Agent 9: Flood-a-Geddon! by James Burks (review)

Super spy kittycat Agent 9 is the best agent in the Super-Secret Spy Service . . . or would be, if their rash decisions and penchant for destruction hadn’t put them on probation. After extensive training with their flying fish robot sidekick, FiN, Agent 9 has finally convinced O, the leader of S4, to give them another chance. Before Agent 9 can embark on their next real mission, though, O and the rest of the S4 agents are captured by the nefarious King Crab. Now FiN and Agent 9 are the only ones standing between King Crab and his scheme to melt the polar ice caps, flooding the Earth so he can create a worldwide water park. The first of a new series of graphic novel adventures is sure to make readers gasp and giggle through Agent 9’s daring feats and impulsive mistakes. While escapes, explosions, and scribbly, jewel-toned digital art will no doubt draw in younger readers, Burks’ dry humor will also keep a more sophisticated crowd engaged and chuckling. There’s plenty of heart in this adventure, too, as FiN and O encourage 9 to slow down, think things through, and listen to good advice. FiN and 9’s friendship is sweet and loving, while King Crab and 9 seem to enjoy their frequent battles of wit. Readers will be sure to keep an eye out for 9’s next adventure, but they’ll definitely want to give this first romp a few rereads in the meantime.