Mister Magic: The Graphic Novel

by Kiersten White, Scott E. Peterson (Other), 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, Comics

Kindle Edition

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

[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.

[nichie j.c]

GIVE IT TO ME NOWWWWWWWWWW

[Annie · 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.

[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.

[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.

[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.

[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.

[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.

[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.

[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.

[The Hateful Reader · Rating 3 out of 5]

This graphic novel is a showcase of extraordinary artistic talent attached to a story that never deserved it.

I’ll be honest: I shouldn’t be allowed to review this. I disliked the original novel so much that I gave it one star purely to prove I survived reading it. Somehow, I convinced myself the graphic novel (armed with visual cues) might help clarify the mind-numbing confusion or add the dread the story desperately needs. Consider me afflicted with the same amnesia as Val for making that assumption.

The story is exactly the same: confusing, dull, and emotionally flat. No added tension. No new insight. No payoff. And yet…. those illustrations.

The artwork is phenomenal!!! Truly. The artists bring atmosphere, mood, and visual intrigue to a story that does not deserve their talent. Every panel shows care, skill, and imagination, and it honestly feels unfair that their work is tied to a narrative this weak.

If I could rate them separately, I would without hesitation.
Graphic: 5 stars
Novel: 1 star
*generously rounding to 3 stars.

Grateful to NetGalley for the ARC and for their ongoing courage in letting The Hateful Reader judge things. Thank you to NetGalley & Ten Speed Graphic for giving me an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Pub date: June 29,2026

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow! What a stunning adaptation of Mister Magic by Kiersten White.

Val, who grew up on a remote horse ranch unplugged from the world, is shocked when a group of men she doesn’t remember but somehow knows show up at her father’s funeral. They’ve been looking for her for years, and insist she was a child star with them on the kid’s show Mister Magic. Remember the cult classic tv show Mister Magic? The one you and all your friends loved to watch but isn’t streaming anywhere? In fact, no one has ever been able to find even a recording? Well, a podcast is being recorded and the cast, known as the Circle of Friends, are reuniting. Val has to decide if she is willing to explore her past with these new-old friends and figure out the mystery of who Mister Magic is, despite the feeling that something dreadful waits in those memories.

I loved this graphic novel adaptation. It was more character driven than the novel, really diving deep into who each of the friends were. It’s definitely. The horror aspect was not as strong as in the novel but it still has great creepy vibes. Overall I feel like this really holds up on its own and adds to the wonder of Mister Magic.

Thanks so much to Net Galley and Ten Speed Graphic for the digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Jeremy Fowler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gather the Circle - It's Time for Mister Magic!

The Mister Magic graphic novel brings this novel to a new level of creeping dread and makes it feel dangerously close. The panels are practically breathing with you, ready to pull you within the pages and the magical screen of Mister Magic. Seeing Val and the Circle of Friends in vivid, saturated color turns nostalgia into a weapon: candy-bright pages hiding rot, smiles stretched a beat too long, shadows that are watching your every move. The art doesn’t just illustrate the mystery; it tightens it. Every palette shift feels like a memory glitch or a hidden agenda that is slowly being brought into the light. Every close-up dares you to look away. The "podcast interviews" are even more unsettling with a humanoid shape bearing the characters' souls as they desperately try to remember the magic. The result is more unsettling, more intimate, and way more mesmerizing. This adaptation that doesn’t retell so much as re-enchant, wrapping the story in a new kind of magic that’s beautiful, ominous, and impossible to shake. You should not miss this! For any fans of Creepy Pasta stories that you stayed up too late reading, this will recapture that magic.

[Kate Connell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I gave the novel a 5/5 when it came out, and this graphic novel of the story is no exception. The illustrations in this version bring the story and characters to life in an amazing way and will open this story to so many more readers.

Original Review for the novel itself: Cults, Magic, and Alternate dimensions, what more could you want? Truly engaging storylines and prose as the story unfolds and everyone begins to remember just enough at the perfect times.

Thiry years ago, a tragic accident shut down production of Mister Magic, a cult classic children's program, and the five-surviving cast members, known by fans as The Circle of Friends, have done their best to move on. There is no surviving video of any episodes of the show, and no one remembers who Mister Magic was. Memories haven't stopped a fandom from existing, and now a podcast is drawing the adults back to the core of their childhood, the remote desert filming compound that they all seem to have vague memories of.

As they begin to remember more than they ever have before, they will begin to wonder if they are truly safe here. Is Mister Magic a friend, and will The Circle of Friends be enough to keep them together, even if it isn't a full circle?

Thank you to NetGalley for an eARC of this graphic novel.

[Katie Hall · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was really excited to read the graphic novel version of Mister Magic since I haven’t gotten around to reading the novel version yet, I was hoping it’d give me that push to pick up the novel and I’m still not sure if I will or not. I liked the art of this graphic novel, I thought it looked nice, the characters designs were pretty, and I loved the addition of emails and Reddit threads. I didn’t mind these characters but I wasn’t exactly fond of them either, they weren’t bad to follow but I didn’t particularly feel like I knew them well at all. The story as whole is just really confusing to me, it feels like it skips around a lot, and that context isn’t really given. During my read and even after reading I feel like I still don’t really know nor understand what has happened. The plot lines were all confusing and I only really picked up on a few things. The ending of the novel was okay but I don’t really feel like this one will stick with me, it was all very confusing. Thank you to the publisher for my complimentary copy.

[Ana Beatriz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

When I was reading Mister Magic by Kiersten White a couple of years ago, I kept thinking that it would be an amazing graphic novel. I was right.

I absolutely loved the art style; it has this nostalgic feel that fits the story really well. I was very excited to have visuals of the scenes from the Mister Magic TV show, since I have a really hard time imagining what I read, and what Kiersten White came up with in the novel was very creative and unique. I'm glad to say those scenes did not disappoint and were definitely my favorites.

This graphic novel is not only a great adaptation but is also able to stand on its own very well. I would actually go as far as to say that I think this story worked even better as a graphic novel. The art really ties in to the themes of childhood nostalgia, and a few things that were confusing in the novel (like the ending) became a lot clearer with the visual aid.

[Reading_seas0n · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you, Clarkson Potter/Ten Speed Press | Ten Speed Graphic and NetGalley for the chance to read the graphic novel of Mister Magic. All of this review is my own honest opinion.

If you ever watched Channel Zero, that Horror series, you will love Mister Magic!

Mister Magic gives a little of season 1 of Channel Zero, Candle Cove, but just the idea of a show no one remembers but a bunch of kids, besides this Mister Magic is very different It holds the initial intrigue and explores it with a haunting narrative and a hunger 'magic/entity' (I don't even know how to describe it).
The visual of this graphic novel most certainly made me enjoy the story. The colors and childlike visuals of the story added that eeriness, where as a kid you see wonder and as an adult you see the true fear.
A lot of suspense and a bittersweet ending in a way but I really think this graphic novel is a great representation of the book.

[Donna Robinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

E-ARC generously provided by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review! Thank you!

I absolutely loved this adaptation of Kiersten White's book. The art style was nice with very effective visuals, especially due to the magical and strangely fearful parts of the book. I have read the original novel, and this was a good adaptation of it. It was very easy to read and flow through it, with interesting panel choices as well. I recommend this graphic novel for those who enjoyed the book, but also for those looking for a somewhat strange and trippy tale about a lost media child's television show that is haunting its cast. The lesson highlighted from this is that it's ok to not be perfect or the best model you can be, but instead be true to yourself, and it is ok to feel the full spectrum of emotions. Overall, this was a great adaptation filled with interesting characters and a good art style.

[Kristin Moore · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mister Magic was my first graphic novel, and the art is insanely good. Like, so good I kept getting distracted from the actual story because I couldn’t stop staring at the illustrations. Visually, it’s stunning.

Unfortunately, I don’t think this one was really for me. I was hoping for more of an eerie, creepy vibe and that just never fully showed up. I kept waiting for things to get darker or more sinister, but it stayed pretty mild. The backstory and overall depth felt a little lacking too—though that might just be because it’s a graphic novel.

Maybe I would’ve liked it more if I’d read the story first and then experienced it in graphic novel form? Hard to say.

That said, the art is absolutely top notch and worth checking out for that alone. If you’re into amazing visuals and a lighter story, this might be your thing—it just didn’t totally hit for me.

2 stars for the story, I’ll round up to 3 for the art.

[Adri Holt]

Three decades ago, Val and her father moved to the horse ranch in the middle of nowhere. She always felt like something was “off”, but could not quite put her finger on what. Unfortunately or fortunately, when Val’s father dies, her life opens up to new opportunities and facing old traumas. She has no clue that when she was eight years old, she was on an obscure television show for children. Mister Magic (we don’t say his name) always had a circle of children around him that would let their their imagination run free. Val soon learns that she has lost more than her father, she has lost many, many memories of her childhood. As her castmates from the show gather around her for a reunion podcast, there’s more to what happened thirty years ago than everyone is letting on…

This was a really good one. You need to read it, like yesterday.

#ThxNetGalley #KierstenWhite #MisterMagicTheGraphicNovel

[STEPH · Rating 2 out of 5]

the graphic novel from NetGalley, and that cover is so engaging I felt like I was being pulled into another world of mystery and magic. Hmm.

Well, this was trippy—that’s for sure. I liked comics when I was growing up, and I remember a neighbor who was an old friend of my Mama who gave me old copies of comic books. Not entirely the popular kind, but still comics. This reminded me of those because of the style—you know, the vintage, classic, old style of comics back then. It felt nostalgic for a moment.

Anyway, the story was interesting at first. Val felt like a complex heroine to me, and I was curious about this whole “Mister Magic” thing. But it went completely strange and confusing for the most part, and I’m not sure I understood what happened after the last page. That’s a bad thing, right?!

Well, at least the last frame was heartwarming. And the illustration? Next level. But this was not for me, I guess.

[Annie Sullivan · Rating 5 out of 5]

{Thank you to NetGalley and Ten Speed Graphic for the ARC!}

This is one of the most beautifully imagined graphic novels I’ve had the pleasure of reading. The colors and style perfectly communicated the nostalgia of 90’s children’s television, and the translation from original book description to the graphic novel illustration was extremely well done. Even small changes I noticed seemed to be for good reason, and made the visual format of the story more dramatic, so I didn’t even mind! Adapting a highly complex story into a graphic novel format can’t be an easy task, especially when so much of the story happens in the past and through the discussion of memories. Overall, having read the original novel right before, I thoroughly enjoyed this adaptation. I think that without prior knowledge of the book, this version may be somewhat confusing, but it is well worth the read either way.

[sam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mister Magic was a children’s TV show that ended abruptly after a tragic on-set incident—and then basically vanished from existence. No tapes, no recordings, no proof it ever aired… except for the kids who were on it. Years later, a weird twist of fate pulls them all back together, forcing them to confront their shared memories and figure out what really happened. As they dig deeper, the mystery of the Magic Man and the truth behind the show start to unravel—and things get unsettling fast.

As someone who loved the original novel, this graphic novel totally worked for me. The art is adorable in a way that makes the creeping horror hit even harder, and the dialogue choices feel spot-on. It captures the same eerie, nostalgic punch as the book, just with extra color, charm, and visual flair. Same vibes, same dread—just shinier.

[Rose!! · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shout out to Ten Speed Graphic and NetGalley for this ARC! I absolutely loved Mister Magic and it's a book I still think about all the time. When they adapted Hide into a graphic novel, I hoped they would do the same for Mister Magic. It's the perfect vehicle for a graphic novel with its setting and the events of the book. I was so excited when I saw this was coming out. I thought this was an excellent adaption.I was totally hooked, even though I knew what was going to happen. It's unsettling when it needs to be and colorful when the characters are romanticizing their time on the show. Even if you haven't read Mister Magic by Kiersten White, I would definitely recommend picking up the graphic novel. 

[AlienRosey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyed this adaptation! Been meaning to pick up the original novel but this story in a graphic novel format seemed very interesting to me. The art style is very appealing and I love the use of vivid color.

While I enjoyed the premise, I was a bit let down with the scare factor. I really was hoping for a more sinister feeling overall, but it was more of an eerie sensation and a mystery plot than a full horror I was anticipating. Still a solid story and I'm glad I got the opportunity to read this in this format specifically. The character designs of their younger selves really felt authentic to the world and the era.

Thank you NetGalley, Clarkson Potter and Ten Speed Graphic for providing this eARC in exchange for an honest review!