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

256 pages, Paperback

Expected publication 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.

[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.

[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.

[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.

[Agni Guha · Rating 3 out of 5]

This reminded me a little of Stranger Things.

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC.

[haddy]

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

[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.

[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!!

[Ronit J. · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5, rounded up to 4

A discontinued children’s show with a sinister secret, childhood amnesia suppressing traumatic memories, and a theme that’s been relevant for decades now, Mister Magic seemed like the perfect story for me. I didn’t realize until I started reading the graphic novel that it’s actually an adaptation of a popular novel of the same name. Regardless, I immersed myself in the story and illustrations without knowing too much about the book. What I got really did surprise me.

Since I haven’t read the novel yet, my review will comment on the story and narrative as well. I don’t have a comparison to make, so that would make this review more unbiased than those that have read the novel, but it also lacks the context of the original narrative and changes demanded by the format.

SPOILERS AHEAD!

What I liked:
Mister Magic hit home in many ways for me. As someone who’s grown up in a religious household, the trauma of imposed indoctrination is a subject I know way too much about personally. So naturally, I was inclined to root for Val right from the opening pages. While a lot of Val and her childhood friends—The Circle—have their history shrouded in mystery and amnesia—a possible suppression of memories—it isn’t all that undecipherable as to what might have happened. The familiarity of the narrative did lead to some tropey characters and settings, but that’s not to say that the story was lacking in any way. In fact, the myth and legend of ‘Mister Magic’ continues to loom around our main characters as they reunite and prepare to be interviewed for a reunion podcast.

Now, the themes don’t make themselves apparent until the second half of the story as we learn more and more details of the town of Bliss, Mister Magic, and what it actually represents. SPOILERS: Mister Magic—in the fashion of It or The Shining—is an ancient force of nature that is incredibly powerful and hauntingly mesmerizing. Over the years, Mister Magic has been a prophet to the people of Bliss, teaching kids about life much like children’s shows of the 1900s, preparing them for the world at large. However, the sinister reality of Mister Magic is the undertones of submission that accompany his lessons. That is where the religious indoctrination themes begin to emerge loud and clear.

Each character from the Circle, be it Val’s rebelliousness, Javi’s closeted homosexuality, or even Isaac’s grooming to become the ‘caretaker’ and the ‘next Mister Magic’, displays characteristic symptoms of a controlled childhood. While they seem to be dealing with forgotten/suppressed childhood trauma, the elders from their lives, particularly the elite and powerful of Bliss, are very much upset about the discontinuation of Mister Magic. Almost as if the temple of their belief that shaped their childhoods and lives has now become tainted because of one free-spirited child. While the first half of the story is a horror mystery, the second half is a nightmare unfolding with philosophical themes, putting into question the validity and relevance of the magical subjugation that these kids were put under. This slowly evolving narrative—except for the ‘interview’ segments—continued to grab my attention and pique my interest. Bliss is aptly named; their ignorance of the true human condition leaves them brainwashed and subjugated to a higher power without questioning. The only one who questioned them so drastically affected everything that the entire arcane system involving Mister Magic broke, leaving Bliss in a state of turmoil, like junkies facing withdrawal.

In a setting and a plot like this, it’s easy to make the characters feel like one-dimensional caricatures. However, the characters have more depth than what we see illustrated on these pages. In my opinion, this is one aspect which I feel must have been explored better in prose. That being said, the characters’ behavior and actions throughout this story reflect the kind of mental scars that you’d expect from kids who’ve faced the demons that these kids from The Circle have.

The illustrations felt perfect for the story at hand. The colors evoked a sense of nostalgia, whilst retaining a modern, realistic aesthetic. The absurd elements popped out of the pages in appropriately gaudy colors, balancing whimsy and horror in a way that perfectly encapsulates the perplexing magical setting of Mister Magic.

Continue reading on SFF Insiders…

[Shiritaku · Rating 4 out of 5]

Magie.. davon träumt doch jeder in jungen Jahren einmal, oder nicht!?
Val lebt mit ihrem Vater sehr abgeschieden. Eines Tages stirbt ihr Vater. Auf der Beerdigung trifft sie plötzlich auf alte Freunde, die sie zuletzt vor 30 Jahren gesehen hat - als sie alle noch Kinder waren. Sie haben gemeinsam an einer Fernsehshow teilgenommen, bis zu einem tragischen Vorfall.. doch an all das kann sich Val nicht mehr erinnern. Ihre Freunde erzählen ihr von einem Wiedersehenstreffen der Show und da Val die Wahrheit über ihre Vergangenheit erfahren will, beschließt sie mitzugehen. Doch das ganze verläuft anders, als sie zunächst dachte..
Es ist tatsächlich schwer, den Plot in eigenen Worten zusammenzufassen, ohne zu spoilern. Ich hab auch etwas länger gebraucht mit dem Lesen, da es doch ziemlich viel Text ist und ich ein paar Wörter nachschlagen musste, damit ich den Zusammenhang richtig verstehe. Ansonsten las es sich aber relativ flüssig. Es gibt keine wirklichen Kapitel, alles geht fließend ineinander über. So verschwimmen auch die einzelnen Ereignisse miteinander, sodass man manchmal etwas überlegen muss, wo man gerade ist. Die Story an sich ist aber sehr interessant, auch wenn es zu Beginn noch etwas zäh verlief. Denn das Bild vom großen Ganzen wird erst mit der Zeit aufgebaut. Man blickt weiter hinter die Kulissen und Motive, erfährt Stück für Stück von der wirklichen Vergangenheit aller.
Grafisch fand ich's auch sehr interessant, denn die klassischen Panels waren hier teilweise ineinander verwoben, so dass ich allerdings manchmal nicht genau wusste, welche Sprechblase ich nun zuerst lesen muss. Die Schrift war aber recht angenehm gewählt und platziert. Als Print kann ich mir das ganze auch ziemlich gut vorstellen, sehr farbenfroh.
Wer einen Titel lesen möchte, der etwas tiefgründiger ist mit etwas mehr Text als vielleicht üblich, der kommt hier definitiv auf seine Kosten. Auch die Prämisse zum Schluss find ich gut gewählt und rundet alles sauber ab.

[Hannah Rebekah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Like other reviewers, I’m not entirely certain why we’re getting a graphic novel for Mister Magic, but I’m not going to complain. Mister Magic is in my top ten books of all time, so this gave me an excuse to re-read it.

What can I say? I loved it. Whilst I didn’t need the graphic novel, it was nice to be able to see things clearly before me and not just in my imagination. The art style was neat, and they managed to convey the eeriness of everything. Kind of makes me wish they’d turn this into a movie, LOL.

Anyway, a basic summary: 30 years ago, a terrible accident shut down a popular children’s show called, you guessed it, Mister Magic. (I said the thing!) Only 5 members of the cast survived, which immediately makes you think that there had to be some kind of accident!

Of course, because it’s a trope and it is absolutely one of my favourite tropes in horror media when it comes to cursed… media (sorry for using the word twice, whoops!), there was no surviving evidence of the show ever existing. Who even made the show? Who was the host? All we’ve got to go on are thirty-year-old memories that come from a time when the characters were very young and probably didn’t understand much of what was going on.

You know the survivors must be brought together to figure out the mystery. I enjoyed the survivors; they all had distinct personalities, desires and needs. The FMC was my favourite, though, and that is largely because of the ending. Which I can’t tell you about, because I will get marked for spoilers & this review won’t be shown anywhere, but let’s just say this—if nothing convinces you to read this book, from the bottom of my heart, let me say that the ending is worth it. Even if it broke my heart.

Anyway, yeah. It was super cool to see graphics to go with the story. I don’t know if I will feel the need to buy this version, but I definitely enjoyed getting to read it, so who knows?

[Nyssa Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 Stars

A highly addictive read. It should be noted that I picked this up without previous knowledge of the novel's plot. So I don't know how great of an adaption it was, but as its own thing, it was really, really good. I can say for certain I definitely will pick up the novel because it made me wanting more. There are a few details I'm wondering got cut out from the adaptation process. But on to my review of this Graphic Novel.

Mister Magic is a epistolary horror graphic novel about a group of adults reuniting for a podcast special about the children's TV show they were on. The problem is, no one can quite remember the details of the episodes, there are no recordings anywhere or what actual disaster that caused the show to be canceled. For the most part, we follow Val who blocked out the whole ordeal, and is trying to figure out why her father took her away from the show.

Where to start? Firstly, I would say it is more mystery, than horror, though it did have its share of creepy moments. The nursery rhymes in particular translated really well in graphic novel format. Despite it being short, it covered a lot of topics (difficulties of child rasing, warped nostalgia & childhood trauma) but it all stemmed back to the influence the TV show had on them. The plot itself had me hooked, asking so many questions as no one's story seemed to quite align. Like who/what is Mister Magic? what happened to the sixth cast member? and why are there no recordings left?

The art was fantastic. It captured everyone's emotions, differences between flashbacks & present day and creepy moments really well. You can tell it was a labor of love.

I do believe fans of Mister Magic will love this and anyone who wants a fast-paced, creepy story about a canceled children's TV show, this might be your cup of tea.

[Oliver Snowden · Rating 4 out of 5]

A graphic novel adaptation can often go very wrong. It must resemble the source material while standing as a compelling piece of art in its own right, separated from the original by medium. The adaptation of Mister Magic, adapted by Scott Peterson and illustrated by Veronica and Andy Fish meets this challenge head on. It delivers a page turning experience that is both visually interesting and deeply faithful to the original work by Kiersten White.

The pacing throughout the graphic novel is near perfect, balancing the eerie mystery of Mister Magic with a growing sense of sinisterness that develops successfully across the panels. Those who have read the novel will not be disappointed.

Illustrators Veronica Fish and Andy Fish have done a spectacular job. Their style is punchy and fun, yet expertly layered with a creeping, sinister atmosphere. They capture the unsettling charm of the show within the story perfectly. A particular thing I really enjoyed is the inclusion of panels depicting webpages and emails from in-universe fans, which brilliantly immerses the reader in the story’s mythos and the characters' obsessive devotion.

In short, this adaptation is art. It is a testament to Kiersten White’s original vision and a showcase for the formidable talent of Veronica and Andy Fish. Whether you’re a devoted fan of the novel or a newcomer intrigued by its premise, this graphic novel stands powerfully on its own two feet. It’s a compelling, beautifully crafted work that will linger in your imagination a perfect blend of story and art.

This is how a graphic novel adaptation should be done.

A big thank you to NetGalley and Clarkson Potter/Ten Speed Press for providing this early release for review.

#MisterMagicTheGraphicNovel #NetGalley.

[Sammantha (its_a_literary_life) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I LOVED Mister Magic so I was super stoked to see a graphic novel rendition!

Mister Magic was a children's show that ended abruptly after the tragic death of a character on the show. Twenty years later, it has also become almost a legend, with no proof of the show ever having actually existed outside of a Wikipedia page. When the cast mates of the show reunite for a reunion/ podcast with little memory of the show or Mister Magic other than how it made them feel, they soon discover the secrets behind the show and Mister Magic himself.

The story uses nostalgia to dissect the ways communities and individuals cling to “magic” that may never have been real.

In terms of this being a graphic novel, first and foremost the illustrations by Veronica and Andy Fish were fantastic! It's been since October of 2023 so I kind of forgot most of the story (especially since my own review was vague for the sake of spoilers) and it unraveled and came back to me as I read but the images were different than I recall/ would have expected. Nevertheless, they were so well done and have some depth to the little bit of narration.

I will say though, it didn't quite give the eeriness that the book gave but I don't know if that's necessarily the point either. It's not a horror comic but a creeping, unsettling mystery that revolves around nostalgia, memory, and trauma. I feel like it's worth reading the book before the comic. I don't think the story lands the same in the comic but the weird secret in the end is revealed better I think.

If you enjoy graphic novels and appreciate unsettling ambiguity, and perhaps a meditation on how childhood beliefs warp adult psyche like a funhouse mirror, it's worth the read and has its own HEA in a way.

[Heloísa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’ve first come across “Mister Magic” on YouTube and, even though it was a negative review, I was left very much intrigued by the premise of the book. I was so excited when I saw that a graphic novel was available, and didn’t think twice before picking it up.

First things first, as I said, the concept of this is very alluring: the whole concept of lost media tends to be, and the little dark twist on a children’s show made it even more appealing. I will say that, although the plot becomes quite repetitive and bares itself too much (instead of being given subtle hints about the meaning of all this, were beaten over the head with it), it was still an enjoyable experience. The dialogue was a bit heavy-handed, as well, and didn’t always feel very natural.

The characters, although heavily attached to certain stereotypical roles, are all distinctive enough. I wasn’t particularly attached to any of them, but the seedlings of their dynamics was very compelling. I feel like it was nice ground work, but a fanfiction of 500k words would probably do a better job at studying and developing our main cast.

The art is very pretty, and I’d go as far as to say it’s my favourite part of this graphic novel. The character designs, specifically, are so well done! They manage to convey a lot about their personalities and life. Besides, it was definitely a great tool to show how the Mister Magic program felt to them, with the splashes of colour and liveliness of the brush strokes.

I really wish narrative wise this was a bit more subtle, because I do believe the message it’s trying to tell is a very important one. Overall, it was a pleasurable experience, but not as impactful as it could’ve been.

[Andrea Georgic · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a graphic novel adaptation of the Mister Magic novel that came out several years ago. Mister Magic was once a beloved children's tv show, following a circle of friends that became your friends too. Years after the show mysteriously ended, there's no proof of it's existence online outside of fans remembrances. A plan is in the works to reunite the cast for a podcast, but the problem is that Val, one of the former stars, has no memory of the program or the tragic accident that ended it.

Having read the novel and loved it, I was so excited to see that a graphic novel was coming. It seems like the perfect type of story for the medium. It was a delight to read and I think it did justice to the original story. The illustration style was beautiful and the vivid colors really sold the magic of their childhoods/time on "Mister Magic". The characters are still very lovable and while it might not have gone as deep as the novel into characterization, I still felt connected to all of them. I didn't have quite as strong of an emotional reaction to this as the original novel, but I think that's partially because I knew what was coming.

The one criticism I have is that the captions move back in forth between Val's internal monologue and a third person omniscient narrator, which ends up being confusing and a little difficult to follow. Maybe this is just me, but I think part of the issue was that it's an adaptation of a novel and too much of the original novel text was included. I expect the illustrations to show what's happening more than the text in a graphic novel, but this relied too much on the text. Some of the internal dialogue was confusing too because it wasn't clear if it was Val's internal monologue or something else. I think different styles of bubble for thoughts could have fixed that issue.

Overall I really enjoyed this.

[TheNextGenLibrarian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mister Magic: The Graphic Novel is an eerie, atmospheric adaptation that leans hard into nostalgia-fueled horror and doesn’t let go. What starts as a familiar, almost comforting premise, a beloved children’s TV show from the ’90s, slowly unravels into something deeply unsettling, exploring how memory, fandom, and childhood trauma can blur the line between fiction and reality.

The graphic format works beautifully here. The art style amplifies the creep factor, using shadow, distorted expressions, and unsettling visual shifts to mirror the characters’ growing unease. Panels often linger just long enough to make you uncomfortable, reinforcing the sense that something is very wrong beneath the surface of the brightly colored past. The pacing is tight, with visual callbacks to the show-within-the-story that make the mystery even more haunting.

What really stands out is how the story balances horror with emotional weight. This isn’t just about solving a mystery, it’s about reckoning with the parts of childhood we mythologize and the damage that can hide behind something that once felt safe. Fans of unsettling, slow-burn horror and readers drawn to stories about lost media, cult fandoms, or the dark side of nostalgia will find this one especially compelling.

Overall, Mister Magic: The Graphic Novel is a chilling, smart adaptation that uses visuals to deepen an already disturbing story. It’s the kind of book that lingers after you close it, much like the feeling of remembering a show you loved as a kid and realizing, years later, that it wasn’t as innocent as you thought.

[Chantaal · Rating 2 out of 5]

I DNF'd the Mister Magic novel that this is an adaptation of, and while the story worked for me much better in graphic form, I think it still lacked in some places.

This is a story about a children's TV show and the fact that nobody can prove it actually existed, about the last cast on that show and our main character Val, who doesn't remember any of it. Someone is making a podcast about the show, and gets the last cast back together as adults to talk about their memories of the show. Things are off-kilter from the very start, and the story and mystery of Mister Magic unfolds slowly.

The main thing I did like about this was the unveiling of themes discussing religious trauma and all the ways children are molded into "perfect" pure versions of what the world around them believes they should be. Unfortunately, it's an interesting theme that is buried among shallow character work and a storyline that isn't satisfying - and is a bit confusing and convoluted by the end.

Veronica and Andy Fish's art is pretty solid, with muted coloring that works for the story being told. While the art felt static for most of the story (which I attribute to how slow the story and character work is), it's allowed to breathe and really shine in the climax and in scenes exploring what the Mister Magic show was.

Overall this worked for me more than the novel did, but I don't know that there's enough in this graphic novel to warrant it being adapted at all.

Many thanks to Ten Speed Graphic and NetGalley for this eARC. Mister Magic: The Graphic Novel will be released June 9, 2026.

[Charlotte · Rating 2 out of 5]

With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

A horor comic book for fans of IT, and of creepypasta’s about children’s shows.

This is a difficult comic to review for me, because I wasn’t aware it was an adaptation of a book. So I’m not sure if faults are to blame with the source material – on the other hand, the comic book didn’t manage to iron those out, I suppose.

The art is very decent, but doesn’t really contribute to the atmosphere or the story. It’s not very evocative. Just very good American comic book style.

The story itself is also… rather bland. There are a lot of characters but they’re not very developed. This is my main complaint about this comic, actually: everything is laid completely bare. No room for the reader to fill in, which would make it creepier. This character is a tradwife that’s not being respected by her family. This character is gay. The real villain was conservatism all along.

I also thought it was a weird choice to put the third person narration, which I suppose is a leftover from the book, in context boxes. “Her face looks horrible”, it tells me. Well, what is the artist there for but to show me the horrible face? Don’t tell me! Show me!

This comic is called a graphic novel but I take issue with that. I’d call it a comic book adaptation of a novel. That’s fine. Comics are good and deserve respect on their own. A graphic novel is something else (for one the art should be inseparable from the story), and this is not it, and that’s fine. So please stop calling every thick comic book a graphic novel.

[ReaderintheFog · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to Ten Speed Graphic and NetGalley for the chance to read this ARC, all opinions in this review are my own.

I LOVED Kiersten White’s Mister Magic when I read it in 2023 and I was very curious to see how well it could be translated into a graphic novel and whether the creeping horror, dread, and mystery of the original would carry over.

Because it has been so long since I read MM, I had forgotten most of the actual story so it was like reading it with fresh eyes. I found the story very easy to follow and the art was engaging and I never felt confused about what was happening. The story obviously moved much quicker as a graphic novel but I loved having the visuals and I feel like the meat of Kiersten’s original story came through very clearly. I still felt for the characters and their emotion and trauma was very evident. This was not lost on the page. The art made it even more impactful I think.

I recall the book ending differently so now I need to go back and reread Mister Magic and see if the graphic novel does indeed end things in a different way. Perhaps I interpreted the ending as being more ambiguous than it was or it seemed more straightforward because the pictures were more descriptive in the graphic novel.

I think this was a fantastic adaptation of an amazing book and I think fans of the original novel will definitely love this one and fans of graphic novels and horror will love it too.