AGENT CUPCAKE

Unicorn magic has been stolen, and only spy skills will get it back.

It’s middle schooler Miguel Mangayayam’s first day working at the Mystical Beasts Bureau—as its first human field agent, no less. He meets his very first unicorn when trench-coated, pointy-horned Agent Cupcake is assigned as his partner. And soon Miguel’s working his first case: looking into Paleontologie, a high-end fashion brand that may be illegally smuggling phoenix feathers to use in its designs. While investigating, he accidentally uncovers a deeper plot—Paleontologie’s parent company is pilfering unicorn power. It’s a lot for the new kid to take in, especially since he’s hyperfocused on fitting in with the magical team—and a lot for readers as well. A focus on spying and specialized surveillance equipment offers a lot of juicy info for those intrigued by espionage. The authors and illustrator set this graphic novel in a world where a panoply of creatures worthy of a medieval bestiary seamlessly coexist with humans. The conflict between corporations and small, unicorn-based businesses feels rather close to contemporary capitalist realities. Relying on solid story crafting and candy-colored yet noncloying visuals, the work pulls all these points together for an intense, riveting read. Miguel is tan-skinned; his surname suggests that he has Filipino heritage.

A spellbinding lesson in spycraft with magical appeal.