Hilo Presents: The Mighty

Hilo Presents #1

by Judd Winick

From the New York Times Bestselling Creator of Hilo comes Hilo Presents–introducing all new stories, new heroes, and new worlds! Miranda’s an average kid trying to make it through the school day—but is she also the SUPERHERO known as THE MIGHTY?! Get ready for Mega-sized adventure and fun!

Welcome to Willow City—home to the one and only Miranda Luna!

Miranda loves Willow City and her life…exactly as they are. But lately everything seems to be changing. Crime is up in the city. Bullying is up at school. Even Miranda’s family is acting weird. It feels like everything is out of her control…even her own body! (What’s with all this hair? And where did this super-strength come from?!) The world needs someone to fix things. There’s a local legend about a giant, furry, mythical creature who has always kept Willow City safe in times of need. But that doesn’t have anything to do with Miranda…right? Does Miranda have what it takes to be the hero that Willow City needs..and the person she was born to be?

With Hilo Presents, Judd Winick, the beloved creator of Hilo, brings his signature action-packed storytelling, laugh out loud humor and irresistible heart to brand new stories and worlds—perfect for fans of Hilo and for anyone who has ever needed a hero!

Genres: Graphic Novels, Superheroes, Middle Grade, Childrens, Humor, Science Fiction, Fantasy

240 pages, Hardcover

Published February 3, 2026

About the author

Judd Winick is an American cartoonist, comic book writer, screenwriter, and former reality television personality known for his diverse contributions to storytelling across multiple media. He first entered the public eye in 1994 as a cast member on The Real World: San Francisco, where he formed a close friendship with AIDS educator Pedro Zamora, an experience that deeply influenced his later work. Winick memorialized their bond in Pedro and Me, a critically acclaimed autobiographical graphic novel that earned several literary awards and became a staple in school curricula.

Winick's career in comics took off with The Adventures of Barry Ween, Boy Genius and continued with major runs at DC Comics, including Green Lantern, Green Arrow, and Batman. His stories often explored socially relevant themes, such as HIV, homophobia, and identity. He was recognized for introducing gay characters and tackling difficult subjects with empathy and clarity. His work on Batman notably included resurrecting the character Jason Todd as the Red Hood, a storyline later adapted into the animated film Batman: Under the Red Hood, for which Winick wrote the screenplay.

Beyond comics, he created The Life and Times of Juniper Lee for Cartoon Network and served as head writer for Hulu's The Awesomes. In 2015, he launched the Hilo series, an all-ages sci-fi adventure inspired by his own children. The bestselling series has been widely praised and is expected to reach its eleventh volume in 2025.

Winick lives in San Francisco with his wife, Pam Ling, also a Real World alum, and their two children. He continues to create heartfelt and imaginative stories for audiences of all ages.

Reviews

[Becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great graphic novel! There are many great discussion topics for readers via this wonderful graphic novel. I look forward to recommending this book to others.

[Kelly {SpaceOnTheBookcase] · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hilo Presents: The Mighty is the first book in the new graphic novel series. Miranda is just like any other girl, until she goes to dress out for PE and realizes her legs are really hairy. When her friend visits her at home that night, not only are her feet huge but so are her hands. Unsure what is causing this, Miranda freaks out and turns into a "monster." With heightened senses and a knack for stopping crime, is Miranda monster or superhero?

Miranda is such a fun character to root for. A perfectionist who struggles when things don't go her way, turning into the towns superhero is definitely not in her plans. I really liked the friendship between Miranda and Solly. Their human is very middle grade and made me laugh a few times. While she's not fighting crime, Miranda is just trying to finish her science fair project while her mom experiences a health scare. This is so relatable for many young readers who are balancing their school life with their home life.

I can't wait to see where this series goes.

Thank you Random House Kids for the gifted copy.

[Jaymie · Rating 5 out of 5]

[I received a free electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]

5 stars = Outstanding!

I loved this! Same beautiful art, humor and heart from the Hilo series, but with a new hero. Hilo fans will love this, and newcomers can start here. Hand this to graphic novel fans, too. I can't wait to read more in this line and more stories starring Miranda.

[Joe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Judd Winick can do no wrong, at least in the Hilo Universe. Extremely reminiscent of Hilo in feelings, characters, and emotions; but it works with a new protagonist that shares similarities to Red Panda Mei, the Hulk, and Spider-Man. She is conflicted between her sense of duty and responsibility to her city, her parents, and her childhood. I am wondering if he plans to do a bunch of origin stories like this in the Hilo Presents series or if he intends to explore more throughout each character’s story. Either way, my family will continue to follow and buy every installment he puts out.

[YSBR · Rating 4 out of 5]

Miranda Luna is an average kid who likes her life just the way it  is. But lately, most of her days have been pretty weird and she begins to experience unexpected changes, like sensing danger and sprouting purple hair.  Does this have anything to do with the legend of a giant mythical creature who keeps Willow City safe in times of need?  Crime is on the rise; is Miranda ready to accept her new powers and does she have what it takes to become The Mighty?

“Hilo Presents” introduces new heroes to Hilo’s world.  An introductory comic strip with the original Hilo crew explains the “Hilo Presents” series to readers, but otherwise there is no appearance of the original characters in the story itself.  Miranda, a brown-haired tan-skinned girl, is the first of the new heroes to be introduced.  The story contains ample action, a solid hero backstory, and enough comedic relief to counter its more serious elements. Violence is stylized  rather than graphic, and Miranda’s monster is deliberate in avoiding injury to even the villains. Winick’s signature style will have fans of the Hilo series clamoring for this new series and looking forward to the next hero to be introduced.  Can be read without any previous knowledge of the Hilo world or books. Link to complete review: https://ysbookreviews.wordpress.com/2...

[寿理 宮本 · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a good story, but I find it's just a little less enjoyable than Hilo. For one, it goes through an extended bit where the Hilo characters "introduce" "Hilo Presents" and generally takes a long time to explain the setting, which is a fast way to lose your audience. For another, I just personally don't find "Sasquatch"-type monsters as interesting as other "monster" types, I guess.

It does a good job with what it is, though—Studious Girl (Miranda/"Randa") suddenly finds she has a secret "Mighty" power that was supposed to pass to her mom but skipped a generation because her mom got cancer (but is better now) and instinctively knows when and where there is trouble for her to go stop. Great feels with the family stuff, where Winick really shines!

Definitely worth a look, but it's just overall not as interesting as Hilo. Includes a preview of a holiday-related Hilo story at the end.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fans of the Hilo graphic novel series are sure to enjoy this title and the others that are still to come under the banner of Hilo Presents. Introducing new superheroes, the series aims to provide hope to its audience. In this one, twelve-year-old Miranda Luna suddenly starts sprouting abundant fur and elongated limbs while also having some sort of sixth sense that alerts her to crimes being committed in her city. With emotional support from her best friend, Solly, she comes to see that these changes aren't necessarily bad and that what matters is not WHAT she is but WHO she, a good lesson for anyone. There are several subplots, including one about her mother's health and another concerning the long line of superheroes in her hometown that add interest to the story. With its colorful panels and complex characters, this one is sure to be a hit. Miranda is mighty in many ways, and she simply refuses to stand for bullying of any kind.

[Dobie9 Library · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a fan of the HiLo series, the first 'HiLo Presents' story did not disappoint. The Mighty has the same humor and heart-warming moments as HiLo, as well as the artwork and vibrant coloring. As the main character, Miranda, learns to handle the powers (aka turning into a super powered 'monster') she has been given, she learns to trust herself and have faith in herself and others. Her best friend Solly helps her adjust to the changes and is also a hoot.
The book is introduced by the HiLo Crew, letting the reader know that though the HiLo crew isn't in this story, it is set in the same world as the HiLo series.

[Jeni Enjaian · Rating 4 out of 5]

(Actual rating: 4.25)
The Comix subscription returns with a hit and a book that brought an established series to my attention, one that I plan to check out soon. In this book, the main character discovers that her unique birthmark - one that she shares with her mother - is more than just a birthmark after she starts transforming into a Bigfoot type creature. I love how Winick combines the absurd with the realities of middle school as well as how something like this would affect relationships both platonic and familial. (Her best friend is a hoot!) I hope that Winick continues to write in this world.

[Stacey Adams · Rating 3 out of 5]

A new "monster" hero has emerged. Miranda, who's life is exactly like she wants it to, has an unfortunate thing happen to her. She begins to grow and become hairy and sort of have super powers. She fights this and doesn't want it, hiding it from everyone....at first. She can't understand what's happening to her and wants it to stop. Her friend, Solly, tells her she's special and tries to convince her it's a good thing that's happened. She has to fight crime, she can't help herself. She's drawn to helping people. Solly says it's her calling and she should embrace it. But it scares her and people are afraid of her. What will happen?

[Matt Glaviano · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

Our Hilo friends introduce us to a new superhero! In the Mighty an ordinary citizen discovers that they have become a super-strong- mega-agile creature who can use their powers to save their city.

While this book has many of the strengths of a Hilo book (good humor and art, great coloring), it suffers a bit from pacing issues. Like a lot of origin stories, there's a lot that Winick has to establish before the "real" story can take off. In this case, it makes for a pretty slow first-third of a book.

Weirdly psyched for the Hilo Holiday Special.

[D.T. · Rating 2 out of 5]

TW: Cancer scare

Winick still excels at funny, emotional, yet compelling narrative voices. But this one fell a bit flat for me with the yeti powers. The more tender moments make up for it, though.

The superpowers/transformation skipped the mom and went to the daughter. Interesting.
I feel like Solly was trying to hint that he’s gay/at least questioning. It’s more implied or suggested, though nothing is stated. But the bolded “different” certainly felt that way. Or maybe it's ambiguous and something else entirely.

[Dark Reader · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really fun graphic novel as a spinoff of the Hilo series. My children love the series and loved this book too. The lessons Miranda learns in handling her newly found superpowers teach her to believe in herself and touch on responsibility to others as well. Definitely recommend, and I can't wait for more.

[Villain E · Rating 3 out of 5]

Judd Winick has decided to expand Hilo's world into a superhero universe. His first outing is The Mighty, a pretty standard origin story with an inherited superpower to shapeshit into a yeti-thing, and a literal urge to help when there's danger. Ethnic diversity and a queer coded best friend. A villain running crime. Not groundbreaking, but fine.

[Lachlan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked it because every time she chased after people they thought she was going to eat them. And when her friend came over to her house he also thought she was going to eat him. Also when she was fighting the bad guy--the bad guy was fat--the bad guy thought she was going to eat them. And then she said, "I don't eat junk food."

[Zac · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wasn’t sure how I felt about Judd moving away from Hilo but this was brilliant! Judd brings his same style and humour to this new series about a new hero. Like Hilo there’s also a whole lot of heart too. Miranda is a character that you route for straight away and my favourite character is her friend Solly. I can’t wait for more in this series.

[Ellon · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stars (I liked it)

This was a cute beginning to a series. It doesn't have quite the same umph that the first Hilo had but it's still a fun read.

Although, probably not a good sign that I'm writing the review less than a week after I finished the book but I'm already finding it hard to remember the details.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun to see a new slice of the Hiloverse. Same humor and heart

[Potato [some assembly required] · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was good! I love the Hilo universe and I can't wait for all the characters to come together at some point.

[Talitha Cunio · Rating 3 out of 5]

weird, but funny and sweet

[Arman Waggoner · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a cool spin-off, Now there are other heroes.