Take the Plunge

InvestiGators #2

by John Patrick Green

Sewer-loving secret agents Mango and Brash are plunged into a new mystery—and a BIG mess.

S.U.I.T. headquarters is under attack, and Mango and Brash are going undercover and underground disguised as city sewer workers to unclog a sticky situation. But when their search for the criminal Crackerdile backfires, the toilets they travel through back up—and the InvestiGators take the blame for it!

Can Mango and Brash restore their good name and put the real culprit behind bars before the whole city is in deep water?

Genres: Graphic Novels, Childrens, Middle Grade, Animals, Humor, Fiction, Mystery

208 pages, Hardcover

First published September 29, 2020

About the author

John Green grew up on Long Island and has worked in New York City ever since graduating from School of Visual Arts for Graphic Design in 1997. He was the comics consultant for Disney Adventures magazine, and in addition to Disney has written, illustrated, or otherwise worked on comics for Nickelodeon, Dreamworks, Scholastic, DC Comics, and First Second Books. When not drawing comics John creates artwork for video games, such as Emerald City Confidential, Puzzle Bots, and Nearly Departed. See more of John's work at www.johngreenart.com.

Reviews

[Darla · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mango and Brash are back and hoping to take down the Crackerdile once and for all. Meanwhile there is a mysterious robot haunting the electrical outlets of the city. If you are unlucky enough to get a visit, you are what you eat -- literally. One scientist ends up with banana hands when caught in the middle of snack time. When the usually helpful C-O.R.B. (Computerized Ocular Remote Butler) becomes the E-O.R.B. (Evil OCR), the sewer system is flooded and water pours into the city. One guy wonders if this is what they mean by streaming video as his livingroom floods via his television. Ha! Have no fear, the Investigators will take the plunge to save their city from evil forces. Hilarious!

[Abigail McClead · Rating 4 out of 5]

Take it

[Hila · Rating 5 out of 5]

InestiGATORS: Take the Plunge is the 2nd book in the InvestiGATORS graphic novel series.

I LOVE THIS SERIES! It makes me laugh! And I love all the allusions to other things that I'm certain go right over kids' heads, but hit their parents (like me) right on the target (Aisle of Dr. Morrow 😂😂😂). And I love the way the end of each book leads you right into the next one. I'm so glad I have numbers 3 and 4 on my shelf already, and number 5 was just published last week! I need to get that one!

In this fun story, Mango and Brash inadvertently cause catastrophic Combinotron chaos. While being tasked with finding their nemesis Crackerdile in the sewers (using their cool plumber V.E.S.T.s), they will also have to figure out how to uncombine all the strange combinations which are cropping up following a city-wide flood!

Prior to picking up this series, I was totally not a fan of graphic novels. Kudos to Mr. Green for making a believer out of me!

If potty humor bugs you, be aware there is some of that in here.

[Danielle Hammelef · Rating 5 out of 5]

As soon as I read the dedication page, I knew I'd enjoy reading this graphic novel. With bright and fun illustrations to accompany the hilarious text and non-stop adventures, I now have a new favorite crime solving duo. So much silly humor that even as an adult, I found myself laughing out loud. I highly recommend this series and can't wait to read more as this book solves the case, yet leaves a cliff hanger for more action, adventure, and silliness in future books.

[Eduardo · Rating 4 out of 5]

must read it

It is so good I don’t want to spoil it but you have to read it it is so silly and it is so fictional

[Mandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Middle grade graphic novel, 2nd in a series, mystery/adventure/humor. I enjoyed the first book in this series more than I expected to, so I was glad to get my hands on this sequel. Mango and Brash the alligator detective duo are back to determine why strange things are being combined throughout the city (a plumber and a snake, a scientist and bananas, another scientist and a salad). To top it off, Crackerdile is on the loose, trying to break into the SUIT headquarters. A wrong move kicks the gators off the case, replaced by the Badgers (the B-team). After some friendly vest-tapping, the gators get involved in the case again. Can the A-team or the B-team crack the case by themselves or do they have to work together? Another fun book, filled with word play, a bit of potty humor, and a cliffhanger ending leaves the reader ready for book 3. This one even talks about coding! A solid choice for readers who won't get annoyed by the frequent puns.

[David Atwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

The kids were so excited to read this that we put a hold on it at the library before it even came out. I was looking forward to reading it to them, but about the time I realized the author had spent a couple dozen pages setting up a stealth joke about an H.G. Wells book—which no kids would possibly get, and few adults probably would—i found that I had something special and unique on my hands. Just as funny and madcap and surreal as the first, and I'm impressed at how well character depth and development is interwoven in this series.

[Karen Arendt · Rating 5 out of 5]

The humor in this graphic novel will definitely appeal to second and third grade students. The alligators are fighting their nemesis, Crackerdile, again along with a new robot machine coded with an oopsy combinotron code that Brash accidentally releases. The investigators mess up but always manage to redeem themselves, Though this time it takes the B team’s mess up to make the investigators look good again! badgers,

[Ethan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is amazing because its pretty funny. It has another book coming out in 2021 February. It is a book with rhymes, excitement and twists, its a really funny book . A for alligators. B for badgers.

[Dave · Rating 5 out of 5]

These books get more and more fun with each volume. Highly recommended to anyone who likes to laugh. Which should be everyone.

[Britt, Book Habitue · Rating 4 out of 5]

Maybe 3.5. I feel like the first half had more bathroom humor than the first book, but it got better.

[Thiago Garza · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting

[Ron Frampton · Rating 5 out of 5]

The investigators are going undercover and underwater to solve the case

[Pam · Rating 3 out of 5]

Graphic Novel
I received an electronic ARC from First Second Books through NetGalley.
The Gators are back and have to take on Brash's former partner, Daryl again. They also have to figure out how to save people from a robot whose code was corrupted. Plenty of humor as the partners handle both situations and manage to get almost everyone back to normal.
The colorful illustrations bring the characters and settings to life. The text is written for mid to upper elementary level readers. They will appreciate the humor and catch the jokes. The ending sets up the next book to come in the series.

[Bonnie Grover · Rating 4 out of 5]

Graphic novel fans are going to love the newest installment of Investi Gators! This “pun” filled book is full of crazy adventures, mixups and top secret inventions.

[Becky B · Rating 3 out of 5]

The InvestiGators are on the case to stop a robot that has been infected with a combination code and Crackerdile who is flooding the city for nefarious purposes.

This is a challenging case for the InvestiGators. They have all sorts of unpredictable things thrown at them. Kids and adults who read with them who love puns will want to run and find a copy of this. It is LOADED with puns and word play. I didn't find it quite as enchanting as the first book in the series, but it did keep me guessing how things would work out. Recommended for superhero type story fans, silly story fans, graphic novel fans, and mystery fans. (And Kitten Construction series fans, there’s a cameo appearance of some characters.) This is easy enough it could appeal to higher reading kids in lower grades, but also good for reluctant middle grade readers.

Notes on content: No language issues. No sexual content. The robot changes forms and for a while they think he is a ghost but it turns out there’s a less spooky more scientific answer for his form he’s actually electrified mist.

I received an ARC of this title from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

My son was so excited to share this with me, as he has been waiting to read it for months (and devoured it in a day or so on his own)! This one was way sillier than the last one. Mango and Brash are back and they are trying to track down Crackerdile, the saltined villain. He sends the combinotron code into a Robot, which turns into a ghost and starts combining people with the last thing they touched, making for some interesting combinations - I'm looking at you Banana Hands! The A team get blamed for Crackerdile's mischief and end up on actual cleanup duty, while the B team (that's B for Badgers) gets a crack at it. The InvestiGators end up saving the day and get everyone turned back into their proper selves, but it kind of ends on a cliffhanger. I am curious to see where the next one takes us! Recommended for ages 7-11, 4 stars.

[Ellon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fun series. It reminds me so much of Dog Man that I'm really hoping to purchase the books for my library so I can suggest them when all the Dog Man are checked out! (Or all the time haha). This is a little bit more punny than Dog Man though. I loved the little Easter egg in there to Kitten Construction Company: Meet the House Kittens, which I have read since reading the first Investigators.
There isn't a lot of meat to the book but it sure is fun!

[Lara · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the first one, but this one was even better. I was laughing out loud more than once. It's such silly pun-filled fun, but there are also plenty of jokes that adults will probably catch first (The aisle of Dr. Morrow?). Geeky, silly fun for everyone - winner in my world.

Like in the first book, the pacing is rapid, as is the banter - be prepared. You hit the ground running. Compared to the first book, though, it felt smoother. Maybe just fewer storylines squeezed in? Or just smoother switches between them? Still pretty quick-fire pacing, but not quite so chaotic. That's really where this one gets that extra star compared to the first.

Definitely one to recommend to my Captain Underpants crowd.

[Kelsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

My five year old begged and pleaded everytime I put this book down. We had so much fun reading it together and I must admit, I couldn't help but chuckle at some of the jokes that went over her head and were at times, admittedly a bit cheesy. The illustrations were great and kept her attention as well as the fun and fast paced storyline. Though this book was written with maybe a bit older audience (perhaps middle grade) in mind, she still really enjoyed it. We will be keeping our eyes out for more of John Patrick Greens' work!

This book was recieved as a giveaway winning compliments of the publisher via goodreads.

[Celeste · Rating 4 out of 5]

My son loved this second book in the series, and is patiently waiting for book 3! It makes me so happy to see him find a series that he'll read again and again. This one is two gators that are detectives with silly situations and use a toilet to transport themselves. My son said there are funny characters and shares places where he giggles with me. The illustrations are color. Please share with readers who love DogMan or Cap't Underpants.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

The investiGATORS are back! Bringing with them the most pun riddled story ever! The long term story of their rival Crackerdile continues as he seeks to recruit other dastardly villains to his cause. Meanwhile at the science factory another disaster threatens the town when an emotion robot links his command to hug with the command to combine. The Gators, whose job is on the line, secretly try to solve the case, hoping to save the city and their jobs.

[Jackie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a Sneak Peek of this book which includes the first three chapters. It seems like great fun for kids and those who enjoy whimsical fun and puns. Lots of puns. I think it would have probably been beneficial to have read the first book in the series but not necessary. I like that the author has included drawing lessons and fun puzzles in here; i hope they’re in the book as well!

[Amy Wheeler · Rating 5 out of 5]

I won this book through a goodreads giveaway. My son who is almost 12 absolutely loved it! He is a huge graphic novel fan and said this one was so good that he wanted me to order the other two books in the series. He’s starting the first book now, and will have to be patient until release day in February for the third book in the series!

[Chelsea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hilarious, as always. This book is just so random (I mean this in the best way) and it is a great second installment to the InvestiGators series. Great recommendation for reluctant readers and perfect for kids who love Dog Man!

[Tammy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I take issue that the evil genius is a saltine cracker. I love saltines (ha,ha,ha). Fun play on words throughout. Perfect for young readers. The panels are so colorful and the drawings are fun. It's great to see animals in human jobs. Really entertaining.

[Sara · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a silly tale of mystery-solving alligators with spy technology and tons of one-liners. There is an ample amount of humor in this title, great for fans of Dog Man and Captain Underpants, but the silliness seems to be the main point, rather than the story itself.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

The action continues as Crackerdile keeps evading Mango and Brash. When Team B gets involved all sorts of things go array. Plunge in to see where we are taken in this continuing saga that "combines" many things including scientists and sewers.

[Nurdhiya Adriana · Rating 5 out of 5]

This comic was very fun to read.And really funny.It was really weird and fun at the aame time if u read it already my fav character in the books id the investigators and if u see this reaview u must read this comic.🥰

[Lori · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just plain clever, humorous, fun.