Mister Magic: The Graphic Novel

by Kiersten White, Scott E. Peterson (Adapter), Veronica Fish (Illustrator)

NATIONAL BESTSELLER • Who is Mister Magic? Former child stars reunite to uncover the tragedy that ended their show—and discover the secret of its enigmatic host—in this “skin-crawling story of pop culture fandom and ‘90s nostalgia” (Melissa Albert, author of The Hazel Woods) from the author of Hide.

“[A] propulsive, exciting, often genuinely scary, endlessly compelling mystery.”—Terry Miles, author of Rabbits

A BEST BOOK OF THE PopSugar, Polygon, Chicago Public Library, CrimeReads

Thirty years after a tragic accident shut down production of the classic children’s program Mister Magic, the five surviving cast members have done their best to move on. But just as generations of cultishly devoted fans still cling to the lessons they learned from the show, the cast, known as the Circle of Friends, have spent their lives searching for the happiness they felt while they were on it. The friendship. The feeling of belonging. And the protection of Mister Magic.  

But with no surviving video of the show, no evidence of who directed or produced it, and no records of who—or what—the beloved host actually was, memories are all the former Circle of Friends has. 

Then a twist of fate brings the castmates back together at the remote desert filming compound that feels like it’s been waiting for them all this time. Even though they haven’t seen each other for years, they understand one another better than anyone has since. 

After all, they’re the only ones who hold the secret of that circle, the mystery of the magic man in his infinitely black cape, and, maybe, the answers to what really happened on that deadly last day. But as the Circle of Friends reclaim parts of their past, they begin to Are they here by choice, or have they been lured into a trap? 

Because magic never forgets the taste of your friendship. . . .

Genres: Horror, Graphic Novels, Fantasy, Comics, Contemporary, Adult, Fiction

256 pages, Paperback

First published June 9, 2026

About the author

Kiersten White is the #1 New York Times bestselling, Bram Stoker Award-winning, and critically acclaimed author of many books for readers of all ages, including the And I Darken trilogy, the Sinister Summer series, the Camelot Rising trilogy, Star Wars: Padawan, Hide, Mister Magic, and Lucy Undying. She also has a very large tortoise named Kimberly, which isn't relevant, but she wanted you to know.

Visit her online at kierstenwhite.com.

Reviews

[Ricarda · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm always surprised when I see a random book getting a graphic novel adaptation. I'm not complaining about that, but I certainly don't understand it either. Because I basically see no reason for this graphic novel of "Mister Magic" existing and I say that as someone who actually quite liked the novel. I've only read it last year and I enjoyed it way more than I expected based on the mediocre average rating of the book. The plot about this long-running children's tv show that everyone remembers differently and that may or may not has ended in tragedy with no information to be found online was just so intriguing to me and there was some cool mixed media too. The graphic novel of course tells the same story while also providing visualization. The thing is: the majority of this story is people talking to each other. So there is still a lot of text and the pretty art is only used to show the characters from different angles while they are talking. There are some nice spreads that picture the tv show and they were really good, but they were few and far between all the visually unexciting talks. I guess it's a faithful adaptation of the novel, but I just don't see any necessity for it. I also don't know who to recommend it to. Those who have already read the novel will get nothing new here. I read the novel like half a year ago and I found it to be repetitive even. But those who haven't read the novel will struggle too. From the whole structure it's very clear that this story was not designed to be a graphic novel. The paranormal element unfolds only slowly, there is nothing that hooks the reader in the beginning and the art is only really worth it near the end of the book. I guess it might work for readers who enjoyed the novel before, but can't remember it all that well and don't want to re-read the whole book. And that is a bit too much of a niche audience if you ask me. 2.5 stars.

Huge thanks to NetGalley and Clarkson Potter / Ten Speed Press for providing a digital arc in exchange for an honest review.

[Jillian B · Rating 4 out of 5]

Val has no memories from early childhood. The only life she’s known for the past 30 years is living on the secluded ranch where her dad brought her as an eight-year-old. She’d always had the sense that they were on the run from something…or someone. But after her dad’s death, a group of people who knew her before the ranch track her down. They say she starred alongside them on a children’s TV show, and they convince her to join them for a reunion that will be featured on a podcast. But a sense of unease permeates the weekend, and Val begins to suspect she’s not the only one with hazy memories. Something much bigger than a nostalgia podcast is happening—something that could shake the very foundation of Val’s life.

I read and enjoyed the original Mister Magic novel, so I was delighted to see it adapted into the graphic novel form. I would love to see other modern horror novels get this treatment! The illustrations were great and really complement the story, and the book moves at a fast pace while still giving readers all the context they need. This was a fun one!

[Mikey ಠ◡ಠ · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was wondering if I would cry again and I did 🫠

I wasn’t sure if the graphic novel would hit the same as the book but it absolutely does! I might even like it, dare I say, better than the book? The illustrations were incredible, especially when depicting the show. Somehow the colors and imagery really captures the feeling of watching a show from the 90s that you loved. Witchcraft! I haven’t read Mister Magic since it came out but I had a really good time slowly remembering the details of the plot as I went.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a free eARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Barbara Behring · Rating 4 out of 5]

The graphic novel of Mister Magic was great. I read the book when it came out and enjoyed it and this graphic novel helps me visualize the story.

[Danny_reads · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5⭐

I've always been vaguely interested in the Mister Magic novel, but never thought I'd ever get to it. So, as soon as I saw this graphic novel adaptation available on Netgalley, I instantly requested it.

I really like the concept behind this story, and I loved the mixed-media elements introduced in this graphic novel. I was genuinely interested in what the story was behind this children TV show. Sadly, the reveal wasn't as satisfying as I was hoping it would be... I think a lot more could have been done with this concept.

I'm not necessarily the biggest fan of the comic-book art style, but there were a couple of really good illustrations in this. If you are interested in the concept, but you don't necessarily want to invest in an entire novel, this is a good alternative.

Thank you so much to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review!

[nichie j.c]

GIVE IT TO ME NOWWWWWWWWWW

[dessie*₊⊹ · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really dug the themes and message the author was saying with this book. Childhood nostalgia as a trap!! And what really makes a ‘good kid’ anyway?
I thought the art was nice too, it really captured the feeling of a children’s show.
I do wish now I could’ve read the original novel first, because this felt too quick for me after a slower start. The horror finally got started then immediately escalated and ended. I think it would’ve hit harder emotionally with buildup and a stronger understanding. I wish mister magic and other villains could’ve been on page more, and added more tension. I still mostly liked it and recommend.

[ฅ^•⩊•^ฅ · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn’t even know Mr. Magic existed back when it was published as a novel, so this graphic novel was my first introduction to the story. I was already familiar with Kiersten White as a name and had been meaning to read something by her for a while. This definitely pushed me closer to that.

What really pulled me in was the art style, which is always the first thing I look at in graphic novels. If I like the art, I’m instantly more invested in the story, and that was absolutely the case here.

Thankfully, the plot held up, too. It starts off with mild Scooby-Doo vibes, not ghosts and hauntings, but it definitely has an eerie atmosphere. I won’t say much more about the plot because spoilers are way too easy here. I also can’t judge how faithful this is as an adaptation, since I haven’t read the original novel, but I do feel like I might have connected more deeply with the characters in prose form. I wanted to sit a bit longer with their confusion, their desperation, and that constant question of what’s real, what’s remembered, and what’s missing.

Still, I’m glad I picked this up. It was a fun, atmospheric read, and it definitely made me want to explore more of Kiersten White’s work.

[Nancy Loredo · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5⭐

[Justin Soderberg · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's an amazing sight to see when a great prose novel gets a graphic novel adaptation. Scott Peterson expertly adapts Kiersten White's Mister Magic with artists Veronica Fish & Andy Fish in Mister Magic: The Graphic Novel . The end result is a visually stunning, yet still unsettling, version of an impressive story for a whole new set of readers.

Thirty years after a tragic accident shut down production of the classic children’s program Mister Magic, the five surviving cast members have done their best to move on. But just as generations of cultishly devoted fans still cling to the lessons they learned from the show, the cast have spent their lives searching for the happiness they felt while they were on it. The friendship. The feeling of belonging. And the protection of Mister Magic.

But with no surviving videos or scripts, no evidence of who directed or produced the show, and no records of who—or what—the beloved host actually was, memories are all the former circle of friends has. In Val’s case, kidnapped by her father and in hiding ever since, she doesn’t even have those.

A surprise encounter with Val's old castmates brings them all together for a reunion. Back to the remote desert filming compound that feels like it’s been waiting for them all this time. Back among friends they haven’t seen for years, but who somehow understand one another better than anyone has since.

After all, they’re the only ones who hold the secret of that circle, the mystery of the magic man in his infinitely black cape, and, maybe, the answers to what really happened on that deadly last day. But as Val reclaims parts of her past, she wonders: Are they there by choice, or have they been lured into a trap?

Because magic never forgets the taste of friendship...

In the prose novel, White crafts a visually stunning book without imagery, but with her words on the page. Did the original story need a graphic novel adaptation, no, are we all the better for it existing, yes. While Kiersten's writing allowed for an immersive reading experience, the creative team behind the graphic novel gives us the actual visuals.

The premise of a children's television program everyone knows about, can sing the song from, or at least have some sort of memory about, but no one can prove existed. What a fantastic hook to this story, which goes in directions I hadn't expected.

The characters are slowly built throughout the story led by our narrator, who comes in nearly blind to the situation having forgotten what happened in her life as a child. After the death of her father things from the outside world start to penetrate her mind and opens her up to these horrors of her childhood.

I loved how this story progressed, but funny enough laying the foundation of whether or not a specific children's program ever really existed could be a fantastic beginning to a lot of horror stories. This is a fictional horror story that is built on truths of the life White lived as a child as part of the Mormon Church. Yes, this is of course a work of fiction, but White builds this story using her experiences with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, both as a member and her choice to leave.

The great thing about graphic novels and even more so with adaptations in this form is the team working together to bring this story to life visually on the page. The artwork by Veronica and Andy is just what I had hoped for when seeing this story in my mind. Each page is visually stunning with the unsettling vibes of the story popping from the page. The art behind this story does the original material justice, adding to the tale without taking away anything that came before it.

Like the prose novel, Mister Magic: The Graphic Novel is an emotional and unsettling horror tale that hits hard. Kiersten White crafts a premise that is deeply personal about childhood, belonging, and belief that Scott Peterson takes to the world of comics. The artwork by Veronica Fish & Andy Fish bring this story to eerie life to complete the mind-bending horror story that turns nostalgic children's programing into a pure nightmare.

Mister Magic: The Graphic Novel hits local comic shops and bookstores everywhere on June 9, 2026 from Ten Speed Graphic.

NOTE: We received an advance copy of Mister Magic: The Graphic Novel from the publisher. Opinions are our own.

[Chelsea]

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an advanced reader copy

Mister Magic: The Graphic Novel by Kiersten White and adapted by Scott Peterson, illustrated by Veronica and Andy Fish is a speculative horror graphic novel about a group of thirty-something adults who were on the popular program Mister Magic, but lost contact with each other more than a decade ago when the shoe abruptly ended. They never say Mister Magic's name because Val made a rule not to, but when the others find Val to take her to the reunion, they learn that she has forgotten a lot about her time on set. And Val agrees so she can find her sister Kitty, who has been presumed dead due to an incident on the show.

This feels very timely as more and more, what was on TV when Millennials were growing up is getting examined and the terrible conditions for children and teens to people in their early twenties are becoming exposed. America’s Next Top Model, Nickelodeon, Disney, more and more is coming out about how children were not protected and the ways that being a child star impacted them. Mister Magic also discusses conversion therapy and the ‘at risk teen’ youth camps we now know were extremely harmful to teens. Because this is set in Utah and it does discuss Brigham Young, it's impossible not to draw links to how one of the characters, Jenny, talks about modesty and how she has a bunch of kids so she'll never feel alone. In other words, this is very thematically packed.

The art does not shy away from color, with the Mister Magic show being the brightest and a bit more of a somber tone in a lot of the present day scenes. Because of this, you can really feel the atmospheric shift in the darker moments and the juxtaposition of the brightness of the show from the horrors within.

The thing that really stuck out to me was how all the leads’ perception of the show was shrouded in what they wanted to remember or what would be the least painful for them to remember. For Val, it was essentially locking everything about the show away, for Jenny, she kept most of her memories, and all of them remembered something happened to Kitty and Val was not there. Trauma affects everyone differently and it makes sense that Jenny, who was desperate for approval, would be the one to hang onto it the most while Val remembered the least. Isaac, Javi, and Marcus all remembered a roughly equal amount, but even their memories were not intact. Memories are not stagnant and trauma can make our brains hide things away until we're ready to process them, so it made a lot of sense to me that there would be these discrepancies between them.

Content warning for mentions of homophobia and depictions of conversion therapy

I would recommend this to fans of media analyzing children's programming and the Millennials looking to process the truth of what we grew up with on TV

[Remi · Rating 3 out of 5]

visually, this graphic novel is absolutely stunning. the artwork does a tremendous amount of heavy lifting, especially for readers who, like me, have already read the original novel but felt unsure about certain elements of the story. seeing the characters, settings, and tonal shifts on the page helped jog my memory and clarify moments that felt vague or slippery in prose form.

i’m genuinely glad i had the chance to read an advance copy of this adaptation. the graphic format makes the story more accessible and cohesive, and in that sense, i do prefer the graphic novel over the original novel. the imagery reinforces the cult-like atmosphere, and the emotional bonds between the former child actors in a way that feels more immediate and immersive.

however, my feelings about the plot itself remain largely unchanged. while the premise promises horror, what unfolds feels more like an eerie idea that came from pure imagination lack of logic. the mystery surrounding Mister Magic and the show’s legacy is intriguing on the surface, but the payoff still feels muddled.

if you struggled with the novel, this adaptation may help things click into place visually. if you’re hoping the format will fundamentally sharpen the plotline, it may still feel unsatisfying.

-------

to-read:

aaah! the graphic novel of this creepy tale. i'm so excited!

*thank you to Ten Speed Graphic for the ARC*

[bookreader_nix · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to the publisher for providing a complimentary copy of this title through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Thirty years ago, Mister Magic, a popular children's television show was cancelled after a tragic event occurred. After our main character's, Val, father died, she discovered that she had a whole different life as a child and was forced to forget what happened while being on Mister Magic. She reunites with her four other friends, who she doesn't remember, that accompanied her on Mister Magic and decides to participate in a podcast about the show. What she doesn't expect is finding out what happened when she disappeared from the show and the tragic events that led to the show's demise.

This was way darker and deeper than I anticipated it to be, which made it all the more exciting. I absolutely loved the artwork and the motifs surrounding childhood trauma, forgiveness, and grief. This graphic novel investigates parenting styles and how they impact a child's development leading into adulthood.

If you're looking for some great artwork along with a terrific story and plot, this is a book for you.

[Jenaucyde · Rating 3 out of 5]

This graphic novel is visually stunning, and easy to read. The story was clever in concept, if a teensy bit young or patronising, depending on how it’s read.

I very much enjoyed the visuals as I said (especially the sparkles), and some of the scenes were pretty creepy (no spoilers here, but the interviewer reveal? That was a highlight for me!)

I did find the narrative a little disjointed, like I was left out of, or was skipping, parts of the story somewhere. The underlying “point” of the story was lost to me as a side effect.

I did enjoy my time with this novel, overall! And please keep in mind that I have yet to read the original novel of the same name, of which this was a graphic novel adaption. I may feel differently (maybe more “clued in” to the plot) once I have (and I plan to)!

Thanks so much to NetGalley, and to TEN SPEED GRAPHIC/Penguin Random House for the opportunity to read and review this book early!

[Nikki · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book follows the reunion of a group of child stars of a popular TV-Show who want to uncover the secrets behind the tragedy that ended the show.

I want to begin this review with saying, that I never read the original book, so I was very lucky that I got to experience it as this really beautifully illustrated version. The mixed-media used in this book was one of my favorite aspects of it. It was very ominous and eerie and I was completely engaged with the story. With that being said, this isn’t a typical horror story and also deals with a lot of trauma in a very different way. The reveal at the end was not very satisfying for me, but this is still a very unique story that deserves its place, especially since the illustrations in this book are stunning!

Thanks netgalley and the publisher for the Arc.

[Haley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an advanced digital copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I had previously read the novel version of Mister Magic when it first came out, and when I saw the graphic novel version was available, I had to read it.

I think this story really works as a graphic novel! Obviously, some things are shortened or removed from the original novel, but I think the story itself is still strong. There were some great visuals for the television realm, and I think the graphic novel still hits the moral of the story in terms of messaging about cults and religious indoctrination.

I think the novel or the graphic novel version are both good reads with important messaging inside.

[KaysKillerReads · Rating 3 out of 5]

While I did enjoy this, it mostly made me want to read the novel even more. The graphic novel was fun, but I felt like I needed more, and I think the novel would give me that.

That being said, I do love the story premise and will definitely be picking up the book in the future.

This would be a good addition for those who have already read the novel, or for readers who are less likely to pick up the full book but still want to experience part of this fun and interesting story.

The art was fantastic, but I felt the storyline needed more development and the characters were lacking depth. That is somewhat what I expect from a graphic novel format, which is also why it makes me want to go out and grab the actual novel. I am still unsure if this fully works as a graphic novel. Knowing there is a novel out there makes me aware that I could probably get what I am looking for from that version instead.

Personally, I would likely skip the graphic novel and grab the novel instead, though that is coming from someone who has not read it yet. I just hope it would give me more. I may be wrong.

3 stars.

[Patrycja · Rating 2 out of 5]

Czy ja właśnie zażyłam jakieś mocne lsd wyciągnięte z gówna twojego byłego na wakacjach w Meksyku?
Co
Nie wiem I nie rozumiem
Ja myślałam że to będzie horror o magiku
Ale to Nie jest horror o magiku
Tu nawet fabuły nie ma ja nie jestem w stanie powiedzieć i co tu się stało bo tego kurwa nie rozumiem. I jestem zła że nie było tu kart magii is królika z kapelusza😤
Co

[Agni Guha · Rating 3 out of 5]

This reminded me a little of Stranger Things.

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC.

[haddy ｡⋆୨୧˚]

"they'll turn anything into a graphic novel these days", i say as i sigh and put it on my tbr.

[Julia · Rating 5 out of 5]

the perfect adaption of the book <33 i loved this so much and the artwork was so beautiful ugh

[Bin · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.25 ⭐️ Not the worst not the best. Fun premise with fun almost mixed media.

[Dan · Rating 4 out of 5]

My thanks to NetGalley and Clarkson Potter/Ten Speed Press for an advance copy of this new graphic novel that tells about a children's show, remembered fondly by many, the actors who appeared on it, the famed lost episode the closed the series, and the dark forces that wish to keep what happened a secret. I was raised on television. As Homer would say Television, teacher, mother, secret lover. I watched a lot of TV growing up. Though there were some shows that kind of made me cringe in strange ways. Especially shows that seemed geared for children, with lots of children on it. Not Sesame Street, not The Electric Company, nor Mr. Rogers. It was the regional shows. Wonderama, and Secret Garden. Shows popular in my area, but unknown to people the next state over. Maybe it was the cheap sets, the bad acting, the stuffed animals one thread away from collapsing. These shows did nothing for me, and made me skip away to something else, even soap operas if I came across them. After reading this graphic novel, I know now why. Mister Magic: The Graphic Novel is an adaptation of the popular novel written by Kiersten White adapted by Scott E. Peterson illustrated by Veronica Fish and Andy Fish with lettering by Greg McKenna and is about the cast of a popular children's show coming together for a reunion, a reunion that might hide more than they expect.

Mister Magic was a popular show for kids that is still fondly remembered by many, even if few can remember why the show went off the air so suddenly. This incident is never discusses, nor can the footage be found. The cast went their seperarte ways, and in one case, Val's her father kidnapped her and hide her away, something she can't remember. When Val is tracked down at her father's funeral, she is shocked to find she was on TV, was an actor, had a sister, and that her Mother is still alive. Wanting to meet her, Val goes with the others to a reunion of the show, held in a creepy building in the middle of the desert. Val has no memory of the show, what happened, or even these supposed friends, which causes a lot of friction. Especially when Val realizes something much bigger than a reunion is going on, something dark and evil.

I never read the book this graphic novel is based on, though I know a lot of my co-workers and customers have, but I enjoyed it all the same. The story starts strong and doesn't ease up, with a nice narrative that keeps everything moving. Even with some spoilers I did not see where things were going, and found myself surprised and creeped out. The writing is good, at least the comic is, moves along well, and has lots of red herrings, and jump scares. The art is good, capturing a lot of emotion on the page, Val's house she grew up in, the studio and the spooky setting where a lot of the action takes place. I really enjoyed this, quite a bit, and look forward to more by the writer as well as the adapter who captured the tale so well.

[Prof. Christina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mister Magic: The Graphic Novel is undeniably a strange and compelling read. The story, centered around a group of former child stars investigating the mysterious, long-lost children’s show and its enigmatic host, is ripe with eerie atmosphere and nostalgic creepiness. The illustrations by Veronica Fish and Andy Fish are a definite highlight—vivid, expressive, and perfectly capturing the unsettling, surreal vibe that the story demands. They elevate the narrative, making the strange moments even more haunting and immersive.

The book’s weirdness is part of its charm, though it might not be everyone's cup of tea. It has a surreal quality that blurs the lines between reality and memory, which is fitting given the story’s focus on lost childhood, secrets, and the elusive nature of truth. The adaptation by Scott Peterson keeps the pacing tight, making it a page-turner despite its bizarre tone.

One of the most intriguing aspects of the novel is its exploration of memory—particularly how trauma impacts it and how reflection can serve as a path to regaining lost parts of oneself. The characters’ memories of the show and their shared past are fragmented, hazy, and sometimes contradictory. This mirrors real psychological phenomena: trauma can lead to dissociative amnesia, where memories are pushed away to protect the individual from pain. Yet, through reflection and revisiting their shared history, the characters begin to piece together the truth, suggesting that memory is not static but malleable—a key theme in understanding trauma recovery.

The novel subtly hints at the complex process of trauma healing—how confronting painful memories, even if distorted or incomplete, can be essential for recovery. It’s a reminder that reflection, though often difficult and unsettling, can be a powerful tool in regaining a sense of self and understanding one’s past. The mystery surrounding Mister Magic acts as a metaphor for this process—an elusive, perhaps even fabricated, memory that the characters chase to find closure.

While the story is engaging and layered, its weirdness might be a barrier for some readers expecting a straightforward mystery or nostalgic romp. Instead, it’s a surreal, sometimes unsettling meditation on childhood, friendship, trauma, and the power of memory. It’s a reminder that sometimes, the things we remember aren’t quite what they seem—and that uncovering the truth requires courage, reflection, and a willingness to confront our own subconscious.

In conclusion, Mister Magic is a visually stunning, thought-provoking graphic novel that balances its creepy, surreal tone with meaningful themes about trauma and memory. It’s definitely worth a read for those who enjoy stories that challenge perception and delve into the mysteries of the mind—just be prepared for a weird, beautiful ride.

[Dani-Lynn Harris · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - 𝓻𝓪𝓽𝓮
N/A - 𝓼𝓹𝓲𝓬𝓮
🔥🔥🔥 - 𝓹𝓵𝓸𝓽
🩸- 𝓰𝓸𝓻𝓮

🖤 𝓶𝓪𝓲𝓷 𝓬𝓱𝓪𝓻𝓪𝓬𝓽𝓮𝓻𝓼🖤
Val, Mister Magic, & Kitty

🖤 𝓽𝓻𝓸𝓹𝓮𝓼🖤
📕nostalgia tv shows
📕magic
📕unknown forces
📕manipulation
📕revenge

🖤𝓺𝓾𝓸𝓽𝓮𝓼🖤
“Your favorite childhood television program feels like a fever dream.”

🖤 𝓻𝓮𝓿𝓲𝓮𝔀🖤
We all remember that children’s show that we can recall what it was about but not the name. Or the other way around. But now that you're older you realized that it just vanished into thin air. This has that same feeling, with a ominous storyline that will have you seated to find out what's truly going on. It starts with a mystery surrounding a magic show and ends with a unique HEA that will feel light-hearted with satisfaction. The artistry of the graphic novel was interdependent; the way you could easily depict the scene even without words. A fast-paced thriller with a soft ending.

*spoilers*
Val’s father has abruptly passed away and she has a feeling that something has been let out. The day of the funeral, she discovers that a lot more people than she knew had showed up to show their appreciation for him. During the reception, a close friend from the past discovers Val, as a deep side of her subtly remembers who he is but she can't recall how she does. Several others start to spot her as well, as she can't recall who any of them are but they sure know who she is.

That is, until they start to explain that she was once part of a popular television show when they were all kids. Mister Magic. Words that they don't like to say out loud. Jenny, one of the kids, explains that she needs to come to the reunion with them, hinting that she had something to do with the show ending too soon. But what really pushes her to tag along is that they know her mother is still alive. The very one her father had told her had died years ago.

She tags along for the ride, as they arrive to a large house in the middle of nowhere, claiming that it's the place their parents lived while they were filming the show. But Val feels something is off about the place. Especially after each one of them is invited to the basement for their interview. The more they talk about the show and it's obvious mysteries, the more invested she becomes in solving what happened that day. That day that made her sister disappear forever.

This story has everything. The enigmatic plot behind a “Mandala Effect” type show with a strong nostalgic show. The mystery behind Mister Magic. And the tragedies that occurred when she was pulled out from the circle. The graphics were nice and orderly, telling a story even without words present. A great little graphic novel with suspense, found families, and in-depth character development.

[sofia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think the best way to describe the premise of Mister Magic is to imagine how much better IT part 2 would have been if Pennywise wasn’t a clown who terrorized kids in the sewers of Maine, but instead a magician who terrorizes kids in a TV in Utah.

Childhood fantasy and the lines of reality blur in Kiersten White’s Mister Magic, where a childhood nightmare haunts into adulthood. As a kid, Val co-starred in the now long-forgotten tv show, Mister Magic, but thirty years later doesn’t remember being on the show or its existence. Now, following the death of her father, she reunites with her former co-stars to uncover their memories of their childhood TV show. What follows is an emotional journey about growing up, escaping conformity and breaking generational cycles.

Sound familiar? If you were online in the mid-2010s you probably saw (or read) the viral creepy pasta, Candle Cove, about a disturbing children’s TV show that became increasingly more horrifying as more kids watched it. Like Candle Cove, Mister Magic also uses forum discussions and wikipedia pages to tell its story. It’s this aspect, especially the artwork, where Mister Magic shines. The usage of bright and vibrant colours, as well as the mixed media components of Internet nostalgia, all bring the story to life.

One thing Mister Magic lacks, however, is the horror factor. It seems as if Mister Magic never quite knows who the audience is meant to be; we follow a group of thirty year olds yet the story remains mostly just unsettling and never veers into something actually frightening. While I think it makes for a creepy read, even the title, suggests a story meant for younger audiences (despite what the usage of some curse words might imply). That being said, I loved the exploration into more mature themes (i.e. parenthood/motherhood, fear of passing on trauma, reflections on childhood) but I felt as if it could have gone deeper and possibly a bit darker in the consequences of each character’s actions.

Personally, I think this book will appeal to those who prefer more emotional and character driven plots with a sprinkling of horror, with a larger focus on mystery and intrigue. If you love old friends reuniting to defeat their childhood monsters (both real and allegorical), than Mister Magic should be your next read.

*Thank you to NetGalley for providing an ARC in exchange for a honest review. All opinions are my own*

[Alex · Rating 3 out of 5]

On paper (as in, in theory), Kiersten White's books are tailor-made for me. In fact, I was so excited by the concept for Mister Magic that I put in a purchase request for the novel at my local library when it first came out in 2023. But on paper (as in, in practice... get it?), her stuff always seems to fall flat. I was hopeful a graphic novel adaptation would be different; if it was an issue of style, surely the switch to a visual medium would circumvent whatever issues I clearly have with her prose, while still maintaining the conceptual spark that, dud after dud, keeps pulling me back in, convincing me to give her one more chance.

Unfortunately, my hopes were pretty quickly dashed. This wasn't terrible, and I did finish it (unlike the novel, which I DNFed more than halfway through), but I found the writing and character work as clunky here as they were in Mister Magic's original iteration. Even the dialogue had this strange quality; on a line level, I couldn't have told you what was wrong with it, but in situ, characters seemed to talk past each other, or hark back to exposition that we the readers never received. It all felt so... untethered? Which is maybe just a fancy way of saying confusing, and far too much work for the pulpy fun it seemed to promise. It's a shame, but I'm left to conclude that the bones just aren't very good. Reading the original Candle Cove creepypasta is more satisfying.

EXCEPT, that is, for one key thing - the illustrations! I fell absolutely in love with the art style, and it's the sole reason I've bumped this from 2 to 3 stars. Everything from the character design to the linework to the colours was absolutely gorgeous, and only upon finishing it did I realise just why I loved it so much - these folks are Archie illustrators! If the original Mister Magic novel worked for you, I think picking up the graphic novel is a no-brainer. If you weren't, but you are a fan of the Archie comics - or a fan of vibrant, retro illustrations positively bursting with personality, wherever they come from - I still think checking it out is worth your while. Perhaps at your local library.

A big thanks to the author, Clarkson Potter/Ten Speed Press, Ten Speed Graphic, and NetGalley for providing me with the digital ARC for this one in exchange for an honest review.

[Aleks T (alisbookedup) · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars!

Thank you endlessly to Kiersten White, NetGalley, and Ten Speed Graphic for the ARC of this book to review. "Mister Magic: The Graphic Novel" releases June 9th, 2026. Preorder from an indie bookstore or directly from the publisher if you can, or put in a request for your local library.

As someone who saw the upcoming release of this graphic novel, but wanted to read the original novel first, I have a very fresh concept in my mind of "Mister Magic." Having read the novel a few weeks ago, I can comfortably say, I adore "Mister Magic." The impact that the book had on me extends far beyond the reaches of a review- and this is not the place for the review of the original book. In general, I'm often opposed to media-related remakes of books that I really love. There's something about the magic of being able to create the characters and scenes in my own head that gets taken away when images, whether through movie, tv show, or graphic novel adaptations- come into play.

With that being said, "Mister Magic: The Graphic Novel" held something for me that I don't believe the novel did. It held a way to make the magic real. Being able to move through the storyline with an idea of what the original show had looked like, with images of the characters both then and now, and with the scenes being in front of me, really helped solidify the immense amount of work White has put into the original story.

The art itself, is stunning. The stylistic choices throughout the graphic novel are so intentional and detail-oriented that it pieces together aspects of the story that felt like they weren't flushed out enough in the novel. However, there were some points where I felt like I was missing key pieces of information that came in the novel. Obviously, doing a direct translation wouldn't be possible- nor would it be a "novel" experience for the reader, but a few smaller details being left out ended up causing a feeling that there was something that wasn't fully clicked into place. Despite this, "Mister Magic: The Graphic Novel" was a true-to-the-story adaptation and I feel so grateful that a new audience will be able to immerse themselves in this world and experience the taste of friendship.

[Jack Goff · Rating 5 out of 5]

The novel version of this book is one of my favorites. The story, the characters, the magic. It kept me hooked until the last page and left me wanting more.

The graphic novel does the same. The illustrations are beautiful, and the art style really fits with the narrative. It was so cool finally getting to see these characters come to life visually. It really was like going back to something nostalgic, even though I just read the novel version a few years ago. My only small complaints was that some of the pages were a bit wordy, though I do think that is necessary for the type of story that this is, and that I feel like there was a bit of a missed opportunity to make the graphic novel a prequel going more into the days of the show, how the kids interacted with each other and Mister Magic, etc.

This is not to say I did not thoroughly enjoy this book. I absolutely did, but one thing about the novel itself that I wanted more of was the stuff from the past. I want to know more about the world of the show and the main group of friends as they were when they were kids. I know that having all of this would have made the novel and graphic novel way too long, but maybe in the future we can get a prequel? Maybe? I feel like a graphic novel would be the perfect medium for that story because it would be such a feast visually. These artists have already proven how creative and beautiful they could do the scenes with the snippets we get in this one.

All that being said, I loved this book. It is just as good as the novel, and I am really glad that there is the possibility for the story to reach more people. It feels unfortunately timely for this sort of story about a group of people trying to hold onto an idyllic past that never truly existed and trying to force those norms and expectations on their children and other people’s children. It’s a great story. It’s an important story in my opinion. I am thrilled with the opportunity to have read it in both forms, and I want more. A full cast audio version of the book maybe? A prequel?

Thanks so much to Netgalley and Ten Speed for the DRC!!

[Rem · Rating 5 out of 5]

I went into this graphic novel not knowing what to expect, I haven't read the original novel but the description sounded interesting so I picked it up. And I was surprised by how much I enjoyed this story. Right from the first pages, the concept of delving into a Mandela Effect-style television broadcast was intriguing and it really held my attention throughout.

Just a note on the art to start, I thought the style had a nostalgic, old pulp comic energy to it that mirrored the themes of the story. It felt like such a good fit for this nostalgia-fueled television program that everyone remembers but no one can find physical copies of. I also really appreciated how the art emphasizes the mood or themes in specific moments, like all the panels of Val alone in the middle of a barren landscape to really highlight how isolated and uncertain she feels. The art was so evocative and gripping, I could barely put it down.

This book dealt with some heavy themes, concepts like raising children without the baggage of their parents and the paternalistic moralizing we impart on children. I thought it approached these ideas with a light touch, it never came off as preachy but was more interested in interrogating these themes and deconstructing the harm they can cause. The gradual unfolding of details about the characters' lives really allowed the reader to become immersed in the story and cultivated a sense of reconnecting with old friends. I also felt very invested in the way the characters discussed being forced to conform to certain roles in the show, which was then reflected in the roles they played in the context of this book. It was a really fascinating exploration of identity and how forcing people into boxes doesn't help them live happy lives, it only serves to make them miserable.

Overall, I was impressed by this graphic novel and it surpassed any expectations I had. The story felt gripping and interesting throughout and I thought the ending was also satisfyingly organic and cohesive within the narrative. Will definitely be picking up the original novel and would highly recommend giving this one a read!