of the two friends. Fun.

[Brian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved this one. Power of love? Unicorns? Trips to the underworld? Subtle jokes that help connect the reader to the book? Brian? What’s not to love!

[Joshua Glasgow · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’d certainly read more in the series and there were some funny moments (the horn’s singing was always a winner for me) but overall I’m not sure I buy the emotional journey U.B. goes on here and it’s wrapped up way too fast. Interesting that his best friend is non-binary. These junior graphic novels have tended to have a fair amount of representation, which is good. I didn’t really talk about what being non-binary means with Odo. He didn’t express any confusion about it either, though, so… Anyway, this book was ok.

[Shaunna MacDonald · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 rounded up.

[Eliott · Rating 3 out of 5]

Unicorn Boy
Overall Rating: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ .5 (3.5/5) or 7.00/10 overall

Characters - 6

Atmosphere - 7

Writing - 7

Plot - 7

Intrigue - 8

Logic - 7

Enjoyment - 7

[Meg]

A great read alike for fans of Red Panda and Moon Bear!

[stephanie a ☽ · Rating 5 out of 5]

so wholesome!

[Mariah Oleszkowicz · Rating 5 out of 5]

So much imagination and fun! A great book for learning to uncover your own super hero abilities.

[horsey girl♥️ · Rating 5 out of 5]

I♥️ it
It was so slay
I love horses!!!!!♥️♥️♥️♥️🐴🐴🐴🐎🐎🐎🐎♥️♥️♥️♥️😍😍😍

[Zac · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was super fun! A boy who sprouts a unicorn horn and gets magical powers, helped by a wizard mentor who is a talking muffin - what more could you ask for?! It’s full of magic, adventure and laughs. Perfect for fans of Hilo, Max Meow and InvestiGators.

[Melanie Dulaney · Rating 3 out of 5]

This series is targeted at elementary & middle grade fans of graphic novels, superheroes and, possibly, the absurd. Brian was just a regular kid until sometime in upper elementary/jr high a unicorn horn sprouted from the top of his head. When his long time best friend and next door neighbor, Avery, is snatched by shadowy figures and taken to the underworld, Brian must figure out how to use the magical, super powers his bestie (and an enchanted muffin) were just beginning to help him figure out. The graphic panels are full of motion and color and good eventually triumphs over evil. Plus there are wizards turning into talking muffins, cats that have super powers attached to their 9 lives, a “Gran” Reaper living a double life down under, and long hair that sprouts from Brian’s head when he engages his horn’s magical powers and then disappears when he’s not. I found myself rolling my eyes a lot and quite honestly, did not enjoy it. However, I am an adult and can see that some 3rd - 5th grade readers may find the mixture of humor and magic a perfect mix.

Text is free of profanity, sexual content and, despite the kidnapping by evil forces from the underworld, violence. In fact, the whole underworld just seems an odd caricature rather than a scary place. Representation: Avery is non-binary, is shown in attire that is associated with both male and female, and uses they/them. (Since they are a major character, the use of plural pronouns for a singular person may read awkwardly for those not accustomed to doing so.)

Thanks for the finished copy, First Second Books and Dave Roman!

[J H · Rating 4 out of 5]

Summary (WARNING: Spoilers):

This is a graphic novel about friendship, identity, and heroism. The story introduces readers to the main character, Brian Reyes, who was a normal boy living with both of his parents until one day, a horn develops on his head. It doesn’t stop growing. Brian gets embarrassed and humiliated at school, but no one can figure out the cause of his horn growing on his head. However, his best friend, Avery, found out that it is indeed a unicorn horn. Brian’s life changes from having a unicorn horn. He meets a talking magic muffin who used to be a life coach wizard. His horn starts singing nonstop, and he transforms! On his way home, Brian unleashes his unicorn power and saves a black cat in the streets. The cat reveals itself as “Basil” by talking and thanking Brian. After the cat leaves, scary shadowy figures appear and chase Brian home. When Brian gets back home, he tells Avery all about his heroic act, newfound magic power, and the creepy shadows. They hide in the house, and Avery shows Brian this magical book titled “Unicorn Boy”, which happens to retell everything that’s happened to Brian. Annoyed with the magic muffin, Brian tucks him away in a sealed container in the fridge. Later, Avery gets taken away into the underworld by the shadows. Brian is unable to stop them and feels awful about it. (Avery’s parents wondered where their kid is at, but they don’t appear to be freaking out.) Next, Brian reports Avery as missing and recounts the events, even showing the officers his magical book that retells everything that’s happened up to this point. One of the officers seems skeptical, whilst the other is optimistic. However, they proved to be useless. Nearly given up, Brian goes back to his magical muffin and asks for guidance and help to retrieve his missing best friend. The muffin asks Brian to sign a contract agreement to be his life coach under their conditions. The muffin wants to turn back to normal, and the only way to do that is to find the original caster (Wulfblud Stormbringer, another wizard who became evil. He was one of the muffin’s students and casted a curse on him, turning him into a muffin. Thanks to the muffin, Brian meets another fellow wizard who helps them travel to the “other world” using a magical candle. Brian also contacts the cat from earlier to help him retrieve his friend. After Brian transforms into Unicorn Boy, they leap over the candle and into the underworld where they meet hundreds of reapers, waiting in an eternal line. Luckily, they meet Gran Reaper, who happens to know the muffin as a wizard (before they got turned into a muffin by the evil Skull-King). The Gran Reaper turns out to be friendly and helps disguise Brian with one of the reaper robes since Unicorn Boy is wanted in their world. They sneak out and drive away in a vehicle, barely getting caught by other reapers who figured out that Unicorn Boy got smuggled into their world. As they get to the prison, Gran Reaper tricks another fellow reaper in charge there and locks him into a jail cell. From there, the group encounters another shadow that turns out to be Avery—who learned the secret of harnessing shadow magic from fellow cats trapped there. They also meet the cat who taught them the magic. Avery is determined to free the other cats. Before Brian could stop them, Avery leads them there. They see the other cats locked up in a circle, and they see the other reapers with the Skull-King. The group ends up battling the reapers, while the Skull-King stops gran reaper and goes after Unicorn Boy. With one attack, Unicorn Boy almost falls into deep despair and emptiness but manages to shake himself out of it. The Skull-King picks him up again but gets sucked into Unicorn’s mouth and into his belly. They manage to save the kittens and stop the Skull-King. The group cheers and leaves the world, traveling back to their world. They make it just in time before the candle flame goes out. Just then, Avery faints, and Gran Reaper says it looks like Avery might have to stay in the underworld after all after being stuck there for too long. Unicorn Boy refuses to accept this, and Basil’s cat friend says the cats can perform a very special ritual to save Avery for their heroic acts. The cats ask the holy cat to give Avery nine lives as they’ve helped save the other cats from an untimely death. Though they initially said no, the holy cat reluctantly says “fine” and grants Avery nine cat lives, thus turning Avery into “Cat Angel”.

TDLR: “Unicorn Boy” is a graphic novel about a boy named Brian Reyes, who was an ordinary before his unicorn horn started growing on his head. No one seems to know exactly why or what caused it, but his best friend, Avery, suggests he’s a unicorn horn. Skeptical, Brian then encounters a magical talking muffin who asks him not to consume them as they can help guide Brian with his newfound unicorn abilities. Brian, in fact, learns more than just about his horn, but that there is another world with evil lurking and his undeniable need to help out when there is trouble. #identity #friendship #unicorn #magic #graphicnovel



Final Thoughts:

I’d recommend this book for readers ages 7 and up. My first impression was that the supporting characters didn’t have as much dimension as the main characters. Understandably, the story is fast-paced and focuses on getting the story to the end. The story is extremely hopeful, uplifting, and positive, despite it showing a dark concept of the underworld and characters nearly escaping death and imprisonment. Young readers will find it amusing to see side characters such as Basil (the cat) and the Holy Cat showing some attitude and remarks back and forth. For me, it may be too overly positive, forcing the concept that good triumphs over evil, and good karma will return to those who do good—as in the story, everything seems to fall into place and works out miraculously, but perhaps the author is building up the to turmoil (in the follow-up books) since the Skull-King (the villain) is still alive inside Unicorn Boy’s stomach after getting swallowed up by him. (They had a battle where it seemed like Skull-King seemed way too powerful, but Unicorn Boy uses his imagination to swallow up the antagonist.)

[Kellee Moye · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a fun, odd, silly, adventurous graphic novel!! Brian’s new unicorn horn is more than just a horn, and it leads to a whole adventure, including needing to save his kidnapped friend Avery who was sucked into another realm by shadow creatures. With a fun cast of characters, including a talking muffin and talking black cat, Brian must go save his best friend!

[Kate · Rating 2 out of 5]

There was just...A LOT going on in this. I ended up skimming because soooo many new characters were introduced during the course of the story. Like, a new one every few pages. For my aging adult brain, that was like having 18 different types of candy for a snack and my teeth hurtttttt!

I'm sure kids will enjoy it just fine though. It has slight Cucumber Quest vibes, but with less humor.

[Gail · Rating 3 out of 5]

Art is great. The story was a bit too bizarre for me but I think kids will love it.

[Jack Goff · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brian Reyes was a normal boy until he wasn't. Now he has a magical unicorn horn, a talking muffin, and a horde of shadows chasing him and his best friend! What is a unicorn boy to do? Can he figure out how to use his newfound powers to save the day? Does he even want to?

I loved this book. It was so much fun. Everyone who knows me knows that I am a sucker for anything that has the word "unicorn" attached to it, and while I do think this book could have had more pictures of unicorns, I thoroughly enjoyed reading this. This story is very fast-paced. There is not a lot of background information before we are dropped into the action, but I don't think the story really needed a bunch of exposition. We have our characters-- the reluctant hero, the brave best friend, the mentor-- and we have our mission-- save the friend from the big bad!

The art style, while simple, was extremely fun. I loved the bright colors and the character designs were so cute. I believe my favorite segments as far as the art goes had to be (mild spoiler?) the magical-girl-esque style transformation sequences we get. I also really enjoyed the representation we get with Brian's friend Avery! They were so cool, and I am loving how we are getting more.... How do I put it? Casual representation? Like there is a character that uses they/them pronouns and it is not a plot point, not even anything they really draw attention to. It just is. And I love that. I wish there had been more thinks like that when I was younger.

I would recommend this to readers who enjoy the Catman and Dogman books. It has the same fast pace, bright colors, and light-hearted action. I didn't realize this was the beginning of a series when I read it, and I am so excited that it is! I can't wait to read more about Unicorn Boy!

Thanks to Macmillan for the DRC!

[寿理 宮本 · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Dave Roman's work, but sometimes... it feels kind of dark! Like, I love that Brian is a *boy* unicorn, when unicorns are traditionally known for being for girls, and I love that his best friend Avery is non-binary, but this book deals with some pretty dark matter (literally, death and the Underworld) and is a little scarier than I thought it would be!

Not to say younger readers won't still love it; I can attest to a large crowd of said younger readers having a blast when they saw Dave Roman and John Patrick Green at an event! It's just, as I said, darker than I expected.

There's also a bit of what feels like pantsing: the story seems to progress in whatever way feels the funniest, vs. according to a preset plan. This can be disastrous if done poorly, but it can also feel highly imaginative—I mean, when dealing with MAGICAL UNICORN POWERS, why WOULDN'T you just use the Power of Belief to save the day?

On the whole, yes, a fun* rescue adventure... into the Underworld. I think I liked Astronaut Academy more, but I won't mind reading the next installment of Unicorn Boy and Cat Angel!

*although Brian might have different feelings on that

[Sacha · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars

Little Brian is living my childhood dream as a seemingly human child who one day realizes that the magic of the unicorn is within him...and then also outside of him in the form of the horn, which is both inextricably attached to him and also breaks into its own songs at times. If you're thinking, "Whoa! Cool! Wild!" at this point, you haven't seen anything yet.

The experience of reading this graphic novel was like a fever dream in a good way (like a Jess King New Year's Eve ride with DJ John Michael - IYKYK): fulfilling, action packed, cool to look at, and highly quirky. Along with Brian, there are so many great characters and details. Brian's buddy, Avery, becomes the impetus for Brian to push himself to next level heroics, and the evolving relationship between these two was a lot of fun to chart. I expect readers will see much more of both of them in future installments. There's a talking muffin (more complicated), a chair that isn't a chair at all, and a lot of really adorable and resilient cats, among many others.

I'm cracking up as I write this review because this book is chaotic in a good way, and I also feel that's the best way to discuss it. This was an unexpected treat, and I'm looking forward to the next in the series!

*Special thanks to NetGalley and First Second for this arc, which I received in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are my own.

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Graphic Novel
I received an electronic ARC from First Second Books through NetGalley.
Middle grade readers will love engaging with Brian and Avery as they begin adventures in this new series. Brian is a shy boy living a quiet life until an unusual bump appears on top of his head.
To everyone's surprise, a horn grows and Brian's quiet life disappears. Avery is excited for his friend and offers encouragement and information on superheroes. All heroes need a mentor, and readers will love the humor of Brian's being a talking muffin. As expected with any new superhero adventure, early on they encounter an evil foe. Brian has to find the courage to enter this foe's realm and rescue his friend before it's too late. He also rescues the black cats stolen by the Skull-King to build his power. By the end, Avery also has super powers and they have shared their adventures with their families. Looking forward to more adventures to come.
The artwork is colorful and brings out additional details to support the story. Upper elementary readers will love the humor with just enough creepiness to entertain. They will connect with the struggles the characters face at school. They'll appreciate Brian's struggle to figure out who he is and what he will do with this new power.

[Heidi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brian begins life like most other kids, but things quickly change when he grows a singing, unicorn horn. Not only is it hard to hide and impossible to explain, but it brings attention with it that Brian is not at all comfortable receiving. Brian's binary best friend, Avery, is thrilled enough for the both of them. Avery tries to help Brian remove the horn but when it can't be removed or covered up, Avery helps Brian deal with the complications that follow including unwanted teasing and a talking muffin. When Avery gets kidnapped by shadowy figures from the underworld, Brian is desperate to find and rescue them. It may just be possible with the assistance of his new magical capabilities, the knowledge and help of his mentor, the talking muffin, and a black cat. Appealing illustrations combined with themes of friendship, heroism, and problem-solving make the book one that many children will enjoy. Brian's alter ego, Unicorn Boy, has an appropriately magical look (long pink hair--mane, and a white outfit). There are plenty of humorous moments to balance out the more intense fight scenes as Brian faces off with the wicked king of the underworld and his shadowy minions.

[Steff Fox · Rating 4 out of 5]

That cat is too busy texting to notice that oncoming truck.

Unicorn Boy is one of those books that sort of just throws the oddest things at you, one after another, and you sort of just have to go with it. In this world, things are different and there's not a lot of rhyme or reason for why everything happens the way that it does, it just does and that's okay. The characters are all odd and quirky and honestly, so is the plot.

I sort of love this book for that on an immense level, but I also recognize that most of what happens in this story is incredibly odd and doesn't truly seem to have genuine purpose other than to exist as events that happen so that our beloved unicorn boy goes on a grand adventure. There's talking muffins and texting cats, grim and gran reapers and scary skull kings. The story starts in the "real" world, if you can even call it that, and extends into some wild and magical places.

What can I say? It was a romp. And I reckon there will be a great number of kids who absolutely adore the book for it.

[pineapple tofu · Rating 5 out of 5]

Things were pretty ordinary for kid Brian Reyes until something extraordinary happened to him. He grew a unicorn horn and one that sang songs. With the help of his friend Avery, life at school is a little less stressful. Until one evening, Avery gets kidnapped by shadows and is taken to the Underworld. And now it’s up to Brian, a talking muffin and a black cat with one life left, to save Avery.
This was hilarious! Readers will enjoy this magic-boy graphic novel full of hijinks, laughter, and some evil creatures. Sparkling with bright colors and eye-popping action scenes, Brian fights his way through the Underworld by saving sacrificial black cats, his best friend Avery, and coming into his own as a unicorn boy. By battling the shadow creatures and the mayhem-loving Skull King, Brian fights alongside his destiny as a new upcoming hero, all in a day's time.

[Dogsandbooksanddogsandbooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Friendship, acceptance, and using your superpowers for good are all themes touched on in the delightful graphic novel, Unicorn Boy. When Brian Reyes finds a bump on his head one day that quickly becomes a Unicorn Horn his bestie, Avery, doesn't bat an eye. Acceptance is immediate. But the horn isn't Brian's only problem. Soon he will be battling the evil shadows and go to the depths below to save his best friend with the help of a talking muffin (yes, that's correct - a muffin) and other fun characters.
Aimed at the middle grade reader, those that like a bit of superpower magic and overcoming obstacles will certainly enjoy this one.

Thank you to First Second Books for access to an early e-copy via Netgalley. All opinions are mine.

[Katy Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not for me but likely a winner with the target market.

Playing with gender a little, as well as many other conventions and comic book staples, it's Brian here who grows a unicorn horn and has to live with the stares, comments and.... superpowers?

A complex, quirky and hard-to-even-describe plot follows, involving talking cupcakes, underworld adventures, and lots of bonkers fights.

I definitely feel my age reading things like this - my 7 year old will LOVE the totally far-out plot of this while I just feel a bit out of my depth, but it's good fun and very creative, an easy read for those who don't like long intense chapters.

With thanks to the publisher for providing a sample copy.